Samsung Galaxy Note 4

Samsung Electronics
Industry	Consumer electronics
Founded	March 1, 1938; 88 years ago in Daegu, South Korea
Headquarters	Suwon, South Korea
Products	Smartphones, tablets, consumer electronics
Owner	Samsung Group
Website	www.samsung.com

Overview

The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is an Android-based phablet smartphone engineered and manufactured by Samsung Electronics. It was officially introduced at Samsung’s press event during the IFA Berlin on 3 September 2014, with worldwide availability commencing in October 2014. This device serves as the successor to the Samsung Galaxy Note 3.

Key enhancements in this model encompass advanced stylus capabilities, a rear camera equipped with optical image stabilization, and a front-facing camera capable of recording in quad-HD resolution (1440p). The charging speed has been substantially improved through Qualcomm Quick Charge technology. Additional upgrades include an updated multi-window feature, fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking, and integration of BeiDou satellite navigation.

Notably, the Galaxy Note 4 is the final installment in the Samsung Galaxy Note series to offer a user-replaceable battery, alongside an infrared (IR) blaster. It also marks the last Note device to support microSD card expansion until the release of the Note 7/Note FE in 2016 and the Note 8 in 2017. Its direct successor, the Samsung Galaxy Note 5, was launched on 13 August 2015.

Hardware

File:Samsung Galaxy Note 4 black with S Pen.jpg

The Note 4 incorporates a sophisticated S Pen offering enhanced functionality.

File:Bottom view of Samsung Galaxy Note 4.jpg

This is the first Galaxy model to support adaptive fast charging technology (up to 15 W).

Display

Equipped with a 5.7-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED screen, the Galaxy Note 4 delivers a resolution of 2560×1440 pixels ("WQHD") and features 2.5D damage-resistant Gorilla Glass 4, resulting in a pixel density of 515 ppi.

Chipsets

Two versions of the Note 4 were released: one powered by a 2.7 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 processor paired with an Adreno 420 GPU, and another featuring Samsung’s ARMv8-A Exynos 7 Octa SoC. The Exynos model includes two clusters of four cores each—four Cortex-A57 cores clocked at 1.9 GHz and four Cortex-A53 cores running at 1.3 GHz. This chipset configuration is identical to that used in the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 models distributed in regions primarily supporting or limited to 3G networks (such as HSUPA and HSPA) and legacy '2G' networks like unmodified GSM and CDMA, similar to the Galaxy Note 3’s market strategy. The device features an aluminum frame complemented by a plastic back cover designed to resemble leather.

Connectivity

Models supporting 4G, LTE/LTE-A, and Hybrid 4G-LTE networks were available exclusively in countries with extensive 4G LTE infrastructure such as Canada, Australia, the U.S., select carriers in the United Kingdom, as well as Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and South Korea. In nations like Canada and Denmark, which rely heavily or solely on 4G/LTE/LTE-A networks, older technologies such as 3G are generally not utilized except for fallback options like HSUPA when signal reception is weak indoors or underground, alongside support for HSPA+, often regarded as the original form of 4G. The Exynos chipset integrates the Mali-T760 GPU for graphics processing.

The Chinese edition supports both the TD-LTE and TD-SCDMA Plus network standards.

Storage

Both models are equipped with 3 GB of LPDDR3 RAM and come with 32 GB of built-in storage, which can be further expanded through the use of MicroSD-XC cards.^[1]

The slot for the memory card has been repositioned to permit hot swapping without obstruction from the battery.^[2]

Design

The rear cover of the Note 4 closely resembles that of the Note 3, featuring a faux leather finish but without the imitation stitching. It introduces a new aluminum frame design similar to that of the Galaxy Alpha, although it lacks an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance, a feature available on Samsung’s earlier flagship, the Galaxy S5, released six months prior.

Stylus

Continuing the tradition of its predecessors, the Note 4 incorporates a stylus pen known as the S Pen. Samsung promoted enhancements such as tilt and rotation detection^[3], but these capabilities were either not implemented or unsupported.^[4]

The Wacom digitizer technology has been enhanced to recognize up to 2048 pressure sensitivity levels—double that of its predecessor.^[5]Template:Unreliable source?^[6]

Building upon the Galaxy Note 3’s Scrapbook feature, an Intelligent Selection function was added to enable optical character recognition on selected portions of the screen.^[7]^[8]

Battery

The Note 4 is equipped with a removable 3,220 mAh lithium-ion battery, marking it as the final Samsung flagship to offer a user-replaceable power source.

This model is Samsung's first flagship to incorporate support for Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0, enabling rapid charging at up to 15 W.

Instead of utilizing the USB 3.0 port found on the Note 3 and S5, the Note 4 employs a USB 2.0 charging interface, optimized for a new feature named Fast ChargeTemplate:Fix/category^{[citation needed]}. Samsung claims this technology can replenish the battery from zero to 50% in approximately half an hour, and achieve full charge in under 100 minutes.

Wireless charging is possible through an optional rear cover accessory, which comes in two variants: a standard cover and an S View flip cover (also known as S Charger View). Both utilize Qi wireless charging technology to power the battery without cables.

Miscellaneous

A distinctive feature of the Galaxy Note 4 is its built-in sensor capable of measuring ultraviolet radiation.

Similar to the Galaxy S5, this device includes a heart-rate monitor and oximeter, along with standard sensors such as a barometer, digital compass, front-facing proximity sensor, accelerometer, and gyroscope. However, unlike the Galaxy S4 and the 2013 Galaxy Note 3, it does not contain thermometer or hygrometer sensors.

The Air View functionality has been restricted to stylus use only, unlike previous models like the S4, Note 3, S5, and Alpha, where finger interaction was supported.

The capacitive key situated to the left of the home button has transitioned from serving as a menu key in earlier Galaxy Note series devices to functioning as a task key. Holding this key for one second will simulate a menu key press.

Unlike its successor, the Galaxy Note 4 supports Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL), allowing it to connect directly to an HDMI display.

In addition to the wireless charging S View cover, another accessory available is the LED flip wallet (or LED dot case), which displays the time through subtle perforations on the front cover when closed.

S View Cover

The S View cover is a horizontally flipping case equipped with a preview window, retaining the core features of its predecessor model, but introducing the capability to generate Action Memos (digital post-it notes) without needing to open the cover.

Additional enhancements include a shortcut for the flashlight, optional analogue clock styles alongside the default digital clock, video recording functionality, direct access to favorite contacts via a dial shortcut, and integration with the heart rate monitor, all accessible without unfolding the cover.^[9]^[10]

Software

Upon release, the Galaxy Note 4 operated on Google's Android platform, specifically version 4.4.4, enhanced with Samsung’s proprietary interface known as TouchWiz Nature UX 3.5. It retained most of the original Note’s software capabilities while introducing notable improvements such as an updated multitasking system, expanded S Pen functionalities, gesture controls, and redesigned menus and icons.

Notably, several Samsung Smart Screen and air gesture features available on earlier models like the Galaxy S4, Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy S5, and Galaxy Alpha—including Air Browse, Smart Pause, Smart Scroll, and Air Call Accept—were omitted.^[11]^[12]

Software Updates

In numerous regions, the device supports an upgrade to Android 5.0.1 Lollipop, which introduces a refreshed user interface and updated runtime environment. However, this update has faced criticism due to diminished battery performance. Depending on carrier support, an additional update to version 5.1.1 is also available.

Furthermore, most Note 4 units are eligible for an upgrade to Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow, which incorporates features such as Android Doze—a battery-saving mechanism introduced in Marshmallow—and enhanced app permission controls. The TouchWiz UI on the Note 4 was also refined, adopting the home screen icon pack from the Galaxy S6 and adding new S Pen capabilities reminiscent of those found in the Galaxy Note 5, including an updated Air command menu with customizable shortcuts and Screen-off memo functionality. Despite these changes, the overall UI remains closely aligned with its predecessor's design and bears some resemblance to the S6 interface, while largely maintaining the original TouchWiz aesthetic of the Note 4.

Multi-window

The updated multitasking interface integrates the Galaxy Note 3's “S Pen window” capability with the split-screen functionality previously seen on the Galaxy Note 2, Galaxy S4, Galaxy Note 3, and Galaxy S5, consolidating them into a single feature. Users can switch applications—including the camera app—between a floating pop-up window and a versatile split-screen layout, as well as convert standard views into pop-up windows by dragging diagonally from a top corner.^[13]^[14]

Gallery software

The Galaxy Note 4 employs gallery software closely resembling that of the Galaxy S5, supporting features such as "Shot & More" and "Selective Focus". Additional camera modes are accessible via Samsung’s dedicated app store.^[15]^[16]

This gallery application is compatible with the Air View function, which enables photo previews when the stylus hovers over images within albums.

However, user feedback indicates that the Exif metadata viewer has been omitted from the Galaxy Note 4’s gallery app.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

Camera

File:Backside of Samsung Galaxy Note 4 black.jpg

Rear of Note 4 featuring Camera, Flash and Heart Rate Monitor

The primary rear camera features a 16-megapixel (5312×2988) autofocus sensor with a 16:9 aspect ratio (Sony Exmor RS IMX240),Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name incorporating Smart OIS—a combination of optical and software image stabilization. This marks the first instance in the Samsung Galaxy Note series and among Samsung’s flagship devices to include an optically stabilized rear camera.

It supports optically stabilized video recording in 4K (2160p) at 30 frames per second, along with 1080p video capture at both 30 fps and 60 fps (the latter known as Smooth Motion), plus slow-motion recording at 720p resolution with 120 fps. The camera software also introduces a 1440p video recording option. Similar to the Galaxy S5, its rear camera can record high dynamic range (HDR) videos up to 1080p at 30 fps.

While the camera interface largely mirrors that of the Galaxy S5, several modifications have been implemented. Digital zoom capability has been increased to 8x, doubling that found on the S5 and Note 3. However, features such as saving both standard dynamic range and HDR versions of photos separately, as well as the Wi-Fi Direct remote viewfinder, have been removed.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

The front-facing camera is a 3.7 MP unit with an f/1.9 aperture, capable of capturing wide-angle images and recording QHD videos at 2560×1440 resolution.

Notably, the Galaxy Note 4 is the first smartphone front camera able to record video at 1440p (WQHD) resolution.

Following the LG G3, it is also Samsung’s second device to offer optically stabilized 2160p (4K) video recording.^[17]

Sales

The Galaxy Note 4 was launched in early October 2014 and became accessible in most key markets by mid-October. The initial availability was focused on South Korea and China, where the device quickly gained significant traction. Within its first month on the market, the Galaxy Note 4 reportedly achieved sales of approximately 4.5 million units, slightly trailing behind its predecessor, the Galaxy Note 3, which recorded around 5 million units sold during its first month.^[18]^[19] According to Samsung, the initial sales figures for the Note 4 were lower compared to the Note 3 due to manufacturing delays that postponed its release in several major international markets, including the United Kingdom and India, until early November.

Plug-in for Samsung Gear VR

The Galaxy Note 4 marks the first generation of Galaxy smartphones capable of interfacing with the Gear VR headset. However, only the Snapdragon-powered versions sold through US and European carriers are compatible with the Samsung Gear VR, developed in collaboration with Oculus VR.^[20]

Reception

The device received widespread critical praise upon release. DisplayMate conducted an analysis of the display performance shortly after the Note 4's launch in late 2014 and declared it as the highest-performing smartphone screen they had ever tested, setting a new standard for display quality.^[21]

Notably, Galaxy Note 4 units were utilized to shoot Cai Lan Gong, recognized as the world’s first feature film captured entirely on a smartphone at 4K resolution.^[22]

eMMC class action

A significant number of users reported issues with Snapdragon variants of the Note 4 failing to boot, displaying an "mmc_read failed" error message.^[23] Some affected users indicated that this problem arose following an OTA update to Marshmallow, while others experienced it without having installed that update. Alongside this boot failure, affected devices have been known to freeze and reboot after locking the screen, with some encountering spontaneous restarts during regular use.^[24] A temporary solution involves preventing the CPU from entering deep sleep mode.^[25] In response to these defects, a class action lawsuit has been filed against Samsung in the United States concerning the eMMC malfunction.^[26]^[27]^[28]

Battery recall

A recall has been issued for batteries due to the overheating hazard posed by counterfeit units installed in devices refurbished by AT&T.

Successors

The Samsung Galaxy Note 5—marketed simply as Samsung Galaxy Note 5—is an Android phablet smartphone designed and manufactured by Samsung Electronics. It was introduced alongside the Galaxy S6 Edge+ at a Samsung media event held in New York City on 13 August 2015. This model serves as the follow-up to the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and was launched in the U.S. market on 21 August 2015.

In European markets, the direct successor to the Note 4 is the Samsung Galaxy Note 8, since the Note 5 was not released there. Additionally, the Note 7 was pulled from sale due to battery safety concerns.