) are two popular 6-inch smartphones from Xiaomi. This time I will not give ratings to each smartphone, because the devices differ in hardware, cameras and partly in design - otherwise they are very similar. Of course, Note 5 is definitely a stronger device than 5 Plus, and this is logical - Note 5 came out later, and it costs more. The question here is different: is it worth overpaying for Note 5? It is quite possible that the 5 Plus will indeed be a better purchase for some.
DESIGN
Redmi 5 Plus, in my personal opinion, subjectively looks better than Redmi Note 5. Yes, Note 5 has narrower plastic inserts on the top and bottom. But I like the camera design of the 5 Plus more. By the way, in both cases the main cameras impractically protrude beyond the body. The sizes of smartphones are absolutely the same - they are far from small.
The ergonomics are also identical, but in Redmi 5 Plus the rounding of the corners of the body is more pronounced. The front panel is the same type. It is also worth noting the different location of the audio jack: in the 5 Plus it is on top, and in the Note 5 this connector is moved to the bottom end.
DISPLAYS
In both cases we get a nice-quality widescreen IPS display with FullHD+ resolution and rounded corners. Yes, it may be random with display modules, after all, this is Xiaomi. But in my case, both devices have matrices from Tianma, although they are calibrated differently, as a result of which the color rendition is slightly different and on 5+ the colors seem a little richer, and the white color is whiter there. But firstly, this is a special case with two specific devices, and secondly, this difference can only be noticed when comparing head-to-head.
HARDWARE, PERFORMANCE and SOFTWARE
In terms of hardware, Redmi Note 5 is a clear favorite. He has a more modern and powerful processor Snapdragon 636 with updated Kryo 260 cores. Let me remind you that in Redmi 5 Plus we have the 625th Snapdragon based on Cortex-A53 cores. On the one hand, yes, Note 5 provides higher performance, this is especially noticeable in benchmarks. But! If you are regular user who uses a smartphone for everyday tasks, then I can say with confidence that the performance of Redmi 5 Plus will be enough for you. Yes, the Snapdragon 625 is far from a fresh chipset, but it is an excellent and well-proven “stone”. But for fans of demanding games like PUBG Mobile or WOT BLITZ, I would highly recommend Note 5 - it graphics accelerator Adreno 509 looks more interesting in games than the 506. For example, when playing tanks on Redmi 5 Plus, I encountered uncomfortable FPS drops in some locations even at medium graphics settings. There is no such thing on the Note 5 - it allows you to play even at maximum speed with periodic drops in frame rate up to 30-35. Overall, in this game, the Note 5 on maximum graphics performs about the same as the 5 Plus on medium.
Another like in favor of Note 5 is the faster LPDDR4 RAM versus LPDDR3 in Redmi 5 Plus. But to be honest, I don’t notice any obvious difference in performance between these two smartphones in everyday work. If there is a difference, then it is so uncritical that it can be safely ignored. I’ll also add that both models are available in both 4/64 GB and 3/32 GB versions. And Note 5 has a 6/64 GB version and, naturally, it is the most expensive in price.
Both smartphones run MIUI. Both of them support gestures, allowing you to completely abandon on-screen buttons. Each model is sold in a global version. I just recently told you about the difference between the global and Chinese versions.
SOUND
Multimedia speakers are of the same level and most likely they are generally the same. I didn't hear any differences between them. The sound through the headphones is about the same level. Yes, you can hear some mini-differences, but let music lovers do that. I, as an ordinary user, did not notice a serious difference in quality. But I can say that the volume reserve is still higher on the Redmi 5 Plus.
CAMERAS
Redmi Note 5 - dual camera 12 + 5 MP with F/1.9 aperture. Both sensors are from Samsung. Redmi 5 Plus has a single 12-megapixel camera with F/2.2 aperture based on a sensor from OmniVision.
The Note 5 camera has a larger viewing angle. You can see minor differences in color rendition, but to summarize, in the daytime these cameras still seemed equivalent to me. But when lighting deteriorates, the 5 Plus camera begins to lose detail. The same goes for night photos, where the Note 5 leads. The full camera test is in the video version of the comparison (the video is presented below).
And of course, it must be said that Note 5 can programmatically blur the background and take pictures with simulated bokeh. The 5 Plus is also capable of this, but for this you need to bother installing the Google camera.
When it comes to video shooting, Redmi 5 Plus has one advantage - support for 4K shooting. Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 can shoot video in a maximum of FullHD resolution, at least at this stage. Also, the 5 PLUS produces richer and warmer colors, and the picture from the Note 5 is more natural. Note 5 is the first representative of the Redmi series to receive full image stabilization when shooting video. It's electronic, but it works great. 5 PLUS does not know how to properly stabilize the image. Note 5 has another advantage over its competitor - it records sound when shooting video. Yes, it also does not record sound perfectly, but 5 PLUS makes it even worse - in noisy places its noise reduction does not work correctly and this affects it.
Front-camera The Note 5 has a 13-megapixel camera and it is definitely better than the 5-megapixel front camera of the 5 Plus - both in terms of detail, saturation, viewing angle, and in general.
AUTONOMY
Both smartphones received 4000 mAh batteries. In 5 hours of video playback via Youtube, Note 5 lost 37% of its charge, 5 Plus lost 35% in the same 5 hours. That is, their autonomy is very similar. Each of these devices can be classified as long-lasting smartphones that are pleasing with their autonomy. The included chargers for each model are 2A; they charge in about 2.5 hours.
VERDICT
The models are largely similar. But if it's your priority mobile games— Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 looks more attractive in this regard. Do you often shoot videos, take photos with your smartphone in low light conditions, or take selfies? You should also get the Note 5. Performance and camera are what make the Note 5 better. If these aspects are not important to you, you can safely save money and get the 5 Plus. If I were buying a smart phone from scratch, I would still pay extra and buy a Note 5. If I already had a 5 Plus, I would easily use it good smartphone, and if we change it, it will be to something more advanced than Note 5.
WHERE TO BUY XIAOMI REDMI NOTE 5:
— global version 3/32GB in the JD.ru store>>
— global version 3/32GB on Aliexpress.
Nowadays, Samsung is constantly replenishing the lineup their mobile gadgets with new super-powerful representatives. Two super-flagships of 2015 - Galaxy Note 5 and Samsung S6 - have many similar characteristics, but each of the devices has its own signature “zest”. You can immediately highlight two key differences - the shape of the screen, as well as the ability to work with the stylus. The trendy Note 5 has a flat display, while its “opponent” is curved. In addition, the first one provides proprietary software for working with the pen. Let's take a more detailed look comparison galaxy note 5 and Galaxy S6 to find out which flagship is cooler.
Performance
Conducting comparison galaxy s6 note 5 In terms of performance, it can be noted that both gadgets are running an 8-core Exynos 7420 processor with a frequency of 2.1 GHz. But there are differences regarding RAM. Samsung S6 has 3GB random access memory, while its competitor boasts as much as 4GB. Of course, this has a noticeable effect when working with heavy software. It should also be noted that the Note 5 runs a newer OS - Android 5.1.1, compared to the competitor's Android 5.0.
Frame
Externally, both flagships are almost identical, except for the rounded screen. The manufacturer abandoned the “pseudo-skin”, which was previously actively used in the Note line. The flagships are made of aluminum and Gorilla Glass, as befits premium devices. Whatever device you choose, it will delight you with a perfectly flat and smooth surface. According to experts, these gadgets are considered one of the most slippery, so it would be a good idea to purchase accessories for the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and its opponent.
The screen is one of the main differences between flagships
The stylish representative of the Note line has a 5.7-inch SuperAMOLED screen with a resolution of 1440x2560 pixels (QHD), while the second flagship gadget boasts only a 5.1-inch diagonal. They are approximately identical in quality, the only thing is that Note 5 has a slightly lower pixel density, but visually this is almost invisible. As mentioned earlier, the Samsung S6 is curved - not for everyone. The screens in the new flagships of the Korean company can rightfully be called one of the best on the market. They provide a bright and rich picture in all weather conditions. Don't forget to purchase a case for Samsung S6 and protective glass so that the smartphone retains its presentation for a long time.
How else do flagship devices differ?
In addition to the differences described above, it should be mentioned that the trendy Note 5 gadget has 64GB of internal memory, while its opponent has only 32GB. In addition, the first one supports USB OTG, which allows you to connect flash drives. Let's take a more detailed look comparison s6 and note 5 to identify the main differences.
Camera
Both devices are equipped with an excellent 5MP front camera, as well as a 16MP main camera, which can please you with object tracking, autofocus, an excellent LED flash and optical stabilization. The flagship S6 supports 3 video recording modes, while its opponent has two. But at the same time, if you compare the resolution of photos, Note 5 gives more high performance(5312x2988 instead of 4992x3744).
Battery life
The flagship S6 device has a 2550 mAh battery, while its competitor has a 3000 mAh battery. Considering that the screen of the representative of the Note line is much larger, it is impossible to say that it will please you with a longer time battery life. In general, both devices can be used in active mode throughout the day.
Results
The weight of the flagship S6 is 138 g, while the Note 5 weighs 171 g. The cost of the second device is much higher - about $100. At the same time, carrying out comparison samsung s6 note 5 It should be noted that they have the same hardware and cameras. The difference lies only in the size of the built-in memory and display, battery capacity and additional features working with a stylus. In general, the gadgets are approximately the same in performance. The representative of the Note line benefits a little due to the optimization of applications in the new OS and 4GB of RAM.
What to choose – the cheaper but older Note 5 or the latest Note 7? Let's make a comparison Samsung Galaxy Note 7 and Note 5!
Comparison of Note 7 and Note 5
Design and ergonomics
So, what's the difference between the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 and the Note 5? First of all, appearance. This is quite subjective, but in my opinion the Note 5 has a slightly dated design. The metal frame on the sides used in this smartphone was fashionable a year or two ago. Now the trend is tempered glass. This is exactly what is used in the new Note 7.
This does not provide a fundamentally new experience, but the purely glass Note 7 lies somewhat unsteadily in the hand - the smartphone tries to slip out of the palm. The back and front panels of the Note 5 and Note 7 are made of glass and feel virtually the same. The latter, however, uses a more reliable (by Samsung standards) Gorilla Glass 5 coating. Other differences include the S Pen stylus. You can no longer put it in Note 7 reverse side. Hooray! Note 7 also has moisture protection. It's certainly better with her than without her.
Functionality
Now – the differences between Note 7 and Note 5 in terms of characteristics. In general, the functionality of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 has not changed much compared to last year's model. Is the same clock frequency processor (2.1 GHz), the same amount of RAM (4 GB), the same display (Super AMOLED with 2K resolution), similar graphics accelerators... In fact, both smartphones are at the same level in terms of performance. However, there are still some differences.
First– a slot for microSD has appeared. Now the maximum memory capacity can be greater than 64 GB.
Second– iris scanner and USB Type C in Note 7. And if there are no questions about the connector, then there are a lot of them about the scanner. First of all, it works disgustingly. I have never been able to unlock Note 7 through this scanner.
Third – new Android 6.0.1 and TouchWiz in Note 7. In a good way, they work the same as in Note 5 - fast and stable.
And fourth, the last thing is that the main camera in Note 7 has lost weight. Yes, yes, exactly in Note 7. Now it is 12 MP, and not 16 MP, as in last year’s version. This, however, did not affect the quality of photos and videos - they are still wonderful, especially during daylight hours.
Battery life and charging issues (Note 7)
The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 uses a 3500 mAh battery, the Note 5 – 3220 mAh. In fact, from one charge new flagship Samsung lives as long as last year's - 8-9 hours at active use(screen brightness – 50%).
Another thing is interesting: many Note 7 users complain that it can explode when charging! In my case, I not only failed to blow up, but also to more or less heat up this smartphone. With charging, even under a synthetic blanket, the maximum temperature of the Note 7 was 40-42 degrees. However, the possibility of getting a defective, and therefore explosive, model still exists. And this, unfortunately, plays a key role when choosing between Note 5 and Note 7.
conclusions
So, which smartphone is better - Samsung Galaxy Note 5 or Note 7? With all the advantages of the new product (good design, high performance, the presence of a slot for a memory card), its high price and explosiveness tip the balance in favor of the Note 5.
Specifications
- Android 5.1.1 with TouchWiz shell (maximally lightweight compared to the previous generation)
- Screen 5.7 inches, Quad HD resolution, 1440x2560 pixels, 518 ppi, SuperAMOLED, backlight brightness up to 861 nits – best screen by color rendering in mobile devices Oh
- Exynos 7420 processor (4 A57 cores at 2.1 GHz, 4 A53 at 1.5 GHz), 14 nm FinFET
- 4 GB of RAM, 32, 64, 128 GB of internal memory, no memory cards
- Bluetooth 4.2, LTE cat.6 (cat.9 for some markets), Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, NFC, USB 2.0, ANT+
- Front camera 5 megapixels
- Main camera 16 megapixels, optical stabilization, 4K video recording, RAW files
- Li-Ion 3000 mAh battery, built-in wireless charging of two standards, fast adaptive charging (90 minutes to 100 percent, 60 minutes to 90 percent), 24 hours of operation in mixed mode, video playback for about 13 hours
- Dimensions – 153.2x76.1x7.6 mm, weight – 171 grams
Contents of delivery
- Telephone
- Charger Adaptive Fast Charging with USB cable
- Wired stereo headset
- Brief instructions
- SIM tray eject tool
Positioning
Unlike previous years, Samsung decided to make a reshuffle - now the EDGE+ model becomes the flagship in the phablet segment, and the Note 5 itself turns into a niche product that is available only in a few markets. Initially, sales of this phone began in South Korea, then in the USA. In Russia, the model will appear before the New Year, in Samsung branded retail, but this is an exception, since in Europe it is not available almost anywhere and will remain in this status.
This decision was affected by the popularity of the regular EDGE, the demand for it exceeded that of the Galaxy S6, the shortage turned out to be too high, and Samsung was even forced to hastily increase the production of curved screens. I liked the model for its unusual appearance, this became an impetus for its sales. In a market where most devices look like twins, the fresh design is well received. Therefore, Samsung decided to repeat the same trick and give the market a flagship in the phablet segment with the same design. The idea of adding a stylus to the EDGE+ was immediately rejected; using the S-Pen on a curved screen is inconvenient, so it was abandoned. The company did not want to promote two models at the same time, having looked at its experience with the S6/S6 EDGE, as a result, it turned out to be a confusing story for everyone who had been using the Note line for many years.
Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy Edge+
Why did people choose and continue to choose the Note line? Samsung has always provided the best technological solutions in this line - processor, memory, camera, as well as the latest Android versions from the box. Samsung's superiority in components over any manufacturer is such that something like the Note line appears from competitors only after two or three years or does not appear at all. For example, Motorola receives AMOLED screens for the Nexus 6, which are three years behind the market, do not have power-saving modes, are, as a result, more power-hungry, have very moderate backlight brightness and many other minor limitations. Of course, we can assume that the Nexus 6 is a good product, and it is, but it is extremely difficult to call it the best. The owners of the Note line are the people you were looking for best solution, which has a safety margin of several years and/or is simply the most productive, interesting solution On the market. In terms of overall or even individual characteristics, no phablet from other manufacturers can compare with this line. You can take each parameter and try to find a competitor. Screen quality? There are no direct competitors, and from year to year the Note line is called the winners in this unspoken competition. CPU performance? Over the course of a year, the same Note 4 holds the first place in synthetic tests. Camera quality? One of best cameras on the market, which was second only to the Galaxy S6/S6 EDGE. The list can be continued endlessly. The Note line is the flagship on which the solutions of tomorrow are tested.
Unfortunately, tomorrow's solutions do not always mean preserving functions that were experimental and did not reach the masses. Offhand, I can name the refusal of FM radio in flagships - a cheap feature that suddenly disappeared. It's a shame? Undoubtedly. Moreover, this distinguished Samsung favorably from the iPhone. In 2015, layoffs fell larger number functions, the most striking of which are memory cards and the ability to replace the battery yourself. But in fact, there are many more such changes, there are about a dozen of them, and we will discuss them in detail in comparing the Note 4 with the current generation, which will be lower. For those who used Note 4, this will be offensive and sad, in many ways it seems that there is a rollback, a deterioration in characteristics. However, the entire market is moving to a two-year development cycle, devices are being changed less and less every year, and it will make sense to replace the same Note 4 with Note 6 in 2016. On the other hand, if you have the desire and opportunity, then Note 5 will be right for you. For those who own previous models of the Note line, it's time to consider the Note 5 as a possible replacement for their phones. The device turned out to be surprisingly balanced, but not without its shortcomings, which we will discuss below.
By total Note specifications 5 is a device that simply does not have a single direct competitor. As the experience of the Note line shows, such competitors have nowhere to appear, not a single manufacturer has the appropriate components.
Unlike ordinary people who choose the best solution for themselves, there is a whole layer of people who live online and discuss phones, for them the Note line is like a bone in the throat, since it cannot be compared with anything, it lives on its own separate from the market. Thanks to their efforts, many ideas have arisen about how terrible and poorly they work Note phones. It turns out that the screens on them burn out and there are a lot of defects, they are very fragile and constantly break, since it is impossible to hold them with one hand, you cannot start a single toy, since the processor is weak, and if you start them, you will not be able to play. I also really like the stories about how the TouchWiz interface is so slow that you can make coffee while the menus are opening. All this has nothing to do with reality, and increased attention is associated with only two things - it is a flagship that attracts attention, and also has characteristics that overlap with any closest competitor. Many people are upset that the manufacturing teams they support are unable to release anything even remotely resembling such a product. Therefore, it is worth approaching these lamentations with a certain amount of skepticism. One last piece of advice - if you suddenly know for sure that TouchWiz is slow for you, then never buy Samsung products. Why torture yourself? Buy something that you think doesn't slow down and works quickly.
Before moving on to the main part of the review, I would like to remind you that I use all Note line phones as my main ones, that is, I lived with Note 4 for a whole year and Note description 5 I will rely on this experience. Go.
Design, dimensions, control elements
Curvature is now in fashion, as if it is some kind of design element that makes devices in demand. If the EDGE+ had a curved screen, then the Note 5 had a curved back. It turns out that the phone is bent at the edges, and this is visible if you put it with the screen down.
In practice, the rounding makes the phone much more comfortable in the hand than the same Note 4. However, this is a combination of two factors - the width of the device, which has become a little smaller, plus the roundness of the back back.
Compared to Galaxy Note 4
The phone dimensions are 153.2x76.1x7.6 mm, weight is 171 grams. For comparison, Note 4 had dimensions of 153.5x78.6x8.5 mm and weighed 176 grams. The fact that the Note 5 has “lost weight” has become noticeable in everyday life; the phone fits better in the hand when you take it out of your pocket.
In terms of the materials of the case, everything is not bad - there is a metal frame around the filling of the device, and on the back it is narrowed, a sort of EDGE in reverse. The screen and back surface are covered with Corning Gorilla Glass 4. The metal chassis is massive, just like in the S6, but the larger body size plays a role here. The metal was changed, now it is an aluminum alloy of the 7000 series, it is distinguished by lightness and greater strength, hence the weight gain of the phone. The iPhone 6s will use the same material; nothing more durable has yet been invented on the market for this type of device.
When choosing between two phone colors for myself, I looked at white (looks simple, I decided against it) and black. I didn’t consider gold, since I have an S6 EDGE of this color and I didn’t want to confuse the devices from afar, and such a quantity of “gold” is too much. In the end, I chose the color Black Sapphire, it is a black, slightly inky color.
There are exactly four color options (new colors may appear, but it’s unlikely to happen quickly): white, black, silver and gold (Silver, Sapphire Black, White Pearl, Gold Platinum).
In practice, the back wall and the front surface quickly become covered with hand marks; this is a drawback of glass. If this is not visible in the sun or indoors in dim light, then under lamps shining directly on the body you will see the stains in all their glory. On the same S6/S6 EDGE they are not so noticeable; the size of the devices is different.
On the left side surface there are two volume keys; in Note 4 this is a paired key; here there are separate buttons. It’s a good move, you can’t accidentally press them, and pressing them blindly won’t be difficult. The on/off button is on the right side.
Unlike Note 4, which uses a system of three microphones, this device has only two of them, they are located at the ends. The noise reduction system works perfectly during a conversation, the missing third microphone removed from the recorder the ability to record a conversation at a round table when there are several interlocutors, but the “Interview” mode remains, it works decently.
At the bottom there is a 3.5 mm jack, as well as a microUSB connector. Please note that, unlike the Note 4, each connector has a plastic insert that protects the cables from breakage and does not come into contact with metal. Over the course of a year with Note 4, none of my chargers or headphones failed, but here they added another element of protection. There is only one speaker in the device, it is placed on the bottom end, and it is louder than in Note 4. It is possible that the high volume is associated with its location; it is clearly audible in all situations.
Right there, on the bottom end, there is a stylus, it is completely recessed into the body, its design has changed. You press the tip and it comes out of the body. The S-Pen now has no marks, it is smooth, but this is not a problem, it is comfortable to hold.
Compared to Galaxy Note 4
One of the narrow-minded journalists discovered a gigantic problem: you can break the mechanism for determining the removal of the stylus if you insert it upside down.
If you pull and break the lever inside the case, you will no longer be able to record when the screen is off and a number of other pleasant little things. The find was quickly dubbed Pengate, hundreds of notes were written, and narrow-minded people began to spread information about a critical flaw that disables the Note 5. My lame friend, when I went to wash my hands before eating, checked the stylus himself and broke it. When asked why he did this, he answered this: it was interesting to put it in incorrectly and see how it would break. Well what can I say? I deliberately broke the stylus, I’ll fix it a little later, I don’t see it big problem for myself.
Is there a problem for ordinary people? The answer is obvious - no. And I have concrete proof: in Note 4 the stylus can also be inserted the other way around. If you want to do this. Over the course of a year, no one in the entire world had such a desire, and no one complained about this “critical drawback.” Apparently, there were no would-be journalists to draw public attention to this stupidity. This reminds me of the old story about how, once you put an incandescent light bulb in your mouth, you may not be able to take it out. There are always alternatively gifted individuals who try it on themselves, and then go to the emergency room to have the light bulb taken out. However, in recent years, the media has come up with many idiotic stories, for example, bending iPhones from the same series. A fictitious problem that almost no one can face in real life. But they hyped the story in such a way that it turned into media hysteria.
We have a video about the capabilities of the S-Pen in comparison with Note 4, watch it.
On the front side there is a proximity sensor, light sensor, as well as a 5-megapixel selfie camera, all above the screen. The frames of the screen have become narrower, although its size has not changed at all.
The central key has become a little higher and shorter, but this is also more convenient, since a fingerprint sensor is included in it.
One of the advantages compared to Note 4 is that the sensor works by touch, you don’t need to swipe it with your finger, everything works the same as in the Galaxy S6. There is one more thing that many will find a pleasant addition: the version of the sensor has been changed (from S6/S6 EDGE), it has become larger in area, recognizes fingers well in any position - there is no difference with the same iPhone 6/6 Plus, it reads the fingerprint instantly. Including if you have sweaty/wet hands. iPhone will receive such a sensor in new version in September. There is a moment in the video where I show how the unlocking on these devices is different; due to the higher speed on the Note 5, the menu instantly opens.
On the back side you can see the bezel of the camera; it protrudes above the body, which has already become familiar and does not cause problems - although someone’s sense of beauty may suffer from this, they say, the camera should be flush with the body. I don’t see any shortcomings in this; I think it’s very far-fetched.
There is a heart rate sensor next to the LED flash; you can use the S Health program and measure your heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, stress level and a number of other parameters. A toy for most, but sometimes this sensor is needed. Extremely rare, but still.
Now about another far-fetched problem. Quite often I come across the statement that Samsung phones are fragile, break easily, and other nonsense. In everyday life, it happens that you accidentally drop your phone. I can say with confidence that Note is extremely durable. My screen failed after the camera fell on it (even though the device itself was working). There is no damage after falls, but it all depends on your luck. In principle, you can look at how difficult it is to damage the S6 EDGE to understand what the Note 5 can withstand. The same iPhone cracks from much smaller falls and impacts, the mineral glass there is very fragile, as anyone will tell you Apple service, where the main work is replacing screens (more precisely, the phones themselves, if this is an official service).
And one more piece of advice. If you order carrier Note 5, keep in mind that in the US carriers ordered awkward inscriptions on the back of the device; they look terrifying.
Display
Samsung is the market leader in the production of screens for mobile devices, and technologically the company is several years ahead of all competitors; there is simply nothing similar on the market. Every year we receive screens that differ from the previous generation in better color reproduction, greater contrast, and lower power consumption. This has become something of a tradition and I look forward to seeing more progress in this area. But so far this has not happened, and in the same Note 5 a new height has been taken - however, first things first.
Let's take a look at specifications screen in Note 5. The diagonal remains unchanged - 5.7 inches, as well as the resolution, it is QHD - 1440x2560 pixels, 518 ppi, SuperAMOLED. In my opinion, any screen with a resolution of more than 400 dpi can already be considered excellent; it is extremely difficult to see the difference. Other parameters are used - picture quality, color rendition, ease of use.
DisplayMate has already tested the screen in the Note 5/EDGE+ and concluded that it is the best display on the market out of all available ones, it has displaced the Galaxy S6 from this place. The best screen in terms of brightness, color reproduction and other parameters. The study contains a lot of graphs, measurements and the like, but the conclusion is clear - there is simply nothing similar on the market. The energy efficiency of the screen has increased by 21 percent compared to Note 4 (the increase in operating time is obvious). Maximum brightness reaches 861 nits with automatic adjustment. You can follow the link to read these amazing figures and findings regarding the screen; nothing like this simply exists on the market and competitors cannot appear in the coming years.
Now my impressions. Traditionally, there are settings to suit your preferences, you can choose to work like on other phones (faded colors, RGB), you can choose Adobe RGB, as well as an adaptive screen.
I try not to use the automatic screen backlight; it often makes mistakes and makes me uncomfortable looking at pictures. In Note 5 they changed the algorithm, and now the backlight works very well, it guesses my preferences. Moreover, this mode makes the screen readable under any sunlight, the brightness increases to the maximum.
If previously the minimum screen backlight was in automatic mode was not comfortable, was dull, but now it is not so. Another point that is related to the screen design, despite the fact that the resolution and ppi number have not changed, due to the different color rendering the picture looks much more vibrant and better.
For this screen, the glove control mode has been abandoned; previously it could be found in the menu. Now it is gone, this was done due to the fact that most people did not use this opportunity. They also felt that saving energy was more important than having this mode.
I'm absolutely delighted with the screen on the Note 5. Despite the fact that I have an S6 EDGE, the screen is close in quality, but inferior in color rendition and backlight brightness, and in size. Unexpectedly, it turned out that Note 4, which I liked so much for its screen a year ago, lost the palm to Note 5. Once again, Samsung outdid itself and was able to create the best screen for mobile devices. I repeat that there is nothing even close in characteristics on the market and is not expected.
Battery
People live in captivity of illusions, where a big number always means something better. If you follow this paradigm, 13 megapixel cameras are always better than 8 megapixel ones, and a 4000 mAh battery will always last longer in a phone than a 3000 mAh one. To my delight, this approach does not work, and in electronics, operating time depends on many components, not just battery capacity.
The Note 4, like the Note 3, had a 3220 mAh battery, while the Note 5 has a 3000 mAh battery. Many consumers spoke out about this obvious deterioration and did so in absentia. A game of simple arithmetic, 3220 is more than 3000 and therefore better.
In practice, everything is somewhat different. The phone will live quietly from morning to night (in principle, it lasts for 24 hours, but let’s not be trivial) under the heaviest load. Playing video non-stop at maximum brightness (HD video, unconverted, MX Player) can last about 13 hours or so. Previously it was about 10.5 hours. If you change the backlight settings, 14-15 hours of video becomes achievable. No device with a 3000-4000 mAh battery (and a comparable screen size) achieves these figures. If you look at Chinese smartphones, then their limit is about 8-9 hours of operation with a 4000 mAh battery.
I don’t know people who use smartphones to watch movies all day long; usually the load is distributed between different applications - calls, SMS, social media, watching videos, listening to music. By automatically adjusting the backlight to half or a little less, you can easily get up to 5-6 hours of screen operation, subject to a small number of calls (up to an hour). In games this will be less time, but it all depends on the game, in three-dimensional toys you can get about 5-6 hours of work, the backlight is above average.
It is important to understand that it will not be possible to compare this data with your usage profile; a lot depends on the quality of your operator’s coverage and mobile data usage. For example, above are screenshots for MegaFon in Moscow, it turns out that a high-quality network gives an increase in operating time, there is no waste of energy on data transfer at low speeds. And this is what the operating time looks like when changing operators to Beeline (my usage profile has not changed, but the radio module began to work at full capacity, since base stations are less common and work worse).
According to reviews from users who do not have the same load as me, their Note 5 lasts on average about two days. For those who are constantly plugged into their phone, this will be about a day. And this is an excellent result, taking into account all the capabilities that this device provides.
Now I want to focus on fast adaptive charging of the phone. In 15 minutes you will get 25 percent of the charge, in half an hour - half, and in an hour you will charge the device to 90 percent. In 1.5 hours the phone will be fully charged. This is the fastest charging possible, which is a good thing because it gives you freedom.
Wireless charger supports two standards - WPC/PMA, that is, you can use any wireless charger. Samsung's proprietary charger also supports fast charging– 120 minutes.
In terms of energy saving technologies, this device is one of the best on the market and provides maximum long work. But it all depends on your approach and desire to get these opportunities. If you want maximum screen illumination and other features indiscriminately, then it will not work for long - you can install any device. But with thoughtful attention, Note 5 will become a long-lasting device, just like all its predecessors.
A few words about the energy saving modes, they have been greatly redesigned. So, in normal mode Now you can’t choose what you are refusing, you can only turn it on entirely (the backlight turns off touch buttons, the screen refresh rate is lower, background data transfer does not occur constantly, but at intervals). This mode does not provide a huge increase in operating time, 10-15 percent at most, but it may be suitable for someone. Extreme power saving mode changes the screen gamma to black and white, turns off most applications and leaves only the most necessary ones. You can add your own applications that you use to the list. In this mode, the gain in operating time is noticeably greater.
Memory, memory cards, chipset, performance
The amount of RAM is 4 GB (the system runs on 64bit (LPDDR4)) instead of 3 GB previously. The naked eye can see that the interface runs noticeably faster than on the Note 4 or Galaxy S6, although this increase occurs annually, and it seems that the speed is already sufficient to not increase it even more. However, there is room for development and the interface is very responsive.
While the model is entering the market with memory capacity of 32 and 64 GB, a 128 GB option will appear a little later (Limited Edition or something similar).
The model is currently produced only on the Exynos 7420 chipset (4 A57 cores at 2.1 GHz, 4 A53 at 1.9 GHz), this is a new generation of the chipset from Samsung, in which all components are integrated into one chip, including the LTE modem from Samsung and others. The architecture of the chipset is not fundamentally different from the same Exynos 5433, which was used in Note 4. The difference lies in the fact that if a year ago the 20nm process technology was widely used in Note 4, then in Note 5 the processor is manufactured using a 14 nm process technology. There is simply nothing more modern; this is the only smartphone with such a processor.
What can this give you other than the feeling that you have the latest solution? Firstly, at 14 nm the issue of overheating under load is resolved, it simply does not exist. Even in the most difficult tasks, there is no heating of the case or it is not felt. A little warm body, that's all. Secondly, energy consumption has decreased, which is also pleasing, however, we have already discussed this above.
For fans of synthetic tests, I will present their results in different programs. I note that, as before, this device shows the best results, they are among the highest. But due to the fact that the graphics accelerator remains old and rather average, do not expect 3D graphics mind-boggling numbers. But at the same time, all the games that exist on Android work on this device, all other smartphones have worse capabilities in this area, with the exception of the iPhone, which outperforms any Android device in terms of graphics.
USB, Bluetooth, communication capabilities
Let's start with the fact that Note 5 was the first device to support Bluetooth 4.2. This version was created for the Internet of Things and works great with various sensors. Otherwise, there are no significant changes; new profiles have appeared and power consumption has improved. Let me remind you that there are some interesting things in the new standard.
Firstly, this is an extended range, which can reach several tens of meters, depending on the device settings and how the manufacturer configured this option. Secondly, the IP protocol is used for addressing, that is, devices now have their own unique addresses, and communication with many such devices is supported.
From technical points, the interaction between Bluetooth and LTE has been improved; now, within one device, the operation of these technologies is synchronized, and mutual interference is not created (for our LTE frequencies not relevant). Plus, Bluetooth devices can now access the cloud and transmit their results directly, bypassing the companion device, as was previously necessary.
USB connection. USB 2.0 is used here, that is, the data transfer speed is about 20 Mb/s. These are not theoretical, but real results on devices. They may differ depending on operating system and the computer to which you connect your phone. Both up and down.
The microUSB connector also supports the MHL standard, which means that using a special cable (available at electronics stores), you can connect the phone to the TV (to the HDMI output). In fact, the standard describes the ability to connect via microUSB to HDMI. This solution looks preferable to a separate miniHDMI connector on the case.
The maximum data transfer rate in LTE is 150 Mbit/s. But it is possible to get higher speeds (category 9, depends on the operator and software). Please note that in Moscow I can easily get speeds close to the maximum on the MegaFon network.
WiFi. The 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac standard is supported, the operation wizard is similar to that for Bluetooth. You can remember selected networks and automatically connect to them. It is possible to set up a connection to the router in one touch; to do this, you need to press a key on the router, and also activate a similar button in the device menu (WPA SecureEasySetup). Among the additional options, it is worth noting the setup wizard; it appears when the signal is weak or disappearing. Can also be customized Wi-Fi work Scheduled.
The 802.11n standard supports HT40 operating mode, which allows doubling throughput Wi-Fi (requires support from another device).
Wi-Fi Direct. A protocol that is intended to replace Bluetooth or begin to compete with its third version (which also uses Wi-Fi version n for transmission large files). On the menu Wi-Fi settings select the Wi-Fi Direct section, the phone starts searching for devices around. Choose required device, activate the connection on it, and voila. Now in file manager You can view files on another device and also transfer them. Another option is to simply find the devices connected to your router and transfer to them necessary files, this can be done from the gallery or other sections of the phone. The main thing is that the device supports Wi-Fi Direct.
NFC. The device has NFC technology, it can be used with various additional applications.
S Beam. A technology that allows you to transfer a file of several gigabytes in size to another phone in a few minutes. In fact, we see in S Beam a combination of two technologies - NFC and Wi-Fi Direct. The first technology is used to bring up and authorize phones, but the second is used to transfer the files themselves. The creatively redesigned way to use Wi-Fi Direct is much simpler than using a connection on two devices, selecting files and so on.
Camera
At first glance, the camera has not changed compared to the Galaxy S6/S6 EDGE, we have the same module with a resolution of 16 megapixels, you can call the camera from any screen by double pressing the Home button, it takes 0.6 seconds. That is, you can quickly shoot something on the go; I like this option in Samsung phones.
On the main screen, the minimum settings have been saved; on the left you see a vertical bar in which you can set the photo delay (2, 5, 10 seconds), HDR mode (HDR Auto, HDR On, HDR Off), and select effects. There is also a settings button - by clicking on it, you will be taken to the regular menu where you can select settings for shooting photos and videos (resolution, stabilization, and so on).
On the right side of the screen there is a shooting button, selecting a camera (main or front), and recording video. There is also a Modes button; by clicking on it, you will see a row additional settings, the most interesting one is called Pro (these are those “useless” functions). For me, there are several things about this mode that make the S6 camera extremely convenient for everyday use, since I take a lot of photos.
In Pro mode, a line of additional icons appears on the right where you can select the ISO value (Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800 - in automatic mode from 50 to 1600). White balance. Exposure compensation from -2 to +2. Excerpt.
There is a color profile with presets, but you can also choose two of your own settings. On the screen you immediately see the result of the shooting, the picture is “live” and shows exactly what you get in the end, this is largely due to the screen, which is much brighter and displays photos better than the same Note 4.
For the Pro mode, it is possible to save, in addition to the JPG file, also a RAW file (DNG format). Here are a few such pictures for you. For those who know what RAW is and know how to work with them, the camera on the Note 5/EDGE+ will provide interesting opportunities.
But the most important thing is that in Pro mode you can save all the settings in three presets, you won’t have to set them again every time, as was the case in all previous models (for each frame you had to build everything from scratch, it was annoying, since it took time).
One more thing - now you can manually specify the distance to the subject by moving the slider. Previously, this was the Macro mode (everything is more flexible here, since the adjustment is done with a slider), but starting with S4/S5/Note 4 there was no such choice at all; it is available again, and that’s good.
In the Modes section you will also find “Selective Focus”, the ability to change the focus on the picture after shooting, slow motion for video, as well as fast motion.
The panorama can be 360 degrees. The device removes it automatically, you can rotate the phone quite quickly, the main thing is to keep it horizontal.
Photo editor
Having compared the quality of images on three devices, Note 4, Note 5, S6 EDGE, I cannot say that they are fundamentally different. Very close, especially on a clear, sunny day. The Note 4 had good evening shooting, but the S6 EDGE did it much better. In Note 5 this parameter has been improved again, I think I’ll write about this separately and perhaps add to the review. In the meantime, take a look at the photo comparison.
| Note 4 | Note 5 | S6 EDGE |
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I tried to compare it with the iPhone 6 Plus, the quality of the pictures on the iPhone is obviously worse, so we’ll wait for the new model with a new 12 megapixel camera module and make this comparison with it.
And here are a couple of video examples - one in FullHD (60 frames), the second in 4K resolution.
As a conclusion about the camera, I will say that this is one of the best cameras on the market, and in terms of all its characteristics, it is the best. It's suitable for both point-and-shoot photographers and those who want to get the most out of it and get high-quality photos even in adverse conditions. However, I am sure that in blind tests this camera will beat all its competitors, just like its predecessors in the same Note 4.
