The Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Edge aims to set the benchmark in the Windows on Arm laptop segment, targeting enthusiasts who seek top-tier performance in a portable design. It’s crafted to compete fiercely with devices like Apple’s MacBook Pro M4, flaunting impressive specs such as the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E-84-100 processor and Qualcomm Adreno integrated GPU. With the potential to outrun flagship competitors, this laptop has generated considerable buzz. However, its strengths in performance are counterbalanced by notable drawbacks in battery longevity and thermal management.
Exceeding Performance Expectations
Samsung’s strategic choice to equip the Galaxy Book 4 Edge with the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E-84-100 processor pays off by delivering exceptional processing power that can rival high-end competitors like the MacBook Pro M4. The accompanying Qualcomm Adreno integrated GPU further enhances the laptop’s capabilities, making it a powerhouse for a variety of demanding applications. Benchmark tests reflect this, with the device sometimes surpassing the processing speeds of some flagship models. This exceptional performance spells productivity gains for users handling intensive tasks, from video editing to complex data analyses.
While the Galaxy Book 4 Edge dazzles with its speed and efficiency, it’s not all smooth sailing. Such remarkable performance often triggers significant thermal loads, something that the device struggles to manage efficiently. Under heavy usage, the Galaxy Book 4 Edge’s chassis temperature can escalate to uncomfortable levels, reaching as high as 112 degrees Fahrenheit. This overheating issue compromises user comfort and potentially impacts the laptop’s longevity. However, if raw power is your primary concern, there is much to appreciate in this Samsung laptop’s performance capabilities.
Disappointing Battery Life
An area where the Galaxy Book 4 Edge falters is battery longevity, which is disappointing, especially in a device meant to be portable. Laptop Mag’s battery test clocked the device at just under 10 hours of runtime. This figure is significantly lower compared to other Snapdragon X Elite laptops. For instance, the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 manages to stretch beyond 21 hours, setting a high bar in terms of battery efficiency that the Galaxy Book 4 Edge struggles to match. This substantial gap in battery performance may make users rethink its viability for work on the go.
Having a laptop with extraordinary processing power is advantageous. Still, it loses its sheen if it cannot sustain operations for extended periods away from a power source. This limitation casts a shadow over the Galaxy Book 4 Edge, especially for professionals who rely on their laptops for uninterrupted work sessions. If you’re often on the move and need a laptop that can keep up without frequent charging, this Samsung model might not meet your expectations. The battery life issue presents a trade-off that potential buyers will need to weigh carefully against the device’s impressive performance metrics.
Sleek Design and Build
Samsung has delivered a design that is both aesthetically pleasing and highly functional. The Galaxy Book 4 Edge is thin and lightweight, measuring 14 x 9.85 x 0.48 inches and tipping the scales at just 3.38 pounds. This makes it impressively portable, especially considering it’s a 16-inch device, balancing screen real estate with mobility. Despite its larger screen size, carrying it around is effortless, making this laptop an excellent choice for students and professionals alike who are constantly on the go. The design’s brilliance extends to its color scheme, dubbed “Sapphire Blue,” though it often looks more silver than blue.
The laptop’s sleek design is complemented by minimal bezels on the top and sides of the display, contributing to a modern and immersive viewing experience. The bottom bezel is slightly thicker, but not distractingly so, maintaining an overall premium look. The attention to detail in the laptop’s build quality is evident, providing both durability and an attractive aesthetic. This focus on design ensures that the Galaxy Book 4 Edge stands out in a crowded market, drawing the eye while delivering functional benefits that make it an appealing choice for those who value form as much as function.
Outstanding Display Quality
One of the most striking features of the Galaxy Book 4 Edge is its 16-inch AMOLED touchscreen display with a resolution of 2880 x 1800. This high-resolution screen provides vivid colors and remarkable brightness, making it a fantastic choice for media consumption and creative work. Whether you’re streaming the latest series, editing photos, or designing graphics, the display offers a vivid and immersive experience. With a brightness of 387 nits and coverage of 115% of the sRGB color gamut and 81.1% of the DCI-P3 color gamut, the screen impresses even under various lighting conditions.
The sharp visuals are further enhanced by the excellent color accuracy of the display, which is essential for creative professionals who depend on precise color representation in their work. Viewing angles are wide, ensuring consistent picture quality from different perspectives. The AMOLED technology contributes to deep blacks and striking contrast, enriching the visual experience. This meticulous attention to display quality makes the Galaxy Book 4 Edge ideal for demanding visual tasks and ensures that users can enjoy their content in stunning detail, setting the device apart in the laptop market.
Typing and Navigation Experience
Samsung hasn’t neglected the user experience when it comes to the keyboard and touchpad on the Galaxy Book 4 Edge. The laptop comes equipped with a full-size keyboard complete with a number pad, which is a rare feature in laptops of this size and class. Despite the keys having relatively shallow travel, their bounciness ensures a comfortable typing experience, aiding productivity over extended typing sessions. The keyboard layout is intuitive and spaced well, reducing the chances of errors and making it easy for users to adjust to this laptop from other devices quickly.
The touchpad, a massive 4.2 x 5.9 inches surface, provides smooth and responsive controls for navigating the laptop. This ample surface area supports multi-finger gestures, which can significantly enhance productivity and ease of use. Whether it’s simple scrolling or more intricate gestures, the touchpad’s responsiveness ensures that actions are accurately and quickly recognized. This robust combination of a well-designed keyboard and an expansive, reactive touchpad makes interacting with the Galaxy Book 4 Edge straightforward and enjoyable, catering to a seamless user experience that stands out in daily operations.
Audio Capabilities
When it comes to audio, the Galaxy Book 4 Edge promises a lot with its quad speakers but falls slightly short in certain areas. The speakers deliver adequate sound quality for general use, such as video calls, streaming content, and casual music listening. However, they do not manage to produce room-filling sound without distortion, especially at higher volumes. This can be a drawback for those who frequently use their laptops for multimedia purposes where audio clarity and volume are crucial. While the sound quality is sufficient for most tasks, it lacks the power to replace dedicated audio equipment.
For an optimal listening experience, especially during music production, movie marathons, or high-quality video conferences, users are better off using external headphones or speakers. These peripherals can provide the depth and richness in sound that the laptop’s built-in speakers cannot fully deliver. Despite the limitations in audio output, the presence of quad speakers still offers a better experience than many other laptops in the same category, making the Galaxy Book 4 Edge a viable option for users who don’t heavily prioritize top-tier audio fidelity in their laptops.
AI Integration and Enhancements
Samsung’s collaboration with Microsoft brings a host of AI features that enhance the usability of the Galaxy Book 4 Edge. Integrating both companies’ advanced technologies, the laptop offers features like Copilot+ PC and Galaxy AI enhancements. These tools work together seamlessly to provide a more intuitive and efficient user experience. For example, the Circle to Search feature allows users to quickly look up information by circling text or images, making web searches more straightforward and efficient. Similarly, the AI Select feature enhances multitasking by intelligently predicting and selecting the necessary applications or information based on user behavior.
These AI features are not just gimmicks but practical tools that can significantly streamline workflows and improve productivity. They are designed to adapt to the user’s habits, becoming more effective as they learn from repeated use. This level of intelligent interaction differentiates the Galaxy Book 4 Edge from other laptops that may have high performance but lack the sophisticated user-centric enhancements powered by AI. These capabilities ensure that the device not only performs well but also adds value by making everyday tasks easier and more intuitive, enriching the overall user experience.
Webcam and Peripheral Connectivity
In today’s digital world, the quality of the built-in webcam is crucial, particularly for professionals who frequently engage in video calls. Unfortunately, the Galaxy Book 4 Edge’s 2MP webcam falls short of expectations, delivering grainy and slightly blurred images even in well-lit environments. This makes it less suitable for professional video conferencing, where clear image quality is essential. Users who require top-notch video quality may need to invest in an external webcam to supplement the built-in one for better outcomes during online meetings or virtual collaborations.
Despite the lackluster webcam, the Galaxy Book 4 Edge excels in connectivity options. The laptop offers a comprehensive array of ports, including two Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 Type-C ports, one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port, an HDMI 2.1 port, a headphone/mic jack, and a microSD card slot. These options provide excellent flexibility for connecting various peripherals, from external monitors to storage devices and input equipment. However, the addition of a Thunderbolt 4 port on both sides would have enhanced flexibility in charging and cable management, allowing users more convenience in handling their connections.
Software and Warranty
The Galaxy Book 4 Edge comes pre-loaded with Windows 11 Home or Pro, offering the latest in Microsoft’s operating system features. This ensures that users have access to updated security features, productivity applications, and other enhancements that come with Windows 11. Additionally, Samsung includes a suite of proprietary applications designed to augment productivity and streamline the user experience. These applications integrate seamlessly with the Windows ecosystem, providing tools that range from file management to device syncing, making it easier for users to navigate and manage their tasks efficiently.
Moreover, the Galaxy Book 4 Edge comes with a standard one-year limited warranty, reflecting Samsung’s confidence in its product. Users have the option to extend this warranty through Samsung Care+, which offers additional coverage for accidental damage, providing peace of mind for those investing in this high-performance device. This extended warranty can be a smart move for users who want long-term protection for their investment, ensuring they are covered in case of unforeseen issues. This combination of powerful software and robust warranty options enhances the overall appeal of the Galaxy Book 4 Edge.
Pricing and Configurations
Understanding the various configurations and pricing of the Galaxy Book 4 Edge is essential for potential buyers to make an informed decision. The reviewed top-tier configuration includes 16GB RAM and a 1TB SSD, originally priced at $1,749 but currently available for $1,449 with an instant discount. This higher-end model is tailored for users requiring substantial memory and storage for demanding applications. However, for those with less intensive needs, lower configurations are available, starting at $1,449 ($1,149 after a discount), offering reduced storage and sometimes featuring a Snapdragon X Elite processor with possibly better battery performance.
The most budget-friendly option is a 15.6-inch model, powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100 CPU, equipped with 16GB RAM and a 512GB SSD, priced at $899 ($799 on discount). These varied configurations provide options for different user needs and budgets, making the Galaxy Book 4 Edge accessible to a wider audience. Whether you prioritize top-tier performance or need a balance of power and cost, the available configurations offer flexibility and choice, ensuring that there is a model suited to diverse requirements and financial considerations.
Performance Benchmarks
In terms of performance, the Galaxy Book 4 Edge proves its prowess with impressive benchmark scores. It achieved a Geekbench 6 score of 15,818, indicating robust processing capabilities suitable for demanding tasks. Additionally, the laptop excelled in the Handbrake benchmark, converting a 4K video clip to 1080p in just 4 minutes and 52 seconds. These metrics highlight the Galaxy Book 4 Edge’s efficiency in handling intensive workloads, making it a reliable option for users who require swift and powerful performance. The device also excels in SSD transfer speeds, further enhancing its suitability for data-heavy operations.
However, the laptop’s performance in gaming scenarios is less impressive. A Civ VI benchmark test revealed a frame rate of only 24 fps, signaling poor performance for gaming or graphic-intensive applications. This limitation underscores the fact that while the Galaxy Book 4 Edge is outstanding for productivity and professional use, it is not designed for gaming or heavy graphics tasks. This dual-character in performance benchmarks provides a clear picture: the laptop excels in professional productivity but falls short for gaming, making it crucial for buyers to align their device usage with its strengths and weaknesses.
Balancing Performance and Practicality
The Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Edge is poised to set new standards in the Windows on Arm laptop market, directly appealing to enthusiasts who demand high performance in a sleek, portable design. Specifically tailored to rival Apple’s MacBook Pro M4, this laptop boasts impressive hardware, including the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E-84-100 processor and Qualcomm Adreno integrated GPU.
Anticipation is high as the Galaxy Book 4 Edge has the potential to outpace many flagship models. It strives to deliver top-tier processing power and graphics capabilities, making it a strong contender in the high-end laptop segment. However, while it excels in performance, it does come with notable weaknesses.
One significant drawback is its battery life. Despite its powerful components, the battery may struggle to last through an entire workday without needing a charge. Additionally, the laptop has issues with thermal management, which means it can get quite warm during intensive tasks, potentially affecting long-term performance and user comfort.
Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Edge offers a compelling package for those looking for a Windows-based alternative to Apple’s offerings, especially if raw performance is a key requirement. However, potential buyers should weigh these strengths against the battery and thermal management issues to determine if it’s the right choice for their needs.
