Nexus 6 (Quick Review) was officially introduced yesterday for those who like it large. Google has chosen to favor a particular section (this section is in Majority in Asian Markets) which prefers extra large smartphone bordering on lines of tablets. The Note series can be called a trend setter in this regards and the latest Galaxy Note 4 has a lot in common with Nexus 6. Let’s pit these against one another to know the difference.
Display and Processor
Both smartphones boast of ppi busting quad HD 2560 x 1440 pixel resolution on large 5.9 Inches and 5.7 inch display respectively. Because of slightly smaller display size in Note 4 it will have slightly higher pixel density (512 ppi VS 493 ppi), but that won’t translate into a conspicuous difference. More importantly, both displays are good quality Super AMOLED panels, which mean they will be very very similar in quality.
To take advantage of extra screen real estate, Galaxy Note 4 comes with a classy pressure sensitive capacitive Stylus, S-Pen. This approach merits the use of large display and also helps in efficiently taking notes and other features. Over the years, S Pen has evolved into something useful and handy and is no longer an idle accessory.
The Chipset is exactly same in both smartphones as well. Both phones employ a 2.7 GHz quad core Snapdragon 805 with Krait 450 cores, Adreno 420 and 3 GB RAM. Being Qualcomm’s 32 bit flagship chipset, there is no reason to doubt its ability in handling all tasks smoothly and efficiently.
Camera and Internal Storage
The rear camera in Samsung Galaxy Note 4 has a16 MP OIS+ sensor capable of recording 4k videos. Nexus 6 on the other hand has a 13 MP rear camera unit with OIS, and this one too can record full HD videos. Samsung has been leading in the photography game over Motorola so far, it remains to be seen how much Motorola has improved this time.
Samsung also makes effort to entice selfie lovers with its wide aperture 120 degree wide angle lens front shooter, while Nexus 6 doesn’t highlight any prowess of its conventional 2 MP front shooter.
Nexus 6 offers 32 GB and 64 GB variants without expandable storage. The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 on the other hand offers 32 GB internal storage and a MicroSD card slot for further 128 GB MicroSD card slot.
Battery and Other Features
The high pixel count warrants a bigger battery in both these devices. So both of these phones will be shipping with a 3220 mAh battery and promise full day backup. Both phones support rapid charging technology and Nexus 6 has additional Wireless charging capabilities as well. Battery is removable in Galaxy Note 4.
While the Nexus 6 will ship with Android 5.0 Lollipop out of the box in its full glory, Samsung Galaxy Note 4 will get it via OTA update. Because of the TouchWiz layer on top, you won’t be able to fully appreciate Material design and other User end changes in Android Lollipop. Also Nexus 6 is water resistant unlike Galaxy Note 4, but won’t support TDD LTE, used by Airtel in India. The Note 4 with dual Mode LTE support has an additional IR blaster
Key Specs
| Model | Google Nexus 6 | Samsung Galaxy Note 4 |
| Display | 6 inch, QHD, 493 PPI | 5.7 inch, QHD, 515 PPI |
| Processor | 2.7 GHz Quad Core | 2.7 GHz Quad Core |
| RAM | 3 GB | 3 GB |
| Internal Storage | 32 GB/ 64 GB | 32 GB, Expandable |
| OS | Android 5.0 Lollipop | Android 4.4.4 KitKat |
| Camera | 13 MP/ 2 MP | 16 MP/ 3.7 MP |
| Battery | 3220 mAh | 3220 mAh |
| Price | $569/ $649 | 58,300 INR |
Conclusion
If you love big display phones, you can save a lot of money opting for Galaxy Nexus over Samsung Galaxy Note 4 without making many grave compromises. The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 on the other hand is nearly perfect Android phablet and deserves some praise. Also Nexus 6 will arrive in India by the end of this year and Galaxy Note 4 is available now (Almost) and that does matter. By the time Nexus 6 hits Indian markets, Note 4 would have received initial price cut.
