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Note 3 vs Note 4 vs Note Edge UI comparison: what changed and what's different?

posted by Chris P. / Sep 06, 2014, 11:42 AM

Note 3 vs Note 4 vs Note Edge UI comparison: what changed and what's different?

Aesthetics have never been the strong suit of Samsung's TouchWiz UI -- features are. For a very long time, we've been rather displeased with the looks of the custom interface, and we suspect many would agree, especially now that essentially every major manufacturer on the planet has moved towards flatter looks, making older interfaces feel... well, dated.

One of the most popular Samsung smartphones that is a prisoner of its own time is the otherwise amazing Samsung Galaxy Note 3. The UI just looks bland in comparison with what the competition now has to offer, and even when put side-by-side with the newer Galaxy S5. Unfortunately, while the Note 3 has moved onto Android 4.4 KitKat, it does not seem like Samsung is planning on updating the Note 3 with the new visuals. As it turns out however, that's not specific to the Note line, but rather -- the Note 3 itself. Proof for that are the refreshed, more vibrant UIs of the newly-announced Note 4 and Note Edge.

Indeed, while some would argue that the new looks still won't win Samsung an award in interface design, it's undeniable that the layouts on the two successors of the Note 3 are a definite, and much-needed improvement. The important thing to remember here, however, is that the Note 4 and Note Edge do not make use of the exactly same UI. Instead, while the Note 4 is largely identical to what you get with the Galaxy S5, Samsung has opted for a special-made version for the Note Edge that goes well with its novel auxiliary screen on the right. Obviously, in many ways the two are still completely identical.

So, how do they compare, and what's changed from before? The answer lies in the slideshow we've prepared for you right below. Take a look!

Left to right: Note 3, Note 4, Note Edge

Note 3 vs Note 4 vs Note Edge UI comparison: what changed and what's different?

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43 Comments

1. akki20892

Posts: 3902; Member since: Feb 04, 2013

Just some little tweaks and color changed. Nothing new, They should look HTC ui. How they changed.

posted on Sep 06, 2014, 11:58 AM 18

6. shuaibhere

Posts: 1986; Member since: Jul 07, 2012

Only home screen and and app drawer are not good.... Otherwise UI of system apps has been improved greatly compared to previous one..... And is more on board with Kitkat.....

posted on Sep 06, 2014, 12:06 PM 6

20. mafiaprinc3

Posts: 585; Member since: May 07, 2012

well for one it's starting to look more mature instead of looking like a kiddies phone, it looks awful on s2,s3,s4,s5 and note 2 & 3

posted on Sep 06, 2014, 3:34 PM 2

2. only1post unregistered

l hope Note 4/Edge improvement over Note 3 = Alyssa Abbott' s improvement over Frank Drebin

posted on Sep 06, 2014, 12:00 PM 0

3. eman99

Posts: 410; Member since: Aug 03, 2010

to much bloat wear for me

posted on Sep 06, 2014, 12:02 PM 12

13. AlikMalix unregistered

Same here...

posted on Sep 06, 2014, 1:20 PM 1

17. wildfiregt

Posts: 179; Member since: Jun 10, 2013

what bloat "ware" are you talking about ? Enough of these automatic comments

posted on Sep 06, 2014, 2:36 PM 0

22. Shatter

Posts: 2036; Member since: May 29, 2013

Bloatware is things like carrier TV and other garbage, Samsung's apps are not bloatware.

posted on Sep 06, 2014, 4:26 PM 1

31. techloverNYC

Posts: 601; Member since: Nov 20, 2012

They maybe are not bloatware,but is it something we need?

posted on Sep 06, 2014, 8:10 PM 0

43. a_tumiwa

Posts: 393; Member since: Mar 16, 2012

maybe optional is the best, put the icon on apps drawer and need to download it if we want to use it

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 6:49 AM 0

4. shuaibhere

Posts: 1986; Member since: Jul 07, 2012

Note edge is UI is interesting...... I think Samsung has used the extra real estate brilliantly.... Kudos Samsung..

posted on Sep 06, 2014, 12:03 PM 8

33. remtothemax

Posts: 260; Member since: May 02, 2012

i disagree. i think there is a huge missed opportunity with things like the contacts or calendar. maybe those things will come, but if the whole point of the phone is the side screen thing, it just seems obvious put some month/week/day/organization thing on the calendar put the a-z tab on the contacts put all the different kinds of settings on the side thing they are using it in a very select few options. even if no third party app ever uses it, if samsung embraces it, the side screen could justify its existence. i just don't understand why they aren't putting it into absolutely everything, because there are so many possible uses for it. i am not trying to criticize samsung here. i think this departure from the standard screen rectangles every phone has been since the original iphone, basically, is tremendously exciting. i think the note edge has a very real chance of success, if not in this version, then when they release the note edge 2 or something like the galaxy edge version of the galaxy 6. however i do think that they are not going all out with this like they should. it is a kind of gimic, they need to embrace it, or it is not going to stick.

posted on Sep 06, 2014, 9:34 PM 2

5. crazymonkey05

Posts: 189; Member since: Nov 20, 2012

Hey PhoneArena your note 3 isn't on latest firmware just a fyi

posted on Sep 06, 2014, 12:05 PM 2

7. muser793

Posts: 60; Member since: Aug 15, 2013

The wallpaper? such innovation wow

posted on Sep 06, 2014, 12:14 PM 1

8. machello

Posts: 35; Member since: May 03, 2013

yub, that's why I love the Iphones. No bloatware, no nonsense. Just get the job done. Period. Have a nice weekend guys.

posted on Sep 06, 2014, 12:25 PM 4

9. cybertec69

Posts: 32; Member since: Aug 17, 2014

Really, LOL.

posted on Sep 06, 2014, 12:34 PM 11

12. T.Law

Posts: 423; Member since: May 10, 2014

iOS is basically just a plain, boring app launcher.

posted on Sep 06, 2014, 1:03 PM 7

14. AlikMalix unregistered

Yet every new App, and OS is now trying to clean up their UI just to look half as crisp and clean as iOS. Dude the point of UI is to make it disappear, and not interfere with functionality. Be quickly adaptable, and build muscle memory thru it's consistency. Any other UI has one or 2 of these points, but only iOS got it all right. You may count your checkboxes of useless features, while an iOS user enjoys his UI (Customer satisfaction is the proof)...

posted on Sep 06, 2014, 1:24 PM 2

16. Liveitup

Posts: 1798; Member since: Jan 07, 2014

No you are mistaken, they are all cleaning up there look to have visuals similar to WP. WP was clean since 2010. Everyone else is catching up including iOS.

posted on Sep 06, 2014, 1:57 PM 8

25. wilsong17 unregistered

I don't see live title stfu

posted on Sep 06, 2014, 6:29 PM 2

41. pulkit1

Posts: 354; Member since: Jul 03, 2014

it works , is fast and smooth just like stock android .

posted on Sep 07, 2014, 12:33 PM 0

38. Cicero

Posts: 1149; Member since: Jan 22, 2014

You can choose Easy Mode on TW and voila you now have ios interface.

posted on Sep 07, 2014, 5:49 AM 0

10. Jeradiah3

Posts: 1149; Member since: Feb 11, 2010

There are some things that I like about the Note 4 and Note Edge, but the Note 3 is still holding its own for now

posted on Sep 06, 2014, 12:34 PM 1

11. Anshulonweb

Posts: 468; Member since: Feb 07, 2014

doesn't the white ui effect the battery life on amoled?..... i think it does...

posted on Sep 06, 2014, 12:36 PM 3

19. deathgod

Posts: 122; Member since: Nov 23, 2011

Exactly what i was thinking. Plus i prefer black backgrounds expecially in the dialer and settings.

posted on Sep 06, 2014, 3:18 PM 0

34. remtothemax

Posts: 260; Member since: May 02, 2012

i imagine they could have a black/"night" option as well, maybe?

posted on Sep 06, 2014, 9:35 PM 0

15. Phantom1031

Posts: 264; Member since: Aug 02, 2014

f**king freaking Shamesung, never want to use their products anymore, P.S I am Note 3 owner

posted on Sep 06, 2014, 1:34 PM 1

23. Awalker

Posts: 1986; Member since: Aug 15, 2013

The S4 was my final Samsung product. Their Android skin though vastly improved is still way too much for me. And every other android flagship seems to be snappier than Samsung phones. My next phone will either be the Moto X 2014 or the Nexus 6 or perhaps both.

posted on Sep 06, 2014, 5:01 PM 2

39. Cicero

Posts: 1149; Member since: Jan 22, 2014

What's wrong with your S4? I want to know to see if it similar to me. I am very happy with mine.