After months of rumors, Samsung finally
took the wraps off its next-generation Galaxy S4 at a huge press event at Radio City Music Hall in New York last night. That location was no coincidence. From its 1.9-GHz quad-core processor to its 13-megapixel camera, the Galaxy S4 is an almost theatrically overblown phone, stuffed to the plastic casing with hardware and features.
But is it good enough to lure Apple fanboys and girls over to Android? We've stacked up specs for the GS4 side by side against the iPhone 5 to help determine which phone is right for you. Comparing Android to iOS is a little like comparing apples to oranges, but as you can see from the specs, it's a pretty close call everywhere else.
When you look at the phones next to one another, one thing's for certain: the Galaxy S4 is a heck of a lot bigger. With a huge 5-inch screen, the Galaxy S4 technically meets our size requirements for a phablet, which we use to describe phones with screen sizes ranging from 5.0 to 6.9 inches. That means it's probably not as comfortable to hold and use the GS4 as it is the 4-inch iPhone 5, especially if you have smaller hands.
| Name | Samsung Galaxy S4 | Apple iPhone 5 (AT&T) |
| |
|
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| Editor Rating |
| |
| Lowest Price |
| $199.00 MSRP
|
| Dimensions | 5.38 x 2.75 x 0.31 inches | 4.9 x 2.3 x 0.3 inches |
| Weight | 4.59 oz | 4 oz |
| Operating System as Tested | Android 4.2.2 | iOS |
| Total Integrated Storage | 16, 32, or 64 GB | 16, 32, or 64 GB |
| Processor Speed | Quad-core 1.9 GHz | 1 GHz |
| Screen Size | 5 inches | 4 inches |
| Screen Resolution | 1920 x 1080 pixels | 1136 x 640 pixels |
| Screen Type | Super AMOLED HD | Retina |
| Screen Pixels Per Inch | 441 ppi | 326 |
| Camera Resolution | 13 MP Rear; 2 MP Front-Facing | 8 MP Rear; 1.2 MP Front-Facing |
| Video Camera Resolution | 1080p Rear; 1080p Front-Facing | 1080p Rear; 720p Front-Facing |
| 802.11x/Band(s) | 802.11 b/g/n/ac | 802.11 b/g/n |
| Bluetooth Version | 4 | 4 |
| GPS | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| microSD Slot | Yes | No |
| Battery Life (As Tested) | | 8 hours 40 minutes |
| | Read the Review | Read the Review
|
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But for those who think bigger is better, the Galaxy S4's monster screen is a step up from its predecessor in terms of size and resolution. Coming in at a full 1,920-by-1080 pixels, the GS4's Super AMOLED panel is rich and bright. At 441 pixels per inch, it's also a good deal denser than the iPhone 5's Retina display, which has 326 pixels per inch. On the other hand, Samsung's PenTile pixel arrangement can make things look a little fuzzy, which is sure to turn some people off.
Other specs are more difficult to compare. We still don't even know who makes the GS4's quad-core 1.9-GHz processor, let alone how well it will perform. And the GS4's 13-megapixel camera has lots of crazy features, like the ability to record from both the front and rear cameras at the same time. But recent experience with phones like the
LG Optimus G for Sprint has shown us that more megapixels don't necessarily equal better images. The iPhone 5 remains one of our favorite camera phones, so it'll be interesting to see how the GS4 compares.
[h=3]
Hands On With the Samsung Galaxy S4[/h]
VIEW ALL PHOTOS IN GALLERY
The biggest difference is that the Galaxy S4 uses the latest version of Android (4.2.2; Jelly Bean), while the iPhone 5 uses iOS 6.1.2. iOS is an easier operating system to learn and use, especially for beginners, and the Apple App Store is still unsurpassed in terms of number of apps available and quality. But the Google Play store is nipping at its heels, and Android features a
much more customizable interface for advanced users, which lets you configure your phone exactly how you want it.
There's still no price or release date for the Galaxy S4, but it will be available on all four major U.S. Carriers, as well as Cricket and U.S. Cellular. That means it'll be easier to get than the iPhone 5. But only time will tell if it will be better.
For more, see
PCMag's hands on with the Galaxy S4 and the slideshow above.
