Samsung Galaxy S4 vs. Google Nexus 4: Google Edition S4 Offers A Compelling Alternative, But At a Price

The Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Edition with a stock Android operating system hits the U.S. market Jun. 26. But how does it compare to Google's own, less expensive stock Android handset, the Nexus 4?

Display
The hardware on the Galaxy S4 GE is, in all respects, exactly the same as the regular Galaxy S4, so it still sports a 5-inch Full HD AMOLED display with a resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels at 441 ppi. That's currently one of the best displays on the market, and one of the largest, until you get into phablet territory.

The Nexus 4 makes do with a smaller 4.7-inch WXGA IPS display with a resolution of 1280 by 758 pixels a 316 ppi. While that may sound small compared to the Galaxy S4, it's the same size as the HTC One and a full half-inch larger than the iPhone 5. In addition, the slightly smaller screen means the Nexus 4 is a slightly smaller phone, so it may be more comfortable for people with small hands, and people with long fingers should be able to operate it one-handed.

Processor
The Galaxy S4 GE comes with a 1.9GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor (sorry, no Exynos 5 Octa for this phone), the best chipset currently available in the United States. The Nexus 4 runs a 1.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro, generally considered one tier lower than the Snapdragon 600.

Again, the Nexus 4 is using very good components (the Sony Xperia Z also uses the Snapdragon S4 Pro), but it came out last fall, so the Galaxy S4 has the benefit of a half-year of technological advancement.

AnTuTu benchmarks put the Nexus 4 somewhere around 18000, while the Galaxy S4 with the Snapdragon 600 is pulling in around 23000, one of the highest benchmark speeds ever recorded. (Don't gloat, Galaxy S4 fans; the Exynos 5 Octa topped 28000, but it isn't available stateside).

Camera
The Galaxy S4 GE has a 13-megapixel rear-facing camera with 1080p HD video, as well as a 2-megapixel front-facing camera. Both lenses can take photos at the same time.

The Nexus 4 isn't hobbled with its 8-megapixel rear-facing camera, which takes 1080p video. The 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera also takes 720p videos.

Megapixels aren't everything, but more is usually better. Still, unless you're printing in large format or shooting in fine detail, you're unlikely to notice a difference. And if you are, you're better off using a standalone camera.

Storage
This is where the Nexus 4 falls short. It doesn't have an SD card slot, and it only comes with 8GB or 16GB of internal storage. After accounting for the operating system, the 8GB version only has 5.67GB free for apps, data and media. The 16GB version has 12.92GB free.

The Galaxy S4 GE is only available in a 16GB model. Customers have been complaining about the low storage on the Samsung version of the S4, which leaves less than 9GB of space free, once the operating system, Samsung TouchWiz overlay and Samsung proprietary apps are loaded. The S4 GE shouldn't have that problem, so expect it to have about the same amount of free space as the 16GB Nexus 4.

But the S4 can also handle SD cards up to 64GB in capacity. Of course, the SD card needs to be purchased separately, but it can also be transferred to another phone in the future, and even 64GB cards only cost around $50, and much less for smaller capacities.

Operating System
Both the Galaxy S4 GE and the Nexus 4 will run the latest stock Android operating system, currently Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean. The user experience will be nearly identical, though the Nexus 4 was designed from inception to run stock Android, so operation might be slightly smoother. That could easily be counterbalanced by the faster processor in the Galaxy S4 GE, though.

Build
The Nexus 4 is Google's nicest looking and feeling handset. The build quality is high, but that comes with a few drawbacks. The battery cover isn't removable, so you can't swap them out on your own. That also means no SD card slot as mentioned above. And the Nexus 4 doesn't come with LTE compatibility out of the box. You'll need to change a setting once you've got the Nexus 4 up and running, but it isn't officially supported.

The Galaxy S4 GE is a polycarbonate and plastic shell, but it's easily repairable and the battery and SD card slot are user-accessible. It also has LTE support built in.

Price
Choosing between these two phones likely boils down to cost. They're both available unlocked, so they can be used on any carrier in the country (see update noted above). Neither is available subsidized, so you'll need to shell out the full cost upfront. The Galaxy S4 Google Edition will run $649 from the Google Play Store once it's released at the end of next month. The 8GB Nexus 4 is only $299, while the 16GB runs $349.

If you're considering the Galaxy S4 GE, then you can afford the 16GB Nexus 4, so compare those two models. Is a faster processor, a larger screen, official LTE support, a swappable battery and expandable storage worth $300?

Likely, yes. The more recent tech on the Galaxy S4 GE means you'll be able to hold onto it longer before it's hopelessly out of date, and the SD card slot future-proofs against large OS updates or must-have apps.

Of course, for the cost of a single Galaxy S4 GE, you could buy a Nexus 4 now and another upgraded one in a year or two. The high cost of the S4 means it's an investment. If you're planning on getting another phone in under two years, the Nexus 4 might be a better call.