Samsung Galaxy Note 4
A visitor holds a new Samsung Galaxy Note 4 smartphone at the Unpacked 2014 Episode 2 event ahead of the IFA Electronics show in Berlin, September 3, 2014. Reuters/Hannibal Hanschke

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 can be an optional upgrade for Android users especially for Galaxy Note 3 owners. Know which factors the company upgraded on the 2014 Galaxy phablet and find out how much it will cost you just to get the latest model.

Upgrades Of Samsung Galaxy Note 4 From Galaxy Note 3

There are multiple hardware and software improvements Samsung added on Galaxy Note 4 which makes it different from Galaxy Note 3. Most of these upgrades are focused on the display quality, design factor, camera capability and the S Pen accessory.

1. Galaxy Note 4 features the same 5.7 inches screen size like Galaxy Note 3 but the latest phablet has QHD display resolution or 1440 x 2560 with 515 ppi pixel density. These upgrades are substantial if compared on what Galaxy Note 3 can offer on the display department.

2. Initial operating system version on Galaxy Note 4 is Android 4.4.4 KitKat with automatic eligibility to Android 5.0 Lollipop update coming out this year. Normally, Samsung will prioritise software upgrades on latest devices but it does not mean Galaxy Note 3 won't be upgraded to Android 5.0.

3. Samsung installed a 16 MP rear camera and a 3.7 MP front facing camera lenses on Galaxy Note 4 which are higher than the 13 MP rear camera and 2.0 MP front facing camera lenses on Galaxy Note 3. Most features such as Dual Shot and Simultaneous HD video and image recording are found on both devices but Galaxy Note 4 boasts F1.9 lenses on both rear and front cameras to capture 60 per cent more light with Optical Image Stabilisation.

4. Processor has been upgraded on Galaxy Note 4 as well. It boasts a set of 2.7 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 processor which is better than the Snapdragon 800 Galaxy Note 3 uses.

5. Octa-core variant of Galaxy Note 4 uses the Exynos 5433 processor with clock speed of 1.3 GHz quad-core Cortex-A53 and 1.9 GHz Cortex-A57 while Galaxy Note 3 octa-core model uses the Exynos 5420 with clock speed of 1.9 GHz quad-core Cortex-A15 and 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7.

6. S Pen accessory on Galaxy Note 4 has higher accuracy on its relative functionality such as digital handwriting experience and pressure sensitivity.

7. Battery pack on Galaxy Note 4 has 3220 mAh capacity which is offers very little difference on the 3200 mAh on Galaxy Note 3.

Features Available On Galaxy Note 4

In addition to those hardware upgrades installed by Samsung on Galaxy Note 4, certain apps and services have been improved as well. It is unknown if Samsung will port all of these new features on future software updates of Galaxy Note 3.

- Smart Select to select text and content freely on any screen.

- Photo Note converts photo captures from analogue to digital version.

- Multitasking enhancers via Split-Window and Pop-up Window.

- Fast recharging time with extended battery life using Ultra Power Saving Mode.

Unfortunately, Samsung Galaxy Note 4 does not have 64-bit processing architecture and its RAM capacity remains equal with Galaxy Note 3 which is 3 GB. These upgrades featured on Samsung Galaxy Note 4 cost $844.80 at Amazon while selling price of Galaxy Note 3 is currently at $499.64.