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Samsung Galaxy S4 Review!

Marques Brownlee@mkbhd2M viewsMay 1, 201310:38
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Samsung's 2013 Flagship is here! Thumbs up! Samsung Galaxy S4 Features Explained: youtu.be Full resolution GS4 panorama: i.imgur.com Samsung Galaxy S4: goo.gl Intro Track: ASDF Movie Song Outro Track: "Channel 41" by Deadmau5 ~ twitter.com google.com @MarquesBrownlee @MKBHD @MKBHD

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The Samsung Galaxy S4 review opens by setting expectations for a highly anticipated device in 2013, noting the massive hype surrounding Samsung and the S4's lineage from the popular S3. The reviewer presents the S4 as more of a refined Note II in spirit than a simple S3 upgrade, emphasizing the more squared silhouette, a slightly thinner and lighter build, and a design shift that aligns it with Samsung’s current flagship aesthetics. He walks through the hardware details, highlighting a removable 2600 mAh battery, microSD and micro SIM slots, and a reworked internal layout that resembles the Note II more than the Galaxy S3. The software story follows, with TouchWiz on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, bringing Android 4.2 features like colorized quick settings and lock screen widgets, plus a host of Samsung-specific features that are as much about demos as practical use. While many software features look impressive in demonstrations or commercials, the reviewer notes that most will not be essential for the average user, leading to a personal choice about which features to keep enabled. The camera and display form the core of the positives: a 13 MP camera praised for performance across lighting conditions and a 1080p Super AMOLED Plus display delivering extremely sharp visuals and deep blacks, albeit at the cost of brightness in daylight compared to some rivals. The overall verdict balances strong hardware and software enhancements with pragmatic caveats about usability, daylight visibility, and design choices, concluding that for those who specifically crave 1080p AMOLED and top-tier camera performance, the S4 is worth considering, while others might wait for further advances or firmware refinements. The review ends with personal preferences about color, fingerprint resistance, and a call to subscribe for more content, signaling that the S4 is a notable but not flawless evolution in Samsung’s mobile lineup.

Topics · technology · mobile-phones · hardware · software · consumer-electronics

Questions answered

What design changes set the Galaxy S4 apart from the Galaxy S3?
The S4 adopts a more squared design with a subtle metallic edge grip, a removable back for easier battery and card access, and a different internal layout that mirrors the Note II more than the S3.
How does the Galaxy S4 perform in terms of display and brightness?
It uses a 1920 by 1080 Super AMOLED Plus display with 441 ppi, delivering very sharp text and vibrant images, but it is not as bright in daylight as some rivals.
What is the general takeaway on the software features included with TouchWiz on the S4?
The S4 ships with many extra features that showcase the device well in demonstrations, but many may not be essential for everyday users and can be turned off if they become distracting.