Finally, Samsung officially unveiled its long-awaited Galaxy S4 flagship smartphone at the Unpacked event. Exactly like what has been leaked, the S4 is a huge smartphone with a 5-inch display. The Next Galaxy S has a design similar to the Galaxy S III, but is slimmer and a bit taller. Successor to the GS3, it comes with a bigger display with minimized bezel, a more powerful processor, a better camera with enhanced features and more unique functions.
The new flagship Galaxy is powered by Samsung’s 8-core Exynos 1.6GHz processor with 2GB of RAM, and in some markets, a 1.9 quad-core processor will be used instead. It gets 16GB, 32GB and 64G internal storage and supports microSD up to 64GB. Like the newly announced HTC One, the S4 supports WiFi 802.11ac for high-speed wireless Internet and sports InfraRed that will work with Samsung WatchOn app to control home entertainment media devices such as DVD player, HDTV and even air conditioner. NFC, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS/GLONASS and MHL are also included. Of course, it includes support for 4G LTE and a TDD/FDD dual-mode LTE version will be launched later this year. The phone is lightweight at 130g and slim at 7.9mm.
With a 13 Megapixel main camera and a 2 Megapixel front-facing camera, the GS4 boasts a Dual Camera function that allows simultaneous use of both cameras, and provides users with 8 different ways to combine the two photos taken by the two cameras. The Dual Recording allows users to capture videos using both cameras, and the Dual Video Call lets you make and receive a video call while showing what you are looking at during the call. There are also 12 shooting modes, including the Drama Shot that captures all the action in one continuous time-lapse shot.
Samsung’s GS4 has the world’s first Full HD Super AMOLED touchscreen, and the 4.99-inch display has a 441ppi pixel density and is protected by Corning’s new Gorilla Glass 3. To make your life easier, the phone comes with new smart features that enable screen control without the need for a finger touch. The Smart Scroll will detect your face and lets you to scroll the browser or emails up and down without touching the screen, while Smart Pause will pause video playback when you look away and starts again when you are back. The Air View allows you to hover your fingers to preview the content of an email, image gallery or video without having to open it, and with Air Gesture, you can control music playback, scroll up/down a web page, or accept a call with a wave of your hand.
The Galaxy S4 also wants to be your health monitor. The S Health software and built-in sensors will systematically and automatically monitor your health and surroundings. There are also Adapt Display to provide optimal viewing experience, and Adapt Sound for optimal level and type of sound. It runs Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean OS with a custom UI.
Samsung will release the Galaxy S4 globally starting in April. In the US, all the big four network (AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless) as well as US Cellular and Cricket will carry the 8-core smartphone. lack Mist and White Frost color options are available.
