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Verizon bumps up Samsung Galaxy S 4 launch to May 23rd
Disappoined that Verizon wasn't going to offer its variant of the Galaxy S 4 until May 30th? You're in for an unexpected treat: Big Red has just moved up the launch by a full week, to May 23rd. The $200 contract price remains the same, but we won't complain much when Samsung's quad-core flagship should now arrive ahead of the long weekend. It looks like those supply issues weren't quite so bad as some thought.
Samsung Galaxy S 4 with Exynos Octa-core: what's different?
More Info Samsung Galaxy S 4 review Samsung announces eight-core Exynos 5 'Octa' chip at CES Dual-SIM Samsung Galaxy S 4 launches in China with an Exynos 5 Octa inside Samsung's latest flagship, the Galaxy S 4, comes in two distinct flavors -- and they're both good. One uses the much-hyped Exynos Octa-core chip, while its identical twin takes advantage of the quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600. In either case, the availability depends on where you live: the Exynos-powered I9500 is difficult to find in North America (at least for now), but our friends at Negri Electronics, an online retailer currently stocking the Octa-core device, gave us the opportunity to play with a unit for a few days. During our time with the device, we were able to get a solid feel for how this particular version of Samsung's flagship compares to the Snapdragon 600-powered model. So how does it hold up against its Qualcomm brother in terms of performance and battery life? Read on to find out.%Gallery-187610%
32GB Samsung Galaxy S 4 coming to AT&T May 10th for $250
We knew that the 32GB version of the Samsung Galaxy S 4 would be coming to AT&T to complement its 16GB sibling for an extra 50 bucks, but the carrier kept pretty quiet about when it would show up. A tweet from AT&T's official account has finally confirmed that we'll be able to grab one starting May 10th for $250 with a two-year commitment. This is a solid option for those who have been looking forward to buying the flagship phone but aren't so keen on how much onboard storage is taken up by the OS itself.
PSA: T-Mobile's Samsung Galaxy S 4 available online today
Samsung's latest flagship, the GS4, landed on Sprint and AT&T a couple of days ago, and now it's T-Mobile's turn to join the party -- at least by way of its virtual stores. Taking advantage of the carrier's recently unveiled pricing scheme, the Galaxy S 4 will be available starting at $149.99 up front for the 16GB model (plus the $20 extra per month for the next two years, of course). Now, if you're looking to physically pick one up instead, you'll have to wait a little longer, as it won't be available at brick-and-mortar shops until May 1st.
Samsung tells the design story behind the Galaxy S 4 (video)
In case you missed it, Samsung released a new phone over the weekend and now the company's put together a quick video describing the design notions behind its Galaxy S 4. Expect to hear the word "intuitive" a fair few times, mostly in regard to those new software features and a return of those nature-inspired design licks. Samsung adds that it's has also cranked up the attention to detail on the hardware design, in search of the "perfect line" for its new flagship, though we're not exactly sure if it can be both "unlike anything you've ever seen before" and "not a radical difference, but more an evolution," as mentioned in the clip. Take in some sun-kissed vistas and the chilled-out soundtrack right after the break.
Samsung Galaxy S 4 drops original TecTile support, requires new TecTile 2
Don't get too attached to that collection of TecTiles if you're upgrading to a Galaxy S 4. AnandTech has discovered that Samsung's newer phone includes an NFC chipset that can't read the older TecTiles, which rely on a less common tag type to register our taps instead of the NFC Forum's standards. Customers aren't being left in a bind, however. Samsung has confirmed that it's about to release a follow-up, TecTile 2, which adheres to the official format while supporting the company's older NFC-equipped phones. The fully modernized tags will be ready sometime in the "coming weeks." That doesn't offer much immediate relief for GS3-to-GS4 upgraders whose TecTile layouts have suddenly been reduced to decorations, but those buyers should at least get the replacements they seek before long.
Root exploit unearthed for Snapdragon-based Galaxy S 4
Inventory delays may stifle prospective Galaxy S 4 owners, but such pesky hurdles appear to have little effect on Android's development community. An XDA-Developers member by the name of "djrbliss" has constructed a root exploit for Snapdragon-powered variants (see: all US carrier versions) of Samsung's newly christened flagship. While burrowing into your phone's software always carries some risk, the bold will find a complete how-to at the source link below.
Galaxy S4 teardown reveals the silicon beauty within the plastic beast
What's in a Galaxy S4? A whole lot of easily repairable parts, it turns out. The fine folks at iFixit recently got their hands on Samsung's smartphone flagship and wasted no time in tearing it asunder. Scoring an eight out of ten on the repairability scale, the GS4 puts up little defense to tinkering hands with only 11 screws standing between you and its innards. The front panel serves up the single source of difficulty since the glass and LCD are fused together and glued into the frame -- so, you'll have to scoop out most of its components to get to it and the Synaptics S5000B chip powering the tweaked capacitive display. Other than that, there aren't really any component surprises. But don't let that stop you from taking a full tour of the gore-y silicon glory at the source.
Dual-SIM Samsung Galaxy S 4 launches in China with an Exynos 5 Octa inside
Remember the leaked GT-i9502, that dual-SIM variant of the Galaxy S 4 that ultimately confirmed many rumors? That smartphone at last exists beyond a collection of photos, as Samsung just launched it for China Unicom customers. The support for an extra cellular line is naturally the highlight, although there's another perk for GS4 connoisseurs: the i9502 has the same 1.6GHz Exynos 5 Octa processor as the i9500, which might eke out more performance than the Snapdragon 600 models. There isn't any word on whether or not the i9502 edition will leave China, although we wouldn't count on European or North American editions when there isn't LTE inside to please 4G-obsessed carriers.
Rumored low-spec Samsung Galaxy Core has 4.3-inch display, vague hints of GS4 styling (update: dual SIM)
Samsung has a thing for releasing budget chasers soon after the main shot. There have already been strong hints of a GS4 Mini to capitalize on the flagship's buzz and now a purported leak over at hi-tech@mail.ru suggests another, even more cut-down model could be on its way, this time called the Galaxy Core. According to the Russian site -- which has some pedigree -- the Core has a 4.3-inch display with an 800 x 480 resolution, a dual-core 1.2GHz processor, 768MB RAM, 8GB of internal storage (plus microSD), a 5MP rear camera, 1,800mAh battery and likely Android 4.1-flavored TouchWiz. In other words, it could be very similar to the Galaxy S II Plus or the slightly smaller Galaxy S III Mini or the slightly bigger China-destined Galaxy Win -- so similar, in fact, that it leaves us largely indifferent. The rumored price of 14,000 rubles ($430) also seems way overboard -- although Russian prices often do. Update: As a number of you spotted, this phone has another differentiating spec. It turns out dvuhsimochny means dual SIM, which makes complete sense when you say it out loud.
Galaxy S 4 launches tomorrow in South Korea, despite Samsung admitting supply issues
Smitten with Samsung's Galaxy S 4? Well, if you're looking to pick on up right now, you'd best book a red-eye flight to South Korea, where it'll go on sale in the next 24 hours. The 5-inch 1080p flagship will arrive on all three of the country's main carriers, with an unspecified global roll-out following on Friday. Meanwhile, the company has also commented on "supply chain problems" affecting its roll-out of the S4. In a statement to Sky News, Samsung said that initial supplies of the handset may be limited "due to overwhelming global demand" and its limited stock of memory components. The pinch is already being felt in the US, as both Sprint and T-Mobile reassess their launch dates in-store.
Samsung Galaxy S 4 coming to US Cellular April 30th
Wait, what inventory shortage? US Cellular doesn't seem to have any issue with getting the Samsung Galaxy S 4 on its retail and virtual shelves -- it confirmed to us in an email that it will begin selling the flagship device on April 30th. You'll be able to purchase the 16GB version in either white or black for $199 with a two-year commitment. If you didn't get in on the pre-order, now's your chance to get hooked up.
Sprint delays Galaxy S 4 in-store launch due to inventory issues, online and phone sales aren't affected (update: Samsung responds)
After T-Mobile said yesterday that it won't be able to offer Samsung's Galaxy S 4 through its online store quite as soon as it expected, Sprint has today announced a similar delay. The carrier originally planned to have Sammy's latest flagship available through all retail channels this Saturday (April 27th), but "unexpected inventory challenges from Samsung" have meant that although online and phone-based sales will open on that date as planned, you won't be able to wander into a Sprint store and pick one up until those supply issues are solved. When that'll be is anyone's guess, but we imagine Sprint will get them into consumers' hands as soon as possible in the hope of improving its balance sheet. See Sprint's full statement after the break. Update: Samsung has also responded with an official statement, citing "overwhelming global demand" leading to inventory shortages. We've added the comment underneath Sprint's.
Samsung Galaxy S 4 review
This is the story of a little smartphone series that grows up and, three years later, positions itself to take over the world. The device in question, the newest addition to that lineup, doesn't really need much of an introduction thanks to some of the most successful marketing campaigns in the world. We'll be happy to give it anyway: pictured atop this very text sits the Samsung Galaxy S 4, the latest and greatest flagship out of Korea. This is the hero, the device chosen to lead the charge for Samsung as it ventures deeper into 2013, and it's fitted with the best of everything: a 1080p Super AMOLED display, 1.9GHz quad-core (or 1.6GHz Exynos 5 Octa 5410, depending on market) chipset, Android 4.2, 13MP camera and a wide assortment of brand-new firmware amenities, to name just a few. Despite the fact that its predecessor sold millions upon millions of units in the past year, the Galaxy S 4 isn't alone in its quest for global Android domination this time. HTC, the underdog of the fight, has launched the One, a flagship that rivals the GS4 in almost every way and does so in a physically attractive package complete with a solid aluminum build. Where do these two devices stand in comparison to each other? Does the GS4 reign supreme? Will its onslaught of new software features send the phone to the top of the pack? These answers and more await you after the break. %Gallery-186014%
Online sales of T-Mobile's Galaxy S 4 delayed, set for April 29th
Folks hoping to get their mitts on Samsung's Galaxy S 4 have had a long wait, and those angling to snag the device from Magenta's online store will have to wait a tad longer. The Uncarrier sent word tonight that the handset won't be available online on April 24th as originally planned thanks to an unexpected delay with inventory deliveries. Instead, online sales of Samsung's smartphone wunderkind will be pushed back to Monday, April 29th. Of course, folks who want to hitch a Galaxy S 4 to a T-Mobile plan can always waltz into one of the firm's brick-and-mortar shops starting May 1st. Head past the break to take a gander at the carrier's full statement.
Samsung Galaxy S 4 coming to AT&T stores April 27th, pre-orders arrive April 25th
Pre-orders of the Samsung Galaxy S 4 have already begun at AT&T, but the operator has been oddly silent about the actual date customers can expect to purchase one in stores and online. Now that T-Mobile and Sprint have both announced specific launch dates (April 24th and 27th, respectively), the largest GSM carrier in the country has followed up by declaring its intent to sell the flagship Samsung device on the 27th of this month. This is four days earlier than the anticipated pre-order shipment date, which means the HTC One has merely a full week to bask in the spotlight by itself. What's more, if you simply couldn't wait and jumped on those pre-orders, you'll get yours a full 48 hours early (read: April 25th). As expected, the GS4 will be offered for $200 (16GB) and $250 (32GB) in both black and white. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Samsung releases kernel source for a trio of Galaxy S 4s
As Samsung prepares to release its new flagship to the masses, the company is already making moves to accommodate its open source following. Today, the Korean electronics maker served up the kernel source for three versions of the Galaxy S 4. On tap are two unlocked variants of Samsung's next big thing (GT-I9500 and GT-I9505) along with Virgin Mobile Canada's rendition of the handset. Seeing how you've already seen the device stripped down to its unmentionables, why not go the extra mile and take a whack at its software? That is if you know what you're doing.
AT&T's Galaxy S 4 page lists April 30th ship date, $199 / $639 price for 16GB
We saw AT&T open up a registration page for the Galaxy S 4 almost as soon as Samsung's presentation was over, but now that link is exposing a bit more information. Several tipsters let us know that for customers in certain areas, the website is now showing the 16GB GS4 available for pre-order in White Frost or Black Mist. Some of the details are visible to all, including that the phone is promised to ship April 30th and has an off-contract price tag of $639 ($199 w/ two-year agreement). Those who can get further in the ordering process report it's expected to arrive at their homes on or before May 3rd, with two-day shipping. Hit the link below if you're moved to get your pre-order for Samsung's latest standard-bearer in as soon as possible. [Thanks, Stephen, Asim, Jeff]
Galaxy S 4 pre-orders live in Canada today, $199 on a three-year commitment
Samsung's next Galaxy flagship is seeking a new home in the land of hockey, maple syrup and politesse. Starting today, Canadian subscribers on Telus, Rogers or Bell will be able to pre-order the 16GB Galaxy S 4 for $199 on a three-year plan. Shipments of the TouchWiz-laden überphone are slated to begin later this month on the 27th, with Telus committing to an in-store date of May 3rd. Of course, you needn't sign away such a significant chunk of your wireless life for subsidized GS4 privileges -- the handset can be had outright for $700 CAD. Whether you go all in or opt for the monthly payment package, you'll at least have your pick of carrier poison.
Samsung Galaxy S4 undressed on camera, found to be easily repairable
If you damage the microUSB connector, SIM slot or camera module on Samsung's new Galaxy S4, you may not need to spend a lot of time or cash swapping in replacements. Of course, you'll need to get the flagship smartphone in hand before you're able to damage it, but if you do, repairs shouldn't be a tremendous undertaking, if today's teardown video is any indication. According to TechnoBuffalo, which published the clip (available at the source link), the Gorilla Glass screen could be a bit more costly to replace, but overall, the device appears to be quite repairable. US carriers are expected to begin selling the Jelly Bean smartphone later this month, so even though this first undressing isn't terribly detailed, we should have but days to wait before taking a much closer look.
