A review of the Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone, which is now available in the Caribbean.
Over the last two weeks, the new Samsung Galaxy S4 (S4) smartphone went on sale across the Caribbean to much fanfare and anticipation. In our most recent news roundup, the Trinidad Express reported that the device sold out within the first three hours of going on sale in Trinidad and Tobago.
Without a doubt, Caribbean consumers are excited about having the latest flagship device from Samsung on the market. ICT Pulse got a S4 to review, hence we will be highlighting some of the most talked about features and how the device compares with other popular smartphones. Ultimately, we hope to help you figure out whether the S4 is a good buy.
The S4 versus the S3
S3 (left), S4 (right)
Upon initial examination, the S4 appears to be virtually identical to the Samsung Galaxy SIII (S3), in terms of general appearance and the user interface, but that is where the similarities end. A closer look and test-drive of the S4 reveals the following:
- a slightly larger, yet thinner and lighter device
- a slightly larger and even more pixelated screen
- a marked increase in processing power
- improved front and rear facing cameras, more pixelated photos, along with a range of new camera features
- a wealth of new features and capabilities in general, many of which you, the user, might not have thought of, but in time, might no longer imagine being without.
The last point may be the driving force behind the S4: to make it even more intuitive and integral to the user. That thrust seemed to have begun with the S3, with the introduction of some hands-free features, but the S4 appears to have taken it to a whole new level with features such as:
- Air Gesture – where infrared sensors recognise hand gestures to control the device (i.e. with out you having to touch the screen)
- Air View – which allows you to hover a finger above the screen to preview content (e.g. email messages, images, videos, etc.) without having to actually open it
- S Health – which uses various sensors to help you manage your health
- Smart Scroll – where you can read/scroll content by tilting your head or the phone
- Smart Pause – which pauses videos when your face turns away from the screen
- Watch ON – where you can use your phone to control your television set.
How does the S4 compare with other smartphones?
In Table 1 below, the S4 is compared with three popular smartphones, against which it might be competing directly in the Caribbean:
- The Apple iPhone 5 is still one of the world’s most coveted devices, and to many, sets the standard for cutting edge smartphones.
- The Blackberry Z10, which coincidentally went on sale around the same time as the S4, is likely to be a popular phone in the region, due to the history of the brand (and the soft spot of users) in the Caribbean.
- The S3, the S4’s predecessor, which is still on sale in most markets, and truly marked the entry of the Samsung Galaxy S family of devices into the region.
Table 1: Comparison of key specifications of select smartphones with the Samsung Galaxy S4 (Source: GSMArena)
With regard to price, which was not included in the comparison, Samsung in the Caribbean reportedly has been tight-lipped about the price for the S4, suggesting that it is giving the carriers a free hand to set the price. However, history suggests that the S4’s price in the Caribbean will be along the lines of that for the iPhone, and perhaps to a lesser extent, the Z10. The S3, as an older device, is likely to be at a lower price point to that of the S4.
Our take…
Should you examine other technical reviews on the S4, you will soon note that many of the reviewers had higher expectations for it, and hoped Samsung would have been “more innovative”. Interestingly, however, identical views were expressed when the iPhone 5 was released last year, hence it is unclear how much “more innovative” smartphone manufacturers need to be.
Having said this, and considering on specifications provided in Table 1, the S4 is heads and shoulders above most, if not all, of the currently top-perfroming devices in the Caribbean smartphone market. More importantly, and with regard to consumer reviews, S4 owners seem to be excited by the speed and responsiveness of the device, along with the breadth of features it has to offer generally, and in comparison to the S3 and other smartphones. In summary, top selling features for the S4 would include the following:
- processing speed and responsiveness
- relatively lightweight for its size
- brighter and highly pixelated screen/display
- improved cameras, with a host of new features
- the increased emphasis on intuitiveness
- the general plethora of new features and capabilities that may better integrate into the user’s life and lifestyle.
However, is also important to highlight that for the new user, there will be a learning curve – to not only discover the S4’s new features, but to also learn how to use them. For example, some of the “Air”/”Smart” features will require a bit of practice, and the cameras could seem a bit buggy, until you get the hang of both of them. Finally, although a talk time of up to 17 hours is has been quoted, similar to other smartphones, with intensive use – such as surfing the Internet, playing games, watching videos, etc. – you might need to recharge the phone more frequently.
Image credits: ammer (FreeDigitalPhotos.net); GSMArena; Samsung
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1. The note that smartphone innovation is more or less stunted is quite relevant. Really what’s there are just enhancements and new apps. And that’s probably where it will end in the foreseeable future. Goes to strengthen the argument that future innovations with smartphones now lies in “HOW THEY [ the smartphones and mobile devices ] WILL BE PUT TO USE”
2. The comparison chart is very revealing. I am quite surprised that Blackberry Z10 is that powerful! This is in stack contract to the sales side of the coin: the news for the week has been painting Z10 ( along with RIM, the manufacturer ) as abysmal.