Samsung Galaxy S4 to Be Biggest Android Launch Yet

The Samsung Galaxy S4 launch event takes place this week in New York City, with a rumored Galaxy S4 release possible just weeks later.

In terms of anticipation and consumer interest, the Samsung Galaxy S4 may be one of the biggest Android launches yet. We took a look at the interest in some of the most best Android smartphones to see where consumer interest peaked and how this compares to the Samsung Galaxy S4.

Read: Samsung Galaxy S4 Release Date Predictions

In addition to search data for the Samsung Galaxy S3, Galaxy S4, Galaxy Note 2, the HTC One and the Nexus 4, we also took a look at the launch events and the ad campaigns for these high-end Android smartphones.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 rumors heated up in September 2012, right after the iPhone 5 launch, which started the interest in a 5-inch smartphone which would arrive in 2013 to replace the Samsung Galaxy S3.

Search data shows there was as much interest in the Samsung Galaxy S4 the week of the first rumor as there was in the Galaxy Note 2 a week before it launched.

To compare the consumer interest in the best Android smartphones we looked at the search data from Google Trends for the five devices, including the yet to be announced Samsung Galaxy S4. The chart below shows the interest over time for each of these devices. While the overall level of interest may be higher for other phones, specifically the Galaxy S3, we are focusing on the week prior to launch for each of these devices.

The chart above shows the interest over time for the following phones, specifically for the last 15 months. While Google normalizes this data, it does show interest in these phones and search terms over time. The launch dates for each of the phones is marked on the chart above, and noted below.

• Samsung Galaxy S3 – May 3rd 2012
• Samsung Galaxy Note 2 -August 29th 2012
• Nexus 4 – Oct 29th 2012
• HTC One – Feb 19th 2013
• Samsung Galaxy S4 – March 14th, 2013

As the search data shows the Samsung Galaxy S4 interest is already higher than the search interest in the Samsung Galaxy S3 the week before it’s launch. This increase in interest is likely due to the success of the Samsung Galaxy S3 which challenged the iPhone 4S and the iPhone 5. The Samsung Galaxy S3 offers a premium Android experience on all major U.S. carriers, and we expect the Samsung Galaxy S4 will continue this tradition.

Read: Galaxy S4 Upgrade Frenzy, Big Galaxy S3 Sales Predicted

Anthony Scarsella, Gazelle.com’s Chief Gadget Officer expects big things from Samsung, and anticipates a big marketing push from Samsung.

“I think the [Galaxy] S4 will be the new benchmark when it comes to smartphones for both Android and iOS devices. With the likes of HTC, Sony, LG and BlackBerry all launching flagship devices last month, most of them will be scrambling back to the drawing board after the 14th. Even if the new hardware is just on par with the likes of the HTC One or Xperia Z, Samsung could put more marketing dollars behind the S4 than all of the other Android competitors combined. We expect many current S3 and S2 owners to trade-in and make the jump to the S4 in a similar fashion to iPhone launches in the past.”

Samsung spent $11 billion on advertising and marketing in 2012, and is already pumping out ads for the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and Galaxy S3 in 2013. We expect several Samsung Galaxy S4 ads withint the next few months. Expect multiple versions with one set focusing on the Unicorn Apocalypse team and business users. And another set focusing on sharing and other Galaxy S4 features that the  average user will appreciate.

Samsung is already generating buzz for the Samsung Galaxy S4 with a new ad campaign and plans for a grand unveiling in Times Square.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 teaser ad below stirred up more interest for the Samsung Galaxy S4, and it didn’t even require Lebron James or Seth Rogen.

https://youtu.be/YzkfC7–jog

When it comes to the Samsung Galaxy S4 launch event, the 6,000 seat Radio City Music Hall Great Stage offers a 100 foot wide platform to introduce the Samsung Galaxy S4. The stage comes complete with an orchestra pit, which Samsung may use, like it did with past phone launches.

Samsung Galaxy S4 rumors tell us the next big thing will feature a 4.99 or 5-inch display with a 1080P Full HD resolution and a massive 440-pixel-per-inch rating. The screen is also rumored to use Green PHOLED technology for better battery life and may support touch free gestures, which would allow Samsung to bring Galaxy Note 2 features like Air View to the Galaxy S4 without a S Pen.

Read: Alleged Samsung Galaxy S4 Photos Leak

The Samsung Galaxy S4 will almost certainly feature a plastic design, which allows for access to a user-replaceable battery and a Micro SD card slot. Samsung is reportedly planning half-a-dozen Samsung Galaxy S4 accessories to launch with the phone, including an option for a wireless charger.

We expect the Samsung Galaxy S4 release is timed across Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile, with a chance that the release will start in May.