Android
Nexus 6 vs. Galaxy Note 4: 5 Things Buyers Need to Know
In this early Samsung Galaxy Note 4 vs Nexus 6 comparison, we take an in-depth look at some key differences between the two new Android flagships that are scheduled to hit shelves this fall.
On September 3rd, Samsung took the stage to announce its fall products including an all new Galaxy Note 4, the company’s fourth-generation Galaxy Note and a device that will replace the Galaxy Note 3 as its flagship this fall. The Galaxy Note 4, like the Samsung Galaxy Notes before it, comes loaded with high powered features that should help to make the Galaxy Note 4 one of the best, and perhaps most popular smartphones on the market.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 will be matched up against an armada of big name smartphones including the iPhone 6 Plus, LG G3, Samsung Galaxy S5, Samsung Galaxy Note Edge, and the Moto X. It’s also going to have to compete against a brand new Nexus 6 from Motorola and Google, a large screen flagship Nexus that’s expected to touch down in just a few short weeks.
Earlier this week, after months and months of rumor, Google announced the all new Nexus 6 from Motorola. Google did not take to the stage like Samsung but it did outline many of the Nexus 6’s important features including hardware, software and more. Like the Galaxy Note 4, the Nexus 6 comes with a massive display. It’s also going to find a home on a large swath of carriers, something that should help to make it extremely appealing to U.S. buyers.
With a Galaxy Note 4 set to hit shelves tomorrow and a Nexus 6 release date on the way in November, we want to take an early look at the most important things buyers need to know, right now, about the match up between the Galaxy Note 4 vs Nexus 6. Our goal is obviously to help send you down the right path if you’re in the market for a new smartphone.
Galaxy Note 4 Display vs. Nexus 6 Display
The first thing that buyers need to know is that both the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and Nexus 6 come with massive, Quad HD displays. We’ve been using the Galaxy Note 4 for a couple of weeks now and the quality is absolutely stunning. Quad HD is not a gimmick and it puts Full HD displays from last year to shame. The Nexus 6 does not use a Full HD display.
Like the Galaxy Note 4, the Nexus 6 comes with a Quad HD display that should also provide stunning looking content. Quad HD truly shines with things like photographs and both of these devices will almost certainly provide great looking photos, video and more. Here is the breakdown of these two beautiful displays:
- Galaxy Note 4 – 5.7-inch Quad HD display – 2560 x 1440 – 515 pixels per inch
- Nexus 6 – 5.96-inch Quad HD display – 2,560 x 1,440 – 493 pixels per inch
You’re going to get similar resolution but the Nexus 6 display is actually .3-inches larger than the Galaxy Note 4 display. This might not seem like much but that extra real estate is going to be enticing to gamers and those that love to watch movies and video content on their device.
Galaxy Note 4 vs. Nexus 6 Size & Design
These two displays come with a cost: Overall size. Google’s new Nexus is taller, wider and thicker than the Galaxy Note 4 though the Galaxy Note 4 is a bit heavier than Google’s new flagship. Both of these phones are absolutely massive though and both are much larger than your standard smartphone. The photo below will give you an idea about how the two phones compare.
Note 4 vs. Nexus 6.
- Nexus 6 – 159.26 x 82.98 x 10.06 mm – 145 grams
- Galaxy Note 4 – 153.5 x 78.6 x 8.5 mm – 176 grams
The Nexus 6 design borrows heavily from the Moto X 2014 design including a curved back with a metal trim around the sides. Samsung’s Galaxy Note 4 also features a combination of plastic and metal including a metal rim around the side that gives the device a more premium look and feel. These are both steps up from the designs found on their predecessors.
There is, however, one key difference that we should point out. While the Galaxy Note 4 did not get outfitted with the IP67 dust and water resistant certification that Samsung tacked onto the Galaxy S5, the Nexus 6 does come with water resistant qualities. The feature is similar to what Motorola tacked onto the new Moto X design and something that makes the Nexus 6 a little more appealing to those that work in rugged environments.
The key thing to focus on here though is overall size. Both of these phones are massive and those of you with small hands are going to have trouble using them with one-hand.
Nexus 6 Features vs. Galaxy Note 4 Features
These are two flagship smartphones from 2014 which means that they both come with the latest and greatest features. While we won’t review and compare every single Galaxy Note 4 and Nexus 6 feature here, we’ll run down some of the more important features that we think prospective buyers should keep an eye on going forward.
- Security – The Galaxy Note 4 comes with a fingerprint sensor embedded in its home button. The fingerprint sensor can unlock the phone and make purchases. The Nexus 6 does not include a fingerprint reader.
- Trusted Devices – The Nexus 6 knows when it is connected to a trusted device like a smart watch or a Bluetooth headset. And because it knows this, it will not lock on you.
- Fast Charging – The Nexus 6 can fast charge 6 hours of use in 15 minutes using the included Turbo Charger. The Galaxy Note 4 also comes with fast charging capabilities.
- Wireless Charging – The Nexus 6 includes wireless charging with a Qi charger. The Galaxy Note 4 offers similar wireless charging support.
- Camera – The Galaxy Note 4 comes with a 16MP camera with Optical Image Stabilization and a camera app that’s stocked with features. The Nexus 6 comes with a 13MP camera with OIS though it will take advantage of the stock camera app that’s coming with Android 5.0. We haven’t tested the Nexus 6’s camera yet but the Galaxy Note 4’s camera is one of the best on the market.
- UV Sensor – This feature allows you to measure UV radiation with the Galaxy Note 4. This is something that could help to prevent health issues. The Nexus 6 does not come with one.
- Heart Rate Sensor – The Galaxy Note 4 comes with a heart rate sensor tucked away near the camera. The sensor can help track your pulse and ties into the company’s new S Health 3.5 application. The Nexus 6 does not have one.
- S Pen – This is one of the biggest differences between the two. The Galaxy Note 4 comes with a bundled stylus called the S Pen that can take advantage of unique apps. It also allows you to write and draw on the screen. It can be seen in action in the video below. The Nexus 6 does not come with an S Pen nor does it support the S Pen.
Galaxy Note 4 Specs vs. Nexus 6 Specs
The features offer a better look at what the Nexus 6 and Galaxy Note 4 are capable of, but if you want to compare specs, here’s a look at how all of those stack up against each other.
Galaxy Note 4 Specs
- Snapdragon 805 processor (U.S.)
- Android 4.4.4 KitKat
- 5.7-inch Quad HD display – 2560 x 1440 – 515 pixels per inch
- 32GB storage with support for 128GB microSD cards
- 3.7MP front-facing camera
- 16MP camera with Optical Image Stabilization
- 4G LTE
- 802.11ac WiFi
- Fingerprint sensor
- UV sensor
- Heart rate sensor
- NFC
- 3220 mAh battery
- S Pen
Nexus 6 Specs
- Snapdragon 805 Quad-Core w/ Adreno 420
- Android 5.0
- 5.96-inch display – 2,560 x 1,440 – 493 pixels per inch
- 32GB / 64GB storage options
- 2MP front-facing camera
- 13MP rear-facing camera with Optical Image Stabilization
- 3,220 mAh battery
- 4G LTE
- 802.11ac WiFi
- Bluetooth
- NFC
- Android 5.0 Lollipop
Nexus 6 Price vs. Galaxy Note 4 Price
Google’s Nexus 6 will be coming to five carriers in the United States. AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, and Verizon will all stock the Nexus 6 later this year. This is a big difference from the Nexus 5, a device that arrived only on AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile. We’re still not sure how much the Nexus 6 will cost on contract though a recent leak hints at a $50 price point.
Off-contract, the Nexus 6 is going to cost $650 for a 32GB model and $700 for a 64GB model. That’s far more expensive than last year’s Nexus 5 which remains on shelves as Google’s budget alternative.
While we had to wait a few weeks, we now know that Samsung’s Galaxy Note 4 will come with a familiar price. AT&T, Sprint, U.S. Cellular, and Verizon will charge $299.99 for the 32GB Galaxy Note 4 on-contract. T-Mobile charges $0 down and does not offer the Galaxy Note 4 with any sort of contract. Off-contract, the Galaxy Note 4 is actually more expensive than the Nexus 6.
U.S. carriers are charging anywhere between $700 and $826 for the Galaxy Note 4 off-contract. While we expect that price to drop, we may not see drops happen until much later in the year.
pay attention
10/16/2014 at 8:23 pm
Nexus 6 is heavier than Note 4. Please correct that info.
Also, it will certainly be more $50 on a contract. A likely cost will be $199 on a 2-year contract.
arkiopterix
10/17/2014 at 4:23 am
Wake up tech writers. Some people actually play video, music and games on their smart phones. Why is it you can’t realize functional speakers are a key part of smart phones? Not everyone wants to take the time and hassle to unravel and plug in ear buds every time they want to enjoy their phone. Dual front-facing stereo speakers on Nexus 6 vs. one small rear-facing speaker on Note 4?? Note 3 was bad enough with one weak down-facing speaker – now they made it worse. So Samsung basically decided Note 4 was for people who don’t care about audio-visual experiences – what a waste of a phone that otherwise did it all. When someone decides to make a phone with an S-pen-like functionality (so people can make notes) plus a real front-facing speaker (note to mfrs: we don’t need DUAL front speakers making the overall phone size unnecessarily big, ala HTC One and Nexus 6 – one nice front facing one will be enough) then we’ll have phone that meets everyone’s needs.
George W
10/17/2014 at 10:54 pm
Yeah…but to immerse yourself in sound you’d want headphones or BT stream anyway. Casual watching of vids would be fine with one speaker in consideration of the major advantages of the other specs. Note 4 is really at the top of the heap overall, IMHO. Though getting the latest version of Android for the next 3-4 years makes it a little tempting if you’re not in a position to upgrade every 2 years.
Tristan Mills
10/18/2014 at 6:58 pm
Which phones have removable battery. Nothing like an instant fully charged phone :)
Peter
02/08/2015 at 6:36 am
Look at the side by side photos. Which one would you pick up? What’s funny is, without telling you which one I would, you already know don’t you? That says everything, there’s only one winner.