Samsung Galaxy S IV - Where I'm Buying, Plus Network Choice!

SAMSUNG GALAXY S IV - WHERE TO BUY, BEST NETWORK

I'm up for an upgrade! I couldn't be more excited to replace my current Samsung Gaalxy S II that just can't keep up with Android 4.0.4 and all of the pressure I put on it to multitask and make my life more simple. My choice for an upgrade? I'm sticking with the team and getting a Samsung Galaxy S IV.

There are several reasons why I have chosen the Galaxy S IV to serve as my secondary external brain and memory unit. I would assimilate if I could, but this is the next best thing. But the biggest reasons? Big brilliant display, touchless gesture control, removable battery, light weight, and durable construction.

Sure, the Galaxy S IV has a laundry list of other things that motivate me to get my hands on one, like the 1.9GHz quadcore processor, 2Gb of RAM, 13 Mp camera, super thin and lightweight form factor, and more.

I could bore you all with those details, but I won't. The main point is, it's the most technologically advanced smartphone on the market and comes from a trusted manufacturer that has experienced a ton of success.

Where will I pick up my Samsung Galaxy S IV, you ask? I'll be getting mine on Amazon.com for the lowest offering of any retailer. Right now, they are selling the AT&T version for only $168 with a 2-year contract for all eligible upgrades and new accounts. You can't beat that with a stick.

That actually leads me to my next revelation (that was already revealed), which is my carrier of choice: AT&T. We've got 4G LTE coverage in Central Missouri now, so I will have super fast download and upload speeds on a network that I have had no problems with whatsoever.

You can get your Samsung Galaxy S IV right here on Amazon.com and help to support the Carlton Zone blog site while at the same time, getting it for the best price available. Amazon is one of the most trusted suppliers in the nation, and they will ship the smartphone right to your doorstep. Nothing could be more simple than that!

Carlton Flowers
Galaxy Gadgetologist

GET IT NOW! GALAXY S IV ON AMAZON AT LOWEST PRICING

Grab your Samsung Galaxy S IV right now at Amazon Wireless for the best pricing possible on all major carriers when you sign a valid 2-year agreement! Click the link to jump to Amazon and join the Samsung revolution!

Samsung Galaxy S IV Vs HTC One - Close Call!

GALAXY S IV OR HTC ONE? MY RECOMMENDATION

Today we're going to take a look at the top two Android smartphones on the market. The Samsung Galaxy S IV and the HTC One. This is a close call, but I have a clear recommendation!

Many people have asked my opinion on which one of these smartphones to pick up in May of 2013. You can't go wrong with either one of these super handsets, but I'll point out a few differences and tell you why my choice edges out its chief competitor.

CPU

First, let's look at the processor. The Samsung takes a slight edge in this category with a faster core speed for the quad core processor. The average user won't notice much of a difference, so this isn't a deciding factor. If speed is critical, Samsung takes the checkered flag. For CPU speeds, they are as follows:

• Galaxy S IV CPU - 1.9GHz quad core
• HTC One - 1.7GHz  quad core

DISPLAY

Next, let's take a look at the displays. The Galaxy S IV has a slightly larger display than the HTC One, but they are both very vivid and boast brilliant color reproduction. As the current trend with Android smartphones, bigger is better, and both are excellent choices for watching multimedia content. Here are the specs on each display:

• Galaxy S IV - 5" 1920 x 1080 HD display
• HTC One - 4.7" 1920 x 1080 HD display

CAMERAS

The cameras on both of these units are outstanding. One has a much higher megapixel camera, but don't let that fool you. The HTC One may only have 1/4th of the megapixel rating as the Galaxy S IV, but it takes pictures that are just as vivid and brilliant. I have heard reports that the Galaxy S IV camera is incredibly fast, however. I'm not sure what the thinking behind such a small rear camera on the HTC One, but I don't think it will dissapoint. The only advantage here is that the Galaxy S IV can capture images with both cameras at the same time for an interesting effect. Both have great front-facing cameras. The specs are as follows:

• Galaxy S IV - 13Mp rear camera, 2.0Mp front facing camera
• HTC One - 4Mp rear camera, 2.1Mp front facing camera

FORM FACTOR

The Galaxy S IV is a smaller, thinner, lighter handset than the HTC One. But some people prefer the heavier, more solid build of the HTC One. Others prefer the lighter composite plastic build of the Galaxy S IV. For clumsy people like me, I would rather drop a Galaxy S IV. I don't think the HTC One will survive a similar drop to a hard surface, but it is still built in a way that it won't be nearly as fragile as an iPhone. Here are the specs on size & weight:

• Galaxy S IV - 8mm thick, 130 grams
• HTC One - 9mm thick, 143 grams

BATTERY

This is a category where the Galaxy S IV is the clear winner. This aspect alone gives me reason to pick the Samsung product. The batteries on both are very capable, but the Galaxy S IV packs a bit more juice. But the deal breaker for me is that the HTC One does not have a removable battery. I love the option of having the capability of popping in a spare battery with the Galaxy S IV. Here's the battery comparison:

• Galaxy S IV - 2,600 mA·h, removable
  
• HTC One - 2,300 mA·h, non-removable

OTHER SIMILAR FEATURES

Both of these incredible smartphones come with 32Gb of internal memory plus 2Gb of RAM. Both units are built to run on the 4G LTE networks of all major carriers that have coverage. Android Jellybean operating system is the standard for both, and each comes with its own version of a UI overlay. As of recent, HTC has added similar features that allow eye scrolling and smart pause for watchin videos. So there's no clear winner with any of these general categories.

One comment I have heard from Leo Laporte was that the HTC One has a slightly less durable front glass. He reported that he scratched the display while testing the HTC One, and really wasn't being haphazard with handling the unit. A screen protector could help to avoid this, but if you are one who doesn't like to mask your screen, this could be an issue.

What it boils down to is personal preference. If you are the type of person who conserves the juice in your phone, you'll do fine either way. For heavy users as myself, the lack of a removable battery will be a significant issue.

I prefer the lighter, thinner design of the Samsung Galaxy S IV because I am accident prone. Others might like the stronger, "heavier" build that gives the impression of better quality. But the heavier they come, the harder they fall. Add to that the issue with the battery removal, and I give the slight edge to the Samsung Galaxy S IV.

But again, you can't go wrong with either of these smartphones. The HTC One is still a beautiful, well-built phone with several superior capabilities than most other Android phones. So I give them both a green light. You'll just see me packing a Galaxy S IV with two spare batteries if you catch me out on the streets.

What is your opinion of these smartphones? If you are due for an upgrade, or if you've just bought one of the two of these smartphones, I'd love to hear why you chose one over the other. Share your thoughts in the Disqus comments section!

Carlton Flowers
Gadget Lover Supreme

GO SHOPPING NOW FOR THE BEST PRICING ON SMARTPHONES AT AMAZON!

Hit the link above to check out the Samsung Galaxy S IV and the HTC One on all major carriers in the Amazon Wireless Store! You'll get the best pricing on both of these units with a new 2-year contract with super fast shipping

The "Heavy" Question On Quality - Samsung, HTC, iPhone

REAL TALK ON QUALITY - IS HEAVY BETTER?

There's no super technological insight on this post. This is just a rant based on a question that I'd like to put out there to the smartphone world. Why does "heavy" mean better quality?

Day after day, I read reviews on Samsung smartphone products from all the gadget pundits. 9.9 times out of 10, writers claim that Samsung devices feel "cheap", because they don't have the heavy build of HTC, Apple, and other brand products.

This does not make sense to me. But time after time, the "experts" claim that heavy is better, and a bulky solid build means "quality". While the tech world pushes to make devices thinner and lighter, the complaints seem to go on and on despite the obvious advantage.

Have you ever dropped an iPhone or an HTC smartphone? Unless you like spending your hard earned money on expensive fragile smartphones, I can't for the life of me figure out why so many people complain that lighter weight devices feel "cheap".

The Samsung Galaxy S IV is about to be released this month. For the third time (since the release of the Galaxy S II), the complaints about the apparent cheap build are rolling in strong. They say that the Galaxy smartphones are too plastic-like. Forget the fact that they are made out of durable polycarbonate material. They are just cheap... or so they say.

I drop my phone on a regular basis. It happens daily. I owned an Apple iPhone 3GS, and an iPhone 4. Both were dropped from a height of 2 feet or less, and both were destroyed in one drop. But I have drop-kicked my Galaxy S II trying to catch it with my foot, and I have yet to break it.

To me, a lighter weight smartphone with a stronger material is common sense design. The heavier the phone, the harder the impact it brings when it says "hello" to the concrete. That is why I have had so much better luck with my Galaxy S II.

But just as with comparisons to Apple products, writers claim that the HTC devices have more of a solid "quality feel" too. I don't get it. While the HTC devices can handle impact a little better than iPhones, they still can't survive a drop like a Samsung smartphone.

I don't know how you iPhone and HTC owners feel about this, but I don't want a smartphone that feels like a pack of lead sinkers in my pocket. I don't want to know it's there when it is snugly packed away in my front pocket. But the madness continues with writers claiming that "heavy" equals quality.

When I tested the Samsung Galaxy S III from AT&T, I thought the look and feel was fantastic. Never once did I feel that the S III was "cheap" because of the material used. And the Galaxy S IV will follow with an equally light design, but thinner.

I love the gigantic 5" screen size on the new Galaxy S IV. Bigger is better in my book. And I think it awesome that the S IV will be thinner, built with polycarbonate material, and maintaining it's feather-light weight while increasing the size.

So many people were expecting Samsung to "improve" the quality of the build by creating a heavy, more dense device with a new material. I imagine they wanted to see a composite build similar to the HTC One X or the Nokia Lumia 920. Both of those handsets, in my opinion, are just too heavy.

I'll be the first writer to say that I am happy that Samsung has decided to continue manufacturing lighter, thinner smartphones with the new form factor of the Galaxy S IV. I can't wait to get my hands on my own Galaxy S IV the minute my upgrade is available in May.

Maybe the rest of the mindless writers can go shopping for Galaxy S IV cases made from a lead alloy so they can get that "quality feeling" that they are looking for. Meanwhile, I'll take it like it is. And I will not be putting a case around my S IV... because it doesn't need one.

Carlton Flowers
Common Sense Gadget Commentator

Samsung Galaxy Gets "Smart" With S4

FEATURE SCREEN LEAK SHOWS OFF SAMSUNG GALAXY S4 "SMARTS"

We are right around the corner from the official announcement for details on the Samsung Galaxy S IV smartphone, and there's reason to be super excited considering the leaked screen shots that showed up on the blogosphere yesterday. It looks like the S4 will be taking a major leap in the "smart" zone, unlike anything else we've seen.

Smartphones aren't really that "smart", in my most humble opinion. But I will have to admit, if the screen shot we see in the photo turns out to be real, this will be the first real smartphone to hit the market according to my standard. This is the kind of stuff I dreamt about ten years ago, and expected to have in a "smartphone".

Let's take a closer look at what we might be getting with the Galaxy S4...

Smart Stay

Have you ever been annoyed by your smartphone screen taking a time out when you're in the middle of reading something? I can't stand that. With the new Smart Stay feature, the Galaxy S IV will not go to time out mode as long as it "sees" you looking directly at the screen. This is a huge breakthrough, but seems like such a simple common-sense feature at the same time.

Smart Rotation

So you're laying in bed trying to read... and the stupid smartphone screen rotates from Portrait to Landscape when you roll over from your back to your side. And you're super annoyed, because you have to toggle the screen rotation on and off if you're reading plus watching YouTube videos. Well apparently that won't be a problem with the Galaxy S4. It "looks" at your face and eyes, and knows which way the screen should be, without all that pesky toggling.

Smart Pause

I'm in bed, yet again, and I'm trying to enjoy a video on YouTube. But the kids yell for me, then come busting in my room and I have to turn my head to see what they want. Thanks to their lovely little disruption of my programming, I miss a small chunk of my video and have to scroll it back. Well, the Galaxy S IV cures that little problem. As soon as you turn your head away from the screen, it pauses the video, waits for your pesky kids to leave, and then resumes once it has your full attention again.

Smart Scroll

I used to hate the lack of text reflow with my iPhone. It's the most maddening thing to an avid reader who likes to use a smartphone to stimulate the brain with fresh reading content on a regular basis. Next to lack of text reflow would be scrolling on a smartphone. Our up-and-coming Galaxy S4 will make scrolling easy peasy. As soon as your eyes get to the bottom of the screen while you're surfing or reading, it will politely scroll down for you. You don't have to worry about finger-buttering the screen with your greasy little paws any more.

I don't know about you, but these are what I call truly "smart" features. I can call this a "smartphone" because it's understanding my needs without me touching the screen. It's like putting my smartphone on operational cruise control.

Let's hope it is all true. If it is, I would go so far as to say that I would accept a Galaxy S IV without an S Pen stylus if we get all these fresh new tricks.

Carlton Flowers
Smart Geek

Samsung Galaxy Update - S4 Release Rumors Heat Up

SAMSUNG GALAXY S IV MARCH RELEASE?

It's time for the Samsung Galaxy Update! The up-and-coming Galaxy S IV is said to be released on March 14th, according to several reputable tech blog sites. Could this be the moment we've all been waiting for?

Previous rumors held that the device would be first released in Europe this spring, with the US to follow in May or June of 2013. I tend to believe the old rumors, but the buzz seems to be pointing toward a March release here in the states.

I for one would love to see an early release, because the earliest that I can get my grubby hands on the cutting edge Samsung Galaxy S IV would be May of 2013. This is according to the new "early upgrade" rule that allows the primary contract holder to upgrade their phone after 18 months. The old rule allowed an early upgrade after 12 months.

New rumors claim that the Galaxy S4 will have the ability to allow hand gestures for scrolling and selecting, thus allowing users to maneuver through the operating system without greasing up the display. This is something I would love to see. It might cut down on my obsessive-compulsive screen cleaning.

Something else that I would almost call far-fetched is the rumor that the Galaxy S4 will include the capability to perform "eye scroll", and "eye pause". That sounds exciting, but I don't know how reliable that could be for someone with poor eyesight like myself. My jittery eyes might cause the device to have a complete meltdown.

Other rumors are ebbing and flowing. The original story was that the Galaxy S4 would include a quad core CPU. About 2 months ago, we started hearing reports of an eight core processor.

I called shenanigans on that one, simply because there would be no use for an eight core processor at this time. Current programming cannot tap into such power. But now the tech prognosticators are returning to the older quad core prediction.

The device size still seems to be 4.99" according to the experts, and I don't see this changing. But a new rumor suggests that the design cues will come from the yet-to-be-released Galaxy Note 8.0. I don't think anyone has a firm handle on what the Note 8.0 will look like. So this one I call bunk. Look for the Galaxy S4 to take its design cues from the Galaxy Note II.

We will keep a close eye out for the next month. But I don't see the possibility of anyone nailing the final design before it is officially released. It didn't happen with the Galaxy S III, and I don't think it will happen with the S IV.

One thing that will happen, however, is that the Galaxy S IV will be a ground-breaking device. Again. Not like the boring incremental updates of the rival iPhone, even with it's new 6th generation device that is now on the market.

I'll be excited to see some significant feature upgrades, and a powerful smartphone that will have the power of a small laptop. Until then, we'll separate the good rumors from the garbage and see how close we get to the final release!

Carlton Flowers
Samsung Galaxy Update Specialist

Samsung Galaxy S IV Rumors - S Pen Taunting Me

THE GALAXY S IV S PEN RUMORS HEATING UP!

The rumors keep swirling about the smartphone coming to Android Nation that will likely be the most advanced ever released. It's the Samsung Galaxy S IV.

And as we watch closely for leaks on details, there's one thing that really gets me keyed up... rumors about an S Pen.

This is starting to get a little ridiculous. At first, I wrote off the Galaxy S IV S Pen rumors as fiction, because I did not thing that Samsung would want their new flagship smartphone to compete directly with the Galaxy Note II. It just didn't make sense.

But the rumors are persistent. There are several sources out in the blogosphere, many of which have credibility, who keep droning on about the Galaxy S IV including an S Pen.

It's hard for me to put my biggest dream about the S IV aside, with all these fresh rumors circulating. I want to be able to let myself down easy if it doesn't turn out to be true.

But now that I think about it, there could actually be some sensible reasoning for Samsung to include the S Pen on the Galaxy S IV.

If they view this as the new minimum standard for their devices, then it shouldn't be a threat to the Galaxy Note II. Plus, the size of the Note II is still bigger, albiet slightly.

Add to this the fact that the rumors swirling around about the Galaxy Note II are completely insane, stating that the next Note in the seriies will come with a 6" or larger display.

The only way I can see them pushing the bubble and creating a monstrosity like this is if they keep the smartphone/phablet people happy with a more sensible jumbo-sized device with an S Pen.

So if this all pans out, and we see a 4.99" Galaxy S IV with an S Pen along with a 6" or bigger Galaxy Note III, then hats-off to Samsung for pushing the limits of the imagination and carving out new niches that could make a lot of people happy.

All I can say is that the Galaxy S IV better have an S Pen, or I will be seriously let down. My hopes are up, and I can't go back to my previous thinking. I want my theory to ring true, and I want a Galaxy S IV with an 8-core processor and S Pen in my hands come May of 2013.

Come through for me Sammy, please come through for me. Make my dreams come true.

Carlton Flowers
S Pen Finatic

Samsung Galaxy S IV Rumor Update - The Outrageous

FAR-OUT GALAXY S IV RUMOR ADDITIONS - FACT OR FICTION?

Let's move the rumor mill along with the up-and-coming Samsung Galaxy S IV that is due out in April or May. I have some fresh stuff that I dug up, and I'm going to give you my opinion on each one of these amazing "features" that we are possibly going to see with the GS IV.

Let's take a quick look at each one. When you finish, I want your opinion on whether or not you agree with me on my take for each rumor!

Eye Tracking Technology

This radical new feature is supposed to give you the ability to scroll apps or documents with your eyes. Sounds pretty futuristic! On the one hand, we already have the power saving function with the Galaxy Note II that dims the screen when your gaze isn't directly on it. But eye scrolling? I think this one is fiction for the Galaxy S IV, but it could happen in the very near future.

Wireless Charging

The Galaxy S IV is said to have the capability of wireless charging when you opt for the separate dock & back cover option. This technology is already available. But will Samsung include it on the next flagship Galaxy model? I say fiction. Sure, some 3rd party vendors might provide such an accessory. But I don't think you'll get this out of the box.

1.8GHz 8-Core Processor

The Galaxy Note II is already packing a quad core processor. So the next logical step is an 8-core processor at blazing fast 1.8GHz speed. Right? Wrong. I say complete fiction. There's no way an 8-core cpu could be ready for production already, so this one goes into the fiction column. I think the Galaxy S IV will have a quad core cpu. As far as the speed, 1.8GHz is completely possible.

16/32/64Gb of Memory Storage, Maybe 128

Flash memory has been stagnant for years on end. When the iPhone first came out, the total storage was doubling with each new model. They started with 8Gb, then 16Gb, 32Gb, and finally a 64Gb top version was made available. But this has not increased. The Galaxy S IV will likely have the 16/32/64Gb models, but 128Gb is entirely fiction, in my opinion.

13Mp/2Mp Cameras

An improved 13Mp rear facing camera with a 2Mp front facing cam seems to be the next step in improvements that isn't too far of a stretch. The Galaxy S III has a respectable 8Mp camera that could use a little tweaking. But I do believe they will push the limit on the camera and bring us 13Mp for our picture taking enjoyment. Let's call it a fact!

Flexible OLED "Youm" Display

At CES in January of 2013, we saw the actual Samsung flexible OLED display code named "Youm". People are buzzing about this being the display for the Galaxy S IV. First of all, I think that's a little close to production time to think it will be included. Why would they show off the Youm now, versus suprising everyone when the Galaxy S IV rolls out? Secondly, I don't see a single credible source touting this one, so I'm calling it fiction. The 4.99 HD Super AMOLED display that will be included on the GS IV will be plenty good enough to please the masses, without being flexible.

Well that's all for now, folks. We'll see how close I was, if at all, when the actual phone gets stocked on the shelves at my local AT&T store. Until then, chime in and agree, disagree, or go completly stark raving nuts in the Disqus comments section below!

Carlton Flowers
Phone Phact Or Phictionist

Samsung Galaxy S IV Rumor Roundup

FRESH GALAXY S IV GOSSIP - S PEN SUPPORT OR NOT?

The rumor mill is cranking out some fresh new chatter about the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S IV. The tidbit of info that has my ears perked the most? Whether or not it will have an S Pen.

The initial rumors were holding out that the S Pen would be a part of the Samsung Galaxy S IV. Then as time went on, a lot of the prognosticators were saying that they would not allow an S Pen on the S IV because it would compete directly with the Galaxy Note II.

But now we've come back to the initial theory that the Galaxy S IV would in fact come with the extra digitizer layer that is needed to read the special tip in the S Pen stylus. But how will they do this without killing the Note II?

First of all, in Android years (very similar to Dog years), the Galaxy Note II has reached full maturity. It will be in its geriatric stages by the time the Galaxy S IV has been released. So maybe Samsung and the carriers aren't concerned with whether or not the Galaxy S IV will stick the final nail in the coffin of the Note II.

Second of all, there are some hideous rumors floating around about the Galaxy Note III. If they are even remotely true, I don't think the Galaxy S IV will be considered an overlapping device because of its inclusion of the S Pen.

As the story is now being told, the Samsung Galaxy Note III might have a display that is 6" or greater in diagonal measure, and it will have an 8-core CPU. That definitely takes the Note out of its current class as a ginormous smartphone, and puts it into a new category of "tablet-with-on-board-phone".

In my opinion, calling such an absurdity a "smartphone" would be ridiculous. But it makes sense. This would be similar to an iPad Mini with a 4G LTE radio on board, just smaller and more portable. Plus, it would allow the Galaxy S IV pick up right where they left off in the "phablet" niche.

People complained in the past that the Galaxy Note I was way too big. The Note II was tweaked, making it thinner width-wise, and a tad taller. But still, many claim it's too big to be taken seriously as a smartphone. I don't think it would be too big. However, I certainly think scaling it back to 5" would be a master stroke.

Stay with me and we'll keep tracking the latest tidbits on the smartphone/phablet of the future that looks to be packing a quad-core CPU and all the fixings. It's gonna get really exciting as we go!

Carlton Flowers
Mi Amore Galaxy Galore

Could This Be The REAL Samsung Galaxy S IV?

GALAXY S IV RUMOR MILL HEATS UP! IS THIS THE REAL MCCOY?

Okay people, the rumor mill has my full attention and I'm starting to get really excited. Could this be the real deal?

We getting close to the next release of the Samsung Galaxy line, the Galaxy S IV, so this is high time for rumors and alleged leaks.

The image of the Galaxy S IV which is displayed came from the Boy Genius Report (BGR.com) blog site. I'm not saying they are the authority on leaked images, but I would agree that this could possibly be the real deal.

The first leaked images had depicted a Galaxy S IV without qa physical home button. I had a hard time believing that it had any validity. Why would Samsung go backwards after release the Note II and the Galaxy S III with physical home buttons?

The rumored Galaxy S IV is supposed to have hardware specs such as:

• 1.8GHz 8-core Exynos cpu
• 4.99" 1080p full HD display
• 13Mp rear facing camera
• 2Gb of RAM
• Wireless charging capability

I'll tell you right off the bat that I don't believe it will have an 8-core processor. A quadcore CPU is more believable. But if they do roll out with an 8-core CPU, I will be hideously happy.

So what we are seeing is that the Galaxy S IV could be bigger than the current Galaxy S III, but smaller than the Galaxy Note II. That's a sweet spot for me.

But if you throw an S Pen into the mix, I'm locked and loaded. This WILL be my next smartphone if they make my wish come true.

I have been anxiously awaiting my upgrade date, which comes in May of 2013. I can't wait to get my hands on the next level of technology. But at the same time, I'm sort of paitent, because we don't have LTE coverage in Central Missouri with AT&T. I would like to enjoy my next upgrade with full LTE speeds.

What are your thoughts about the rumored Samsung Galaxy S IV? Do you think it will have a home button? Better yet, do you think it will include an S Pen? Sound off and voice your predictions!

Carlton Flowers
Galaxy Gazer

Samsung Galaxy S IV Derails My Clear Plan Of Action

UPGRADE DECISIONS: GALAXY S IV OR GALAXY NOTE II?

I'm starting to get caught up in the rumors surrounding the Samsung Galaxy S IV that is to be released sometime this spring. My heart was set on the Galaxy Note II after my 2-week review of the AT&T device, but one new rumor on the S IV could change my mind...

Will the Samsung Galaxy S IV have an S Pen?

Some tech blogs are saying that Samsung won't do this, because it would make the Galaxy S IV compete directly with the Galaxy Note II, and it would be too early in the life of the Note II to offer up a direct competitor.

But over the past few days, more and more tech prognosticators are saying that the Galaxy S IV will in fact have an S Pen. If that's the case, I'm going to definitely opt for the S IV when my upgrade is available in May of 2013.

It looks like you're going to get everything that the Note II offers, and then some, plus with a slightly more managable 5" diagonal display. The S IV will rock the quad core CPU just like the Note II, and I would expect to see even more features since it comes 6 months further down the developmental highway.

If this pans out, and the Galaxy S IV comes packing an S Pen, we'll have a device with the best of both worlds. All of the magic of the Note II should be included in this new smartphone that might get upgraded into the "Phablet" category, plus all the latest bells and whistles that Samsung has to offer. And of course it would also include the latest Android operating system, Key Lime Pie.

Let's watch and see what happens over the first few months of 2013. I think it will be an exciting time for tech and gadgets.

Having the extended early upgrade requirement might end up as a blessing to me after all.

Carlton Flowers
Samsunged