Now that a date of March 14th has been set for the big unveiling of the Samsung Galaxy S4, months of rumour and speculation can finally be put to bed. Whatever spec the phone actually has, the stories being leaked to various websites suggest that it should present a strong challenge to the iPhone’s dominance of the market.
The phone’s predecessor, the S3, was the phone which became Apple’s biggest rival last year. The S3 was named phone of the year in many critics’ polls, and outsold the iPhone 4S in the third quarter. Apple regained top spot in the smartphone market with the iPhone 5 in quarter four, but the S3 retained a strong presence.
[tp lang=”en” only=”y”]With the Samsung Galaxy S4[/tp][tp not_in=”en”]With the Samsung Galaxy S4[/tp], the Korean manufacturer looks set to unveil some big new developments. At the heart of the phone looks set to be its cutting-edge new eight-core processor and eight-core graphics unit, which will make it the most powerful gaming handset around. A handy 2GB of RAM will keep thinks pretty brisk while on the outside you can expect a five-inch, 1080p HD display and a 13-megapixel camera with a host of new stabilising features so that video recording makes the most of that high-quality screen. Samsung did recently unveil flexible screen technology at CES, but it is thought that the S4 comes too soon for this, so that will be a nice juicy rumour for the build-up to the S5.
Paranoid Android
One of the key features of this new handset is the fact it will be the flagship device for the launch of Google’s latest operating system, 5.0. Unfortunately, details about the OS, aside from the fact that it will be named Key Lime Pie, are even more closely guarded than the particulars of the S4. We could suggest there will be more integration with social networking features and possibly a system to rival Apple’s popular Facetime service, but in truth, we don’t know. What we can be sure of is that, as the flagship model for the OS, Samsung will have worked closely with Google to optimise the phone’s features in light of what Key Lime Pie can do.
Eye see you
One rumour gathering pace in the last few weeks has been the suggestion that Samsung will introduce ‘Eye Scrolling’ in the S4. It’s a system which supposedly allows the user to control the page scrolling with their eyes, while videos will also be automatically paused when the user looks away.
Whatever Samsung has in store with the Galaxy S4, you can bet that Apple will be among the most interested viewers when the phone launches later this month.
I`m ready to get a new phone soon and was thinking about going for the S4 but the only thing that concerns me is the screen size. Ideally I’d like a 4.3″ screen, anything bigger than 4.5 is too big IMO
Interestingly the iPhone is dominant in the US only. In Europe, Samsung is ahead of Apple, and Android is massively ahead of iOS in total sales.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20253276
Just thought you should make a post on the Galaxy S4 Image Leaks. They were leaked today and look pretty legitimate. I’m hoping they are real. We’ll just have to wait until the conference Thursday. As a reply to the above commenter DAVE, the universal display size is now 5 inches so you should get used to it.
I agree with Dave, I think they have an ergonomics problem with these devices. Many people simply can’t reach across the the entire screen. I guess it’s a trade off because they look great playing video. But the size of the S4 will force people to think about what they actually use their smartphone for. …
I agree with dave. It is more like a galaxy note then I suppose. But then again there is such a high demand for them so the size could work.
I can’t wait the new developments of the Galaxy, however I more favorite the os system.
Wireless Charging would be great for S4, Nice article btw, thanks for sharing.
For me even S 3 was a bit to big, and I do have long fingers…not sure if i’ll like the size of the new one. I’m more interested to see new Google OS perform on the this beast, but if they continue pushing with more power, the battery won’t last a single day.
I think the Galaxy S4 will be a great phone, but there are other great smartphones out there that were already released like the HTC One, LG Optimus Pro G, Xperia Z, BlackBerry Z10. I don’t think that a faster and newer processor alone could make it an instant smartphone sensation. Not to mention there’s the upcoming XOLO that will be launched the same day as the S4.
Galaxy S4 is a beautiful gadgtes
The device does look pretty good to me but at the same time there are some very real worries for me around the new OS and the secrecy that surrounds it, saying all of that, at the moment I love the look of the new wasterproof sony!
ohh yes it is going to be the best phone ever. I’m waiting for it like hell. However there are some duplicate images of S4 on the net , but still waiting to have a look at it 😀
Very informative post there Klaus! I’ve heard about the wireless charging for the new Samsung GS4 but the “eye scrolling” feature seems to be pure rumour. Anyway, I still believe in the saying, “to see is to believe”. Let’s wait and see!!
I have been using S III for a while and personally I really love it, looking forward for S IV launch and gonna grab it asap 🙂 Thanks for the share.
Well I am very much excited about this as this is going to be a decider phone in mobile phone industry, USA and around the globe. It is going to decide Samsung future in mobile phone industry. Let us see what is there is future and how Galaxy S4 is going to change the game.
I think the Galaxy S IV will not be that popular as the S III. Because, most of the technologies Samsung has, have been used in Galaxy S III. And Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie definitely will not be a huge development on Jelly Bean. I did not find any difference between Jelly Bean in Nexus 7 and Ice Cream Sandwich in a local Symphony mobile.
Galaxy S4 is such a wonderful gadget.The SmartPAuse facility that is included isamazing.Also usingg S4 we can use both the front and rear cameras at the same time.
Well I am very much excited about this as this is going to be a decider phone in mobile phone industry, USA and around the globe. It is going to decide Samsung future in mobile phone industry. Let us see what is there is future and how Galaxy S4 is going to change the game.