The Samsung Galaxy S4 Rumor Roundup (Live Updates)

*Updates*

March 6, 2013

A new leak of screenshots from the US variant of the S4 have leaked, as well as new information. I've discussed it here, but the basics are:

• 1.8GHz Qad Core Processor (not the Octa)
• 13 MP Camera
• Smart Pause and Smart Scroll
• FullHD Display

March 4, 2013

Droid life writer tim-o-tato is reporting that a possible new "Smart" feature will be included on the S4, "Eye Scrolling".

In the same vain that Smart Stay will keep your screen on when you are looking at your phone, Eye Scrolling will determine when you have reached the bottom of whatever you are reading and automatically go to the next page.

Pretty cool, huh? The machines are becoming aware!

March 3, 2013

Forum member Marlon made a post detailing the specs of the S4 that have leaked.

According to the report by Sammobile, many of the rumors can be confirmed.

• Exynos Octa 5410 CPU Clocked at 1.8GHz
• PowerVR SGX 544MP GPU, 2GB of RAM
• 4.99" Full HD (1920×1080) Display
• 13 Megapixel Camera, 2.1 Megepixel Front Camera
• 1080p HD Video Recording
• Android 4.2
• Bluetooth 4.0

Maybe the coolest information is that the processor supports GSM/WCDMA/LTE networks, meaning one variant and true world phone status. It also means that release dates for various regions may not vary too greatly.

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With the release of the Samsung Galaxy S4 right around the corner, let's take a look at what we can expect from Samsung's next flagship device.

Galaxy S4 Release Date

Samsung is definitely keeping hush on what their March 14th event is all about, though they're also being coy.

While Samsung's PR team claims no knowledge of any device called the "S4", with all the media outlets reporting it, Samsung's too smart not to launch now.

So the launch is around the corner, but when am I going to be able to buy one?

This is trickier to answer. One thing you can count on is Europe and Asia being the first to get their hands on the device. In the States, the carriers add their own apps and such (bloatware!), adding to the time it takes to get to consumers.

Look for an initial launch in April, and release in the U.S. a month or two later. Last year, the S3 was released in the following order: Europe, Asia, T-Mobile, Sprint, AT&T, and Verizon.

Galaxy S4 Specs

• Faster Processor

As Quenten Kennemerreports, the S4 (much like the S3) may ship with two different processors, one for the International version, and one for U.S. versions.

The International variant will be getting Samsung's brand new Exynos 5 Octa chipset, while those of us in the US would have to live with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 600 chipset.

In either case, these processors will be faster and offer much improved battery life over their predecessors.

• 2GB Ram

Same as the S3, but more than what is needed. We're good here.

• 16/32/64GB Internal Memory, Expandable Memory

Again, same as the S3...why mess with a good thing?

• 13.1 Megapixel Rear Camera, 2 Megapixel Front Facing Camera

It has been said that the new camera will be packed with features, one of which is full 1080p HD recording!

• Bigger Dimensions

According to Kukil Bora, "the handset is likely to have a dimension of 140.1 x 71.8 x 7.7mm, weighing 138 gram, which is a bit heavier than the existing Galaxy S3 (136.6 x 70.6 x 8.6 mm, 133 grams). The device is rumored to feature a plastic black with aluminum sides and is likely to be released in black and white color options initially."

Galaxy S4 Features

• Samsung Orb

This is Samsung's integration of Google's Photo Sphere feature.

Galaxy S3 users can grab Google's original here.

• Android 4.2.2

While rumors surfaced that the S4 could ship with Key Lime Pie out-of-the-box, it is looking likely that it will ship with the latest iteration of Jelly Bean.

• TouchWiz

Details of Samsung's next version of it's TouchWiz UI are scarce. While they did a terrific job with TW of the S3, it would be hard to imagine if they didn't throw some new features into the new version.

At the very least, you can be fairly certain in expecting features like Multi-View, Paper Artist, and Page Buddy...basically the full Premium Suite.

• Visa's Paywave

While Google Wallet will certainly be usable, Visa's new Paywave will likely be incorporated with the S4. Hopefully this will be less problematic than Wallet has been and will allow for more uses of NFC.

• KNOX Security

Samsung is stepping up the game for Enterprise users, and that means security! While Samsung already has it's SAFE security, it may incorporate it's new KNOX system on the S4.

KNOX is security on a whole other level, offering AES 256-bit encryption, the ability to create a virtual private network connection through a single app, improved mobile device management controls, and full integration with hundreds of current IT policies.

Galaxy S4 Accessories

• Wireless Charging

This feature was supposed to be included with the S3, so it is a pretty safe bet that we'll see some version of wireless charging with the S4. Whether it'll be out-of-the-box or require additional accessories is anyone's guess at this point.

• S-Pen

With a slightly larger screen, it wouldn't be a stretch to envision Samsung offering their S-Pen or another comparable stylus with the S4.

• MHL/HDMI-Out

The S3 has HDMI mirroring through the use of an MHL adapter, and I think the same adapter will work on the S4.

• Allshare Cast Hub

For truly wireless mirroring, Samsung introduced it's Allshare Cast Hub Dongle with the S3. Although availability and usable of the accessory was spotty at best, let's hope Samsung has better integration with their new device.