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Samsung Galaxy S4 vs Samsung Galaxy S III

Samsung Galaxy S4 vs Samsung Galaxy S III

Posted: 09 Apr 2013, 05:27, by Ray S.

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Tags: T-Mobile -T-Mobile + AT&T -AT&T + Verizon -Verizon + Sprint -Sprint + Samsung -Samsung + Android -Android +

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Samsung Galaxy S4 vs Samsung Galaxy S III

Introduction

The Samsung Galaxy S III was an absolute smash-hit in 2012. Few were the Android smartphones that dared to challenge it, and even fewer were those that stood any chance at all. However, time has once again proved that nothing lasts forever, as we're now 2013, and the good old GS III is now much less impressive than it was a year ago. But that doesn't mean that another company is to steal the crown from Samsung. Nope. Sammy has been refining and improving its billion-dollar formula, and the results of its efforts are evident in the Galaxy S4 – a handset that seems absolutely worthy of succeeding the wonderful Galaxy S III.

OK, so the Galaxy S4 is an amazing smartphone worth every penny, but there certainly are a lot of folks out there who are still rocking the GS III. Should those guys think about upgrading to the GS 4, or are they OK with their GS IIIs for another year? Enough questions! Let's go get ourselves some answers!

Design

We've all heard people say that the GS III and GS4 are almost identical in terms of external design. Well, this is so not true! OK, the Galaxy S4 is certainly in the same style as the Galaxy S III, but it is significantly better. Not only does it look better, but it is actually a bit narrower and a bit thinner than its predecessor, while sporting a bigger screen at the same time! This alone is an extraordinary achievement by Samsung. And as we said, it actually looks way better with its thinner bezel, more symetric design and better key layout.


The Samsung Galaxy S4 (left) and the Samsung Galaxy S III (right)

Other than that, both devices are made of pretty much the same plastic material, which should be polycarbonate, though whatever it is, it sure isn't very tough, so you'll have to be extra careful with both of these guys.

Front view | Side view

5.38 x 2.75 x 0.31 inches
136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9 mm
4.59 oz (130 g)

Samsung Galaxy S4

5.38 x 2.78 x 0.34 inches
136.6 x 70.6 x 8.6 mm
4.69 oz (133 g)

Samsung Galaxy S III

To see the phones in real size or compare them with other models, visit our Visual Phone Size Comparison page.

Both handsets have the same key layout, and unfortunately, the Galaxy S4's keys do not feel any better than those of its predecessor, so no major construction upgrades here. Samsung has also decided to keep its favorite touch-sensitive Menu and Back keys, positioned to the left and right of the Home button below the screen. We actually tend to like this configuration, as it doesn't take up precious screen space.


Left sides	Right	Top

Bottom	Backs	Rear cameras
The sides of the Samsung Galaxy S4 (bottom, left) and the Samsung Galaxy S III (top, right)

Display

Even though the Galaxy S III's display looked amazing last year, it's now somewhat weird compared to the 1080p panels that start to overtake the market this year. That includes the screen of the Galaxy S4, which is so much better than the one of its predecessor. Not only is it higher-res, but it also boasts more natural colors that are still vibrant, but not to the point of being artificial and unpleasant.

It's not like the GS III's display is bad, even by today's standards, but the one of the GS4 is better in every aspect.

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+ 6 images

Display measurements and quality

	Maximum brightness (nits)Higher is better	Minimum brightness (nits)Lower is better	Contrast Higher is better	Color temperature (Kelvins)	Gamma	Delta E rgbcmy Lower is better	Delta E grayscale Lower is better
Samsung Galaxy S4	289 (Poor)	9 (Average)	unmeasurable (Excellent)	7316 (Good)	2.16	5.52 (Average)	7.31 (Average)
Samsung Galaxy S III	294 (Poor)	20 (Poor)	unmeasurable (Excellent)	7990 (Average)	2.14	7.67 (Average)	6.11 (Average)

View all

The numbers below represent the amount of deviation in the respective property, observed when a display is viewed from a 45-degree angle as opposed to direct viewing.

	Maximum brightness Lower is better	Minimum brightness Lower is better	Contrast Lower is better	Color temperature Lower is better	Gamma Lower is better	Delta E rgbcmy Lower is better	Delta E grayscale Lower is better
Samsung Galaxy S4	58.5%	55.6%	unmeasurable	19.9%	0.9%	63.8%	74.4%
Samsung Galaxy S III	No data	No data	unmeasurable	26.9%	0%	31.2%	89.5%

View all

The CIE 1931 xy color gamut chart represents the set (area) of colors that a display can reproduce, with the sRGB colorspace (the highlighted triangle) serving as reference. The chart also provides a visual representation of a display's color accuracy. The small squares across the boundaries of the triangle are the reference points for the various colors, while the small dots are the actual measurements. Ideally, each dot should be positioned on top of its respective square. The 'x: CIE31' and 'y: CIE31' values in the table below the chart indicate the position of each measurement on the chart. 'Y' shows the luminance (in nits) of each measured color, while 'Target Y' is the desired luminance level for that color. Finally, 'ΔE 2000' is the Delta E value of the measured color. Delta E values of below 2 are ideal.

These measurements are made using SpectraCal's CalMAN calibration software.

View all

Samsung Galaxy S4 360-Degrees View:

Drag the picture or use the keyboard arrows to rotate the phone.
Double click or press keyboard Space to zoom in/out

Samsung Galaxy S III 360-Degrees View:

Drag the picture or use the keyboard arrows to rotate the phone.
Double click or press keyboard Space to zoom in/out

Pages:

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Interface and Functionality

Related phones

PhoneArena rating:

9.3 Excellent

User rating:

9.2 Excellent

Samsung Galaxy S4

Specifications News^[578] Rivals Size it Videos

PhoneArena rating:

9.3 Excellent

User rating:

8.7 Very good

Samsung Galaxy S III

Specifications News^[484] Rivals Size it Videos

66 Comments

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posted on 09 Apr 2013, 05:31 26

1. thethird (Posts: 72; Member since: 28 Mar 2013)

Two awesome devices. Built to last. :) [+]

posted on 09 Apr 2013, 06:07 15

9. samballik (Posts: 3; Member since: 09 Apr 2013)

Sony and HTC and Samsung are the phones with most features, apps and games.

posted on 09 Apr 2013, 20:53 7

41. BackHandLegend (Posts: 80; Member since: 15 Dec 2012)

Except any HTC root user will tell you that we really HATE sense.

posted on 09 Apr 2013, 23:29 2

44. cezarepc (Posts: 718; Member since: 23 Nov 2012)

True story.

posted on 10 Apr 2013, 02:29 3

47. deacz (Posts: 162; Member since: 02 Nov 2011)

sense is great!

posted on 09 Apr 2013, 07:12 4

18. KParks23 (Posts: 679; Member since: 13 Oct 2010)

I've made my mind up I'm waiting for the Verizon htc incredible one or whatever they want to call it but incredible one sounds tight.. At this point I'm so fed up with Sammy they can put a I7 processor in there phone and I still won't buy another 1 my s3 has been nothing but a paper weight!

posted on 09 Apr 2013, 22:09 6

42. LebronJamesFanboy (Posts: 618; Member since: 23 Mar 2013)

Which one is the S4?

Both are hideous...

posted on 10 Apr 2013, 16:14

50. chocolaking (Posts: 495; Member since: 22 May 2012)

Galaxy S3 and a Galaxy S3s ! LMAO!!!

posted on 09 Apr 2013, 05:34 40

2. emadshiny (Posts: 1144; Member since: 05 Dec 2012)

which one is S3 and which is S4?!
LOL

posted on 09 Apr 2013, 05:39 27

4. Rehankhan (Posts: 323; Member since: 24 Oct 2012)

sony troll spotted :)

posted on 09 Apr 2013, 05:46 23

7. darkskoliro (Posts: 1090; Member since: 07 May 2012)

doesnt matter if its sony fan, anyone would crack this joke xD

posted on 09 Apr 2013, 06:08 2

10. _Bone_ (Posts: 2155; Member since: 29 Oct 2012)

Most phones have a big screen and rounded corners, so it makes the S4 look like a lot of others too following that logic. But it's texture, screen dominance and more rectangular build makes it noticeably more elegant than it predecessor.

http://i-cdn.phonearena.com/images/reviews/130431-image/Samsung-Galaxy-S4-vs-Samsung-Galaxy-S-III-06.jpg

posted on 09 Apr 2013, 06:26 14

12. loken (Posts: 462; Member since: 09 May 2012)

One is the note 2 mini and one is the s3

posted on 09 Apr 2013, 22:11

43. LebronJamesFanboy (Posts: 618; Member since: 23 Mar 2013)

On a real note, Samsung needs to start trying with their designs. The plastic is ok but we all know Samsung can do better.

posted on 09 Apr 2013, 06:47 4

15. TROLL (banned) (Posts: 4851; Member since: 13 Apr 2012)

No this isn't the iphone 4, 4s which you can never tell the diffrence unless looking at the top where it doesn't have a line on the left side®

Why the Troll,,,,?
It's still using Android, like Htc Sony Lg Samsung and all other oems. Why the hate?
™

posted on 09 Apr 2013, 09:15 8

24. SleepingOz (unregistered)

'Coz Samsung haters(mostly Sony, HTC, Nokia fanboys) think that it's Samsung's fault why their fav oems are struggling to compete in the market.

posted on 24 Apr 2013, 16:22

63. TMach (Posts: 464; Member since: 29 Dec 2011)

Typical fanboy speak! Did it occur to you that it is less about hate or market position but something as simple as customer satisfaction or different needs/desires about what people want to get out of their experiences with their handsets! I have no problem with the product but a mountain load with the manufacturer and its attitude to customers. That arrogance of Apple fanboys is seriously affecting Samsung fanboys. Our experiences inform our choices and I loathed my experience with Samsung and even if I bought its product, I will do so with eyes wide open and pray I do not have any problems as I would not want to deal with them! I do know this, HTC will listen, send out UPS to collect the product, examine the complaint/investigate and send you your phone back throuh UPS, no questions as will Sony. Samsung? Please take the product to an Independent Service Centre, authorised but not affiliated to Samsung. You get that way when your S3 cracks unexpectedly by the charger port and you end up paying £134 to fix it.

posted on 24 Apr 2013, 16:25

64. TMach (Posts: 464; Member since: 29 Dec 2011)

p.s. a work colleague has a similar crack in the same position on her White S3 but thought it was part of the design........disavowed her of the notion and she is now one unhappy customer!

posted on 09 Apr 2013, 09:36 1

25. amansingal14 (Posts: 309; Member since: 08 Sep 2012)

"Why the Troll,,,,?"
Exactly, Why the TROLL?

posted on 09 Apr 2013, 16:08

33. amats69 (Posts: 1509; Member since: 12 Nov 2012)

Why the Troll? Why the Hate? oh i think that question is applicable to you after trolling to HTC Sony Nokia etc.LOL

posted on 09 Apr 2013, 09:12 5

23. SleepingOz (unregistered)

Oh, you're finally back?!
I thought you went back to your cave after losing too many arguments about your beloved XZ. lol

posted on 10 Apr 2013, 00:08 2

45. emadshiny (Posts: 1144; Member since: 05 Dec 2012)

im always here bro
maybe you need to check your eyes.

posted on 11 Apr 2013, 02:04

51. urth_key (Posts: 14; Member since: 25 Dec 2011)

Hahahaha LOL.

which one is 4 and which is 4S?!
LOL

posted on 09 Apr 2013, 05:38 16

3. iluvsmartphonexpdx (Posts: 48; Member since: 26 Mar 2013)

Galaxy S4 FTW!!

posted on 09 Apr 2013, 05:41 15

5. dexter_jdr (Posts: 1163; Member since: 28 Jun 2012)

damn thats very identical...

posted on 09 Apr 2013, 06:31 14

13. jo_Ny (Posts: 27; Member since: 05 Sep 2012)

"The S4 excels in exterior design" LMAO

posted on 09 Apr 2013, 06:39 9

14. Diego! (Posts: 672; Member since: 15 Jun 2009)

The pictures on the Samsung Galaxy S 4 look amazing! Amazing level of detail. Good job Sammy!

posted on 09 Apr 2013, 06:49 3

16. TROLL (banned) (Posts: 4851; Member since: 13 Apr 2012)

S3 looks ugly, S3 and S2 looks much better™
S3 with those ugly curves™
Rectangular Candbar sharp edges look way much better, look stylish and contemporary©

posted on 09 Apr 2013, 07:01 4

17. GadgetsMcGoo (Posts: 168; Member since: 15 Mar 2013)

GS3 users will realize how laggy the GS3 is when they try out the GS4. Android OS really do need the 4 cores running at full bore +2.00Ghz to feel right and run normal.