The new Galaxy S4 smartphone has been unveiled by Samsung at a special event in New York. The device will be available for purchase from 327 carriers in 155 countries starting this April.

If the Galaxy S3 carried the tagline “designed for humans and inspired by nature”, the new Galaxy S4 smartphone is described by Samsung as a “life companion”. As the South Korean multinational conglomerate company put it, this smartphone helps bring people closer, it captures fun moments, and it simplifies our daily lives with its features. “To put it simply, the Samsung Galaxy S4 is there for you” – says Samsung – and for that it deserves to be called a life companion.

“With the GALAXY S4, Samsung is again going to enhance the way we live,” said JK Shin, President and Head of IT & Mobile Communications Division at Samsung. “All the innovative features of GALAXY S 4 were developed based on the insights and needs we found from our consumers all around the world. Following the successful GALAXY S series, this phone is yet another great proof point of people-inspired innovation. At Samsung we’ll never stop pursuing innovation conceived by people, so we can inspire them in return.”

Samsung Galaxy S4 Hardware Specs

• Display – 5inch, world’s first full HD Super AMOLED (1920 x 1080) display, 441 ppi.
• Processor – 1.9 GHz Quad-Core or 1.6 GHz Octa-Core Exynos processor, depending on the market.
• Memory - 2GB of RAM memory.
• Storage - 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB of on-board storage.
• Camera – 13 Megapixel rear camera with flash and zero shutter lag; 2 megapixel front camera with full HD recording @30fps with zero shutter lag.
• Connectivity and sensors – GSM, GPRS EDGE, LTE, WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, IR LED (remote control), accelerometer, RGB light, gyro, barometer, temperature and huminity, gesture, geomagnetic.
• Battery – 2,600 mAh.
• Dimensions and weight – 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9 mm, 130g
• Gorilla Glass 3.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Software Features

• Operating system – Google Andoid 4.2.2 mobile OS
• Group Play – wirelessly connect multiple S4 phones and play games, share photos/documents,
• Share Music – create a sound system by having multiple devices play the same song concomitantly.
• Dual Camera – simultaneously use both the front and the rear camera.
• Sound @ Shot – stores sound and voice together as the picture is taken.
• 12 shooting modes
• Story Album – a new function for storing meaningful moments in a photo album.
• S Translation – instant translation using text or voice.
• Smart Pause – the video playback pauses when you look away.
• Smart Scroll – scroll the browser or emails up and down without touching the screen.
• Air View – preview an email, image, video, S Player, by hovering with the finger.
• S Voice Drive – give the phone voice commands while driving.
• Optical Reader – recognizes text, business cards and QR codes and performs several tasks: translate, call, text message, search.
• WatchON – turn the device into an IR remote control.
• S Health – keeps you up-to-date with health and wellbeing information. Sensors monitor your health and surroundings; useful information is then provided.
• Adapt Display – provides an optimal viewing experience, customized for each type of application.
• Adapt Sound - offers an optimal level and type of sound, personalized for each user.

Additional information on the Galaxy S4 is available here and here.