Samsung Galaxy S4 rumors accelerate with leaked image showing buttonless design

By Andy Boxall January 7, 2013

The release of the Samsung Galaxy S4 is as inevitable as the release of another iPhone, it’s just a question of when it will happen. We may not know exactly when it’ll arrive, but as the leak of a picture supposedly showing the phone reminds us, that time is getting ever closer.

You can see the image above, and at first glance it looks a lot like the Galaxy S3, except for one major alteration – the home button beneath the screen has disappeared. It’s not the first Android phone to do away with physical keys, nor is it the first Samsung produced phone to do so either; but it is a considerable departure from the S3. Home button aside, eagle-eyed Samsung fans will notice the bezel around the screen looks much thinner than it does on the S3, while the top and the bottom of the frame are flatter than the S3 too. This could be seen as a risky design move, given it deviates from the curvy, lawsuit-avoiding shape of the previous model.

One of the most enduring rumors regarding the Galaxy S4’s specification is an increase in screen size, possibly to 4.99-inches, plus the introduction of a 1080p resolution. The smaller bezel adds weight to this, as it negates the need for Samsung to make the chassis much larger to compensate. The rumored spec continues with a 2GHz processor, 2GB of RAM, a 13-megapixel camera and Android 4.2.

The leaked picture has been published by Samsung blog SamMobile, and due to the anonymous nature of the leak, it’s impossible to confirm whether the image is genuine or not. On the plus side, the picture isn’t ridiculously over-the-top – it doesn’t have a very bendy screen or lasers for example – but it does look an awful lot like the Galaxy Premier and the Galaxy Grand.

So, is it a carefully doctored picture, or will the S4 be visually similar to its fellow Galaxy phones? We’ve probably got a few months to go before we find out, as despite talk of both a CES 2013 and an MWC 2013 appearance, Samsung is likely to hold a flashy launch event dedicated to the S4 sometime after both these shows have finished.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Samsung

Senior Mobile Writer

Andy is a Senior Writer at Digital Trends, where he concentrates on mobile technology, a subject he has written about for…

Mobile

The best Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus cases: 21 you can’t ignore

A Samsung Galaxy S23 next to a Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus is a great pick for folks looking for top-notch performance in a plus-sized smartphone — and at a price that won't break the bank.

While it doesn't have the advanced camera system or S Pen of the flagship Galaxy S23 Ultra, the Galaxy S23 Plus packs an identical processor — the custom Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy — which means you'll get all the same performance at a much better price. Add in the same AMOLED 2X screen and powerful cameras, and it's right in the sweet spot among some of the best Android phones in 2023.

Mobile

Samsung Galaxy S23 vs. Galaxy S23 Plus: a tough choice to make

A white Samsung Galaxy S23 next to a pink Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus.

The decision isn’t always easy when looking for a new smartphone, especially when a manufacturer releases strikingly similar phones simultaneously. A case in point is Samsung, which released three top-tier Galaxy handsets earlier this year: the Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23 Plus, and Galaxy S23 Ultra.

The Galaxy S23 Ultra is Samsung’s top-of-the-line handset and is in a league all its own. It’s a little more challenging to tell the difference between the Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S23 Plus. We will break down these two devices for you here so you can see which will better fit your needs.
Galaxy S23 vs. S23 Plus: specs

Mobile

Don’t need the latest model? Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is $99 today

A woman does yoga while wearing a Samsung Galaxy Watch 4.

The best smartwatches are a great option for fitness enthusiasts, as are the best fitness trackers. Many of them are quite expensive, however, which makes something like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 enticing if you aren’t interested in all of the latest bells and whistles. Currently the Galaxy Watch 4 is discounted to just $99 for an early Black Friday discount at Walmart, which is a savings of $50 from its regular price of $149. Walmart is including free shipping with a purchase as well.

Why you should buy the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4
A good smartwatch typically offers all sorts of fitness tracking capabilities in addition to some features you often find on your smart phone, such as messaging and music controls. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 can do a lot of what you’d expect from the newest smartwatches, despite now being a couple of generations old. There are more recent Samsung releases such as the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 that aren’t necessarily as enticing, particularly if you’re shopping on a budget. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 still holds up in terms of style, functionality, and features, and it still makes a great option to help you keep up with your health goals.