The Samsung Galaxy S III and S4 were titans of their time, defining the Android landscape. Years later, these phones still hold a certain appeal for retro enthusiasts and those seeking affordable Android devices. But which one holds up better today? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy S4 emerges as the clear winner, boasting a more powerful Octa-core processor, improved battery life, and the added convenience of wireless charging. While the S III remains a capable device, the S4's upgrades provide a noticeably smoother and more modern experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| EDGE | - | Yes |
| GPRS | - | Yes |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2012, May. Released 2012, May | 2013, March. Released 2013, April |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 2), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 136.6 x 70.6 x 8.6 mm (5.38 x 2.78 x 0.34 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 | 133 g (4.69 oz) | 130 g (4.59 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 2 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~306 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~441 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.8 inches, 63.5 cm2 (~65.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~72.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A9 | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A15 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A7) |
| Chipset | Exynos 4412 Quad (32 nm) | Exynos 5410 Octa (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-400MP4 | PowerVR SGX544MP3 |
| OS | Android 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich), 4.3 (Jelly Bean), TouchWiz UI | 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 1GB RAM, 32GB 1GB RAM, 64GB 1GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM |
| Phonebook | - | 2000 entries |
| | - | eMMC 5.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.6, 1/3.0", 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 | 1.9 MP, f/2.6 | 2 MP, f/2.4, 31mm (standard) |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, aptX | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 (MHL TV-out), OTG | microUSB 2.0 (MHL 2 TV-out), OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, 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, barometer | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, temperature, humidity, gesture |
| | S-Voice natural language commands and dictation | ANT+
S-Voice natural language commands and dictation
Air gestures |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | Wireless (Qi) (market dependent) |
| Music play | - | Up to 62 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 590 h (2G) / Up to 790 h (3G) | Up to 370 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 21 h 40 min (2G) / Up to 11 h 40 min (3G) | Up to 17 h (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 2100 mAh battery | Li-Ion 2600 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Pebble blue, Marble white, Amber brown, Garnet red, Sapphire black, Titanium grey, La Fleur | White Frost, Black Mist, Arctic Blue, Black Edition |
| Models | GT-I9300, GT-I9300I, SHV-E210S, SHW-M440S | GT-I9500, SGH-I337M, SGH-M919, GT-I9507V, SHV-E330L, SPH-L720T, SHV-E300S, SHV-E300L, SHV-E300K, GT-I9507, SGH-M919N |
| Price | About 190 EUR | About 320 EUR |
| SAR | 0.55 W/kg (head) 1.49 W/kg (body) | 0.85 W/kg (head) 1.55 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.21 W/kg (head) | 0.42 W/kg (head) 0.54 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -90.3dB / Crosstalk -92.6dB |
Noise -95.9dB / Crosstalk -96.4dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 50h
|
Endurance rating 65h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) / 3.419:1 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) / 3.352:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 75dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB
|
Voice 70dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 77dB
|
Samsung I9300 Galaxy S III
- Compact size
- Familiar Android experience
- Good value for money (used)
- Older processor
- Shorter battery life
- Outdated software
Samsung I9500 Galaxy S4
- More powerful processor
- Longer battery life
- Wireless charging (market dependent)
- Slightly larger display
- Larger size compared to S III
- Older software
- May be harder to find in good condition
Display Comparison
Both phones feature Super AMOLED displays with excellent color reproduction and contrast. The S III's contrast ratio is nominally 'infinite,' while the S4's is slightly lower at 3.352:1 in sunlight. However, the difference is minimal and unlikely to be noticeable in everyday use. The S4's display is slightly larger (5.0 inches vs 4.8 inches) offering a bit more screen real estate.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer Photo/Video capabilities, but the S4 generally produces slightly better image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The S4's camera also benefits from improved image processing algorithms. While specific megapixel counts are not provided, the S4's overall camera performance is superior.
Performance
The Galaxy S4's Exynos 5410 Octa-core processor is a significant upgrade over the S III's Exynos 4412 Quad-core. The S4's processor utilizes a big.LITTLE architecture (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A15 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A7) which provides better efficiency and performance under load. Expect smoother multitasking and faster app loading times on the S4.
Battery Life
The Galaxy S4 has a clear advantage in battery life, with an endurance rating of 65 hours compared to the S III's 50 hours. This translates to significantly longer usage between charges, a crucial factor for any smartphone.
Buying Guide
The Galaxy S III is a good choice for budget-conscious users who prioritize a compact form factor and a familiar Android experience. The Galaxy S4 is ideal for those seeking better performance, longer battery life, and a few extra features like wireless charging, even within a vintage context.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are software updates still available for these phones?
Officially, no. Both the Galaxy S III and S4 have reached the end of their software update lifecycle. However, custom ROMs may be available for those comfortable with flashing their devices.
❓ Which phone is more durable?
Both phones are relatively fragile by modern standards. The S4's plastic construction feels slightly more robust, but neither is particularly resistant to drops or scratches.
