Note 4 or Nexus 6

Fus Ro Dah · 23 Dec 2014 at 17:35

So I can't really decide between the Note 4 vs the Nexus 6

Things that have caught my attention about the 2 devices

Note 4

Expandable memory
Removable battery
Supposedly better camera

Nexus 6

Dual front facing speakers
Splash proof (not IP certified but better than note 4)
Lollipop

A lot of the reviews online say the Note 4 is better but I'm concerned they might have been paid to say that. What do you guys reckon?

kona786 · 23 Dec 2014 at 17:39

To add to the Note 4's pros...

Screen on the Note 4 is brighter, more efficient and has modes for colour accuracy vs over-saturation.

Also less slippery in the hand.

And from what I've seen the camera + vid cam is noticeably better.

steve45 · 23 Dec 2014 at 17:55

also wont be long till note 4 has lollipop as well, albeit in Samsung Touchwiz flavor.

Pabl0 · 23 Dec 2014 at 18:13

I went for the note 4, i actually find the S pen really useful and really didnt think i would. Also has the above pros.

Although i wouldnt be unhappy with the nexus 6..

Christmas themed thank · 23 Dec 2014 at 18:24

Nexus 6 because Touchwiz makes me annoyed.

Ixon · 23 Dec 2014 at 19:19

Note 4
Better Screen
Better Camera
Features that take advantage of the bigger screen
Expandable storage
You don't have to use Touchwiz, use Nova or Apex instead
IR Blaster comes in handy
Much more manageable size

The only thing i find the Nexus 6 has going for it is Android updates are quicker, other than that it offer no more than what a Nexus 5 offers apart from the bigger screen & battery and slightly better camera.

DAnDan · 23 Dec 2014 at 19:30

I'd go (and did go) for the Note 4, easily.

The only point that I'd say the Nexus has going for it is the speed of the software updates, but that's about it really.

I had Nexus 5 before this, and was anxious about moving to touchwiz because of all the complaints I'd heard. Completely unnecessary. The looks are certainly subjective, but I don't really find them any better, nor worse than stock android. Other than that, I've actually quite enjoyed TW, it bring some nice features (actual multitasking, better camera options, that sort of thing) without making any sacrifices. I'm sure older TW versions had issues with lag, but they seem to have disappeared for the Note 4.

Edit - Missed a word, changed the meaning entirely!

kefan77 · 23 Dec 2014 at 19:31

I don't like TW or Samsung in particular, but out of these two, I'd get N4.

Hunders · 23 Dec 2014 at 19:33

I bought a note 4 and I'm glad I did. I feel that it's just simply a much better device all round apart from update speed.

Ixon · 23 Dec 2014 at 19:40

Tbh it probably better the Note 4 still on 4.4.4, Android 5.0 has been problematic for for a lot of folk on the Nexus 4/5/6, even with 5.0.1 there are still a few bugs that need to be sorted.

this_is_gav · 23 Dec 2014 at 20:09

Ixon said:
Tbh it probably better the Note 4 still on 4.4.4, Android 5.0 has been problematic for for a lot of folk on the Nexus 4/5/6, even with 5.0.1 there are still a few bugs that need to be sorted.

Biggest bug is the battery usage for those not doing a wipe, which obviously isn't going to be an issue on a new device. And 5.1 is rumoured to be a month away to clear any remaining issues (though I've not suffered any). And it's not as if the Note 4 won't be getting Lollipop soon anyway.

N4 positives:
+ Camera app
+ Bigger battery
+ Expandable storage
+ S-pen and associated apps if you'd use that sort of thing

N4 negatives:
- 'Only' 32GB for OS and data (including game files)
----- Touchwiz

N6 positives:
++++ Obviously stock android and Lollipop out of the box
+++ Stereo front-facing speakers
+ Double the storage option for everything if you go 64GB

N6 negatives:
- No expandable storage (though 64GB ought to be enough for anyone © Bill Gates)
- No pen option

All my opinion, but I'd choose the Nexus 6, but only because the Note 4 has Touchwiz. Without that I'd probably go Note 4. So it might be as simple as to whether you prefer stock Android or the pen apps. Considering they're roughly the same size, same specs and sell at near enough the same price, they're completely different phones designed for different people.

DAnDan · 23 Dec 2014 at 20:13

this_is_gav said:
N4 negatives:
- Only 32GB for OS and data (including game files)
----- Touchwiz

N6 positives:
++++ Obviously stock android

All my opinion, but I'd choose the Nexus 6, but only because the Note 4 has Touchwiz. Without that I'd probably go Note 4.

Have you actually spent any time with the Note 4 though? Touchwiz is nowhere near as bad as it used to be, and brings a lot to the table over stock android.

A year or more ago I'd have agreed with you 100%, but after using stock on my Nexus 5, and TW on the Note 4, there isn't really any objective downsides to the current version of TW.

Warp279 · 23 Dec 2014 at 20:19

Note 4. Spen and multi-window make it awesome.

this_is_gav · 23 Dec 2014 at 20:20

DAnDan said:
Have you actually spent any time with the Note 4 though? Touchwiz is nowhere near as bad as it used to be, and brings a lot to the table over stock android.

I have, though I admit I've not owned a S5 or N4 nor used one day-to-day. As you say, stock Lollipop is faster, and given I'd not use the Touchwiz apps it would be an easy decision for me. It's all down to user preference though.

Like I say, it's probably down to whether you'd use the Samsung apps.

Fus Ro Dah · 23 Dec 2014 at 20:20

In regards to TouchWiz, if I installed a launcher application, for example nova launcher, would;

1. The phone run any slower as TW would still be there in the background
2. Would I still be able to use the full functionality/apps of the S-pen?

kona786 · 23 Dec 2014 at 20:23

1. No. Possibly smoother and faster and Nova is more lightweight. TW launcher would stop running.
2. Yes. It all still works.

My sisters Note 4 after I installed Nova + icon pack

DAnDan · 23 Dec 2014 at 20:33

this_is_gav said:
I have, though I admit I've not owned a S5 or N4 nor used one day-to-day. As you say, stock Lollipop is faster, and given I'd not use the Touchwiz apps it would be an easy decision for me. It's all down to user preference though.

Like I say, it's probably down to whether you'd use the Samsung apps.

That's my point though, stock android isn't any faster than TW now. In the past yes, but not now.

I use very few of the TW specific apps, but the way I see it having owned stock/TW is that TW brings quite a few advantages, with no downside that I've yet found - Other than the slower updates.

Fus Ro Dah said:
In regards to TouchWiz, if I installed a launcher application, for example nova launcher, would;

1. The phone run any slower as TW would still be there in the background
2. Would I still be able to use the full functionality/apps of the S-pen?

Using a different launcher only really changes the home screen, and the app drawer. Everything else is the same.

But don't be fooled into thinking that the Note 4 is slow due to having touchwiz. It's just as fast as my Nexus was before it.

this_is_gav · 23 Dec 2014 at 20:36

DAnDan said:
That's my point though, stock android isn't any faster than TW now. In the past yes, but not now.

You said yourself the N4 was slower. :confused:

Hunders · 23 Dec 2014 at 20:43

Just to note, you don't retain full s pen functionality when you install a launcher. For example you cannot place a post it note widget on the home screen. It's the only reason why I'm not using one.

steve45 · 23 Dec 2014 at 20:47

to be fair touchwiz isnt so bad on the N4, dare i say its actually quite nice to use, at least i havnt felt the overwhelming need to get rid of it like i did on the S4.

Note 4 or Nexus 6

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