Galaxy Note 4 Vs S4 Was Upgrading Really Worth It A 2024 Revisit

In the fall of 2013, the Galaxy S4 stood as Samsung’s flagship smartphone, embodying the peak of Android innovation. Just months later, in 2014, the Galaxy Note 4 arrived—positioned not just as an upgrade but as a redefinition of what a mobile device could do. Fast forward to 2024, and revisiting this comparison isn’t merely nostalgic; it’s instructive. Understanding the evolution between these two devices reveals how user expectations have shifted and whether the leap from S4 to Note 4 truly justified the cost at the time—and what legacy each left behind.

Design and Build: From Plastic to Premium

The Galaxy S4, while sleek for its era, relied heavily on polycarbonate construction with a glossy plastic back and chrome trim. It was lightweight and comfortable, but many users criticized its “cheap” feel compared to emerging metal-bodied competitors. Measuring 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9 mm and weighing 130g, it was compact by today’s standards but considered large in 2013.

In contrast, the Galaxy Note 4 introduced a more refined aesthetic. Though still using a plastic back, it featured faux leather texturing and stitched detailing that mimicked high-end craftsmanship. The metal-reinforced frame gave it a sturdier hand feel, and at 153.5 x 78.6 x 8.5 mm and 176g, it was significantly larger—but intentionally so, given its phablet positioning.

Tip: If you valued one-handed use, the S4 remained superior. For multitasking and media consumption, the Note 4’s size became an asset.

The shift wasn’t just cosmetic. The Note 4 also introduced IP67 water and dust resistance—a feature absent on the S4. This meant it could survive brief submersion and dusty environments, a meaningful durability upgrade that foreshadowed future industry standards.

Display and Usability: Clarity Meets Functionality

The S4 sported a 5.0-inch Full HD Super AMOLED display (441 ppi), which was impressive in 2013. However, the Note 4 stepped up with a 5.7-inch Quad HD (1440 x 2560) Super AMOLED panel, pushing pixel density to 515 ppi. The jump in sharpness was noticeable, especially when viewing photos or reading documents.

Beyond resolution, the Note 4’s display supported adjustable color temperatures and multiple color modes, giving users control over visual comfort—a feature power users appreciated. Combined with the S Pen, this made the Note 4 far more functional for productivity tasks like note-taking, sketching, or annotating PDFs.

The S4, meanwhile, emphasized gesture-based navigation (air browse, eye scroll) that felt gimmicky over time. While innovative, features like floating touch or Smart Pause rarely translated into daily utility. The Note 4 retained some of these but focused instead on S Pen integration—offering Air Command, Screen Write, and enhanced pen input accuracy.

Display Comparison Table

Feature	Galaxy S4	Galaxy Note 4
Screen Size	5.0 inches	5.7 inches
Resolution	1920 x 1080 (FHD)	2560 x 1440 (QHD)
PPI	441	515
Panel Type	Super AMOLED	Super AMOLED (with adjustable color)
S Pen Support	No	Yes (enhanced precision)

“The Note 4 wasn’t just bigger—it was smarter in how it used screen space. The S Pen turned passive viewing into active creation.” — David Kim, Mobile UX Analyst, 2015 Review Archive

Performance and Software: Hardware That Lasted

Both phones launched with top-tier hardware for their respective years. The S4 used either an Exynos 5 Octa or Snapdragon 600 (depending on region), paired with 2GB RAM. It handled everyday tasks well, but multitasking and gaming pushed it to its limits over time.

The Note 4 upgraded to the Snapdragon 805 (or Exynos 5433 in select markets) and 3GB of RAM—an early move toward higher memory capacity. This allowed smoother performance in demanding apps and better app retention. In 2024 terms, the Note 4’s architecture aged more gracefully due to its headroom.

Software-wise, both ran TouchWiz, Samsung’s feature-heavy Android skin. The S4 shipped with Android 4.2.2, eventually receiving updates to Android 5.0.1. The Note 4 launched with Android 4.4.4 and updated to Android 6.0.1—its final official OS. Neither would run modern apps efficiently today, but in their prime, the Note 4 offered longer support and better optimization for larger screens.

User Experience: Who Actually Benefited?

To assess whether the upgrade was “worth it,” we must consider user profiles. For casual users who primarily browsed, texted, and took occasional photos, the S4 was more than sufficient. Its smaller form factor made it easier to carry and operate without gloves or stands.

But for professionals, students, or creatives, the Note 4 delivered tangible advantages:

• Productivity: Split-screen mode and S Pen enabled efficient multitasking and handwritten notes.
• Media Consumption: Larger screen improved video and e-book experiences.
• Durability: IP67 rating added peace of mind in unpredictable environments.
• Camera: 16MP rear sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS)—a first for Samsung’s Note line—produced sharper low-light shots than the S4’s 13MP non-OIS camera.

Tip: If your workflow involved document markup or digital sketching, the S Pen alone justified the upgrade.

Mini Case Study: Maria, Architecture Student (2014–2015)

Maria upgraded from her Galaxy S4 to a Note 4 during her third year of university. She used the S Pen to annotate blueprints directly on her phone, take handwritten lecture notes synced to Dropbox, and sketch preliminary designs during site visits. “I stopped carrying a notebook,” she recalled in a 2024 interview. “The Note 4 fit in my bag, survived rainstorms thanks to water resistance, and let me work faster than typing ever could.” For her, the upgrade wasn’t luxury—it was necessity.

Was the Upgrade Worth It? A 2024 Verdict

In hindsight, yes—the upgrade from Galaxy S4 to Note 4 was worth it, but only for specific users. The broader market saw diminishing returns from pure specs, but the Note 4 offered something rare: a new category of interaction.

It wasn’t simply about bigger screens or better cameras. It was about expanding the phone’s role—from communication tool to digital workspace. The S Pen, OIS, QHD display, and enhanced build quality created a cohesive experience that influenced future Samsung designs, including the eventual Note-merged-with-S series seen in the S22 Ultra and beyond.

By 2024 standards, neither device functions as a primary phone. App compatibility, security updates, and battery degradation render them obsolete. Yet, their legacy endures. The Note 4 proved that niche functionality could define a product line, paving the way for foldables and stylus-equipped flagships.

Checklist: Would You Have Benefited from Upgrading?

1. Do you regularly take handwritten notes or mark up documents? → Note 4 wins
2. Do you consume a lot of video or read long articles on your phone? → Larger screen helps
3. Do you need water resistance for outdoor or travel use? → S4 lacks this
4. Are you sensitive to phone size and prefer one-handed operation? → Stick with S4
5. Do you value future-proofing and longer software support? → Note 4 had better longevity

Frequently Asked Questions

Could the Galaxy Note 4 run modern apps in 2024?

No. With only 3GB RAM and Android 6.0.1 as its final OS, most current apps—including banking, social media, and messaging platforms—no longer support the Note 4. Security vulnerabilities also make it unsafe for online transactions.

Is the S Pen essential, or just a gimmick?

For general users, it may seem unnecessary. But for artists, students, engineers, or anyone who annotates frequently, the S Pen provided real utility. Its pressure sensitivity and palm rejection were ahead of their time.

Why did Samsung discontinue the Note line?

In 2022, Samsung merged the Note’s core features—especially S Pen support—into the Galaxy S Ultra series. The S22 Ultra and later models integrate the stylus natively, making a separate Note line redundant.

Final Thoughts: Legacy Over Longevity

The Galaxy Note 4 wasn’t just an upgrade over the S4—it was a statement. It challenged the notion that smartphones should be uniform in size and function. By embracing specialization, Samsung carved out a loyal user base that valued precision, productivity, and personalization.

In 2024, revisiting this comparison reminds us that technological progress isn’t always linear. Sometimes, the most impactful upgrades aren’t measured in megapixels or gigahertz, but in how they change the way we interact with our devices.

🚀 Still using an old Samsung flagship? Share your experience—was your upgrade worth it? Join the conversation and help preserve the history of mobile innovation.