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Note 3 users going to the Note 4

Took some pictures with the Note 4 and my Note 3 in Best Buy. Some shots the Note 3 gave a sharper image, even with Smart Stabilization which leads me to believe the Note 3 is doing something similar.

The Closer shots the Note 4 was noticeably better, and much less prone to blurring.

However, to see a clear difference I had to crop in pretty damn far.

The Note 4 Images are often 1.5-almost 2x the size of the Note 3 images. There were images approaching 7MB JPEGs.

The Camera works well. It should win easily in Low Light (which is what really matters cause most recent phones are good in daylight, anyways) and in Video Stabilization (without the cropping associated with Digital Stabilization).

The software is meh to me. I forgot to check a lot of the things that I mentioned in another post, but I didn't have much time (just decided to stop in cause I seen the store and thought of it). I don't find Multi-Window more practical, just easier to access. The S Pen is basically the same design wise. Still a PITA the hold securely and feels flimsy especially when you're holding it and trying to press the button (feels like you can snap it at times - I like their Tablet S Pens a ton better). UI is cleaned up.

Animataions are faster which will certainly give some people the illusion that the phone is so much more faster than i.e. the Note 3 when in actuality, I don't notice much real world performance difference in the apps I tried.

Ergonomically, I hate how sharp the megal edge feels, particular at the front of the device. It feels like the edge of an iPhone 5, except the phone is 2x larger so when gripped securely it can really feel like it's digging into your fingers. The Alpha feels the same, but is a much smaller device. I think the back of the Note 3 feels better, but that's largely preferential and doesn't really matter.

The screen doesn't feel flush with the front of the device. I think it looks sharper, but now that I think about it I never thought about the screen resolution when I tried it. NOthing about the G3 or Note 4 screens scream "QHD" to me. If I seen both displays, I'd probably not notice much difference from the 1080p panels to be honest. It is a bit brighter than the Note 3's screen and Whiters do tend a bit more towards White :-P

For the person who was wondering... FTP was AWOL in the File Manager (there in the Note 3, Gone in the Note 4). A Dropbox Tile seems to have replaced it. Maybe Carrier Versions will change it back to FTP?

Seems like a 70% Software Upgrade, 30% Camera upgrade. Hardware largely the same and most people will probably not notice the difference between the 1080p and QHD panel - resolution wise (many on tech blogs and forums will say they do, cause they always do that :-P ). I'm going to pass and wait for more Xperia Z3 reviews. If the Note 4 ran the Note 3's software, one would wonder why it even exists. The devices are so similar as to be almost interchangeable, and the Camera isn't as much of a game changer as I was thinking it would be (though it is clearly, obviously, better).

The iPhone 6 (4.7") still feels a bit small to me, and I want to downsize a bit in screen real estate because I don't personally get any utility out of the S Pen other than "keep smears off of my screen" due to developers not really supporting it or the Data Sharing SDKs (other than Samsung).

Oh, and I know this is going to sound odd, but changing the menu key to Recent Apps is a change for the worse, IMHO.
 
Good review Anon. I am going to wait a week or two after release to get the N4 I think. Just to see what happens with people using it in the real world and to make sure rooting is not some PITA to do. Overall I think there are enough reasons I will upgrade even thought my N3 works great. Good to hear useful info like you posted though.
 
So have you bought this or was it a shop test anon?
I won't mind the menu key swap as have the tab s and found that a pain as n3 was different.
I think phone reviews are only worthy once you've had the experience for a couple of weeks. I have the oneplus one now and thought it was close to faultless after a couple of days of use but now for a month have found the things that annoy....
I'd like I know how good the battery is 2 weeks in, for example, does it feel better, heavier, bigger etc than n3.
Thanks for thoughts though. Im keen to see how good the camera is as the n3 camera was awful.
 
The Note 3's camera is not Awful.

I have pictures from both phones taken of the same objects in the same lighting from basically the same angles to compare. Considering it isn't a low light warrior and does have some aggressive processing, it did very well in the comparison with the Note 4 (which has a lot of camera upgrades in it). I was actually kind of impressed by the Note 3's pictures.

A camera is only as good as the person taking the pictures.

The Note 4 is faster and better at focusing, so that may help some people who tend to have more trouble getting good pictures on the Note 3.

Anyone who expected the Note 3 to be any better than the S4 was fooling themselves, anyways, since the two device used literally the same camera hardware - even down to the image processor. The only major deviation between the two is the Smart Stabilization Algorithms, since the Note 3 is more prone to camera shake than the smaller, more compact, S4.

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Battery Life will likely be as good as the Note 3. Samsung has it rated for about 7% more than the Note 3, so getting largely equivalent battery life isn't out of the realm of possibilities and is lower than they're actually telling us. Battery Life should be just as good, and the Note 3 is quite baller in that department (I can get about 6.5+ hours of screen on time per charge without worrying about it - with Auto Brightness, etc.).

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No phone is perfect so there are always quirks that become more and more apparent after sustained use of the device. This doesn't change by getting a new phone. The Note 4 will have its quirks, just like the S5, Note 3, S4, One+ One, HTC One M8, Moto X, Xperia Z3, iPhone and others have their own quirks.

It's a balancing act. You decide which quirks you are willing to put up with and get the device that suits your sensibilities.

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Not sure if I mentioned it, but there was a small visible gap at the top of the screen. I probably wouldn't have noticed it if I hadn't heard about it in the news, but I have so I looked for it. It was there on the top, but not on the bottom where it seemed perfectly flush. I'm not sure how much this is supposed to worsen if Samsung's word is to be taken seriously (that it can worsen due to vibrations etc. after prolonged use), but it wasn't really that bad to start, IMO.

It does seem a bit sloppy, though.

The Note 4's screen feels like a tempered glass screen protector. Not sure how I feel about that, personally (had one on my iPhone, didn't have any huge objections to it but didn't like the way it protruded out... I prefer the screen to be slightly lower than the bezel so that I can be sure it won't scratch if I put the phone face down on a surface).
 
The note 3 camera was awful because the note 2 was better. It took better point and shoot pics and better night pics. You'd expect the n3 to be better but it just wasn't.
Camera shake killed it. Night pics/low light pics killed it. Hoping the ois does the trick.
 
Something being worse than something else doesn't automatically make it awful, nevermind the Note 2 was not better in Low Light than the Note 3 and the Note 3 is practically identical to the S4 in Daylight, which is better than the Note 2. The NOte 2 nad S3 both took great pictures, but they blew highlight out in daylight to an extent that the S4 and Note 3 do not. They also have slower sensors than the Note 3 so outside of using Smart Stabilization the Note 3 will still take in more light and blur less in low light than the Note 2. Sports and Action Shots are also better on the Note 3, and it has faster burst shooting than the Note 2. There is a lot more to a camera being decent than shooting pictures in a condition where 90% of smartphones will churn out noisy, crappy pictures, anyways...

You're comparing the Note 3 to the Note 2 with Smart Stabilization on, and it's not a 1:1 comparison. Smart Stabilization is not designed for people to whip the phone out and go snap happy. It's designed for Framed Low-Light shots, because it's a sort of HDR for Low Light Photos. The same way you wouldn't try to snap HDR photos of a child running around in a park during the day, you shouldn't be trying to snap Smart Stabilized Pictures of a Child Running around in a park at night.

Your rationale is... interesting, to say the least. In fact most people have bought nothing to the discussion with their complaints except their opinions.

Low Light Pics are fine with Smart Stabilization. If you hold the phone well, the camera shake isn't much of an issue. I've hardly been griefed by it, and I have probably 500 Low Light Pictures on my OneDrive that I took with this phone.

The camera on this phone is alive and kicking. It's better than some phones that came after it.

Anyways, I'm gonna see if I can dig up a sample or two to post a quick comparison between the two phones.

100% Crops incoming...

Galaxy Note 4 -1: Good Sharpness. Nothing wrong with the photo, practically, at all.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5tMMIqkDGBVcE5weWxEUjMwZDg/view?usp=sharing

Galaxy Note 3 - 1: Slight Blurring outside of the focus area, but probably due to me holding the phone with one hand while tapping the shutter button with my thumb, I was fumbling with 4 phones there taking comparison pics (M8, S4, Note 3, Droid Maxx + the Note 4 display unit :-P ).
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5tMMIqkDGBVNEYyN0VaX1dDVU0/view?usp=sharing

Galaxy Note 4 - 2: Higher Resolution than the Note 3, but the Noise Reduction Algorithms went to town on this photo. It's the best one I took.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5tMMIqkDGBVM0JKVlA1WDJGaVU/view?usp=sharing

Galaxy Note 3 - 2: Lower Resolution than the Note 4. Smart Stabilization kicked in. Clearly the better picture of the two. Even the text in the far off boxes is more legible in the Note 3 pic than the Note 4 pic, because the Note 3 retained more detail in the picture (i.e. "6 ft Coiled Car Charger"). The Note 4 is better at dealing with the light reflection, however, the Note 3 pick is overall superior.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5tMMIqkDGBVcHRDYVlhZ0ttRGc/view?usp=sharing

So, if I can take a decent picture holding the phone in one hand and tapping the shutter like as if I was taking a selfie with the Note 3, it shouldn't be hard for any decently competent user with two hands on the phone to take a decent photo with it. The Smart Stabilization Algorithms work, and they work well. The sensor on the Note 4 is better, the camera is clearly faster (especially in focusing) and better at dealing with handshake (OIS), but not so much that it's a complete no brainer to get the Note 4 at this point in the Note 3's lifecycle. The Note 3, if handled well, can still turn out some great picks in outdoor and indoor lighting.

If you think the Note 3 is awful, then no one is stopping you from getting the Note 4, though. It almost seems like everyone wants to sort of get feedback to justify getting the 4. If you want it, and you think it's good enough, by all means get it! Who else is going to review the phone more thoroughly for the rest of us?!?!?!

As I said before, I have no idea how the Note 4 performs in Low Lighting but it should be much better than the Note 3 if it's even slightly better than the S5.

Unless you're cropping way into the pictures, the Note 4 isn't going to look like the massive upgrade over the Note 3 most people are making it out to be, unless you're doing Low Light (and Video) where I expect it to make most of the case for itself in terms of camera performance compared to the Note 3.

EDIT: Image Properties in Windows:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5tMMIqkDGBVY0xqbFFqYmhkMEE/view?usp=sharing

You can see the Note 3 Image used Smart Stabilization while the Note 4 did not (this is why Shutter Speed, ISO, etc. are not in the EXIF, it takes multiple exposures and then processes them to average out noise - quite well I might add). The results lead me to believe the Algorithms work well, as long as you can hold the phone decently still when you take the photo and the subject isn't moving quickly.

I am *never* perfectly still and my photos come out just fine unless I'm doing something stupid like what I was doing with my Note 3 in Best Buy - since I was more concerned with getting decent shots on the 4 instead... I can't take that one home :-)

If I would have held the Note 3 with two hands on the first photo, I reckon the resulting image would have been practically on par with the Note 4, just with a bit more noise in it.

The Note 4 was shooting with longer shutter speeds than the Note 3, but a slightly higher ISO (which makes no sense to me, personally) from practically the same position and distance.

The Note 4 has an HDR Toggle on the Camera UI, but it doesn't seem to have Auto-HDR (I reckon Samsung didn't have Auto HDR in the Note 3 because it has Smart Stabilization which is kind of like HDR, but for Low Light Shots).

Sorry for the long post, but I hope these rough samples (cropped 100%) help anyone with their observances. Others are free to add to the sample pile!
 
OK my choice of words but based on the N2 functionality of being able to pull the device from your pockets and take a decent picture without faffing about, the n3 was never that. As you stated you had to chose your mode, have the perfect light and hold it dead still.

As an upgrade to the N2, it should have been better.

This resulted in me more often than not dragging around my dslr instead of being able to rely on good pictures from my phone.

There are a lot of people who found the N3 camera disappointing, and some professional photographers who thought worse about the n3 than myself! Obviously they didnt use it for professional photography but like myself, when there was a moment to capture, it didn't always deliver a decent picture.

Thats all i'm sayin...:rolleyes:

Re the n4, I'm a gadget fan and like to try the latest tech. I wasn't going to bother with the n4 but couldn't resist...The camera has tempted me (along with the screen which is always high quality in terms of detail, resolution and superb sensitivity) so yes I hope its more effective than the N3 was.
 
One thing that I do find poor on the note 3 is macro mode, or lack thereof. I wonder if this is improved on the note 4?
 
Unless there is a lens that has optical zoom, there is no real macro photo mode on any device. Only a fake digital zoom for any device without optical zoom.

When I read device reviews and they start talking about the zoom quality, I instantly discredit the reviewer in regards to photo function- unless there is an optical zoom. My N600 had an optical zoom. The N600 was good for two things: Audio and Photos. Everything else absolutely sucked- especially the phone part.
 
Unless there is a lens that has optical zoom, there is no real macro photo mode on any device. Only a fake digital zoom for any device without optical zoom.

When I read device reviews and they start talking about the zoom quality, I instantly discredit the reviewer in regards to photo function- unless there is an optical zoom. My N600 had an optical zoom. The N600 was good for two things: Audio and Photos. Everything else absolutely sucked- especially the phone part.
Agree, but the note 2 had much better macro capability for some reason. With the note 3 it just refuses to focus close up.
 
OK my choice of words but based on the N2 functionality of being able to pull the device from your pockets and take a decent picture without faffing about, the n3 was never that. As you stated you had to chose your mode, have the perfect light and hold it dead still.
Yea, and that's a bit of a logical fallacy.

First of all, you're taking great liberties in expanding on what I wrote, so let me clarify:

Slight Blurring outside of the focus area, but probably due to me holding the phone with one hand while tapping the shutter button with my thumb, I was fumbling with 4 phones there taking comparison pics (M8, S4, Note 3, Droid Maxx + the Note 4 display unit :-P ).
That does not equate to "I was holding it dead still."

Smart Stabilization kicked in
On what planet does Smart Stabilization kick in, in perfect lighting?

Additionally, Smart Stabilization is a default ON setting on the S4 and Note 3, so there was no need to "switch modes," therefore it's impossible that I did that either...

The Note 2, you're really really selling as way superior than it actually is.

http://connect.dpreview.com/post/3210466896/samsung-galaxy-note-camerareview?page=3

http://connect.dpreview.com/post/3690994318/samsung-galaxy-note3-first-look-review

The Note 3 is better in almost any situation.
 
Agree, but the note 2 had much better macro capability for some reason. With the note 3 it just refuses to focus close up.

That depends on the lens on the phone. Different phones have different minimum focus distances. I took a lot of macro shots on my phone and it focused just fine. Mostly just to test, so it was just flowers and stuff in a park.

But it worked fine even until early evening hours.
 
I wasn't referring to any of your comments. I'm just stating it as I experienced it. The n3 had a poor camera.
Sorry if that doesn't fit with your judgement.
 
I wasn't referring to any of your comments. I'm just stating it as I experienced it. The n3 had a poor camera.
Sorry if that doesn't fit with your judgement.
As for your opinion, you're entitled to it. But it's still an objectively false statement.

Maybe I'm just losing my sanity, but...

As you stated you had to chose your mode, have the perfect light and hold it dead still.

How else is one supposed to interpret such a statement?

If you go to Flickr you can see tons of great photos taken by Galaxy Note 3.

EDIT: I like these discussions as it makes me examine my device a bit deeper than I would during normal use, which is a good thing during "upgrade season" (when a lot of other major flagships are being released). I continue to feel good about my purchasing decision, at least from a Hardware standpoint.
 
I've only had a chance to glance through these posts, though I will chime in with my opinion on the Note3 camera -- it is awful. As bonerp said "...you had to chose your mode, have the perfect light and hold it dead still." DEAD STILL...any movement and all of my photos ended up blurry. I remember my Note2 camera performing much better. I tested the Note4 at Best Buy and did comparison shots with my Note3 and the Note4 was much less blurry and sharper....
 
thank you.

AnonGuy - I'm not trying to pick a fight - just giving my view. Your responses are neither objectively correct but I'm not berating you for providing your experience...as per your second response it is very much matter of fact. Comparing photos from a couple of phones on a screen taken in a non controlled environment....does that make your arguement any better than the feedback I provided? Not really bud.

On the note 2 as stated previously, you could pull it out, gesture to open the camera, take a picture and know you had a decent shot.

Afraid it wasn't like this with the N3. I had 3 note 3's due to warranty issues - all different problems and one caused by me, and each one performed as poorly as the next. The right mode, decent light and a still phone was necessary.

I am really looking forward to the n4 and have high expectations for the camera tbh.

My current OPO doesn't take great photos. Again select the correct mode for the situation as opposed to using auto, and its not as bad....
 
I've had my note 3 for around 5 months and it is still as fast and stable as the day I purchased it. I see no reason to upgrade right now the note 3 is still one of the top smart phones available right now. Plus I have so much on my phone and its rooted so I have all the extra tweaks and features.
 
I've had my note 3 for around 5 months and it is still as fast and stable as the day I purchased it. I see no reason to upgrade right now the note 3 is still one of the top smart phones available right now. Plus I have so much on my phone and its rooted so I have all the extra tweaks and features.

Such restrained reasoning is too wise for these inherently compulsive forums :) ;)
 
I wasn't referring to any of your comments. I'm just stating it as I experienced it. The n3 had a poor camera.
Sorry if that doesn't fit with your judgement.

I have to agree with you. I had no issues with my Note 2's camera (or even my S3) but have been very disappointed with the Note 3 camera. Seems to take much longer to focus and actually take a shot.

I was actually considering moving to a iPhone 6 plus since camera abilities are very important to me now (taking pics of the kids). But in the end, decided to give the Note 4 a chance in the hopes that the improved sensor and OIS will result in a noticeable improvement over the Note 3.
 
I have to agree with you. I had no issues with my Note 2's camera (or even my S3) but have been very disappointed with the Note 3 camera. Seems to take much longer to focus and actually take a shot.

I was actually considering moving to a iPhone 6 plus since camera abilities are very important to me now (taking pics of the kids). But in the end, decided to give the Note 4 a chance in the hopes that the improved sensor and OIS will result in a noticeable improvement over the Note 3.

True the S4 and Note 3 are not exactly the fastest to focus. Note 4 faster? :)
 
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