If you’re familiar with Samsung smartphones, you’ll find yourself zipping through the Samsung Galaxy S4’s TouchWiz Nature UX 2.0 interface in no time. It’s a bright and colourful thing, and this updated version builds on the S3’s with a couple of tweaks to enhance the performance.
These include a pull-out panel on the left of the screen for quick links to apps; some rearranged settings options; and, most useful of all, a pull-down status menu that neatly displays connections, smart features and the like.
Some might find Samsung’s interface a bit busy on top of the stock Android OS, however. There’s scope to customise apps and widgets across the rotating carousel of panels, but the HTC One, Sony Xperia Z and Google Nexus 4 all offer simpler and more intuitive experiences that are less likely to see you reaching for the manual.
Interestingly, Google has announced plans to sell a Google edition of the Samsung Galaxy S4, offering the S4 with the stock Android OS. Promising a Nexus style appearance and performance, and the latest Android updates, the Google Galaxy S4 could be an option for those who prefer a simpler operating system.
Rather surprisingly, we found the Samsung Galaxy S4 beset by quite a few lag issues and operational glitches the more we used it. The quad-core processor and updated software certainly work hard to keep the experience as smooth as possible, but there are hiccups.
Stuttering or delayed reactions to animations, switching between apps or even the volume bar when playing songs in Spotify are all noticeable on the S4 – so if, like us, you’re prone to running multiple apps on your phone, then the less-than-smooth operation will catch your attention.
The HTC One and Google Nexus 4, meanwhile, are responsive and smooth, so we’re disappointed by these lag issues – it’s not something we’d expect to see at this level. At the time of writing we were assured that our review sample was installed with the latest firmware updates – this could be something that will be ironed out in time. You can check for manual software updates whenever you so choose.
Features
Along with Android’s standard Google Play store and apps, Samsung is pushing its own Samsung Apps in the revamped Samsung Hub, where you can buy music, videos, games, books and learning apps in their own separate stores.
It’s handy if you want more choice and options or if you want to keep all your purchases Samsung-based, but it’s an extra account if you’re already signed up with Google. Most people would rather settle for the one account, we'd imagine.
One of the Galaxy S4’s biggest draws – apart from that crisp screen – has to be its exciting new features: the hands free Air View and Air Gesture controls, and the eye-tracking Smart Pause and Smart Scroll (click for videos of the features in action).
With Air Gesture, you can wave your hand above the phone in up and down motions to scroll through a website, flick through photos or even answer phone calls – a good option if your hands are dirty and you don’t want to smudge the screen.
Smart Scroll lets you move through web pages by tilting either the device or your head just slightly. It’s a quirky feature and can be just a bit too sensitive – you’ll have to tilt your head or the S4 in tiny, precise movements or you’ll be scrolling all over the place
These include a pull-out panel on the left of the screen for quick links to apps; some rearranged settings options; and, most useful of all, a pull-down status menu that neatly displays connections, smart features and the like.
Some might find Samsung’s interface a bit busy on top of the stock Android OS, however. There’s scope to customise apps and widgets across the rotating carousel of panels, but the HTC One, Sony Xperia Z and Google Nexus 4 all offer simpler and more intuitive experiences that are less likely to see you reaching for the manual.
Interestingly, Google has announced plans to sell a Google edition of the Samsung Galaxy S4, offering the S4 with the stock Android OS. Promising a Nexus style appearance and performance, and the latest Android updates, the Google Galaxy S4 could be an option for those who prefer a simpler operating system.
Rather surprisingly, we found the Samsung Galaxy S4 beset by quite a few lag issues and operational glitches the more we used it. The quad-core processor and updated software certainly work hard to keep the experience as smooth as possible, but there are hiccups.
Stuttering or delayed reactions to animations, switching between apps or even the volume bar when playing songs in Spotify are all noticeable on the S4 – so if, like us, you’re prone to running multiple apps on your phone, then the less-than-smooth operation will catch your attention.
The HTC One and Google Nexus 4, meanwhile, are responsive and smooth, so we’re disappointed by these lag issues – it’s not something we’d expect to see at this level. At the time of writing we were assured that our review sample was installed with the latest firmware updates – this could be something that will be ironed out in time. You can check for manual software updates whenever you so choose.
Features
Along with Android’s standard Google Play store and apps, Samsung is pushing its own Samsung Apps in the revamped Samsung Hub, where you can buy music, videos, games, books and learning apps in their own separate stores.
It’s handy if you want more choice and options or if you want to keep all your purchases Samsung-based, but it’s an extra account if you’re already signed up with Google. Most people would rather settle for the one account, we'd imagine.
One of the Galaxy S4’s biggest draws – apart from that crisp screen – has to be its exciting new features: the hands free Air View and Air Gesture controls, and the eye-tracking Smart Pause and Smart Scroll (click for videos of the features in action).
With Air Gesture, you can wave your hand above the phone in up and down motions to scroll through a website, flick through photos or even answer phone calls – a good option if your hands are dirty and you don’t want to smudge the screen.
Smart Scroll lets you move through web pages by tilting either the device or your head just slightly. It’s a quirky feature and can be just a bit too sensitive – you’ll have to tilt your head or the S4 in tiny, precise movements or you’ll be scrolling all over the place