GALAXY NOTE 4: Initial Review

Timecoded review! EDIT: NOTE 3 BASE MODEL IS 32GB. MY BAD! Here are my initial thoughts on the Galaxy Note 4. There is more to come as I continue to use it!
1. Introduction (0:05)
2. A look at design (0:22)
3. Battery and battery life (5:31)
4. Usability and features (8:00)
5. Fingerprint scanner (15:48)
6. Intro to the display - more to come (18:33)
7. Performance so far (25:12)
8. Camera OIS (26:11)
9. Concluding thoughts so far (31:11)
Galaxy S5 G906S Korean S805 model with quad hd display
• Galaxy S5 vs Galaxy S5...
My Google Plus:
www.plus.google.com/+EricaGriffin

[@EricaGriffin]

I made an honest mistake in saying the #GalaxyNote3 was 16gb for the base model! I must have been thinking of the #GalaxyS5 and an annotation has been added.

[@AdityaSaky]

* #GalaxyNote4

[@NathanHampton]

It happens. :)

[@EricaGriffin]

I'm not ashamed I made a mistake. =) It really must have been my S5 I got pissed with for filling up so quickly with video.

[@stynkfish]

Oh the humanity!

[@RobertD_83]

If you can still edit you also said (in an annotation) it has an Areno GPU Erica Griffin. Wasn't sure if u had noticed yet, so wanted to let u know... Great review BTW👍👍

[@EricaGriffin]

I figured I'd leave a comment on my video so people who are wondering can see it. I am indeed working on the full review right now. I have started filming it. Please be patient though because I have caught the flu and have laryngitis. Good times. Trying to recover.

[@Supuhstar]

Take it easy! The last thing we want is for you to strain yourself and not have fun making these :3

[@jeetendrasinghgeek]

GWS! Though same with me! :(

[@memo503046]

Hope you get well soon

[@SiggyTetteh]

Erica Griffin hope you get to feeling better, no way to be working and most of all talking on a video. Wish you a speedy recovery though!

[@lohkokmy]

Saw your that you having a cold, wish you get well soon. From the other side of the planet.

[@kvnvdh]

Nice. Thank you for this video. I love how your "Initial review" or "First impressions" video is like double the length of the "full" reviews of most reviewers on YT and even now already provides a ton more relevant information instead of just reading a spec sheet on camera. Can't wait for you "All you need to know" video on the Note 4. Thank you Erica Griffin

[@jetnag]

Great as always. You know it's insane in-depth when your initial review is over 30 mins.

[@TKBay]

Erica Griffin how do you turn the dialer shortcut on the lockscreen. I cannot seem to find the setting for that.

[@JayFonzerrelli]

Wow, this is the first review I've ever seen from you, and I was blown away! After reading the comments I was again blown away at some (very few) comments stating they didn't like you going in depth about screen uniformity... That's because I loved that you went there! Thank you, as I like to know what to watch out for with any device I may buy, and screen uniformity is something that I am a geek about. Thank you for the wonderful review, and you definitely have a sub here!

[@EricaGriffin]

Hey everyone, the white balance of the camera and the lights makes the whites of my display appear a little pink at times. It's not actually pink.

[@Jing_Photography]

Can u compare between Snapdragon and Exynos ? which is better ?

[@darkangelss6sic6]

So what you are saying is as expected the display color accuracy is not perfect. However it is extremely accurate and fairly evenly calibrated. More accurate than even most LCD'S tend to be. So the claim that it is basically the most advanced smart phone display and very accurate in basic mode is true. Having a small gamma error of 0.2 and at points 0.4.

[@darkangelss6sic6]

I'm very much surprised at the lacking of such reviews. Not only do the comparisons barely exist, but exynos reviews are also few and far. I'm also very interested to see a battery comparison of both of them before and after the update. I'm surprised at the lacking if this as well. Most people that even touch these subjects are not presenting it in a very informed way. Though I was surprised to find that the adreno 420 had a lead over the mali t760. I thought that was much more powerful. Though it is not a large lead and obvious the Exynos cpu cores are the real winners and should fair even better if they get 64bit enabled in android l

[@Jing_Photography]

It mean that Exynos is better than Snapdragon?

[@darkangelss6sic6]

Yin Bunhay Yes and no. Technically the Exynos has a better cpu. And the GPU is only a tad behind. And MOST LIKELY the Exynos will open up 64bit when Note 4 gets an Android L update and then it will perform even better over time. And on the small chance it does not there is a decent chance a hack might. But the Snapdragon has somewhat better app support sometimes. And it generally has much better hack/developer support. And the Gpu is a little stronger. As far as battery life goes I assume the Exynos is a little better, but I cannot factually back that up. Though I'm sure they are similar.

[@Janelle2043]

Glad to find you regarding the"Note 4". I reviewed your blog in dept regarding the "Note2" before I bought it & am now considering the "Note4"..

[@widebody2010]

Had to say I love your commentary. Funny but informative. Easy for even us old folks to follow. Very practical info mostly cause you give it that down to earth feel. That really useful and real life feeling. I don't feel like you are like so many that seem to be speed reading. Take care.

[@zagonde]

you're so thorough with these reviews and for some reason you do the best close-ups. dunno why but for me it just is the case with the close-ups.

[@VonnySutomo]

I have seen plenty of Note 4 reviews and none discussed it as pleasantly detailed as yours. So hands down you are the best tech reviewer! Your detailed review made me wanting the Note 4

[@LeMatt87n]

Hands down best review of the note 4 I've seen, and I've been watching a bunch lately.. Rlly interested in this phone now. You have a knack for noticing the fine details that a lot of other reviewers omit. I think you've found a great niche in doing that. Keep up the great work.

[@faethe000]

Love your reviews. You're always the most thorough of any reviewer, by a mile.

[@ryanspianoaccount]

Just had notification to say you uploaded your review. Made my Saturday night :) The review I have been waiting for . Thanks

[@XxLeo05xX]

Erica you rock. That's it. You are the best in depth reviewer on KZbin in my opinion. I love your 30 plus minute initial take lol. Can't wait to see the actual review.

[@antc1022]

As always GREAT review. Wait.. This isn't the FULL review? Good gosh Erica! What else is there? You already have sold me on getting the Note 📝 4

[@ensom]

thanks for putting out this first impressions video. was definitely anticipating your review of the note 4 over any other youtube reviewer. you really get into all the important details especially the displays on devices; all the stuff i really want to know before making a purchase. i like that you are willing to point out the flaws, and critique the shortcomings of devices, as consumers we need to know the cons and be able to weigh them between devices. i got a note 2 based on your review and i am probably going to get a note 4 eventually. thanks for the discerning and detailed reviews!

[@androidiano4ever]

A girl like you is impossible to find ...

[@BruhBruh-pz2ww]

Geekness overload

[@PimNx]

xD

[@GAU94RAV]

yeah and she is cute too...

[@androidiano4ever]

haahhaha

[@brettdomenick]

Yes! I have been waiting for you to make a note video!

[@Bargab1]

You rock, Erica. Your piece is one of the few thorough reviews out there that I've seen. Thank very much. Keep up the great work. I can't wait to see your comparison of this to the iPhone 6 or 6+.

[@tobiaspahlsson8126]

Erica Griffin I just love your screen analyses and overall deep analyses of the phones you review. You are my first goto KZbinr when I am to buy a new phone.

[@justinbristoe]

the only youtuber that actually can tech the viewers how to use all the features on their devices. thanks for the breakdown

[@JeffreyRamsey]

I have the Note 4 and I love it. You showed me some options I didn't know about... Thanks..

[@marian83amadeus]

In my opinion the best review so far; enjoy your superb device it's absolutely aww

[@MichaelCoronas]

I really enjoy your reviews. They're very thorough.

[@peanutftwava8968]

Am I the only one that actually likes the over saturated colors on my device?

[@darkangelss6sic6]

PeanutFTW AVA No. Many people do. I appreciate both aspects. But many people as well like accurate colors. Plus as someone who studies displays and is factual with her stuff, plus adding in that in the past the claimed accuracy was still quite high in gamma...it's an important thing to point out. But you are far from alone. The best part about it is that you get your way no matter which you prefer. Very saturated or very accurate. A gamma error of 0.2-0.4 that she described is actually very small. Colors in that mode are only very minutely saturated and I'm sure it's only some hues more than others. Plus the near spot on white balance. Most LCD's intentionally have a higher gamma setting than that. And even the Iphone has a small gamma error and a less accurate white balance. So basically the Note 4 is the most saturated or accurate to the users liking. Plus it's also basically is the best in sunlight next to the Nokia 8o8 PurView. Only when you put it in auto brightness and it's in bright light though. The maximum brightness the user can set it to without auto brightness is 100-300 nits away from it's actual full brightness depending on how bright it is outside. Plus it uses up to 40% less power than even most 1080p 5 inch LCD displays.

[@VaunShiz]

I love it haha my note 2 was super saturated naturally and I even set that phone to dynamic and the greens and reds burned your eyes they were so saturated haha it wowed people back then

[@420bars]

matthew clouser HAHAH me 2.. I love dynamic,I dont know whats the point of having boring colors .. I LOVE Samsung screen

[@darkangelss6sic6]

***** I agree. I tend to stick to standard for most things. But Dynamic is best out doors and makes some content looks dramatic. But for skin tones and some content it's nice to see what they really look like.

[@TheDark-Knut]

i love it! It looks so vibrant unlike the dull Ips displays!

[@tisoyboy2]

Erica, did you find anything wrong with the front camera video capture? When I playback a recorded video the image is stretched in the top right corner. I had no effects activated while taking the video.

[@nadeemhaq8130]

Hi Erica. I am struggling with the side key panel with my note4. It just doesn't minimize the way it is shown in your video. Instead it disappears and it is very hard to make it appear again unless I do it from settings.

[@thomastaylor4545]

thank god ur back!! :) wait for that review a long!

[@joplin2007]

Hi Erica, I really appreciate how thorough you are in your reviews. You go into a lot more details than ANY OTHER REVIEWERS. You discuss sound quality and clarity in calls which is really important to me. Thanks again . Greg Joplin PS To other people that complain about parts of your review or the whole review. If you don't like it DON'T WATCH!!!!!!!!!!

[@MAR786786]

Quick question plz..which screen mode should I leave it on for overall viewing and not having to switch depending on what im viewing? ..thanks

[@cotx79]

Time coding on videos??? Brilliant! Continue to blow my mind with the great reviews and videos!!

[@Loyal-Ro]

Hi Erica Griffin , great review ! Sincerely ! I just want to say that you can cross the finger to the screen to make resize it. You just have to enable from settings. I waited for a long time to see on your channel a review to Note 4 because you explain better and you analyze everything. Sorry for bad english.

[@BobPea2323]

So I picked up this phone up last week and I noticed that when I'm looking at a darker image on screen the phone is brighter on the top half of my screen compared to bottom half, should I just go in and get it swapped or is there something I can do to fix it myself?

[@JamesRussoMillas]

Damn Erica you're tuff, that optical image stabilization looks fantastic to my eye.

[@TheDark-Knut]

How come the samsung logo at the back printed and not the glittery silver one? The one i saw at the samsung store(india) has the latter. Is it only in USA?

[@raverx28]

Hi,I Got the note 4 a week ago,but noticed screen has a slight pink tint on about 2/3rd of display,and when viewing in sunlight whites look really pink until u put ur hand or shadow over part of display then it looks really weird,wondering if this is normal or not?Never seen a screen do that before.

[@shanangf778]

Can't wait for the full review!

[@djestillo1040]

What's your opinion about the note 4 and iphone 6 plus I'm thinking of upgrading but don't know which one or should I just wait for the nexus 6?

[@Nerotius95]

I just love the way you review these devices - so detailed and well argumented! =)

[@MariusSecu]

Erica Griffin did you swap your unit??? I have the same problem with my note 4. The white is not uniform. Mine is 1 week old, do you think that they will replace after one week?

[@wil2k747]

My question is about syncing information from this device to your computer has it improved since the note 3?

[@coastalrustydog3218]

Hi Erica, I love your reviews and think you're the best! My question is. Have you ever made the IN DEPTH video on the LG G3? I love my G3 and have been looking forward to your review! I've seen all your comparison videos and FIRST IMPRESSION videos on the G3 but I haven't seen your final FULL review. I apologize if I've just missed it! Love the Note 4 and will probably be my next phone! Thank you for all you do!

[@RNickeyMouse]

Amazing smooth video while walking with any camera was pretty much impossible a few years ago. I remember how unwatchable iphone video was when they added 1080p and that was standing still. The Note 4 stabilizing 4k is a pretty monumental achievement and works great IMHO

[@premkansara7301]

Erica Griffin Great review as always !! Long time no see...

[@betterdanurhomi2025]

I'm looking into switching to this phone, but one thing keeping me from doing so is not being able to transfer everything like you could with backing up an iPhone and then restoring that backup to your new device. Is this possible in any way with samsung? My photos are extremely important to me. Contacts i could do myself if i had to, but I am mainly concerned with my pictures. Any help?

[@stevewild777]

Great review as always!! Looking forward to the full review... I did wonder what you thought of the LED notification light. I use this quite a bit and I does look a little dim? It's one feature of my nexus 5 I love!

[@bookworm9200]

yay!! space needle!!! (great land mark) is there anything in the phone that effects the colors in a picture taken with the camera when seen on a different device? like a lap- or desk-top computer, or when printed? i meen, for instance, if i take a picture of a (white) cloud, or a snowy mountaintop, will it show up blue-ish in print too, or just on the note 4's display? thanks for a great review, Erica. looking forward for the full one.

[@Smonkey320]

32 mins of Erica. My day is complete.

[@myquietreviewsfeaturingc.t9354]

Mrs.Griffin I have a few questions I wanted to ask you,Do you have any idea why my calls drop when I send a text message on my Galaxy Note 4 & Can it be that my Note 4 maybe defective:(???

[@kawingli]

Hey Erica Griffin, how is the quality of the images? How is it compare taking pictures with the Note 3? Any improvements besides the megapixels?

[@mavt81]

I've been asking all the people I'm subscribed to and nobody answers,hopefully you do.i was wondering why does the note 4 not let you see youtube in 1080p let alone ultra hd ?

[@JPGMUSIC793]

I can barely manage 3 hours of screen on time. What setting do you have your brightness at?

[@charger19691]

Man, this Note 4 is built like a tank!

[@RemyOrtiz]

The 3 finger tangent in the review was hilarious and just so adorable! I know it has nothing to do with it, but I loved it.

[@danavharris]

Excellent review of all the multi tasking abilities that the Note 4 has. This phone has so many features that it requires a detailed study.

[@edgardosoto4193]

To much stuff doesn't necessary make it better... I tried the Note 4 and after a few days I notice most of the stuff I do not use and it just get on the way for the phone to function at its best. And I also notice that yeah..the Note 4 was "Note 4 me'

[@danasorli6775]

Hi Erica. Was just wondering if the display on the the note 4 has any screen burn in issues simular to the nexus 6

[@miljan999]

Oh you're alive. Finally 1 review. haven't seen you lately:-) :-)

[@swlryan]

hi erica, could u pls share with us. how are u able to get 7 hours of screen on time. what are ur settings (brightness, dark wallpaper sync, etc) would appreciate it. i couldnt get that from my note 4. thanks

[@serge_arenas]

Gorgeous the definition of ur videos, i always love your reviews !

[@JohnNathanShopper]

How wide-angle is the camera's focal length on the Note 4? It seems wider than the 6 Plus with a little distortion of perspective, but the old Note 2 is so wide-angle that it distorts faces a little.

[@lisaac5540]

Hi Erica, In your video, you mentioned that iphone 6 plus video recording uses only eis not ois ? Can you share more on that? Cause that would make or break my interest to get iphone 6plus. Since I could just get iphone 6 then.

[@robinquiles38]

How do u make a 3 way call on galaxy note 4 without hanging up both calls when the caller don't answer?

[@Ishgrath]

Does the s pen works and all the air commands things work with a 3rd party launcher ? Mostly into Nova and Action launcher happy for answers

[@nrplus]

i have a note 4 exynos version, and the version of play store is 4.8 and i cant update it and also with youtube in the resolution Mode, the max resolution i can get is 720p, if someone knows how to fix it please let me know

[@papotv85]

Have you tested the Note 4 Edge I'm thinking of up grading from my Note 3.

[@nayazdragneel2983]

Hi Erica, when are you going to upload the full review of the Note 4? Can't wait for it.. Love you

[@117Spartain]

Hi, can anyone tell me where i can get the wallpaper from 19:00min ? THANKS Note 4 ROCKS, i'm loving each and every minute with it!

[@dominicstgeorge8330]

hi erica i have an australia note 4 910g and when listening to music through the headphones i get massive battery drain like when i finish for example i listen to one song it was at 100 then after 2 mins it was at 97 i slept for 4 hrs and it was on standby and it was at 87 i have posted on xda aswell also if i dont see blues in the white is my device fine?

[@AgonyOfDefeat48]

Always enjoy your vids Erica! I am loving the note 4 as well. I upgraded from my note 2 which i loved but the Note 4 is just so much better! The screen and camera alone are outstanding! Love the new premium look as well. Awsome device! I also have the black version.

[@Em12k]

hi!@Erica Griffin how is the battery life? also have you messed with the QI wireless battery and the base??

[@McintoshSteveAndrea]

Great review Erica. I particularly liked the video lowdown. I presently have a Note 3.

[@traumadynamics7269]

Hello Erica, Voice control / voice assistant like Siri are a big part of how I use my phone. I've found google now woefully lacking for interacting with phone specific features such as messaging, calendar or other apps. Can you say if S voice is improved on the Note 4, is it a viable interface for the phone?

[@paulyd0021]

Thanks for going in depth about the OIS vs EIS especially for video. You're the only reviewer that's mentioned it and video is one of most important smartphone functions to me. I have a 6+ right now and I was thinking of switching to the Note 4, however the Hyperlapse app on the iPhone is making it really hard to switch, especially knowing that it might not ever come to Android because of Google's API access not allowing for it. Hopefully that'll change. Then all phones can have amazing video stabilization and time lapses:)

[@AhmadHassan-hs6zv]

Hey I wanted to ask that which phone should I buy, the one m8 or the one plus one? Thnx

[@jefflevinson6154]

solid review Erica! so in depth! Would you recommend the note 4 as your choice of a phablet over iphone 6 plus, etc?

[@abbas1967]

Erica Griffin...Nice video and thanks for that What about the white Note? is true that the black one only has the leather feeling while others white golden ..etc have plastic feeling? I like the white one sice i had a black note3 before and want to make a change.... May be buy the golden note ... What is your opion about that ? do you advise me to buy the note4? Thanks again

[@kimieyumie]

hi erica. can u explain d note 4 variants diferrences. which is better exynos ver or snapdragon ver.mine is SM-N910C exynos ver which score 48880 on antutu benchmark test.tq

[@acedequilla4091]

Hello there. I do have some problems with my note 4. Why is that when i use it in taking pictures the quality of it is very very good but when i upload it on facebook it seems like the quality is not 100% anymore. And also, when i get pictures in fb and save it in my device, the same also happens. The quality is not the same when it is in my device compared to what's on fb. Thank you.

[@tommyjakks]

Thanks for uploading this, you definitely helped me make the right choice in choosing the Note 4 as my next phone. Great Videos Look forward to your new ones !!!

[@tenmilechicks]

By the way, are we suppose to hear the camera while it adjusts the focus?

[@SamJohnsonking]

Thank Erica I have questions about selfe camera?? How is it ?? Thanks again

[@adamthomsonadam2343]

Hey erica i just wanna ask u who is better the note 4 with exynos ver. Or with snapdragon 805 ?

[@XoeCox]

Damn, about time you put out a Note 4 review

[@AJBianco]

Thanks for the review.... How would you compare this to the iPhone 6? I'm looking to possibly switch from ios to android but not sure if this is the right phone to move to. Thanks.

[@Rntdlspdy]

When is the full review coming out? It's been about two months since the phone came out and I'm still waiting for you to do the full hour-long review! Really love your one hour reviews :D

[@blackfriendlygiant]

Awesome review as normal. Will you be doing a vid on the Nexus 6 when it's released? I'm torn between that and the Note 4.

[@nycplayboy78]

Erica Griffin What are your thoughts on the Galaxy Note Edge? Will you be unboxing and reviewing that as well?

[@BurkeLCH]

I used my NOTE3 for clipping videos. Can you play around with that on the NOTE4? CPU power is my draw to a phone, but battery is cool too.

[@notjohnnywen]

whoa that HDR mode makes the video looks so beautiful

[@hungrydan]

Erica, did U know U could set the finger scanner to read your thumb swipe sideways.?? Another reviewer did that. Its just easier to operate.

[@ngu0061]

So the fingerprint scanner doesn't unlock the phone when the screen is off?

[@98KidCOOL12]

How does the display compare to the iPhone 6 plus in terms of white balance?

[@TurkTainment]

Erica Griffin Hey, where is the full review on the note 4? Been looking forward to it.

[@Cd3]

I want your eyes Erica. Damn. I love your reviews. Very in depth( loved the addition of an iphone 6 in this video for good measure) Finally videos with PERSONAL OPINION. Jeez. Tech specs are one thing but you bust out some mad human specs on this. Thanks!

[@0502454898]

I have a question can i use screen protection for note4 ?

[@lapk78]

Thanks for a very robust initial review! When do you think you'll have the final review uploaded?

[@tang1405]

Can you do a comparison on the phone temperature when playing games as compared to note3?I am interested to know if it heat up faster. Thanks.

[@BornLiveandDieby]

You and Flossy Carter makes the best reviews

[@GGobblin]

How is the sound quality. Why not multiple speakers ?