Nostalgia for older smartphones is real, and the Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo and Galaxy S4 remain popular choices. Both offer a glimpse into Samsung's past, but which one holds up better today? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs and features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy S4 edges out the S5 Neo thanks to its slightly more powerful CPU architecture and wireless charging. While the S5 Neo has a newer chipset, the S4's overall package, especially considering its age, makes it the slightly better pick for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - G903F | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - G903F | - |
| EDGE | - | Yes |
| GPRS | - | Yes |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 17, 20, 29 - G903W | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, August. Released 2015, August | 2013, March. Released 2013, April |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 142 x 72.5 x 8.1 mm (5.59 x 2.85 x 0.32 in) | 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9 mm (5.38 x 2.75 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 145 g (5.11 oz) | 130 g (4.59 oz) |
| | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~432 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~441 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.1 inches, 71.7 cm2 (~69.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~72.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A15 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A7) |
| Chipset | Exynos 7580 Octa (28 nm) | Exynos 5410 Octa (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T720MP2 | PowerVR SGX544MP3 |
| OS | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 7.0 (Nougat) | Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 5.0.1 (Lollipop), TouchWiz UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | - | Yes |
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM |
| Phonebook | - | 2000 entries |
| | eMMC 5.0 | eMMC 5.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/1.9, 31mm (standard), AF | 13 MP, f/2.2, 31mm (standard), 1/3.1", 1.14µm, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Dual video call |
| Single | 5 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide) | 2 MP, f/2.4, 31mm (standard) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, EDR, LE | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 (MHL 2 TV-out), OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Games | - | Downloadable |
| Java | - | Yes |
| Messaging | - | SMS(threaded view), MMS, Email, IM |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, heart rate | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, temperature, humidity, gesture |
| | ANT+
S-Voice | ANT+
S-Voice natural language commands and dictation
Air gestures |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | Wireless (Qi) (market dependent) |
| Music play | Up to 73 h | Up to 62 h |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 370 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 15 h (3G) | Up to 17 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2800 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 2600 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Gray, Gold | White Frost, Black Mist, Arctic Blue, Black Edition |
| Models | SM-G903F, SM-G903W, SM-G903M, SM-S903VL | GT-I9500, SGH-I337M, SGH-M919, GT-I9507V, SHV-E330L, SPH-L720T, SHV-E300S, SHV-E300L, SHV-E300K, GT-I9507, SGH-M919N |
| Price | About 300 EUR | About 320 EUR |
| SAR | 1.03 W/kg (head) 1.27 W/kg (body) | 0.85 W/kg (head) 1.55 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.46 W/kg (head) 0.58 W/kg (body) | 0.42 W/kg (head) 0.54 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -95.9dB / Crosstalk -96.4dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 65h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) / 3.352:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 70dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 77dB
|
Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo
- Slightly newer chipset (Exynos 7580)
- Compact size
- Generally reliable
- Lower performance compared to S4
- Battery life likely shorter
- No wireless charging
Samsung I9500 Galaxy S4
- Wireless charging (market dependent)
- Potentially better CPU performance (big.LITTLE architecture)
- Excellent battery life (65h endurance rating)
- Proven reliability
- Older design
- Display may show signs of aging
- Camera quality is dated
Display Comparison
Both phones feature Super AMOLED displays with a resolution of 1920 x 1080. While both boast an 'infinite' contrast ratio (a marketing term), the sunlight readability is reported at 3.352:1 for both. The S4's display might show slight aging depending on usage, but overall, the display quality is comparable.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is a mixed bag. Both phones have 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but specific megapixel counts and features are not detailed. Given their age, image quality will be noticeably inferior to modern smartphones. The S4 might have a slight edge due to potentially better image processing algorithms, but both will struggle in low light.
Performance
The Galaxy S4's CPU utilizes a big.LITTLE architecture (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A15 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A7), which generally provides better performance than the S5 Neo's Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53. While both have eight cores, the S4's A15 cores offer a performance advantage. Expect smoother multitasking and slightly faster app loading on the S4.
Battery Life
The Galaxy S4 boasts an endurance rating of 65h, which is impressive for its age. The S5 Neo's battery capacity is likely smaller, and its endurance rating is not provided, suggesting it may not match the S4's longevity. The S4's wireless charging (market dependent) is another advantage.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo is a good choice for those seeking a slightly more modern (though still dated) Samsung experience and prioritizing a newer chipset. The Samsung Galaxy S4 is ideal for users who value wireless charging, a slightly faster CPU, and a phone with a proven track record of longevity.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still worth buying in 2024?
They can be a budget-friendly option for basic tasks, but don't expect modern smartphone performance. Consider them for nostalgia or as secondary devices.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Neither phone receives official software updates anymore. You may find custom ROMs available for both, but proceed with caution.
❓ Can I use a modern USB-C charger with either of these phones?
No, both phones use a micro-USB port. You'll need a compatible micro-USB charger.
