Samsung Galaxy S4 rumored inclusion infers Note merger
As we head towards the New Year the Samsung Galaxy S4 (S IV) no longer seems so far away, especially as there have already been rumors of a possible March release. We’ve already been writing about rumored specs, wish lists, speculation and insight for the Galaxy S4 as we know that many readers are already considering what it will bring. We’ve heard of some new and exciting possibilities, such as flexible displays being incorporated, but the latest rumor that we’ve just heard involves an S Pen stylus for the Galaxy S4, the same sort of stylus that comes with the Galaxy Note handsets and there is even speculation of a merger of the two flagship Samsung devices.
We’ve recently considered the likelihood of the Galaxy S4 being launched on the next major Android OS, so far being dubbed 5.0 Key Lime Pie and also showed readers some great concept designs for the Galaxy S4 and also the Galaxy Note 3. However, one thing that had not crossed our minds among all the various possibilities for the Galaxy S4 was an S Pen. In our various posts we have suggested what we’d like to see for this next Samsung flagship device and readers have added items to our wish list for the Galaxy S4 and yet we don’t recall ever seeing any mention from anybody yet that they’d like to see a stylus for it.
It’s surprising then and in a way refreshing to see something rumored that we hadn’t even thought of and this latest news comes from Korean sources who claim the Galaxy S4 will indeed sport an S Pen, as reported by Phandroid, along with specific S Pen features usually seen on the Galaxy Note handsets. If you’re reading this then you’re probably already a Samsung device fan and will know that apart from the screen sizes, the S Pen stylus is one of the major differences between the Galaxy S line and the Galaxy Note line and so in a way it seems odd that Samsung would want to blur the line between the two. Or maybe that’s the whole point?
We recently wondered if the Galaxy S4 might increase again in display size from the 4.8-inches of the S3. The display was also made bigger from the S2 to the S3 so this does follow a trend, especially as larger-screened devices appear to be so popular right now. Similarly the Galaxy Note 2 increased in screen size to 5.5- inches from the 5.3 inches of the original Galaxy Note and so may be even bigger again for the Note 3. We have already heard rumors of a whopping 6.3-inch display for the Note 3 but have taken them with a pinch of salt for now, as it seems unlikely.
However this latest news does stir up the mix somewhat and maybe Samsung does intend the Galaxy S4 to be larger to utilize the S Pen stylus while the Galaxy Note 3 will be almost the size of a small tablet? The other alternative is that maybe the Galaxy S line and Galaxy Note line will be merged into one device but considering the popularity of each phone it would seem crazy to us that Samsung would even consider this. Another angle on this from Phandroid though is that it would make sense rather than having one Samsung flagship playing “second fiddle” to another.
The same sources in Korea also say that the Galaxy S4 will release in April so there really isn’t too much longer to go until we can start to unravel this rather mysterious news. Other factors rumored for the Galaxy S4 include a 5-inch 1080p AMOLED display, Exynos quad-core processor, 13-megapixel rear camera with stereo sound for 1080p video, Google Chrome as the default browser, 2 or 3GB of RAM, and a form factor measuring 9.2mm thick. In fact when considering this right now this doesn’t sound unlike the Galaxy Note line rather than the Galaxy S line so maybe Samsung really does intend to merge the two instead!
We’re not sure how we feel about this. It still sounds unlikely to us that when Samsung has two such major products on its hands it would do anything to encroach on the success of either, surely that would be a backward move? Also we should remember that although both devices are extremely popular, both have their own legion of fans, for example Galaxy S enthusiasts may well prefer the alternative of a smaller handset while others just like to have a choice.
We’d really like to hear your thoughts on this latest rumor. If the Galaxy S4 appears at around the same size as the current S3 but with the addition of an S Pen, do you think this would be a welcome move? Although it’s purely speculation at this point, do you think there’s any credence to the idea that Samsung could be intending to merge its two flagship devices? If so what do you think about this? Let us know with your comments.
Comments
5 thoughts on “Samsung Galaxy S4 rumored inclusion infers Note merger”
I personally will abandon the ‘S’ line if the screen gets any bigger. The current S3 size is just right imho. As for a stylus added to the device, that is already a turn off for me.
I would love the s4 if it gets bigger screen than s3. S3 is little smaller for me because i got galaxy note
i would love the s4 to have a stylus…i have the note 2 and am thrilled with the stylus and what it can do….an absolute must for me is a much larger replaceable battery 3100mah like the note 2 but with a 5” screen, a real bonus would be if samsung got rid of the plastic and went for Kevlar or aluminium body minimum 32gb built in memory
I have the original note and a 128gb s3 (inc micro sd card)the s3 feels tiny when i use it, and when i see my mate with his iphone 5 that looks piss poor, i used to have the iphone 4 but as soon as i saw the note bye bye apple and theres no going back… I cant wait for the note 3 with the 6.3 inch screen, the note 3 should be all screen no physical button but move it to the side, and a minimum of 64gb people who buy a note 3 are hardcore phone buffs and neeed the space!
The note and the S series should be merged and be in the 5.5
– 6.3 range. That way it could still have the S pen and be
useful while maintaining a small ‘phoneish’ feel. They should be merged because
of stock. Retailers can only have so many different models to keep in
stock, before they just go sour and loose audience. There needs to be a fewer number of choices
to accomidate my following idea.
We need to take the current ‘note’ series and make it disappear,
to make room for what I am about to propose for the ‘note’. Keeping in mind that too many models just don’t
work, realize that if my idea is to fly the old note has to go. So this makes it go while still staying. The note series should be made appeal and
conform to the ‘phablet’ crowd of enthusiasts. The note series should be
made larger, as a phone is not really the purpose of this device. A 7†inch note sounds good. It doesn’t need to fit in a pocket, because
it is not really a phone. It would be a tablet,
and be toted abound as one. One that
makes phone calls, if you need a voice connection. It would still be a decent size to be a
telephone in your hands, while being a tablet 98% – 99% of the time. I’d like that and be first in line. I seldom ever need a ‘voice’ phone, but use a
tablet every day. If I could combine my
tablet with my phone, and only tend with one device, that would just be ‘SO’
awesome. And Samsung would be the sole
resident in this new ‘niche’ of a market.
I guess the combination idea would work with the 10.1 as well, but a Bluetooth
headphone/microphone would have to be implemented, along with some awesome
software that could access your (cell-phone voice) account.