Note 4 Vs Iphone 6 Plus Did Size Really Matter Back Then

In 2014, the smartphone market underwent a pivotal shift as consumers began embracing larger screens. Apple, long resistant to phablets, finally entered the arena with the iPhone 6 Plus—a 5.5-inch device that marked a departure from its compact legacy. Meanwhile, Samsung had already been championing large displays for years, and the Galaxy Note 4 stood as their flagship phablet, boasting a 5.7-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED screen. On paper, both devices competed in the same category, but beneath the surface, they represented two fundamentally different philosophies about what a smartphone should be. The question remains: did size truly define the experience, or were other factors more decisive?

The Rise of the Phablet Era

Before the iPhone 6 Plus, Apple’s largest phone was the 4-inch iPhone 5s. The leap to 5.5 inches was monumental, driven by consumer demand for better multimedia, multitasking, and web browsing. Samsung, however, had been pushing the boundaries since the original Galaxy Note in 2011. By the time the Note 4 launched, the idea of a “phablet” wasn’t new—it was expected.

The Note 4 came with a stylus (S Pen), a feature absent on the iPhone 6 Plus, emphasizing productivity and precision input. Apple, in contrast, focused on simplicity, fluid animations, and an ecosystem-first approach. While both phones were large by earlier standards, their purposes diverged. Size wasn’t just about screen real estate; it was a canvas for different user experiences.

“Apple entering the phablet space validated what Samsung had been betting on for years—users wanted more screen, but not at the cost of usability.” — David Kim, Mobile Industry Analyst, 2015

Design and Build: Form Meets Function

The physical construction of each phone reflected their brand identities. The Galaxy Note 4 featured a plastic polycarbonate body with a faux leather backing and metallic trim, giving it a premium yet practical feel. It was designed to be held and used—one-handed operation was challenging, but not impossible thanks to software gestures like one-handed mode.

The iPhone 6 Plus, on the other hand, introduced Apple’s signature aluminum unibody design with chamfered edges and a sleek profile. Despite being slightly smaller in screen size, it felt lighter and more balanced in hand. However, early units suffered from “Bendgate,” where excessive pressure could warp the chassis—a flaw that sparked widespread debate about durability versus thinness.

Tip: When choosing between large phones, consider grip comfort and pocket fit—size affects daily usability more than specs suggest.

Display and Performance Comparison

Screen quality was one area where the Note 4 clearly outshone the iPhone 6 Plus. With a 5.7-inch Quad HD (1440 x 2560) Super AMOLED panel, it delivered richer colors, deeper blacks, and higher pixel density than the iPhone’s 5.5-inch 1080p LCD display. For media consumption and outdoor visibility, the Note 4 had the edge.

Under the hood, the Note 4 packed either a Snapdragon 805 or Exynos 5433 (depending on region), paired with 3GB of RAM. The iPhone 6 Plus used Apple’s custom A8 chip with 1GB of RAM. On paper, Samsung’s specs looked superior, but iOS optimization allowed the iPhone to perform smoothly despite lower memory. Real-world app launches and multitasking were snappier on iOS, while Android users occasionally noticed minor stutters.

Feature	Samsung Galaxy Note 4	iPhone 6 Plus
Screen Size	5.7 inches	5.5 inches
Resolution	1440 x 2560 (Quad HD)	1080 x 1920 (Full HD)
Processor	Snapdragon 805 / Exynos 5433	Apple A8
RAM	3GB	1GB
Rear Camera	16 MP, OIS	8 MP, OIS
Front Camera	3.7 MP	1.2 MP
Battery	3220 mAh (removable)	2915 mAh (non-removable)
Stylus	S Pen included	Not supported

User Experience: Productivity vs Ecosystem

The S Pen transformed the Note 4 into more than just a phone. Features like Air Command, Screen Write, and Action Memos allowed users to annotate screenshots, jot quick notes, or create pop-up windows for multitasking. These tools catered to professionals, students, and creatives who valued input flexibility.

Apple offered no stylus support, but instead focused on seamless integration across devices. Handoff, Instant Hotspot, and iCloud syncing made the iPhone 6 Plus a natural hub for Mac and iPad users. Notifications, messages, and calls could flow effortlessly between devices—an advantage Samsung couldn’t match at the time.

For many, the decision boiled down to workflow. If you took handwritten notes, edited documents, or sketched ideas, the Note 4’s size served a functional purpose. If you prioritized app continuity, messaging reliability, and camera consistency, the iPhone’s ecosystem outweighed raw hardware advantages.

Mini Case Study: Sarah, Freelance Designer

Sarah upgraded from an iPhone 5 to a Galaxy Note 4 in late 2014. As a freelance UI designer, she needed a device that could handle sketching wireframes on the go. She found the S Pen invaluable for brainstorming sessions and client meetings. “I could pull out my phone, open a blank memo, and draw right away,” she said. “The size didn’t bother me—I kept it in a bag anyway.”

However, when collaborating with developers using MacBooks, she missed iMessage and AirDrop. File transfers were clunkier, and syncing calendars required third-party apps. After six months, she switched back to an iPhone, citing ecosystem friction as the main reason—even though she missed the stylus.

Battery Life and Long-Term Usability

Battery capacity favored the Note 4, and its removable 3220 mAh battery allowed for easy replacements. Combined with power-saving modes and efficient AMOLED technology (which turns off black pixels), it consistently lasted a full day, even with heavy use.

The iPhone 6 Plus, while equipped with a smaller non-removable battery, benefited from iOS optimizations. Apple claimed up to 24 hours of talk time, and real-world usage often matched this under moderate conditions. However, iOS updates over the years throttled performance on older models, leading to noticeable slowdowns by 2017—something Samsung users avoided due to longer hardware support cycles on flagship devices.

Tip: For long-term ownership, consider software update policies—Samsung lagged behind Apple in frequency but improved with later models.

Checklist: Choosing Between Note 4 and iPhone 6 Plus (Retrospective)

• ✅ Need a stylus for notes or drawing? → Galaxy Note 4
• ✅ Prioritize ecosystem integration (Mac, iPad, Apple Watch)? → iPhone 6 Plus
• ✅ Want better display resolution and customization? → Galaxy Note 4
• ✅ Prefer smoother long-term software updates? → iPhone 6 Plus
• ✅ Value removable battery and expandable storage? → Galaxy Note 4
• ✅ Use mostly social media, messaging, and streaming? → iPhone 6 Plus

FAQ

Was the iPhone 6 Plus the first large iPhone?

Yes, the iPhone 6 Plus was Apple’s first phablet. Prior models maxed out at 4 inches, making this a significant shift in design philosophy.

Could the S Pen work on the iPhone 6 Plus?

No. The iPhone’s screen wasn’t pressure-sensitive, and Apple didn’t support active styluses until the iPad Pro in 2015. Passive capacitive styluses worked but lacked precision.

Which phone had a better camera?

The Note 4 had a higher-resolution sensor and better low-light performance, but the iPhone 6 Plus produced more consistent colors and dynamic range, especially in video. Many reviewers preferred iPhone footage for its natural tone and stabilization.

Conclusion: Did Size Really Matter?

In 2014, size was a headline feature, but not the deciding factor. The Galaxy Note 4 leveraged its larger frame for productivity, offering tools that turned the phone into a mini tablet. The iPhone 6 Plus used its size to enhance media and web experiences within a tightly controlled ecosystem. For some, the extra half-inch of screen made multitasking easier. For others, it was simply about fitting the phone in a pocket.

Ultimately, size mattered only in context. It amplified each phone’s strengths—productivity on Android, immersion on iOS—but didn’t override core differences in software, design, and long-term value. Today, both devices are relics, yet their rivalry shaped the modern smartphone landscape. They proved that bigger wasn’t inherently better—but when paired with purpose, size could redefine what a phone could do.

🚀 Looking back, which 2014 flagship would you have chosen—and why? Share your thoughts and memories of the phablet wars in the comments below.