The new Samsung Galaxy S4 will definitely be one of the popular Smartphones of 2013 as it is expected to out-perform its predecessor the Samsung Galaxy S3 released just less than a year ago. The new Samsung Galaxy S4 has seen improved changes from the Samsung Galaxy S3 but Samsung has moved to sell the Samsung Galaxy S4 with software added value than hardware.
A physical comparison between Samsung Galaxy S4 and Samsung Galaxy S3 won’t reveal much difference; in fact both have a lot of things in common as the image below will show you.
Processor & RAM:
An average mobile phone user may not even notice the difference in the processor while using the two phones, probably the Samsung Galaxy S4 will be a faster phone than the Samsung Galaxy S3 because the RAM is higher 2GB against 1GB for Samsung Galaxy S3. But then the truth is that most mobile phone users cannot not even consume the 1GB RAM except you are playing a HD game on your device.
Operating System & Display:
Samsung Galaxy S4 is running on the latest Android OS Jelly Bean 4.2.2 against the Android 4.1.2 version for the Samsung Galaxy S3 which can as well be updated to 4.2.2. Samsung has also improved from the 4.8” HD super AMOLED 1280×720 display resolution and 306ppi pixel density to 5” Full Super AMLED 1920×1080 and 440ppi pixel density for the Samsung Galaxy S4, but what difference does that make for an average user?
Camera:
The new Samsung Galaxy S4 also came with two cameras just like the Samsung Galaxy S3 but the difference is that the Samsung Galaxy S4 now has 13MP back camera and 2MP front camera as against the 8MP back camera and 1.9MP front camera for the Samsung Galaxy S3. You won’t be able to notice difference in picture quality between these two phones if you are not told.
Dimensions:
The new Samsung Galaxy S4 is just 136.6mm (height) x 69.8mm (Width) x 7.9mm (Thickness) and just weighs 130g while its predecessor is just 136.6mm (height) x 70.6mm (Width) x 8.6mm (Thickness) and weighs 133g. The Samsung Galaxy S4 is slimmer yet the change is almost negligible.
Battery:
The Samsung Galaxy S4 is just 2600mAh as against 2100mAh of the Samsung Galaxy S3 which means a longer lasting time, yet every battery will still run out if it is not recharged.
Now that is mainly the hardware specification difference of the Samsung Galaxy S4 and Samsung galaxy S3, so let us look at what is new with the Samsung Galaxy S4 software.
Samsung Galaxy S4 Software Specifications:
Smart Pause: The Samsung Galaxy S4 Smart Pause is a feature that automatically pauses a video when the user moves his eyes away from the screen and automatically resumes play when he returns his gaze.
Smart Scroll: The Samsung Galaxy S4 Smart Pause is a feature that automatically scrolls a webpage or document when your eye reaches the bottom of the display.
Air view: This feature allows you control your Samsung Galaxy S4 without actually touching the device.
WatchON: This Samsung Galaxy S4 feature allows you to control a TV with your Samsung Galaxy S4 device.
Optical Reader: The Samsung Galaxy S4 Optical reader allows you to easily scan a business card for information like phone numbers emails and contacts.
Group Play: The Samsung Group play allows users to play the same music or game on multiple devices at a time. So you can play the same game with your friends or even play same music with your pals using this feature.
Dual Shot: This feature allows you to use both the front and back camera at the same time. Now you don’t have to miss out of the family picture again because you are the one taking the photos.
ChatON/Screen Sharing: This feature allows you to chat using both the front and back cameras at the same time. Now screen sharing is possible on mobile thanks to the Samsung developer’s team.
S Translator: Samsung Galaxy S4 S Translator does exactly what Google translator does live on your Samsung Galaxy S4 device. You can chat with friends in foreign language and be sure your S4 will translate it to your preferred language. 10 languages are currently supported for this feature. It also translates emails and texts.
S Voice: The S Voice is just like the Google Voice search on the Samsung Galaxy S4, you can simply search for anything on your device with just a voice command.
S Health: this feature monitors your health goals, calculates the amount of burned calories, measures temperature and humidity from its surrounding area.
Must Read: How to be Smart with Smartphones
Why you shouldn’t buy the Samsung Galaxy S4:
Looking at the Samsung Galaxy S4 and Samsung Galaxy S3, you will notice that that there are no much differences in hardware between the devices. Samsung has decided to add value to their latest product via software than hardware. The good thing is that you do not have to buy the Samsung Galaxy S4 to use these new features; it will be made available as updates for the Samsung Galaxy S3 and Samsung Note 2.
In another one year or less another series of this phone may be released with new features as well, and you will also drop your awesome S4 for that one when you can only update your device and enjoy the new features. So I don’t see it as necessary to purchase the Samsung Galaxy S4 if you already have the Samsung Galaxy S3.
Do you agree with me on this? What do you have to say about this article, let me hear from you. Please use the comment form below to share your expectations of the new Samsung galaxy S4. Remember to subscribe to my RSS.
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I totally agree with you on this.
I think it’s a waste of money to buy such a phone when you currently own an s3.
Though I’m always gonna stick with the iOS.
Btw Nice post
Thanks Derek, i just dont see the need when S3 will get the features via updates.
Hi Desmond,
As much as Galaxy S4 has obvious characteristics carried over from its predecessor, the two phones are worlds apart. You can clearly see this from these benchmarks:
http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s4-review-910p5.php
With 2GB RAM, twin quad-core processors, 1080p display and ingenious proprietary software, Galaxy S4 has been designed to be future proof
Samsung has added more value to software on the S4 than hardware, the hardware differences may not easily be noticed by an average user and before you know it those guys at XDA will port the S4 features into S3. Most of the differences between the S3 and S4 are software-based.
Great comparison Desmond,
This is my first visit here and i like what you’re doing man.
Although I’ve not used either of the phones, but from what you’re saying, i quite agree with you that its not advisable to go for the S4 version of the phone if you already have the S3 since the S3 can be updated to possess same features as the S4.
I think it will be a waste of money.
Thanks for sharing bro.
BTW: Thanks for commenting on my blog. I see you’re also a Nigerian judging by your name, I’m from Enugu. Where are you from? Happy to connect with you bro.
Lets succeed together.
Thanks Theo and to compliment you, i was impressed when i first visited your blog. I am from Abia State though reside in Rivers and i am also happy to connect with you, i hope you can visit again. Thanks for your comment though.
Hi,
frankly speaking, I don’t own a SGS3 but still I’ll rtry to answer your question.
I certainly wouldn’t buy SGS4 because the difference between the two devices is not that significant. I’m more than sure that very soon there will be an Android update released for SGS3 so it’s not the question if software. Speaking of hardware, I think it’s better to upgrade your device every 2-3 years. Otherwise, you won;t see much difference.
Of course one can easily notice a significant difference between S2 and S4 but not much with S3, i also don’t see any reason why an S3 user should go for S4 except you are only buying it for the trend
i have an s3 and honestly i think its a fantastic so far so good i have seen the s4 and it does not move me at all in fact the air thing is pretty cool but after a while they will bring out another design s5 then what happens they dont give enough time for people to use the function infact s3 was a prototype of s4 they removed some parts and used it to make s4 so people would buy so all the features of s4 were meant for s3 and they would have waited 2 years to develop s5 its like honda bringing out a model every six months its not good thats why some companies go bust they move to quick and not study the market right now they have started s5 so 8 months u see s5
thank you all
wale adekoya
Wale i am glad you have same view, i simply see these things as exploitation. Why would you produce a phone and in less than a year produce another model of same phone with better features what do you expect the people that purchased the S3 to do? Thanks for sharing your view on my blog, i hope you visit often.
I agree your thoughts for a normal users as I have S3, I use it normally and I play hd games too its going well their is no use of S4
Glad you could see things my way.
I have gs3 but I want to play neavy games and fast internet and air view feature like s4.so plz tell what should I upgrade because of more ram and processes or stick with s3
S4 was equipped with such hardware for such reasons and i am certain you can’t have same smooth gaming experience with S3 when you give it such load. So i will suggest you stick to your S3 as it is.
Yes you are right, there is no need to buy s4 if you have s4 but there is are some doubts, the software has not rolled out yet and believed to be roll out till November and December. Another doubt is; we are note sure if Smart scroll and Smart pause feature will be added to new software update.
UPDATED Comment:
Yes you are right, there is no need to buy s3 if you have s4 but there are some doubts, the software has not rolled out yet and believed to be roll out till November and December. Another doubt is; we are note sure if Smart scroll and Smart pause feature will be added to new software update.