{"id":32768,"date":"2013-03-18T23:46:55","date_gmt":"2013-03-18T18:16:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/?p=32768"},"modified":"2026-10-13T11:12:53","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T05:42:53","slug":"buy-samsung-galaxy-s4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2013\/03\/buy-samsung-galaxy-s4\/","title":{"rendered":"Samsung Galaxy S4 Features: Which Became Standard and Which Disappeared"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The <strong>Samsung Galaxy S4<\/strong> launched in 2013 with a long list of futuristic features: wave your hand to skip a song, pause a video by looking away, use the touchscreen with gloves on, translate your voice, and charge without a cable. When we listed them that March, we said they showed what modern phones would get by default over the years. So, more than a decade later, which Galaxy S4 features became standard, and which quietly disappeared?<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-32776 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/samsung-galaxy-s4.jpg\" alt=\"Samsung Galaxy S4 features\" width=\"250\" height=\"331\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/samsung-galaxy-s4.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/samsung-galaxy-s4-226x300.jpg 226w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Quick answer:<\/strong> Several Galaxy S4 ideas are now standard on phones: wireless charging, glove-friendly touch sensitivity, dual-camera recording, health tracking (Samsung Health) and live voice translation (now Galaxy AI&#8217;s Live Translate). Others faded away: Air Gestures, Smart Pause, Smart Scroll, Group Play and the IR blaster remote (WatchOn) were dropped from later Galaxy phones.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6af5011377ac8\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6af5011377ac8\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2013\/03\/buy-samsung-galaxy-s4\/#Galaxy_S4_features_that_became_standard\" >Galaxy S4 features that became standard<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2013\/03\/buy-samsung-galaxy-s4\/#Galaxy_S4_features_that_disappeared\" >Galaxy S4 features that disappeared<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2013\/03\/buy-samsung-galaxy-s4\/#Should_you_still_use_a_Galaxy_S4\" >Should you still use a Galaxy S4?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2013\/03\/buy-samsung-galaxy-s4\/#FAQ\" >FAQ<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2013\/03\/buy-samsung-galaxy-s4\/#When_was_the_Samsung_Galaxy_S4_released\" >When was the Samsung Galaxy S4 released?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2013\/03\/buy-samsung-galaxy-s4\/#Do_new_Samsung_phones_have_Air_Gestures\" >Do new Samsung phones have Air Gestures?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2013\/03\/buy-samsung-galaxy-s4\/#Can_I_still_use_glove_mode_on_a_Samsung_phone\" >Can I still use glove mode on a Samsung phone?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Galaxy_S4_features_that_became_standard\"><\/span>Galaxy S4 features that became standard<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>2013 Galaxy S4 feature<\/th>\n<th>What it became<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Wireless charging (with a special back cover)<\/td>\n<td>Built into most flagship phones, using the Qi and Qi2 standards<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Glove mode<\/td>\n<td>&#8220;Touch sensitivity&#8221; setting on Samsung phones for gloves and screen protectors<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Dual Shot (front and back camera)<\/td>\n<td>Dual recording \/ Director&#8217;s View and similar modes on many phones<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>S Health<\/td>\n<td>Samsung Health, with watch and ring integration<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>S Translator<\/td>\n<td>Galaxy AI Live Translate and Interpreter, plus Google Translate<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>S Voice Drive<\/td>\n<td>Android Auto and voice assistants for hands-free driving<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>HomeSync personal cloud<\/td>\n<td>Cloud photo backup through Google Photos, OneDrive or Samsung Cloud<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Drama Shot<\/td>\n<td>Burst, motion photo and action-shot modes in camera apps<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Galaxy_S4_features_that_disappeared\"><\/span>Galaxy S4 features that disappeared<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Air Gestures and Air View:<\/strong> hover and wave controls were removed from later Galaxy S phones (the S Pen still offers some Air actions).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Smart Pause and Smart Scroll:<\/strong> eye- and tilt-based controls were unreliable and dropped.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Group Play:<\/strong> replaced by Bluetooth and streaming features like Auracast.<\/li>\n<li><strong>WatchOn and the IR blaster:<\/strong> the infrared remote was removed from Galaxy phones after a few years; smart TVs now use apps and casting.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sound &amp; Shot:<\/strong> photos with audio live on as Motion Photos and Live Photos instead.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Should_you_still_use_a_Galaxy_S4\"><\/span>Should you still use a Galaxy S4?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>No, not as a main phone. It stopped getting Android updates years ago, many apps no longer install on it, and older mobile networks are being switched off in some countries. If you want a current Samsung flagship with the descendants of these features, browse the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/go\/samsung-galaxy-s-unlocked\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\">latest unlocked Galaxy S phones<\/a>. Check out the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2013\/01\/most-popular-apps-usa\/\">most popular apps in the US<\/a> and our pick of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2012\/12\/women-safety-apps\/\">safety apps and built-in SOS features<\/a> for a new phone.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQ\"><\/span>FAQ<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_was_the_Samsung_Galaxy_S4_released\"><\/span>When was the Samsung Galaxy S4 released?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>It was announced in March 2013 and went on sale in April 2013.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_new_Samsung_phones_have_Air_Gestures\"><\/span>Do new Samsung phones have Air Gestures?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>No. Hand-wave Air Gestures were dropped; only S Pen models keep some Air actions.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_I_still_use_glove_mode_on_a_Samsung_phone\"><\/span>Can I still use glove mode on a Samsung phone?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes. Turn on Touch sensitivity in Settings &gt; Display.<\/p>\n<p><em>Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, QuickOnlineTips earns from qualifying purchases.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Samsung Galaxy S4 launched in 2013 with a long list of futuristic features: wave your hand to skip a&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":32776,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-32768","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gadgets"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32768","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=32768"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32768\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":64942,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32768\/revisions\/64942"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/32776"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32768"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=32768"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=32768"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}