The Samsung Galaxy S4 was one of the most anticipated smartphones of the Korean brand. Up to a point, it's the most powerful smartphone created by Samsung.
One of the most impressive aspects is the fact that its dimensions haven't changed that much over those of its predecesor - the Galaxy S4 measures 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9 mm and is comfortable to hold in the hand.
Although it keeps its dimensions untouched, the screen on the new S4 reached the 5 inch peak and can display Full HD resolutions. That means you can enjoy the same number of pixels you would on an HDTV.
The phone carries a high-end set of specs shared by other flagships as well. Sony Xperia Z and the HTC One both carry screens which produce the same resolution, but none of these smartphones bring the same exceptional picture quality that a Super AMOLED screen can display.
On the hardware side of things, the smartphone comes with an ultra-fast processor, ample storage space which can be further extended via the use of a memory card and fast connectivity options like 4G, Bluetooth 4.0 and NFC.
Samsung tried to add to these hardware specs a suite of software upgrades which bring a better camera experience, a better way to communicate with friends and have access to media files and a wide range of fitness apps.
The cost of a Samsung Galaxy S4 is about the same you would pay for a HTC One.
Design-wise, the S4 brings a new shape which is extremely thin - under 8mm and it weighs just 130 grams, without being too light so it won't leave you with the impression of a worthless piece of plastic.
The phone seems a bit more solid than its predecessor. The "metal" band which wraps the phone offers a more premium sensation to the handheld. The chassis flexibility has been lowered, even when you tightly grip the phone. The high levels of chassis flexibility was one of the problems associated with the S3 models.
All these things don't mean that the S4 is a complete S3 redesign. Apparently the two phones look very much alike. They carry the same poly-carbonate chassis, but there is a new back cover which hides the battery and the microSD slot.
Even though the back cover on the S4 seems a bit flimsy, it's still a huge leap forward when compared to those found on the S3 and S2 Galaxy models. Both these phones were extremely popular during their time, so this was a minor issue when they were released.
When held, the Samsung Galaxy S4 leaves you with the impression of a better Samsung phone than ever before. The screen reaches quite a bit towards the slim phone bezels and this is a very impressive feature.
The phone looks a lot like the S3, but when you actually get a good look at it, you start to appreciate the subtle nuances.
The buttons haven't changed a lot from the previous phone iterations - the start button has been slightly shifted to the right and is much easier to hit. Samsung has learned a lot from the Galaxy Note 2, which had a well positioned start/lock button.
The volume button is a bit harder to reach and it was placed a bit lower on the phone. It does, however, provide you with good feedback, so you always know when you've hit it.
The plastic used in the Home button was improved as well and offers a durable build sensation when you use it to return to the home screen.
On the front side, there are a heap of sensors above the screen including a camera which monitors your eyes, a 2MP camera for HD video calls, a proximity sensor so the phone always knows where it is relative to your ear.
Another great addition to the S4 is the IR blaster on top of the phone. This allows you to control your TV, your DVD player, the amplifier and even the air conditioning. This is not actually something new, but it works great and is extremely useful.
The S4 carries one of the best screens found on a smartphone. It integrates the Super AMOLED technology, used in other Galaxy phones as well, but the screen resolution has been maxed out to Full HD 1920 x 1080, which means it offers a pixel density of 441 ppi.
If you intend to get an S4 or already own one, you should protect it using a sturdy cover and a screen protector. Here are a few accessories I recommend:
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