Galaxy S4 Guides

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Galaxy S4 or Optimus G Pro? Here is the comparison

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s4-vs-optimus-g-proLG is not a new player in smartphone, but it never delivered a memorable products until Nexus 4, a collaboration with Google. Nexus 4 has been one of the most desired Android phones. But due to limited coverage on devices in Play Store, many potential buyers do not have the chance to order one.

Instead of bringing Nexus 4 to more markets, LG chose to release an own branded LG Optimius worldwide. It is a smart move to build own brand and this is probably also the purpose of Google to avoid the monopolization of Samsung in Android market.  Optimus G shares many similar design elements found in Nexus 4. The build quality is  incredible.

However, Optimus G is a bit outdated now, and its direct competitor is Galaxy S3. So, this year,  during the Mobile World Congress 2013, LG announced the Optimus G Pro. It seems LG is a bit confused on the positioning of this device. The 5.5-inch screen puts it in the phablet segment; however, lack of stylus obviously disadvantage itself against Galaxy Note 2. You may refer to  the comparison of Optimus G Pro and Galaxy Note 2.

Very likely, LG also expected this Optimus G Pro to be a rival to Galaxy S4. Will this one-stone-kill-two-birds product strategy work? At least, based on our review, it lost the battle against Galaxy Note 2. Now let’s compare it with Galaxy S4.

Design and build quality

Optimus G’s design and build quality is extrodinary, probably only HTC One can compete against it. But unfortunately, as design and build quality is concerned, Optimus G Pro has nothing to do with Optimus G. Optimus G Pro looks like a copycat of Galaxy Note 2!! Plastic was chosen to replace the glass. This is a serious joke if … Read the rest

Sony Xperia Z vs Samsung Galaxy S4, which one is for you?

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xperia-z-vs-galaxy-s4Sony Xperia Z was announced in January this year. In most regions, it is already available. So, it is possible to put your hands on it in local handphone shops.

Sony Xperia Z is the flagship smartphone from Sony in 2013, and it surely is Samsung Galaxy S4‘s close competitor. Many buyers are facing a difficult choice: S4 or Xperia Z? In this buyer’s guide, I will compare Samsung Galaxy S4 and Sony Xperia Z. Similar to the comparison between Galaxy S4 and HTC One, The comparison will be focused on 1).design and build quality; 2).battery; 3). software; 4). camera and video; and 5). display.

You may noticed, I seldom compare specifications, because most of flagship Android phones are overpowered. In other words, the hardware has more than sufficient power already, and therefore, it does not make sense to compare the specifications among such top-level phones.

 Round One: Design and build quality

No words needed. When you put your hands on them, you will immediately know Xperia Z wins. The design and build quality of Xperia Z is second to none. It looks beautiful and sleek. When you put it in your hands, it is well balanced and all buttons feel perfect. Apparently, all details are well considered in the design.

The material used for the back is high gloss glass, similar to that in  Nexus 4. It does give you premium feeling. But if you are going to use a case or cover, this may be not of your interest.

Another nice design feature of Xperia Z is water and dust resistant. Spilling of coffee is not an issue for Xperia Z. You can even use the phone when shower. You can even wash it  with water or soak it in water! Of course, you … Read the rest

Will Galaxy S4 use Super AMOLED or SoLux Display? Why it matters?

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superAMOLEDAccording to the latest rumors of the coming Galaxy S4 (from SamMobile), S4 will use SoLux display instead of its own flagship AMOLED. Although, this is very unlikely based on Samsung’s culture, it raised a valid question:why different display technologies matter?

Most of the time, when we talk about display, we talk about the resolution, for example nHD (640*360), WVGA (800*480), qHD (960*540), HD (1280*720), and full HD (1920*12980). In other words, the number of pixels in your display is our interest.  Higher pixel density means more pixels in the given area, and of course usually results in sharper display.

Pixel density usually is measured by  pixels per inch (PPI). For your information, Galaxy S has a ppi of 233, S2 with 219ppi and S3 with 306ppi. IPhone 4, 4s and 5 all have  a ppi of 326. Usually, when you hold your device 5 to 10 inches away from your eyes, most people cannot differentiate pixel density difference if the pixel density is higher than 300-400ppi.  For a handphone, the ideal  pixel density is about 300ppi; while for a tablet, around 250ppi is good enough for most users.

So, it is safe to say most high-end handphones in the market already have sufficient pixel density for normal users. Galaxy S4 will have a 441ppi display (if rumor is true, and usually is), which is slightly lower than that in  HTC One (469ppi). This is far more than enough.

But most people do not know that  the color representation on your display is more (at least equally)  important. Whether the color is natural, whether the color is vivid, are easily identified by human eyes. For example, most people feel colors in Galaxy S, S2 or S3 are vivid, but not so natural; while on iPhone 4 or 5, it … Read the rest