Samsung Galaxy S IV Discussion

scotty on 15/03/2013 - 11:21

We probably all know the details by now — Samsung has just announced their flagship Android phone, Samsung Galaxy S IV, with the following specification:

  • 5inch 1080P Super AMOLED display
  • 1.9Ghz Snapdragon Quad-Core
  • 13MP camera + 2MP front-facing camera
  • 2GB RAM
  • 16GB / 32GB / 64GB NAND
  • microSD slot
  • 2600mAh battery
  • Android 4.2.2

No idea how much it would sell for. However I was looking at one of our first SGS3 deal here — 16GB for $789 from Kogan (vs. $419 as posted yesterday from the same shop), I think SGS4 would also start at around the same price point ($700-$800).

What do you think? A worthy phone for the price? Or for those who are looking for a new phone, should they buy SGS4, or just buy SGS3 + $300 in the bank?

Edit: Link to relevant announcement from other Australian sites:

Mobile

Comments

  • battler on 15/03/2013 - 11:33
    +8

    SGS3 + vaya.
    stay 1 year behind the technology and spend the savings on other ozbargains.

    • mafmouf on 18/03/2013 - 12:24

      Did exactly that! $11/month is hard to look past.

  • ozhunter on 15/03/2013 - 11:38
    +2

    What do you think?

    Specs seem to be on par with other high end android phones, but it does have a lot of software features. I particularly like the sound in shot. Hard choice between the S4 and Htc One. S4 will outsell the other android manufacturers because of Samsung marketing, not because it is so much better.

    Or for those who are looking for a new phone, should they buy SGS4, or just buy SGS3 + $300 in the bank?

    It's just been announced so it obviously will have a premium price. I think the S3 is better value for money.

  • Chux on 15/03/2013 - 12:01
    +2

    Appears that there's 2 different, region-specific CPU configurations: 1.6GHz Exynos 5 Octa and the 1.9GHz quad-core Snapdragon.

    A little bit underwhelmed overall… seems more of an 'upgrade' than a new model… Call it the Galaxy S3 Plus and be done with it. Definitely not the same jump like we saw from GS2 to GS3.

    For the ozbargain community overall… i think Galaxy S3 represents substantially better bang-for-buck; especially with the prices we saw here yesterday like the deal from Unique Mobiles for example.

    Definitely some interesting stuff in the S4… but all mostly just features… none of the hardware was anything overly exciting.

  • cuteduck on 15/03/2013 - 13:45
    +1

    You can get tax deductible if using it for work purpose

  • Brouw3r on 15/03/2013 - 14:41
    +1

    Liking the look of the HTC one over the sgs4, only negatives for the HTC one for me are non-removable (and smaller) battery, no micro SD slot and still on 4.1, however I'm sure I read its getting 4.2 soon

    • ozhunter on 15/03/2013 - 17:08

      Htc wins in speakers, build quality, and aesthetics. S4 wins in a bigger removable battery, camera?, microsd slot and features. I can live without removable battery, but it is so much more convenient to have it.

  • ProspectiveDarkness on 15/03/2013 - 22:08
    +1

    If you value your sanity, try not to visit The Verge concerning the matter - it's fairly repulsive.

    As for the phone itself: the specs are all standard for a flagship model, and there's nothing surprising there. It'll be interesting to see how the battery life goes, with the Octa. Hopefully the Imagination GPU will eliminate any and all possible stutter (curious to see how it performs in a current, non-iPhone device).

    I actually don't mind the body. There's a whole lot of whinging and bitching, but IMO it's a nice revision of the GS3. Less curvy, without being as angular as the iPhone 5, and no more tacky brushed aluminium texture. It's not as much of a redesign as people were expecting, but there's nothing inherently wrong with that. I find it more appealing than the HTC One, in terms of aesthetics and practicality. I could never live with those front buttons.

    Some of the software features, though not entirely original, are still interesting nonetheless. Practical? Perhaps not, but still I'm curious to see what else they have planned for their apparent non-touch goals. I haven't seen much of Touchwiz, so I can't really comment on it.

    As for purchasing, I would have to say that waiting would be the best course of action, if you're hellbent on this phone. The specs are worth the wait - the A15/A7 CPU should do a lot for longevity, provided it's performance lives up to expectations.

    • captainandg on 16/03/2013 - 13:20
      -2

      wtf are you talking about? the verge is the most respected tech site on the net. i totally agree with everything they've said about the S4. it's a non-event phone, and the off-broadway fanfare of the launch event was weird, uncomfortable, embarrassing and stupid.

      • ProspectiveDarkness on 16/03/2013 - 16:29
        +1

        I'm not talking about the Verge itself (for the most part - they have a habit of posting clickbait articles these days), I was referring to the commenters. Also, that article by Vlad Savov was complete horseshit. Apparently Apple now owns the concept of 'Tick, Tock' product release.

  • May4th on 16/03/2013 - 08:56

    whose idea was it to keep the glossy plastic back covers? argh!

  • JediJan on 16/03/2013 - 10:21
    +1

    I am still using the SG2. Seriously I don't believe.most users would use, or take advantage of, most features. Sure, I would love one, but would not be able to justify cost. My advice to others would be to wait a little while for prices to drop, and the experiences of others are posted. But hey, if you can list it (as another poster stated) as a tax deductible, then go for it. Hope the battery has longer life than my version!

  • Commonwealth Pig on 16/03/2013 - 16:46
    +1

    Although all the quirky features are nice I was also a bit underwhelmed by this phone.

    The main things I had against it were the similar looks to the S3 and the huge list of new features that I feel I wouldn't make any use of.

    So after the announcement I decided to get an Xperia Z. First thing I did when I got home last night was put it under water (such a cool feature in comparison for me at least).

    • ozhunter on 16/03/2013 - 17:01
      +1

      Main reason to get the Xperia Z would be because it's water and dust resistant and its build quality. Although reviews says is display is the worst of flagship 1080p phones and the speakers aren't impressive at all(likely due to it being covered).

  • t_c on 16/03/2013 - 18:07

    whats wrong with the SG1

    • Daabido on 16/03/2013 - 18:32
      +1

      Or the Nokia 3210? I loved that little brick.

    • [Deactivated] on 17/03/2013 - 00:20
      +2

      They kept getting lost on alien worlds

      (yes im making a stargate joke)

  • striker5950 on 16/03/2013 - 23:41

    so if anyone of you peeps was gona get one, which colour would it be??

    • bob_wangkar on 17/03/2013 - 20:17

      White. hides the cheapness of the plastic cover… my god those dots. Although, wouldn't get one anyways. Have always been dissappointed with the build quality of samsung flagship phones.

      Nothing has really impressed me since the HTC Desire HD which I lost :(

      • Luminary on 02/04/2013 - 11:51

        Yeah, the HTC Desire HD has the durability of old school Nokia phones. I was planning to get a Samsung once my HTC breaks, and even with my clumsiness of dropping it on almost a daily basis, it still won't succumb.

    • ZRXS12 on 21/03/2013 - 01:29

      Black definetly.
      In most cases it shouldn't matter if you don't like the back cover as most people end up with some kind of case that covers it.

  • secret007 on 18/03/2013 - 21:40
    +1

    i dont know whether posting ebay deal like this is appropriate but look at this:

    http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-Samsung-Galaxy-S4-SIV-GT-I950…

    super extremely dodgy since he offers 20 of these for $5000 .. however he has high reputation and has sold for years on ebay.. hacked maybe?

    • scotty on 19/03/2013 - 12:11
      +1

      Maybe. The listing has already disappeared.

  • snakke on 19/03/2013 - 18:16

    Can now pre-order from Unlocked Mobiles UK

    £529.98 inc VAT
    £441.65 ex VAT

    http://www.unlocked-mobiles.com/sim-free-mobile-phones/samsu…

    • seijai on 21/03/2013 - 09:48

      Great price.

      If you using for work, and can tax deduct, then the equivalent to buy here will be $700

    • scotty on 21/03/2013 - 10:48

      Yes indeed good price.

      £441.65 + £0 VAT + £19.99 Postage = £461.64 = ~AUD$672

      then the equivalent to buy here will be $700

      I doubt it if AU stock. $700 = ~$636.36 ex-GST which would be too cheap here at launch. Well we can hope :)

  • ZRXS12 on 21/03/2013 - 01:42

    I'll stick with my note2.
    But if I was looking at going from a S2 to a S3 or S4 I'd go the S4 just cos it's something new :)
    Having said that the S3 is quite a capable phone.

  • kenbro on 28/03/2013 - 02:57
    -1

    Whilst i must say the Galaxy S4 may not have seem that big of an upgrade to s3.
    Remember now, software is the biggest selling point as opposed to hardware.
    And samsung have realised this trend, by pumping up the monster specs on S4

    • benchmark has shown double performance over other major smartphones. i guess software makes up for hardware in this case.

    Yeah, the HTC One is a nice, 'metal phone'.
    But no expandable storage, a below par battery. However the dual front speakers and design of the phone is very nice. Imo, if u minus the fact that HTC does not have a aluminium design - which i believe is the only hype - its specs are very standard across android phones and nothing too special, still too much like One X.

    • ozhunter on 28/03/2013 - 19:41

      Only reason it doesn't seem a big upgrade because the design is similar. They did change the design slightly, improved the display, cpu, gpu, battery, camera and many software features. It's also thinner, lighter, infrared port, and has additonal temperature and gesture sensors.

      • kenbro on 31/03/2013 - 23:03
        -1

        Spot on haha
        HTC is kinda overhyped to be honest.

  • CI on 03/04/2013 - 17:18

    Optus and Voda both now advertising on their homepages! Should be released these coming weeks this month

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