Hasta La Gadget!

The race to offer a mobile device with the best display possible seems to have no end line, with companies pushing out ever higher-resolution, sharper, brighter screens on their highest-end handsets. Likewise, the battle between which flagship devices have the best displays have raged betwixt consumers, with fans of various devices touting reasons why their favorite device is best. Taking a perhaps more scientific approach, the folks over at Gadget Guy have put the most popular handsets’ displays under the microscope – literally.

The iPhone 5, LG Optimus G, Samsung GALAXY S 4, Sony Xperia Z, and HTC One all had their displays put under a digital microscope, with comparison images of text taken between different combinations of the aforementioned smartphones being assembled together into slider images, allowing users to slide back and forth over the close-up shots and see them in a way their naked eyes can’t.

According to the folks who did the test, they chose to image text specifically because they felt a close-up look at the letters is one of the best ways to compare the displays. What you’re looking for is the curvature of the letters: smooth, round curves on the letters are preferable over ones with rougher curves. So which display is best among them?

Not to be disappointing, but the answer is, “It depends.” As you can see in the images, which we have in the gallery below, you can see the individual differences in the technologies used in the displays, but aside from that the subtle differences between the text is still obvious, and largely open to interpretation. For example, the Xperia Z and the GALAXY S 4 both offer 441ppi, but when looked at up close, one would be tempted to proclaim Sony the best of the two, with its lettering coming in very clear and smooth.

You can check out the interactive version of the comparisons at the link below. Which display is best? Let us know what you think!

[via Gadget Guy]

Flagship smartphone displays put under the microscope – literally is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Just over a month ago, CyanogenMod founder Steve Kondik left Samsung, with a parting elucidation about the Galaxy S 4. The very same phone was expected to not be supported by the CM crew, leaving prospective buyers and fans of the firmware to consider their loyalties. Hope was restored when Kondik teased an image via Google+ showing the about screen for CM10.1 on T-Mobile’s version of the handset (SGH-M919). Now, he’s confirmed it’s here (and quickly done, too), with word that other variants (I9505 etc) will follow as and when hardware is sourced. Kondik claims that, while not quite perfect, that the port is complete enough to provide all core features, including, at some point, support for Android’s hover events. The nightlies are available now, so if you’ve got the right mix of Magenta and Cyan, keep an eye on the usual sources for the goods.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung

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Source: Steve Kondik (Google+)

Samsung’s Galaxy S 4 has already been available at AT&T since April 27th, and now those wanting to get on T-Mobile’s new “uncarrier” plans with the new device can do so right now through T-Mobiles online store. The GALAXY S 4 is available now on the carrier, leaving only Verizon as the only wireless carrier to not yet have the phone available.

T-Mobile is selling the phone for a down payment of $149, but you’ll eventually be paying full price for it, as you’ll be paying 24 payments of $20 per month. This is for the 16GB model in either black or white, and there’s no word on a 32GB model just yet, although it may just be a matter of time before we see it appear.

If you’re looking to get the new phone in-store, you’ll have to wait just a few more days, as T-Mobile won’t have the GALAXY S 4 in physical stores until May 1. Then again you probably won’t see your newly-ordered GALAXY S 4 unit arrive on your doorstep until that time, so either method won’t have you owning the device sooner.

The GALAXY S 4 is Samsung’s successor to the Galaxy S III, and it boasts a 5-inch 1080p display and rocks a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor clocked at 1.9GHz in the US version. It also sports 2GB of RAM and has a 13MP camera. It’s arguably the company’s best phone yet, and you can learn more about it in our full review.

T-Mobile Samsung GALAXY S 4 now available online is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

As more companies become more aware of the build quality of their smartphones, the more likely we are to see tougher devices come to the market. It’s reported that Samsung is working on another version of the GALAXY S 4 that is said to be waterproof and dust proof, but will sport the same design as the company’s current flagship model.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the rugged version of the GALAXY S 4 is said to arrive sometime in July, and as of right now the phone is being dubbed the GALAXY S 4 Active, but it’s possible that the name could change eventually. The launch of this phone is said to come shortly after the rumored release of a new 8-inch tablet in June.

The tablet is said to be Galaxy-branded and will fit between Samsung’s 7-inch and 10-inch models already on the market, although the company just release the Galaxy Note 8.0 earlier this month (read our full review here). It’s the company’s only 8-inch variant, so it could be possible that this rumored tablet will simply be a lower-cost option.

As for the GALAXY S 4 Active, we’re sure many people will be worried that Samsung will butcher the sleek design theme that the Galaxy S line has had, but it’s said that Samsung will attempt to keep the design unchanged, possibly using nano waterproof coating. We’ve also heard rumors recently that Samsung will be using plastic screens on the Galaxy Note III instead of glass to make the device shatterproof, so it’s possible that they’re thinking about doing the same for the Active.

[via Android Community]

Samsung GALAXY S 4 tipped with rugged makeover in July is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours — all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.

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