At this point, it's very clear that Google's Nexus 6 and Samsung's Galaxy Note 4 are the
two hottest Android phablets on the market.
These two monster-sized smartphones are both great in many ways, but what makes them so
different?
Hey what's up everyone, this is Dom and today we are comparing the Nexus 6 to the Galaxy
Note 4.
These two Android smartphones are complete opposites in terms of features and design,
but which one is right for you?
Well, let's go ahead and find out.
I won't get too in-depth with every feature in this comparison, but it's nice to know
how these two stack up against each other.
We'll be taking a brief look at features, specifications, design, and camera performance
in this comparison and hopefully give you a good idea of what each device has to offer.
If you'd like to check out my full review on the Galaxy Note 4 or Nexus 6, I'll be sure
to leave links in the description.
First up, let's take a look at specifications.
As you would expect, both of these smartphones are packed with high-end flagship specs.
In fact, internally they are exactly the same.
Both the Nexus 6 and Galaxy Note 4 feature a quad-core Snapdragon 805 processor, an Adreno
420 GPU, 3GB of RAM, and a 3,220 mAh battery.
That's right, identical internals.
The only technical difference between the two is going to be the display size.
Samsung's Galaxy Note 4 features a 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of
2,560 x 1,440 (515ppi), while Google's Nexus 6 has a 5.96-inch AMOLED display of the same
resolution which equals out to 493 ppi.
While the specifications may be similar, the design and hardware between these two devices
will provide a very different experience.
Samsung is known for it's fake leather textures and chromed-out plastic trim, but this year
the Galaxy lineup ended on a different note.
The Note 4's design is one of the best built smartphones I've ever seen from Samsung.
Its sleek metal frame feels great in the hand and while we still have the fake leather back
side, Samsung has ditched the artificial stitching that was found on the Note 3.
With the Nexus 6, its design was inspired by this year's Moto X and all-around it feels
like a solid device.
Google's Nexus 6 also features a metal frame, but has a hard plastic finish on the back.
I mentioned this in my full review, but even though this is technically a recycled design,
it still feels like a very fresh device.
As far as layout goes on the Nexus 6, you'll find a 3.5mm headphone jack and Nano SIM card
tray on the top, while the bottom makes room for the Micro USB charging port and a small
microphone.
The front side features a 2-megapixel camera, the appropriate sensors, and dual front-facing
stereo speakers.
On the back we have a 13-megapixel shooter with optical image stabilization that's capable
of capturing up to UHD video quality and a dual-LED flash in a ring diffuser setup.
Finally, on the right side we have its volume rocker and a textured lock button.
Moving over to the Galaxy Note 4, on the front side we have the appropriate sensors, a 3.7-megapixel
front-facing camera, updated capacitive navigation buttons, and a home button with a built-in
fingerprint scanner.
On the left side of the Note 4, you’ll find its color-matched volume rocker, while the
right side is home to the power button.
On the top we have a 3.5mm headphone jack, IR blaster, and a small microphone.
At the bottom we have a pair of microphones, Micro USB charging port, and the S Pen.
Finally, on the back side you’ll find a 16-megapixel camera with optical image stabilization,
LED flash, heart rate sensor, and a small speaker.
Both of these devices feature quick-charging capabilities with their included charging
bricks.
This will allow you to charge up either device faster than a traditional wall adapter and
get more out of your battery throughout the day.
It's a very helpful feature and I'd love to see more manufacturers take advantage of this
technology in the future.
It's a little tricky to judge a software comparison between these two devices, so instead I'll
just lay out the facts.
Google's Nexus 6 is running Android 5.0 Lollipop and is considered a pure or stock version
of the mobile operating system.
This is going to be very Plain Jane in terms of software features and functionality, but
on average it will be a better performer than any Android device running a third-party skin.
There are quite a few features that make Lollipop an enjoyable experience for all smartphones,
but if you'd like to know my favorites I recommend checking out the Nexus 6 review linked below.
At the time of this video, the Galaxy Note 4 is running Android 4.4.4 KitKat with Samsung's
TouchWiz skin on top.
As you can see, the user interface design between the Note 4 and Nexus 6 is going to
be drastically different.
Along with that, Samsung tends to pack in as many features as possible into TouchWiz
to provide something for everyone.
Unfortunately, TouchWiz has a nasty reputation of impacting a device's overall performance.
The internal specifications are the same as the Nexus 6, but don't count on it always
performing like a Nexus 6.
I'm not saying the Note 4 is slow by any means, but I'm sure a few people have an opinion
or two about TouchWiz.
With the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, you're getting a very specific set of features.
These features won't be for everyone, but Samsung's S Pen will provide an experience
like no other smartphone, but only if you're going to take advantage of what it has to
offer.
I've detailed all of the S Pen features in my Galaxy Note 4 vs Galaxy Note 3 video and
if you'd like to find out more, I'll link that down below.
The main advantage to having a Galaxy Note is going to be the S Pen.
As I mentioned, Samsung also provides a few specialized features like a heart rate sensor
and fingerprint sensor, but also comes along with useful Multi-window capabilities to run
multiple apps at once and specific features to allow for better one-handed use.
If you're looking for Samsung-like software features, you won't find them on the Nexus
6.
Google likes to keep things plain and simple, while adding the perfect mix of personalization.
The only bells and whistles on the Nexus 6 are going to be the new features that Lollipop
brings along, but its smooth experience may be enough to win some people over.
Lollipop is the strongest Android experience you can get, but at this time the Nexus 6
is the only device shipping with it.
When Samsung updates the Note 4 with Lollipop it'll more than likely be just as skinned
with its current feature set.
Let's move on to camera performance.
With the Note 4's camera, we have a 16-megapixel shooer packed with optical image stabilization
and UHD video recording.
On paper, the Note 4 wins over the 13-megapixel OIS camera on the Nexus 6, but both seem to
take very acceptable photos.
I'll let you be the judge of the photos being compared and let me know which are your favorite
down in the comments section, but I think it's a close call either way.
Like most other areas, the Note 4 is going to provide more features within its camera
app.
There's a ton of stuff in there and it almost feels too cluttered, but I suppose Samsung
would rather include everything instead of missing one thing.
Both devices are capable of UHD video recording, but I found the Note 4 to be superior in this
area.
You can find video samples from the Nexus 6 in my full review and I'll leave a link
to my Note 4 camera test below as well.
So which one should you buy?
If you're deciding between the Galaxy Note 4 and the Nexus 6, it's mainly going to come
down to features vs performance.
If you don't care for the S Pen or the Note 4's other specialized features, it's probably
best to go with a solid device like the Nexus 6.
Google's Nexus lineup will always receive the latest software updates first, but stock
Android may be a bit boring to some people.
In exchange for the lack of software features on the Nexus 6, you're getting raw and uncut
performance.
There's no clear winner here and as you would assume, the best device for you going to depend
on your needs.
So I hope you enjoyed this comparison between Google's Nexus 6 and Samsung's Galaxy Note
4.
Hopefully I've provided enough detail to help you make an informed decision.
It's obvious that these two devices are designed for completely different situations, but which
one is right for you?
Let me know what you think with a comment below and be sure to leave this video a thumbs
up if you enjoyed it.
Also, subscribe for more comparison videos like this in the future.
Thanks again for watching everyone, this is Dom and have a great day!