Framed! Samsung Galaxy Note 4 now metal-trimmed (pictures)

Its more stylish looks may be the first thing you see, but top-of-the-line hardware features, plus a few unexpected extras, make this a phone worth noticing.

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Jessica Dolcourt

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Oct. 15, 2014 6:00 a.m. PT

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Fourth time around

Samsung hasn't just made a brand out of the Note series, it was also the first to define a category. This year's Samsung Galaxy Note 4 improves on the past with little extras here and there.

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Same stylus, just more so

What characterizes the Note 4? How about that S-Pen stylus for a start?

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Glittering screen

OK, so maybe it doesn't glitter, but the 5.7-inch 1440p HD display sure is bright and brilliant.

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Android 4.4.4

A physical home button helps you navigate around the Android 4.4.4 operating system, which Samsung dressed in its TouchWiz interface.

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Chrome-a chameleon

Look closely and you can see the metal rim framing the Note 4. Although some of it is colored white here to match this shade, those spines are all metal.

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Knobbly skin

A slightly textured backing helps with grip; it's nicely subtle, and a step above the Note 3's leatherlike material.

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A beat away

The Note 4 is now the third Samsung smartphone with a heart-rate monitor, after the Galaxy S5 and the Galaxy Alpha.

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Camera action

A 16-megapixel camera with optical image stabilization takes great shots in ample lighting.

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Front-facing camera

Use the new front-facing panorama mode on the Note 4's 3.7-megapixel camera if you'd like, but the rear-cam selfie mode is more reliable and takes better shots.

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Little but mighty

The S-Pen that comes holstered in the Note 4 measures about 4 inches long and looks almost identical to last year's model. But it has a few more tricks this year.

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Multitasking pro

New this year: selecting text and images with the S-Pen and dragging them to other apps when in split-screen mode.

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One-handed operation

Software to wield a Note phablet with a single hand has always been baked into the line. This year, the Note 4 gets a new approach that shrinks down the entire display, not just the keyboard alone.

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Feeling charged?

A faster charger in the box helps top up the Note 4, but the 3,220mAh battery holds its own regardless.

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Not cutting corners

Here's a close-up of the textured backing and chamfered metal edging.

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Twins

The Note 4 (left) and iPhone 6 Plus have almost identical dimensions.

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Shoulder to shoulder

The Note 4 's screen is 0.2-inch larger than the LG G3's, but stands a lot taller. It's about the same size as the iPhone 6. From left: iPhone 6 Plus, Note 4, LG G3, Sony Xperia Z3.

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Get even more Note 4

There's a lot more to know about the Note 4's specs and handling. Make sure to stop by my full, rated Note 4 review for pros and cons, and plenty of video.