The Samsung Galaxy Note range has been locked in solid rivalry with the iPhone since its launch in 2011. Now, three years later and four models in, is it still keeping Apple on its toes?

Details about the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 were released a few weeks ago at the IFA trade show in Germany and confirm that the Note 4 is all about hardware upgrades. The case has been improved, the S Pen is better than ever, and that screen really does need to be seen to be believed.

Let’s start with the screen. It’s a 5.7-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED display capable of 2,560 x 1,440 pixels at 500ppi. According to Samsung, it’s an adaptive display that reconfigures itself for optimum viewing whatever the conditions. That’s a neat trick.

Watching a movie in 4k is a delight. That screen is simply stunning. Colour reproduction is awesome, brightness is first rate, clarity is out of this world and there is no stuttering whatsoever. Even with general use, that screen is amazing.

Another big improvement is build quality. The case looks and feels better from all angles. It sits more comfortably in the hand too. The slim metal band offers a premium feel, while the case material has a reassuring heft. Despite this, it’s only a few grams heavier than the Note 3.

Other improvements to the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 include new S Pen features, a better camera, a faster charging battery, a better UI, a fast 2.7 GHz quad-core processor, rear facing 16MP autofocus camera with smart OIS and a Li-ion 3,220mAh battery.

It’s also worth mentioning the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge. Similar in size and specification to the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, the Edge uses Samsung’s innovative screen technology to bend one side of the screen round to the edge. It looks like an interesting product with the same features of the Note 4, but with that cool screen. We’ll be keeping an eye out for that.

Jesmond Darmanin is a technology enthusiast who has his own blog at www.itnewsblog.com.