More possible details concerning the Samsung Galaxy S4 are swirling, with fresh rumours pointing towards a mid-April release date, and back-to-basics colour options.
The Galaxy S4 is codenamed 'Altius' according to Sammobile, which claims to have inside information on Samsung's much-anticipated blower. A release date of 15 April is touted -- a date that's just about plausible, even if it is over a month earlier than the Galaxy S3's late-May debut.
The S4 is also reported to come in black and white options, which is surprising as Samsung released both the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 with an attractive 'pebble blue' coating, as well as a white option. Personally I was rather fond of the blue hue -- we've certainly no shortage of black smart phones -- so here's hoping Samsung doesn't regress to making monochrome mobiles.
Wireless charging is also pegged as a possibility, thanks to a Samsung-made charging kit, which would include a wireless-charging-capable removable back and dock.
Samsung showed off a similar setup when it lifted the lid on the Galaxy S3, though so far there's no sign of any such hardware. Perhaps Samsung is biding its time, choosing instead to launch wireless charging as a major feature of its new flagship. A higher capacity battery is also rumoured, supposedly packing 2,600 delicious milliampere-hours into its slender power brick, compared with the S3's 2,100mAh offering.
Samsung's chief recently teased that the Galaxy S4 was coming "soon", but nothing else is known for sure about what's likely to be one of 2013's most exciting gadgets. As such, take all rumours with a hefty pinch of salt for now.
What do you think the Galaxy S4 needs in order to succeed? Stick your dream features, components and apps in the comments or on our Facebook wall.
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Comments 13
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anonymous 23 January, 2013 14:04
The S3 has wireless charging you just need a new back cover and the charging mat... shame Samsung haven't released theirs yet!
anonymous 23 January, 2013 15:47
If the screens bigger then the Galaxy S2's screens then I ain't buying. Phones are losing the potability factor, its getting ridiculous.
CaptainPicard 23 January, 2013 15:50
I'd really like to see pure Android or less influence by TouchWiz on the Galaxy S4. This will make it easier for the phone to be updated with new software in future, and Samsung should put TouchWiz features as apps of the Play Store for owners of the S4 to download.
anonymous 23 January, 2013 15:57
Battery life will be key I feel.
anonymous 23 January, 2013 16:58
@anonymous 15:47 Well thats just stupid! Its likes you ain't buying then, go buy an iphone.
And yes sammy pls ditch touchwiz or improve it dramatically and better battery life is a must.
Meleagru 23 January, 2013 18:03
I just have three things I'd like to see in the next generation of smartphones:
1. Shockproof. No more drop tests, no more cases or silly protection films, just a rugged phone that won't shatter if dropped.
2. Waterproof. London weather, nuff said.
3. Better battery. Something that can last at least two days.
anonymous 24 January, 2013 04:27
Agreed. S2 has the most suitable mobile screen size. It fits perfectly in your hand.
anonymous 24 January, 2013 08:41
@anonymous 23 January, 2013 16:58
No its not stupid. Many people don't need or want such a massive screen on a phone and the only high end alternative at the moment is the iPhone. What happens if you prefer Android like myself? You are stuck with 5-inchers. The only thing it's good for is watching TV/Movies on and I'd rather not ruin my viewing experience by watching stuff on the bus thanks very much.
anonymous 24 January, 2013 11:02
@anonymous 24 January, 2013 08:41
I just asked around the office and at most we only use our phones for calls about 15% of the time most of the rest is browsing the web, watching films etc so a bigger screen would be great.
Hell I would love if I could make calls on my nexus 7 or 10 to save carrying so much in my pockets.
anonymous 24 January, 2013 13:17
@anonymous 24 January, 2013 11:02
Didn't say no-one has any use for it, just that I and many others like me don't see a need. If you use it for that then great, but what about the rest of us? I find web browsing/apps/games fine on a 4-4.5 inch screen. Don't need or want the extra size just so they can laud their full 1080p screens.
Also you can fit a nexus 10 in your pocket??? Think you're saying so you don't have to carry your phone in your pocket, which you don't have to do anyway (put it in the bag you are carrying your Nexus 10 in).
anonymous 24 January, 2013 16:57
I agree with the comments above regarding excessive screen size.
I have swapped back and forth between android and iphone. The iphone is the better ecosystm, better software and much better apps. Android phones are much better though- they give people what they want rather than telling people what they should want. The iphone5 long screen is ridiculous. Its simply too small. All these android phones that are over 4.7" are just playing a 'my screen is bigger than yours' game. To me the Galaxy S2 screen at 4.3" was the perfect size- a perfect compromise between portability and usability.
anonymous 24 January, 2013 22:46
Wireless charging is a joke. It doesn't accomplish anything more convenient, unless one considers it a significant burden to plug it in. If anything, the dock takes up more space. I hope we see some REAL in innovation, rather than chintzy gimmicks that jack up the price and have already been around for years.
anonymous 28 January, 2013 11:39
Agree with CaptainPicard, I like my S3 but I'm done with Samsung, touchwiz and all the, for me, useless apps. I have no problem with Samsung providing Sharecast, etc for the users who have a use for them and to diifferentiate themselves from the other Android offers but users should be able to delete the apps that they don't use. My next phone will be a Nexus or a phone with a near google experience; I can then load up the apps I need and get faster updates.