Samsung Galaxy S4: The Smartphone That Redefined Android

Samsung Galaxy S4 (GT-I9500/GT-I9505)

Product Overview

The Samsung Galaxy S4 (GT-I9500/GT-I9505) is a flagship Android smartphone released by Samsung Electronics in March 2013, succeeding the Galaxy S3. Positioned as a premium device for the global market, it introduced two primary variants to cater to different regional network requirements: the GT-I9500 (equipped with Samsung’s Exynos 5 Octa 5410 processor, optimized for markets without widespread LTE support) and the GT-I9505 (powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor, with integrated LTE connectivity for 4G-enabled regions). The Galaxy S4 featured a larger, higher-resolution display, advanced camera capabilities, and innovative software features focused on social interaction and context-aware computing, becoming one of Samsung’s best-selling smartphones of all time with over 80 million units shipped worldwide.

Key Hardware Specifications (GT-I9500 vs. GT-I9505)

Component	GT-I9500 (Exynos Variant)	GT-I9505 (Snapdragon Variant)
Processor	Samsung Exynos 5 Octa 5410 (4×1.6 GHz Cortex-A15 + 4×1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 big.LITTLE architecture); Mali-T628 MP6 GPU	Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 (4×1.9 GHz Krait 300 cores); Adreno 320 GPU
Display	5.0-inch Super AMOLED Full HD display; 1920×1080 resolution (441 ppi); Gorilla Glass 3; multi-touch support (up to 10 points); Smart Pause/Smart Scroll gesture controls	Same as GT-I9500
Memory & Storage	2GB LPDDR3 RAM; storage options: 16GB/32GB/64GB; microSD card slot (expandable up to 64GB)	Same as GT-I9500
Camera System	Rear Camera: 13 MP BSI CMOS sensor; f/2.2 aperture; autofocus; LED flash; 1080p Full HD video recording (30 fps); HDR photo/video support; panorama modeFront Camera: 2 MP sensor; f/2.4 aperture; 720p HD video recording; video calling support	Same as GT-I9500
Network & Connectivity	GSM 850/900/1800/1900; UMTS 850/900/1900/2100; HSPA+ (42 Mbps); Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5 GHz); Bluetooth 4.0; NFC; IR blaster; USB 2.0 (Micro-USB)	GSM/UMTS same as GT-I9500; LTE support (bands 1/3/5/7/8/20); HSPA+/LTE (up to 100 Mbps download); other connectivity features same as GT-I9500
Battery	2600 mAh removable Li-Ion battery; standby time: up to 370 hours (3G); talk time: up to 17 hours (3G); fast charging support via third-party accessories	Same as GT-I9500
Form Factor & Design	Plastic unibody with faux metal trim; dimensions: 136.6 × 69.8 × 7.9 mm; weight: 130 g; IP53 dust/splash resistance; color options: Black Mist, White Frost	Same as GT-I9500
Sensors & Extra Features	Accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, barometer, magnetometer; IR blaster (for smart TV control); heart rate monitor (via optional S Health accessories)	Same as GT-I9500
Operating System	Initially shipped with Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean; upgradable to Android 5.0.1 Lollipop (official support); custom ROMs support later Android versions	Same as GT-I9500

Core Innovations & Software Features

The Galaxy S4 stood out in 2013 for its software-centric innovations, designed to enhance user interaction and daily usability:

Smart Screen Technologies
- Smart Pause: Uses the front camera to detect when the user looks away from the screen, pausing video playback automatically.
- Smart Scroll: Tracks eye movement or tilts the device to scroll up/down web pages, emails, or documents without touching the screen.
- Air View: Allows users to preview content (e.g., photos, emails, video timelines) by hovering a finger above the screen, without tapping.
Social & Multi-User Features
- Multi Window: Enables split-screen multitasking, letting users run two apps simultaneously (e.g., browse the web while chatting on WhatsApp).
- Guest Mode & Multiple User Profiles: Supports separate user accounts for family members or guests, with customized app access and settings.
- Group Play: Lets multiple Galaxy S4 users connect via Wi-Fi Direct to share photos, play synchronized music, or collaborate on games in real time.
Camera Enhancements
- Dual Shot: Uses both front and rear cameras simultaneously to capture photos/videos with the user included in the frame (ideal for vlogging or sharing moments with location context).
- Drama Shot: Captures multiple frames of a fast-moving subject and combines them into a single image, creating a dynamic “motion trail” effect.
- Sound & Shot: Records a 9-second audio clip alongside a photo, adding contextual sound to still images.
Health & Lifestyle Integration
- S Health: A built-in wellness app that tracks steps, calorie intake, and sleep patterns (compatible with optional accessories like heart rate monitors and scales).
- WatchON: Combines IR blaster functionality with a TV guide app, turning the S4 into a universal remote control for TVs, set-top boxes, and home theater systems.

Market Impact & Legacy

Commercial Dominance: The Galaxy S4 became Samsung’s fastest-selling smartphone at the time, with over 10 million units sold in the first month of release. It solidified Samsung’s position as the global leader in smartphone shipments, surpassing Apple’s iPhone 5 in global market share in 2013.
Big.LITTLE Architecture Popularization: The GT-I9500’s Exynos 5 Octa processor was one of the first mobile chips to use ARM’s big.LITTLE design, which switches between high-performance and energy-efficient cores to balance speed and battery life—a technology now standard in modern mobile processors.
Software Innovation Benchmark: Features like Multi Window and Smart Screen set a precedent for Android smartphones, inspiring competitors to adopt split-screen multitasking and gesture-based controls in subsequent models.
Design Controversy & Evolution: While praised for its features, the Galaxy S4’s plastic build faced criticism for feeling less premium than the iPhone 5’s aluminum unibody. This feedback influenced Samsung to adopt metal frames in later Galaxy S models (starting with the Galaxy S6 in 2015).

Discontinuation & Post-Support Status

Today, the Galaxy S4 is considered a classic Android flagship, remembered for its role in popularizing big.LITTLE processing and software features that shaped the modern smartphone experience.

Samsung officially discontinued the Galaxy S4 in 2015, following the release of the Galaxy S6.

The device received its final official Android update (Android 5.0.1 Lollipop) in 2015. While no longer supported by Samsung, it remains popular among custom ROM enthusiasts, who have ported later Android versions (e.g., Android 10) to extend its lifespan.