Top 10 Samsung Galaxy S4 features we want to see
V3's wishlist includes better battery life, improved cameras and mind-blowing software innovations
Samsung is set to unveil its Galaxy S4 in under a week's time and the V3 office is eagerly awaiting the announcement to see what innovations the South Korean firm has packed into its latest flagship device.
The S3 launch last year saw a host of new features such as smart eye technology that sensed when you stopped reading the screen and facial-recognition screen unlocking processes that all set the bar for smartphone makers the world over.
This helped Samsung rack up million in sales and help it emerge as the key challenger to Apple's smartphone dominance.
We've high hopes that Samsung is going to bring many more innovations to the latest device when it's unveiled next Thursday, 14 March. Tune in then for our live coverage of the event.
10. A reasonably sized screen
We're huge fans of the 4.8in screen on the Galaxy S3. It's small enough to sit comfortably in the hand, while proving large enough for comfortable video playback and gaming.
However, given that this year's Mobile World Congress was dominated by phones with 5in+ displays Samsung is probably plotting a move in the same direction.
Speculation suggests that the Samsung Galaxy S4 will features a 5in screen, which wouldn't be too bad - especially if it comes with the 1080p HD resolution that online chatter is pointing towards.
However, any bigger than that and the S4 will be edging on Galaxy Note territory, and may not appeal to those looking to upgrade from the Galaxy S2 or S3 handsets.
We'd like to see the Samsung Galaxy S4 arrive with a similar screen to the S3 - let's say 4.8in - but given the above we're guessing this wish isn't going to get granted, we'll have to wait and see.
Top 10 Samsung Galaxy S4 features we want to see
V3's wishlist includes better battery life, improved cameras and mind-blowing software innovations
9. Genuine all day battery life
The demand for better battery is one we make often at V3. Like many readers, we are fed up when out and about and our smartphone dies by mid-afternoon all because we indulged in some harmless video streaming, Spotify usage and photo browsing.
Yes, most phone claims to last all day, but in reality any heavy usage will see it deader than a Dodo before you've made it home, leaving you bereft of anything to do on the commute home.
As such, we hope Samsung has stepped up to the challenge and will deliver a device with battery life that really can last all day, whatever you use it for.
8. Android 4.2.2 or above
As shown by Google's developer forum statistics, most Android smartphones are running on outdated, sometimes two year old, versions of the operating system.
On the one hand this is an issue as it means users won't get access to awesome features like Google Now - a push update service that intelligently offers you information, like travel directions, good local restaurants and weather forecasts based on your search and location data.
On the other it's downright dangerous thanks to the security issues fragmentation in the OS causes.
For this reason we're hoping the Samsung Galaxy S4 is going to come loaded with the latest version of Google's Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean operating system. Or, maybe even a brand new version from Google.
7. Eye Scroll facial tracking software smarts
Samsung initially introduced facial recognition and tracking features on the Galaxy 3 with Smart Stay. The feature lets the S3 know when you're looking at it, meaning it will never power down or go to sleep if you're using it.
Recently we've heard rumblings the company is planning to expand on this idea and introduce new intelligent scrolling features to the Galaxy S4.
This hit the headlines earlier this week when The New York Times reported that an unnamed source had confirmed the feature will appear on the S4.
If true then the S4 will be able to know when you finished reading a section of text and will automatically scroll down to the next section.
While this may sound gimmicky it could also prove a fascinating innovation and are really hoping to see Eye Scroll make an appearance on the Galaxy S4.
Top 10 Samsung Galaxy S4 features we want to see
V3's wishlist includes better battery life, improved cameras and mind-blowing software innovations
6. Improved camera to rival the likes of Nokia
Cameras are currently the hot topic in the "what's the best smartphone" debate.
This began last year with the arrival of Nokia's 41MP 808 Pureview handset. While weren't all too impressed with the Pureview's phone capabilities, we were blown away by its imaging quality.
This continued with Nokia's Lumia 920 follow up, which custom Carl Zeiss lens and camera sensor are able to take photos in close to pitch black conditions without using a flash - a feat previously unheard of on any smartphone camera.
Since then numerous companies have attempted to offer equivalent features, with Sony toting low light photography as a key feature on its Xperia Z and HTC adding new "Ultrapixel" tech to its forthcoming One.
For this reason we're really hoping Samsung's going to follow suit and load the Galaxy S4 with its own super-powerful camera tech.
5. Connectivity with all UK 4G networks
At long last 4G is coming to the UK, after the auctions were completed with minimal fuss in mid-February. As such we hope Samsung makes sure the S4 can work on any network in the UK running 4G spectrum - 800MHz, 1800MHz and 2.6GHz.
Doing so would not only be great news for both buyers and operators by helping all offer the same services and perhaps spark a mini-bidding war, but it would also make good sense for Samsung as it would help it fight Apple's iPhone 5.
This is because the device does not support UK 4G networks in the 800MHz or 2.6GHz bands so O2 and Vodafone will not be able to supply this on 4G. No doubt the next iPhone will rectify this but for a while Samsung can claim 4G exclusivity over the iPhone and this can only be good news for the South Korean firm, and eager Galaxy buyers.
Top 10 Samsung Galaxy S4 features we want to see
V3's wishlist includes better battery life, improved cameras and mind-blowing software innovations
4. IP55 or above certification
In the past we've had issues with the build quality of Samsung devices, generally finding that while comfortable in hand and very light, they aren't all too sturdily built.
This is particularly troubling because competitors have already shown that it is possible to create a tough, but still visually pleasing handset.
Most recently Sony did this with its Xperia Z smartphone. The Z features a sleek Omnibalance design and is IP57 certified, meaning that as well as looking nice, it's also water, scratch and dust proof.
We're hoping Samsung's going to take note of Sony's example for the Galaxy S4 and create a rugged handset that can survive more than the usual wear and tear.
3. Enhanced security
Security vendors have been warning for years now that when it comes to mobile operating systems, Android is cyber crooks current victim of choice.
Every day we hear fresh reports of a new Trojan app or phishing scam targeting the platform. For this reason, many businesses have shied away from officially using Android devices for work purposes.
Clearly aware of this Samsung's been trying to solve the problem adding a host of Security features, like its Safe service and Knox, to its handsets. We're hoping this is going to continue on the Galaxy S4.
Top 10 Samsung Galaxy S4 features we want to see
V3's wishlist includes better battery life, improved cameras and mind-blowing software innovations
2. More Samsung Touchwiz innovations
While the S3 featured solid hardware capabilities, but nothing mind-blowing, the innovations on its Touchwiz software were fantastic.
For example, the launch of the S3 saw the introduction of Smart Stay and Pop Up Play TV, tweaks which introduced innovative facial recognition smarts and seemed to invent a new way to multitask on mobile, respectively.
We're hoping this trend continues with the Samsung Galaxy S4. We're not exactly sure what we're hoping to see, as never in our wildest dreams would we have predicted a software feature that knows when we're looking at the screen, but no doubt the boffins in South Korea have cooked up something special to wow us all with during the coming event.
1. Eight-core processor
Samsung unveiled an eight-core Exynos 5 mobile processor at this year's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, and what better place for the chipset to debut than in the Samsung Galaxy S4.
With Samsung's new Exynos 5 chip on board, the Galaxy S4 would instantly win the title of the first octo-core smartphone to hit the market, quite a feat in itself. However, this would also make it one of, if not the, fastest smartphone in the world - making it great for those who want to use it for mobile gaming and watching video.
It should also make for a decent battery life, too. While that sounds hard to believe, Samsung claims its eight-core Exynos 5 chip is one of the most power efficient mobile processors available - and, as we noted earlier, better battery life is always a bonus in our books.