Samsung Galaxy S4 is Slimmer, Faster, with Countless Software Features
Samsung Galaxy S4 is the successor to the Galaxy S3. In this article, you will learn about everything you need to know about the Samsung’s 2013 flagship smartphone’s design, specs, and software features.
Table of Contents
Galaxy S4 presentation
Samsung Galaxy S4 was revealed at the company’s UNPACKED event at Radio City Music Hall, New York City. The slogan is “Life Companionâ€.
I spent 1 hour to watch the event’s recorded video. The whole product launch was like a musical show. It was a little different than every product launches that I saw. Poor S4 lost the focus it deserved.
“Samsung really screwed up with its Galaxy S4 presentationâ€, said Robert Scoble.
Watch the Samsung UNPACKED 2013 livestream below then tell us what you think.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yaw6CSaPnfk&feature=share&list=PL817307E281FF66D2
Looks like Galaxy S3
Samsung Galaxy S4 does not have a brand new design. It is same size as Samsung Galaxy S3 but slightly larger display, less curved corver, slimmer and smaller bezel. Galaxy S4 is available in White and Black colours.
(Click on the thumbnails for a larger pics)
Powerful Galaxy S4 specs
Samsung does not emphasize much on the Galaxy S4 specs that you don’t find a phone specifications page on its official website. Here is the screenshot of the S4 specs captured at the end of the UNPACKED livestream video:
Samsung Galaxy S4 is a 5-inch smartphone powered by octa/quad core processor, 2GB RAM and run Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean). Storage options are 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, with microSD up to 64GB.
13MP rear camera and 2MP front camera. Support WiFi a/b/g/n/ac, GPS, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0, IR remote control. 2 models of S4 to support different networks: 3G and 4G LTE(TDD/FD).
The phone dimension is 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9mm, weight 130g. The removable battery’s capacity is 2600mAh.
More on Galaxy S4 processor
Not in the above screenshot, depending on the market, Samsung Galaxy S4 is either powered by Samsung Exynos 5 Octa (International) or Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processors (USA).
Exynos 5 Octa is a 8-core processor with 2 CPU inside: 1.6 GHz quad-core Cortext-A15 and 1.2 GHz quad-core Cortex-A7.
Snapdragon 600 is a 1.9 GHz quad-core CPU. The same CPU is used in LG Optimus G Pro, HTC One, ASUS PadFone Infinity, and ZTE Grand Memo.
More on Galaxy S4 display
Samsung Galaxy S4 is a 5-inch Full HD Super AMOLED display. The display resolution is 1920×1080 pixels, same as the HDTV at your home (24†computer monitor is 1920×1200). When you squeeze many pixels into a small display size, you get high Pixel Per Inch (PPI). Galaxy S4 display is 441 ppi, compare to iPhone 5 retina display’s 326 ppi.
Countless Software features
Samsung have developed many new & unique software features for Samsung Galaxy S4, below are some of the highlighted features:
Dual Camera — Optimizing two cameras (13MP rear and 2MP front), Samsung Galaxy S4 can take picture-in-picture photos using both cameras in one shot. The same applies to dual video recording and dual video call.
Shoot & Sound – Live sound can also recorded in the every photo you take on Galaxy S4.
Drama Shot — lets you take a series of pictures of any moving subject and put them together into one photo.
Group Play — allows you share your music with other S4 phones simply by a tap and create a powerful sound system for party. You can also connect multiple Galaxy S4 phones to play games, share photos and document. Group Play does not require WiFi connection nor Bluetooth. I guess it use NFC.
S Translator — an app that translate text or voice into another languages.
Smart Scroll, Smart Pause — Based on Galaxy S3’ Smart Stay, Galaxy S4’s Smart Scroll automatically scroll up or down the screen when you tilt the phone (No, you don’t scroll screen with your eyesballs movements.). Smart Pause automatically pause the video you are watching when you look away and resumes when you look back the screen again.
Air Gesture — allows you to accept a call, change a song or scroll web page with a wave of the hand.
Air View — allows you to preview emails, speed dial, enlarge content and photos by hovering over the screen (no touch).
Samsung HomeSync — 1TB personal cloud storage device that synd. pictures and videos you have taken on Galaxy S4 wherever you are. You also can stream games, movies, TV shows from Galaxy S4 to your TV.
S Health – track your workouts, calorie intake, weight, blood glucose & pressure, sleep monitor. Show you comfort level based on temperature and humidity.
Samsung Knox – Knox is Samsung’s answer to BYOD, adding security to use own device in business environment. It divides your phone into two halves, one side for work (Knox) and one side for personal.
Galaxy S4 hands-on video
Many Galaxy S4 accessories
Samsung offer many accessories for Galaxy S4. There are S Band, heart rate monitor, body scare that connects to S Health app. For phone cover, there are S View Cover, wireless charging cover, flip cover, protective cover and pouch. Plus, Xbox-controller-look-alike game pad for Galaxy S4.
(Click on the thumbnails for a larger pics)
Galaxy S4 Release Date & Price
Samsung Galaxy S4 will be available in 155 countries by 327 mobile operators. Meaning, you can buy it locally when S4 starts selling in the end of April 2013. Samsung haven’t reveal the Galaxy S4 price yet.
