Jack Seeley, Sr, Systems Engineer at Samsung posted on Google+ a question that caught a lot of attention: “What new hardware/features/improvements would y’all like to see in Galaxy S 4?”
Its not new that a company like Samsung is already thinking on the next model of their flagship device after having a very good success with the Galaxy S3 estimating a rough ammount of 30 million devices sold throughout 2012…
Here it is a compilation of people comments on what should the next Samsung Galaxy S3 have:
– More durable materials: A lot of people has been complaining about the plastic housing of the S3 and would like to see Kevlar/Carbon Fiber, dust and water resistant construction on the S4.
– Less Samsung Touch software and more Android core: People would like to see a standard, (that is what Apple offers, and worked for them over years on the software side). If all Android devices would look the same to the people, same functionalities and everything is on the same place as a standard would be (in my opinion) something very good, and would also improve reducing the upgrade path, a problem that should be solved already for all Android´s. There will always be applications on the store to change it all at each user´s taste 🙂
– No physical button: People dont want to see a physical button on their phones and would exchange them for software buttons.
– Battery: I am not the onlyone saying that a new battery technology should be rolled out soon. We depend so much and use all day long our SmartPhones that when we have to think on how much battery is left, we just get nervous. Batteries should at least last a couple of days, like the Motorola Razr Maxx. If the battery cant be really improved much, auto-charging by movement and/or solar panel back could help. (Although I dont think I would put my phone under the sun).
– Not a bigger screen: A lot of comments are asking not see an even bigger screen on the S4. 4.3 and 4.8 seems to be the sizes a lot of users would like to see.
– Biometric authentication: The idea of not using a password any more and being able to use a fingerprint to authenticate through applications, services, home banking and even being able to open doors with it would be something really nice to see.
What do you think should the new S4 have? Leave your comment below, thanks!
Thanks for sharing your ideas guys! These companies have to understand that a killer product is the one that takes in consideration all aspects of requirements, but in the end these “bastards” know that we fam’s are going to be changing our phones almost every year because we want to have the latest. I don’t really know how many people actually refreshes their phones, is there any statistics about that?
Ok there was a lot more stuff posted into those forums but I’ll help you…
You said, “More durable materials: A lot of people has been complaining about the plastic housing of the S3 and would like to see Kevlar/Carbon Fiber, dust and water resistant construction on the S4.”
I say, “You’re right. We want a better built device that will hold the phone together even in the case of an accidental drop. We all want to be able to run away from a serial killer, fall and drop our phones, and still be able to ask 911 for help!! lol I don’t see Kevlar being used… I think using Graphene would be an amazing decision, but probably hard to do. Waterproof is a must. Light+Strong+Resistant=Investment”
You said,”- Less Samsung Touch software and more Android core: People would like to see a standard, (that is what Apple offers, and worked for them over years on the software side). If all Android devices would look the same to the people, same functionalities and everything is on the same place as a standard would be (in my opinion) something very good, and would also improve reducing the upgrade path, a problem that should be solved already for all Android´s. There will always be applications on the store to change it all at each user´s taste”
I say, “Wrong. If anything Samsung needs to build on TouchWiz and make it better. All that Nexus bs with onscreen keys will blow over and honestly looks cheap. Think of the Galaxy Note 2, is that not an amazingly well put-together UI presentation?? We might as well build on its design. Redesign icons maybe, but the layout is perfect. Samsung has to have its own brand or else you might as well buy a Google Motorola…. If anything, Samsung developers should hire some of these independent android developers and use them to build stable google-only versions that people could download, or switch back and forth from… That would show Samsungs commitment to developer support and show that they are promoting individuality.
You said, “- No physical button: People dont want to see a physical button on their phones and would exchange them for software buttons.”
I say, “You’re right. The physical button is a crutch.. Apple won’t be able to say Samsung copied phone design without middle button, and the device will look way more sleek. The best option I have for Samsung are 4 capacitive buttons with double function support, on the lower end of the device (like the Galaxy S2 with 4 Caps but allowing each button to have two settings.)
This is how I explain them..
Pressing home once will take you home, and long press will bring up app switcher.
Back button once will exit app but leave it alive, and long press back will close the app.
Search button once will do Google now, and long press search could be system search for files, music, videos, “show me videos”, “show me music (by etc.)”.
Settings button once would bring up alternative options available to whatever app is running (like input method, etc), and long press settings will bring you to the main settings area where you can change settings from 3G only, 4G only, mobile data, etc.”
You said,”- Battery: I am not the onlyone saying that a new battery technology should be rolled out soon. We depend so much and use all day long our SmartPhones that when we have to think on how much battery is left, we just get nervous. Batteries should at least last a couple of days, like the Motorola Razr Maxx. If the battery cant be really improved much, auto-charging by movement and/or solar panel back could help. (Although I dont think I would put my phone under the sun).”
I say, “Definitely, there needs to be improvement on the battery front and I think spray-on battery technology can help. Imagine the entire back cover being made of battery, on the inner shell. Sun/or normal light charging is a good idea but the phone would have to dicipate heat easily, that might be hard…”
You said,”- Not a bigger screen: A lot of comments are asking not see an even bigger screen on the S4. 4.3 and 4.8 seems to be the sizes a lot of users would like to see.”
I say, “4.8-5.0in in a small package… If they can save up some space, they could include 4 caps and a 4.8 to 5 inch edge to edge display. It would look amazing on top of a hidden capacitive area that lights up when in use, like the GS3 buttons which can fade out of sight.”
You said,”- Biometric authentication: The idea of not using a password any more and being able to use a fingerprint to authenticate through applications, services, home banking and even being able to open doors with it would be something really nice to se”
I say, “Biometric scanning would be perfect for many reasons (for things like an unlock feature) and also pressure sensitive screens would be nice, able to weight pressure sitting on the screen and record it to a log file if too much pressure was placed on it (causing it to crack, ALSO…. a diagnostic mode could tell you all the things that the phone has gone through, from changes in system structure (A.K.A. root), to falls where the device registered shock from falling and other futuristic concepts that may or may not be important right now… but will be in the future.”
Here are both my posts on suggestions for the Galaxy S4… My ideas..
POST #1
For starters…. Let’s begin with the SOC. Exynos 5450 2ghz quad core. then we have the Mali T658 or even T678, then we get new LPDDR3 ram that will for sure help! Also, we need a high ppi screen, maybe flexible oled that would make the phone slimmer. Use the new 13mp module you guys just finished creating, and that should help snap better pictures. The battery should be redesigned and Samsung needs to invest in the new spray on battery technology, I see the back cover being the battery too… (ideas).
As far as design, I have so many ideas, it’s not even funny.
Here are some.
-No middle button
– Four capacitive buttons like the GS3 that are hidden. Imagine a GS2 with the GS3 hidden buttons. 4 of them! Also, you can assign double roles on those same buttons. If you long press, you get the alternate function. So home is home and long press home is task manager. Same with back, menu, and search! lol you could assing 8 functions to the main 4 capacitive buttons. Thats one thing. check out my twitter to see my other ideas! https://twitter.com/gperezarguello
– Touchwiz is fine, I don’t see the need for that Galaxy Nexus look. It will confuse people who are used to the cap buttons and it makes it harder to navigate. For example there is no settings button. (on the one I used).
– The volume up and down rockers need to be flush with the device and kind of resistant so that people dont activate the buttons by mistake while holding in portrait or landscape. Makes gaming more fun when you dont shut the screen off, lol….
– Function but style. The earpiece that you hear the call from should be redesigned to look like a Samsung logo. That way we can save space on the device by eliminating two different locations. the logo and the speaker. Just make them into one, like my plans show on my page.
– Security – apps should be able to be blocked from running in admin mode and people should be able to password protect any file they need to protect. This could keep a lot of issues from happening and users will feel secure having this device. Imagine the hidden apps section with a pin to unlock, perfect.
-The device should be shorter than the S3 but the screen must stay 4.8 to 5.0 inch. This will attract big screen lovers, and small handset lovers too. Ask me how to do this, and I can give you the answer. The Samsung logo shaped earpiece can help shave space at the top and a simple 4 capacitive button layout at the bottom would suffice.
FOLLOW ME TOO!
This one was posted #2
“Galaxy S4 SPECS I want
-Exynos 5 Quad 5450 2.0Ghz w/LTE (NEW, avl.)
-Mali T658 GPU (NEW, avl.)
-2GB LPDDR3 RAM (NEW, avl.)
-4.8″ 1080p SAMOLED+/FLEXOLED+ High PPI
-32GB,64GB,128GB Int. High Speed Memory.
-13MP Camera module (available) with OVER 60FPS.
-8MP Front facing camera with recording up to 60fps for real time face calling that looks really good. (data speeds are only getting faster in US, let’s take advantage. I’m on Sprint, #Unlimited ! lol)
-3000+mAh battery. A new battery would be perfect.
-Waterproofing is available and should be used to protect next generation mobile powerhouses, and BUILDS VALUE.
-No Middle button
-Doesn’t have to be thinner
-Shorter than the GS3. (It’s possible)
-Same width (Still possible)
-Flush push-resist power and volume up/down buttons.
-4 Double function semi hidden capacitive buttons (like GS3, but it has two and the dumb middle button). Press + Long Press features gives you eight total ways to navigate your phone through the use of 4 Capacitive buttons.
-NOT MADE OF METAL. Metal scrapes and cuts worse, pick something else. Carbon or better plastic. Metal can heat up, these silly bastards.. GEEZ! WHY!!!
-TouchWiz has to be present. Think about it
ITS SAMSUNG’s BRAND. GOOGLE IS BUYING MOBILITY TO PROVIDE ANDROID ONLY PHONES, so making an option to remove touchwiz for the ASOP guys who wish to use Android on Samsung hardware would be a good idea…
Then there should also be the option to choose boot sequence on top of Manufacturer and Wireless Carrier boot sequences by including any video you choose to start up while the phone boots. This would be auto format and preview modes would help you decide how you want it.
Guys, DEVELOPER SUPPORT HAS TO BE HIGH WITHING SAMSUNG OR ELSE GOOGLE WONT FIND SAMSUNG USEFUL. SAMSUNG NEEDS TO WORK WITH GOOGLE AND PARTNER UP WITH MOBILITY TO KEEP ANDROID OPEN and COMPETITIVE, fighting leads to war, war leads to casualties, and the casualties are the customers and workers of today. #MOVEON
crazy ideas?
– Solad charging pods that could charge extra batteries on the go with gorilla glass protection?
– Solar/regular light charging backplate?
– The option to lock apps, files, settings, and even the main OS from being accessed by an unauthorized user. Voice recognition, fingerprint analysis, etc…
So much more to say! lol
-GPA”
I’m done now! LOL What do you all think?
It’s a pretty awesome idea, but Samsung would never do it because the production costs are way to high. Expect the GALAXY S4 to still be made of Polycarbonate but have better specs. I would REALLY hold my breath on the front facing 8 megapixel camera.