The Samsung Galaxy S4 brings with many new additional features and functions. While NFC isn't new and has been available on the Samsung Galaxy SIII, Samsung recently revealed that the previous programmable NFC sticker TecTiles doesn't work with the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV. So if you've been using this a lot (and have TecTile stickers all over the place) don't be surprised if your new Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV doesn't seem to work with them. This is because Samsung have released a new TecTiles 2 version. This news isn't such a big thing for Malaysia where not many people actually use it but for the tech savvy it could be the explanation for why your new smartphone isn't working as you well as the previous one.

Watching expensive smartphones fall is usually a nightmare most people don't want to see, but with the recent release of the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV we now have it in not one but two drop tests against the Apple iPhone 5 and the Samsung Galaxy SIII. Samsung have defended and stood by their decision to continue using a plastic polycarbonate body for the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV but have upped the protection for the display with a Corning Gorilla Glass 3 screen which recently proved it was as scratch proof as it could possibly be.

What they found out

The folks at iFixit just love tearing down smartphones and this was no different for the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV when it officially came out. After a brief tear down they discovered that the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV:

• has a removable battery
• has an iFixit score of 8 out of 10
• uses IR sensors near the screen to enable Air View and Air Gesture
• has one of the most sensitive screens around (can even use with gloves)
• has the same 4G LTE chip as Google Nexus 4

Practically all of the major telcos have already come out with their bundle plans for the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV. While not totally unexpected, all of them are offering the Non-LTE enabled Exynos 5 Octa powered Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV or I9500. The estimated RRP for this model is at RM2199. According to some telcos the LTE-enabled version or I9505 is coming soon, perhaps to be offered with a suitable LTE bundle plan.

Maxis have also come out with their Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV plan bundles and again it looks like it is the Non-LTE powered version. Perhaps the LTE-enabled version will come out with a special Maxis 4G LTE plan bundle later on, which Maxis have confirmed by saying that it is "Coming Soon". The lowest subsidized price of RM1149 has a couple of conditions which include:

• Exclusive for Online offers only
• Normal Price is RM1249
• Only available for New Maxis Line subscriptions

Celcom has released their bundle plans for the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV (Non-LTE) version. In a show of flexibility normally unseen before in previous initial offers, the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV is being offered under 12 months, 18 months and 24 months contracts and for nearly all of the bundles including Celcom First Prime, Celcom First Premier, Celcom First Elite and mPro Plus. The lowest subsidized price of RM1338 is of course only for a 24 month contract but there are more than one choice available. Check out the table below for all the details:

Just like all the other telcos in Malaysia, Celcom have come out with a Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV offer for tomorrow's official launch of the smartphone. This offer is at a jaw dropping RM588 but there are a number of conditions that have to be met to get that price which include:

• You have to buy it during the launch
• You must sign up for the Celcom First Voice with a Data mPro bundle plan

There is no doubt about it, the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV has got to be one of the most popular and in-demand smartphones around. Users in the US are clamoring for it just as much as users over here in Malaysia. Unfortunately there is such a thing as demand outstripping supply, which has been blamed for the recent delays of the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV in the US.

Already, some US carriers such as T-Mobile are moving the pre-order campaign from 24 April 2013 to 29 April 2013. Sprint is also moving the sales start from 27 April 2013 to a later but still unnamed date. According to these carriers, online pre-orders will be filled first before other orders can be processed.

After a bit of registering interest and waiting, U Mobile have finally sent off their Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV bundle details. On top of offering the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV at just RM899, they've also included a new plan called the U Plus plan. This new U Plus plan is supposedly for only selected loyal U Mobile postpaid customers so if you're a prepaid user or have only just started with the U Mobile bandwagon you're out of luck. The other plans that go with the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV include the U58, U88 and the U Premium plans. For more details, check out the table below:

Earlier rumours that Malaysia would be getting both the Non-LTE Exynos 5 powered Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV or I9500 and the LTE-enabled Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV or I9505 have turned out to be true. While the Non-LTE Exynos 5 powered Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV or I9500 has been in the SIRIM database for quite some time, a recent search has also revealed the LTE-enabled Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV or I9505 as well. Now, if we could just get our hands on the rumoured LTE-enabled Exynos 5 Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV version supposedly only available in South Korea, our collection would be complete.