S4 features include a high-definition, five-inch (12.7-centimeter) screen, enhanced picture-taking capabilities and the capacity to translate to and from nine languages.
The S4 is thinner than its predecessor and weighs just 130 grams despite having a bigger screen and battery.
NEW YORK -- Samsung (IW 1000/25) unveiled a slim, feature-rich Galaxy S4 on Thursday as its new champion to take on Apple (IW 500/9) in the fiercely competitive smartphone arena.
The South Korean consumer electronics giant introduced the Galaxy S4 on the stage of New York City's Radio City Music Hall and said the smartphones would roll out in 155 countries in late April. Pricing was not disclosed.
"For each of us, life is a journey," said Samsung mobile communications division head JK Shin.
"What we want is a device that can join us on that journey; a companion that helps us experience life in the fullest."
S4 features include a high-definition, five-inch (12.7-centimeter) screen, enhanced picture-taking capabilities and the capacity to translate to and from nine languages.
"It is now clearly Samsung's flagship device; jam-packed with technology," said Gartner analyst Michael Gartenberg.
"The question is how many of these features will resonate with consumers."
Samsung played up its online hub for music, books, and video and the ease with which the S4 can share video with televisions made by the company.
"At this point, smartphones are all about software and ecosystems; showing up with compelling hardware is the expected starting point," Gartenberg said.
"This is about a Samsung ecosystem that happens to be built on Android."
