When I mentioned I was a long-time Note user in my review of the iPhone 6 Plus , a lot of folks asked me about how I thought the two devices compared. So, I wrote a series of articles covering that very topic. Then, everyone wanted to know why I wasn't comparing the new, economy-sized iPhone to the Note 4 instead of the older Note 3. Conspiracy to make the Android device look bad? No, it's simply that the Note 4 wasn't yet available, and the Note 3 was my daily driver.
Fast forward to the present. I've been carrying a Note 4 around for the past few weeks, and an iPhone 6 Plus... and a Note 3 as well. Yes, I've been lugging three phablets with me almost every day, for the exclusive purpose of seeing how they stack up. My pockets bulging, my pants drooping, all so that I can bring you some further perspective on this uber segment of the smartphone market, the one I consider to be the most useful.
So the Note 4 feels more premium than its predecessor. Does that mean it stands up to the iPhone 6 in terms of look and feel? No, sadly not. Note in one hand, iPhone in the other, one feels svelte and polished, the other chunky and square. Mind you, I do like the aesthetic of the Note. It has the look of an imposing, professional device in much the same way that a BlackBerry Bold 9900 does.
That said, of these two phablets, the Note is certainly the least comfortable in the hand. The rounded shapes of the iPhone of course are a better fit for your fleshy mitts. At least, it settles more gently into mine. In particular, the transition between the metal and the plastic on the back of the Note is rough, but worse is the transition from metal to glass.
Both the iPhone and the Note feature glass with rounded edges. However, where the glass on Apple's phone transitions smoothly into the chassis of the device, the edge of the glass on the Note is actually recessed beneath the frame. So, instead of creating a lovely termination of the device for your fingers to enjoy, it becomes something of a trench. This, as it turns out, is a perfect place for storing pocket lint. Good luck keeping that clean.
In Samsung's favor, I don't worry about dropping the Note, both because it feels like the more durable of the two, and because it's easier to hold securely. That smooth matte aluminum on the iPhone sure is nice, but doesn't offer much in the way of grip.
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