News & Reviews:   Samsung Galaxy S4

Based on DLNA certification, the recently rumoured Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 based Samsung Galaxy S4 has been confirmed. For now, the models that appeared in the DLNA report include the SHV-E330S, SHV-E330K, and SHV-E330L. The SHV-E330K and SHV-E330L are listed with the Qualcomm MSM8974 chip which is Qualcomm's internal classification for the Snapdragon 800.

While we've seen any number of drop tests between the Samsung Galaxy S4 and the Apple iPhone 5, we've never seen how much punishment each device can actually take. The video below shows just that, putting both smartphones through total destruction tests to see just how tough and durable each smartphone is. The results may surprise you, especially considering that one is made from a supposedly tougher aluminum unibody, while another is mostly premium plastic. Granted, the Samsung Galaxy S4 does have Gorilla Glass 3 but this is only good for screen related tests.

After the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active got it's official confirmation it is now time for the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom to get it's official announcement. Is it the Samsung Galaxy Camera's little brother or is it the Samsung Galaxy Camera II? Regardless, it looks like a Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini on the back and a Samsung ultracompact digital camera at the front, complete with 10x telescopic optical lens. In terms of tech specs the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom offers:

• 4.3-inch Super AMOLED (960 x 540) display
• 1.5GHz dual-core processor
• 1.5GB RAM
• 8GB storage
• 16MP rear camera (10x optical zoom, OIS 24-240mm, F3.1-F, Xenon flash, ISO: Auto ~ 3200, SMART Modes, Continuous Shot: 4fps MAX with AF) + 1.9MP front camera
• Supports LTE + 3G + Bluetooth 4.0 (LE) + WiFi a/b/g/n + NFC + A-GPS
• 2330 mAh battery
• Android 4.2
• 125.5 x 63.5 x 15.4 mm, 208g

Apple has always been more about their optimized software or operating system than other smartphone or device makers, so it comes as no surprise that the main reveal of WWDC 2013 was iOS 7. Coming with many new features, the new operating system will be available in Q3 (probably around August), for Apple iPhone 5 users. Developers and those with access can download the beta through the developer portal.

AnTuTu seems to be the new place to find new unannounced phones, as this new benchmark score from the site reveals a Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone that may be using a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor. Thanks to the benchmark screenshot, the model number of SHV-E330S was revealed which matches quite closely with the LTE-enabled Samsung Galaxy S4 released solely for Korea. The reason why it could be using the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor is because it is running at 2265MHz, a speed that supposedly only the Snapdragon 800 can achieve without overheating.

Already, two major smartphones have become Nexus devices by going Google Edition and it appears that the Sony Xperia Z Google Edition is next in line. Admittedly still the flagship smartphone of Sony, the Sony Xperia Z will follow suit and go stock Google according to two separate Android rumour sites. Like the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One before it, the Sony Xperia Z will get faster Nexus-like updates but apart from the ROM, it won't get any hardware refresh so tech specs should remain the same.

Another Samsung Galaxy S4 version that has so far not been revealed has just made it's first appearance. After the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini and Active, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom finally shows up with leaked images from two rather well known rumour sites. They confirm that the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom is going to be a cameraphone something along the lines of Samsung’s Galaxy Camera.  Rumoured tech specs for the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom include:

• 4.3-inch Super AMOLED display
• 1.6GHz dual-core processor
• 1GB RAM
• 8GB storage + up to 64GB microSD
• 16MP rear camera (10x optical zoom)
• Supports WiFi a/b/g/n + Bluetooth 4.0 LE + GPS
• Android 4.2.2

While you can control your Samsung Galaxy S4 with a wave of your hand, have you ever wondered if you can do that for your TV or your other household appliances? Well, while Samsung already have a number of SmartTVs which can be controlled like that, WiSee is a new gesture-recognition interface that uses WiFi to control everything in your house from sound systems and lights to temperature. If you've ever played Microsoft's Kinect motion-control games, it seems a lot like it, using a pushing gesture that isn't normally used in everyday life to activate the system and followed by a different gesture to indicate what you want the system to do.

After months of rumours, Samsung have officially announced their rugged, water-proof Samsung Galaxy S4 Active smartphone. While we're wondering what they are going to reveal at the Samsung Premiere event on 20 June 2013, it does confirm quite a lot of rumours that have spread about the Galaxy S4 Active. For now the tech specs of the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active include:

• 1.9GHz Quad-core processor
• 5-inch TFT LCD (1080p, Glove Touch)
• 2GB RAM
• 16GB Storage + up to 64GB microSD
• 8MP rear camera + 2MP front camera
• 2600 mAh battery
• 9.1mm slim | 151g
• supports ambient light, accelerometer, barometer, digital compass, finger hover, gesture, gyro and proximity sensors
• Android 4.2.2
• IP67 dust and water resistance rating

Maxis has recently begun selling the LTE-enabled Samsung Galaxy S4 or I9505 from as low as RM1399. The smartphone is available with Maxis TalkMore and SurfMore packages and for 12 month or 24 month contracts. As stated earlier the RRP for the Samsung Galaxy S4 I9505 is RM2499 because it is the 32GB version. While Maxis have put it up on their website, it isn't available online so if you want it, you'll need to pay a visit to a nearby Maxis Store. Check out the table below for more details: