Samsung Galaxy Note 5 hands-on
All the rumors are finally over as Samsung took to the stage this morning to announce its latest large-screen handset, the Samsung Galaxy Note 5. In the past, the Note series has generally taken a different design approach from the Galaxy S series, but one of the first things you’ll notice about he Note 5 is that it will strongly remind you of the Galaxy S6 series, for better or worse.
Is the Korean manufacturer’s “true flagship” all we were expecting? This phone is huge, but we have managed to get both hands all over it and are ready to give you our first look at the Samsung Galaxy Note 5. Let’s jump right into it, shall we?
Design
If you think the Samsung Galaxy S6 is a beauty, you will also love the Galaxy Note 5’s aesthetics. This is because the new handset adopts the design language that was introduced with the S6 series.
The Note 5 has a sleek unibody design which consists of a couple materials. There’s a metal edge all around the handset, while glass covers the front and back. One large difference is that this phone has a couple edged sides like on the Galaxy S6 Edge, but these are on the back. This will give the user a much better grip on the rounder rear, not to mention the fact that it happens to look great.
My only gripe is that there is still a protruding bump around the back camera. The flash and the heart-rate monitor are located right next to this shooter. Everything else is where you would expect it to be. We can find the volume rocker on the upper-left, the power button on the right side, a home button/fingerprint reader right below the screen and a SIM card slot on the top side of the phone. And we can’t forget that S-Pen slot, which is located on the bottom-right and operates via a spring-loaded mechanism.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 looks great, but I would be a little worried about its unwieldy nature. Larger smartphones are usually more prone to accidents, and the Note 5 isn’t exactly thin, either. We will have to test it more to pass judgement.
Display
The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 comes with a massive 5.7-inch Super AMOLED panel with a QHD (2560x1440p) resolution and a 515 ppi pixel density. Samsung smartphones are known for featuring some of the best displays in the market, so we are sure the Note 5 won’t disappoint. Its high resolution will ensure all text, images and videos are as crisp as ever. And if you like deep blacks are vibrant colors, Super AMOLED screens are king at offering those.
Hardware & Performance
We can assume the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 will be just as fast as the Galaxy S6; it sports very similar specs. Inside it you can find a powerful 2.1 GHz octa-core Exynos 7420 processor backed by a Mali-T760 MP8 GPU. In addition, those 4 GB of RAM memory should keep your multi-tasking sessions smoother than ever.
We all know speed and power don’t make a great phone; there’s plenty of other factors to consider. Let’s start by touching on storage options, which are not too varied. You can opt between 32 GB or 64 GB of internal memory. Need more? Then you better look somewhere else, because this phone has no microSD card slot. It also has no removable battery, which is something we suspected would happen. The 3000 mAh battery might seem a bit small here, but on the bright side, you will find wireless charging and quick charging support which at least helps make up a little for the samller battery.
Returning hardware features include the fingerprint reader, heart-rate monitor and the famous S-Pen Samsung fans love so much.
Software
The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 is blessed with Android 5.1.1 Lollipop and takes advantage of the latest TouchWiz iteration. As with many other things in the Note 5, this is the same we have seen on the Samsung Galaxy S6. At least it’s a more toned down version of Touchwiz, which gets rid of lame tutorial pop-ups and fancy gimmicks.
This is not to say Samsung’s new phablet is lacking in features, though. You can still find the theme store, a full set of toggles, multi-tasking features and the glorious S-Pen tool set all Note fans love. Samsung has also improved the S Pen experience a lot here.
First, the Note 5 includes a new way to start an action memo from a turned off screen. Simply pulling out the S Pen when the phone is locked will result in a slightly lit up black slate that will let you quickly write down a memo. There’s also a new scroll capture mode in Screen Write, allowing you to take and piece together multiple pictures of the same webpage in order to have the entire webpage available.
Finally, Samsung has also redesigned the Air Command window a bit. Fading out the background a bit, giving you access to the three main functions of the S Pen, but also a few application shortcuts.
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Camera
This gadget packs the same 16 MP camera with f/1.9 aperture and OIS we found on the Galaxy S6. In short, this means the Galaxy Note 5 has the best smartphone camera in the industry! It’s also paired with a good 5 MP front-facing shooter, so you can keep on taking those awesome selfies.
While the hardware might not be different, the camera software has received a few notable additions. There is a new video collage mode, and there’s also a new live broadcasting to YouTube mode that makes it easy to do a live broadcast stream right from the camera app.
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Wrapping up
So there you have it, guys! There are certainly pros and cons when taking on the S6 design, and while we do think this makes the new Note feel more premium than before, the design does omit some of the features we were hoping that the phone would continue to have such as a microSD slot and a removable battery. We can’t help but think some Note loyalists are going to be more than a little disappointed by some of the concessions made here, but really with all the features found inside, it really shows that Samsung has reached a far point in their smartphone game.
There’s a lot to like about the Note 5, especially for long-term fans of the series, even if there are also some very real steps backward. How you feel about the device will largely vary, depending on how much you care about the missing features that the Note 5 ditches from the Note 4.
What do you think about the Note 5 so far? Are you thinking about getting one? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Galaxy S6 Edge Plus announced: what you need to know
The Galaxy S6 Edge Plus has just launched, and we have all the key specs, features, and availability information right here.
“The Edge is here to stay,” said Lanh in our Galaxy S6 Edge review, and, several months later, the arrival of a Plus version of the device proves him right. Samsung is betting big on the Edge concept, and for good reason: despite a higher price, demand for the S6 Edge reportedly matched the “regular” Galaxy S6, and many market watchers contended that the S6 Edge is Samsung’s real flagship.
Now Samsung is taking its Edge into phablet territory. In New York, our Lanh Nguyen and Josh Vergara have got their hands on the S6 Edge Plus and Note 5, but for now, let’s go through the key details of the new Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge Plus.
Galaxy S6 Edge Plus specs, features, and software
| Display | 5.7-inch Super AMOLED 2560 x 1440 resolution, 515 ppi |
| Processor | Exynos 7420 |
| RAM | 4 GB |
| Storage | 32/64 GB, not expandable |
| Camera | 16 MP rear camera with OIS 5 MP front-facing camera |
| Connectivity | WiFi a/b/g/n/ac Bluetooth 4.1, NFC, GPS + GLONASS |
| Networks | LTE cat 6 300/50 |
| Battery | 3,000 mAh Fast charging WPC and PMA-compatible wireless charging |
| Software | Android 5.1 Lollipop with TouchWiz |
| Dimensions | 154.4 x 75.8 x 6.9mm, 153g |
| Colors | black sapphire, white pearl, gold platinum, green emerald |
Even if you’re just vaguely familiar with the original S6 Edge, the supersized Galaxy S6 Edge Plus will be no surprise. In almost every detail, the Plus is a larger S6 Edge, for better or worse.
The biggest deal here is the display: it’s a 5.7-inch Quad HD AMOLED panel, up from 5.1-inch on the S6 Edge. The pixel density went down a notch to 518 ppi – still, that’s at the top of the class and you will probably need a magnifying glass to truly see the difference in crispness between the two displays. Check out our hands-on S6 Edge vs Edge Plus comparison for more.
A bigger screen naturally makes for a bigger device: handling is still pretty good, provided you’re comfortable with large phones. Samsung added a couple of usability features to ease the necessity for finger acrobatics – you can triple tap the home button to bring up one-handed mode (basically, a smaller UI on one side of the phone) and the People Edge drawer can be moved up and down as you please.
The metal and glass build of the S6 Edge Plus is basically identical to that of other Samsung phones in this year’s class, and that means you won’t get a removable battery or microSD card. Just mentioning these omissions can spark raging firestorms in comments sections everywhere, but, at least, we have to appreciate that Samsung is consistent in its decisions.
It looks like the S6 Edge Plus will only be available in 32GB and 64GB options – Samsung dropped the 128GB option for some reason.
The 3,000 battery on the S6 Edge Plus is still pretty great, though the steady march of technology means there are competitors out there that come ahead by a big margin in this department.
In case you need it spelled out, no, there is no S Pen on the S6 Edge Plus – this is not the successor of the Note Edge, so no Air Command and screen doodling for you.
More about the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus build, specs, and features in our hands-on post.
The Galaxy S6 Edge Plus doesn’t bring any big, uhm, pluses on the software side. There are however a couple of new tricks we already mentioned: triple tap to activate one-handed mode (double tapping will still open up the camera) and a more powerful People Edge, which can now include shortcuts to your favorite apps.
Galaxy S6 Edge Plus pricing and availability
The Note 5 and S6 Edge Plus will go on pre-order from today in the US (all major carriers) and will begin shipping from August 20.
As for the price, we expect the S6 Edge Plus to be in the top tier, or around $800. Expect official details soon.
Read more
Check out our other Galaxy S6 Edge and Note 5 content:
- Galaxy S6 Edge Plus hands-on impressions
- S6 Edge vs S6 Edge Plus vs Galaxy S6 Edge
- Galaxy Note 5 hands-on impressions
- Galaxy Note 5 vs Galaxy Note 4
What’s your take?
There you have it: no surprises and no big differences between the S6 Edge Plus and the S6 Edge. That can be good or bad, depending on what you expected from the phone – in this day and age, some people just can’t go back to sub-5.5-inch, and for them, the S6 Edge Plus may be the ideal device. Then again, we also want our phones to surprise and delight us, and there’s very little new here.
What about you? Tell us what you think about the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus in the comments.
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Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge Plus hands-on and first impressions
Samsung took the wraps off of their latest high-end offerings at an event today, and along with the latest addition to the Note series, we also got our first look at the Plus iteration of their Galaxy S6 Edge flagship. We go hands-on and give you the first look at the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge Plus!
Design
If you loved everything about the Galaxy S6 Edge, but wished it featured a much bigger display, the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus is the device for you. The Plus moniker is usually indicative of a bigger and better version of the original, and that is exactly what you’re getting with the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus. When it comes to the design language, the S6 Edge Plus is identical to its smaller sibling in every way, from its sleek unibody metal and glass design with the metal frame thinning out along the curved edges of the glass, to the placement of all the buttons and ports.
It is obviously a much bigger phone, which makes one-handed usability a little more difficult when compared to the normal S6 Edge, but if you’re used to, and prefer, smartphones with bigger displays, this size isn’t going to be uncomfortable. The two curved edges along the sides are just as aesthetically pleasing to look at as they were before, but Samsung is looking to make a lot more useful this time around.
Display
Up front is a 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display with a Quad HD resolution, resulting in a pixel density of 515 ppi. The pixel density does take a small dip when compared to the smaller 5.1-inch display of the S6 Edge, but with both pixel counts well over 500 ppi, it’s not going to be noticeable. This screen provides everything you’d expect from a high-end Samsung display, including deep blacks, high brightness, saturated and vivid colors, and great viewing angles. With the additional display real estate, the S6 Edge Plus also provides a much better media consumption and gaming experience, as well as when browsing the web or reading text.
Performance and hardware
Under the hood, the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus features the same octa-core Exynos 7420 processor found with the S6 Edge, but with 4 GB of RAM instead. The extra gig of RAM certainly doesn’t hurt, and should make switching between a lot of applications an even smoother experience. So far, the device has been very responsive and snappy, which isn’t really surprising, as we’ve seen this processing package in action already with the smaller Galaxy S smartphones. Also contributing to this smooth performance is the latest toned version of the TouchWiz UI.
The S6 Edge Plus comes with 32 GB or 64 GB of on-board storage, but unfortunately, there is still no option for microSD card expansion, which makes the lack of a 128 GB version somewhat odd. The fingerprint scanner is still integrated into the tactile home button up front, and utilizes the touch type method that is much faster and more accurate than the swipe type implementation seen with 2014 Samsung flagships. The heart rate monitor is located on the back next to the camera.
On the battery front, the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus packs a 3,000 mAh unit that is not user replaceable. This is a fairly respectable capacity, but the much larger high resolution display it has to power does raise some concerns. That said, more thorough testing will of course be required before we can make any final judgments. Like the other Samsung flagships, you also get fast charging capabilities, and compatibility with both the PMA and Qi wireless charging standards.
Camera
The Galaxy S6 Edge Plus also comes with a 16 MP rear camera with a f/1.9 aperture and OIS, along with a 5 MP front-facing unit with a wide angle lens, which is identical to the camera setup found with its namesake. Considering the Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S6 Edge cameras are widely regarded as some of the best in the business, it won’t be too much of a surprise if the story is the same with this camera as well.
You can still use the double tap of the home button to quickly launch the camera application, and while the camera app is largely the same, but Samsung has now added the ability to create video collages, allowing you to record 4 short clips and stitch them into a single video. You can also now create live broadcasts from something like Periscope, that can feed directly to YouTube, if you’re looking to share a quick moment with your followers on the fly.
Software
The Galaxy S6 Edge Plus will ship with Android 5.1.1 Lollipop with the latest version of TouchWiz on top. Just as was seen with the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge, this is a toned version of the TouchWiz UI that removes a lot of unnecessary features and bloat. One minor aesthetic change this time around is with regards to the icons, which are now squares with rounded corners, that make the UI look a lot cleaner and more uniform when compared to older versions.
All of the features from the Galaxy S6 Edge that take advantage of the dual edges, like night clock, information stream, edge lighting, and People Edge all make their way over to the Plus iteration, but Samsung has made a few key improvements that make these edge features a little more useful than before. Besides just contacts, the People Edge is now capable of housing any of your favorite applications as well, and the edge feature can also be easily accessed no matter where you are within the phone, and not just when in the homescreen.
The pull tab can also be relocated to anywhere along the left and right edges to make it easier to reach, especially if you have smaller hands. Since the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus is a much bigger device, Samsung has also added a triple tap of the home button shortcut to shrink the screen to a smaller size, to help with one handed usability. We’ve seen this feature before on other large screen devices of course, but the triple tap of the home button makes this a very quick and easy feature to access.
Specifications
| Display | 5.7-inch Super AMOLED 2560 x 1440 resolution, 515 ppi |
| Processor | Exynos 7420 |
| RAM | 4 GB |
| Storage | 32/64 GB, not expandable |
| Camera | 16 MP rear camera with OIS 5 MP front-facing camera |
| Connectivity | WiFi a/b/g/n/ac Bluetooth 4.1, NFC, GPS + GLONASS |
| Networks | LTE cat 6 300/50 |
| Battery | 3,000 mAh Fast charging WPC and PMA-compatible wireless charging |
| Software | Android 5.1 Lollipop with TouchWiz |
| Dimensions | 154.4 x 75.8 x 6.9mm, 153g |
| Colors | black sapphire, white pearl, gold platinum, green emerald |
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So there you have it for this first look at the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge Plus! Stay tuned with Android Authority as we continue to bring you more great coverage of the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus and the Galaxy Note 5, including the full review, in-depth comparisons, camera shootouts, and a lot more.
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge Plus vs Galaxy S6 Edge quick look
Samsung just took the wraps off of a larger version of the unique Galaxy S6 Edge, but does this Plus iteration bring anything more to the table other just a bigger size? We find out, in this quick look at the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge Plus vs Galaxy S6 Edge!
Design
When it comes to the design, both devices sport identical design languages, save for the obvious fact that the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus is the bigger of the two, courtesy of its larger 5.7-inch display, compared to the 5.1-inch screen of the Galaxy S6 Edge. This also means that the bigger sibling retains the build quality that was first introduced with the Galaxy S series flagships, with its sleek glass and metal unibody design.
All the signature Samsung elements are found with both, including the tactile home button up front, integrated with a fingerprint scanner, as well as the volume rocker and power button placed on the left and right respectively. The heart rate monitor is found on the back, and the headphone jack, microUSB port, and single speaker unit are all positioned at the bottom of both these devices.
Of course, the big story with these two smartphones is the curved edges along the display that curve into the metal frame. While it allowed for a unique look with the Galaxy S6 Edge, the functionality available with the edges was somewhat limited. That is set to change with the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus, which should make these edges a more compelling feature, instead of just being aesthetically pleasing. As far as the handling experience is concerned, the much larger Galaxy S6 Edge Plus doesn’t allow for easy one-handed use, but it is easier to hold on to, given its slightly thicker profile.
Display
The similarities continue when it comes to the display as well, with both devices featuring Super AMOLED displays with Quad HD resolutions. The larger 5.7-inch screen results in a slightly lower pixel density when compared to the 5.1-inch display of the Galaxy S6 Edge, but with both pixel counts well over 500 ppi, you aren’t going to notice a difference.
Both displays offer everything we love about Samsung screens, from deep blacks and saturated colors that pop, to great viewing angles and high brightness. There won’t be any complaints with either display, but those of you who love to watch videos, play games, or simply just browse the web, will certainly appreciate the additional display real estate available with the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus.
Performance and hardware
Both devices also feature very similar processing packages with their octa-core Samsung Exynos processors, with the larger device coming with an additional gig of RAM. Performance was very impressive with the Galaxy S6 Edge, and that should hopefully continue with its Plus iteration, made even better with the availability of 4 GB of RAM. In the short time we spent with the device, everything looked as smooth and snappy as expected, and that is certainly a good sign.
While the Galaxy S6 Edge was available in 32 GB, 64 GB, and 128 GB of on-board storage, the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus comes with just the first two options. No expandable storage is available with either, leaving power users dependent on getting the higher storage versions, and of course, needing to pay the premium associated with it.
Additional hardware with both these devices include the fingerprint scanner integrated into the home button, with both being of the touch type variety, which is much faster and more accurate than Samsung’s old swipe method. On the back is also a heart rate monitor.
On the battery front, the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus packs a larger 3,000 mAh battery, compared to the 2,600 mAh unit of its smaller sibling. The battery life of the Galaxy S6 Edge proved to be just about average, and that might also be the case with the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus, despite its larger battery, given the larger display it has to power, but of course, we can’t make any judgments until more thorough testing is done. While the batteries are not replaceable, both devices also come with fast charging capabilities, and are also compatible with both the PMA and Qi standards for wireless charging.
Camera
The Galaxy S6 Edge Plus comes with the same camera setup as the Galaxy S6 Edge, with its 16 MP rear camera with an aperture of f/1.9 and OIS. On the front, both devices also come with a 5 MP camera with a wide angle lens. The cameras of the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge are widely considered to be some of the best in the smartphone world right now, and that will most likely be the case with the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus as well, and we can’t wait to put this camera through its paces.
Software
On the software side of things, the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus is running Android 5.1.1 Lollipop with the latest version of the TouchWiz UI, while the Galaxy S6 Edge is still on Android 5.0.2 Lollipop. The software experience remains largely the same however, with only the rounded off square icons found with the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus being the notable aesthetic difference.
This toned down version of TouchWiz is one of the reasons for the smooth performance now available with Samsung’s current flagships, and while there is very little bloatware, Samsung did introduce a few new features to take advantage of the edges of the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus. Features from the Galaxy S6 Edge like Night Clock, People Edge, and edge lighting all make their way to the larger device, but Samsung added another layer of functionality by adding user defined applications to be added to the People Edge, and this handle can now be relocated to anywhere on either edge to make it easier to reach. A triple tap of the home button also shrinks the screen to a smaller size to allow for easier one handed use.
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Conclusion at a glance
So there you have it for this quick look at the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge Plus vs Galaxy S6 Edge! Outside of a few software tweaks and the difference in size, these are both practically the same device, so it is really going to come down to whether you prefer a larger screen, or a device that is easier to use in one hand, but you can’t go wrong either way. Stay tuned with Android Authority as we continue to bring you more great hands on coverage of the Galaxy Note 5 and the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus!
Samsung Galaxy Note 5 vs LG G4 – quick look
We are at Samsung’s unpacked event taking a look at the Galaxy Note 5. We have spent some quality time with the new handset and already put together a hands-on post. Now it’s time for those nifty comparisons, and the LG G4 is definitely among the first phones we will put the Note 5 against.
It’s the battle of the flagships, and Samsung’s biggest rival (after Apple) is LG. This is bound to be a good fight, so let’s jump right into the nitty gritty of this comparison.
Design
Needless to say Samsung devices haven’t had the best designs in the past, something that changed with the Galaxy S6. The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 follows suit by adapting the new premium design language. In comparison, LG’s devices have remained relatively similar, and the G4 does look much like the G3, minus a subtle curve.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 has a body made of metal and glass, with a unibody design that is unlike many others. On the other hand, LG has opted for a plastic frame and removable back covers, but that is also one of its most desired features. Not to mention, the G4’s aesthetic value is highly improved by this aspect, as it allows users to sport those sexy leather backs.
Another main difference is that the LG G4 has the power and volume buttons on the rear, right below the camera. Samsung’s volume rocker is on the right side, while the power button is on the left. Both devices house a microphone and microUSB port on the bottom, as well as the speaker. The Note 5 also includes the S Pen obviously, which has been redesigned with a clickable top button and a more refined overall design.
Design preference is a very subjective matter, but there’s no doubt the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 will look and feel like a more premium handset. It’s just a matter of material choice, but some of you will prefer the elegant and unique look the LG G4 sports, especially if you like curved displays and leather backs.
Display
The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 touts a 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display, which is definitely larger than LG’s 5.5-inch IPS LCD panel. Aside from size, we are looking at the same exact resolution with a QHD (2560x1440p) definition. Of course, one big difference is the screen technologies these manufacturers use.
Super AMOLED panels are known for emiting very vibrant/saturated colors, as well as deep blacks. This makes images very striking, but some of you may prefer more accurate colors. LG’s IPS LCD display will definitely offer more exact hue reproduction. It uses Quantum Display technology, which can emit 98% of the DCI color gamut, which is the standard used by Hollywood.
Hardware & performance
In terms of speed, we should see very similar results, but these phones do appear somewhat different on paper. The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 features an Exynos 7420 processor with 4 GB of RAM. Meanwhile, LG opted for a Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 chipset with 3 GB of RAM.
Arguably, Samsung has the upper hand here. Samsung’s chip has showcased some of the highest benchmark results around. Not to mention, the extra GB of RAM will definitely help. Both phones are snappy and will be almost as fast, though. You likely won’t notice the difference in day-to-day use, except perhaps on the most intensive games and even then, the differences will be minor.
But let’s move on to other components. Where the LG G4 does fail is in internal storage options. The handset is only available with 32 GB. Meanwhile, Samsung expands choice with 32/64 GB iterations. Regardless, some of you will still prefer the LG G4 when considering storage, as it supports microSD cards, something Samsung has done away with. By the way, you can also remove the battery on the G4, which allows you to easily swap batteries on-the-go. Both should have great battery life, though, as they carry 3000 mAh of juice.
Where Samsung does win is in a couple other ways: the Galaxy Note 5 has an S-Pen stylus with great software features and a fingerprint reader. If you want those extras, the Note 5 will certainly stand out on top.
Camera
LG really stepped it up with the G4 camera, giving it a 16 MP sensor with OIS, laser auto-focus and f/1.8 aperture. This puts the LG handset very close to Samsung’s Galaxy S6, which has a 16 MP sensor, OIS and an f/1.9 aperture. But Samsung’s camera was still better, even if by a bit. This means the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 will also have a better photo quality, as it sports the same camera technology as its smaller brother.
On the front side you will find an 8 MP camera on the LG G4 and a 5 MP front shooter on the Note 5. But remember, megapixels don’t mean too much in photography. We still have to see photo samples before we can tell you which of these front-facing cameras is better.
Software
Both the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and the LG G4 run Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, but this doesn’t exactly mean their software is identical. In fact, their UI skins are quite different.
Samsung’s TouchWiz UI was stripped down for the Galaxy S6, and we are thankful the same philosophy has been applied to the Galaxy Note 5. It still has all those awesome S-Pen features, multi-tasking tools and other elements, but the interface is much sleeker.
Samsung has also redesigned the Air Command menu giving it a more refined look, which now gives you easy access to the three main functions of the S Pen, alongside a few application shortcuts. The Note 5 also adds a few new Note-specific changes, such as the ability to pull out the S Pen when the phone is locked, which will result in a slightly lit up black slate that will let you quickly write down a quick memo. There’s also a new scroll capture mode in Screen Write, allowing you to take and piece together multiple pictures of the same webpage in order to have the entire webpage available.
In comparison, LG’s software is still a bit bloated, but it does not offer a bad experience either and has been highly optimized for the Snapdragon 808. There’s just a few more things floating around your settings, aside from icons being a bit more playful and cartoon-like.
Wrapping up
And there you have it – a quick comparison between the new Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and the LG G4, one of its biggest competitors. Which one is the best is yet to be decided, but we have to say the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 is likely a bit superior. Samsung’s handset has higher performance, a better camera and a design that will be appealing to those who like metal and glass.
On the other hand, the LG G4 has those leather backs some of you love, and the bonus of a removable battery and expandable storage. And even if the Note 5 may have better specs, the G4 is still plenty powerful and has a pretty stunning camera.
We will go in more depth once we can give you our full review on the Samsung Galaxy Note 5, for now hit the comments and tell us which one is your favorite so far.
Samsung Galaxy Note 5 vs Galaxy Note 4 quick look
Samsung just took the wraps off of its latest addition to the popular Galaxy Note series, and understandably, you may be curious to know whether it is a worthy upgrade from its predecessor. We find out, as we go hands on and take a quick look at the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 vs Galaxy Note 4!
Design
We’ve historically always seen a separation in design languages when comparing Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S series and Galaxy Note series, but that is no longer the case with the Galaxy Note 5, with its design that is clearly reminiscent of the Galaxy S6, with its premium metal and glass unibody construction. We were happy with the new build quality direction Samsung took with the Galaxy S6, and it’s great to see these aesthetic changes make their way over to the Galaxy Note line. The big difference here is the curves along the sides of the back of the Galaxy Note 5, which not only looks great, but allows for the device to rest more comfortably in the hand.
With its faux leather backing and metal frame, the Galaxy Note 4 isn’t an unattractive device by any means either, but the switch to the new build material with the Galaxy Note 5 gives it a more premium look, and the latter also feels more substantial in the hand, when compared to the plastic leather texture found with the former. There will be some nostalgia associated with the Galaxy Note 4 though, with its removable back cover allowing for access to a replaceable battery and microSD car slot, features that are no longer available on its successor.
As far as specific design elements go, both devices are actually quite similar, with both featuring the signature Samsung home button up front, integrated with fingerprint scanners in both cases, along with the volume rocker and power button found at their usual positions on the left and right respectively. Noticeable differences are in the move of the headphone jack from the top and the single speaker unit from the back, with both now at the bottom in the case of the Galaxy Note 5. While front-facing speakers is still the best way to go, this placement is still a better option over the Galaxy Note 4’s rear speaker.
All said and done, these are both very attractive smartphones. While Samsung’s decision to go with more premium materials this time around may turn some fans away because of the associated compromises, at least from an aesthetic point of view, the changes are certainly great.
Display
Both the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy Note 4 feature 5.7-inch Super AMOLED displays with a Quad HD resolution, resulting in pixel densities of 515 ppi. These displays aren’t far off in terms of quality, but as Samsung continues to improve on their display technology, the screen of the Galaxy Note 5 does seem a touch brighter and more vivid. Both displays allow for a fantastic viewing experience in any case, and there are no losers in this department.
Performance and hardware
Under the hood, the Galaxy Note 5 features a few notable changes that should make the device faster than ever. This time around, Samsung decided to favor their in-house octa-core Exynos 7420 processor, and backed by 4 GB of RAM, the processing package of the Galaxy Note 5 should result in great performance and smooth multi-tasking. That said, the Galaxy Note 4, with its Snapdragon 805 processor and 3 GB of RAM is no slouch in the performance department either, and we’ve had no problems putting the device through the most difficult of tasks.
In other hardware is where some key differences are seen, with the unibody design of the Galaxy Note 5 resulting in a lack of a removable battery and microSD card slot, both features that are available with the Galaxy Note 4. Galaxy Note 5 users will have to depend on only the 32 GB or 64 GB of built-in storage, and along with expandable memory, the Galaxy Note 4 also comes with 32 GB of internal storage available.
While both smartphones feature fingerprint scanners, the touch type implementation found with the Galaxy Note 5 is certainly the one we prefer, compared to the swipe style iteration seen with the Galaxy Note 4. Both devices also comes with heart rate monitors on the back, with the vertical positioning of it on the Galaxy Note 5 making it slightly easier to use.
Of course, the marquee feature of the Galaxy Note series is the S-Pen stylus, and like previous Galaxy Note devices, the S-Pen itself has also been redesigned and now has a more premium design, that looks a lot more like an actual pen. The Galaxy Note 5 also brings a slew of new features that take advantage of the S-Pen, but it is likely that at least some of these features will also make its way over the Galaxy Note 4 in future updates.
Not only is the battery no longer removable, but the capacity is also slightly smaller, with the Galaxy Note 5 packing a 3,000 mAh battery, compared to the 3,220 mAh unit of its predecessor. Removing the ability to swap out the battery and reduce the capacity likely won’t fare well in the minds of consumers, but more thorough testing will be required before we can make any final judgments. Both devices do come with fast charging capabilities, and the Galaxy Note 5 also comes with built-in support for both the PMA and Qi standards of wireless charging, while the Galaxy Note 4 requires additional accessories.
Camera
The Galaxy Note 4 features one of the better smartphone cameras around, courtesy of its 16 MP rear shooter with OIS, which is overshadowed only by the current crop of Android flagships, and produces clear, well-balanced shots both indoor and outdoor. It also comes with a 3.7 MP front-facing unit that works well for most users and covers their selfie-taking needs.
The Galaxy Note 5 also comes with a 16 MP rear camera, that is very similar to what is found with the Galaxy S series flagships, and also packs a 5 MP front-facing camera with a wide angle lens. The camera of the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge are widely regarded as some of the best in the business, and that story should continue with the Galaxy Note 5 as well, and we can’t wait to put this camera through its paces.
Software
The Galaxy Note 5 runs Android 5.1.1 Lollipop with the latest iteration of TouchWiz on top, and this version will also soon be rolling out to the Galaxy Note 4 as well. The more toned down version of the TouchWiz UI is a contributing factor to the smooth performance of the device, but that doesn’t mean that it is particularly lacking in features, that take advantage of the new S-Pen.
On the Galaxy Note 5, when the display is switched off, you can now use the S-Pen to capture a memo and it also comes with a revamped Air Command menu, which blurs most of the screen, and actually looks really good. The S-Pen also comes with a new Scroll Capture feature that lets you capture an entire page (and not just what’s visible on the display) and annotate it using the S-Pen.
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Conclusion at a glance
So there you have it for this quick look at the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 vs Galaxy Note 4! With a more robust and substantial design and premium build quality, upgraded processing package and hardware, improved S-Pen stylus, and better software experience, the Galaxy Note 5 is certainly a worthy successor, but Samsung fans will certainly wax nostalgic about the removable back cover, replaceable battery, and expandable storage that are available with the Galaxy Note 4.
Stay tuned with Android Authority as we bring you more great hands on coverage of the Galaxy Note 5 and the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge Plus, as well as for the upcoming full reviews, in-depth comparisons, and camera shootouts of both these smartphones!
Samsung Galaxy Note 5 vs iPhone 6 Plus – which is the large screen king?
The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 is finally here, and though there are plenty of other large-screen handsets out there, we know most of you will be looking for one specific comparison. Yes, we are talking about Apple’s iPhone 6 Plus, which will definitely be the new Samsung phone’s main competitor.
Which of these handsets is worthy of your hard-earned cash? We have finally gotten to play with the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and spent some time comparing it to the iPhone 6 Plus. These phones are more different than we would think, so let’s take you through all the details.
Design
Samsung’s Galaxy S series was never recognized for outstanding designs. In fact, up until the Galaxy S6 most people criticized these phones’ aesthetics and build quality. With the Samsung Galaxy S6, the Korean manufacturer took the team back to the drawing board and created a phone worthy of envy.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 adopts the same design language. It sports a metal edge, paired with the same glass front and back. The only main difference is there are now a couple side edges on the back of the phone (like the Galaxy S6 edge, but on the opposite side).
Apple will have a harder time competing with Samsung this year, as Sammy’s phones are actually very well-built this time around. But it will still be a matter of personal preference, as the iPhone 6 Plus is also a great-looking handset. Apple’s phablet sports a metal unibody design and glass front. Do you prefer mostly glass or mostly metal? That is the real question.
Let’s just hope the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 doesn’t bend like the iPhone 6 Plus was known to do. That will likely be a huge deciding factor for customers.
These phones are pretty similar in other ways. Both have the volume rocker on the left side, the power button on the right and the home button/fingerprint reader right under the screen. The manufacturers went as far as copying each others’ annoying protruding cameras.
Another main difference is, of course, that the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 comes with that S-Pen slot on the bottom-right area of the phone.
Display
There’s really not much fight here. The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 has a 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display with a QHD (2560x1440p) resolution. That would equate to a 515 ppi pixel density. Meanwhile, the iPhone 6 Plus stays in the dust with its 5.5-inch IPS LCD Full HD (1920x1080p) screen, featuring a much lower 401 ppi density.
This means text, images and video will be much crisper and clearer on the Samsung Galaxy Note 5. Blacks will also be deeper and colors more vibrant, but that may not be to your liking. If you prefer more color accurate screens, IPS LCD panels are great at reproducing precise imaging. With that said, the Note 5 offers the option to tone down the colors for a more natural look, if that’s what you want.
Performance
We have to accept that great hardware doesn’t always make a huge difference in performance. Hardware can be adapted to software, making lower resources much more efficient. This is why gaming consoles with inferior specs (PS4, Xbox One, etc.) can often achieve better performance than fairly powerful computers.
With that in mind, we must also agree the difference between the Galaxy Note 5 and iPhone 6 Plus specs is quite significant. The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 has an Exynos 7420 chipset, which we have previously seen in the Samsung Galaxy S6 and we know to be stronger than Apple’s A8 processor.
In addition, the difference in multi-tasking prowess will be immense. Not only because of software, but also due to the 4 GB of RAM on the Note 5, which quadruple Apple’s mere 1 GB of RAM.
Hardware
Other specs are rather similar. Neither handsets have removable batteries or microSD card support. The iPhone 6 Plus does offer higher storage options at 16/64/128 GB, while the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 offers only 32/64 GB options. Furthermore, they are pretty similar in the battery department: the Note has a 3000 mAh battery, which is only slightly bigger than the 2915 mAh battery in the iPhone. The Note has always be known as the phone to choose if you’re looking for battery life, and we look forward to see if the Note 5 continues that legacy, even if its battery capacity is actually smaller than the Note 4’s.
The presence of microSD and removable battery has been one of the key features that Note fanatics have long touted, and there’s no small amount of controversy regarding their absence from the Note 5. The playing field is definitely more even now between these two competitors.
Camera
There’s not much to discuss here. It has been proven time and again that the Samsung Galaxy S6 camera beats any other smartphone shooter, including the iPhone 6 Plus’. The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 happens to have the same camera technology. This would be a 16 MP camera with f/1.9 aperture and OIS. On the other hand, the iPhone 6 Plus sports an 8 MP camera with OIS and an f/2.2 aperture. On the front, the Note 5 gets an update to 5MP compared to just 1.2 on the iPhone 6 Plus.
One notable new software feature of the Note is the ability to stitch together multiple videos in animated collages. That’s a neat little trick, but probably few users will actually use it.
Software
We won’t get into the Android vs iOS debate here. What we can tell you is Android 5.1.1 and iOS 8 are very different, and choosing between one or the other is a very subjective matter.
Android is known for its superior customization, open ecosystem and flexibility. Apple’s operating system is famous for its simplicity, intuitive interface and constant updates. Which style do you prefer? Do you want to geek out with Android, or do you want iOS to “just work”? That’s especially true given how the differences between the two operating systems have shrunk in time.
There is one main difference here, though. The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 does have that included S-Pen stylus. Along with the software optimizations, this can become a great tool for making you a much more productive individual. New S-Pen features coming on the Note 5 are the ability to write down notes even when the screen is sleeping and a redesigned Air Command menu that looks a lot better in our opinion.
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Wrap up
Do we have a clear winner? Not really, but we would say the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 has the upper hand in this battle. So far it performs better, looks great, has a better camera, and the software includes a plethora of shortcuts and helpful tools.
The iPhone 6 Plus will be the better option only if you prioritize internal storage. Or if you happen to have an inclination towards Apple’s design language and software. Otherwise, the iPhone 6 Plus is falling behind and we hope its successor can give these new handsets a better fight.
Which phone would you guys prefer? Hit the comments and give us your 2 cents!
Samsung Galaxy Note 5 won’t come to the UK in 2015
We’re here at Samsung’s Unpacked event in London, where the tech company has just unveiled the new Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge Plus. While many of the availability details have yet to be released, we are hearing some bad news from some official Samsung reps at the London event.
Unfortunately, Samsung has no plans to release the Galaxy Note 5 in the United Kingdom in 2015. Like I said, details are pretty scarce at the moment, but we’ll be sure to update this post as we learn more.
Developing…
iHome’s HomeKit-Compatible ‘iSP5 SmartPlug’ Now Officially Available
Following an initial publicity push in early June for the first batch of devices working in tandem with Apple’s HomeKit home automation service, iHome today announced that its iSP5 SmartPlug is now ready for a wider launch. The SmartPlug is one of the first official HomeKit-compatible products, allowing its users to interact with the power settings of any device — from a lamp to a fan — that is plugged directly into it.
The available app can be downloaded for both Android and iOS, but Apple users will specifically be able to control their home electronics with their voice thanks to Siri integration. Part of the iHome Control series of devices, the new iSP5 SmartPlug will let customers group multiple SmartPlugs into different “scenes” that let them control entire rooms of their home at once, and even create schedules and timers for the plugs to turn on or off the device connected to them.
“iHome products are already in more than 30 million homes and we’ve built a reputation over the last decade as a highly trusted consumer electronics brand. The move into the smart home market was a natural fit for us,” said Ezra S. Ashkenazi, CEO of iHome. “The iHome iSP5 SmartPlug, the first in our series under the iHome Control label, offers consumers the ability to turn virtually any small appliance into a smart product that can be controlled remotely with almost any iOS or Android device.”
Notably, the iSP5 SmartPlug doesn’t require a dedicated hub as with products like the Philips Hue lighting system, but instead works directly with a standard Wi-Fi router. iHome notes that the SmartPlug is just the “first in a planned series of products,” with promised announcements of new devices joining the iHome Control series in the coming weeks and months.
Those interested can purchase the iSP5 SmartPlug from iHome’s official website and Amazon for $39.99, with a larger retail rollout expected in the next few weeks.
Live from Samsung’s 2015 Unpacked event in New York!
It’s that time again, friends. Samsung wasn’t going to let a load of highly descriptive leaks spoil the show it’s got planned for us, so let’s get the full lowdown on what the company’s actually been working on together. Our guesses? Well, a new Galaxy Note, for one, not to mention a super-sized version of the Galaxy S6 Edge just because. With any luck, Sammy’s got plenty more in the wings that haven’t been spoiled yet — maybe that Project Orbis/Gear A smartwatch or some juicy Samsung Pay news. Don’t worry though: We’ll take everything Samsung’s unpacking and pack it into this here liveblog (along with an algorithmically prescribed amount of sass for good measure). The event starts at 11am Eastern, but you can join us early for commentary leading up to the big announcements. Let’s do this.
Tags: android, galaxy, galaxynote, galaxys6edgeplus, mobile, mobilepostcross, note5, phone, s6, s6edge, samsung, smartphone
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