*** The Official Samsung Galaxy S4 Thread ***

[Doohickey]

Not really, it'd be more impressive if they waited an extra month, then did what they normally do, but with decent stock levels (ignoring any faked supply issues for publicity/hype).

Shipping some phones around isn't really impressive IMO, although compared to Google they're like ****ing magicians .

I guess so. But they've certainly nailed it compared to their rivals. You mention Google- say no more. HTC- can't confirm actual release date or quality control/firmware variations by the looks of it. Nokia- 'launch' the 920 with no launch date, availability or price :-/. We'll wait and see how Samsung handle this launch.

The other advantage Apple have is that while they of course do supply the networks and P4U, CPW at launch too, you can just walk (read: queue) into one of their stores and pick one up, or order directly online so easily.

Even if supply is backed up, they will say 'estimated delivery 2-3 weeks' or something. Unlike HTC, all it says on it's website right now for pre-orders for the One is a straight 'currently out of stock'. Well so much for attempting to satisfy demand huh. It's little differences like this.

 

[e36Adz]

What I really like about Apple is that when they release a product it's made available almost a week afterwards. If Samsung can copy Apple, why can't they copy this aspect as well?

Apple also have every model they advertise available from launch day ie. 16gb/32gb/64gb, whereas Samsung advertise products that don't exist.

 

[Kainz]

Great, more flipping Samsung Plastic :/
I absolutely can't stand the design and feel of my S3 but have stuck to it because it has the right features (sd card, removable batt) that I really want in a phone. I was hoping Samsung would at least come up with something new or use new materials.

However we all know that Sammy will have the right blend of hardware and features yet again for this next iteration.

 

[thep02]

Superb but very basic premise behind it all but it works really well.

Samsung take note!

Ironically the easiest Aspect of apple to copy and profit from that isn't even covered by patent.

 

[stoosh]

Apple also have every model they advertise available from launch day ie. 16gb/32gb/64gb, whereas Samsung advertise products that don't exist.

I bet the supposed 64gb model gets scrapped as usual and the 32gb ends up being a network exclusive most likely Vodaphone

Ironically the easiest Aspect of apple to copy and profit from that isn't even covered by patent.

Tell me about it! Samsung want to do things the hard way!

Although I read somewhere that Apple have patented the style and look of their stores! Heaven forbid if any one copies them!

Looks like GSMarena have taken the leaked photos to be the real deal now as they've used it for their website.

Spoiler

 

[kona786]

Full hands on video (that all the pictures are from):

[/youtube]

Have to say it seems pretty legit. The changes and design all seem sensible and logical.

It looks quite nice I guess, but I want the back to match the front (which should be an option). The back of it in the video looks terrible.

It looks better with the slightly less rounded corners. TouchWiz certainly doesn't look any smarter though...

Man that is a slack design from Samsung - I'm still hopeful that it isn't what we'll see on Thursday.

 

[Nexus18]

I don't mind the the shape/look of the phone in terms of the front, back and sides as much as the GS 3, however, if they go with that gay hyperglaze finish then I'll not be best pleased Hoping that it will be a different kind of pattern.

 

[Nexus18]

Doing what they do best!

Samsung continues building the Galaxy S IV hype with flashmob dancers on Times Square

 

[Cosimo]

​

 

[muffins]

Funnily everyone was recording them on their iPhones

 

[matt100]

According to all the coverage that handset in the video is the dual sim version for china mobile so that explains the thickness.

The actual S4 will be the same shape though I'm completely convinced of that.

In fact I sort of know it'll be available sometime around the 15th to the 19th of april in black and white, no blue this time apparently.

I'm looking forwards to getting my hands on one, I guess I'm in a minority on here (not in the real world, some of you sound like you're the voice of pent up consumer demand across britain.. S3 sales would suggest otherwise) of actually liking the S3 design, it felt great in the hand, nothing like as cumbersome as the One or the Xperia Z despite being roughly the same size.

I could certainly live without the screen getting any bigger, the 4.7" 1080 of the One is probably the sweet spot although to be honest when I saw the One at MWC I really was left feeling a bit "meh" I guess it's sharper and my eyesight is pretty good but it's incremental not revolutionary.

We'll see tomorrow night I guess!

 

[Richdog]

According to all the coverage that handset in the video is the dual sim version for china mobile so that explains the thickness.

The actual S4 will be the same shape though I'm completely convinced of that.

In fact I sort of know it'll be available sometime around the 15th to the 19th of april in black and white, no blue this time apparently.

I'm looking forwards to getting my hands on one, I guess I'm in a minority on here (not in the real world, some of you sound like you're the voice of pent up consumer demand across britain.. S3 sales would suggest otherwise) of actually liking the S3 design, it felt great in the hand, nothing like as cumbersome as the One or the Xperia Z despite being roughly the same size.

I could certainly live without the screen getting any bigger, the 4.7" 1080 of the One is probably the sweet spot although to be honest when I saw the One at MWC I really was left feeling a bit "meh" I guess it's sharper and my eyesight is pretty good but it's incremental not revolutionary.

We'll see tomorrow night I guess!

WTF, they are actually making a DUAL-SIM version of a flagship Galaxy? Please please please let this be obtainable in Europe.

 

[mrk]

Matt is correct, the S3 is the most comfortable phone I have ever used. No other phone felt as 'right' in the hand and while it may have been plastic at the back, it was still tough. Some call it ugly but the design worked in Samsung's favour.

 

[thep02]

Matt is correct, the S3 is the most comfortable phone I have ever used. No other phone felt as 'right' in the hand and while it may have been plastic at the back, it was still tough. Some call it ugly but the design worked in Samsung's favour.

Yup, I hated the shape and colour but my sons s3 has won me over, superb ergonomics, look how good the Note 2 is compared to the Note, that's all down to the design, I think the colour, the button and the degree of curve are the only slight off putting factors for me with the S3 now.

 

[matt100]

WTF, they are actually making a DUAL-SIM version of a flagship Galaxy? Please please please let this be obtainable in Europe.

they already do a dual sim S3, I'm sure you'll be able to lay your hands on one in the UK but they're designed for other markets, particularly asia I believe as people there often have multiple sims.

There are compromises though such as some limited functionality, thickness (the big one) etc etc.

I'm pretty happy it looks like it'll have a physical home button too, sometimes it's handy to be able to figure out where your fingers are on the phone without actually looking at it, plus its really handy for waking the phone etc etc.

I'll be having one but then it won't be my money getting spent on it so I guess my barrier to entry is pretty low

 

[doodah]

Chitter Chatter (who?) have put up their GS4 prices through T-Mobile, seem quite good.

£26/month if you want to pay £99 upfront for the phone (500 minutes, unlimited T-Mobile minutes, texts & data)
£31/month if you want to pay £49 upfront for the phone (1000 minutes, unlimited T-Mobile minutes, texts & data)
£36/month if you want a free phone (2000 minutes, unlimited T-Mobile minutes, texts & data)

In other news.....

EE UK confirms LTE support for Samsung Galaxy S IV

 

[Nexus18]

Yeah there is no doubt that the GS 3 is the most comfortable phone in the hand for that size range, I also found the X rather uncomfortable due to the design & size, however, I find the one S to be the most comfortable/nicest feeling in the hand compared to all other phones personally, it is almost as if the design they used was made with only the one S in mind, not the X.

Samsung can keep the ergonomic curves around the back and at the same time improve the overall design i.e. change the front with regards to the NLED, ear piece, make the hard home button a capacitive button (have no problems distinguishing which button to hit on my one S, only 3 simple buttons! ) or at least better looking, change the plastic finish (imagine how much nicer it would have felt and looked if they used the finish of the one X/lumia 800 plastic? ), makes the corners less curvy/rounded and then for the back try to make the camera lens/flash and speaker parts look a bit more "professional" looking, do all of the that and you have the best of both worlds then!

I think the HTC one will feel more comfortable in the hand this time though going by the hands on comments so far, size + a lot more ergonomic design.

 

[matt100]

honestly? I think you're wrong.

I had no issues with the NLED, I can't even guess what your issue with the ear piece is, the physical home button is personal preference, I prefer to be able to feel it without having to look and I trust mechanics a bit more than software to be honest..

The One X white polycarbonate marked up very badly which the white S3 didn't, the lumia 800 (yes I've had both) weighed a ton and again started looking shiny after a while in a pocket and the whole point about the ergonomics is that it sits in the hand well, more squared off corners wouldn't help that.

But we're clearly on different pages here which is why it's good to have choice! I had a One S for a while and the edged got knocked up and damaged in a way my iPhone 5 hasn't managed, the screen was pretty poor, the battery was poor and overall it just felt like what it was, a cheap One X.

That's not to say I wouldn't mind a flagship phone in that size package, sorry, flagship android phone, I guess the iPhone 5 delivers that but in a very different way.

Either way, and I know I'm sort of questioning the reason for a forum even existing.. but there's barely any point debating this. Its completely obvious the path samsung are going to take, it will be wildly successful no doubt, HTC won't be, thats unfortunately another fact that its fairly obvious to see.

And whilst we're at it, it's worth noting that HTC or Nokia or whoever could make a 4" 1080 phone with a 3000mah removable battery with 64gb on board and a micro sd slot all at a sensible price and they would likely STILL get nowhere.

Carrier and retailer support is something that is never talked about but makes the world of difference, if your handset is better marketed, or slightly cheaper wholesale, or comes to you in an exclusive colour or your staff are directly incentivised (all things samsung literally OWN) etc etc then as a buyer you support that company.

Hell if samsung give a higher quarterly rebate to someone like carphone then HTC are already fighting with one hand tied behind their backs. If've been in phones long enough to have seen the "better" phone often gets absolutely nowhere due to the pricing being wrong at a buyer level before it goes anywhere near a customer.

The icing on the cake is samsung and apple being the only people who genuinely and effectively market their own products so people go into phone shops asking for an iPhone or a galaxy and if you're on minimum wage.. why would you ever try and talk someone out of that?

 

[grudas]

Yeah there is no doubt that the GS 3 is the most comfortable phone in the hand for that size range, I also found the X rather uncomfortable due to the design & size, however, I find the one S to be the most comfortable/nicest feeling in the hand compared to all other phones personally, it is almost as if the design they used was made with only the one S in mind, not the X.

Samsung can keep the ergonomic curves around the back and at the same time improve the overall design i.e. change the front with regards to the NLED, ear piece, make the hard home button a capacitive button (have no problems distinguishing which button to hit on my one S, only 3 simple buttons! ) or at least better looking, change the plastic finish (imagine how much nicer it would have felt and looked if they used the finish of the one X/lumia 800 plastic? ), makes the corners less curvy/rounded and then for the back try to make the camera lens/flash and speaker parts look a bit more "professional" looking, do all of the that and you have the best of both worlds then!

I think the HTC one will feel more comfortable in the hand this time though going by the hands on comments so far, size + a lot more ergonomic design.

quit it man.. its like you have a mission to compare everything to one s lol it is getting funny

i found the "one" to not feel comfy in hand.. neither did the s3 in my case.

s2/Z does for some reason, maybe i'm a robot and i have boxy hands.

 

[m4rk84]

It's nice to hear the insight of someone who works in the industry Matt. I agree with most of what you say, however I still dislike the look of the S3 anyway.

Personally I feel the S3 had it's enormous success off the back of the SII. In that generation the SII really smashed it in a way no other non-apple product had before. Samsung were the first company to truly get an Android phone completely right, and I feel they are still reaping the rewards of the SII today.

Undoubtedly the S3 is a good phone though, it's just not a looker.

Samsung have got too much momentum, another company needs to bring out a real game changer, or their momentum will just keep pushing them forward, unless they somehow mess up big time. This probably explains the safe design.