The Samsung Galaxy S4 was a groundbreaking phone in its time, but how does it stack up against the rugged and powerful Galaxy S7 Active? This comparison will break down the key differences, helping you decide which device is right for you, especially considering their age.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy S7 Active is the clear winner. While the S4 boasts impressive endurance for its age, the S7 Active's superior performance, camera, and significantly improved battery life make it the better choice for most users, even with both devices being older models.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| EDGE | Yes | - |
| GPRS | Yes | - |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat9 450/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, March. Released 2013, April | 2016, June. Released 2016, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9 mm (5.38 x 2.75 x 0.31 in) | 148.8 x 74.9 x 9.9 mm (5.86 x 2.95 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 130 g (4.59 oz) | 184.8 g (6.53 oz) |
| | - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)
MIL-STD-810G compliant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~441 ppi density) | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~576 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~72.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.1 inches, 71.7 cm2 (~64.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A15 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A7) | Quad-core (2x2.15 GHz Kryo & 2x1.6 GHz Kryo) |
| Chipset | Exynos 5410 Octa (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 820 (14 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR SGX544MP3 | Adreno 530 |
| OS | Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 5.0.1 (Lollipop), TouchWiz UI | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), upgradable to 7.0 (Nougat), TouchWiz UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | Yes | - |
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 4GB RAM |
| Phonebook | 2000 entries | - |
| | eMMC 5.0 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, 31mm (standard), 1/3.1", 1.14µm, AF | 12 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 1080p@60fps, 720p@240fps, HDR, stereo sound rec., OIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual video call | HDR |
| Single | 2 MP, f/2.4, 31mm (standard) | 5 MP, f/1.7, 22mm (wide), 1/4.1", 1.34µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX | 4.2, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 (MHL 2 TV-out), OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Games | Downloadable | - |
| Java | Yes | - |
| Messaging | SMS(threaded view), MMS, Email, IM | - |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, temperature, humidity, gesture | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2 |
| | ANT+
S-Voice natural language commands and dictation
Air gestures | ANT+
S-Voice natural language commands and dictation
Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless (Qi) (market dependent) | 15W wired, QC2
Wireless (Qi) (market dependent) |
| Music play | Up to 62 h | Up to 110 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 370 h (3G) | Up to 384 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 17 h (3G) | Up to 32 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2600 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White Frost, Black Mist, Arctic Blue, Black Edition | Camo Green, Titanium Gray, Sandy Gold |
| Models | GT-I9500, SGH-I337M, SGH-M919, GT-I9507V, SHV-E330L, SPH-L720T, SHV-E300S, SHV-E300L, SHV-E300K, GT-I9507, SGH-M919N | SM-G891A |
| Price | About 320 EUR | About 360 EUR |
| SAR | 0.85 W/kg (head) 1.55 W/kg (body) | 0.92 W/kg (head) 0.75 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.42 W/kg (head) 0.54 W/kg (body) | 0.32 W/kg (head) 0.98 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -95.9dB / Crosstalk -96.4dB |
Noise -94.3dB / Crosstalk -93.4dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 65h
| Endurance rating 96h |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) / 3.352:1 (sunlight) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 70dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 77dB
|
Voice 72dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 78dB |
| Performance | - |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 2487Basemark X: 32362 |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -95.9dB / Crosstalk -96.4dB | Noise -94.3dB / Crosstalk -93.4dB |
| Battery (old) | Endurance rating 65h | Endurance rating 96h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | - |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) / 3.352:1 (sunlight) | - |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 70dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 77dB | Voice 72dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 78dB |
| Performance | - | Basemark OS II 2.0: 2487Basemark X: 32362 |
Samsung I9500 Galaxy S4
- Affordable
- Wireless Charging (market dependent)
- Decent Battery Life (for its age)
- Outdated Processor
- Lower Camera Quality
- Less Durable Build
Samsung Galaxy S7 active
- Powerful Processor
- Excellent Camera
- Rugged Design
- Long Battery Life
- Quick Charging (QC2)
- Older Device
- May lack latest software updates
- Can be harder to find in good condition
Display Comparison
The Galaxy S7 Active features a brighter and more vibrant display, offering better outdoor visibility thanks to its higher peak brightness. While the S4's contrast ratio is impressive (especially the nominal 'infinite' value), the S7 Active's Super AMOLED technology provides richer colors and deeper blacks. The S7 Active also has a slightly larger screen size.
Camera Comparison
The S7 Active's camera is a significant upgrade. It captures sharper images with better dynamic range and low-light performance. The S4's camera is adequate for basic photography, but it struggles in challenging lighting conditions. The S7 Active also benefits from improved image stabilization.
Performance
The Snapdragon 820 in the S7 Active delivers a substantial performance boost over the Exynos 5410 in the S4. The S7 Active's Kryo cores handle demanding apps and games with ease, while the S4 can feel sluggish at times. The S7 Active's newer architecture also contributes to better power efficiency.
Battery Life
The S7 Active's battery life is a major advantage, offering a significantly longer endurance rating (96h vs 65h). This translates to noticeably longer usage between charges, making it ideal for users who are away from power outlets for extended periods.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy S4? Budget-conscious users looking for a functional Android phone for basic tasks. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy S7 Active? Users needing a durable phone with better performance and camera capabilities, particularly those working in demanding environments or prioritizing battery life.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Galaxy S4 still usable in 2024?
Yes, the Galaxy S4 can still be used for basic tasks, but its performance is limited by its age. It may struggle with newer apps and games.
❓ Why is the S7 Active so durable?
The S7 Active is built to military standards (MIL-STD-810G) for shock, dust, and water resistance, making it significantly more durable than the S4.
❓ Can I find software updates for either of these phones?
Official software updates have ceased for both devices. However, custom ROMs may be available for the S4, offering newer Android versions, though this is not officially supported.
