Samsung

Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom: Pros and Cons

Android OS v4.2.2 (Jelly Bean)
Exynos 4 Dual 4212
Mali-400 MP4
1.5 GB / 8 GB
4.3 inch (540 x 960 px)
16 MP, 4608 х 3456 px, autofocus, optical image stabilization

Samsung announced the launch of the Galaxy S4 Zoom smartphone in 2013. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 4.3 inch Super AMOLED display, Exynos 4 Dual 4212 SoC, and 1.5 GB of RAM. The Galaxy S4 Zoom series was launched with Android OS v4.2.2 (Jelly Bean) pre-installed, but it is upgradable. The 4.3 inch AMOLED displays has fast response times. This smartphone has a single camera on the back (16 MP, 4608 х 3456 px, autofocus, optical image stabilization). Does this phone justify its price tag? I hope to provide clarity by the conclusion of my review.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom 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.

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Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom specifications

BrandSamsung
NameGalaxy S4 Zoom
ModelSM-C1010
Release date2013

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight7.34 oz
Dimensions4.94 x 2.5 x 0.61 inch
Colorsblack, white
SIM typeMicro SIM

The weight of Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom is about 7.34 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.

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System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v4.2.2 (Jelly Bean)
SoCExynos 4 Dual 4212
CPUDual-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A9
GPUMali-400 MP4

The Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom comes with Android OS v4.2.2 (Jelly Bean) out of the box. Google has integrated many services with Android. These include Google Maps, Gmail, and Google Drive. This Exynos 4 Dual 4212 CPU can be fast enough for basic phone operations. Many mobile devices use ARM Mali GPUs. They are well known for their good performance and power efficiency.

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Display type, size, resolution

Display typeSuper AMOLED
Screen size4.3 inch
Resolution540 x 960 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. Smaller smartphones are generally more compact and easier to handle. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.

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Memory, storage

RAM1.5 GB
Internal storage8 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

1.5 GB of RAM is not typically considered to be enough for a smartphone. Having more RAM alone does not guarantee better performance. Most people think a smartphone needs at least 32 GB of storage. The Galaxy S4 Zoom has only 8 GB. You can expand the internal storage (8 GB) with a compatible microSD card.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom / 4

Cameras, flash

Main camera16 MP, 4608 х 3456 px, autofocus, optical image stabilization
FlashXenon Flash
Selfie camera1.9 MP

The single camera can be enough for many smartphone users. It depends on their photography needs and preferences. The main camera of Galaxy S4 Zoom has optical image stabilization (OIS). It counters camera shake.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom / 5

Connectivity, network, wireless

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

The Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom supports 4G/LTE networks. The phone is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The Galaxy S4 Zoom smartphone is capable of connecting to Bluetooth devices. The GPS allows this smartphone to find their exact location. It provides accurate navigation and mapping. This phone is NFC (Near Field Communication) capable. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom / 6

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Ion 2330 mAh

The Li-Ion 2330 mAh battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The Li-ion is a low maintenance battery. It does not need periodic full discharge. You can simply buy a new battery from the open market and interchange it by yourself.

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Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, compass, gyroscope, light, proximity
SpecialsCorning Gorilla Glass 3

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer provides information about the smartphone's movement in three axes. These are X (horizontal), Y (vertical), and Z (depth). The light sensor detects the level of light in the environment. Gorilla Glass is very scratch resistant. It reduces the likelihood of everyday scratches and abrasions.

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
  • optical image stabilization (OIS)
  • Corning Gorilla Glass shield

Cons

  • limited-size screen
  • insufficient memory
  • insufficient internal storage
  • single camera setup
  • no 5G support
  • no Type-C USB port
  • low-capacity battery
  • no fingerprint reader
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Please let us know if you find incorrect information or something isn't working. Also, tell us if you have a suggestion for improvement.

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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