Galaxy S4

[onthecouchagain]

Samsung needs to have solid release dates too if it wants to ward people from committing to the HTC One. And hopefully sooner than later. Doesn't hurt to get a head start on Apple, too, especially if the rumored June/July iPhone 5S release schedule is true.

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I've owned the S2, S2 Skyrocket, and S3.

The major differences between the S2 and S3 are faster internals, larger screen, different construction, better battery life, and newer software. This is almost identical to the 4S -> 5 progression with a new design, new internals, larger screen, etc. Yet the S3 is hailed as the best thing since sliced bread, but the iPhone5 gets trashed for being "boring"

Again:

Okay. No.

(The following is directed at everyone else who's insinuating the same thing, too).

There's a reason why people respond to Samsung's [if true] minor S3-to-S4 upgrade differently than they do to Apple's upgrades.

Samsung's smartphone lineup is so much more versatile than Apple's. Samsung has a wide range of phones to cover different sizes and price levels, many of them are current generation, and offer different experiences but still remain smartphones.

With Apple, there is only one screen size that is of current generation. The smaller option is over a year old, and there's no larger screen size at all.

Also, just taking their phones at face value, the S3 offers so much more packed into it than the iPhone 5 -- in other words, it truly is hard for Samsung to introduce many hardware changes (and again, they have other lineups to cover other ground in the smartphone world). Apple, on the other hand, intentionally withholds hardware changes (they don't believe wireless charging is worth it, nor in screen size options, nor NFC, nor notification lights, nor expandable memory, etc.).

Likewise, Samsung doesn't recycle their design for two years, as Apple has been doing, and will likely continue to do with the 5S.

So, is the S3-to-S4 upgrade small? Sure -- as small as the 4S-to-5 upgrade, if you want to really compare. But does Samsung take two years to do it? No.



TL;DR: No one is giving Samsung a free pass. Samsung just has their bases more covered.



*DISCLAIMER: I don't own a single Samsung product (no smartphone, phablet, tablet, TV, or fridge). Just pointing out that it is not even playing fields when it comes to people's response to Samsung vs people's response to Apple.

 

[linkgx1]

I won't disagree that some people were upset with making the phone taller but not wider. But I saw plenty of comments here, on tech sites, on twitter and Facebook, etc. complaining that the 5 looked just like the 4S and wondering what Jony Ive had been doing for the past year. I think that's silly as design is about a lot more than aesthetics.

It would have been a must-buy if it was 4.5'' but you know, um, wider.

 

[MACis122]

I agree with this statement 100%. Samsung has become a complete beast in the electronics space. I remember a few years ago Samsung was considered junk next to Sony. Now Sony has completely fallen off. Sucks because I was a huge Sony fan.

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My iPhone5 has better RF performance than any of my various Sammy devices.

If HTC has no problem using aluminum in their phones, Sammy shouldn't.

I think the best mix is what Motorola does. The carbon fiber, kevlar construction of the Droid RAZR series.

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I've owned the S2, S2 Skyrocket, and S3.

The major differences between the S2 and S3 are faster internals, larger screen, different construction, better battery life, and newer software. This is almost identical to the 4S -> 5 progression with a new design, new internals, larger screen, etc. Yet the S3 is hailed as the best thing since sliced bread, but the iPhone5 gets trashed for being "boring"

The progression is definitely not the same. IOS6 made the 5 trash.

 

[sentinelsx]

My iPhone5 has better RF performance than any of my various Sammy devices.

And my brother's ancient blackberry curve 9300 destroys my iPhone 5 in RF performance.

 

[Sylon]

I agree with this statement 100%. Samsung has become a complete beast in the electronics space. I remember a few years ago Samsung was considered junk next to Sony. Now Sony has completely fallen off. Sucks because I was a huge Sony fan.

When it comes to phones/tablets, yeah, they have fallen off. But their mid-range and mirrorless cameras are holding their own against the likes of Nikon and Canon. I've actually thought about getting a Sony mirrorless, which is weird for me being a diehard Nikon fan.

But yeah, as for phones, I don't think of them anywhere near the forefront. Although, I haven't owned a Samsung phone since the Blackjack, and that damn thing died on me.

 

[gto55]

it seems that the S4 will be equipped with a PowerVR SGX544, so no PowerVR Series 6 Rogue :/
Does a manufacturer plan to implement soon this new GPU generation ?

http://www.ubergizmo.com/2013/03/samsung-galaxy-s4-confirms-powervr-sxg-544-graphics-chipset/

 

[nickchallis92]

Data connectivity: The iPhone 5 introduced LTE to the iPhone line. The GS4 will likely keep the same data connections (both data and wifi). Verdict: 4S > 5 a bigger upgrade.

That's ridiculous really. You can't use 4S's omission of LTE against samsung?!?!

 

[mattopotamus]

That's ridiculous really. You can't use 4S's omission of LTE against samsung?!?!

both data and wifi. Forget the LTE part, and just focus on wifi.

 

[2298754]

Data connectivity: The iPhone 5 introduced LTE to the iPhone line. The GS4 will likely keep the same data connections (both data and wifi). Verdict: 4S > 5 a bigger upgrade.

By the time the 4S came out, Sammy already had LTE in their S2. I know because I skipped getting the 4S to buy a Galaxy S2 Skyrocket instead. Sammy was ahead in this space. They adopted LTE almost a year before Apple.

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And my brother's ancient blackberry curve 9300 destroys my iPhone 5 in RF performance.

Fair point. None of my various Apple/Sammy products can touch my old Nokia phones for RF performance.

 

[jrswizzle]

That's ridiculous really. You can't use 4S's omission of LTE against samsung?!?!

By the time the 4S came out, Sammy already had LTE in their S2. I know because I skipped getting the 4S to buy a Galaxy S2 Skyrocket instead. Sammy was ahead in this space. They adopted LTE almost a year before Apple.

Again, I am making no judgement on which was better or worse.....but the simple fact that one greatly increased data speed while the other will not should be taken in consideration when evaluating which is the larger upgrade.

Eventually (its happening now) each line will plateau and we won't see many BIG new features for any line.

 

[Rogifan]

This launch is receiving so much hype. I'll be interested to see how it plays out in terms of the tech media reporting. Will it be declared the best smartphone ever no matter what? Or are the expectations a lot higher now and wowing the tech press will be harder?

 

[mattopotamus]

What is the actual youtube link?

 

[The Game 161]

1 day to go.. Wonder when it will become available to buy?

 

[inselstudent]

Having seen the teaser ads, it's more than clear Samsung's aiming for a completely different clientele than Apple: kids that are excited about new toys. Seriously, did anyone at Samsung consider in what light the company would be put by airing such ads? At least, that's my point of view.

 

[Zwhaler]

Having seen the teaser ads, it's more than clear Samsung's aiming for a completely different clientele than Apple: kids that are excited about new toys. Seriously, did anyone at Samsung consider in what light the company would be put by airing such ads? At least, that's my point of view.

I agree the ads were wack, but let's be honest here this is about the phone itself not the ads. Business people will buy them by the droves because of the technology implemented, and we have yet to see Samsung's marketing approach post announcement.

 

[onthecouchagain]

1 day to go.. Wonder when it will become available to buy?

The date of availability, I think, will be a very big deal this time around.

With HTC One, Sony Xperia, and the supposedly refresh iPhone cycle coming in June/July, the S4 street date will be imperative.

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Oh snap. These new case leaks match the supposedly dual-SIM S4 leak from China:

http://www.phonearena.com/news/Samsung-Galaxy-S-4-cases-and-flip-covers-appear-online_id40785#3-

 

[nick_elt]

I agree with this statement 100%. Samsung has become a complete beast in the electronics space. I remember a few years ago Samsung was considered junk next to Sony. Now Sony has completely fallen off. Sucks because I was a huge Sony fan.

----------



My iPhone5 has better RF performance than any of my various Sammy devices.

If HTC has no problem using aluminum in their phones, Sammy shouldn't.

I think the best mix is what Motorola does. The carbon fiber, kevlar construction of the Droid RAZR series.

----------



I've owned the S2, S2 Skyrocket, and S3.

The major differences between the S2 and S3 are faster internals, larger screen, different construction, better battery life, and newer software. This is almost identical to the 4S -> 5 progression with a new design, new internals, larger screen, etc. Yet the S3 is hailed as the best thing since sliced bread, but the iPhone5 gets trashed for being "boring"

So basically the s2 is nothing like the s3......so you are now agreeing with me. The iphone being boring is another argument, and yes it is.

 

[roxxette]

Wonder why they finally didnt add a damm xenon flash even more weird is how Sony yet to do the same thing, pretty much the old high end phones they had came with xenon flash.

 

[onthecouchagain]

So basically the s2 is nothing like the s3......so you are now agreeing with me. The iphone being boring is another argument, and yes it is.

AutoUnion also fails to address what I keep pointing out to him. That Samsung's smartphone lineup is more diverse than Apple's smartphone lineup, so their bases are more covered.

I elaborate:

There's a reason why people respond to Samsung's [if true] minor S3-to-S4 upgrade differently than they do to Apple's upgrades.

Samsung's smartphone lineup is so much more versatile than Apple's. Samsung has a wide range of phones to cover different sizes and price levels, many of them are current generation, and offer different experiences but still remain smartphones.

With Apple, there is only one screen size that is of current generation. The smaller option is over a year old, and there's no larger screen size at all.

Also, just taking their phones at face value, the S3 offers so much more packed into it than the iPhone 5 -- in other words, it truly is hard for Samsung to introduce many hardware changes (and again, they have other lineups to cover other ground in the smartphone world). Apple, on the other hand, intentionally withholds hardware changes (they don't believe wireless charging is worth it, nor in screen size options, nor NFC, nor notification lights, nor expandable memory, etc.).

Likewise, Samsung doesn't recycle their design for two years, as Apple has been doing, and will likely continue to do with the 5S.

So, is the S3-to-S4 upgrade small? Sure -- as small as the 4S-to-5 upgrade, if you want to really compare. But does Samsung take two years to do it? No.



TL;DR: No one is giving Samsung a free pass. Samsung just has their bases more covered.



*DISCLAIMER: I don't own a single Samsung product (no smartphone, phablet, tablet, TV, or fridge). Just pointing out that it is not even playing fields when it comes to people's response to Samsung vs people's response to Apple.

 

[vikingjunior]

The only reason I never bought a s3 was that blue tint it appears the blue tint is gone that is only upgrade I need.

 

[cynics]

Wonder why they finally didnt add a damm xenon flash even more weird is how Sony yet to do the same thing, pretty much the old high end phones they had came with xenon flash.

Did they? From my experience xenon flash can't be operated continuously. So you can't use it as a flash light or for videos.

I'll take LED just for the flash light function. Let the manufactures figure out a better low light sensor.

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The only reason I never bought a s3 was that blue tint it appears the blue tint is gone that is only upgrade I need.

I'd take a cool color tone over my iPhones warm yellow tone.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

One of the things that prompted me to upgrade to iPhone from the S3 was the size. I personally found the S3 a little too big for my needs and enjoy a more discreet device especially when in my pocket whilst socialising. I've heard rumours the S4 has been designed bigger again! Is this just scaremongering or are there confirmed specs out there?

 

[0dev]

One of the things that prompted me to upgrade to iPhone from the S3 was the size. I personally found the S3 a little too big for my needs and enjoy a more discreet device especially when in my pocket whilst socialising. I've heard rumours the S4 has been designed bigger again! Is this just scaremongering or are there confirmed specs out there?

It's pretty much universally accepted at this point that the S4 will have a 4.99 inch screen.

However, you can buy the S3 Mini which has a screen measuring only 4 inches, and I'm sure they'll release an S4 Mini too.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

My word that's big. I hope this trend for larger screens goes the same way we once had the race to produce the smallest mobiles imaginable. It gets to a point where it gets stupid. Just my personal opinion though.

 

[0dev]

My word that's big. I hope this trend for larger screens goes the same way we once had the race to produce the smallest mobiles imaginable. It gets to a point where it gets stupid. Just my personal opinion though.

You haven't even seen the Note 3 yet! 5.9 inches according to current rumours.