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Last night, Samsung took over Radio City Music Hall and unveiled its latest top-of-the-line smartphone, the Galaxy S 4. After months of anticipation and a raft of image and data leaks, we finally get the official word from Samsung on what features the follow-up to the current best-selling Android phone will have. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about Samsung's next big thing.
Design
No, you're not bugging. The Galaxy S IV looks nearly identical to the Galaxy S III. Samsung decided to play it safe when replacing what's currently the best-selling Android phone, and the iPhone's real competitor. That means the new device is treated to neat nips and tucks. It's a bit more angular than the rounder out going model. And the bezel around the screen has been reduced. Despite the larger display, the phone is now taller (5.46-inches) and thinner (0.31-inches) than the S III. It's also lighter, weighing in at 4.6 ounces. Those hoping for a more luxurious material adoring the back will be disappointed as the S IV sports a plastic rear casing.
Display
The Galaxy S IV may look like the S III, but there's one big, glaring difference: the bigger display. In place of the 4.8-inch screen there's now a 5-inch Super AMOLED unit that sports a full 1080p (1920x1080) resolution with 441 pixels per inch. We've yet to see it in person, but all reports we've read say it's one of the best smartphone displays on the market with rich color reproduction and more than ample brightness.
Hardware
Samsung didn't stop at the display. Everything inside the Galaxy S IV has been upgraded. There's now 2 GB of RAM, and a larger 2600 mAh battery (bumped from 2100 mAh). The S IV will be available with either 16, 32, or 64 GB of internal storage, and a microSD slot. To help you stay connected to damn near everything there's Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4, and Near-Field Communication connectivity on board. There's also an IR port.Samsung was mum on what processor is at the heart of the S IV, but the popular guess is that it's a quad-core unit.
Camera
Samsung upped both the camera software and hardware for the S IV. In the back, there's now a 13 MP shooter (up from 8 MP), while the front-facing camera is treated to a 2 MP sensor that can also capture 720p footage. But the bigger story is the upgraded camera software.
The S IV now has the same interface as the newly released Galaxy Camera. This means the same easy-to-use menus, centered around dials instead of the traditional Android interfaces. If you've never used a Galaxy Camera, take it from: This is a very good thing.
There are also a bunch of new camera modes including a dual-camera picture-in-picture mode that allows you to simultaneously film something and film your reaction to whatever it is you're filming. There's one that lets you make GIFs, and one that lets you do time-lapse photography.
Software
When the Galaxy S IV launches later this year it will come running Android Jelly Bean, the latest and greatest version of Google's operating system. Running atop that will be Samsung's Touch Wiz UI. But that's not the headliner-that distinction goes to a suite of new features aimed at making your phone easier to use and, well, more useful.
Two new "Smart" features use the phones camera to detect when you're looking at it. Smart Pause automatically pauses a video when it senses that you look away from your phone. Smart Scroll allows you to tilt the phone forward or backward to scroll through a document or a web page. There are also features that Samsung borrowed from the Galaxy Note II that allow you to maneuver through menus, galleries, and other onscreen things by merely hovering your finger over them.
Oh, the S IV can now replace your Nike FuelBand thanks to S Health, Samsung's health app which tracks your steps, movement, and your caloric intake.
Accessories
Very few companies like phone accessories more than Samsung. In addition to the traditional flip case, the a new S View Cover will be available for the S IV that has a built-in display and will let you view missed and incoming calls, and notifications without waking up your phone. There's also the S Band which will work in junction with the S Health app, and a game controller.
Availibility
There's no word on what the Samsung Galaxy S IV will cost, but we do know you'll be able to pick one up at the end April. It will be available on AT&T, Verzion, T-Mobile, Sprint, U.S. Cellular, and Cricket. It will come in white and blue. We expect the price to be very near, if exactly, the same price of the current Galaxy S III.
