The smartphone that became Samsung's best-selling Android device of all time
In short: Released in 2013, the Samsung Galaxy S4 wasn't just another flagship. It achieved unprecedented scale, selling 20 million units in just two months and 40 million within six. With a cutting-edge Super AMOLED display and advanced sensors, it redefined what a high-end mobile experience could offer.
The Galaxy S4 represented a significant leap in hardware capability for Samsung. It was among the first smartphones to feature a 1080p Full HD display, utilizing a unique "Diamond" PenTile RGBG matrix subpixel arrangement. This specific layout improved subpixel fill-rate by reducing the amount of empty black space between subpixels, contributing to a pixel density of 441 ppi on its 5-inch screen.
Beyond the display, the device introduced sophisticated sensor technology. It was one of the few mobile phones to include dedicated temperature and humidity sensors, alongside an infrared transmitter that allowed it to function as a universal remote control. This hardware suite supported new software features like "Air View," which allowed users to interact with the screen by hovering a finger just above it.
The S4's commercial success was driven by its rapid adoption across 155 countries and 327 carriers. It became Samsung's fastest-selling smartphone, eventually surpassing 80 million units sold. This scale was supported by diverse regional hardware, including models powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 600 or Samsung's Exynos 5 Octa, the latter of which could dynamically switch between different CPU clusters to balance power and energy consumption.
While the device was a powerhouse, its lifecycle saw various iterations and software evolutions. From the initial Android 4.2.2 release to the rollout of Android 5.0.1 "Lollipop," the S4 remained a central pillar of Samsung's mobile strategy throughout 2013 and 2014.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Samsung Galaxy S4
- Also: Wikidata — Samsung Galaxy S4 · CC0
- Also: Wikidata — Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini · CC0
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