The Galaxy Note 4 is a special device. It was a flagship full of problems, like laggy software and a horrendous lack of support from Samsung, but it is also unique for the fact that it was the last true Note flagship to offer features like a large and removable battery, a microSD slot, and an IR blaster. Well, that's at least when you compare it to the Galaxy Note 5, which did away with expandable storage, reduced the battery size and sealed it away inside a glass back, and also lacked an IR blaster. It also didn't make its way to Europe, a move that was clearly a big mistake and put the device out of the reach of all the Note fans in the continent.
With the Galaxy Note 7, Samsung has brought everything but the IR blaster back and also added a ton of new features to the mix. It makes the phablet a great choice for Note 4 users looking to upgrade, and here are some of the biggest reasons why.
Faster, smoother software
The laggy software on the Galaxy Note 4 was the biggest letdown, especially since it had all the right hardware ticking away inside. The Galaxy S6 and S6 edge brought with them a heavily optimized version of Samsung's software, and the company has only been improving things further ever since. If we are to use an euphemism here, the Note 7 should feel like a Formula One car compared to the nearly wagon-like performance that Note 4 users are habituated to, and it's a huge draw for anyone that currently owns Samsung's fourth-generation Note flagship.
Water resistance
The Note 7 might not have a removable battery, but it is resistant to water and dust. It's not a feature you would require in day-to-day usage, but you can rest assured that a few drops of water out in the rain or an accidental drop in a pool of water won't mean you have to take the phone to the nearest Samsung store for repair/a replacement. The S Pen is water resistant as well, so you can go about the note taking and doodling even when the phone's screen is wet.
Improved cameras
The Galaxy Note 4's 16-megapixel camera was one of the best in the market at the time, but camera technology has come a long way since then and the Note 7 comes with the same excellent rear camera as the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge. It's only a 12-megapixel sensor, but it's lightning quick to focus thanks to the Dual Pixel technology and completely trumps the Note 4's camera when it comes to low-light photography. The front camera hasn't gotten much of an upgrade, but it does give you slightly more megapixels to work with (5-megapixel on the Note 7 vs 3.7-megapixel on the Note 4).
Bigger battery, higher internal storage
The Galaxy Note 4's 3,220 mAh battery was replaced by a 3,000 mAh battery on the Note 5, and while the Note 5 could last a day with regular usage, it couldn't instill the confidence that a large battery can. Samsung has put in a 3,500 mAh battery on the Note 7, which should combine with improved software optimization to offer battery life on par with, if not better than, the Galaxy Note 4. You also get fast charging on both wired and wireless chargers, so that's another perk.
Then there's the fact that the Note 7 comes with 64GB of built-in storage and a microSD slot. The high internal storage means you won't be running out of space for installing apps and games any time soon, and a microSD card will let you store all the media you need to carry with you. The Note 5 was severely limited on the storage front, but the Note 7 brings everything back with a bang.
Iris scanner
The iris scanner on the Note 7 can be a major draw for owners of any existing Android phone, not just Note 4 owners. It comes with a lot of conditions, but the iris scanner is extremely quick when it works and can be used not just for unlocking the device, but for Samsung Pay authorizations and whatever functions third-party apps will build in in the future. The Note 7 also gets a touch-based fingerprint sensor and Samsung's new Secure Mode feature, so when it comes to security, the device has a lot to offer to those upgrading from a Note 4.
Improved S Pen with new features
The S Pen on the Note 7 can recognize 4,096 pressure levels, a four times jump from the 1,024-level pressure sensitivity of the stylus that accompanied the Note 4. In simple terms, the Note 7's S Pen is considerably more accurate than the Note 4's and will feel much closer to a regular pen. Samsung has also put in new features – you can make GIFs from any video that plays on the device, and translate any foreign text simply by highlighting it with the stylus. You also get Screen off memo, which lets you start taking notes by removing the S Pen from its slot even when the device is locked and the screen is off. This feature was ported to the Note 4 after the Note 5 came out, but it's always better to have the official thing, right?
That Blue Coral Note 7!
Do we really need to say more? The Note 7 looks awesome in that blue and gold color palette, and while this is far from a big reason to be spending money on a new device, we just thought we would throw it in here. Thankfully, Samsung seems to be launching the Blue Coral model in most markets (Dubai and India are said to be getting the gold version instead), so it shouldn't be hard for most folks to get their hands on the blue Note 7.
The Galaxy Note 5 did many things wrong. It took away power user features, and Samsung decided for some insane reason that the device didn't need to come to the European continent. The Galaxy Note 7 can be considered an official apology from the Korean giant, and we really think that Note 4 owners looking for an upgrade have no need to wait and should place an order for the Note 7 as soon as they can. Our full review will better tell you what the Note 7 offers, but going by the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge, we can safely say the Note 7 will not be a disappointment.
Do you agree with our opinion on why the Galaxy Note 7 is a great upgrade over the Note 4? Do you think we missed anything that could be a better reason to upgrade than the ones listed above (like the USB Type-C port)? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section!
