Top 5 Smartphones to Consider Before Buying the Galaxy S4 [May, 2014]

The Samsung Galaxy S5 may have replaced the Samsung Galaxy S4 as the company’s flagship but the Galaxy S4 is still widely available and remains a solid choice for those that either don’t need top of the line hardware or don’t want to shell out the big bucks. There are, however, some devices we think that consumers need to look at before settling on Samsung’s cheap former flagship.

Samsung’s Galaxy S4 was arguably one of the most anticipated smartphones of all time. The buildup was due, in part, to the success that the company had selling, and marketing, the Samsung Galaxy S3. The Galaxy S3, one of the best selling smartphones of all time, propelled Samsung onto the same pedestal as Apple. And thus, consumers had high expectations for its follow up.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 emerged for the first time in mid-March at an Unpacked event in New York City. Samsung rented out the Radio Music Hall for the occasion and put on a show complete with stage actors, props and the usual stream of executives. The show was fit for a device of the Galaxy S4’s magnitude.

Samsung’s Galaxy S4, according to Samsung, did not live up to the company’s expectations. It also did not live up to the expectations of many consumers. However, that doesn’t make the Galaxy S4 a bad smartphone. In fact, it was one of 2014’s best and it’s a smartphone that still must be considered given its price tag and the features that it has on board. We should also mention that it’s due to get software updates throughout 2014.

We’ve heard from a number of people who are considering the Galaxy S4 as their next smartphone. It’s a little harder to recommend now that the Galaxy S5 is out but it’s still a very solid device.

Before buying the Samsung Galaxy S4, there are some smartphones that we think buyers must consider for various reasons. In particular, we think there are five devices that consumers must take a look at before buying into Samsung’s former flagship.

Keep in mind, our list may differ from yours but these are the devices that Gotta Be Mobile editors have selected for recognition this month. We feel like they deliver the best, all-around package at the moment. This list will change from month to month as rumored devices get closer to announcement and announced devices get released.

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