At first glance the Samsung Galaxy 54
Android phone doesn't look that different from the older Galaxy S3, but there
are some notable differences both in hardware and software. These differences
set the S4 apart from other similarly priced Android phones.
Hardware
Both the S3 and the S4 share a very similar
plastic build, but the 54 has been subtly redesigned so that it's a bit easier
to grip. The rear panel has a mesh-like design that's more visible on the dark
grey version of the S4 than the alternative white one. The plastic construction
doesn't feel as classy as rival Android phones made from glass or metal, but it
still feels sturdy enough. Unlike many of its rivals, however, it has an easily
replaceable battery and a memory-card slot. The latter is especially useful as
only 9GB of the 16GB of built-in storage is available for use.
The
new Android phone has some eye-catching features
An irritating flaw is the touch-sensitive
Back and Menu buttons below the screen. These are over- sensitive and far too
easy to trigger accidentally. We also wish the volume buttons on the side were
positioned a little lower, making them easier to press during a call.
The S4 has a 5in screen that makes the
phone wide enough to be uncomfortable to hold and use single-handed for
extended periods of time if you have small hands. The screen is very bright
though, with colors that are almost too vivid - photos look a little unnatural
and oversaturated compared to other phone screens. Samsung has squeezed in a
1920x1080 pixel resolution, up from the S3's 1280x720 pixels, so text is very
sharp.
In some other countries, the S4 comes
equipped with an eight-core processor - a first fora smartphone. The UK version
only comes with a 1.9GHz quad-core chip, most likely due to production problems
with the eight-core processor, but this isn't much of a drawback as the S4
proved to be one of the fastest Android smartphones we've ever tested. The only
performance glitch was the interface in some apps which occasionally became
slow.
Despite the powerful processor, battery
life was long. When playing videos continuously, the battery lasted just under
13 hours, which is one of the longest times we've ever seen in this test. When
used for a mixture of phone calls, surfing the web and route planning in Google
Maps, the battery lasted just over 24 hours.
Cramming more megapixels onto a
camera sensor doesn't always give better quality photos, and often
produces photos with lots of noise and other problems. The photos taken using
the S4's13-megapixel camera were surprisingly good, however. Shots taken in
broad daylight were sharp with reasonably high levels of detail. But the camera
didn't fare as well in low-light conditions, producing photos blighted by
heavily smeared details which weren't helped by the camera app's overly
aggressive attempts at reducing noise.
The
photos taken using the S4's13-megapixel camera were surprisingly good
Call quality in central London on the
Vodafone network was patchy at best. Voices through the built-in earpiece often
sounded muffled making them difficult to understand. Callers on the other end
reported that our voices were clear, but had an echo. They could hear
background noise from a nearby construction site, which was reduced to an
audible buzz, but other phones managed to muffle background noise more
effectively.
Software
Besides the S4's new processor and screen,
Samsung has added a lot of apps and other software features - some of which
take advantage of the S4's new hardware features. The most hyped is the Smart
Scroll feature which uses a pair of sensors to track your eyes. As your eyes
move up or down a webpage, the page automatically scrolls up or down. It's a
clever feature, especially useful if you have a disability, but it only works
in Samsung's customized web browser, which has an otherwise clunky interface.
Also, for those to work the phone needs to be held in a sweet spot that's
neither too near, nor too far away from your face. The sensors can be
oversensitive so pages can scroll inadvertently, which can be very frustrating.
Besides
the S4's new processor and screen, Samsung has added a lot of apps and other
software features
Another alternative to touching the screen
is to simply wave your fingers in front of the phone to scroll through webpages
or flip through photos. Like Smart Scroll, this Air Gesture feature - as
Samsung calls it can be overly sensitive. It also works best in bright, even
lighting.
Some of the best software features are
reserved for the camera app. Both the rear- and forward-facing cameras can be
used to take photos simultaneously so you can snap your face at the same time
as you photograph something else (see image above). Another feature lets you
record a sound snippet at the same time a photo is taken. These features are
fun to play around with, although the novelty wears off quickly and we don't
think they'll be used often.
The new S Health app works with sensors in
the phone to track how far you've walked or run, then calculate how many
calories you've burned. It also tracks other health data such as your weight
and heart rate, although you'll need to buy accessories to take some of these
measurements. S Health is basic compared to dedicated fitness apps such as
RunKeeper, but it may be enough to pique your interest in getting fitter.
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy S4 is a well-designed,
feature-packed Android smartphone, although some of the new software features
feel gimmicky. If you are thinking of upgrading from a very old phone or buying
your very first smartphone, then the Samsung Galaxy S4 should be at the top of
your shopping list. You should think twice if you own the older S3, however - the
differences in hardware are relatively small and some of the S4's new software
features have been promised as a free upgrade for the S3.
The
Samsung Galaxy S4 is a well-designed, feature-packed Android smartphone,
although some of the new software features feel gimmicky
Our verdict
Gimmicky software add-ons aside, this is a
great Android smartphone
Key points
Long battery life, Removable battery, Memory
card slot, Large, Bright and high-resolution screen, Gimmicky software features,
Good-quality camera, Oversensitive Buttons
Best price online
www.snipea.com
Alternative
HTC One: $720 on pay as you go
An Android phone with superior build
quality and it takes better photos in low light, but the fixed battery and
storage won't suit everyone
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Samsung
Galaxy S4 specs
·
Product Type: Smartphone
·
Width: 2.75 in
·
Depth: 0.31 in
·
Height: 5.38 in
·
Weight: 4.58 oz
·
Processor: Type: QUALCOMM, Clock Speed: 1.9
GHz
·
Display - Diagonal Size: 4.99 in
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