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Sprint's Galaxy Note 4 "All you need is scented candles, massage oil, and Barry White. Write that down."

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by Cedric Owens

Sprint 4G Rollout Updates

Friday, October 3, 2014 - 2:30 PM MDT

 

A year ago, S4GRU brought you a great breakdown article titled after the Three Dog Night hit - "One is the loneliest number". Unfortunately, this great article brought news that none of us Sprint Samsung phablet owners wanted to hear. One band of LTE. "No Tri-band For You!"

 

Well, Samsung and Sprint officially announced on September 3, 2014 that the wait for the "King of Phablets" having Sprint Spark was finally over. Okay, maybe not over, but a little over a month away.

 

So with the announcement from Apple September 9th, 2014, that they are getting into the phablet market with the iPhone 6 Plus and with the rumored announcement from Google and Motorola about a 5.92" beast of their own on the horizon, does the Sprint variant of the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 have enough to remain on top of the throne?

 

Let's take a look at what was found over at the good ol' FCC Office of Engineering & Technology for FCC ID: A3LSMN910P.

 

Three Bands Short of Being One of Your Favorite CCA/RRPP Rock Concerts

 

If you were hoping for band 4 LTE 1700+2100, band 12 LTE 700 and band 17 LTE 700, you're going to have to find a new rock tour to follow for a fully compliant Competitive Carriers Association (CCA) and Rural Roaming Preferred Program (RRPP) device.

 

Sprint announced March 26, 2014, that they were moving to include CCA band support on devices by end of the year, but the Note 4 missed the mark this time around. One would have thought that that would have included the Note 4, but just as last year when Sprint made the announcement about Sprint Spark in every device going forward and Samsung went rogue, it appears they are deciding to do the same this year with bands 4, 12 and 17.

 

Without these additional LTE bands, Note 4 Sprint customers may be limited in the amount of pseudo native coverage gained when Sprint's CCA LTE roaming starts to go live, in the places where bands 25/26/41 are not present. So the "King of Phablets" will once again be missing out on something that "America's Newest Network" is offering. This Note 4 is capable of using LTE deployed on Band 2 and 5 though, if some of these members are using that spectrum. So the news is not the best for Sprint LTE roaming with CCA partners, but it is "Note"worthy that it will still be able to pick up bands 25/26/41 that their RRPP partners are overlaying on their own networks.

 

Back in July, S4GRU's own Robert went into more detail of the CCA/RRPP Partnerships

 

ERP/EIRP numbers to help anticipate RF performance

 

Below find the maximum ERP/EIRP Numbers for the LTE Bands relevant to the Sprint variant:

 

Band 25

  • 5 MHz FDD channels: max EIRP 22.45dBm
  • 20 MHz FDD channels: max EIRP 22.75dBm
  • 15 MHz FDD channels: max EIRP 22.78dBm
  • 10 MHz FDD channels: max EIRP 22.58dBm
  • 3 MHZ FDD channels: max EIRP 22.09dBm
  • 1.4 MHZ FDD channels: max EIRP 21.27dBm

Band 26

  • 5 MHz FDD channels: max ERP 18.89dBm
  • 10 MHz FDD channels: max ERP 18.92dBm
  • 3 MHz FDD channels: max ERP 18.96dBm
  • 1.4 MHz FDD channels: max ERP 18.54dBm

Band 41 (Spark)

  • 20 MHz TDD channels: max EIRP 22.44dBm
  • 15 MHz TDD channels: max EIRP 22.84dBm
  • 10 MHz TDD channels: max EIRP 22.52dBm
  • 5 MHz TDD channels: max EIRP 22.69dBm

NOTE: This is using the better antenna, on the best channel in the band, and with robust QPSK modulation. Although Sprint currently does not use B25 1.4MHz, 3MHz, 10MHz, 15MHz or 20MHz channels, nor B26 1.4MHz, 3MHz or 10MHz channels, nor B41 5, 10 or 15MHz channels, they were included for interest as it is plausible that Sprint could use these in the future at some point.

 

Simultaneous Voice/Data, VoLTE, Domestic WiFi Calling and Carrier Aggregation

 

No... (Enough said)

 

D0PGXsG.jpg

 

BtdUqRC.jpg

 

The Wrap-up

 

After deciphering through all the FCC data, the released specifications and considering the phablet options out there... So what's my take? I give it a "Kanye Shrug". The EIRP results indicate that Band 25 and Band 41 are what's to be expected, and Band 26 is surprising less robust. One caveat though is that the Band 25 EIRP numbers are similar to the Note II, so we'll have to wait for real world results before making the final verdict on RF performance.

 

The Note series may no longer be the beast of a device it used to be. Apple has released a very competitive device in this category. Google/Motorola are supposedly releasing a 5.92" Nexus phablet and who are you trying to fool LG, HTC and Samsung with these flagship device screen sizes you all have been releasing lately?

 

At one point the Note series offered something you couldn't get on other devices, including Samsung, but it's now clear that Samsung intends to release its flagship device every Spring and if you want it in a bigger size, you'll have to wait until the Fall.

 

So, here's to another year of waiting for the "latest and greatest" Samsung Galaxy Note to catch up to the latest and greatest network from Sprint. *Cough* Carrier Aggregation *Cough*

 

Thanks everyone for reading my 1st Wall article. Hope you enjoyed it. :tu:

 

Additional Specs

 

Model: SM-N910P

  • Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 APQ8084
  • RAM: 3GB
  • Rear Facing Camera: 16-megapixel with Optical Image Stabilization (Take that iPhone 6 Plus)
  • Front Facing Camera: 3.7-megapixel (Selfie Heaven)

LOxo9Ca.jpg

 

Sprint Specifications said:
  • Android 4.4 (Kit Kat)
  • 3220 mAh Lithium Ion Battery
  • Talk time: Up to 35 hours
  • Dimensions: 6.0" x 3.1” x 0.3"
  • Display: 5.7” Quad HD Super AMOLED (2560 X 1440)
  • Weight: 6.2 oz
  • 2.7 GHz Quad-core processor – Qualcomm Snapdagon
  • 32GB internal memory(ROM)/3GB (RAM) /supports up to 128GB Micro SD (sold separately)
  • Bluetooth profiles: A2DP, AVRCP, GAVDP, HFP 1.6, PBAP, HSP, HID, GOEP, SPP, MAP, PAN, OPP, DI, HOGP
  • HD Voice
  • International WiFi Calling
  • Sprint® Direct Connect® Now

Sources

FCC

Sprint.com

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bitslizer

The ERP/EIRP numbers looks not so good, espeically B26... of course B41 doesn't hold a candle to the new iphone 6......  I'll have to read the real life experience review on reception performance before deciding on this phone

 

comparing the purely the B26 to the HTC One Max, which is my current daily phone

 

HTC One Max ERP/EIRP

B25 21.85 dBm B26 15.11 dBm B41 15.80 dBm

 

In my experience so far, by the time the B25 signal degrade so much that the tower switch me from B25 to B26 with that kind of ERP/EIRP performance, I'm getting nearly the same RSRP on B26 as compared to B25.  which mean I maybe getting a little bit more extra reach/coverage, but not any speed/performance benefit when being bumped to B26.

at this stage where the B25 to B26 hand off happen, I'll usually be lucky to pull in more than 3mbps download

 

The Note4 B26 ERP/EIRP only seems to be a little bit better than the One Max in this regard, with similar ERP/EIRP figure to the Iphone 6 B26 and HTC M8 B26 (both in the 18 dBm range).

 

Is there some reason why B26 ERP/EIRP seems to be consistently worse than other band?

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S4GRU

The ERP/EIRP numbers looks not so good, espeically B26... of course B41 doesn't hold a candle to the new iphone 6......  I'll have to read the real life experience review on reception performance before deciding on this phone

 

comparing the purely the B26 to the HTC One Max, which is my current daily phone

 

HTC One Max ERP/EIRP

B25 21.85 dBm B26 15.11 dBm B41 15.80 dBm

 

In my experience so far, by the time the B25 signal degrade so much that the tower switch me from B25 to B26 with that kind of ERP/EIRP performance, I'm getting nearly the same RSRP on B26 as compared to B25.  which mean I maybe getting a little bit more extra reach/coverage, but not any speed/performance benefit when being bumped to B26.

at this stage where the B25 to B26 hand off happen, I'll usually be lucky to pull in more than 3mbps download

 

The Note4 B26 ERP/EIRP only seems to be a little bit better than the One Max in this regard, with similar ERP/EIRP figure to the Iphone 6 B26 and HTC M8 B26 (both in the 18 dBm range).

 

Is there some reason why B26 ERP/EIRP seems to be consistently worse than other band?

 

EIRP is just an indicator how a device may do in the field.  EIRP essentially measures the uplink power.  The downlink power received can be different.  The Note 2 is a good instance of a device that had average EIRP and was a power house RF performer on Sprint.  No need to conclude that the Note 4 will be a mediocre B26 performer, yet.

 

However, one thing we have seen in the past though is really weak EIRP devices (like worse than 15dBm) never are good performers.

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QWIKSTRIKE

Once you receive your Note 4, please let us know over in the Note 4 Users thread. We'll update at that time if you're able to make US WiFi Calls.

 

 

I PLAYED WITH THE NOTE 4 TODAY AND i PLAYED WITH THE iPhone 6, AND 6+. The Note 4 does have a drop down menu for WiFi calling.

 

I did a comparison to my Nexus 5 screen size and the Note 4 is just an awesome phone. In its own rights the iPhone was fine and when you looked at the back case it looked better than the front in my opinion only.

The top and bottom bezels of the 6+ did not make it look so appealing in my opinion. I still tip my hat to the one that started this whole genre of touch screen phones!

 

Don't get me wrong the iPhone is carved out nicely, but I guess after having Android for so long I just could not figure it out. I mean once I got to the home screen there really is no home screen....just a crap load of apps. I have heard the word intuitive, but all I could think was boring and mindless..."it just works"!

 

I then went back to play with the note 4, and I fell in love with what really made me want a Note, the screen size, and a tablet all in one practical "pocketable" unit that I can enjoy Netflix, making calls, and reading articles on thew web!

 

Touchwiz seemed fluid and chocked with features either you love or hate, but their was no lag. The Note 4 is the king of Phablet's period, and you really have to be a techie to appreciate it, big hands or not. I hate to say this to you guys boasting it is too big for your hands, because I see women rocking the Note, as well as my Niece who graduated from the iPhone 4 to the Note and swears to never go back. I understand that you may not want a larger phone but please stop saying that it is because I have small hands when I see woman with smaller hands manning up to rock one.lol

 

I played with the G3 that was nice, but way too laggy it could be just me but it was very laggy. Long live the king of phablets, and I just wonder how that Note edge looks and functions. 

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A2CKilla

I PLAYED WITH THE NOTE 4 TODAY AND i PLAYED WITH THE iPhone 6, AND 6+. The Note 4 does have a drop down menu for WiFi calling.

 

I did a comparison to my Nexus 5 screen size and the Note 4 is just an awesome phone. In its own rights the iPhone was fine and when you looked at the back case it looked better than the front in my opinion only.

The top and bottom bezels of the 6+ did not make it look so appealing in my opinion. I still tip my hat to the one that started this whole genre of touch screen phones!

 

Don't get me wrong the iPhone is carved out nicely, but I guess after having Android for so long I just could not figure it out. I mean once I got to the home screen there really is no home screen....just a crap load of apps. I have heard the word intuitive, but all I could think was boring and mindless..."it just works"!

 

I then went back to play with the note 4, and I fell in love with what really made me want a Note, the screen size, and a tablet all in one practical "pocketable" unit that I can enjoy Netflix, making calls, and reading articles on thew web!

 

Touchwiz seemed fluid and chocked with features either you love or hate, but their was no lag. The Note 4 is the king of Phablet's period, and you really have to be a techie to appreciate it, big hands or not. I hate to say this to you guys boasting it is too big for your hands, because I see women rocking the Note, as well as my Niece who graduated from the iPhone 4 to the Note and swears to never go back. I understand that you may not want a larger phone but please stop saying that it is because I have small hands when I see woman with smaller hands manning up to rock one.lol

 

I played with the G3 that was nice, but way too laggy it could be just me but it was very laggy. Long live the king of phablets, and I just wonder how that Note edge looks and functions. 

Nexus 6 will be the new king....I got bored of samsung after the note 2, same thing each time, switched to the one max, after front facing speakers and a bigger phone overall, I'll never go back. The nexus 6 has everything and then some so google/motorola has my purchase this year AND it will support just about every band for gsm,cdma and LTE

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