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Samsung Galaxy S4 Pro Reviews

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Steve's Digicams‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The S4 offers a slick touch screen, lots of effects, fun shooting modes, and fast burst shooting. Its image quality is good for a smartphone camera, as is video quality. If a fixed lens and subpar image quality in low light won't deter you, the S4 is a good fit for basic snapshots and wireless sharing.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Apr 23, 2014

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Phone Arena‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The Samsung Galaxy S5 is not a radical upgrade over last year’s Galaxy S4, but it brings gradual evolution in almost every aspect – starting with the fresh new design with added protection from the elements, to the more user-friendly TouchWiz interface, faster under the hood engine, and improved camera. The new Galaxy retains the unrealistic, eye-popping colors of its successor, though, and the flashy new features like fingerprint scanner and heart-rate monitor come with some caveats, and are a bit too fiddly. Another worrisome change in the S5 is its larger footprint – while the Galaxy S4 felt like a large, but yet compact for its size device, the same cannot be said about the new S5. Summing it all up, we'd say that Samsung has innovated mostly in areas that make a difference, rather than focusing on adding many ad-friendly, but rarely used features like Air Gestures. At the same time, it's hard to argue that the evolution that has happened is gradual rather than radical, and convincing Galaxy S4 users to upgrade to the S5 won't be an easy task.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Apr 07, 2014

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Phone Arena‘s review Edit Like Unlike

HTC and Samsung have been in a heated battle for as long as we can remember. When one comes out with something, it instantly becomes the most talked about thing in the industry – for a short time of course, until the other chooses to out something newer. In our present moment, we have the new HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4, two devices that are currently available for pickup right now. Being the newcomer, there’s a natural inclination to expect better results from the newer device – and we do see some of that in the new HTC One. HTC pounds Sammy’s offering in the design department, where its all-metal aluminum body exudes the premium look we crave in any flagship smartphone. In fact, it’s leaps and bounds better than what the polycarbonate plastic body of the Samsung Galaxy S4. Regardless of that, good looks alone won’t drive any particular handset to stardom. Surprisingly enough, the older Samsung Galaxy S4 manages to beat out its significantly newer rival in certain categories, like the camera’s still image quality and its expansive set of software features. Just because it’s older, we can’t automatically count out the Galaxy S4 from potentially edging out the new HTC One. Even though it’s filled with several software features, some useful, some obnoxiously redundant, specific people will nonetheless appreciate those features at their disposal. If we’re to factor in current pricing for the two handsets, there’s an incentive to stick with the Galaxy S4, since it sees more discounts than the just outed new HTC One. Therefore, if you’re on a tight budget and don’t want to settle on some cheap-o smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy S4 is an enticing option that has few compromises. Conversely, if you’re all about the latest and greatest, not to mention taking pride in how your phone looks, the new HTC One will fill in that gap for you.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Mar 25, 2014

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Phone Arena‘s review Edit Like Unlike

There are obvious benefits picking up the handset that’s the newer of the two, so in this particular case, it would be the Nokia Lumia Icon. For starters, it bears newer hardware that’s more befitting of a high-end smartphone – albeit, the Galaxy S4’s hardware is still widely regarded as top notch. Secondly, you get that sense of freshness too with Nokia’s latest Lumia, especially when its design is uncharacteristic of other Lumias. Now, if we’re to look at their current pricing through Verizon, we begin to see a big discrepancy between them. Almost a year old at this point, the 32GB Galaxy S4’s on-contract price of $149.99 seems out of character in comparison to the $200 price attached to the newer Lumia Icon. Moreover, there’s even a bigger disparity with their off-contract pricing, which is set for $550 for the Icon and $650 for the Galaxy S4. It’s mind boggling to see that the Galaxy S4 is priced higher than the Lumia Icon – so the decision will primarily hinge on whether or not you want to pick them up with or without a contract. Although there are secondary features offered by the Galaxy S4 that enhances the experience, like its IR blaster that turns it into a remote, some people wouldn’t place them highly on the list of being crucial to a smartphone’s likeability. As the dust settles, we’d give the Lumia Icon the benefit of the doubt at the moment of being the more prized device. Then again, the platform experience will greatly influence the choice of people.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Feb 17, 2014

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Phone Arena‘s review Edit Like Unlike

With all this said, it’s time to answer the big question - which one should you buy, the Z1 Compact or the Galaxy S4? It’s clear that we’re talking about two great devices all around, but - if you are not scared of the smaller screen - the Z1 Compact seems to have the upper hand. After all, it’s not only newer, but it is built with premium materials, features better protection from the elements, a beefier processor, and a better camera - all of that makes it the logical choice. The Galaxy S4 is a nearly one-year old device, and its age starts to show, as it has older and less capable internals. At the same time, it's also true that it has dropped down in price, so that it's not a bad value for its money. If you're looking for the very best out there, though, it's hard to give the S4 a heart-felt recommendation right now. For that, between the two, the Xperia Z1 Compact wins our heart.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Jan 30, 2014

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gadgetreview‘s review Edit Like Unlike

At the end of the day, my feelings are much the same. The Galaxy S4 has grown on me a tad more. It’s fun to use and is unquestionably one of the two best phones on the market. The larger screen size is very nice. But I don’t prefer the look or the plastic flimsy construction. Ultimately what I do, for work and play leave me looking to other suitors for my vices of both pleasure and productivity.

9.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Jun 21, 2013

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Phone Arena‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The Samsung Galaxy S4 is an excellent phone. Compared to the Nexus, it also offers a microSD slot, longer video playback, a tad more detailed photos, and IR blaster for universal remote control. However, you can add two Benjamins to the $350 price of the Nexus 5 if you want it off-contract. Apart from those the Nexus 5 offers very similar experience to the Galaxy S4 in all areas, and outshines it in several, such as low-light photos and steadier videos. Also, it will be a while before the Galaxy S4 gets the latest Android 4.4 KitKat features officially. If you are buying the Nexus 5 from the Play Store, that is, since carrier pricing differences with subsidies aren't as stark as the full retail price gap between the two handsets, amounting to about 50 USD or Euros. On Sprint, for instance, the Nexus 5 can be had for $150 if you aren't transferring your number from another carrier, while the S4 costs $200. Full retail price is listed by Sprint as $450 for the Nexus, and $600 for the S4. Moving over to Europe, France's Bouyuges Telecom, for instance, sells the Nexus 5 for EUR 130, while the S4 will run you EUR 180 on the same contract. One thing is for certain – if you want stock Android and the fastest updates to the latest iteration of Google's mobile OS, the Nexus 5 won't make you break the piggy bank for this to happen, provided that you can grab it off the Play Store, and you'll still flaunt flagship specs to boot.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Nov 13, 2013

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Phone Arena‘s review Edit Like Unlike

There's quite a lot that sets the HTC One max and the Samsung Galaxy S4 apart. They're both great Android smartphones, there's no denying that, but they are clearly not meant to appeal to the same type of audience. That's why we can't label one of them as superior to the other – that would be like saying that a Ferrari is better than a Hummer, or vice versa. The HTC One max is for those few who can really put its extra screen real estate to good use and don't mind its extreme dimensions. These are folks who often find themselves using their phones for web browsing, watching videos, playing video games, and performing other activities that take advantage of a larger screen. The phone's metallic design is impressive as well and perhaps we won't be wrong if we say that the One max is the best-looking phablet money can buy right now. But above all, owning the HTC One max eliminates one's need to have both a smartphone and a small-sized tablet as it effectively combines the functionalities and advantages of both device classes. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S4 would be a worthy pick for a buyer demanding a high-end Android phone that can actually fit inside their pocket. With its compact size and 5-inch screen, it is sleek, light, and neither too big, nor too small. And if that is not enough of an advantage, the S4 packs a camera that can easily leave the One max's Ultrapixel cam trailing in the dust.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Nov 13, 2013

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PC Advisor‘s review Edit Like Unlike

You simply cannot beat the Nexus 5's price. Sure, the Galaxy S4 has a nicer camera and features expandable memory, but that price, coupled with the new Android OS make the Nexus 5 hard to top.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Nov 01, 2013

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Phone Arena‘s review Edit Like Unlike

Quickly taking a look at their base pricing, $100 on-contract for the iPhone 5c and $200 for the Galaxy S4, it’s easy to discern that we’re comparing a mid-ranger versus a supreme high-end smartphone here. Some will say that it isn’t a fair comparison at all, especially when we find the Galaxy S4 giving us the superior overall performance between the two. Despite that, the iPhone 5c has its own set of quality elements to make it an appealing option depending on your preference. If savings and simplicity is more to your liking, then the iPhone 5c is the no-brainer choice for you. Not only will you save a cool $100 picking it up over the Galaxy S4, but it’s still a pretty damn good performing smartphone. Add to the fact that iOS 7 refreshes the experience over previous iPhones, it’s naturally a pleasant thing to find in tow with the new smartphone. Conversely, if you’re all about having a plethora of software features and big specs, then the Galaxy S4 is more than ready to take you by storm. As we’ve seen in this comparison, it’s simmering with a ton of features to give its $200 price point plenty of justification. Therefore, there’s no wrong decision here as they both deliver top-notch qualities to please us.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Oct 16, 2013

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Phone Arena‘s review Edit Like Unlike

As we said in the beginning, having in mind that both devices offer a very similar experience, it'll depend on the nuances to eventually make users want to side with one handset or the other. For starters, one of the most obvious differentiating factors in play here is the screen size. Not that the 5" screen of the Galaxy S4 is small or anything, but if you happen to want (need?) even more real estate, the Note 3 can give you just that. Of course, this means you should be ready to sacrifice some of your comfort, as the bigger size of the Note 3's body sure makes a difference. Apart from the screen size (and overall size), though, the only other significant differences between the Note 3 and Galaxy S4 are the better chipset of the phablet and the lack of an S Pen stylus in the GS4. Still, we wouldn't say that the performance difference is really that big, so in case the ability to draw and take notes using a stylus isn't a must-have for you, don't be afraid to go for the GS4, in case the bigger size of the Galaxy Note 3 worries you. In case it doesn't, you'll be treated to an equally good experience with both, with the Note 3 taking things just a step further.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Oct 15, 2013

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Engadget‘s review Edit Like Unlike

There's absolutely no doubt that the Galaxy S 4 is a better handset with stock Android -- a powerhouse unleashed by superior software. While you give up some functionality (especially with the camera), you gain storage space (12GB free instead of 7GB on the skinned versions), a much-improved user experience and the satisfaction that you're taking part in something uniquely Google. Is that warm, fuzzy feeling enough to justify plunking down $649 for this Google Play edition when you can purchase a Nexus 4 for just $299? That really depends on your priorities. If you want the absolute best specs and can muster the cheap looks, choose this Galaxy S 4. If Google Wallet is essential, but your funds are limited, pick the Nexus 4. If you must have LTE, a better camera and stunning hardware, go with the HTC One running stock Android ($599). We're pretty sure the Samsung Galaxy S 4 Google Play edition is the most rewarding Android device we've ever used -- we'll just have to get over that uninspired design.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Jul 06, 2013

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TheVerge‘s review Edit Like Unlike

Android is in a strange place right now. Taken as a whole, it dominates the smartphone market. But as Apple CEO Tim Cook couldn’t help but point out earlier this month, the majority of those devices are running a version of the operating system created in 2010. Just as troubling, Google has watched Apple, Microsoft, and even BlackBerry release new operating systems that look and act just like the designers at those companies intended, no matter the manufacturer or the carrier. Google’s “openness” on Android has benefitted carriers and manufacturers at least as much it has consumers. As much as I’d like to see these new “Google Play edition” phones change this entire dynamic, I think it’s very unlikely given the history of the Nexus line. Luckily for you and for me, it’s not our job to fix the Android ecosystem. Instead, we just have to decide whether we want an Android phone and if so, which one is the best for us. It’s unfortunate that these phones aren’t available on all carriers and won’t be sold at subsidized prices. The HTC One Google Play edition retails for $599 and the Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Play edition sells for $649. There are carrier and price hurdles you have to jump over when choosing the stock Galaxy S4 or HTC One, but in my opinion they’re worth the leap.

8.6 Rated at:

Published on:
Jun 26, 2013

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pocketnow‘s review Edit Like Unlike

As with the other versions of this phone, the Galaxy S 4 for Verizon is an amazing piece of hardware. It’s a solid performer that does what one would expect it to, and does so with style. It did, however, lose a couple points for the additional bloatware that cannot be removed, and a lost a couple more for having discarded various features available in other versions of the phone.

8.4 Rated at:

Published on:
Jul 08, 2013

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pocketnow‘s review Edit Like Unlike

Contrary to what the extreme sides of the pro and con camps would have you believe, the Galaxy S 4 is neither an overachieving champion, nor crushing disappointment. But with its powerful feature set and lofty legacy, it’s also not by any means “average.” The Galaxy S 4 is, instead, exactly what it needs to be – and nothing more. It’s a device that offers just enough improvement over its immediate predecessor to justify its existence, just enough to give penny-pinching buyers the appropriate measure of pause before trying to save some dough by picking up last year’s model. Its conservative design lacks the degree of inspiration we love seeing in flagship smartphones, and its software is too weighed down with half-baked gimmicks for our taste – but ultimately it’s a solid instrument. There will come a day when Samsung can’t rely on iterative upgrades and dubious “features” to capture attention and sell smartphones. That day, however, is not today. While the company will no doubt feel a bit of pressure to innovate more extensively going forward, it will still sell millions upon millions of Galaxy S 4s in the meantime. And based on what we’ve seen during our time with the unit, that’s a pretty good thing.

8.8 Rated at:

Published on:
Apr 24, 2013

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GSMArena‘s review Edit Like Unlike

If display size is not an issue, you might want to look at the Galaxy Note III for your next flagship purchase as well or wait to see if Samsung would eventually release internationally a Snapdragon 800 powered S4 refresh. A new Nexus 5 seems to be just around the corner too, not to mention we have yet to really put the just arrived Sony Xperia Z1 through its paces. It seems this holiday season the shopping choice won't be as clear-cut as last year's so make sure you grab a front-row seat at our homepage. The flagship reviews will keep on coming as soon as we get them ready for you.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Sep 16, 2013

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GSMArena‘s review Edit Like Unlike

What Google presented at its I/O 2013 conference was something few of us really expected to happen. Announcing a Galaxy S4 with stock Android is still a little baffling and goes against many of the principles of the Nexus lineup. The Galaxy S4 has expandable storage, it has physical buttons, it's a mass product lacking the air of exclusivity a Nexus usually manages to pull off. And it comes for a premium from the Google Play store. Sure it's the most capable device that comes with stock Android and runs circles around any Nexus you can think of and probably will still be a worthy contender, come the Nexus 5, or whatever the next Google Purebread is called. The caveat however is that you can possibly still get the same vanilla Android experience by getting yourself a subsidized Snapdragon-powered Galaxy S4 and installing a stock ROM on it with a little tweaking. This way you would essentially have the best of both worlds - an unlocked door to a stable stock experience without closing the door to the Samsung-tailored TouchWiz experience behind you. So does the Google Play Edition S4 make sense? Well not really. It's availability is limited to the US and there it costs more than the equivalent hardware from every major carrier and it takes away much of the software perks of one of the best, if not the best, smartphone on the market today.

n/a Not rated

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PC Magazine‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The Samsung Galaxy S 4 is the ultimate kitchen-sink smartphone with features you'll still be discovering months after you buy it. It's our top Android pick on Verizon.

9.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Oct 02, 2013

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Phone Arena‘s review Edit Like Unlike

Two high-end smartphone, two completely different takes in what makes them qualify as being high-end. At the very least, you’re going to spend $200 with your signature on a 2-year contract to pick either one, but it’s a matter of what’s most important to you that dictates the winner in this particular comparison. Being the new kid on the block, the iPhone 5s is a fantastic device that’s very well rounded in being a high performer in the categories that matter the most to people – such as taking photos/video, call quality, and having a snappy performance. Additionally, it’s packing along a cool Touch ID fingerprint sensor and a 64-bit based Apple A7 processor, which are two distinct things that we don’t find on other competing flagships. Sure, the Galaxy S4 continues to enthrall us with its imposing larger than life stature, as it’s packed to the roof with some splendid hardware, but it even makes the grade with the software experience too. Whereas the iOS 7 experience is refreshing and adheres to that notion of being simple, Samsung goes the complete opposite route by offering us a ton of neat/gimmicky (depending on who you talk to, of course) software features. As the dust settles, there’s no arguing that these two are wonderful smartphones that capture the essence of being high-end, so there’s no wrong decision here. If premium and simplicity is more of your forte, then it’s the iPhone 5s. And if hardware specs and diverse software features are more akin to your needs, it’s going to be the Galaxy S4 for you then.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Sep 27, 2013

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Phone Arena‘s review Edit Like Unlike

It's undeniable that the Xperia Z1 sports some technological advantages due to coming out about half a year later than the Galaxy S4. With a faster chipset and a better camera, Sony's smartphone is arguably the better device of the two here. Still, we have to give credit where it's due, and in this case we'd give it to the Galaxy S4 for holding up so well after all these months. Samsung's handset doesn't lag too much behind in any area, and is still among the best smartphones money can buy right now. If you're currently rocking a GS4 and are wondering if you should "upgrade" to the Xperia Z1 mainly for its technological advantages, we'd say that it's not worth it, because the differences really aren't so big. If you happen to be choosing between the two, and have actually read all the pages of this comparison, then you probably already know that the Z1 is the overall better smartphone, though you should definitely take into account that it's bulkier than its rival, despite having the same screen size.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Sep 25, 2013

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PC Magazine‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The Samsung Galaxy S 4 is the ultimate kitchen-sink smartphone with features you'll still be discovering months after you buy it. It's our top Android pick on AT&T.

9.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Sep 20, 2013

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PC Advisor‘s review Edit Like Unlike

With the iPhone 5S only bringing a handful of updates compared to the iPhone 5, it's a tough call between it and the Samsung Galaxy S4. We'll give you a decisive verdict once we've fully tested the iPhone 5S.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Sep 11, 2013

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Phone Arena‘s review Edit Like Unlike

LG has used the extra time fully to its advantage with the G2 and comes up with an extremely well made device that impresses us in almost every way possible. The great ergonomics with very conveniently placed buttons on the back, the bright and vivid 5.2 inch display with almost no bezel, the newest powerful Snapdragon 800 chip, the impressive 13-megapixel OIS camera: those are huge advantages over the Samsung Galaxy S4. After nearly half a year, Samsung’s flagship has finally found its match. Ignoring price for a second, we see no reason why you’d get the Galaxy S4 over the LG G2. The latter is faster and better. The biggest question is which device should you buy right now, in a time when the Galaxy S4 has dropped in price? Good news is that LG is very aggressive with its pricing and has already announced pre-launch price cuts in some markets that put the G2 head-to-head with SGS4. If you’re in one of those markets, save your pennies for the G2. Even if not, though, the LG G2 is still worth the slight premium even without a replaceable battery and expandable storage.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Sep 02, 2013

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Phone Arena‘s review Edit Like Unlike

This comparison goes to show us the beauty of Android, as devices offer unique experiences that cater to different individuals. As we’ve clearly seen here, these two are on the complete opposite sides of the spectrum with their experiences – so it merely comes down to personal preference. However, when we factor pricing into the mix, we can vouch that the Samsung Galaxy S4 undoubtedly offers the most bang for the buck. And it shows too with its overall performance, as it’s a top contender in many different categories. Surely, the insane amount of features found with the Galaxy S4 is astounding on its own, so as its mighty specs sheet, but that might not win over all consumers. Some people just prefer simplicity, which is what the Moto X focuses intently upon with its features and experience. In fact, it doesn’t try to impress people in how many things it can do, but rather, it draws people into the way it delivers a seamless experience in what matters most with what we want to do with our smartphones.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Aug 14, 2013

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PC Magazine‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The Samsung Galaxy S4 is the ultimate kitchen-sink Android phone for 2013, and MetroPCS brings it with low monthly rates.

9.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Aug 12, 2013

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Phone Arena‘s review Edit Like Unlike

Pricing is one of those things that become deal breakers for some, and if we’re to look at these two flagships, there’s going to be some concern when people look at the $300 on-contract price of the Nokia Lumia 1020. Considering that it’s packing 32GB of storage and that immense 41-megapixel PureView camera, it’s pretty much justified, but some will still find comfort in the $200 on-contract pricing of the Samsung Galaxy S4. Yet again, if photo and video quality is most paramount to you, then there’s no denying that the Lumia 1020 is the choice to go with. It basically adheres to the needs of those who are quite particular in this specific category. Now if we look at the bigger picture, the overall performance and experience, we’ll mention that it’s the Samsung Galaxy S4 that takes the checkered flag. Sure, it might not have an imposing camera and all, but when you factor in the depth of its TouchWiz experience, combined with its high performing qualities in all categories, it’s still one flagship that you'll want to keep in the back of your mind.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Aug 01, 2013

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Phone Arena‘s review Edit Like Unlike

Not everyone is going to run with open arms to pick up the Google Play Edition of the Samsung Galaxy S4, especially when they find out that it’s only available in outright form. At $650, it’s sure to concern those individuals who are used to carrier-subsidy pricing, which is what the TouchWiz model is sporting through the various domestic carriers. Despite that, we’re certain that this newer model will attract those hardcore Android users who don’t want to tinker with what Samsung believes to be the superior experience. Heck, if you’re the impatient type, you’ll surely appreciate how it’ll more than likely get major Android updates faster than most devices. On the flip side, savings is something you’ll absolutely be exposed to if you side with the original TouchWiz model. Not only that, but TouchWiz has some cool (or gimmicky) features that truly sets it apart from everything else out there – with some being more useful than others, obviously. Needless to say, you can’t go wrong going with either device, seeing that they share the same design and hardware. Ultimately, it all simply boils down to what you can afford, and whether you’re adamant about getting those new Android software updates as soon as they’re announced.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Jul 30, 2013

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Phone Arena‘s review Edit Like Unlike

Should you go out and buy this, especially when this unlocked model is flaunting an outright price point of $649? Well, if you’re a diehard Android user, one who takes pride in getting that untouched experience, this is arguably a device that’ll appeal to you – even more when it’ll more than likely receive updates faster than its TouchWiz sibling. Indeed, the price point will scare anyone who hasn’t dabbled in anything except carrier-subsidized phones, but we’re certain that these specific people would easily fork over the money to pick it up. In addition to packing the same design and hardware as the original, the stock experience graces it with a snappier performance and improved battery life. On the flip side, some will be saddened to see all of the S4’s notable features gone with the new experience – the things that gave the S4 its classy identity in the first place. Obviously, there’s a totally different intent when you’re regarded as a ‘Google Play Edition’ device, so it shouldn’t be a shocker going forward.

9.3 Rated at:

Published on:
Jul 26, 2013

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Digital Trends‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The Google Edition Galaxy S4 is a smartphone made for a particular type of Android lover. The kind of person who likes the core operating system and doesn’t want companies messing with the look or the functionality or adding a bunch of apps. This kind of Android fan will do all of that themselves, thank you. For this crowd, this GS4 model offers a great alternative to the Nexus 4. The biggest drawback is price. Unlocked and unsubsidized, this phone costs $649 to own. That price buys you freedom from contracts as well as from TouchWiz. Just know that you’re also giving up access to many of the Galaxy S4′s best features while still paying for the hardware that makes them possible. That trade-off may not appeal to average consumers. Still, we are glad that Google and Samsung now offer everyone the choice.

8.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Jul 16, 2013

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ephotozine‘s review Edit Like Unlike

For those looking at the photographic abilities of the S4, there is clearly an increase in the image quality from the S3. You can now also shoot at a higher fps rate and the screen is now full 1080p HD and 5.0 inches in size. As we found with the S3, portrait shots aren't great, although for better skin tones there is the beauty face mode. With the addition of the Android operating system, Wi-Fi, 3G and 4G capabilities, the Samsung Galaxy S4 is great for shooting on the move and sharing with friends and family.

8.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Jul 16, 2013

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PC Advisor‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The Galaxy S4 is a great phone with outstanding hardware and performance, but it's not flawless. We're disappointed with the build quality considering the handset costs a fair bit more than its rivals and while the S4 is packed with features we find a lot of them to be gimmicky.

8.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Jul 11, 2013

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ubergizmo‘s review Edit Like Unlike

There’s no doubt that the Samsung Galaxy S4 arrived on the market facing huge expectations and anticipation. After using for a week, I like what I am seeing. The Samsung Galaxy S4 improves on nearly every single aspect of its Galaxy S3 predecessor and by timing launch around this time of the year, Samsung has set itself up to keep the performance crown for a while. In terms of industrial design, things have progressed and the S4 improves noticeably upon the Galaxy S3 design. It’s not obvious in the photos, but it is quite visible in your hand, so don’t hesitate to check one in a store. If you have seen a Galaxy S3 and liked it, then this is a no-brainer. We really like the Easy Mode for those who are taking their first step with a smartphone, and this is definitely a good move that other manufacturers should copy. Finally, the refinements made to previous apps or activities are paying off: Watch On, the TV EPG+remote is now much more usable thanks to a better integration and the infrared emitter. The translator is very cool for the traveler and Knox may be the difference between using your Galaxy S4 at work or getting some random phone that your company feels comfortable with.

9.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Apr 23, 2013

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AnandTech‘s review Edit Like Unlike

At the end of the day, the Galaxy S 4 is an evolution of the Galaxy S 3 in pretty much all of the areas you'd expect it to be. Whether or not that's what you wanted in a new Android smartphone is going to vary from one person to the next. The good news is that you at least have a choice.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Apr 24, 2013

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TheVerge‘s review Edit Like Unlike

I ended my HTC One review by saying there were two Android phones worth buying, the One and the Nexus 4. That number is now very clearly three, but I had hoped against hope that Samsung would emerge the undisputed winner. The Galaxy S4 is a very good phone in most respects — it has a stellar camera and solid battery life, blistering performance and an impressively useful complement of software features. It's a technological achievement — there's no question about that. But part of what has me so excited about the smartphone market is that manufacturers are finally starting to step back from the relentless forward march of Moore's Law and spec races, and seek quality in other places. We’ve seen it in laptops, as companies like Toshiba finally turn away from racing to the pricing bottom and begin to build truly excellent ultrabooks; we're also seeing it in cellphones, from the HTC One and a small selection of other devices.

8.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Apr 24, 2013

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pocketnow‘s review Edit Like Unlike

At the end of the day, the Samsung Galaxy S 4 is exactly what you would expect from Samsung after the S III. Each and every aspect has been improved, if only marginally. And the result is a much more refined overall product. That’s not to say it isn’t still a little rough around the edges. And despite the fact that the specifications and software insist this is a premium phone, there is still a disconnect between the term “premium” and the lightweight plastic hardware. The massive amount of features and heavy interface cause some problems, such as lag and taking up a good bit of user storage space. But that’s a small price to pay if you’re a fan of removable batteries, expandable storage and a smartphone that, overall, exceeds most expectations. Point blank, it’s not perfect. But it’s one of the best and most well-rounded smartphones money can currently buy, for both first time smartphone offenders, the power users obsessed with modding, and most in between.

8.2 Rated at:

Published on:
May 10, 2013

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brighthand‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The Samsung Galaxy S IV isn't perfect, but it's still an excellent phone. Though it was disappointing to see that some of the software kinks were not worked out prior to its launch -- though, admittedly, some were -- the hardware is still top-notch and there's a big enough helping of software to differentiate it from the competition. Yes, much of that software is an acquired taste and won't be for everybody, but at least the phone has a defining element to it. And there are some undeniably great aspects of the GSIV, including the battery life, the super-fast processor, and the dazzling display. That said, despite how good of a job Samsung did with shrinking the bezel around the screen, the phone is simply still too big for us. It may be nice to have such a roomy display (especially when it looks this good), but it just isn't worth the massive footprint and how clumsy that makes the GSIV to use. There's also the fact that Galaxy S III users may not find enough reasons here to upgrade, especially if they aren't interested in the software offerings, many of which are said to be on their way to the Galaxy S III anyway. But if you don't fall into that category and you don't mind the size of the phone, then the GSIV should definitely be on your radar for your next Android flagship.

8.0 Rated at:

Published on:
May 25, 2013

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Phone Scoop‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The Samsung Galaxy S 4 includes everything and the kitchen sink. The term "feature creep" was probably invented for devices such as the GS4, which has a dizzying array of apps, services, tools, and features. But did I like it, and would I recommend it? Though the GS4 doesn't match the high-quality feel of the HTC One or Apple iPhone 5, Samsung did a good job improving upon the quality of the GS4 compared to previous Galaxy S devices. It is thin, light, easy to use, and has an incredible display. The removable battery and memory card might be selling points for some. Our test unit performed perfectly on Verizon's network and offered good signal/voice performance. What's more, the Verizon version offered superior battery life. The GS4 really shines when it comes to the software. Samsung has crammed tons of new features into TouchWiz, though only about half of them are as useful as Samsung claims they are. Standouts include WatchOn, Smart Stay, and Air Gesture, while duds include S Health, Smart Scroll, and Air View. The camera, in particular, adds some fun-to-use shooting modes that produce new and interesting types of images. I only wish the camera itself took slightly better pictures. The GS4 offers a completely different experience from the HTC One in terms of both hardware and software. At the end of the day, I like the HTC's hardware much more than Samsung's, but Samsung's software only slightly more HTC's. It's a really, really tough call between these two handsets.

9.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Jun 05, 2013

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GSMArena‘s review Edit Like Unlike

In the end, it's best if you don't just count number of victories to know which smartphone is better than this other. Instead, you should use this article as a reference - focus on the features you care about and ignore the rest. While each category has a winner and a loser, the "loser" in this shootout will be envied by most other premium phones on the market for quite some time to come. The winner? How about the one with your name on it.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Mar 26, 2013

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GSMArena‘s review Edit Like Unlike

So, if you chose the Sony Xperia Z for the looks and the water resistance, you don't need us telling you it's money well spent. By the way, we are certain that many bought the Xperia Z because there was nothing better on the market at the time. This will be the reasoning of future Galaxy S4 owners too. To be fair though, that's easier said about the Xperia Z then, than it is for the Galaxy S4 now. Oh well, it's a compliment that goes both ways. And rightfully so.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Mar 31, 2013

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GSMArena‘s review Edit Like Unlike

As if you are only now considering purchasing one of those smartphones - the choice couldn't be easier. The Galaxy S4 is easily worth the extra cost over its predecessor and as long as you can afford it, that's the only one you should be looking at.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Apr 10, 2013

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GSMArena‘s review Edit Like Unlike

While the Samsung Galaxy S4's exterior might be its Achilles' heel, we can't blame Samsung for sticking with the Galaxy S brand image it spent so much resources trying to build (that phone sold over 50 million units too, so being associated with it cannot be too bad). With the sheer number of excellent flagships to choose from, if you are looking for the best smartphone, you had it better than ever. There's no need for choice anxiety either, as the Samsung Galaxy S4 is a safe bet as long as you can get past its increasingly dated design or you need that IP57 certification.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Mar 28, 2013

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GSMArena‘s review Edit Like Unlike

As evident from our head-to-head so far, for most practical purposes the two Galaxy S4 variants are almost identical - and that's especially true for their looks. You would be hard-pressed to find a visual difference between the two. The single biggest difference between these S4 versions is the chipset used - an octa-core Exynos in the i9500 and a quad-core Snapdragon 600 in the I9505. Performance-wise, the octa-core Exynos has a slight advantage, but that's not because of the higher number of cores. You have got to remember that only a single set of four cores is active at a any single time - either the power-sipping Cortex A7's or the number-crunching Cortex A15's. It is evident from our tests however, that the Exynos version of the Galaxy S4 is not much more powerful than the Snapdragon 600. Furthermore, the battery life performance of the Exynos-touting variant is consistently worse than the one by the Snapdragon 600 version.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
May 27, 2013

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PC Advisor‘s review Edit Like Unlike

In this three way battle, there is no clear winner; each smartphone has its strengths and weaknesses. We like the Galaxy S4's hardware and some of the software features but dislike its plastic build quality. The HTC One has great design and arguably the best screen on the market but the interface is an acquired taste and the camera isn't the best. Meanwhile, the iPhone 5 remains a desirable handset despite its relative old age, delivering well across the board.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Jun 07, 2013

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PC Magazine‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The Samsung Galaxy S 4 is the ultimate kitchen-sink Android phone for 2013, with features you'll still be discovering months after you buy it.

9.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Jun 07, 2013

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PC Advisor‘s review Edit Like Unlike

Provided the Galaxy S4 mini doesn't offer poor performance (we'll let you know as soon as we benchmark it), then the main reasons to opt for it over the full-size S4 are that you want a physically smaller smartphone or you can't afford the flagship.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
May 30, 2013

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The Register‘s review Edit Like Unlike

What Samsung has done here is taken the Galaxy S III and made everything bigger and better; except the device itself, which – impressively – is both smaller and lighter. As a technical tour de force, the S4 is hard to criticise and, thanks to the increasingly rare features of a removable battery and a micro SD slot, it will be the default choice for many canny smartphone users. That said, the styling leaves me cold, the plastic body looks and feels a bit cheap when compared to the opposition, and TouchWiz really is a bit of an aesthetic shambles compared to Jelly Bean’s stock UI. I’ve no doubt all those extra features will attract buyers but I’d be lying to you if I said I thought many of them were essential to the smartphone user experience.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
May 13, 2013

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Phone Arena‘s review Edit Like Unlike

For their respective platforms, it’s a no-brainer that the two are at the head of their class, but when pitted against one another, it all boils down to personal preference. As we’ve seen, they deliver the goods on where it matters the most, but when we throw in pricing to the mix, it’ll make people think twice about making a final decision. Currently, the Galaxy S4 is selling for $200 on-contract through Verizon – while the Lumia 928 comes out from the gates with an aggressive $100 price point. Indeed, you’re going to spend double the money picking up the Galaxy S4, but the cost difference is highly justified, since the Galaxy S4 is boasting an insane amount of features that drastically puts it way ahead of what the Lumia 928 has to offer. Overall, if you care about having a diverse features set and a deeper apps ecosystem, the Galaxy S4 is going to be your go-to handset. However, if you’re on a budget and love taking photos primarily, then it’s a no-brainer decision to pick up the Lumia 928. Whatever the choice, you won’t regret the decision.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
May 28, 2013

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PC Magazine‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The Samsung Galaxy S 4 is the ultimate kitchen-sink Android phone for 2013, with features you'll still be discovering months after you buy it.

9.0 Rated at:

Published on:
May 22, 2013

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PC Advisor‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The Nexus 4 is a great phone, but the Samsung Galaxy S4 is better. Whether is is better enough to cost £200 more is the critical point. The Nexus 4 remains a great bargain.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
May 21, 2013

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Engadget‘s review Edit Like Unlike

Contrary to our original expectations, the Octa-core GS4 isn't significantly faster or better than its Snapdragon sibling. Sure, it offers a small advantage in overall processor performance, but the difference isn't as obvious as we thought it would be. With that in mind, does the HSPA+-only I9500 hold any other benefits over the I9505 or its variants? You could argue about the lack of bloat or carrier influence, but that only really matters when we talk about US-specific models. Aside from that, people interested in the GS4 will enjoy the slightly improved performance on the Octa-core model. Pricewise, the I9500 is just a tad less spendy: retailers like Negri currently sell the 16GB version for around $790 ($850 for the 32GB unit and $890 for 64GB), while the unlocked I9505 adds another 10 bucks. When comparing the two devices, most differentiating factors appear to be a wash, so either way you're getting a solid device that you're likely to be happy with.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
May 06, 2013

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HotHardware‘s review Edit Like Unlike

In the end, the Galaxy S 4 is easily Samsung’s best smartphone to date. Not only does it offer better performance and many new features over the previous generation, but Samsung has improved the user experience as well. If you’re in the market for a new smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy S 4 deserves serious consideration, regardless of whether or not you're an Android or iOS user currently.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Apr 24, 2013

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Notebookcheck‘s review Edit Like Unlike

Who has come up with the figure of speech that it's lonely at the top, anyway? There are numerous promising high-end smartphones, and not all of them are made by Apple or Samsung. Now, the Galaxy S4 has to fend off the HTC One, the Nokia Lumia 920 and the Sony Xperia Z. However, Samsung is off to a good start: When compared to its predecessor, the Galaxy S4 has been improved significantly in almost all relevant fields. Superficially, not much has changed. The Samsung Galaxy S4 takes an evolutionary approach, staying true to its time-honored tradition of using plastics. Despite excellent workmanship, the inner values seem to be more important to Samsung. Almost all possible means of communicating with the web or other devices have been thought of and operation by the user is possible via gestures, touch, speech, eyes and facial recognition. In addition, while the screen might not be the brightest in its class, the razor-sharp Full HD Super AMOLED display is impressive. The rear camera is capable of taking good pictures with an extremely high resolution. The smartphone accessories are well thought out and the superb performance of Galaxy S4 should be more than sufficient for the next few years. Then there is the outstanding TouchWiz skin, which not only looks beautiful, but runs quite smoothly as well. Samsung also encloses numerous useful apps.

9.0 Rated at:

Published on:
May 18, 2013

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LAPTOP Magazine‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The decision between an iPhone 5 and Galaxy S4 comes down to a few factors. If you prefer a bigger screen, going with Samsung’s phone is an easy call, as it makes everything from surfing the Web and playing games more enjoyable. Plus, unlike Apple’s device, you can even run two apps on the display at once. The Galaxy S4 also trumps the iPhone 5 in the features department. Some of its capabilities come off as gimmicky, such as scrolling with your eyes, but others can come in quite handy, such as Air Gestures, S Health and TV remote functionality. We also love all of the fun camera features, even though we prefer the iPhone’s picture quality. The iPhone 5 has a lot of the same advantages now as when we did our last face-off between the iPhone 5 and Galaxy S III. Apple’s device offers a better design, a brighter display and snappier performance when navigating the device. There’s less lag here. The iPhone 5 also lasts longer on a charge (though it lacks a removable battery) and has a better selection of content and apps.

8.0 Rated at:

Published on:
May 17, 2013

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MacNN‘s review Edit Like Unlike

As the smartphone market matures, all major manufacturers have transitioned from leaps-and-bounds development to incremental, evolutionary refreshes. As companies struggle to outdo each other, the battle is essentially fought in three areas: design, performance and software. Samsung pokes fun at Apple for producing iPhones that aren't much different from previous generations. The S 4, however, is hardly aesthetically distinguishable from the S III and Note II. If potential buyers want a unique industrial design, the HTC One and Nexus 4 are not as generic. Style preferences aside, most smartphone owners will cite software features as reasons for claiming allegiance to a platform. Apple's iOS software continues to be the simplest and most predictable throughout its lifespan, while Google's core Nexus experience represents a well-refined alternative with a wider range of capabilities. Samsung's TouchWiz overlay undoubtedly wins in terms of "most features," but some users may be frustrated by the excessive complexity and unreliability of beta options. The S 4 offers the highest performance of any smartphone that we've handled, and the 1920x1080 display is simply spectacular. These may be the most important factors behind the S 4's reception, as the software may be less obtrusive for anyone switching from the popular S III as opposed to an iPhone or a Nexus device. Will the S 4 covert many iPhone owners? Probably not, but Samsung doesn't need it to. The company's new flagship Android handset might not be a significant upgrade from the S III, but it is a huge leap from the S II and most other smartphones. It may not be the best-looking design or have the most-refined software, but it certainly is competitive among the top tier. Sprint offers the S 4 for $250 with new or upgrade-eligible contracts. New customers willing to switch from another carrier can receive a $100 credit.

8.0 Rated at:

Published on:
May 08, 2013

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expertreviews‘s review Edit Like Unlike

A big screen and a big battery in a surprisingly compact handset that's packed with extras

10.0 Rated at:

Published on:
May 06, 2013

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LAPTOP Magazine‘s review Edit Like Unlike

HTC One and Galaxy S4 are the two best Android phones yet. It’s up to you to decide which advantages and features have more value. But for me, the HTC One ekes out the victory because of its design, display and snappier performance.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
May 01, 2013

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PC Pro‘s review Edit Like Unlike

It’s improved in every area, but the Samsung Galaxy S4 isn’t good enough to topple the HTC One

8.3 Rated at:

Published on:
May 03, 2013

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Pocket-lint‘s review Edit Like Unlike

As we type this we have the SGS3 and the SGS4 on our desk. While, superficially, there's really not a lot of difference between the two, to hold, they couldn't feel more different. We really like the new, more square-feeling SGS4. At the back, we prefer the SGS3 aesthetically, although the case design of the new phone is nicer - albeit still plastic. There are a stack more options here. Some we like, and think we might use, others we can see the value in, and some we think are ridiculous. But, if nothing else, Samsung continues to try hard, and work on new features. Many of these are unique and interesting, rather than just copies of other devices. We are certain that the SGS4 is a better phone than the SGS3. Loads more features, improvements everywhere and very little that has got worse - you might laugh, but this does happen with successful devices sometimes.

10.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Apr 25, 2013

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SlashGear‘s review Edit Like Unlike

That the GALAXY S 4 will be a best-seller is pretty much a given at this stage. A combination of cutting-edge hardware, blanket advertising, and no small amount of headline-grabbing sparring with Apple has left the Galaxy series as the de-facto Android option for many, and that mindshare and marketing positions the new flagship to pick up the reins as soon as it hits stores. That’s not to say that Samsung’s improvements aren’t impressive in places in their own right. The new Full HD AMOLED screen is a beauty, and there’s no shortage of power or storage for running the latest Android apps or, indeed, those likely to arrive in the coming months. As we’ve found before, some of Samsung’s software tweaks we used, and others we could happily leave; the exact mixture of which each user will come to rely on, though, will vary, and Samsung seems content to throw them all into the pot and let the individual decide. Video recording from both cameras is great too.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Apr 23, 2013

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Gizmodo‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The S4 is far from a bad phone. In fact, were it not for the HTC One, it would be the best Android phone you can buy. And one can't help but think that had Samsung poured all of its innovation into maximizing the practical user experience—instead of highly ignorable gimmicks—it might have taken the crown.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Apr 24, 2013

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CNET Reviews‘s review Edit Like Unlike

Samsung's Galaxy S4 is without a doubt a top-two Android contender against the HTC One, and a top-five handset when you include reps from each other major OS -- the iPhone 5, BlackBerry Z10, and Nokia Lumia 920. Android is the most feature-advanced OS by far, and the Galaxy S4 has the most diverse software extras, making it an exciting handset for intrepid smartphone users ready to dive into it all. However, a darn long feature list doesn't make it better for everyone. HTC's premium One is the far more impressive phone physically, and has a much fresher interface design to boot. It, too, has an IR blaster to control your TV. The One's camera features, including the "Zoe" tools, are interesting in their own right, and HTC has invested tremendously in audio. The One's built-in speakers sound fantastic, and although there's no expandable storage slot, the phone starts you off at 32GB, which is plenty for most people, and double the GS4's storage at the same starting price.

9.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Apr 23, 2013

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PC Magazine‘s review Edit Like Unlike

Even better than its excellent predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy S 4 is the ultimate kitchen-sink Android phone for 2013, with something for everyone.

9.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Apr 24, 2013

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MobileBurn‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The sheer momentum that Samsung has built over the past four years guarantees that tens of millions of people will buy the Galaxy S 4. A few million more will be sold to those captivated by the showoff software features. The only thing that remains to be seen is if you will be among the enchanted or the disinterested. Early detractors, present company included, said that the Galaxy S 4 is very similar to the Galaxy S III. I now believe that the phones are similar except that the S 4 is better in every single way. Samsung took every aspect of a successful device and gently tweaked them to make it better. No one should view that as a bad thing unless he or she has always had major gripes with the Galaxy S series.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Apr 24, 2013

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Digital Trends‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The Samsung Galaxy S4 is bursting at the seams with cool features and high-end hardware, all jumping up and down for your attention. Some are overkill, some we’re sure you will use and love. But ultimately the S4 will be judged on smartphone essentials: comfortable design, good display, speedy performance, and long battery life. It scores high on the first three, but struggles on the last. The reason we rate it higher than the HTC One, which also had battery issues? You can swap this battery out, if need be. Granted, we wish it wasn’t necessary. Bottom line: we highly recommend the Samsung Galaxy S4. The phone launches on seven carriers over the next few weeks. It will cost just $150 down on T-Mobile, $200 with contract on AT&T and U.S. Cellular, and $250 on contract with Sprint. Verizon Wireless, C Spire, and Cricket have not announced pricing. Whichever carrier you switch to or stay with, the Galaxy S4 is among the best smartphones you can buy right now.

8.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Apr 23, 2013

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Phone Arena‘s review Edit Like Unlike

Do we even have to say anything here? It's all clear as day – the Galaxy S4 easily wins this comparison with its supreme design, screen, better camera quality, as well as way better user experience. LG has certainly done a very good job with the Optimus G Pro's design and all, but they'll just have to do even better than that if they want to have a chance of overthrowing the market leader. By the looks of it, the area where LG should focus most is the software, because, sure, their phones are very customizable and all, you can change icon sizes, colors and so on, but really, what matters most is your core experience, because not everyone's keen on personalizing every small detail in their phone. So, LG just has come up with a beautiful UI that's contemporary and fun to use, because customers sure ain't buying LG phones for their gimmicky features. Now, we don't say that each and every feature by Samsung is worth your while, but overall, most of Samsung's custom software just makes more sense than what LG's doing.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Apr 12, 2013

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Phone Arena‘s review Edit Like Unlike

OK, so the Galaxy S4 may not be a tremendous upgrade over the Galaxy S III, but it sure is a better smartphone. The new flagship excels in many areas, including its exterior design, the screen, which is now 1080p, the updated UI with latest Android version, 13 MP camera and a host of new software features. All of these feature upgrades make sure that you're having a a better experience while using the handset, not only in specific situations, but also while doing completely basic things like calling, messaging, getting notifications and so on. We gues this is why Samsung continues to get more and more influential in the smartphone market, as the company's high-end phones not only have state-of -the-art hardware, but also an increasingly better user experience, which you can never get with specs alone. But let's get back to our comparison and try to answer the question that we asked at the start – should Galaxy S III owners think about an upgrade? Well, it sure isn't a simple question, which means there isn't one ultimate answer. If you have spare money, and having the latest gear is always a top priority for you, then just go ahead, sell that aging Galaxy S III and get the GS4! In any other case, we think that the Galaxy S III is still competent enough – from hardware to software. The screen is big, the processor is fast, the experience is wonderful... plus it will probably get an update to the next version of Android, so for the time being, it looks like you won't be missing much at all, should you stick to the Galaxy S III.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Apr 08, 2013

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Phone Arena‘s review Edit Like Unlike

Well, it's been another action-packed face-off, and we think it's clear already which device we think is the superior one here – it is the Galaxy S4! Sure, its appearance isn't as fancy and the construction isn't as sturdy as those of the Lumia 920, but that's about where the Nokia's advantages end. Samsung's handset is definitely the more convenient phone to use, as it's much lighter and thinner, while at the same time it packs a significantly larger display. But that is not all. The Galaxy S4 also has a much better camera, and when we turn our attention to the software experience, that's where the Galaxy S4 easily gains the upper hand as it simply offers so much more, both in terms of custom, built-in features and third-party apps. Microsoft has certainly nailed a number of things in Windows Phone, including the web browser and QWERTY keyboard, and then we have Nokia's free offline turn-by-turn navigation, but those things aren't nearly enough to save the Lumia 920. With all of that in mind, it seems that the only thing that remains for us is to wait for Nokia's next flagship smartphone, and then see how close it's gotten to successfully competing with the most fearsome Android phone around.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Apr 10, 2013

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Phone Arena‘s review Edit Like Unlike

At the end of the day, though, there can be no doubt about it – the Samsung Galaxy S4 is the better smartphone of the two, as Samsung has enhanced a number of key areas like the screen quality, the camera, the processor and the whole user/software experience. The Galaxy Note II is definitely not far behind in any category, and it has advantages of its own, like the bigger screen and the S Pen, but if those aren't super-important for you, we'd recommend that you get the lovely Galaxy S4. However, if you are currently sporting a Note II and are thinking about upgrading to the GS4, we can't really say that it's going to be worth the effort, except if you are tired with the enormous size of the Note II and want to switch to something much more convenient.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Apr 11, 2013

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PC Advisor‘s review Edit Like Unlike

Until we get our Galaxy S4 review unit, things to look out for between these two are price, design and customised Android interface. Both are at the premium end of the smartphone market so you can't go too wrong with either.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Mar 29, 2013

1/1 people find it helpful

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Phone Arena‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The Galaxy S4 and iPhone 5 are two amazing smartphones. Interestingly, they manage to be amazing in their own, unique ways, which prevents us from choosing an ultimate winner. The Galaxy S4 is extremely versatile, has a ton of interesting features and a beautiful 5" display that is just perfect for video playback and gaming. Meanwhile, the iPhone 5 is almost as capable, thanks to the multitude of quality applications available for it, and there's just something special about the simplicity of iOS. It really just works. Many activities won't be as fun or as comfortable to do as on the GS4, due to the iPhone 5's smaller screen, but you'll be surprised at how polished and competent this phone feels. It all comes down to what type of user you are. Are you a geek or a tech-savvy person who demands a large screen and extreme control over their computing devices? Grab the Galaxy S4 and don't look back! Are you a user who's into technology, but values exquisite design, simplicity and fine-tuned experiences? Get an iPhone – it's still unbeatable in those areas.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Mar 27, 2013

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PC Advisor‘s review Edit Like Unlike

We're not going to make any definitive judgments because we haven't yet spent enough time with the Samsung Galaxy S4. Suffice to say that both of these phones offer high-end features and good performance. They each have great displays and good cameras. Windows Phone users swear that their platform is the best, but you will find that some of the apps you like are available on Android and not Windows Phone. Ultimately, the choice is yours - select either of these flagship phones and you are unlikely to be disappointed.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Mar 28, 2013

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PC Advisor‘s review Edit Like Unlike

We're not going to make any definitive judgments because we haven't yet spent enough time with the Samsung Galaxy S4. Suffice to say that both of these phones offer high-end features and good performance. The Galaxy S4 is more of an all-round entertainer, with its bigger better screen and access to the Google Play app and media stores. On the other hand the BlackBerry Z10 is built for business, offering enterprise level tools and security on the server side, and a great email and messaging hub.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Mar 27, 2013

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PC Advisor‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The Galaxy S4 is a step up from the iPhone 5 in terms of hardware so until the next iPhone, it's the winner in this area. However, at the same price, two excellent operating systems and quite different designs on offer the choice is not so straight forward. Keep a look out for our full Galaxy S4 review.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Mar 25, 2013

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PC Advisor‘s review Edit Like Unlike

We're disappointed to see an almost identical design with the Galaxy S4 but at least some of the hardware upgrades are significant - the screen, processor and cameras. Once again Samsung has gone all out on software features but a lot of these might be brought to the Galaxy S3. Stay tuned for a full Galaxy S4 review soon.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Mar 26, 2013

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LAPTOP Magazine‘s review Edit Like Unlike

Both the HTC One and Galaxy S4 are shaping up to be two of the best smartphones of the year. It’s up to you to decide which advantages and features resonate with you more. But if I had to make a call on one or the other, I’d give the edge to the S4 because of its many, many talents.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Mar 22, 2013

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Phone Arena‘s review Edit Like Unlike

Samsung didn't exactly catch us by surprise with the Galaxy S4. Pretty much all the hardware improvements like the faster processor, better camera, and 5” 1080p screen were expected. Samsung simply had to have those in the Galaxy S4 if it wanted its product to be relevant in 2013. However, it's the flawless implementation of all the features that makes the Galaxy S4 the superb smartphone that it is. Design-wise, the latest Samsung flagship is nothing special. It looks OK and is comfortable to hold. We're more than happy to see that Samsung has managed to make the smartphone even smaller than the GS III, which is a remarkable achievement, considering the bigger screen. The top-notch performance and general lack of issues continue to be among the Galaxy S's strongest sides. If you're the kind of geek who's always running benchmarks on their phone, trying to squeeze every possible bit of performance out of it, then chances are you'll fall in love with the Galaxy S4, which is one of the fastest, if not the fastest Android phone around. When it comes to appearance, the Galaxy S4 may not be particularly impressive, but it's extremely slim, light and easy to handle. This, along with the myriad of custom features make the Samsung Galaxy S4 one truly brilliant Android smartphone – a likable life companion.

9.3 Rated at:

Published on:
Mar 23, 2013

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Phone Arena‘s review Edit Like Unlike

These are the two Android phones of the year, or at least for the first half of the year. While the HTC One X lost the fight against the Galaxy S III last year, it looks like HTC has better chances in 2013. The HTC One is equal to the Galaxy S4 in many aspects, and where it feels inferior to the Samsung, it manages to make up for it with something else. The HTC One looks and feels like an expensive product, which isn't something we can say for the Galaxy S4. The Galaxy S4, however, has its own advantages. Its uninspiring design is actually surprisingly comfortable to hold and use. Its dimensions feel significantly smaller, while its weight is lighter. With the Galaxy S4, Samsung is continuing its quest towards complete domination over the land of Android, transforming the colorful, chaotic jungle into a profitable industrial area. With the One, HTC proves that the former contract manufacturer does deserve its place among the leading smartphone companies. There really cannot be a better phone between these two, as both are successfully countering each other with their own unique assets.

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Published on:
Mar 26, 2013

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Phone Arena‘s review Edit Like Unlike

There's no doubt that the Sony Xperia Z is one very capable smartphone. It has a pretty cool appearance and can easily execute whatever task you want. Still, the Samsung Galaxy S4 seems to be the more appealing handset overall. Its design may not be anything to write home about, but it's compact and comfortable to hold, despite the presence of an equally large 5” screen. When it comes to features, the Samsung Galaxy S4 is once again the better-equipped handset thanks to the multitude of user experience enhancements delivered by the latest TouchWiz Nature interface. Sony has definitely created one powerful device with the Xperia Z, but they'll have to do even better than that if they want to be a real challenge for the best in the industry. Improving their designs from practical standpoint and enhancing their user experiences would be great places to start from.

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Published on:
Mar 27, 2013

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PC Advisor‘s review Edit Like Unlike

With an extremely similar set of specifications it's hard to make a clear call between the Galaxy S4 and Xperia Z. Key areas in making a decision are design and the custom versions of Android. Look out for our full Samsung Galaxy S4 review soon.

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Published on:
Mar 15, 2013

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