Review: Samsung Galaxy Note 4 for AT&T
The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is a monster. Samsung took the everything-but-the-kitchen-sink idea to the Nth Degree. The Note 4 has more features than most people will likely ever use or need, but that's sort of the point.
The hardware is about the best we've seen from Samsung. I genuinely appreciate the addition of the metal frame and improved rear cover made of polycarbonate. They make a palpable difference in how the phone feels. Like all phablets, the Note 4 is big and often requires two hands to use, so it's not for everyone. The screen absolutely is to die for. I was mostly impressed with the Note 4's signal and call performance, and the battery life is class-leading.
As is often the case, Samsung stumbles a bit with the software. Android and TouchWiz make for a powerful platform, but are sometimes overbearing. Samsung made excellent strides with the S Pen and stylus-based features, which I find are slimmed down in just the right ways. No device multitasks better than the Note 4, and the new split-screen controls are a vast improvement over Samsung's older devices.
With a 16-megapixel camera and 4K video camera, the Note 4 can be a content-capturing beast. Both the camera and video camera perform near the top of the class. Let's not forget the novel selfie-taking tools, which let people capture themselves at their best (or is it worst?). The content-consumption apps run the norm, and let owners enjoy an array of media.
It is costly, however. Most carriers are selling it for about $300 with a contract, and it starts at $750 at full retail. Expect to see monthly installment payments close to $45 or $50. Would I recommend the Note 4? If you like phablets, and have the cash, absolutely. It's a solid competitor to Apple's iPhone 6 Plus and bests most other phablets in pretty much every way imaginable.
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