Samsung Galaxy S4 Duos Review – One of the Best Dual-SIM Smartphones Money Can Buy

Although we have already reviewed the LTE-enabled version of Galaxy S4, also known as I9505, the dual-SIM model is barely known outside China. As expected, Samsung decided several months ago that the dual-SIM Galaxy S4 should be exclusive to China, so even if you’re able to secure one from various retailers, you will have a hard time using it in other regions.

For starters, Samsung Galaxy S4 dual-SIM, codenamed I9502, does not come with any of Google’s applications and services, because Baidu is the predominant search giant in China.

Basically, this means that you won’t be able to take advantage of Google Play Store. But that’s not all, there are lots of Chinese applications pre-installed on the phone and the stock browser uses Baidu search engine by default.

However, those who really want to purchase the dual-SIM version of Galaxy S4 must make some compromises until Samsung decides that Android fans in other regions are worthy enough for such a device.

In order to solve these problems, one only needs to root their dual-SIM Galaxy S4, though one can say goodbye to official updates, and some apps will still not work.

Aside from all of the above, Samsung I9500 and I9502 are quite different when it comes to hardware configuration. You can find out below which one fares better in benchmarks and if it’s really worth the money.

Samsung Galaxy S4 dual-SIM has the same form factor and design as the single-SIM model. But that’s only for the outside, as the former features two SIM card slots on the inside instead of just one.

In fact, design-wise, both smartphones are the same, so if you already own the single-SIM Galaxy S4 and want to switch to the dual-SIM model, you’ll get the same device but you will be able to use two SIMs at the same time.

Given the fact that we’ve already tested the single-SIM model, you might want to check out our full Samsung Galaxy S4 review.

The Galaxy S4 Duos measures 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9 mm and weighs 132g (battery included), which makes it 2g heavier than the single-SIM version. That’s not going to matter though, given the fact that it offers so many advantages.

Display and Camera

There aren’t any differences between the Galaxy S4 Duos and the single-SIM version, so you can expect the same level of awesomeness from both devices.

However, bear in mind that the Galaxy S4 Duos boasts a 5-inch Super AMOLED display that supports full HD resolution and 441ppi (pixel density). In addition, the smartphone’s screen features Corning Gorilla Glass 3 coating for protection against scratches and accidental drops.

More in-depth details on the display’s performance and camera’s capabilities can be found in our full Samsung Galaxy S4 review (photo samples included).

Menu and Software

This is one of the aspects that standard Android users won’t like, as Galaxy S4 Duos comes with Chinese bloatware and if you don’t root it, you won’t be able to use it at its full potential.

First of all, the smartphone is still stuck on Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean operating system, but since you have to root it, you get to choose which ROM you wish to run from those available for download.

The main issue with the Samsung Galaxy S4 Duos is that it’s only available in China and unless rooted, you won’t have access to Google Play store. In fact, the smartphone comes pre-loaded with loads of bloatware from China Unicom and Chinese-related apps and services.

Obviously, there are workarounds that one can take advantage of and still be able to fix these, or one can simply use other browser and completely customize the Galaxy S4 Duos with third-party apps.

Once you root the phone, you can download Google Play Store application and install it on the Galaxy S4 Duos. The app will update automatically every time Google launches a new version, so you won’t have to worry about that.

The same goes for all apps installed via Google Play store, but only if you set the phone to download and install updates automatically as they become available.

Communication

Now this is where some Android fans might not like how Galaxy S4 Duos fares. The most important downside of the smartphone when it comes to connectivity is the fact that it does not come with 4G LTE support.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Duos comes with dual-SIM support and is only compatible with microSIMs. You will be able to insert a GSM/WCDMA microSIM card in the first slot and a GSM one in the second. Obviously, you can put two WCDMA cards in each slot, but the second one will only work on GSM.

Both slots support GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz bands, while the WCDMA slot is fully compatible with 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 bands.

The good news is that you can use both SIMs at the same time, one for data and one for calling. The phone also features dual standby technology, which means that if you’re speaking on one line and you get a call on the other line, you can put the first on hold and answer.

Google Maps works smoothly as long as you have rooted the phone, so there’s nothing else to highlight here. Make sure you read our Samsung Galaxy S4 review for more details on the connectivity options.

There is one last thing that I would like to mention here. If you purchase the dual-SIM version of Galaxy S4, you won’t be able to benefit from HD Voice right away. Even though the phone is compatible with this feature, if you root it, the codec that triggers HD Voice will be disabled by default.

Even if you manage to activate it (I did), your phone’s CSC (Consumer Software Customization) will not be recognized by the carrier that offers HD Voice. The only way to get HD Voice to work is to change the CSC region code with the one your carrier uses.

Processor and Memory

Unlike the LTE version of Galaxy S4, the dual-SIM model packs a supposedly better octa-core processor. Samsung Galaxy S4 Duos comes equipped with an Exynos 5 Octa 5410 chipset, which accommodates two quad-core processors.

One of the CPUs handles the most demanding apps and services and is clocked at 1.6GHz, while the other one clocked at 1.2 GHz runs in the background when the phone is in standby or users do not run any powerful apps on their phones.

Keep in mind that the same hardware configuration as that of the dual-SIM Galaxy S4 is available for the non-LTE version of the phone, which is available in some countries that do not have 4G network coverage. The latter is known as Samsung Galaxy S4 I9500.

There has been much talk on the hardware capabilities of the octa-core Galaxy S4 and how it fares in comparison with the Qualcomm-based version, but the difference is not that important.

You can check out below some of the most important benchmarks we’ve run on the Samsung Galaxy S4 Duos. You can compare these with those of the Galaxy S4 (GT-I9505), which can be found in our full review.

We noticed it reached around 42 degrees when we ran the most demanding benchmarks. Not something you would like to hold in your hand.

Battery is an important aspect for a dual-SIM handset, because the device handles two signals and needs more juice while in standby. Alas, Samsung included the same 2600 mAh Li-Ion battery, so don’t expect better lifetime than for the rest of Galaxy S4 models available on the market.

"Unfortunately this is not true. It has a very slightly different battery bay from the other S4 models and uses a slightly different shaped battery which also has just three metal contacts rather than 4  on the standard battery. It has also has slightly differently shaped lugs at one end. 

It seems that Samsung has made this slight change to the duos - I don't know why - but it is very very annoying."  (Thank you tipster!)

Using Samsung Galaxy S4 Duos heavily will get you one day of use and nothing more. This means that you’ll have to travel with an extra battery or keep a charger close at hand most of the time. It doesn’t come as a surprise given the fact that it comes with the same battery as the other versions, so there you have it.

Sales Package

Samsung Galaxy S4 Duos handset 2600 mAh Li-Ion Battery Compact Charger Manual Stereo Earphones USB Data Cable