Samsung Galaxy S4 Review: Full HD Screen And Eye Tracking
The Samsung Galaxy S4 arrived in 2013 as a polished Android flagship aimed at buyers who wanted a large screen without moving into true phablet territory. Its 5-inch display, slim body, removable battery and microSD slot made it feel practical, while a long list of software tricks gave Samsung plenty to discuss in advertising.
The headline features were the Full HD Super AMOLED panel and the phone’s eye-aware controls. Smart Pause could stop video playback when the user looked away, while Smart Scroll attempted to move through pages by detecting head and eye movement. These ideas were memorable, although their usefulness depended heavily on lighting, positioning and patience.
For Australian buyers, the Galaxy S4 was also a fairly serious mobile-data device. Local versions supported 4G LTE on networks such as Telstra and Optus, but checking the exact model and band support was important when buying outright or importing. The handset sat in a competitive market alongside the HTC One, Sony Xperia Z and Apple’s iPhone 5.
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S4 | HTC One (2013) | Sony Xperia Z | iPhone 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 5-inch 1920 × 1080 Super AMOLED | 4.7-inch 1920 × 1080 LCD | 5-inch 1920 × 1080 LCD | 4-inch 1136 × 640 LCD |
| Processor | Snapdragon 600 quad-core, regional variants | Snapdragon 600 quad-core | Snapdragon S4 Pro quad-core | Apple A6 dual-core |
| Rear camera | 13MP | 4MP UltraPixel | 13MP | 8MP |
| Storage | 16GB, microSD expansion | 32GB or 64GB, no microSD | 16GB, microSD expansion | 16GB, 32GB or 64GB |
| Battery | 2600mAh, removable | 2300mAh, built-in | 2330mAh, built-in | 1440mAh, built-in |
| Standout feature | Eye-aware controls and Air gestures | Metal design and BoomSound | Water resistance | Compact iOS experience |
A Sharp And Spacious Display
The Galaxy S4’s 5-inch screen was a major attraction at a time when many premium phones still used panels below five inches. Its 1920 × 1080 resolution delivered a dense 441 pixels per inch, making text, photographs and high-definition video look exceptionally crisp. Web pages were comfortable to read, and maps showed plenty of detail without requiring constant zooming.
Samsung used Super AMOLED technology, so blacks appeared genuinely deep and contrast was extremely strong. Colours were vivid and sometimes exaggerated, especially in the default display mode. That presentation suited photographs, games and video, although buyers who preferred more natural tones could adjust the screen setting. Viewing angles were excellent, with very little loss of contrast when the phone was tilted.
Outdoor visibility was more mixed. The display could become bright enough for a walk through Sydney or a sunny afternoon in Brisbane, but reflections and AMOLED brightness limits still made direct sunlight difficult. The glass front also picked up fingerprints quickly. A quick wipe on a shirt or microfibre cloth was often part of daily use, particularly for people carrying the phone without a case.
Compared with the larger screen on the LG Optimus G Pro review, the S4 was easier to hold and slip into a pocket. It offered much of the same Full HD sharpness in a more manageable shape, making it a sensible middle ground for commuters and everyday users.
Eye Tracking In Everyday Use
Samsung’s eye-aware tools received plenty of attention because they made the phone appear futuristic. Smart Pause used the front-facing camera to identify whether the user was looking at the display. In supported video applications, playback could pause when attention moved away and resume when the user looked back.
Smart Scroll was more ambitious. It attempted to move up or down through compatible pages based on the user’s eye and head movement. Smart Rotation could also use the front camera to recognise the user’s face orientation before changing the screen orientation. These features were enabled through the Motion and gestures settings, rather than operating invisibly all the time.
In a quiet room with the phone held at a sensible distance, Smart Pause could work reasonably well. It was useful when watching a clip while distracted by something nearby, though tapping the screen was usually quicker than waiting for the camera to interpret a glance. Smart Scroll was less dependable. Small movements could be ignored, while an accidental change in posture might move the page unexpectedly.
The front camera needed a clear view of the user’s face, and sunglasses, dim rooms, strong backlighting or an unusual viewing angle reduced reliability. The phone was not genuinely reading every eye movement with precision. It was estimating attention from facial and head position, which explains why the feature worked best in controlled conditions. Eye tracking was an interesting extra, not a reason by itself to buy the handset.
Performance, Software And Storage
The Australian Galaxy S4 commonly used the Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 with a 1.9GHz quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM, although Samsung sold different processor versions in other regions. Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean ran smoothly through most tasks, including web browsing, high-definition video and demanding 3D games. Applications opened quickly, and the phone had enough power to remain responsive during normal multitasking.
Samsung’s TouchWiz interface added many tools over standard Android. Users received S Health, S Translator, S Voice, Air View, Air Gestures and a range of camera modes. The feature list was extensive, but the software could feel crowded. Some functions were useful, while others seemed designed to demonstrate what the sensors could do rather than solve a regular problem.
The 16GB model was the more affordable option and left less usable space after Android and Samsung’s applications were installed. Fortunately, the microSD slot allowed owners to add storage for music, photos and video. That flexibility gave the S4 an advantage over phones that locked buyers into a fixed capacity, especially when Australian mobile plans and streaming allowances were not as generous as they later became.
Performance remained strong for its era, but extended gaming generated noticeable warmth around the upper rear panel. Samsung’s plastic construction kept the device light and made the removable back cover practical. It did not have the premium feel of the aluminium HTC One, though the lighter body was comfortable during long calls or reading sessions on a Melbourne tram.
Camera, Battery And Connectivity
The 13-megapixel rear camera produced detailed images in good light, with pleasing colour and fast enough focusing for everyday shots. Samsung included a variety of modes, such as Drama Shot, Best Face and Dual Camera, which combined images from the front and rear cameras. These options were fun to try, although most owners eventually relied on the standard automatic mode.
Low-light performance was less impressive. Noise appeared in darker scenes, and the absence of optical image stabilisation made it easier to capture blurred photos when hands were unsteady. The camera was still capable of attractive holiday pictures, food shots and social-media images, but it did not replace a dedicated camera in difficult conditions.
The 2600mAh battery generally delivered a full day with moderate use. Calls, messaging, email and occasional browsing were manageable, while heavy LTE use, GPS navigation and gaming reduced endurance more quickly. A long day travelling between Sydney and the Central Coast could require a top-up if the phone was used for maps, music and photographs throughout the journey.
The removable battery was one of the S4’s practical advantages. Owners could carry a spare battery rather than depend entirely on a power bank, and the back cover could be replaced after wear. Australian network compatibility also deserved attention: a local Telstra or Optus customer needed the correct 4G model, while regional travellers had to consider the coverage available outside major cities and along long outback routes.
Design, Value And The Buying Decision
The Galaxy S4 measured close to the previous Galaxy S3 in physical size but fitted a larger, sharper screen into a relatively slim body. Its narrow bezels helped keep it pocketable, and the curved rear cover made one-handed handling easier than the specifications might suggest. The glossy plastic back was resistant to some knocks, but it attracted fingerprints and lacked the distinctive feel of metal or glass.
Samsung retained a physical home button with capacitive keys beneath the display. Many Android users appreciated the familiar arrangement, especially when navigating quickly or waking the device. The placement also left the full 5-inch screen available for video and games, with no permanent on-screen navigation bar consuming pixels.
Pricing varied by retailer, carrier and contract. Australian buyers often found the phone through Telstra, Optus or Vodafone plans, while outright pricing through electronics retailers offered more freedom to choose a SIM-only service. A handset advertised cheaply could still carry an expensive monthly commitment, so comparing the total contract cost with the unlocked price was essential. GST-inclusive local pricing also made imported bargains less straightforward than they first appeared once delivery, warranty and compatibility were considered.
The S4 was a strong all-rounder rather than a flawless design statement. Its display remained one of its best features, and the combination of a fast processor, expandable storage, capable camera and replaceable battery covered a wide range of needs. Eye tracking added personality and occasional convenience, but the core reasons to buy were the screen, ecosystem and practical hardware.
For a broader look at phones from this era and later models, the site’s mobile reviews provide useful context around camera quality, battery life, displays and launch pricing. That historical perspective helps show why the S4 stood out in 2013, even when some of its headline software features were more experimental than essential.
The Samsung Galaxy S4 remains an interesting milestone in smartphone design. The 5-inch Full HD Super AMOLED display offered a genuinely premium viewing experience, while eye-aware controls showed Samsung experimenting with hands-free interaction before those ideas became routine. Its plastic body and busy software prevented it from feeling perfect, but the complete package was fast, flexible and well suited to the Australian market of its time.
Explore the wider New Mobile Arrivals archive for launch coverage, device comparisons and buying context across Android, iOS and other mobile platforms. The Galaxy S4 is best understood alongside its contemporaries, where its vivid screen, expandable storage and ambitious software made it one of the defining smartphones of 2013.