Even some of the most experienced technology analysts were caught slightly off guard by Samsung’s decision to release a Galaxy Edge device alongside the highly anticipated Galaxy Note 4. With all four of the major United States carriers already announcing that they will support the device, consumers who are fans of the Galaxy range will have a serious decision to make between the two models. So here is a summary of the specs and functionality related to the two handsets.
Galaxy Note 4 Vs Galaxy Note Edge – Design
There is obviously a significant difference here, as the name would suggest the Galaxy Edge features a curved edge which gives the device a particularly distinctive appearance. Whether or not this appeals is very much a matter of personal taste, and it is a little too early to assess to what degree this element of the device makes a significant difference in its operation.
It is also worth noting that while Samsung devices have been criticized for their plasticky feel, both the Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Edge feel like a step forward in this regard.
Display
Samsung has been absolutely renowned for producing screen quality which is the envy of the rest of the industry, and the Galaxy Edge and the Galaxy Note 4 are no exception to this basic rule. Both offer a 5.7-inch display, but the two screens differ slightly with regard to pixel density and resolution.
Both handsets boast a Super-AMOLED screen, which Samsung makes a real selling point of the Galaxy range, but the Edge features a resolution of 2,560 x 1,440 (plus the 160 pixel edge) and 524ppi, whereas the Note 4 has a resolution of 2,560 x 1,440 and 515ppi. There is a trivial difference between the two in this department in all honesty, and it is certain that both Galaxy devices will provide an outstanding viewing experience.
Size and weight
Aside from the screen dimensions of the two devices of being identical, the Galaxy Edge and a Galaxy Note 4 are also comparable in terms of size. The Edge measures 146 x 72 x 7.3 mm, while the Note 4 measures 153.5 x 78.6 x 8.5 mm. Effectively, the Galaxy Note Edge is shorter, slimmer and less wide than the Galaxy Note 4, and consequently is also the lighter of the two handsets. The Galaxy Edge is 24g lighter than its Galaxy Note Edge cousin, with the heavier of the two devices weighing in at 176g. This is a pretty trivial difference, with 24g being roughly equivalent to five grapes.
Battery
The proof is often in the pudding with mobile devices, at least with regard to battery life. There are a variety of tricks and techniques which can be utilized by mobile phone manufacturers in order to extend battery life, and thus the size of a battery alone is not entirely indicative of its life-cycle. However, we do know that the battery sizes included in the Galaxy Edge and Galaxy Note 4, and consequently can at least get on at some impression from this information.
The Note 4 is armed with a 3,300 mAh battery, whilst the Edge has the smaller 3,000 mAh. While this might lead one to presume that the Galaxy Note 4 well have a superior battery life, this is not necessarily a sound conclusion.
What we can say for certain is that Samsung has already revealed that that they will be adopting ‘Adaptive Fast Charging’ and ‘Ultra-power saving’ technology within both the Note 4 and Edge devices. This will enable both devices to be charged to 50 percent battery in nearly half an hour, and also battery life can be significantly increased by simply shutting down all non-essential functions. Samsung devices have been greatly praised with regard to their battery life in the past, and it is a pretty safe bet that both these devices will once again deliver strongly in this department.
Cameras
This area of the two devices can be summed up pretty quickly; both devices use the same camera! Samsung is including Smart OIS in both devices, which will provide image stabilization, and both the Galaxy Note 4 and the Galaxy Edge can shoot 4K video.
Both devices offer a very strong phablet experience, and Samsung will be looking for a very strong performance from its latest Galaxy products given that the Apple iPhone 6 is just around the corner.
