Samsung’s Galaxy S4 is finally here featuring Android Jelly Bean 4.2, reams of processing power, a brand new camera setup, and a gorgeous 4.99-inch Full HD Super AMOLED display. But was it worth the wait?
If you were expecting something vastly different from the Galaxy S3 then you might be a tad disappointed. The Galaxy S4 looks a lot like the Galaxy S3. Now that’s not necessarily a bad thing so long as you like Samsung’s design language, don’t mind plastic, and thought the Galaxy S3 was awesome in every conceivable way.
Samsung Galaxy S4 - Design
If you’re after something more premium-looking like the HTC One, then it might not be what you’re looking for. It’s Samsung through-and-through and that means lots of plastics, great visuals but rather a lot to be desired when it comes to build materials. It’s not ugly by any stretch of the imagination, but it’s no HTC One.
There are subtle differences between the Galaxy S4 and its predecessor. The first is its larger and vastly superior 4.99-inch Full HD display. The second is its chassis which is now two-tone and embellished with a flecked finish on the back for better grip.
The front is decked out in traditional black and features a rather attractive mesh-like finish. Again it’s plastic but Samsung’s decision to turn its back on nature, or pebbles, and produce a handset using more traditional colouring does wonders for the device’s overall aesthetics.
Exact measurements for the device are: 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9 mm and it weighs just 130g, making it significantly lighter than its predecessor.
The Galaxy S4 does not break any new ground. It’s a refined version of the Galaxy S3. But that’s okay. It makes business sense. The S3 was a great handset, lots of people loved it, and many, many more bought it. Why go and screw that formula up? It doesn’t make any sense.
Surely, it’s more logical to add a few new features, tighten up the design, whack in a new processor, and add a better display? That’s what’s happened here and we’re neither surprised or perturbed if we’re honest. I liked the Galaxy S3, despite its jarringly plastic finish, and I like this handset, too.
Want cutting edge design? Get the HTC One, Sony Xperia Z, or Apple’s upcoming iPhone 6. For everybody else - AKA the majority - the Galaxy S4 will do just nicely.
Samsung Galaxy S4 - Processor and RAM
Powering everything along is Samsung’s Exynos 5 Octa processor alongside 2GB of RAM. Based on ARM’s big.LITTLE architecture, the Exynos 5 Octa runs a quad-core Cortex-A15 cluster clocked at 1.6GHz.
It’s an intelligent processor that switches tasks around based on their intensity, which results in better performance and a longer battery life, according to Samsung. We'll be looking at the Exynos 5 Octa in more detail in our full review. Initial impressions are very good though. This thing really does zing along.
Samsung Galaxy S4 - Display
The 4.99-inch panel has a Full HD 1920x1080 pixel resolution at around 440 ppi. Visuals were extremely detailed and easily on a par with what we’ve seen on the HTC One and the Sony Xperia Z.
Samsung Galaxy S4 - UX
TouchWiz remains largely the same although Samsung has packed it with a myriad of new features that include an IR blaster, Air Gesture control, a pedometer, Smart Switch, and a whole load more.
Visually it's very similar to what we've already seen on the Note 2 and Galaxy S3, although Samsung insists it's more lightweight.
Samsung Galaxy S4 - OS
Unlike the HTC One, Sony Xperia Z, and most other Android handsets now on market, Samsung’s Galaxy S4 will launch with the latest build of Android Jelly Bean (version 4.2), giving you access to the most up to date version of the OS. No other flagship handsets bar Google’s Nexus range of smartphones and tablets are currently running this version. It's rarer than hen's teeth at present.
Expect to see a Jelly Bean 4.2 update from HTC and Sony very soon.
Samsung Galaxy S4 - Specs
◾Name Samsung Galaxy S4 i9500
◾Screen 4.99inch, 1920 x 1080 Super AMOLED
◾Dimensions 140.1 x 71.8 x 7.7mm
◾Weight 138g
◾Processor Samsung Exynos 5 Octa 5410
◾CPU: Quad-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A15
◾Graphics processor PowerVR SGX 544MP3@533MHz
◾RAM 2GB
◾Storage 16/32/64GB + microSD
◾Front Camera 13MP
◾Rear Camera 2MP
◾OS Android 4.2.1+TouchWIz
◾Battery 2600mAh
The Samsung Galaxy S4 will be launched in 155 countries globally, support both 3G and 4G, and get a release date at the end of April.
Phones4U and Carphone Warehosue have both annonced they will be stocking the Samsung Galaxy S4 from April 26.
UPDATE...
EE
Paul Jevons, Director of Products and Devices, EE, said: 'The interest we've received from consumers and businesses has almost reached fever-pitch levels, so we're delighted to be the only UK operator to offer the Samsung Galaxy S 4 enabled with 4G from launch.'
He added: 'When paired with our unique superfast 4G network, customers really will be able to make the most from the powerhouse performance the Samsung Galaxy S 4 provides - utilising its capabilities to the maximum
If you were expecting something vastly different from the Galaxy S3 then you might be a tad disappointed. The Galaxy S4 looks a lot like the Galaxy S3. Now that’s not necessarily a bad thing so long as you like Samsung’s design language, don’t mind plastic, and thought the Galaxy S3 was awesome in every conceivable way.
Samsung Galaxy S4 - Design
If you’re after something more premium-looking like the HTC One, then it might not be what you’re looking for. It’s Samsung through-and-through and that means lots of plastics, great visuals but rather a lot to be desired when it comes to build materials. It’s not ugly by any stretch of the imagination, but it’s no HTC One.
There are subtle differences between the Galaxy S4 and its predecessor. The first is its larger and vastly superior 4.99-inch Full HD display. The second is its chassis which is now two-tone and embellished with a flecked finish on the back for better grip.
The front is decked out in traditional black and features a rather attractive mesh-like finish. Again it’s plastic but Samsung’s decision to turn its back on nature, or pebbles, and produce a handset using more traditional colouring does wonders for the device’s overall aesthetics.
Exact measurements for the device are: 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9 mm and it weighs just 130g, making it significantly lighter than its predecessor.
The Galaxy S4 does not break any new ground. It’s a refined version of the Galaxy S3. But that’s okay. It makes business sense. The S3 was a great handset, lots of people loved it, and many, many more bought it. Why go and screw that formula up? It doesn’t make any sense.
Surely, it’s more logical to add a few new features, tighten up the design, whack in a new processor, and add a better display? That’s what’s happened here and we’re neither surprised or perturbed if we’re honest. I liked the Galaxy S3, despite its jarringly plastic finish, and I like this handset, too.
Want cutting edge design? Get the HTC One, Sony Xperia Z, or Apple’s upcoming iPhone 6. For everybody else - AKA the majority - the Galaxy S4 will do just nicely.
Samsung Galaxy S4 - Processor and RAM
Powering everything along is Samsung’s Exynos 5 Octa processor alongside 2GB of RAM. Based on ARM’s big.LITTLE architecture, the Exynos 5 Octa runs a quad-core Cortex-A15 cluster clocked at 1.6GHz.
It’s an intelligent processor that switches tasks around based on their intensity, which results in better performance and a longer battery life, according to Samsung. We'll be looking at the Exynos 5 Octa in more detail in our full review. Initial impressions are very good though. This thing really does zing along.
Samsung Galaxy S4 - Display
The 4.99-inch panel has a Full HD 1920x1080 pixel resolution at around 440 ppi. Visuals were extremely detailed and easily on a par with what we’ve seen on the HTC One and the Sony Xperia Z.
Samsung Galaxy S4 - UX
TouchWiz remains largely the same although Samsung has packed it with a myriad of new features that include an IR blaster, Air Gesture control, a pedometer, Smart Switch, and a whole load more.
Visually it's very similar to what we've already seen on the Note 2 and Galaxy S3, although Samsung insists it's more lightweight.
Samsung Galaxy S4 - OS
Unlike the HTC One, Sony Xperia Z, and most other Android handsets now on market, Samsung’s Galaxy S4 will launch with the latest build of Android Jelly Bean (version 4.2), giving you access to the most up to date version of the OS. No other flagship handsets bar Google’s Nexus range of smartphones and tablets are currently running this version. It's rarer than hen's teeth at present.
Expect to see a Jelly Bean 4.2 update from HTC and Sony very soon.
Samsung Galaxy S4 - Specs
◾Name Samsung Galaxy S4 i9500
◾Screen 4.99inch, 1920 x 1080 Super AMOLED
◾Dimensions 140.1 x 71.8 x 7.7mm
◾Weight 138g
◾Processor Samsung Exynos 5 Octa 5410
◾CPU: Quad-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A15
◾Graphics processor PowerVR SGX 544MP3@533MHz
◾RAM 2GB
◾Storage 16/32/64GB + microSD
◾Front Camera 13MP
◾Rear Camera 2MP
◾OS Android 4.2.1+TouchWIz
◾Battery 2600mAh
The Samsung Galaxy S4 will be launched in 155 countries globally, support both 3G and 4G, and get a release date at the end of April.
Phones4U and Carphone Warehosue have both annonced they will be stocking the Samsung Galaxy S4 from April 26.
UPDATE...
EE
Paul Jevons, Director of Products and Devices, EE, said: 'The interest we've received from consumers and businesses has almost reached fever-pitch levels, so we're delighted to be the only UK operator to offer the Samsung Galaxy S 4 enabled with 4G from launch.'
He added: 'When paired with our unique superfast 4G network, customers really will be able to make the most from the powerhouse performance the Samsung Galaxy S 4 provides - utilising its capabilities to the maximum
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