The Samsung Galaxy S4 was a flagship that set the bar high, while the S5 Neo aimed for a more budget-friendly experience. But which phone holds up better today? We'll break down their key features to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy S4 boasts a superior chipset and potentially better display contrast, while the S5 Neo offers a more modern processor architecture. Ultimately, the S4 might appeal to those prioritizing raw power and a vibrant screen, while the S5 Neo provides a more contemporary experience at a potentially lower cost.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - G903F |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - G903F |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 17 - SGH-i337 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 17, 20, 29 - G903W |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, March. Released 2013, April | 2015, August. Released 2015, August |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9 mm (5.38 x 2.75 x 0.31 in) | 142 x 72.5 x 8.1 mm (5.59 x 2.85 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 130 g (4.59 oz) | 145 g (5.11 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 (~441 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~432 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~72.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.1 inches, 71.7 cm2 (~69.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.9 GHz Krait 300 | Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm APQ8064T Snapdragon 600 | Exynos 7580 Octa (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 320 | Mali-T720MP2 |
| OS | Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 5.0 (Lollipop), TouchWiz UI | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 7.0 (Nougat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, 31mm (standard), 1/3.1", 1.14µm, AF | 16 MP, f/1.9, 31mm (standard), AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual video call | - |
| Single | 2 MP, f/2.4, 31mm (standard) | 5 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX | 4.1, A2DP, EDR, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| 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, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, temperature, humidity, gesture | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, heart rate |
| | ANT+
S-Voice natural language commands and dictation
Air gestures | ANT+
S-Voice |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless (Qi) (market dependent) | - |
| Music play | Up to 62 h | Up to 73 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 350 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 17 h (3G) | Up to 15 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2600 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 2800 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White Frost, Black Mist, Aurora Red (AT&T only), Arctic Blue, Purple Mirage, Brown Autumn, Pink Twilight, Black Edition | Black, Gray, Gold |
| Models | GT-I9505, GT-I9515, SGH-I337, SC-04E, GT-I9515L | SM-G903F, SM-G903W, SM-G903M, SM-S903VL |
| Price | About 330 EUR | About 300 EUR |
| SAR | 0.77 W/kg (head) 1.17 W/kg (body) | 1.03 W/kg (head) 1.27 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.28 W/kg (head) 0.40 W/kg (body) | 0.46 W/kg (head) 0.58 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -95.9dB / Crosstalk -96.4dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 69h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) / 3.352:1 (sunlight) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 70dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 77dB
| - |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -95.9dB / Crosstalk -96.4dB | - |
| Battery (old) | Endurance rating 69h | - |
| Camera | Photo / Video | - |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) / 3.352:1 (sunlight) | - |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 70dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 77dB | - |
Samsung I9505 Galaxy S4
- Potentially superior display contrast
- Powerful Snapdragon 600 chipset
- Wireless charging (market dependent)
- Excellent battery life (69h endurance rating)
- Older device, potential software support issues
- May lack latest Android features
- Older camera technology
Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo
- More modern processor architecture (Exynos 7580)
- Potentially better efficiency
- Likely more readily available software updates
- Generally more affordable
- Potentially less vibrant display
- Slightly lower clock speed
- Battery life may be shorter than S4
Display Comparison
The Galaxy S4 features a 5.0-inch Super AMOLED display with a reported infinite contrast ratio (nominal), dropping to 3.352:1 in sunlight. The S5 Neo likely has a similar size and resolution, but with a potentially less vibrant AMOLED panel. The S4's contrast advantage is a significant factor.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature Photo/Video capabilities, but specific sensor details are missing. The S4's camera was generally well-regarded for its time, but the S5 Neo likely benefits from newer image processing algorithms. Expect similar image quality in good lighting conditions, but the S5 Neo might have a slight edge in low light.
Performance
The S4's Qualcomm APQ8064T Snapdragon 600 with a 1.9 GHz Krait 300 quad-core CPU offers strong performance for its time. The S5 Neo's Exynos 7580 Octa with an 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 octa-core CPU provides a more modern architecture, potentially leading to better efficiency and smoother multitasking, despite the slightly lower clock speed. Real-world performance will depend on software optimization.
Battery Life
The Galaxy S4's endurance rating of 69h is exceptionally high, suggesting excellent battery life. The S5 Neo's battery capacity is likely smaller, but the more efficient Exynos processor could partially compensate. Battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy S4 is ideal for users seeking a powerful, older flagship with a potentially excellent display and wireless charging. The Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo is a good choice for budget-conscious buyers who want a more recent processor and a reliable, everyday smartphone experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Galaxy S4 still worth buying?
It can be, especially if you prioritize a vibrant display and strong performance. However, consider the age and potential lack of software updates.
❓ Which phone has better long-term software support?
The Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo is more likely to receive software updates due to its newer release date.
