The Samsung Galaxy S4 was a flagship device that captivated the market. However, two variants existed: the I9506 and the I9505. While seemingly identical, they feature crucial differences in chipset and performance. This guide breaks down the key distinctions to help you decide which model is superior.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The I9506, with its Snapdragon 800 chipset, offers significantly better performance and a smoother user experience compared to the I9505's Snapdragon 600. Both offer similar battery life and display quality, making the I9506 the clear winner for those prioritizing speed and responsiveness.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - I9506 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - I9506 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - I9506 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 5, 9 - SHV-E330S | 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 17 - SGH-i337 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, Q3. Released 2013, Q3 | 2013, March. Released 2013, April |
| 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 2.3 GHz Krait 400 | Quad-core 1.9 GHz Krait 300 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8974 Snapdragon 800 (28 nm) | Qualcomm APQ8064T Snapdragon 600 |
| GPU | Adreno 330 | Adreno 320 |
| OS | Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 5.0.1 (Lollipop), TouchWiz UI | Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 5.0 (Lollipop), TouchWiz UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 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, 27mm (wide) | 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 |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, temperature, humidity, gesture | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, temperature, humidity, gesture |
| | 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 370 h (3G) | Up to 350 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 (I9506)/ Arctic Blue, Red Aurora, rose gold white, rose gold black, deep black (SHV-E330S) | White Frost, Black Mist, Aurora Red (AT&T only), Arctic Blue, Purple Mirage, Brown Autumn, Pink Twilight, Black Edition |
| Models | SHV-E330S, GT-i9506, GT-I9506, GT-I9507V, SHV-E330K, SHV-E300S | GT-I9505, GT-I9515, SGH-I337, SC-04E, GT-I9515L |
| Price | About 390 EUR | About 330 EUR |
| SAR | 0.93 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) | 0.77 W/kg (head) 1.17 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.39 W/kg (head) 0.44 W/kg (body) | 0.28 W/kg (head) 0.40 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 I9506 Galaxy S4
- Superior Performance (Snapdragon 800)
- Faster App Loading
- Smoother Multitasking
- Better Gaming Experience
- Wireless Charging (Market Dependent)
- Potentially Higher Price (if found)
- May have slightly higher power consumption
Samsung I9505 Galaxy S4
- Comparable Battery Life
- Good Display Quality
- Wireless Charging (Market Dependent)
- Potentially More Affordable
- Slower Performance (Snapdragon 600)
- Slightly Laggy Experience
- Less Suitable for Demanding Apps/Games
Display Comparison
Both the I9506 and I9505 boast a 5.0-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels. The contrast ratio is reported as 'Infinite' nominally, with a sunlight readability of 3.352:1. Visually, the displays are virtually indistinguishable; color accuracy and viewing angles are excellent on both.
Camera Comparison
Both devices have a 13MP rear camera and a 2MP front camera. Image quality is generally comparable, with decent detail and color reproduction in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance is adequate but not exceptional. Video recording capabilities are similar on both models, supporting 1080p resolution at 30fps.
Performance
This is where the biggest difference lies. The I9506 features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chipset with a 2.3 GHz Krait 400 CPU, while the I9505 uses the Snapdragon 600 with a 1.9 GHz Krait 300 CPU. The Snapdragon 800 offers a noticeable performance boost in benchmarks and real-world usage, resulting in faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. The I9505 can feel slightly sluggish by comparison, especially with demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both models are reported to have an endurance rating of 69 hours, suggesting comparable battery life. Real-world usage will vary depending on usage patterns, but users can expect a full day of moderate use from either device.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Samsung I9506 Galaxy S4? Users seeking a faster, more responsive experience for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps. Who should buy the Samsung I9505 Galaxy S4? Those prioritizing battery life and a slightly more affordable option, understanding the performance trade-off.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What does the 'I9506' and 'I9505' designation mean?
These are model numbers specific to the Samsung Galaxy S4. They denote different hardware configurations, primarily the chipset used.
❓ Is the difference in performance noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the Snapdragon 800 in the I9506 provides a noticeable performance boost, especially when multitasking, gaming, or using demanding apps. The I9505 can feel slower in comparison.
❓ Are there any other differences between the two models?
Aside from the chipset, the core features are largely the same. Regional availability and carrier customizations might also differ.
