Samsung Galaxy S4 Rumors: Handset To Feature Advanced Wireless Charging; Dock Will Be Sold Separately

By Kukil Bora | January 18 2013 12:14 AM

Given the enormous success that Samsung got with both Galaxy S2 and Galaxy S3, it will come as no surprise to know that the upcoming iteration of the flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S4, has already set the tech world on fire even before its release. Thanks to the growing rumors and speculations, the handset is now one of the most anticipated devices from the South Korean tech giant.

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Further adding to the heated Sasmugn Galaxy S4 rumor-mill, a new report hit the Web Thursday saying the next generation Galaxy S device would feature wireless charging for the first time.

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Adding more to the Galaxy S4 rumors, a new report hit the Web Thursday saying that the next generation Galaxy S device would feature wireless charging for the first time, something that will be compatible with the Qi standard developed by the Wireless Power Consortium.

“Samsung will allegedly be making a back cover with Wireless Charging support and its charging dock for the Galaxy S IV; both modules will be sold separately,” SamMobile reported, citing Korean publication DDaily.

Since Galaxy S4 will apparently use Qi standard, it is likely to support any Qi-compatible dock. Therefore, according to the Droid Guy, buying the dock from Samsung won’t be obligatory. “With so many devices coming with Qi wireless charging capability, soon the market will be flooded with cheap 3rd party docks.”

Unlike Nokia that has incorporated the technology right into the phone, Samsung apparently takes the rout of Palm, meaning that “we can expect to see a charging mat of some sort being sold separately to the phone itself, with a replacement rear Galaxy S4 panel bundled alongside it,” according to Redmond Pie.

The DDaily report also revealed that Samsung could use a more advanced wireless charging technology called “resonant magnetic coupling,” which would allow the users to charge their Galaxy S4 from a distance of up to 2 meters (6 1/2 feet).

If it turns out to be true, the new feature will give Galaxy S4 a significant edge over its rivals as the very few smartphones that currently have the wireless charging feature require to be placed within a distance of 4 centimeters (1 1/2 inches) away from the charging pad, Phone Arena has reported.

As SamMobile pointed out, “You won’t have to put the Galaxy S IV on top of a Wireless Charging dock. Samsung eventually gave up on this alternative method as it was too difficult to bring to market at a low-cost.”

This is a method that Apple has reportedly been looking at and also has been claiming patents on. Considering that, if Samsung Galaxy S4 eventually features wireless charging technology based on “resonant magnetic coupling,” it will be interesting to see how Apple reacts to it.

When it comes to other rumored features of the Samsung Galaxy S4, the device may feature Exynos 5 Octa (8-Core) CPU, Mali-T658 (8-Core) GPU, 4.99-inch SuperAMOLED Full HD Resolution Display with 1,920 x 1,080 pixels (445ppi) and 2GB of RAM.

Rumors are also rife about a 13 megapixel rear-facing camera capable of shooting 1080p Full HD Videos at 30FPS, 2 megapixel front facing camera capable of shooting 720p HD Videos and Android 4.2.1 Jelly Bean out of the box.

Earlier this month, Samsung Lebanon hinted that the Galaxy S4 wouldn’t be made available before May. However, there has been some chatter suggesting a surprise appearance of the handset at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona next month.

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