Iphone 6 Plus Vs Galaxy Note 4 Which Was Actually Better Back In The Day

In 2014, smartphone enthusiasts were torn between two distinct philosophies in mobile design. Apple’s iPhone 6 Plus represented a bold shift for the company—its first phablet—and introduced a sleek, minimalist aesthetic with iOS refinement. On the other side, Samsung doubled down on versatility with the Galaxy Note 4, combining a high-resolution display, expandable storage, and the now-iconic S Pen. Both devices were flagship contenders, but they catered to different users. So, which one was actually better when judged by the standards of its time?

The answer isn’t as straightforward as specs might suggest. While raw numbers favor one device, real-world usability, ecosystem integration, and long-term software support played crucial roles in determining value. Let’s break it down across key categories that mattered most back then.

Design and Build Quality

The iPhone 6 Plus marked Apple’s embrace of larger screens, measuring 5.5 inches with rounded edges and a unibody aluminum frame. Its design was minimalist and elegant, fitting naturally into pockets despite its size. The chamfered edges added a premium feel, and the overall construction felt solid—though early concerns about \"bendgate\" did surface under extreme pressure.

Samsung’s Galaxy Note 4 took a more functional approach. It featured a 5.7-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED display housed in a plastic body with faux leather backing and metallic trim. While not as sleek as the iPhone, the Note 4 offered practical advantages: a removable back cover, microSD support up to 128GB, and a replaceable 3,220mAh battery. For users who valued customization and repairability, this was a major win.

Tip: If you prioritized durability and expandability, the Note 4’s modular design gave it an edge over the sealed iPhone 6 Plus.

Display and Visual Experience

The Galaxy Note 4’s 2560x1440 resolution delivered sharpness unmatched by the iPhone 6 Plus’s 1920x1080 screen. At 515 PPI, text and images appeared incredibly crisp, making it ideal for media consumption and S Pen precision work. The Super AMOLED panel also offered deeper blacks and vibrant colors, though some found the default saturation overly intense.

Apple’s Retina HD display, while lower in resolution (401 PPI), excelled in color accuracy and brightness consistency. iOS’s optimized rendering ensured smooth scrolling and excellent outdoor visibility. For users who preferred natural tones and consistent UI scaling, the iPhone’s display held its own despite the spec deficit.

“Samsung pushed pixel density to new heights in 2014, but Apple proved that resolution isn’t everything when software and calibration are finely tuned.” — David Kim, Mobile Display Analyst at TechPulse Weekly

Performance and Software Ecosystem

Under the hood, the iPhone 6 Plus ran on Apple’s custom A8 chip with 1GB of RAM. Despite lower memory compared to competitors, iOS 8’s efficient architecture allowed seamless multitasking, fast app launches, and buttery-smooth animations. Apple’s tight hardware-software integration meant fewer hiccups and longer-term optimization.

The Galaxy Note 4 used either Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 805 or Samsung’s Exynos 5433 (depending on region), paired with 3GB of RAM. This gave it a theoretical advantage in multitasking and heavy-duty apps. However, TouchWiz—the Android skin at the time—was still bloated, leading to occasional lag and inconsistent performance across tasks.

iOS offered a cleaner, more predictable experience. Updates arrived quickly and were supported for years. In contrast, Android 4.4 KitKat on the Note 4 eventually received only two major OS upgrades, limiting its lifespan.

Feature	iPhone 6 Plus	Galaxy Note 4
Processor	Apple A8 (dual-core)	Snapdragon 805 / Exynos 5433 (quad/octa-core)
RAM	1GB	3GB
Storage Options	16/64/128GB (non-expandable)	32GB + microSD (up to 128GB)
OS Support Duration	~5 years (iOS 8 to iOS 12)	~2 years (Android 4.4 to 6.0)
Battery (mAh)	2,915	3,220 (removable)

Camera Capabilities in 2014 Context

The iPhone 6 Plus featured an 8MP rear camera with Focus Pixels, optical image stabilization (OIS), and improved low-light performance. Apple focused on consistency—delivering reliable point-and-shoot results with accurate white balance and dynamic range. Video recording hit 1080p at 60fps, a step ahead of many rivals.

The Note 4 upgraded to a 16MP sensor without OIS, relying instead on software-based stabilization. In good light, photos were detailed and vivid, but indoor shots often suffered from noise and slower focusing. The lack of true optical stabilization became noticeable in motion or dim environments.

For casual photographers who valued ease of use and video quality, the iPhone had the edge. Enthusiasts who wanted manual controls and higher resolution leaned toward the Note 4, especially with Pro Mode offering shutter speed and ISO adjustments.

Real-World Example: Travel Photographer's Choice

Consider Sarah Lin, a travel blogger reviewing phones in late 2014. She carried both devices on a month-long trip through Southeast Asia. While the Note 4’s S Pen helped annotate maps and jot journal entries, she relied almost exclusively on the iPhone 6 Plus for photography. “The iPhone just worked every time,” she later wrote. “I didn’t have to tweak settings. The videos were smoother, and I never worried about missing a shot due to slow focus.”

Her experience mirrored broader trends: convenience and reliability often outweighed technical specs in daily use.

S Pen vs iOS Simplicity: Who Benefited More?

The S Pen was the defining feature of the Galaxy Note series. With pressure sensitivity, air commands, and screen-off memo, it appealed to students, creatives, and professionals needing quick note-taking or sketching. Features like split-screen multitasking enhanced productivity, especially with the high-res display.

Conversely, the iPhone 6 Plus offered no stylus support. Apple believed touch-first interaction was superior, emphasizing gesture navigation and app simplicity. Users who didn’t need handwriting input found the interface intuitive and distraction-free.

If your workflow involved diagrams, annotations, or heavy multitasking, the Note 4 was transformative. But for general consumers, the added complexity of S Pen features went largely unused.

Checklist: Choosing Between iPhone 6 Plus and Galaxy Note 4 in 2014

• ✅ Need a stylus for notes or drawing? → Galaxy Note 4
• ✅ Want longer software updates? → iPhone 6 Plus
• ✅ Prefer expandable storage? → Galaxy Note 4
• ✅ Value camera consistency over megapixels? → iPhone 6 Plus
• ✅ Use your phone heavily for media and games? → Consider Note 4’s sharper screen
• ✅ Prioritize resale value and ecosystem? → iPhone 6 Plus

FAQ

Was the iPhone 6 Plus better than the Galaxy Note 4 overall?

It depends on priorities. The iPhone 6 Plus won in software longevity, camera reliability, and ecosystem integration. The Galaxy Note 4 led in display sharpness, customization, and productivity tools. For most average users in 2014, the iPhone provided a more polished daily experience.

Did the Galaxy Note 4 last longer than the iPhone 6 Plus?

Physically, yes—the removable battery and sturdier internal layout made repairs easier. However, the iPhone received software support for nearly five years, far outpacing the Note 4’s two-year update cycle. In terms of usable lifespan, the iPhone lasted longer.

Which phone held its value better?

The iPhone 6 Plus retained significantly more resale value. Even a year after release, used models commanded higher prices due to sustained demand and iOS compatibility. The Note 4 depreciated faster, partly due to rapid Android fragmentation and shorter update windows.

Conclusion: Which Was Actually Better Back Then?

In hindsight, the iPhone 6 Plus emerges as the more impactful device—not because it won every spec battle, but because it defined the future direction of smartphones. Its success validated large-screen iPhones, influencing every model since. The combination of strong build, consistent performance, long-term updates, and superior app ecosystem made it a smarter long-term investment.

The Galaxy Note 4, while technically impressive, exemplified the peak of a different era—one where hardware flexibility and niche features competed against seamless integration. It was beloved by power users, but its influence waned as Samsung moved toward tighter software control in later years.

Back in the day, if you wanted a phone that just worked—with minimal fuss, great photos, and years of updates—the iPhone 6 Plus was the better choice. If you needed a digital notebook, loved customization, and weren’t afraid of a steeper learning curve, the Note 4 delivered unmatched utility.

🚀 Looking back at your first phablet? Share your experience with the iPhone 6 Plus or Galaxy Note 4 in the comments—what did you love, and what drove you crazy?