We’ve noted the changes Samsung would make with Android Marshmallow, such as the further flattening of TouchWiz, and Hungary users are now getting to experience Google’s sweet treat on their Galaxy Note 4. A new YouTube video provided by ardaiaron gives us a sneak peek into what Android Marshmallow is like for fortunate users who get the download.
The smartphone in the video is indeed a Galaxy Note 4,
as can be seen by the aluminum frame around the phone. The aluminum frame added to Samsung’s design was a change from the ribbed faux aluminum design of the Galaxy Note 3 in 2013. Also, as to quell any doubt about the device in question, it features the heart rate monitor that was first implemented on the Galaxy S5; the Galaxy Note 4 was the first Note device to showcase the feature. Ardaiaron has the wallpaper that was first showcased on the Galaxy Note 4 present, and the model number “SM-N910F” for the device proves its identity without question. As you’ll note (pun intended), the Android version says “6.0,” which is the number of the Android Marshmallow update.
Some of the update changes are evident
The square icons have been “rounded,” matching the new icon layout in the Galaxy S6, S6 edge, S6 edge+, and the Galaxy Note 5. The S Health and Smart Manager icons seem smaller than in previous update versions. There is a new S Pen menu that matches that found on Samsung’s Galaxy Note 5, and Samsung also brought along the popular Off Screen Memo feature that gives you the ability to take notes when your screen is black.
Of course, with the build being Android Marshmallow, new changes from Google make their way to the Galaxy Note 4: Google Now On Tap, Doze, customizable app permissions, per app battery stats, and even the beginning of the Easter egg. The problem with the Android 6.0 build lies in the fact that, once you press the “M” to go into the Easter Egg, you end up with the “shrugging arms” expression. If you’ll remember, this was found in the early Developer Preview of Marshmallow; the actual build includes a “harshmallows” feature where the “bugdroid” must jump to avoid killer marshmallows. This doesn’t seem to find its way into the build, leading us to wonder whether this sneak peek is either 1) a Developer Preview or 2) the result of a root of some kind.
In addition to the shrugging arms expression,
Ardaiaron notes that there is lag on his device, apps don’t load in the task manager as they should, and Samsung Cloud stopped operating during the course of the video. With the problems behind the build, it’s more likely that this is a Developer Preview. Time will tell, however, whether or not this is the real deal. At any rate, the Android Marshmallow update for the Galaxy Note 4 isn’t too far off now. If it is legitimate, then the latest leak of Marshmallow for the Galaxy Note 4 was all too genuine.
If you thought we were just going to unbox the Galaxy Note 4 and leave it at that, you overestimated our restraint. Of course, we are going to play with the Galaxy Note 4 to see if it is really maximus! While we were at it, we decided take a hands-on video of the Galaxy Note 4, so you have a chance to get cozy with it before it is on the shelves in all 140 countries. Here is how it went.
Design of the Galaxy Note 4
If you are familiar with the Galaxy series, you might have noticed that the design of Galaxy Note 4 is consistent with the design identity of its predecessors. After all, this device is the 4th generation of one of Samsung’s flagship models – staying true to our history was important.
Obviously, it is hard to take your eyes off of the 5.7-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED display, which is four times the resolution of HD (2560×1440 pixels). Once you turn it on, you will notice the superior display quality. The display of the Galaxy Note 4 is also 2.5D glass, which means it’s clearer and brighter.
The home button has a Finger Scanner for better security, if you wish to use it. Or if you are not a fan of memorizing passwords or patterns, this can come handy. On the front, you can see all the basic components of a smartphone, such as the front camera, RGB ambient light, proximity, and gesture sensors, and speaker.
The frame on the side may seem different from previous Galaxy Note devices. Two words: Metal Frame. That’s right; the Galaxy Note 4 features a metal frame like the Galaxy Alpha. Note that.
The power button is on the right side. IR LED, 3.5mm standard earphone jack, and mic are on top. A volume rocker control is on the left side. The elegantly curved bottom houses 2 mics, a micro USB port and… the S Pen!
Now, if you flip the Galaxy Note 4 over, you may have noticed that there is no more stitch pattern, which its predecessor had. The speaker, rear camera, flash, UV and HRM sensors are located on the back as well. Speaking of sensors, the Galaxy Note 4 features accelerometer, a gyroscope, a geo-magnetic sensor, barometer, and hall sensor hidden inside the body.
The Advanced S Pen
Since we are talking about Galaxy Note series, we have to talk about the S Pen. It is what sets Galaxy Note 4 apart from other phablets. As you might have heard, the sensitivity has been doubled from 1,024 levels to 2,048. This enhanced sensitivity of the S Pen can distinguish the slightest nuances in writing and press sensitivity. The new S Pen drastically improves the overall experience. You have to try this out to really feel the smoothness.
Also, some of the S Pen button gestures are highlighted. For example, on the in-apps like Gallery or My Files, you can just drag and select the files you want with the S Pen button pressed. You can also drag and highlight text, just like the mouse does on a PC. You can already imagine that this will increase productivity and usability of the large screen like no other.
Now, to one of the coolest features of the S Pen, the “Smart select” feature. With this feature, there is no need to copy and paste the text or images one at a time; do it all at once. By using Smart Select, the content will be clipped temporarily for you to share easily whenever and wherever you want. This is how you do it.
1. Hover your S Pen and press the S Pen button to call ‘Air Command,’ select “Smart Select,” and choose the content you want to save:
2. You can choose whatever’s on the screen, and you can also go through different apps to collect different items.
3. The items you’ve collected will be temporarily stored together. Text is automatically detected and extractable.
3. Share them on messenger apps, send emails, etc.
The New Multi window
What is the use of the big screen if you cannot multitask with it? By the way, going back and forth through apps that are running but not seen isn’t really multitasking. This is how the new Multi Window of the Galaxy Note 4 lets you multitask.
While running an app, just drag down a corner to re-size it into a Pop up. You can resize it, place it anywhere and it will stay. You can also bring recently used apps onto the screen as a popup window.
If even this is too big, touch the circle on top and reduce it to a floating Icon. Tap to bring it back. You can also just turn it off.
You can choose to run your app on Full View by taking the center bar to the top, or dock a second app there and use it in split-screen. Of course, you can hold the back button to call up your Multi Window drawer and drag your second app into Split View, like you used to on previous Galaxy devices.
Easily drag and drop while you go between the tasks that need to be done simultaneously. Yes, you can also go back and forth through apps, but sometimes you just need to use them at the same time. The New Multi Window does that for you.
Adaptive Fast Charge
With the Galaxy Note 4, battery life will rarely be an issue. Samsung not only upped the battery capacity to 3220mAh, but we also introduced Fast Charge to Galaxy Note 4. It charges about 30% faster.
Also, if you’re running low despite the Fast Charge, you can turn to Ultra Saving Mode; a smash hit with Galaxy S5. It shuts down operations except for the absolutely necessary ones, which you can customize to an extent, and shows you how long you have left. Remember the days before smartphones, when cellphone batteries used to last days? Well, it’s sort of like that.
The Camera Features
Now, let’s go over one of the most important features of smartphones these days, the camera.
First, the front camera. Tired of blurry or relatively lower quality selfies? Thought so. Galaxy Note 4 features a 3.7 MP front-facing camera with a brighter F1.9 lens for brighter, more visible captures. This will receive 60% more light than a same camera with a F2.4 lens.
There is no more need to suffer sore arms from stretching your arm to an impossible length just to get everyone in the selfie. The front-facing camera’s angle has been improved to 90 degrees from the previous 77. Or you can just use the new feature called the ‘Wide Selfie’, which is like a Panorama mode for selfies. Yes, we said panorama selfie!
That isn’t all! You might already know about virtual shutter button or a timer. Did you know that you could use the heartbeat sensor or use your voice to trigger a shot? You no more need to worry about shaking the phone camera on your already outstretched and shaking arm.
On the back, the 16MP rear camera now features Smart Optical Image Stabilization, or OIS, to reduce dark and blurry pictures or shaky videos. You can also record video in Ultra High Definition (UHD) so you can play it back crystal clear and in full glory on your UHD TV. UHD, that’s 3840 x 2160! Don’t you already want to just go out and take some pictures with the Galaxy Note 4?
So, are you not entertained? That was our hands-on of the Galaxy Note 4. We definitely enjoyed playing around with the Galaxy Note 4. How could we not? What do you think? Will you enjoy it as much as we did as well? Let us know in the comments below.
*Just to clarify, there is no such mode called ‘beast mode’ in the new Galaxy Note 4.
Galaxy Note 4 has been labeled a “beast”. Well, the so-called ‘beast’ is finally out of the box and people will have plenty of time get to know it. Only then will they be able to judge if the nickname is actually appropriate or not. Until then, let’s go with the flow.
Given some of core specifications of the Galaxy Note 4, it’s hard to argue against the assertion that it is a “beast” or the “king of phablet”.
From display, camera to processers, individual technologies of the Galaxy Note 4 are literally some of the best in the industry, and Galaxy Note 4 packs all of them in its 8.5mm thin body.
Now the question is…
Why pack the Galaxy Note 4 with all those specs?
Galaxy Note, Galaxy Note 2 and Galaxy Note 3 have sold more than 10 million units as of end of 2013; it has become a trusted series. Galaxy Note is a series that not only has established itself as one of the most popular flagship ‘Galaxy’ devices, but also set the stage for mobile devices with larger screens.
For Samsung and the Galaxy Note series, this means that it not only needs to be the best-in-class, but it also needs to be even better than before. That is the responsibility people at Samsung feel, including Mr. DJ Lee, President and Head of Sales & Marketing of the IT & Mobile Communications Division at Samsung Mobile.
The Ordinary Irony
The task of improving upon its predecessor was a much more complicated task than it seemed. For example, design-wise, the Galaxy Note 4 needed to maintain the design identity of the previous ‘Galaxy Note’ devices, but look more ‘modern and stylish’. Specification-wise, virtually every component needed to be stronger while maintaining relatively similar dimensions of the Galaxy Note 3. This is a lot to deliver, but it is a responsibility that Samsung is used to dealing with.
Galaxy Note 4 Design
Balancing the metal frame with the soft back cover and diamond cut edges, the bigger battery necessary for the Galaxy Note 4 was only 8 grams heavier compared to the Galaxy Note 3. Assuming a gram is about the weight of a paper clip, the updated model weighed in at about an 8 paper clip difference. Moreover, the 16MP rear-facing & 3.7MP front-facing camera and 5.7-inch Quad HD (2560×1440) Super AMOLED display with 2.5D glass screen are just some of the results of that responsibility.
The Game has changed
Actually, this was probably a relatively easy task compared to having to live up to the name of ‘the originator of the Note category.’ The mobile device market has become saturated and is at its most competitive state ever. A larger screen is not something ‘totally out of the box,’ unlike in 2011. Therefore, Samsung feels the responsibility to up the game, each time the new Galaxy Note model is out.
Galaxy Note 4 S Pen
So, the Galaxy Note series has the S Pen, an innovative input device that maximizes the usability of the large ‘phablet’ real estate, and this no one does this better than Samsung. Which is why Samsung really went ‘over the horizon’ with the S Pen this time. For example:
– The 2,048 pressure sensitivity levels, which has been doubled from the Galaxy Note 3, allows users to write or draw on the Galaxy Note 4 like they do on a piece of paper.
– Users can drag and select multiple files at once with the S Pen like a mouse on a PC.
– The “Smart Select” feature lets users copy and paste multiple text or images from multiple sources at once.
The S Pen alone sets the Galaxy Note 4 apart from other devices with the freedom it gives in terms of tasking. The new multi window and S Note/Memo features significantly also guides a new way for productivity of phablets as well, but we will get into them in more detail later on. In fact, we will explain many of the mentioned specifications and features in more detail like we did with the Galaxy S5 on this blog.
So yes, the technical specs in the Galaxy Note 4 pack a very impressive punch, and the new head-turning design features definitely keep it ahead of the ‘phablet’ market. Galaxy Note 4 is the beauty and the beast. However, the creation of this ‘beast’ is greater than just the sum of its parts. It’s part of building on a trusted name, taking responsibility for that trust, and delivering above and beyond what was expected.
The back pockets, on our pants, are awesome. We know they are vulnerable to pickpockets and have a greater chance of spilling the contents every time we sit, but we can’t resist it. The back pocket is still home to many wallets, keys, phones, etc.
And apparently, our hips are strong – stronger than we give it credit for. Leaving things in your back pocket can lead to, well, bent things. Hence the question: what about my phone? Namely, the Galaxy Note 4.
Samsung makes and sells hundreds of millions of smart devices each year, and it’s very important that each and every one is in line with its strict quality control standards. So, to make sure you can rely on its devices, including Galaxy Note 4, Samsung runs rigorous tests both during and after development and production. Check out the video below for some of the tests that Samsung runs to give you, and your back pocket, peace of mind.
Samsung Introduces the Latest in its Iconic Note Series – The Galaxy Note 4, and Showcases Next Generation Display with Galaxy Note Edge
Offering a new dimension to Samsung’s unique Note culture, the Galaxy Note 4
and Note Edge strengthen Samsung’s category leadership with
the most progressive mobile devices on the market
Samsung Electronics announced the expansion of its flagship Galaxy Note series with the new Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge. Blending an evolved S Pen with a superior viewing experience, the Galaxy Note 4 provides users with the most unique and powerful mobile experience on the market.
“The Galaxy Note series signaled extraordinary innovation within the technology industry. Its larger screen size and iconic S Pen technology launched a new standard in smartphone culture,” said JK Shin, CEO and Head of IT & Mobile Communication at Samsung Electronics. “With the introduction of the Galaxy Note series, we brought the age-old culture of the pen and notepad into the digital world. The new Galaxy Note 4 introduces the most refined Note experience to-date by combining all the latest technology that users expect from the Galaxy series.”
Powerful Performance that Matters the Most to You
The Galaxy Note 4 embraces Samsung’s heritage of an unrivaled Galaxy mobile experience. Its extraordinary 5.7-inch Quad HD (2560×1440) Super AMOLED display reproduces clearer and more vivid images with deep contrast, better viewing angles, and response times as fast as a millionth of a second, providing a tremendous viewing experience.
Due to its large screen, the refined Multi Window feature is able to maximize the user’s experience providing them with the key to easier multi-tasking. Users can choose how they access their applications with full, split or pop-up screens, and easily change the size and positioning of apps on the screen with one intuitive swipe.
The Galaxy Note 4 also sports an advanced camera system that is able to reproduce brighter and clearer images. The device is equipped with a 16 megapixel rear-facing camera featuring a Smart Optical Image Stabilizer that counter-balances camera shake and automatically extends exposure time in dark settings. In addition, a 3.7 megapixel front-facing camera with f1.9 offers a default 90 degree shooting angle and up to 120 degree wide angle so users can take the best group shots with friends.
The Galaxy Note 4‘s wide selection of enhanced essential features enable users to get even more from their mobile device. With the Fast Charging feature and Ultra Power Saving Mode, the Galaxy Note 4 charges faster and ensures that users don’t run out of power when they need it most. The Galaxy Note 4 comes equipped with multiple microphones and an improved speaker phone for better noise cancellation when speaking in loud environments. A built-in Voice Recorder offers eight different directional voice tagging and a selective playback capability that allows users to isolate and listen to specific voices in a group conversation.
The Galaxy Note 4 also offers an improved Fingerprint Scanner, to secure personal data and the world’s first UV sensor in a mobile device.
S Pen and S Note for Everyday Tasks
Making everyday tasks much faster and easier, the Galaxy Note 4’s S Pen has been specifically evolved to serve as the primary tool that users go to for common, everyday mobile device use. This new S Pen offers a much more authentic pen experience, with a more natural brush effect that perfectly emulates writing on paper with a fountain or calligraphy pen. The S Pen also introduces a more user-friendly Air Command functionality along with other intuitive features such as Action Memo, Screen Write, Image Clip and Smart Select that allows users to create and collect content with ease. A new Smart Select feature enables users to easily piece together content from different origins, and share it with ease.
The Galaxy Note 4 also provides users with a choice of multiple, seamless note-taking methods integrated with Samsung’s S Note application that allows everyday tasks to get done faster and more easily. In addition to typing and writing, the innovative Snap Note feature allows users to take a picture of their notes on a paper or a classroom board, and then quickly and easily convert to an S Note. They can also further unleash their creativity by jotting down their thoughts quickly with Voice Memo.
Premium Yet Functional Design
The Galaxy Note 4 introduces a new sleek and stylish Galaxy design language. The device features a premium metal frame with fluid curvature that seamlessly blends with the device display. The Galaxy Note 4’s 2.5D glass screen, inherited from the Galaxy S3, offers extra protection while perfectly complementing the device’s rich viewing experience. A soft-textured back cover provides incredible comfort that makes it easy to control with one hand. The device not only looks beautiful, but offers a superior grip and enhanced durability.
Introducing Galaxy Note Edge
Samsung’s relentless pursuit of the best in innovation through the optimization of mobile technology and the user experience has led to the debut of the innovative and unique Galaxy Note Edge. Taking the Galaxy Note experience to the next level, the Note Edge provides users with a new way to access information, engage with their mobile device, and express their personality and tastes. The Galaxy Note Edge’s unique curved Edge screen provides quick access to frequently used apps, alerts and device functionality – even when the cover is closed – all with the swipe of a thumb. Users can also receive notifications directly on the Edge Screen while watching videos without disturbing their viewing.
The Galaxy Note 4 will be available in “Charcoal Black,” “Frost White,” “Bronze Gold,” and “Blossom Pink” in global markets starting in October and the Galaxy Note Edge will be available in “Charcoal Black” and “Frost White” in select markets through Samsung’s retail channels, e-commerce and carriers later this year.
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