I’ve had the Galaxy S4 for two months now, and I’m certainly enjoying it as my primary cellphone. It is also my first Android phone, and my first 4G LTE phone (on the AT&T network.) Here are thoughts so far on the phone itself, the operating system, and the AT&T network.
The Samsung Galaxy S4
This phone is bigger and thinner than my old Apple iPhone 4. I like both the larger 4″ AMOLED screen, and the svelte form factor.
The phone supports 802.11n, which I appreciate conceptually, but I haven’t noticed a noticeable increase at home with regular run-of-the-mill web browsing or when watching Netflix.
I will say that I have two issues:
1. The camera has a high resolution and is responsive. However, the auto focus is terrible. If I don’t pick the focal point in each shot and hold the camera steady, I get blurry photos. I know people are out there proclaiming that smartphones will replace digit cameras, but even our cheap Fuji point-and-shoot digital camera never took many blurry photos.
2. While I like the 5″ screen and the 4G LTE service, the battery drains fast. I have to actively manage the wifi and bluetooth, and I charge the phone when I can.
Google’s Android 4.2.2 OS (“Jelly Bean”)
It took me some time to acclimate, but I have to admit that I am digging Jelly Bean. I’ve gotten used to it, and I like the notifications system. Tbe widgets are so-so, because the apps aren’t always responsive, but decent enough. Is the Google Play store as populated as the iOS iTunes store? No, but it isn’t bad.
AT&T’S 4G network
The network is light years better than their 3G GSM network. I get less dropped calls, the network is faster, and so far my coverage has been fine.