The Samsung Galaxy S4 was a landmark phone, but did you know there were two distinct models – the I9505 and I9506? While both offer the familiar S4 experience, key differences in their processors and chipsets impact performance. This guide dives deep into the nuances of each to help you decide which is the better choice today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The I9506, with its Snapdragon 800 chipset and faster Krait 400 CPU, offers a noticeable performance boost over the I9505's Snapdragon 600. While battery life is similar, the I9506's superior speed makes it the winner for those prioritizing responsiveness and smoother multitasking.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - I9506 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - I9506 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - I9506 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 17 - SGH-i337 | 5, 9 - SHV-E330S |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, March. Released 2013, April | 2013, Q3. Released 2013, Q3 |
| 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) | 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 | Quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm APQ8064T Snapdragon 600 | Qualcomm MSM8974 Snapdragon 800 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 320 | Adreno 330 |
| 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 |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 4.5 |
| 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, 27mm (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 | 4.0, 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 |
|---|
| 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 | 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 (I9506)/ Arctic Blue, Red Aurora, rose gold white, rose gold black, deep black (SHV-E330S) |
| Models | GT-I9505, GT-I9515, SGH-I337, SC-04E, GT-I9515L | SHV-E330S, GT-i9506, GT-I9506, GT-I9507V, SHV-E330K, SHV-E300S |
| Price | About 330 EUR | About 390 EUR |
| SAR | 0.77 W/kg (head) 1.17 W/kg (body) | 0.93 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.28 W/kg (head) 0.40 W/kg (body) | 0.39 W/kg (head) 0.44 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
| - |
| Performance | - |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 1105 |
| 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 | - |
| Performance | - | Basemark OS II 2.0: 1105 |
Samsung I9505 Galaxy S4
- Excellent battery life
- More affordable
- Compact size
- Wireless charging (market dependent)
- Slower performance compared to I9506
- Older chipset
- May struggle with demanding apps
Samsung I9506 Galaxy S4
- Faster performance
- More responsive
- Better for gaming
- Snapdragon 800 chipset
- Slightly more expensive
- Battery life marginally less than I9505 (though still good)
Display Comparison
Both the I9505 and I9506 feature a 5.0-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels. While the I9505 boasts an 'Infinite' contrast ratio (likely a marketing term), both offer excellent color reproduction and viewing angles. Sunlight readability is reported to be around 3.352:1 for both, indicating good visibility outdoors.
Camera Comparison
Both models share the same camera hardware: a 13MP rear camera and a 2MP front camera. Image quality is generally comparable, though the I9506's more powerful processor *might* allow for slightly better image processing in certain scenarios. Video recording capabilities are also similar on both devices.
Performance
This is where the biggest difference lies. The I9506's Snapdragon 800 chipset and 2.3 GHz Krait 400 CPU significantly outperform the I9505's Snapdragon 600 and 1.9 GHz Krait 300 CPU. Expect faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better overall responsiveness on the I9506. Gaming performance will also be noticeably improved.
Battery Life
The I9505 is reported to have an endurance rating of 69 hours, which is impressive. The I9506, despite its more powerful processor, maintains surprisingly similar battery life due to optimizations and a comparable battery capacity (2600 mAh for both). Expect a full day of moderate use from either device.
Buying Guide
The I9505 is a good option for budget-conscious buyers who prioritize excellent battery life and don't need the absolute fastest performance. The I9506 is ideal for users who want the best possible performance the S4 has to offer, even in 2024, and are willing to pay a slight premium for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What does the 'I9505' and 'I9506' designation mean?
These are model numbers that differentiate the two versions of the Galaxy S4. The numbers indicate hardware variations, primarily the chipset and CPU.
❓ Is the difference in performance noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, especially when multitasking, playing games, or using demanding apps. The I9506 feels significantly snappier and more responsive.
❓ Are these phones still worth buying in 2024?
Both are aging devices, but they can still be functional for basic tasks. The I9506 offers a better experience if you prioritize performance, while the I9505 is a good budget option with excellent battery life.
