What's good
- Beautiful display
- Enhanced touch inputs
- Great camera
- Removable battery
- Great performance
What's bad
- Plasticky feel
- Slippery case
- Questionable TouchWiz interface
- Boring hardware design
As the flagship in Samsung’s Galaxy smartphone lineup, the S4 is a leader in its bracket. With a 5-inch 1080p display, a 13-megapixel camera and a powerful Snapdragon chipset, the phone has the features and power to handle most anything mobile device users might ask for. However, case design and the TouchWiz interface could pose an issue for some.
Engadget’s Brad Molen sums up the device well when he says “In drawing our conclusion of the Samsung Galaxy S4, we find ourselves at an interesting junction: while our geek senses keep tingling at the thought of so many market-topping specs contained within the same chassis, we also aren't overjoyed, per se, with excitement.”
One aspect of the S4 that truly shines is the display. The 5-inch AMOLED display features excellent contrast, great outdoor visibility and wide viewing angles. Gareth Beavis of TechRadar said “The screen is out of this world. Even at a lower PPI the 5-inch display dominates the competition. It's clear, bright and vivid, and there's very little it isn't great for.” The Synaptics powered enhanced touch inputs allow users to take advantage of the Air Controls features on the Note series or use the device while wearing gloves. Support for MicroSXHD cards provides massive storage upgrade potential while the 13-megapixel camera and 4G LTE support provide plenty of ways to use the storage space.
The device runs Android Jelly Bean with the TouchWiz interface. This is where things get questionable for the S4. The TouchWiz interface is something that many users either love or hate. It offers enhanced features over the stock interface. Unfortunately, they are sometimes less than intuitive. Another concern is the materials used for the phone. Samsung has always been a fan of plastic cases. The S4 is no exception.
While the phone does not feel frail or flimsy, it certainly has a cheaper feel than many of the polycarbonate or aluminum devices available from competitors. David Pierce of The Verge says “I don't like holding this phone, and I can't overstate how much that informs the experience of using it. It makes an awful first impression, slippery and slimy and simply unpleasant in your hand.”
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Russell Ware, AboutYet again, Samsung have produced a market leading smartphone. It may seem to some to be more like the Galaxy S3.1 than a full update, but for those who give it the time, learn what it can do and take advantage of the advanced features, it really is hard to beat. The 5in screen is fantastic, the came...
- Johannes Wallat, AndroidPITI'm not going to tell you which phone to buy. I'm sure by now you already have a hunch as to which one you'd like. But the Galaxy S4 certainly isn't a bad bet. However, for those who want an expandable storage drive and a removable battery, it would be right up your alley. The good news is that cons...
- Seth Barton, Expert ReviewsA gorgeous screen and a big battery in a surprisingly compact handset that's packed with extras
- Good Housekeeping team, Good HousekeepingThe Galaxy S4 does everything well: It contended for the top spot on nearly every test we threw at it. The S4 offers great battery life; in our Good Housekeeping Research Institute tests, it streamed video for 10 hours on its beautiful 5” HD display. The S4 is no slouch in processing power as...
- Josh Smith, GottaBeMobileIf you plan to use the Galaxy S4 on a contract be sure to look at Galaxy S5 deals before settling on the Galaxy S4, and make sure you look for Galaxy S4 deals online instead of going straight to a carrier store. For more on each feature check out the original Galaxy S4 review. If you don’t ne...
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Samsung Galaxy S4 user manual here.
Samsung backs up the Galaxy S4 with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your Galaxy S4 has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Samsung support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Samsung's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.
Resources
Manuals / User Guides
- Samsung Galaxy S4 Manual (PDF)
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