{"id":18676,"date":"2013-05-10T05:33:18","date_gmt":"2013-05-10T10:33:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ict-pulse.com\/?p=18676"},"modified":"2013-05-10T05:34:48","modified_gmt":"2013-05-10T10:34:48","slug":"quick-look-samsung-galaxy-s4-smartphone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/2013\/05\/quick-look-samsung-galaxy-s4-smartphone\/","title":{"rendered":"A quick look: Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone"},"content":{"rendered":"

A review of the Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone, which is now available in the Caribbean.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Magnifying<\/a>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<\/a>, the Trinidad Express reported that the device sold out within the first three hours of going on sale in Trinidad and Tobago.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The S4 versus the S3<\/h3>\n
\"S3<\/a>

S3 (left), S4 (right)<\/p><\/div>\n

Upon initial examination, the S4 appears to be\u00a0\u00a0virtually 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:<\/p>\n

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  • a slightly larger, yet thinner and lighter device<\/li>\n
  • a slightly larger and even more\u00a0pixelated\u00a0screen<\/li>\n
  • a marked increase in processing power<\/li>\n
  • improved front and rear facing cameras, more pixelated photos, along with a range of new camera features<\/li>\n
  • 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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    The last point may be the driving force behind the S4: to make it even more intuitive and integral to the user. That \u00a0thrust 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:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • Air Gesture \u2013 where infrared sensors recognise hand gestures to control the device (i.e. with out you having to touch the screen)<\/li>\n
    • Air View \u2013 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<\/li>\n
    • S Health \u2013 which uses various sensors to help you manage your health<\/li>\n
    • Smart Scroll \u2013 where you can read\/scroll content by tilting your head or the phone<\/li>\n
    • Smart Pause \u2013 which pauses videos when your face turns away from the screen<\/li>\n
    • Watch ON \u2013 where you can use your phone to control your television set.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n