The headline feature on the South Korean manufacturer’s latest device, launched in New York last night, contains censors in the facing camera. If a user tilts the handset while looking at it they can scroll and pause when they look away.
Samsung has promoted the device as “beyond touch”. A wave of the hand, without contact, can also turn a page or shift through photographs.
The hi-tech move increases the stakes in the battle to be the biggest selling smartphone manufacturer. In the final quarter of 2012, Apple sold 17.7 million smartphones, compared to Samsung’s 16.8 million.
The S4 can also translate nine languages. This can be from text to speech or speech to text. It also translates text.
JK Shin, Samsung’s head of mobile, said: “Think about being able to communicate with your friends around the world without language barriers.”
Samsung said the Galaxy S4 would be offered in 125 countries on 327 mobile operators. However they have all yet to be revealed.
