Samsung Galaxy S4 VS Samsung Galaxy Note 2
Now that Samsung has officially released the Galaxy S4, we’re taking the time to look at how it compares to the Galaxy Note 2.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 was a hit for Samsung, with the phablet getting much positive feedback from both tech experts and regular consumers.
As the Galaxy S4 is the first high-end smartphone that Samsung has released since the Galaxy Note 2, comparing the two should give us a good picture of how Samsung’s technology has progressed in the past six months.
We’re dividing this review into four areas of focus: display, design and build quality, the internal hardware and Android version and software.
Display
- The Samsung Galaxy S4 has a 4.99-inch display.
- The Galaxy S4 display uses Super AMOLED technology and has Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080)
- Moreover, the pixel density of the Galaxy S4 display is 441 pixels per inch.
- The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 has a larger display than that of the Galaxy S4. The Galaxy Note 2’s display is 5.5 inches
- The Galaxy Note 2 also uses Super AMOLED technology but has a lower resolution at 720 x 1280
- Moreover, the Galaxy Note 2’s pixel density is lower at only 267 pixels per inch.
- The only real noticeable difference, however, is that there is an extra crispness to the display of the Galaxy S4.
- Both panels have good levels of brightness and contrast ratios.
- As is the norm with AMOLED displays, colors are a bit oversaturated so color reproduction lacks accuracy.
Verdict: The Galaxy S4’s added display crispness makes it the winner here.
Design and Build Quality
- The Samsung Galaxy S4 measures 6 x 69.8 x 7.9mm and weighs130g
- The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 measures 151.1 x 80.5 x 9.4 mm and weighs 183 g
- From the front, the Galaxy S4 seems to be nothing more than the Galaxy S3 sporting a larger display. But if you look at the bezels and the peripheries of the S4, you’ll note that Samsung used high-quality material and the S4 has a more refined look and feel.
- Both the Galaxy S4 and the Galaxy Note 2 have rounded corners, a glossy plastic back and the traditional Samsung button style.
- The Galaxy S4 has a metallic frame.
Verdict: If you like larger devices, go for the Note 2. If you don’t go for the Galaxy S4.
Internal Hardware
CPU, GPU, and RAM
- There will be two variants of the Samsung Galaxy S4, one international and one for LTE markets such as the US. These will use different CPUs and GPUs.
- International: Exynos 5 Octa SoC, this will have a quad-core A15 CPU and a quad-core A7 CPU and they will be in big. little configuration. It will use a PowerVR SGX544MP3 GPU
- US: Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 SoC with a quad-core Krait 300 and an Adreno 320 GPU.
- Both versions will have 2 GB of RAM
- The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 uses an Exynos 4 system SoC. This combines a 1.6 GHz quad-core A9 CPU with a Mali 400MP GPU and uses 2 GB of Ram.
- As a result, the Galaxy S4 is the faster smartphone.
Battery
- The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 has a 3,100 mAh battery
- While, the Samsung Galaxy S4 has a 2,600 mAh battery.
Verdict: The Galaxy S4 is quite likely going to have comparable or even better battery life than the Note 2. This is because of its more efficient processing package as well as smaller and more advanced display.
Software
- Both the Galaxy S4 and the Galaxy Note 2 use Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.
- The Galaxy S4 has a newer version of TouchWiz
- The Galaxy Note 2 allows you access to Samsung’s S-Pen features as well as apps.
Verdict: This is a tie.
The Galaxy Note 2 is the inferior device as far as display quality and internal hardware are concerned. However, it does offer a lot of extra screen space and the S-Pen functions which some people really like.
What do you think? Which one would you choose?
JR
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