The Samsung Galaxy S4 was a flagship that defined an era. However, depending on your region, you likely encountered one of two versions: the I9505 powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, or the I9500 featuring Samsung's own Exynos chipset. This comparison dives deep into the differences to help you understand which model was truly superior.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The I9505 (Snapdragon) generally edges out the I9500 (Exynos) in sustained performance and often slightly better battery life, despite the Exynos's theoretical octa-core advantage. Both offer a classic Android experience, but the Snapdragon variant is often considered the more reliable performer.
| 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 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 | - |
| EDGE | - | Yes |
| GPRS | - | Yes |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA |
| | 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 17 - SGH-i337 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, March. Released 2013, April | 2013, March. Released 2013, April |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | 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) | 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9 mm (5.38 x 2.75 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 130 g (4.59 oz) | 130 g (4.59 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~441 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~441 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~72.3% 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 1.9 GHz Krait 300 | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A15 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A7) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm APQ8064T Snapdragon 600 | Exynos 5410 Octa (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 320 | PowerVR SGX544MP3 |
| OS | Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 5.0 (Lollipop), 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 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM |
| Phonebook | - | 2000 entries |
| | - | eMMC 5.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, 31mm (standard), 1/3.1", 1.14µm, 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 | Dual video call |
| Single | 2 MP, f/2.4, 31mm (standard) | 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 | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 (MHL 2 TV-out), OTG | microUSB 2.0 (MHL 2 TV-out), 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, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Games | - | Downloadable |
| Java | - | Yes |
| Messaging | - | SMS(threaded view), MMS, Email, IM |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, temperature, humidity, gesture | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, temperature, humidity, gesture |
| | ANT+
S-Voice natural language commands and dictation
Air gestures | ANT+
S-Voice natural language commands and dictation
Air gestures |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless (Qi) (market dependent) | Wireless (Qi) (market dependent) |
| Music play | Up to 62 h | Up to 62 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 350 h (3G) | Up to 370 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 17 h (3G) | Up to 17 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2600 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 2600 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White Frost, Black Mist, Aurora Red (AT&T only), Arctic Blue, Purple Mirage, Brown Autumn, Pink Twilight, Black Edition | White Frost, Black Mist, Arctic Blue, Black Edition |
| Models | GT-I9505, GT-I9515, SGH-I337, SC-04E, GT-I9515L | GT-I9500, SGH-I337M, SGH-M919, GT-I9507V, SHV-E330L, SPH-L720T, SHV-E300S, SHV-E300L, SHV-E300K, GT-I9507, SGH-M919N |
| Price | About 330 EUR | About 320 EUR |
| SAR | 0.77 W/kg (head) 1.17 W/kg (body) | 0.85 W/kg (head) 1.55 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.28 W/kg (head) 0.40 W/kg (body) | 0.42 W/kg (head) 0.54 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -95.9dB / Crosstalk -96.4dB |
Noise -95.9dB / Crosstalk -96.4dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 69h
|
Endurance rating 65h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) / 3.352:1 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) / 3.352:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 70dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 77dB
|
Voice 70dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 77dB
|
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -95.9dB / Crosstalk -96.4dB | Noise -95.9dB / Crosstalk -96.4dB |
| Battery (old) | Endurance rating 69h | Endurance rating 65h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) / 3.352:1 (sunlight) | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) / 3.352:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 70dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 77dB | Voice 70dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 77dB |
Samsung I9505 Galaxy S4
- Better sustained performance
- Slightly longer battery life
- Generally more reliable
- Can be slightly more expensive on the used market
Samsung I9500 Galaxy S4
- Unique Exynos Octa-core architecture
- Potentially lower price on the used market
- Thermal throttling under load
- Slightly shorter battery life
- Potentially less consistent performance
Display Comparison
Both the I9505 and I9500 share the same display specifications: a 5.0-inch Super AMOLED screen with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels. The reported contrast ratios of 'Infinite (nominal)' and 3.352:1 (sunlight) suggest excellent color reproduction and visibility, even in bright conditions. There's no significant difference in display quality between the two models.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature a 13MP rear camera and a 2MP front camera. Image quality is generally comparable, with both capable of producing decent photos in good lighting conditions. However, the Snapdragon variant sometimes exhibits slightly better color accuracy and dynamic range. Video recording capabilities are similar on both.
Performance
The I9505's Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 (APQ8064T) with a 1.9 GHz Krait 300 quad-core CPU generally provides smoother and more consistent performance than the I9500's Exynos 5410 Octa. While the Exynos boasts an octa-core setup (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A15 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A7), its architecture often leads to thermal throttling under sustained load, impacting performance. The Snapdragon's efficiency and better thermal management give it an edge.
Battery Life
The I9505 has a slightly higher endurance rating (69h) compared to the I9500 (65h). This difference, while not massive, reflects the Snapdragon's greater power efficiency. Both phones have a 2600mAh battery, but the Snapdragon's chipset consumes less power overall.
Buying Guide
Who should buy Samsung I9505 Galaxy S4? Those prioritizing consistent performance, especially under load, and slightly longer battery life. Who should buy Samsung I9500 Galaxy S4? Those seeking a unique processor architecture and potentially lower prices on the used market, understanding it might exhibit some thermal throttling.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Exynos 5410 Octa really faster than the Snapdragon 600?
Theoretically, yes, due to its octa-core design. However, in practice, the Snapdragon 600 often performs better due to its superior efficiency and thermal management, preventing throttling.
❓ Which Galaxy S4 is better for gaming?
The I9505 (Snapdragon) is generally better for gaming due to its more consistent performance and less thermal throttling.
