Samsung Announces Galaxy S 4 Phablet And iPhone 5 Challenger

Samsung Electronics has announced the fourth generation Galaxy S, the 5-inch Galaxy S 4 phablet/smartphone featuring a larger screen size and battery, minimized bezel, and housed in a light (130g) and slim (7.9mm) shape. The Samsung Galaxy S 4 is slimmer yet claimed to be stronger, with less to hold yet more to see. At launch, two color options will be available – Black Mist and White Frost, with a variety of additional color options to follow later this year.

“With the Galaxy S 4, Samsung is again going to enhance the way we live,” says J.K. Shin, President and Head of IT & Mobile Communications Division at Samsung. “All the innovative features of Galaxy S 4 were developed based on the insights and needs we found from our consumers all around the world. Following the successful Galaxy S series, this phone is yet another great proof point of people-inspired innovation. At Samsung well never stop pursuing innovation conceived by people, so we can inspire them in return.”

The Galaxy S 4 has the world’s first Full HD Super AMOLED display. Its 5-inch large screen has 441 ppi pixel density and also utilizes Cornings new Gorilla Glass 3, making it a durable travel companion.

Equipped with a 13 megapixel rear camera, the Galaxy S 4 also boasts a Dual Camera function that allows simultaneous use of both front and rear cameras. When capturing moments, users can choose from a variety of frame effects which blend the two pictures naturally and also adjust the size of the small picture inside the big one. Users can select 8 different ways to combine the two photos taken by the front camera and the rear camera. At the same time, the Dual Video Call function enables you to make and receive a video call with friends and family while showing what you are looking at during the call.

The camera functionality extends beyond Dual Camera, as the device is also equipped with 12 shooting modes including Drama Shot, which allows you to see all the action in one continuous time-lapse, and Sound & Shot, which uniquely stores sound and voice together as the picture is taken so those special moments are captured in the truest form imaginable, exactly as they happened.

These moments can also now automatically be stored in a photo album, with the new Story Album function. Photos taken by the Galaxy S 4 are automatically gathered and sorted out according to your timeline, geo-tagging information, or a specific event to create a photo album. These unique story albums can be ordered and delivered as an offline photo album through a new partnership with Blurb.*

With its Group Play function, Samsung Galaxy S 4 users can enjoy music, photos, documents and games with those around them without requiring a Wi-Fi AP or cellular signal. This innovative feature enables users to connect directly with others to share, play and co-create content and entertainment instantly. Its Share Music option allows users to have the same song playing on multiple phones in sync to create the best party atmosphere.

The Galaxy S 4 enhances the international travel experience with its S Translator feature which provides instant translation, using text or voice translation on applications including email, text message and ChatON. This instant translation is possible both from speech to text and text to speech and ensures that you can rely on the correct information whilst abroad.

The Galaxy S 4 supports HSPA+42 Mbps and 4G LTE which means wherever you are in the world, you can rely on perfect connectivity. Especially, the LTE version supports up to 6 different band sets which allows it to function in most LTE coverage areas as well as enabling global LTE roaming. Furthermore, TDD/FDD LTE Dual Mode version will be introduced later this year.

Samsung’s Smart Pause enables you to control the screen by where you look. When you are watching a video, the video pauses when you look away then it starts right up again when you are back. Samsung Smart Scroll allows you to scroll the browser or emails up and down without touching the screen. It recognizes your face looking at the screen and movement of your wrist and then scrolls the pages up or down accordingly.

Air View allows users to hover with their fingers to preview the content of an email, S Planner, image gallery or video without having to open it. You can even see a magnified view on the internet browser, or a phone number saved in the speed dial on the keypad. With Air Gesture, you can change the music track, scroll up and down a web page, or accept a call with a wave of your hand.

With S Voice Drive you can activate commands via voice control for optimization when driving. Once connected with a car Bluetooth, the phone automatically turns into driving mode converting text to speech so you can easily and safely check messages with no need to look at the screen.

Samsung Optical Reader automatically recognizes text, a business card or QR code information, and providing useful functions such as translation, call, text message and search.

At home, using Samsung WatchON, the Galaxy S 4 will transform into an IR remote to control your home entertainment system including TV, set-top box, DVD player and even air conditioner. In addition, you can enjoy various content including live TV, cable TV and VOD based on the rich information provided by EPG (Electronic Program Guide).

The Galaxy S 4 can keep you up-to-date with health and well-being information using the new S Health software. The combination of sensors built into the device systematically and automatically monitors your health, surroundings and so much more to help improve your quality of life. Also, users can easily check their health conditions using food diary, exercise diary and sleep monitor to stay fit and healthy. (Certain functions are enabled by specific accessories.)

Samsung Adapt Display provides an optimal viewing experience, customized for each type of application, and Samsung Adapt Sound offers an optimal level and type of sound, personalized for each user, to make the most out of life.

Samsung Galaxy S 4 will be available from Q2 globally including US, partnering with AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, as well as US Cellular and Cricket. In Europe, Samsung Galaxy S 4 is partnering with global mobile operators such as Deutsche Telecom, EE, H3G, Orange, Telenor, Telia Sonera, Telefonica, and Vodafone.

Notes:

* Android, Google, Android Beam, Google Search, Google Maps, Gmail, Google Latitude, Google Play, Google Plus, YouTube, Google Talk, Google Places, Google Navigation, Google Downloads are trademarks of Google Inc.

* Samsung Galaxy S 4 uses Cornings new Gorilla Glass 3 with Native Damage Resistance. This cover glass, Cornings newest formulation, enables improved damage and scratch resistance and reduced scratch visibility.

* Blurb, the global creative publishing platform, partners with Samsung to power worldwide book and magazine print production and fulfillment within the Galaxy S 4s new Story Album application. Users of Story Album will now be able to automatically create professional quality print photo books and magazines quickly and seamlessly from their camera phone images.

For more information, visit:
http://www.samsung.com