The Galaxy S4 handset steadily draws from the same design language as the S3, but takes almost every spec to an extreme -- the screen is larger (5 inches), the resolution greater (1080p), the battery capacity higher (2,600mAh), the processor faster (1.9GHz quad-core or 1.6GHz octa-core), and the rear-facing camera stuffed with more megapixels (13, to be exact). But, once you've gone through the features checklist (which also includes lots of internal and external storage space and RAM), it's the software extras that Samsung continues to lean on to keep its phones one step ahead of the competition.
Design and build
At first glance, the Samsung Galaxy S4 looks like a cookie-cutter copy of the GS3, but larger. It has the same rounded edges and narrow physical home button as its predecessor, but at 7.9mm deep (0.31 inch) and 130g (4.6 ounces), it's also a little lighter and thinner. Part of the slim look and feel is a result of Samsung creating sharper, straighter lines with the phone than the GS3's subtle curves (the Galaxy line is apparently inspired by nature no more).
Standing at 136.6mm tall by 68.9mm wide (5.4 inches by 2.7 inches), the Galaxy S4 fits right in between the GS3 and the Galaxy Note phones. It's large, to be sure -- very large -- but since I've grown used to holding big handsets, it didn't feel overwhelming in my hands. A more dimpled finish on the white version I held reminded me of the Galaxy S2, in contrast to the GS3's silky brushed feel. The GS4 also comes in "Black Mist."
While visually appealing, I've never seen a Samsung phone that wows me with its finely crafted build quality or materials. The GS4 doesn't reach the same caliber as the beautiful, all-metal HTC One, nor is it as polished as the iPhone 5. To be fair, that isn't Samsung's goal; after all, Samsung has stuck by plastic for a few good reasons, including durability (it won't smash like glass), manufacturing benefits, and price.
As the rumors and leaks foretold, the GS4 has a 5-inch HD Super AMOLED display with a 1,920x1,080-pixel screen resolution. While it isn't exactly edge-to-edge, the smaller bezel makes the screen feel more expansive. At full brightness, the display's 441ppi pixel density looked rich and crisp, but I'll need to compare it with the BlackBerry Z10, iPhone 5, and others to really get a lock on just how sharp it is.
On the back, there's the 13-megapixel camera, a jump up from the GS3's 8-megapixel lens. Even though the number of megapixels isn't everything, Samsung has had a good track record with images so far. The shooter has an LED flash and records 1080p HD video.
Beneath the back cover, you'll find a microSD card slot that can store up to 64GB in external memory, to go along with the 64GB internal storage. There's also a 2,600mAh battery.
The Galaxy S4 runs none other than Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, the most up-to-date version of Android you can get right now. Riding on top of it as usual is Samsung's Touch Wiz overlay, a customized interface that I, for one, think is getting a little long in the tooth. Also, keep in mind that the next Android OS, Key Lime Pie, should appear when Google I/O opens on May 15. That's not far away, so I hope that Samsung and the carriers fast-track the Galaxy S4 for an upgrade.
However, Samsung does use TouchWiz to add a bevy of software enhancements, like gestures, and a beefier notifications tray that offers a ton more toggling options to quickly turn settings on and off. In addition to your usual toggles for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS, you'll also see toggles for call-blocking mode and eye-tracking gestures.
Now, when Samsung spots a trend, it pounces. Thus the birth of S Health, a calorie-counter/pedometer in one that uses phone sensors like the accelerometer and barometer to track your steps, jogs, hops, jolts, snacks, and perspiration. Combined with one of its new Samsung-branded fitness wrist bands, Samsung is attempting to replace specialized third-party apps that do these functions already.
Smart Pause and Smart Scroll are two features that build off the Galaxy S3's optional Smart Stay feature, which kept the screen from dimming when you looked at it. In the GS4, tilting the screen up or down while looking at it scrolls you up or down, say if you're reading a CNET story, of course. As a daily commuter with one hand on the phone and one on a hand strap, this could be a more convenient way to catch up with news while on the train or bus.
I really like the idea of Smart Pause, which halts a video you're watching when your eyes dart away, then resumes when you start paying attention again.
While you can make googly eyes at the GS4, most gestures are still reserved for your fingertips. Hovering features known as Air View make their way from the stylus-centric Galaxy Note 2 and Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet to the Galaxy S4, but replace the stylus with your digit.
Cameras and video
If the promise of the GS4's 13-megapixel images doesn't wow you, Samsung is hoping that its refreshed interface and enhanced features will. Perhaps the most out-there is the dual-shot mode, which takes photos and video from both the front- and rear-facing cameras, and combines them into one.
Performance
While the Galaxy S4 will look the same everywhere in the world, it won't necessarily have the same motor under the hood. Your future GS4 handset will either thrum from a 1.9GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon Fusion Pro processor, or from a 1.6GHz eight-core chipset, Samsung's Exynos 5 Octa silicon.
We'll need to set the two bad boys side by side in the lab to see real-time performance differences.
Data speed freaks can rest assured that the Galaxy S4 will support LTE in expected markets (these haven't yet been announced), and LTE roaming will be possible for some geographies (very nice).
As for battery life, the phone has a large, 2,600mAh ticker, but also a larger screen and even more features to compromise performance. Smart Stay and S Voice both drain the battery more quickly, which just means that, as always, potential buyers should adjust their expectations. The more video and games you play, the shorter your life per battery charge. In terms of storage and memory, the Galaxy S4 has 2GB RAM, 64GB internal storage, and another 64GB available through the microSD car slot. In today's market, you can't get more than that.cnet
In Nigeria, we expect a price range of about 75 - 100k for an outright purchase but contract price will differ based on network. Arrival time might be in April - quite fast because they are a lot Samsung distributor in the country.
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