Galaxy S4 (Verizon) vs Galaxy S4 (AT&T) software inconsistencies
If you are thinking about purchasing the hottest new Samsung flagship device then you will probably have already been checking out the Samsung Galaxy S4. Although the hardware is the same on Verizon and AT&T apart from the odd bit of branding, many potential customers may not have realized that some differences exist regarding the software. We thought we’ve give you some information about the Galaxy S4 (Verizon) vs. Galaxy S4 (AT&T) with a software comparison.
When we looked into this we were quite surprised at just how many differences there were between the software on the Verizon Galaxy S4 as opposed to the AT&T Galaxy S4 and these include variations to the About screens, notifications, blocking mode, bloatware, apps drawers and Home screens, text changes, starter mode and also some missing apps.
Some of these differences may not be too much of a big deal but users will have various preferences about this. If you are open to buying the Galaxy S4 on AT&T or Verizon then you may want to take these inconsistencies into account before you decide which carrier version to choose.
On the About screens for example both will show Android 4.2.2 but will obviously have different model numbers while the Verizon version kernel is two days later. However Verizon opts to show the hardware version while AT&T does not. We don’t think this is something that will bother most users but some other aspects may do.
Looking at Notifications these also differ. Verizon has dispensed with the notification pulldown quick toggles Wi-Fi toggle and instead has replaced it with a non-removable reminder notification about turning WiFi on wherever possible. Verizon has also removed some of the toggles from the full list including Blocking mode and Air Gesture, which AT&T customers will still see on their Galaxy S4s. The absence of the Blocking Mode on Verizon’s Galaxy S4 could be a bit of a pain for those who like to disable calls, alarms etc. so you might want to consider this.
If you’re not a fan of bloatware you may want to avoid the Verizon version of the S4 that has far more than the AT&T variant. Also the Verizon Galaxy S4 is missing some Samsung apps such as Optical Reader and ChatON. We came across this information in a very useful article over on Droid-Life where you can also see images that depict all of the differences and further details. We have included a couple of these images here.
When considering which carrier version of a smartphone to purchase it can be really easy to overlook software differences, however subtle. This acts as a reminder to potential customers of the Galaxy S4 and indeed other devices, to check this out first, especially if there is any particular aspect of software you really find useful.
We’d really like to hear from readers about this issue for the Galaxy S4 on Verizon or AT&T. When purchasing a new smartphone have you previously taken into account any differences there may be regarding software on different carrier versions? Would this be enough to make you jump ship to an alternative carrier for a particular device or do you think that whatever carrier modifications there are, you’d get used to them?
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4 thoughts on “Galaxy S4 (Verizon) vs Galaxy S4 (AT&T) software inconsistencies”
This has been a SAD CONCLUSION with the Verizon models of all Samsung devices since the start of 2012 and continuing into 2013. A sad attempt to lesson Samsung products in comparison to their sad Droid lineup which doesn’t sell as much as they would like to sell. From the childish branding and internal changes of the Galaxy Note 2 and Galaxy S3 to the stripping out of features in the multi window, the application trays as well as the home screen changes are truly comical. Verizon has crossed OVER THE LINE pretending like they are manufacturers creating devices which they are not of course. It’s a pitiful conclusion when a carrier starts doing what they have been getting away with with for years now. The Galaxy S4, as well as the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 runs rings around any crappy Motorola product that exist on Verizon today. I applaud T-mobile as well as Sprint and even At&t for leaving there models of these devices the last 2 years the way they was intended from the manufacturer. So the customers who purchase these devices can experience what they are suppose to be experiencing NOT that silly crap Verizon customers put up with.
I doubt if their customers notice these differences or if they even care about them. The assumption is that it’s a GS4 and it does all the things that are being advertized.
I’ve had a VZ S4 for 48 hours, and the only thing I specifically went looking for that I couldn’t find was the Optical Reader. Frankly, I’m flabbergasted that VZ sells this as a “Samsung S4”, but then makes significant mods to it. I’m sure some will say that missing the Optical Reader isn’t “significant”, but I was sure expecting a $200 smartphone to be able to read quick response codes.
Prior to reading this article, I was about 95% certain I was going to migrate to Verizon from Sprint. Now I’m about 40% certain, but this percentage might drop further as I take a harder look at AT &T. My advise to Verizon: don’t treat your customers like you own them–we, of course, own you and will vote with our wallets. Too bad.