Samsung

Samsung Galaxy S4: Pros and Cons

Android OS v5.0 (Lollipop)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 APQ8064AB
Adreno 320
2 GB / 16 GB
5 inch (1080 x 1920 px)
13 MP, 4128 x 3096 px, autofocus

Samsung announced the launch of the Galaxy S4 smartphone in 2015. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5 inch Super AMOLED display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 APQ8064AB SoC, and 2 GB of RAM. The Galaxy S4 series was launched with Android OS v5.0 (Lollipop) pre-installed, but it is upgradable. The phone comes with a high-quality AMOLED display. This smartphone has a single camera on the back (13 MP, 4128 x 3096 px, autofocus). Let's dive into what makes this device unique.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.

Samsung Galaxy S4 / 1

Samsung Galaxy S4 specifications

BrandSamsung
NameGalaxy S4
ModelSPH-L720
Release date2015

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight4.59 oz
Dimensions136.6 mm x 69.8 mm x 7.9 mm
Colorsblack mist, electric blue, purple mirage, white frost
SIM typeMicro SIM

The weight of Samsung Galaxy S4 is about 4.59 oz with battery. This is average for smartphones of the same size. A micro SIM is a smaller version of the standard SIM card used in mobile devices.

Samsung Galaxy S4 / 1

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v5.0 (Lollipop)
SoCQualcomm Snapdragon 600 APQ8064AB
CPUQuad-core 1.9 GHz Krait 300
GPUAdreno 320

The Samsung Galaxy S4 comes with Android OS v5.0 (Lollipop) out of the box. The Android operating system uses the Linux kernel as its foundation. It includes a user interface, middleware, and many pre-installed applications. The mid-range CPU can deliver fast, efficient performance for many tasks. Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors work with Adreno GPUs. The processors are designed for the GPUs.

Samsung Galaxy S4 / 2

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeSuper AMOLED
Screen size5 inch
Resolution1080 x 1920 px
Multitouch supportyes

AMOLED displays enable an Always-On Display feature. A part of the screen remains active to display the time, date, and notifications. The 5 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.

Samsung Galaxy S4 / 3

Memory, storage

RAM2 GB
Internal storage16 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

The smartphone has 2 GB of RAM. It can run many apps at once without much lag or slowness. The needed RAM amount for good performance depends on factors. These include the OS, the apps, and the services you use. Most people think a smartphone needs at least 32 GB of storage. The Galaxy S4 has only 16 GB. You can expand the internal storage (16 GB) with a compatible microSD card.

Samsung Galaxy S4 / 4

Cameras, flash

Main camera13 MP, 4128 x 3096 px, autofocus
FlashLED
Selfie camera2 MP

The single camera can be enough for many smartphone users. It depends on their photography needs and preferences. The Galaxy S4 comes with a basic camera setup and lacks any advanced features.

Samsung Galaxy S4 / 5

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetoothv4.0, A2DP, LE
GPSA-GPS
NFCyes
FM radiono
USBmicroUSB 2.0, USB host
Headphone3.5 mm jack

Worldwide, people use 4G networks. They have become the standard for mobile networks in many countries. The phone is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The Galaxy S4 smartphone is capable of connecting to Bluetooth devices. The GPS allows this smartphone to find their exact location. It provides accurate navigation and mapping. The Galaxy S4 has a built-in NFC chip, which allows it to support various NFC applications and services. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Samsung Galaxy S4 / 6

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Ion 2600 mAh, non-removable

The Li-Ion 2600 mAh, non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The Li-ion is a low maintenance battery. It does not need periodic full discharge. The battery of Galaxy S4 isn't removable without voiding the warranty.

Samsung Galaxy S4 / 7

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, compass, light, proximity
SpecialsCorning Gorilla Glass 3

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The Galaxy S4 smartphone has an accelerometer. The light sensor detects the level of light in the environment. Corning Gorilla Glass is a type of chemically strengthened super-glass.

Verdict, pros and cons

Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this Samsung phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.

Pros

  • Super AMOLED display
  • microSD slot
  • Corning Gorilla Glass shield

Cons

  • limited-size screen
  • insufficient internal storage
  • single camera setup
  • no OIS function
  • no 5G support
  • no Type-C USB port
  • low-capacity battery
  • no fingerprint reader
Add Samsung Galaxy S4 to your comparison

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Lucas Bradley I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.
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