Samsung has added another interesting option to its lineup with the all-new Samsung Galaxy S4 zoom, and on paper it looks like a device that wants to be your daily driver. Announced in 2013, June. Released 2013, July, it arrives at a time when the competition is as tight as ever.
Design & Display
On the front you get a 4.3 inches, 51.0 cm 2 (~64.0% screen-to-body ratio) panel, pushing a resolution of 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~256 ppi density), and in real-world use it looks bright, crisp and easy on the eyes. The build feels well put together, and Samsung has clearly paid attention to the in-hand feel. You can pick it up in a few finishes, including White.
Performance & Software
Powering the Samsung Galaxy S4 zoom is the Pega-Dual +XMM6262, paired with 5GB of RAM. That combination should handle day-to-day multitasking and most games without breaking a sweat. It runs Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 4.4.2 (KitKat) out of the box, so the software experience feels current.
Camera
Photography is handled by a main 16 MP shooter that should cover most situations, from daylight shots to the occasional low-light frame. Expect solid detail in good light, with the usual softness creeping in once the sun goes down.
Battery
Battery duties are handled by a Li-Ion 2330 mAh, removable unit, and that is a healthy number that keeps range anxiety at bay.
Our Opinion
After spending time with the spec sheet and what Samsung is promising, here is where we land. Samsung has clearly gone for substance over gimmicks here, and we respect that approach. It gets the basics right, offering 5G connectivity, a dependable main camera, a crisp display, which is exactly what most buyers are really after. For someone who simply wants a dependable daily driver that will not let them down halfway through the day, this ticks a lot of boxes. Is it perfect? No phone is, and you will always find a sharper camera or a faster chip somewhere else for a little more money. But taken as a whole, the Samsung Galaxy S4 zoom is a sensible, well-judged choice that should keep most users happy for a good while. If you have used this device or are planning to pick one up, do let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
