Powerful and innovative, the Galaxy S4 keeps its promises

Big screen, latest generation equipment, surprising 

functions ... S4 Samsung is required in most applications.

the promise

Like its predecessor, the S3, Galaxy S4 does not revolutionize, at first, the world of telephony. Beyond the latest equipment and a slightly larger screen, yet innovative in a multitude of often amazing functions. Shows he as good as its predecessor? Its new features are they worth a visit? Here are the results of our tests.

reality

Despite its large 5-inch screen, an upper diagonal of 7 mm to that of S3, Galaxy S4 retains roughly the same size: it is a little less wide. To achieve this feat, Samsung has minimized the edges around the screen. Falling below the 8 mm thick, the device offers a very nice grip and gives the impression to its owner not to take a huge screen in the palm of your hand. Enhanced by the low weight of the S4 (130 g) immersion. This lightness required the use of plastic for ultrafine shell smartphone, instead of finest materials. The result is quite successful, no offense to the fans back in brushed metal or tempered glass, with an excellent finish.

A large display that appeals

With a processor among the most powerful of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 600, a quad-core 1.9 GHz S4 shows a foolproof response, including the latest games in 3D effects. Just can you blame him too much heat when it is very busy. The display screen high definition (1920 x 1080 points) impresses with its quality. The Super AMOLED technology has on the S4 further improved at infinite contrast adds a little larger than the S3 brightness (300 cd / m²). Despite its size, the screen does not compromise the autonomy of the smartphone, very good, with more than 14 hours on call, 7:30 and 9:30 surfing 3G video playback. Even if it does not reach that of the Galaxy Note 2, which remains a champion in the field ...

Really pro photo and video

In photo, S4 proves to be a great surprise. Its sensor goes from 8 to 13 megapixels but also delivers higher performance in good lighting conditions, often higher than the iPhone 5, the reference material. For low light, the Nokia Lumia 920 or HTC One still remains effective. On capture and video playback, the S4 does well with the S3 support many formats (MKV, DivX, Xvid, WMV, etc.) and this until 1080p. Note, it's a shame, the disappearance of the FM radio.

Useful functions, some other gadget

But it is in the field of software and applications that S4 sensation. Some are more a show of force that uses real improvement. Others, enough bluffing, will be useful in everyday life for great pictures, fun or save time. These new integrated with TouchWiz overlay is the possibility to control the smartphone with gestures (quite effective) or even look (slightly less efficient). With Air View option, the preview content files or SMS is instant pointing the finger (with a feature on the Note 2 but required the use of the pen): the effect is staggering, utility more questionable. Finally beyond application health (Health S), instant translator in written and oral (S-Translator), it is the new photo mode that impress the most. Besides the classics (HDR, Panorama, etc.), the more we discover amazing features like Eraser intruders crossing a photo or drama to merge multiple shots of a moving subject in a single photo montage. Quite dazzling!

Compatible with the latest tech

As S3, Galaxy S4 is distinguished by its removable battery and a MicroSD reader (supports cards) up to 64 GB enough essential since only the 16GB version of the smartphone, for now, for sale and leaves less than 10 GB for the user to store its files. Finally, the S4 is MHL-compatible (for HDMI connection to the TV), DLNA (same wireless), Miracast (to use the TV as a mirror screen smartphone), NFC (for contactless payment or exchange data). It also supports mobile networks up to 42 Mbit / s and 4G. In short, it includes most of the new technologies and all this will soon be complemented by an extensive catalog of accessories.

the verdict

Despite a slim package and dimensions are very reasonable for the big screen, the Galaxy S4 features a complete and very powerful equipment. Gifted in photos and video, bristling with new original features and running the latest version of Android, the new smartphone from Samsung will overshadow its competitors.