Samsung Galaxy S4: Top 10 Features You Need To Know

By Binu Paul email: b.paul@mobilenapps.com | Mar 15, 2013 08:30 AM EDT

Tags Samsung Galaxy S4, Smart Scroll, S-Pen, galaxy note 2

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There is an anticipated debate heating up on the Web over an argument if Samsung Galaxy S4 has lived up to the hype that preceded its arrival. For many, the fact that most of Galaxy S4's specs and features were leaked prior to its release does not make the smartphone less impressive.

Although the handset's physical design is hardly a radical departure from its predecessor Galaxy S3, the next flagship Samsung smartphone boasts a bigger screen, a better camera faster processor. The much-awaited release has definitely enjoyed unusual media coverage, but before you take the final call on the device, there are a number of unique Galaxy S4 features that you need to know, check them out:

Two Processor Variants: Samsung Exynos 5 or Qualcomm Snapdragon S4

Samsung Galaxy S4 becomes the world's first smartphone to feature an 8-core Exynos 5 Octa processor that features ARM's new big.LITTLE technology to boost performance and battery life. The device will come in two processor variants, as previously rumored, depending on the regions. Although Samsung did not really elaborate on what goes where, the Asian and European version is expected to feature the long-awaited Samsung Exynos 5 Octa eight-core processor while the U.S. version will come with a quad-core Snapdragon CPU clocked at 1.9GHz, which is mostly likely be the Snapdragon 600.

Dual Camera

Galaxy S4 introduces a dual camera concept, a first of its kind in smartphones whereby users can simultaneously shoot with the front and rear cameras. As the feature activates both the camera, the photographer can superimpose himself into the subject of the photo. It offers eight different ways to blend the two photos taken by the front camera and the rear camera. It further provides the users a variety of frame effects that combines the photos naturally and one can even adjust the size of the small picture inside the big one.

Sound and Shoot

With this feature, a user can capture up to 9 seconds of audio while capturing a picture. It offers that unique technology of storing sound and voice together, enabling one to capture a moment in the truest imaginable way.

Air View

Similar to the stylus on the Galaxy Note 2, the Air View feature on Galaxy S4 allows users to hover over the display with their fingers to preview the content without having to open them. Users can hover over email, S Planner, image gallery or video to get a longer preview without opening the message, planner, image or video. The function is performed with an S Pen in Note 2 and not finger.

Air Gesture

With this unique feature, a user can change the music track, scroll up and down a web page, accept a voice call and more with just a wave of his/her hand. The technology is definitely a step up of the touch feature as one can control the device without coming into contact with the display, or just with hand movements above the phone's display.

Smart Pause and Smart Scroll

Taking Galaxy S3's Smart Stay feature to the next level, Samsung has introduced the rumored Smart Scroll and Smart Pause feature onto its next-generation smartphone. Contrary to what has previously been rumored, the technology relies on facial recognition and tilt rather than an eye-tracking method. It recognizes users' face as they look at the screen and senses the movements of the wrists to scroll the screen up and down. As the user reaches the bottom of the page, more texts will appear. However, the Smart Pause technology senses when you are watching a video and pauses it if you turn your attention away from the screen. The video will resume when you look at it again. Users have the option of turning it on/off if they prefer to do so.

S Health

One of the most ambitious Galaxy S4 feature, the S Health app now acts as a fitness tracker and food diary. In its simplest sense, the device will give a feedback on your eating habits and tell you how many calories you have burned by the end of the day if you let the device know what you eat daily. It tracks your workouts; monitor your blood pressure, daily intake and weight, and blood glucose levels with the app. This is achieved with the use of a pedometer built in and the temperature and humidity sensors, which can automatically detect your surroundings and your exercise levels.

Group Play

Group play is yet another interesting feature on Galaxy S4 where by a group of S4 users in a close proximity can join together in a private network where they can share and enjoy music, photos and documents and play games without even requiring a wireless access point or cellular signal.

WatchON

Samsung Galaxy S4 can turn itself into a full-fledged smart TV remote with the IR sensor and WatchOn app. The built-in IR blaster along with Samsung's WatchOn app serves as a combination universal remote and visual TV Guide which can be used to turn on/off TV, switch channels and browse listings.

S Translator

A notable feature in Galaxy S4, S Translator will help you receive a translation, either spoken or in text, of 10 languages. It also can translate text on your email, text messages and a few other Samsung apps.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned are not the only notable features on Galaxy S4; rather, they are just a few of those remarkable features that Samsung has successfully brought on to its next-generation smartphone. Other features such as Dual Video Call, Drama Shot, Eraser, S Voice Drive, Adapt Display, Adapt Sound, Optical Reader, Share Music, and Story Album are worth a mention about the phone. Although Samsung did not really announce the price of the device, the South Korean giant clarified that the smartphone will hit the shelves sometime between April and June of this year.