The S4 runs on Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean) – the latest version of the Android OS. At the time of writing the Galaxy S4 and the Google Nexus 4 are the only Android smartphones to run with this update – the flagship HTC and Sony models are currently running version 4.1.2, with official updates probably (though not definitely) on the horizon. (Some phones could skip to Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie.)
Combined with this Android software is a 1.9GHz quad-core processor. Now it's worth clarifying that there are two versions of the Samsung Galaxy S4. For the UK, Europe and the US, we have a Galaxy S4 with the 1.9GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon quad-core processor. The rest of the world gets an Exynos 5 octa-core processsor.
We also understand that the two models may well have different DACs, with possibly only the international version having the Wolfson Micro WM5102 chip and the Galaxy S4 released in the UK sporting a more typical Qualcomm DAC. We're looking to confirm this with Samsung and Wolfson, and ultimately bring you a review of the Exynos 5 octa-core model S4. Naturally, the two different Samsung Galaxy S4 phones may deliver different sound quality.
There's a 2600mAh battery inside the S4. With the 5in display running on full brightness and with all smart features turned on, you will zap your battery life, but if you switch the phone into Power Saving mode, it’s likely to last about a full day’s worth of multi-tasking with apps, games, music and videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S4 is currently available as a 16GB model, with 32GB and 64GB versions in the pipeline. Though with a SIM-free price tag on the 16GB Galaxy S3 of around £600, the larger models won't be cheap.
There is also the option of expanding the storage up to a further 64GB with an SD card – great news if you want to carry a large multimedia library around with you.
The 16GB Sony Xperia Z offers a microSD card slot for adding up to 32GB extra, while in the case of the HTC One and all off Apple’s phones, you’re stuck with what you’re given in the first place.
You’re also spoilt for choice when it comes to keeping the Samsung Galaxy S4 connected. Along with standard wi-fi, 3G and HSPA+ connectivity, the S4 is a 4G LTE handset, with contracts available on the EE 4GEE network in the UK priced from £41 per month. The S4 handset itself will cost you around £600 SIM free, but you can get it free on various contract deals with O2, 3G, Vodafone, T-Mobile and Orange.
Tested against a 3G network, a 4G connection certainly downloads apps and loads videos much faster. It’ll tax the battery, of course, but it’s worth investing in if you’re into streaming from services such as BBC iPlayer. In fact, the S4 is a zippier experience in general compared to the S3 when it comes to downloads.
The Galaxy S4 can also share media with other devices using S-Beam and NFC (near-field communication) technology, and elsewhere there’s Bluetooth 4.0 with aptX for streaming music, the obligatory GPS, and even an infra-red LED that can be used to control TVs.
Physical connections include a 3.5mm headphone input on top, and the standard micro USB charging port at the bottom – earphones and a micro-USB-to-USB charging cable are both supplied.
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The same goes for Air Gesture: it’s responsive and fun to use, but can pick up unintentional hand movements. Smart Pause was the most frustrating – it tended to pause while we were looking at the screen, instead of pausing when we looked away.
One feature we quite liked is Air View – hover your finger over a photo album preview its contents, to scroll through the progress bar when playing a video, or to magnify parts of web pages.
These features don’t work with all apps so it’s worth experimenting. For instance, we found that we could use Air View in the non-Samsung Flipboard app: it lets you preview the top three stories in your saved magazine without having to select a tile.
A neat little fillip is Quick Glance, which offers a quick look at your email notifications and missed calls without having to pick up the phone or turn the screen on. All you have to do is wave your hand over the phone and the screen comes to life with the latest notifications, time and battery life.
It’s great to see Samsung being adventurous with these new features and pushing forward new innovations – but they are a bit hit and miss. You can pick and choose which ones you want to keep switched on, though, which can help avoid unwanted interface surprises as well as conserving battery life.
Combined with this Android software is a 1.9GHz quad-core processor. Now it's worth clarifying that there are two versions of the Samsung Galaxy S4. For the UK, Europe and the US, we have a Galaxy S4 with the 1.9GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon quad-core processor. The rest of the world gets an Exynos 5 octa-core processsor.
We also understand that the two models may well have different DACs, with possibly only the international version having the Wolfson Micro WM5102 chip and the Galaxy S4 released in the UK sporting a more typical Qualcomm DAC. We're looking to confirm this with Samsung and Wolfson, and ultimately bring you a review of the Exynos 5 octa-core model S4. Naturally, the two different Samsung Galaxy S4 phones may deliver different sound quality.
There's a 2600mAh battery inside the S4. With the 5in display running on full brightness and with all smart features turned on, you will zap your battery life, but if you switch the phone into Power Saving mode, it’s likely to last about a full day’s worth of multi-tasking with apps, games, music and videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S4 is currently available as a 16GB model, with 32GB and 64GB versions in the pipeline. Though with a SIM-free price tag on the 16GB Galaxy S3 of around £600, the larger models won't be cheap.
There is also the option of expanding the storage up to a further 64GB with an SD card – great news if you want to carry a large multimedia library around with you.
The 16GB Sony Xperia Z offers a microSD card slot for adding up to 32GB extra, while in the case of the HTC One and all off Apple’s phones, you’re stuck with what you’re given in the first place.
You’re also spoilt for choice when it comes to keeping the Samsung Galaxy S4 connected. Along with standard wi-fi, 3G and HSPA+ connectivity, the S4 is a 4G LTE handset, with contracts available on the EE 4GEE network in the UK priced from £41 per month. The S4 handset itself will cost you around £600 SIM free, but you can get it free on various contract deals with O2, 3G, Vodafone, T-Mobile and Orange.
Tested against a 3G network, a 4G connection certainly downloads apps and loads videos much faster. It’ll tax the battery, of course, but it’s worth investing in if you’re into streaming from services such as BBC iPlayer. In fact, the S4 is a zippier experience in general compared to the S3 when it comes to downloads.
The Galaxy S4 can also share media with other devices using S-Beam and NFC (near-field communication) technology, and elsewhere there’s Bluetooth 4.0 with aptX for streaming music, the obligatory GPS, and even an infra-red LED that can be used to control TVs.
Physical connections include a 3.5mm headphone input on top, and the standard micro USB charging port at the bottom – earphones and a micro-USB-to-USB charging cable are both supplied.
VIDEO
The same goes for Air Gesture: it’s responsive and fun to use, but can pick up unintentional hand movements. Smart Pause was the most frustrating – it tended to pause while we were looking at the screen, instead of pausing when we looked away.
One feature we quite liked is Air View – hover your finger over a photo album preview its contents, to scroll through the progress bar when playing a video, or to magnify parts of web pages.
These features don’t work with all apps so it’s worth experimenting. For instance, we found that we could use Air View in the non-Samsung Flipboard app: it lets you preview the top three stories in your saved magazine without having to select a tile.
A neat little fillip is Quick Glance, which offers a quick look at your email notifications and missed calls without having to pick up the phone or turn the screen on. All you have to do is wave your hand over the phone and the screen comes to life with the latest notifications, time and battery life.
It’s great to see Samsung being adventurous with these new features and pushing forward new innovations – but they are a bit hit and miss. You can pick and choose which ones you want to keep switched on, though, which can help avoid unwanted interface surprises as well as conserving battery life.