All about Samsung Galaxy S4

[nageov3t]

The AT&T and Verizon versions are bootloader locked by default. An exploit has been found for the AT&T version, but the developer won't release it in case it can work on the Verizon version as well. Until the Verizon version is released everyone is in a holding pattern.


Sidenote: It is obvious Verizon gave AT&T this idea, so if you don't mind I am going to hate your cell phone provider with a deep passion for the rest of my life for working to ruin Android.

I don't blame you

but the 4G coverage area in the NYC metro region outweighs any hate I may have for Verizon (at least as long as my bill is paid for by work... if I ever get a new job and had to pay my own bill, I'd probably switch back to Sprint)

 

[lopri]

Once the S4 Google Edition is out maybe someone can figure out how to dual boot between Touch-Wiz ROM and stock Android ROM? lol it'll be interesting. Gotta make use of those fancy sensors. Very curious what "Google's take" on Android will look like.


Posted from Anandtech.com App for Android

 

[abaez]

Google's take? It's stock Android.

 

[Germanic]

So what benefits does the Galaxy S4 Google Version give?

 

[chimaxi83]

So what benefits does the Galaxy S4 Google Version give?

Stock, unbloated Android, and the first to receive the latest OS updates. That's about it.

 

[MrTransistorm]

Well now that's official... June 26th...

I was holding out for a 32GB version from T-Mobile, but there has been almost no indication of when or even if they'll ever sell it. Instead I'll gladly settle for 16GB w/stock Android directly from Google.

It's going to be a long six week wait... :\

 

[Crono]

So can we finally admit the Samsung added "features" are pretty much crap?

 

[chimaxi83]

So can we finally admit the Samsung added "features" are pretty much crap?

Debatable, but the Touchwiz camera app shits on anything AOSP. Probably my only reason for sticking to TW roms as daily drivers on my GS3 and Note 2.

 

[Chocu1a]

So can we finally admit the Samsung added "features" are pretty much crap?

Not really. I actually don't mind touchwiz. The camera software is pretty damn good. On my Note 2, the s-pen features are great(granted, no s-pen on GS4, but air gestures & remote ir blaster are pretty cool, too.)
Samsung is pretty good with updating the OS, not like Google, of course, but they are on 4.2. Many people I know choose Galaxy devices because they like the way the phone works(touchwiz).:whiste:
Actually, I came from a Galaxy Nexus. I personally found touchwiz to add things I wanted that AOSP was missing. It is not an dissimilar experience.

 

[Roland00Address]

So I bought the ankho 5200 mah extended battery. I was waiting for the zero lemon but it is not out yet and I am going traveling this weekend and thus will not be near home for a 100 hours or so. I guess I will be testing it out. Cost me 18 dollars shipped from amazon.

I do not like how the replacement case is wedged on the last third of the screen near the camera, combine with the very smooth back and I am reminded of the gs3 case and how it was hard to hold due to the rounded curves

 

[Crono]

Debatable, but the Touchwiz camera app shits on anything AOSP. Probably my only reason for sticking to TW roms as daily drivers on my GS3 and Note 2.

Not really. I actually don't mind touchwiz. The camera software is pretty damn good. On my Note 2, the s-pen features are great(granted, no s-pen on GS4, but air gestures & remote ir blaster are pretty cool, too.)
Samsung is pretty good with updating the OS, not like Google, of course, but they are on 4.2. Many people I know choose Galaxy devices because they like the way the phone works(touchwiz).:whiste:
Actually, I came from a Galaxy Nexus. I personally found touchwiz to add things I wanted that AOSP was missing. It is not an dissimilar experience.

I don't disagree about the camera features because that's one area where more toggles = a good thing. But it's not like you can pick and choose what features you need in Touchwiz or what Samsung includes by default. I was speaking about the entire package. It seems like even Google took a dig at Samsung by saying the Google experience on the Google S4 "feels really awesome". Of course, I might be reading in to that, but the very fact that Google is making a developer version of an OEM's model means they think it's an improvement.

I doubt Samsung minds all that much, but what a waste of features and marketing on Samsung's part if the Galaxy S4 is going to end up as almost a Nexus device. And it probably means they need to differentiate solely based on hardware and physical design in the future if the GGS4 is a runaway success.

 

[ChronoReverse]

I'm just hoping Google will have the drivers for all the hardware. That'll bring up AOSP close to Touchwiz's sheer abilities.

 

[WelshBloke]

Stock, unbloated Android, and the first to receive the latest OS updates. That's about it.

Theres no guarantee of the bolded at all. This is not a Nexus device and it's not made by/for Google.

 

[Skurge]

Theres no guarantee of the bolded at all. This is not a Nexus device and it's not made by/for Google.

Google said it themselves. The Xoom was similar.

 

[rcpratt]

Just preordered

Any case recommendations? I hate large cases, but I also destroyed my GS3 from dropping it too much (with a too-small case), so I suppose I have to go bigger...

 

[gorcorps]

Not really. I actually don't mind touchwiz. The camera software is pretty damn good. On my Note 2, the s-pen features are great(granted, no s-pen on GS4, but air gestures & remote ir blaster are pretty cool, too.)
Samsung is pretty good with updating the OS, not like Google, of course, but they are on 4.2. Many people I know choose Galaxy devices because they like the way the phone works(touchwiz).:whiste:
Actually, I came from a Galaxy Nexus. I personally found touchwiz to add things I wanted that AOSP was missing. It is not an dissimilar experience.

Agreed that TW has some good stuff in it. It has the best dialer/contact list IMO, definitely better than the asop one.

 

[Axon]

If touchwiz didn't slow things down dramatically, it wouldn't bother me at all.

 

[Red Storm]

Theres no guarantee of the bolded at all. This is not a Nexus device and it's not made by/for Google.

Google did say updates would come directly from them to the device, so in essence it effectively is a Nexus device.

 

[thecapsaicinkid]

Google did say updates would come directly from them to the device, so in essence it effectively is a Nexus device.

No it isn't. Nexus is Google's own phone, the way they want it. The GS4 isn't this at all, It's almost the opposite in fact. It's expensive, has multiple storage partitions, LTE, hardware buttons, removable battery, crazy high pixel density screen, high end camera etc. etc. Nexus is about making Google software shine for minimal cost.

 

[chimaxi83]

No it isn't. Nexus is Google's own phone, the way they want it. The GS4 isn't this at all, It's almost the opposite in fact. It's expensive, has multiple storage partitions, LTE, hardware buttons, removable battery, crazy high pixel density screen, high end camera etc. etc. Nexus is about making Google software shine for minimal cost.

So a barebones Android experience, in terms of both hardware and software, is all Nexus is and ever will be?

 

[Fire&Blood]

Someone compared the AOSP S4 to Xoom and that feels like the most fitting description.

 

[Dari]

Samsung willing to do this for the same price as the regular S4 shows how much value they have in their software. It really is all bloated gimmick.

 

[Aganazer]

Just preordered

Any case recommendations? I hate large cases, but I also destroyed my GS3 from dropping it too much (with a too-small case), so I suppose I have to go bigger...

The Spigen Neo Hybrid is pretty sweet. Out of the dozen or so that I've seen its the nicest looking.

In reality the outer band is not quite as machined looking as the pic, but still very nice. I'd imagine the paint would chip when its dropped.

 

[Red Storm]

No it isn't. Nexus is Google's own phone, the way they want it. The GS4 isn't this at all, It's almost the opposite in fact. It's expensive, has multiple storage partitions, LTE, hardware buttons, removable battery, crazy high pixel density screen, high end camera etc. etc. Nexus is about making Google software shine for minimal cost.

Uh yes it is. It runs stock Android and gets prompt updates direct from Google. That's what makes it effectively a Nexus because that is what people care about.

 

[Elganja]

Expected Ship Date: 05/23/2013 ... one more week!