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Samsung Galaxy S4: Why It’s Worth The Wait

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The Samsung Galaxy S3, which launched in May of 2012, has sold more than 30 million units worldwide smashing the records that the previous generation Galaxy S, the Galaxy S2, had set with its arrival. The current king of Android smartphones can reign forever however and it appears that Samsung might already be close to debuting its successor, the Samsung Galaxy S4.

Read: Sony Xperia Z vs. Samsung Galaxy S4 (Rumored).

Over the past few months, the Samsung Galaxy S4 has emerged as one of the most heavily rumored and highly anticipated devices of 2013. It joins a host of other potential smartphones that have already surfaced in the previous weeks including the iPhone 6, otherwise known as the iPhone 5S and the HTC M7 which is rumored to be HTC’s replacement for its HTC One X flagship.

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We take a look at ten reasons why you might want to wait for the Galaxy S4.

We also saw the Sony Yuga/Odin debut at CES 2013 in the form of the Sony Xperia Z and we know that LG isn’t likely to stay quiet for long, with a LG Optimus G2 announcement rumored to be coming at MWC 2013 in February.

Still, even amongst the crowd, we think that the Galaxy S4 announcement is one worth waiting for.

Thus far, Galaxy S4-wise, we’ve seen potential features both leak out and get announced and we’ve seen launch dates and release dates thrown around on what seems like a weekly basis. That being said, the picture of the Galaxy S4, which gaining clarity, still isn’t in focus.

For some looking for a new smartphone, that could be a problem. It’s hard to decide to buy a phone that exists only as a rumor. However, we believe that we have enough evidence to make a strong recommendation to those out there looking for a smartphone in 2013. That recommendation of course is to wait for Samsung’s next flagship to arrive before picking up a brand new device.

Here are is why you should wait for the Samsung Galaxy S4.

1. Track Record

First things first. Samsung has established the Galaxy S series of smartphones as one of, if not the best that Android has to offer. The Galaxy S laid the groundwork, the Galaxy S2 stepped things up a bit, and the Galaxy S3 emerged as a true iPhone competitor. Each year, Samsung has had bigger and bigger shoes to fill and it has succeeded and it likely won’t slow down with the Galaxy S4.

Why? Because Samsung has proven that it knows what customers like. They like durable smartphones with hardware that can handle their daily use. They like software that compliments that hardware while adding a few unique features – see Multi-Window View – to the fold. It knows that customers like to have a lot of storage space on their device. It knows that users like the replace their batteries.

It knows that customers like to have a choice in carriers. None of that is likely to change with the Galaxy S4. In fact, the Galaxy S4 will more than likely be an improvement over the Galaxy S3, a device that again sold over 30 million in six months.

Samsung’s track record with its Galaxy S series is just one reason the Galaxy S4 is worth waiting for.

2. Fast Updates

One thing that has bother potential and current smartphone users about Android is the fact that updates often take forever to arrive. In 2012, Android manufacturers like Motorola and Samsung decided to change the game and put their devices, at least the flagship devices, on better upgrade paths.

The Samsung Galaxy S3 was one of the first non-Nexus devices updated to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, and since then, Samsung has outfitted it with a Premium Suite of software that enhanced it even further. With the Galaxy Note 2, the company did the same thing. So what does this prove?

It’s proves that Samsung is committed to delivering not only major Android updates but high-quality internal software updates in a timely manner. Look for that trend to continue with the Galaxy S4 and other flagship smartphones during 2013.

3. First Half Launch Isn’t Far Away

Maybe one of the biggest reasons that customers might be thinking twice about waiting for the Samsung Galaxy S4 is because it still doesn’t have an official launch date. Rumors claim that the device will be arriving during Mobile World Congress in February and other rumors claim that it won’t. So that has left the launch date and release date up for debate.

What’s clear though is that the device will almost certainly be touching down at some point in the first half of this year. Even Samsung itself thinks so, though, it doesn’t think it will be released before May given the previous Galaxy S launches.

Read: Gorilla Glass 3 Could Dictate Galaxy S4 Release Date.

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The Galaxy S4 launch date could arrive as soon as February.

For most though, waiting a few more months to nab a phone that appears to be better than just about every phone that launched in 2012 is going to be the wise decision. As we’ve pointed out, most of the flagship Android phones of 2012 are already aging and are on the verge of being replaced by phones sporting newer, more powerful and more efficient technology.

So while that $50 Galaxy S3 might be tempting, locking into a new two-year contract with the Galaxy S4 just over the horizon is probably not the smartest idea. For those that can, it’s safer to wait.

4. 1080p Display

At CES 2013, Samsung debuted a 4.99-inch FHD display that sports 1080p resolution and 440 pixels-per-inch. The display is slated for arrival at some point in the first half of this year which could mean that it will be the display on the Galaxy S4.

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The Galaxy S4 display should blow away the Galaxy S3’s.

If true, it will mean that the Galaxy S4 display will blow the Galaxy S3’s display, and just about every display from 2012 besides the Droid DNA’s out of the water in terms of how good text, images and video look.

The display likely won’t feature the same flexible technology that Samsung also showed off at CES 2013 but it’s highly probable that the display on the Galaxy S4, arguably one its most important features, will be fantastic.

5. Fast Processor

We also saw another possible Galaxy S4 feature drop at CES in the form of Samsung’s new Exynos 5 Octa processor. The new chip will use four Cortex A7 cores and four Cortex A15 cores compared to the Exynos 4, which uses four A9 cores. High performance will be handled by the more powerful Cortex A15 cores while the low-level usage will be tackled by the Cortex A7. So this should help improve overall performance in devices that sport this chip.

Read: Samsung Galaxy S4 Feature Possibly Announced.

Samsung also touted the battery life with the Exynos 5 Octa saying that it uses 70-percent less power than a typical quad-core Cortex A15 processor and that it also supplies better battery life than its own Exynos 5 processor that is found in the company’s Nexus 10 Android tablet.

If this is the processor found in the Galaxy S4, and it’s possible that it is, expect the device to easily handle the software on board while delivering performance improvements over the Galaxy S3 and other high-end devices from 2012.

6. Battery Life

Battery life is one of the biggest concerns for potential smartphone buyers and it’s a concern that Samsung will almost certainly address with the Galaxy S4. The Galaxy S3 had good battery life but given the battery life enhancements that Samsung will be offering with the Exynos 5 Octa, it’s clear that Samsung is making it a point to improve upon its prior products.

The processor is one way of doing this but it also could be complemented by a larger battery than the 2100 mAh battery found on the Galaxy S3. We saw Samsung provide a massive battery for the Galaxy Note 2 and it could decide to up the ante with the Galaxy S4.

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Look for improved battery life with the Galaxy S4.

No specifics have emerged but it would be surprising to see Samsung slouch in the battery department given how much of an emphasis that its competitors have put on it. At the very least, expect a removable battery so that the stock battery can be replaced. It’s a hallmark of Samsung to include this support with its devices so it would be odd to see the Galaxy S4 shun it.

Battery life will be better on 2013 smartphones, including the Galaxy S4, and in our opinion, it’s something worth waiting for.

7. Android Jelly Bean, At Least

Android Jelly Bean, at least, will be on board the Samsung Galaxy S4 when it arrives. We aren’t sure if it will be Android 4.2 Jelly Bean or Android 4.1 Jelly Bean but our gut says the former considering it has been out since November. Our favorite Android 4.2 features can be seen in the video below.

There are also rumors swirling around about Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie, something that we’ve predicted could be on the Galaxy S4. At the very least, the Galaxy S4 should be one of the first with Android 4.2 if not one of the first to Android 5.0.

Samsung has also proven that it has a knack for delivering fantastic software itself and we should see the Galaxy S4 arrive with some software from Samsung itself. One possibility is camera software to help support the devices new 13MP rear sensor, software that could make the Galaxy S4 one of the better cameras on the market.

So while many 2012 smartphones toil away on Android 4.1, the Galaxy S4 will likely be at the forefront of Android, either with Android 4.2 or Android 5.0.

8. Familiar Pricing & Immediate Price Cut

Last year’s Samsung Galaxy S3 sold very well. And one of the reasons it likely did so was because of its $199.99 starting price point, aimed squarely at the iPhone and other devices. After 2012, it’s clear that $199.99 is the sweet spot for Android flagships and it should be the price point that we see attached to the Galaxy S4, given that the iPhone 5 currently has it as an asking price.

Of course, that doesn’t mean that it will stay at $199.99 for long. Retailers like Amazon will likely discount the price of the Galaxy S4, shortly after launch, making it affordable even to those that are trying to find a solid device on a budget.

9. Host of Carriers

Many Android devices launch exclusively on American carriers. For instance, the Droid DNA is Verizon-only. The HTC EVO line of devices is dedicated to Sprint. The HTC One X+ is only on AT&T.

Don’t expect that lack of choice from the Samsung Galaxy S4. The Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 both launched on all five major U.S. carriers including AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S Cellular and Verizon. Given the Galaxy S3’s success, there is no reason to doubt that it won’t happen with the Galaxy S4.

This will allow users to explore all carrier options before deciding on the network that is perfect for them, without having to sacrifice the device that they want.

Something else to keep in mind is that this will likely be the first Galaxy device available, at launch, on T-Mobile’s 4G LTE network which is set to arrive at some point during January in Las Vegas.

10. Longevity

Most customers sign up for a new two-year contract with a carrier to avoid paying full price. And for many, that means buying a smartphone that will last the duration of a contract.

Given its probable specifications including high-end hardware and current software along with Samsung’s track record with smartphones, the Galaxy S4 will likely be a phone that, like the iPhone, will easily hold up for the two years of a contract and maybe even more.

29 Comments

29 Comments

  1. Jeff K

    01/15/2013 at 2:58 am

    The Samsung Galaxy S IV is the most highly antipated and exciting smartphone for 2013. Does anyone really care about the iPhone 5S or 6 or whatever it is? As with all previous versions, minimal upgrade with zero innovation.

    • wamphar1

      01/15/2013 at 4:39 am

      Well, went to use my iphone while at one end of the house. No signal, picked up the wifes S2 and 3 signal bars. I know I would regret going back to an iphone. Also sick of not being able to anything except an apple product and itunes purchases only playing on apple products. Actualy, pretty much just had a guts full of Apple. I was looking at the Lumia 920 but we only get black here in New Zealand, so looks like I will be back to Samsung when this comes out, and I am happy with that.

      • TheTruthSquad

        01/15/2013 at 7:25 am

        I am glad to hear that everyone in New Zealand is not a sheep. .Apples days of being a robber baron are over. If you are too stupid to use an Android phone, go get suckered with an Iphone 5. It costs them $207 to make one and they sell it for $649. I don’t know how they do it.

        • Wayne

          01/25/2013 at 6:56 am

          I’d be surprised if it even cost $207, I was thinking $50. They do it the same way Samsung makes a Galaxy for $100, and sell them for $500+. Then again BMW cars are built for about $5000 each!

      • omoney

        01/16/2013 at 6:11 pm

        Lol…iphon.e sucks

    • Mandi

      01/15/2013 at 7:14 am

      Well I have over 1100 songs on my iPhone 4S. If I could transfer them to the Galaxy SIV I would switch too, although I’ve been an Apple fan for years. I’m ready for a change.

      • TheTruthSquad

        01/15/2013 at 7:26 am

        There has to be some way to do that.

        • steve

          02/25/2013 at 10:39 am

          You just transfer yr music with the kies software ..job done :)

      • Carissa

        01/15/2013 at 11:30 am

        If they’re on iTunes, you should be able to access them from your computer, and then copy them or something like that (not familiar with Apple-products, I’m sorry…).

      • Tiger

        01/15/2013 at 10:45 pm

        Best solution: Sync to Google Music (up to 20,000 songs). You can just play from the Cloud or download back to your computer.

      • MapDArk

        01/16/2013 at 7:46 am

        If you have a pc all of your songs are backed up on a “itunes” subfodler of your “my music” folder

        Drag and drop into your Galaxy phone . Simple as that.

        • sbseven1

          01/26/2013 at 12:59 am

          Find the exact path in any tracks properties. I think its ‘get info’ and that way you can find the whole containing folder.

      • William

        01/19/2013 at 1:13 pm

        Samsung Kies sees the iTunes library and offers to import it into my Galaxy SII…can’t imagine that feature would go away.

      • Wordplaya

        01/31/2013 at 12:45 am

        I use doubleTwist to transfer my library to my nexus 7, works great and its free. download on your computer and on your phone and you’re set. However, if you meant that you only have your songs on your phone and not your computer, you can transfer them from the phone to your computer using a lesser known software called senuti (itunes backwards). It will transfer music from your iphone to iTunes, then you can use doubleTwist to transfer to your android device. Hope that helps!

      • Peter

        02/26/2013 at 12:21 pm

        I believe that the app called Doubletwist may allow you to do that, look it up.

  2. Eddie

    01/15/2013 at 8:33 am

    S IV

  3. s2user

    01/15/2013 at 11:04 am

    @ Mandi. you have to burn all of your songs to cd’s then burn them back to your computer and then change the format of the files. At least thats how you used to be able to do it but like it was stated before. Apple does a pretty good job of trapping you into using their products.

    • Ryan

      01/15/2013 at 11:31 pm

      No you don’t. Get isyncr, period.

  4. William

    01/16/2013 at 7:38 pm

    Some of my friends asked if I was going to get an iphone as my next phone. I looked at them as if they were crazy. Iphones are so outdated now. Samsung is the true leader.

  5. Adham ahmed

    01/16/2013 at 8:05 pm

    Ok might some people are right about apple being old style but you guys must admit that apple still in the challenge and andriod yes they making a good progress but they gust make a bigger phones with hd screens flixeble or aliens kind whatever but they don’t have the simplicity in their systems andriod is andriod that’s way apple sold 5 millions iphone 5 in the first week and still in challenge cause the have the Simplicity …..openion

  6. John-Phillip Saayman

    01/17/2013 at 8:26 am

    Android is simple to use… you just need some common sense. And with android there isn’t just one way to do something, sometimes 3 different ways. Only reason iphone 5 sold in the first week, is coz they probably thought they were getting something new.. but.. they didn’t

  7. Frank

    01/18/2013 at 3:27 am

    Just download easy phone tunes on your galaxy and pc and you can sync all your iTunes over to galaxy easily.

  8. Joseph Lotorto (@tagont1)

    01/27/2013 at 1:22 pm

    Love Samsungs approach to batteries. … Make em large and removable. Way to go Sammy. Keep up the good work and we’ll keep buying em.

  9. Bree

    02/06/2013 at 9:30 pm

    Whoever made that sh!ta$s ‘Samsung galaxy sIIII’ image OBVIOUSLY failed to learn roman numerology, bahahahaha

  10. Kristy

    02/14/2013 at 1:15 pm

    For any of you who like apple products but would like to rid yourself of the phone so you can have a phone that actually suits you and allows you to have your own personality get an iPod touch….I love phones like I love my purses and shoes, wanting to have multiple os’s and apps readily available on one phone would be grand however impossible but changing your sd card isn’t :) My solution is thus, I own a galaxy s3, I want a nokia lumina 920/Verizon issued and I only really want an iPod touch to round off my ability to use the phone of the day/week etc. With the S4 about to launch and the Verizon version of the Nokia coming (?) the upgrade I have (unfortunately) just one is up for grabs as to which phone unveils itself first and what the $$ signs look like for full price phone. Either way you can’t go wrong doing it this way because you have the best of all os’s in hand in the end. Enjoy!

  11. Eddie Anderson

    02/26/2013 at 1:50 pm

    Galaxy s4 is going to be the best phone out this year, looking forward to being on of the first to get it hope it launches in the u.s first

  12. Anon8337

    03/13/2013 at 10:37 pm

    This whole article is dumb… It’s based entirely on speculation. There’s also a mistake in the picture of point number three. In roman numerals, 4 is IV. Not IIII.

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