Samsung has finally silenced all the rumours by officially launching the Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone.
Suggesting the Samsung Galaxy S4 was borne, among other things, out of the recognition users wanted just one device for work and play rather than two separate handsets, JK Shin, president of Samsung Mobile, said it was intended to become a life companion that makes the user experience richer and simpler.
"We have used technology and innovation to help us to get closer to what matters in life," he said, adding the Samsung Galaxy S4 was "slimmer, yet stronger. Less to hold, yet more to see."
The new arrival sports a larger screen and enhanced battery life, yet it's incredibly light and slim. Vital statistics measure in at 7.9mm thick and 130g. Ryan Bidan, Samsung's director of product marketing, said it was "mind-blowingly slim."
The Samsung Galaxy S4 has the world's first full HD Super AMOLED display, according to Samsung. With a five inch screen with 441ppi and a 13 megapixel rear camera, the new device looks set to delight photo and video lovers. A new dual-camera function means both the front and back snappers can be used at the same time.
We have used technology and innovation to help us to get closer to what matters in life.
The handset, which comes with Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean as an OS, will be available in both 3G and 4G variants. It is also the first Samsung device to sport KNOX, the enterprise-grade security software the company first talked about at this year's Mobile World Congress event.
Other new features include:
- Samsung Smart Pause: A way to control what's happening on your screen determined by where you are looking.
- AirGesture/View: Designed to bring the power of touch to the next level through waves and swipes as commands.
- Samsung Optical Reader:A quick and easy way to recognise text, QR codes and more.
- Samsung WatchON: This transforms your handset into an IR remote control for home entertainment systems.
- S Health: A quick and easy way to ensure you're in as good shape as you're new device thanks to monitoring tools and sensors.
- Samsung Adapt Display/Sound, which adapt to the user's particular application or preferences in terms of audio volume.
The Samsung Galaxy S4 will be supported by 327 mobile operators in 155 countries starting from the end of April. The UK is one of the first countries on this roll-out list.
Carphone Warehouse has already confirmed it will be selling the Samsung Galaxy S4 on all of the major networks from 25 April. Its COO Graham Stapleton believes the launch timing is spot on as 4G becomes supported by more networks this summer.
"The record-breaking launch of the Galaxy S3 last year was always going to be a tough one to beat, but Samsung has pulled out all the stops with a dazzling new device that's sure to inspire many people to make the switch to Android from other operating systems," he said.
