Samsung just handed all their competitors an opportunity

[FinancialWar]

The S4 will be successful, because unlike HTC, LG and Motorola, they know how to market their phones. They've reached that Apple marketing level, where image is everything.

may be it's because Samsung product are genuinely better, provide better after market support, better user experience, better software or other many variables?

Sure, ceteris paribus, more marketing spending = better sales, but what evidence do you have that the success of Samsung's galaxy line is sole attributed to their market effort?

 

[Complex757]

may be it's because Samsung product are genuinely better, provide better after market support, better user experience, better software or other many variables?

Sure, ceteris paribus, more marketing spending = better sales, but what evidence do you have that the success of Samsung's galaxy line is sole attributed to their market effort?

No, because it hasn't been until recently with the S3 that Samsung has done any of that.

 

[chris2k5]

Samsung is in for a rude awakening. Their poor product this time isn't fooling anyone.
They are using Snapdragon S4 Pro in a 2013 phone...AND a pentile display.

They mind as well just throw money at the competition and call it a day.

 

[burtonvdp]

Isn't this about the same as the S2 to S3 upgrade? I remember a ton of people saying they didn't innovate and upgrading from the S2 to the S3 wasn't worth it?

I think its a decent update especially for us here in the states that didn't get a quad core... The 1080 screen is nice, larger battery, and the camera. Although I think an every other year upgrade makes more sense given most are 2 year contracts now.

 

[davoid]

No, because it hasn't been until recently with the S3 that Samsung has done any of that.

Well the Galaxy S2 was the best selling phone of 2011.

Samsung have been providing continual software updates for the S3, and have also been providing them for the S2, although I think this is an area where they have definitely raised their game compared to previously.

What Samsung provide is value for money. You get a hell of a lot of phone for your money. More than the "other" manufacturer.

 

[EarlyMon]

Samsung is in for a rude awakening. Their poor product this time isn't fooling anyone.
They are using Snapdragon S4 Pro in a 2013 phone...AND a pentile display.

They mind as well just throw money at the competition and call it a day.

I think that everyone has had enough of the bashing and snark here.

If you can't post respectfully, then move to an HTC forum more to your liking.

Not kidding.

And for the record, the Nexus 4 uses the Snapdragon S4 Pro, the HTC One and the SGS4 (depending on region) use the Snapdragon 600, otherwise the SGS4 uses Samsung's new dual quadcore.

 

[trparky]

For someone who is coming from an older dual-core CPU phone, this phone is definitely something that I'm going to buy. Yes, those software features are gimmicky but if the hardware is fast and doesn't slow down under the load that I put on it I'm happy.

Yes, there's some obvious pieces of software that I'd be replacing immediately when I get the phone since I'm a creature of habit. The browser is one such app, I'd replace it with Dolphin Browser HD since it has my password management app tied right in (Lastpass). But so far, it looks like that may be the only app I'm going to end up replacing on the phone. I'm going to keep my reservations of the Messaging app back until I see it in action. If it's better than stock Android's messenger app, then I'll use it. Lately I've been using Handcent since again, Android's messenger app leaves a lot to be desired.

 

[sean76]

may be it's because Samsung product are genuinely better, provide better after market support, better user experience, better software or other many variables?

Sure, ceteris paribus, more marketing spending = better sales, but what evidence do you have that the success of Samsung's galaxy line is sole attributed to their market effort?

I have to disagree to an extent ...

You see what people forget or don't even know is that Samsung is pretty much the King in every area...They have been gigantic for many many years when it comes to producing a huge range of phone/tablet/laptop, etc components. Apple was like they're number 1 buyer. How bout there was a time when they were outfitting just about every smartphone manufacturer with screens at one time. Without them the industry would be very different right now. I mean jeez they even made the screen on my Retina MacBook pro!

The point of the story is that they are not some little engine that could, they are a giant of a company that basically had all the makings and resources to topple and then take control of the smart phone industry. Which honestly they have done. Since the S series began I always knew Samsung was going to just go full force on everything...And they have! They're marketing dollar budget is enormous... Over $450 million in marketing for 2012...and that's just in the U.S.! That's a lot of Twinkies man...lol!

So with that kind of spending power they can pretty much do what they want...And what they did was play it very safe with the S4! As I've said, the phone is no dog, it is at the top of the food chain with specs and internals and all that. What I'm saying is some thought should have gone into the actual design of the phone instead of just going so close to the design of the S3 and note 2...And I think a lot of people feel the same way. But when you look at they're marketing ability, it makes sense and it allows them to basically give they're design team a year off...Either way, the thing will sell regardless of the materials used and continue to be mentioned in every high end phone conversation because of Samsung's ability to market on a really large basis. So IMHO marketing plays a HUGE roll in Samsung's success these days...

 

[liteon163]

It seems to me that the Galaxy SIII showed people how well Samsung can build phones, phones that are worth serious consideration. People like us who hang out on forums discussing phones are not the target audience, though; we'll always find nits to pick.

But the "average" user will find a lot to like with the Galaxy S4. My girlfriend is an example, as she currently has an iPhone 4. She is beginning to realize just how small her phone is compared to my SIII. Her upgrade is available next month and she doesn't want to wait for the iPhone "5S," as she doesn't like the iPhone 5.

I think there are many more people like this out there. Not necessarily iPhone converts, but people who are tired of their old, smaller screened phones who want something "different." Samsung has used marketing to convince people their phones are different, and as a result they will get people that are similar to Apple customers but who pay a bit more attention to specs.

Me, I don't think the specs are superior enough to get rid of my one year old SIII. But for average people, the phone will be more than they ever need.

Now I'm really curious about the upcoming Google/Motorola X phone....

 

[EarlyMon]

I'm only a data point of one, but I've seen plenty of Samsung ads on TV. Last HTC ad I saw was a guy walking down the street while buildings fell because he Beats and that was a Verizon ad.

I remember the Samsung Superbowl ads. HTC, Sony, etc - pretty sure they were no-shows.

Advertising counts.

I can name a number of Android phones that technically superior to the iPhone in most ways - and despite being different from one another, they're more alike each other when comparing to the iDevice. And I've been able to do that for nearly 3 years.

And which one has been nailing the iPhone in sales?

The only one with the unlimited budget for advertising, production and legal defense.

BTW, thought I'd back up Sean with a reference for the ad spending - Samsung Outspends Apple on Phone Advertising - WSJ.com

 

[davoid]

So with that kind of spending power they can pretty much do what they want...And what they did was play it very safe with the S4! As I've said, the phone is no dog, it is at the top of the food chain with specs and internals and all that. What I'm saying is some thought should have gone into the actual design of the phone instead of just going so close to the design of the S3 and note 2...And I think a lot of people feel the same way. But when you look at they're marketing ability, it makes sense and it allows them to basically give they're design team a year off...Either way, the thing will sell regardless of the materials used and continue to be mentioned in every high end phone conversation because of Samsung's ability to market on a really large basis. So IMHO marketing plays a HUGE roll in Samsung's success these days...

I hear what you're saying but it doesn't seem like a failure to design a new product to me, but rather to build upon a design that is recognized as a samsung Galaxy family device. I liked the fact that the Note 2 looked like a big S3. Many manufacturers keep to their design style with minor adjustments in order to maintain that brand identity. Look at Porche, Land Rover, Rolls Royce, the VW Beetle. They get upgraded, but they look the same. The same goes with other devices, such as cameras - Leica, Canon, Nikon, they all produce upgrades to popular devices that look like those devices so that customers can recognize them for what they are, and get the latest iteration of that device line.

EDIT: In fact, it seems kind of unreasonable to suggest they gave their design team a year off when they crammed a larger display and larger battery into a smaller phone without losing the removable battery and expandable memory slot.

 

[Complex757]

Well the Galaxy S2 was the best selling phone of 2011.

Samsung have been providing continual software updates for the S3, and have also been providing them for the S2, although I think this is an area where they have definitely raised their game compared to previously.

What Samsung provide is value for money. You get a hell of a lot of phone for your money. More than the "other" manufacturer.

I don't consider cheap plastic and a meh display as providing a lot of phone for your money.

 

[trparky]

The Galaxy Nexus had a plastic case and a screen that has very obvious flaws in it and it still sold a lot.

 

[AntimonyER]

I don't consider cheap plastic and a meh display as providing a lot of phone for your money.

Let me make a comparison. For years car reviewers have praised VW for their expensive materials in their interiors. But after two years, consumers give the VW interiors among the worst, for rattles, breakage, and lack of durability. The iPhone is widely praised as a beautiful piece of electronic art (NOT my words), but I rarely EVER see one without a case because of how fragile it is.

Samsung choose function over form, I can't really fault them for that.

And are you referring to past phone displays, or the S4? Cause 1080P on 5" phone = no visible pixels. Pretty much at this point it won't matter what sub pixel structure a phone has, at least not for image clarity.

 

[bearballz]

Yeah for S2 users coming off their contracts this phone is a no brainer. For S3 users like myself, I really don't see a reason to upgrade unless you have to have the latest technology.

I'm sitting out this round and waiting for the S5 or N3 next year.

I did read about the possibility of some of the features on the S4 making it's way to the S3. But considering S3 users here in the USA haven't gotten the Premium Suite update yet, I'm not holding my breath.

 

[Sandroidfan]

I have feeling that Samsung is trying to position Note series as their new flagship above S series. Note 2 last year had better internal specs that addressed most shortcomings that GS3 had initially. It had Quad Exynos 4 across the board, better cell radio, better screen, etc. Maybe they are taking time to refine new Exynos chipset and putting it in Note 3 in second half.

 

[8Ball]

I must admit I don't know what to choose after the announcement. I'm torn between the S4 and the Xperia Z now. The only real innovation for me is the IR blaster which is a nice touch, but the Xperia Z is waterproof.

If Samsung had made the S4 compliant with IP57 or IP67 specs then it would slay the competition.

 

[Scootmien]

I had an S3 for about four months and I have to say the screen was perfectly fine for my uses. I read a lot of text and the words were crisp and clear. To be honest, only some of the slightly more informed people that frequent sites like this seem to have an issue with the screen, the average end user (and yes I put myself firmly in that category), who will make up the majority of Samsung's target audience, won't know the difference in screen types and for them the screen will be just fine.

 

[davoid]

I had an S3 for about four months and I have to say the screen was perfectly fine for my uses. I read a lot of text and the words were crisp and clear. To be honest, only some of the slightly more informed people that frequent sites like this seem to have an issue with the screen, the average end user (and yes I put myself firmly in that category), who will make up the majority of Samsung's target audience, won't know the difference in screen types and for them the screen will be just fine.

From looking at your list of devices under your name, I notice you have a rooted phone. I would say that excludes you from being an average end user, but rather than invalidating your point, it strengthens it. The real average end users certainly won't know the difference.

 

[jackdubl]

I, for one, am glad they kept the curvy former factor. It really makes a larger phone feel smaller in your hand.

 

[sean76]

I hear what you're saying but it doesn't seem like a failure to design a new product to me, but rather to build upon a design that is recognized as a samsung Galaxy family device. I liked the fact that the Note 2 looked like a big S3. Many manufacturers keep to their design style with minor adjustments in order to maintain that brand identity. Look at Porche, Land Rover, Rolls Royce, the VW Beetle. They get upgraded, but they look the same. The same goes with other devices, such as cameras - Leica, Canon, Nikon, they all produce upgrades to popular devices that look like those devices so that customers can recognize them for what they are, and get the latest iteration of that device line.

EDIT: In fact, it seems kind of unreasonable to suggest they gave their design team a year off when they crammed a larger display and larger battery into a smaller phone without losing the removable battery and expandable memory slot.

Here's an easy general way to explain what myself and other people are saying...The S4 looks eerily similar to the S3...That's all, I'm not saying the phone is crap, it's a powerhouse...But your going to sit there and tell me they don't look exactly alike? I would just liked to see a little more spice towards the S4's design and maybe Samsung get into the build quality side of the game a little more. And as for touchwiz, yea they added a few features but it looks exactly the same...It's as if Samsung ripped a page out of the Apple book and decided to just follow they're past history more then ever.

As for Cars...Come on man, do you really expect car manufactures to design a new model every year...A few you mentioned are in the $350k range, does Rolls Royce need to update the Phantom every year, no! They merely play around with options, colors, etc....Same for Range Rover, and the Same for Porsche...which I own! I'd be pretty upset if the Cayenne was redesigned every year, and so would a lot of other owners. The general way is somewhere in the every 4-6 year bracket for a redesign, depending on who we're talking about. But vehicles are a bad analogy when we're talking redesigns on phones.

Would any of these phone companies sell as many phones if year after year they pumped out phones that look exactly alike? Come on man, all that a lot of people are saying is that the phones look exactly alike...

Question- You have an S3 right, will you be getting the S4?

 

[sean76]

Yeah for S2 users coming off their contracts this phone is a no brainer. For S3 users like myself, I really don't see a reason to upgrade unless you have to have the latest technology.

I'm sitting out this round and waiting for the S5 or N3 next year.

I did read about the possibility of some of the features on the S4 making it's way to the S3. But considering S3 users here in the USA haven't gotten the Premium Suite update yet, I'm not holding my breath.

And right here we have a man who speaks the truth..After watching that horrible presentation last night, and some hands on..The 1st words out of my mouth were that S2 owners are going to love the S4...And since most will be due for upgrades, it makes all the sense in the world for them to grab an S4 if they want to stick with Samsung.

 

[jackdubl]

I have feeling that Samsung is trying to position Note series as their new flagship above S series. Note 2 last year had better internal specs that addressed most shortcomings that GS3 had initially. It had Quad Exynos 4 across the board, better cell radio, better screen, etc. Maybe they are taking time to refine new Exynos chipset and putting it in Note 3 in second half.

That great Note 2 quad core Exynos benchmarks nearly exactly the same as the dual-core S4 in my S3, when I test them in the store. So I don't know why everyone thinks Exynos is the bees knees. YOU may be the one buying the hype.

 

[davoid]

Question- You have an S3 right, will you be getting the S4?

Not unless it's free.

I like the look of it though. But tbh, those were the specs that people were predicting last year for the S3, so it's nothing groundbreaking. It has finally reached the level that people want their phones to be. Quad core, 1080p, pretty large battery, expandable memory. Although I would like one, my S3 will do me nicely for quite a while I think. What I do like about the S4 is that it makes me optimistic about the level the technology might have reached, by the time my upgrade is up in June 2014, as now I can't envisage needing anything more than a 1080p display in a hand-held device of that form factor (I don't want something as big as a Note, so the new displays are optimal, as any higher resolution would render the pixels ridiculously small, requiring a magnifying glass.) Hopefully future phones will concentrate on power efficiency - both in circuitry and batteries.

But I don't have any problem with the devices looking the same.

 

[davoid]

I'd be pretty upset if the Cayenne was redesigned every year, and so would a lot of other owners.

I know you don't think using the car analogy is appropriate, but this comment is what I'm getting at. If people like something, then the manufacturer changes it, they risk upsetting a lot of people, and if that device is a best selling product, that's a big risk to take. There's nothing to stop Samsung designing a new revolutionary phone, but just don't call it a Galaxy S series device.