Is Samsung’s S4 an iPhone killer?
The S4 is big, but not quite this big. (AP)
Lovers of giant phones rejoiced Thursday night as Samsung, the world’s largest maker of smartphones, released a new flagship device.
The Galaxy S4 has a huge 5-inch, 1080p screen but is packed into a frame smaller than the S3. Experts say the S4 isn’t perfect, but may make Apple tremble.
Samsung, a South Korean company, announced the S4 with an orchestra in the Big Apple.
That was a bold move considering Samsung still owes the other big Apple $600 million for patent infringement. You can hire a lot of Chinese workers for that kind of coin.
Industry experts say the S4 may make history.
“I believe the Samsung Galaxy S4 could be an important milestone for the Korean company, as it could be the first smartphone to outsell an iPhone,” said Francisco Jeronimo in The Daily Mail.
That will be true globally, but I think the iPhone will continue to outsell the top Android in the U.S. for the near future.
Interesting S4 features include:
- Android 4.2.2.
- Powered by a 1.6 GHz Octa-Core CPU, but there’s no octopus logo on it anywhere.
- 13-megapixel rear camera and a 2-megapixel front camera, and you can take a picture with both at the same time for some reason.
- Users can “Smart Scroll” text and web pages by tilting the phone. This seems like it could be very annoying.
- An eye-tracking feature automatically pauses videos when the viewer is not looking at the screen and resumes when they return.
- “Air Gesture” lets users control the phone without actually touching it.
The S4 will be available April 26 at all the major carriers. No price was announced Thursday, but expect it to set you back $200 with a two-year contract.
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35 comments Add your comment
Samantha
March 15th, 2013
9:59 am
I prefer my iPhone to this.
DublDawg
March 15th, 2013
10:02 am
Unbelievable.
Copyright infringement? Really?
Even the title of the article from the real newspaper to which you linked, The WSJ, expressly states it was a patent suit. Big difference.
RGB
March 15th, 2013
10:27 am
This is a great reminder of how our free enterprise system can deliver to consumers a variety of products that offer convenience, productivity, and entertainment. The consumer usually wins when multiple companies compete in a relatively unfettered marketplace.
It’s also a reminder that whenever possible, government should get out of the way of innovation and not attempt to compete with private enterprise.
In addition to consumers, Apple and Samsung suppliers, employees, accessory manufacturers, and stockholders all benefit from the iPhone and S4.
And that is how jobs are created.
blackhemi4x4
March 15th, 2013
10:28 am
Users can “Smart Scroll” text and web pages by tilting the phone. This seems like it could be very annoying.
The current s3 has a tilt/zoom and scroll feature for certain homescreen and picture viewing.
The s4 will broaden this feature but it wont do it unless the phone senses you are looking at it. And if you still find it annoying, just turn the feature off.
Devil's Advocate
March 15th, 2013
10:30 am
RGB,
Unfortunately Apple makes it impossible to keep government out of it by suing their competitors in hopes of limiting your choices.
George Mathis
March 15th, 2013
10:39 am
DublDawg, thanks for the kind note. I have made the correction.
Joey M
March 15th, 2013
10:42 am
While these features are nice,the biggest factor is always going to be internet speeds. Update to 5th Generation, have a better phone. This article does not surprise me at all. Instead of reporting on the facts and specs of the phone, George Mathis makes sure the reader knows what he thinks of the new features. As if his opinion matters to anybody but him. If I want advice concerning electronics, I’ll check Cnet or read user reviews. Why doesn’t the AJC stick to what it knows. Sucking up to the POTUS and trying to cover up yet another boneheaded move by his administration.
Ray
March 15th, 2013
11:13 am
I know this is AJC, but I’m apart of phone arena.com and lots of people say SG4 is more of the same in fact it’s getting so bad people view them as Apple of Android as in the other smaller companies like HTC and Motorola are the ones actually pushing forth innovation and what not.
With all that said I’m probably leaning heavily towards HTC One check it out you won’t be disappointed.
Roekest
March 15th, 2013
11:18 am
I tried Android for a week. Bunch of junk it was. Simplicity matters in a phone.
Gabriel
March 15th, 2013
11:25 am
iphone killer? the iphone has been dead for over three years. it has long been technologically inferior. nobody takes the ihpone seriously anymore and have not for a LOOOOONNNNNGGGG time.