The Samsung Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 4 were flagship powerhouses in their time, representing the pinnacle of Android technology. But which one holds up better today? We're diving deep into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide which device might be worth considering, especially if you're looking for a budget-friendly option.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy Note 4 (USA) is the clear winner, boasting a faster processor, improved camera, and quicker charging. While the S4 remains a capable device, the Note 4's advancements in display, performance, and features make it the superior choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - I9506 | CDMA 800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - I9506 | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - I9506 | 2, 4, 5, 12, 17 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | 5, 9 - SHV-E330S | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, Q3. Released 2013, Q3 | 2014, Q4. Released 2014, Q4 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9 mm (5.38 x 2.75 x 0.31 in) | 153.5 x 78.6 x 8.5 mm (6.04 x 3.09 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 130 g (4.59 oz) | 176 g (6.21 oz) |
| | - | Stylus |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~441 ppi density) | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~518 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~72.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.7 inches, 88.5 cm2 (~73.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 | Quad-core 2.7 GHz Krait 450 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8974 Snapdragon 800 (28 nm) | Qualcomm APQ8084 Snapdragon 805 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 330 | Adreno 420 |
| OS | Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 5.0.1 (Lollipop), TouchWiz UI | Android 4.4.4 (KitKat), upgradable to 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | eMMC 5.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, 31mm (standard), 1/3.1", 1.14µm, AF | 16 MP, f/2.2, 31mm (standard), 1/2.6", 1.12µm, AF, OIS |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, stereo sound rec. |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual video call | HDR |
| Single | 2 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide) | 3.7 MP, f/1.9, 22mm (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1440p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio
|
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX | 4.1, A2DP, EDR, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 (MHL 2 TV-out), OTG | microUSB 2.0 (MHL 3 TV-out), OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, temperature, humidity, gesture | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, gesture, UV, heart rate, SpO2 |
| | S-Voice natural language commands and dictation
Air gestures | ANT+
S-Voice natural language commands and dictation
Air gestures |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless (Qi) (market dependent) | 15W wired, QC2 |
| Music play | Up to 62 h | Up to 80 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 370 h (3G) | Up to 212 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 17 h (3G) | Up to 31 h 20 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2600 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 3220 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White Frost, Black Mist (I9506)/ Arctic Blue, Red Aurora, rose gold white, rose gold black, deep black (SHV-E330S) | Frosted white, Charcoal black, Bronze Gold, Blossom Pink |
| Models | SHV-E330S, GT-i9506, GT-I9506, GT-I9507V, SHV-E330K, SHV-E300S | SM-N910A, SM-N910T, SM-N910V, SM-N910M, SM-N910P, SM-N910R4, SM-N910W8, SM-N910T3 |
| Price | About 390 EUR | About 250 EUR |
| SAR | 0.93 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) | 0.88 W/kg (head) 1.40 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.39 W/kg (head) 0.44 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 1105 | - |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Performance | Basemark OS II 2.0: 1105 | - |
Samsung I9506 Galaxy S4
- Compact size
- Wireless charging (market dependent)
- Good value for money
- Decent performance for basic tasks
- Older chipset
- Smaller screen
- Shorter battery life
- Outdated software
Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (USA)
- Larger, sharper display
- Faster performance
- Better camera with OIS
- Longer battery life
- Quick Charge 2.0
- Larger size may not be ideal for everyone
- Older device
- Software updates discontinued
Display Comparison
The Note 4 features a larger 5.7-inch Quad HD (2560 x 1440) Super AMOLED display, offering significantly sharper visuals and more screen real estate compared to the S4's 5.0-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) Super AMOLED screen. Colors are vibrant on both, but the Note 4's resolution provides a noticeable edge.
Camera Comparison
The Note 4's 13MP main camera with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and a wider aperture generally produces better photos, especially in low light. The S4's 13MP camera is still decent, but lacks the OIS found on the Note 4. The Note 4 also has a sharper front-facing camera.
Performance
The Note 4's Snapdragon 805 chipset and 2.7 GHz Krait 450 CPU provide a substantial performance boost over the S4's Snapdragon 800 and 2.3 GHz Krait 400. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Note 4.
Battery Life
The Note 4's larger 3220 mAh battery, combined with its more efficient chipset, typically offers longer battery life than the S4's 2600 mAh battery. The Note 4's support for 15W wired charging and Quick Charge 2.0 further enhances its charging speed.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy S4? Those seeking a very budget-friendly, compact Android phone for basic tasks. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (USA)? Users wanting a larger screen, better performance, and a more modern feature set, even on an older device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Galaxy S4 still usable in 2024?
Yes, the Galaxy S4 can still be used for basic tasks like browsing, calling, and messaging. However, its older hardware and lack of software updates mean it's not suitable for demanding apps or modern games.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Neither phone receives official software updates anymore. Both are running older versions of Android. Security updates are no longer provided.
