With the introduction a new range of S4-linked devices to Samsung's lineup, consumers are likely to get lost. However, this isn't as bad as it sounds. For one, the chaebol is leveraging on its positive S4 branding, which may help it sell a lot more phones than it otherwise would.

More importantly, it shows that the electronics giant is capable of sticking to the same design aesthetics for its products. This come with the risk of everything looking too similar, which can be a problem. We wonder if Samsung employees themselves have trouble identifying the handsets without close examination if they were all placed together.

The launch of yesterday's S4 Zoom means Samsung now has five S4 handsets. Here's a quick cheat sheet showing the key differences of between them.

Phone	S4/Google Edition	S4 Active	S4 Mini	S4 Zoom
Display	5-inch full-HD (Super AMOLED)	5-inch full-HD (TFT)	4.3-inch qHD (Super AMOLED)	4.3-inch qHD (Super AMOLED)
Camera	13-megapixels	8-megapixels	8-megapixels	16-megapixels
Processor	1.9GHz quad-core	1.9GHz quad-core	1.7GHz dual-core	1.5GHz dual-core
Internal storage	16GB	16GB	8GB	8GB
RAM	2GB	2GB	1.5GB	1.5GB
Battery	2,600mAh	2,600mAh	1,900mAh	2,330mAh

Samsung Galaxy S4

(Credit: Samsung)

The flagship smartphone comes with all the bells and whistles expected of Samsung's top handset. We mentioned in our review that there are likely some software features you'll probably never use, but the hardware and build of the handset is top notch, despite its plastic chassis.

If you must get Samsung's best, the S4 (available now) is really the smartphone of choice. But those seeking alternatives should look below.

Key features: It's the top end handset from Samsung, and you get all the software features Samsung has developed inside this handset.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Active

(Credit: Samsung)

Announced for a Q3 launch, the S4 Active seems aimed at those who lead sporty lifestyles (or really clumsy people). It's water- and dust-resistant, though not drop-proof. For those worried about accidental dunks, the phone can be submerged to a depth of one meter for up to 30 minutes.

Specs-wise, it's pretty similar to the S4, such as a quad-core 1.9GHz processor, but uses a TFT panel (rather than AMOLED) for its 5-inch full-HD display, and comes with an 8-megapixel shooter with software enhancements for taking better pictures underwater.

Key features: You never have to worry about getting your phone waterlogged, and you get almost all of the benefits of Samsung's flagship S4.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Edition

(Credit: Google)

Available only in the US and meant really for developers, the S4 Google Edition uses the same hardware as the original S4, but runs stock Android instead of Samsung's TouchWiz. This means OS updates will come much faster, but you lose out on the software enhancements that Samsung has put into its TouchWiz UI.

Key features: Fast Android updates.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini

(Credit: Samsung)

Like the S3 Mini, the smaller version of the S4 is meant for markets in Asia and Europe. It is expected to debut at a much more affordable price and features a 4.3-inch display and packs a 1.7GHz dual-core processor instead.

Other downsized features include an 8-megapixel camera instead of the S4's 13 as well as a smaller 1,900mAh battery. It ships with Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) and may come with LTE depending on the market.

Key features: You'll get the S4 design in a compact form factor at a cheaper price.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom

(Credit: Samsung)

Remember last year's Samsung Galaxy Camera? it's now back in the form of the S4 Zoom--and this time, it can make phone calls. The LTE-capable S4 Zoom comes with 16-megapixel shooter with 10x optical zoom and built-in optical image stabilization (OIS), and runs on Android 4.2.

A dual-core processor clocked at 1.5GHz powers the Zoom, and you'll be able to view the shots you've taken with the 'phomera' on its 4.3-inch screen. Due in Q3, the phone isn't likely to be cheap, and we expect components such as the 10x optics and sensor will bump up the cost.

Key features: The 10x optical zoom and larger sensor should let you take much better pictures compared with normal smartphones. And you can make phone calls on this camera, too.

                                                                                            Via: Cnet

So Google didn't announce the follow up of the Nexus 4, which many were expecting to see at the Google I/O event. No Nexus 5 then although one might wonder whether the special edition Galaxy S4 that Hugo Barra announced was not just that.

The very reason, one might posit, as to why the Nexus range was originally unveiled by Google was to make sure that its partners produce competitive hardware of the highest quality. The Nexus One was one of these, followed by the Nexus S, the Galaxy Nexus and the Nexus 4.

Once these conditions are met, there shouldn't be any more impetus for having a dedicated smartphone bearing the Nexus moniker. The Galaxy S4, it seems, hit the right spot as Barra went on record saying "Google's take on Android - and it feels really awesome on the Galaxy S4".

There's also the fact that Samsung's newest top of the range smartphone has a 5in display diagonal, which makes it the ideal candidate for the Nexus moniker.

In the end though, the Nexus spirit hinges primarily on the fact that the OS should be as unbridled as possible. Which is ironic given that Samsung's been betting very heavily on differentiating itself from its rivals through software USPs (Smart Stay, TouchWiz, S Health, AirView, Knox etc).

Samsung will unlikely change its marketing strategy even if the Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Edition becomes a massive commercial hit as it would serve its rivals more than itself.

Google has announced that it will be selling its own version of the Samsung Galaxy S4, the latest Android handset from the Korean giant. 

We've seen the Samsung Galaxy S4, reviewed it, and loved it. It might not offer the design of the HTC One, or be leaps and bounds ahead of the Samsung Galaxy S3 in tech specs, but there's a lot to love about this handset.

With Google making the announcement on stage at Google I/O 2013, it leaves us wondering exactly what the differences between them will be.

1. No TouchWiz

This is the biggest difference: the Samsung Galaxy S4 comes with Samsung's user interface layered over the top. It changes just about everything visually, as well as bringing a huge range of features to the device. The SGS4 Google Edition dumps the lot, landing with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean.

That means everything will look like Android, behave like Android, just as Google intended. S Beam will become straight Beam, there will be no S Voice, no smart stay or smart scroll, no S Health. It will be clean and unfettered.

2. Updates

Samsung isn't the worst when it comes to pushing out updates, but Google has said that the Samsung Galaxy S4 oogle Edition will get timely updates, just like the Google Nexus devices. That means that when there's a new version or feature in Android, like Android 4.3 or the rumoured next interation Key Lime Pie, you'll be able to get it, without waiting for Samsung as you will with the regular SGS4.

3. Storage

The Samsung Galaxy S4 has been criticised because, although the internal memory is 16GB, you get only 9GB to actually use. Yes, Samsung's software eats a huge chunk. With the Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Edition ditching the software, you'll probably get more like 13GB to use. 

Of course, the regular SGS4 comes with options for 32 or 64GB as well, which you'll not get here. However - and this is a significant point - like the conventional version the SGS4 Google Edition will let you expand the memory via microSD, something that Google's own Nexus 4 won't let you do. The SGS4 GE will likely be the pure Android storage king.

4. Price

The Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Edition will be available through Google Play for $649 (£425) unlocked on 26 June, so will work on all networks. The Samsung Galaxy S4 unlocked will cost you anywhere up to around $800. The Nexus 4, on the other hand, costs $349, so there's a substantial difference in pricing.

Unfortunately, there has been no word on pricing or availability outside of the US at the moment, but we hope to see it for sale in the UK too. In the meantime UK users could use a service like Bundlebox to have it shipped to a US address before being sent on to them in the UK. You will have to pay import taxes and courier costs on top of the $649 price tag. 

So which should I get?

Obviously, although the SGS4 and the SGS4 Google Edition offer the same hardware and design, they do each come with a radically different software experience. We can't help feeling that given how good the experience is with the Nexus 4, the SGS4 Google Edition will be a fantastic Android device, bringing you plenty of power, svelte design, a high-resolution display and hopefully a camera experience that's worth getting excited about.

But the other consideration is cost. You won't be getting subsidies or rebates on the Google Edition; you'll have to pay the price upfront. Although the SGS4 Google Edition will offer you a lot of smartphone, it's almost double the price of the current Nexus 4 model that Google offers.

Bad news for Brits -- Google's raw-Android version of the Samsung Galaxy S4 is launching only in the US.

Other nations will have to watch from the sidelines it seems, as Google has told CNET that the Google Edition version of the S4, which made its grand debut at Google's I/O conference last night, will be US-only at launch.

The freshly unveiled variant looks identical to the normal Galaxy S4, and has the same high-end hardware, including a 5-inch 1080p display and a quad-core processor.

Switch it on though, and you'll see the difference. The S4 is running 'stock', or 'vanilla' Android -- a pure distillation of Google's operating system, free of Samsung's extra features and TouchWiz interface tweaks.

That means you miss out on the shed-load of bespoke apps that Samsung has created for the S4, but also clears away a lot of clutter, and will bring the phone to the front of the queue when new versions of Android are released.

One thing we're still not clear on is the name. The moniker, 'Google Edition' was tied to an earlier rumour, but Google hasn't divulged exactly what it will be calling its newest toy.

Though it's staying tight-lipped, I suspect Google may eventually bring the stock-Android S4 to the UK and other countries, but for now there's no word. Maybe it's possible that Google will release the pure Android software as an easy-to-apply download for S4 owners outside the US, or perhaps the LTE radios inside the S4 mean it's trickier than you think to give it a global release.

Brits frustrated at the news could find solace in the arms of the Nexus 4, a powerful own-brand mobile that costs only £239.

Are you gutted not to be getting the Nexus-esque S4? Or would you rather snuggle up with the Nexus 4? Let me know in the comments..

At the Google I/O 2013 conference that debuted on May 15th, the Mountain View-based company made an announcement that will please the fans of the Vanilla Android experience. The Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Edition release date will be June 26th, a variant of the popular flagship of the South Korea-based company that is running stock Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 will be available in Google Play Store at a price of $649, and, just like the terminals of the Nexus family, it will be in the first wave of devices that receive the latest Android updates. I am fully confident that a lot of users will show interest in the device, even though it has a quite expensive price. The Samsung Galaxy S4 sold by Google will have 16 GB of internal storage and 4G LTE modem compatible with AT&T and T-Mobile networks. As I was mentioning before, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Edition release date is June 26.

Why is Google’s offer so attractive? I’m glad you’ve asked. Samsung Galaxy S4 is a highly appreciated smartphone, both in terms of performance and technical specifications. Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Edition comes with a powerful chipset (most likely the Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 with four Krait 300 cores at 1.9 GHz and Adreno 320 GPU since it is compatible with the AT&T and T-Mobile LTE bands), a 5-inch full HD display and an impressive 13 megapixel camera sensor  mounted on the back.

Unfortunately, many of the customers that already purchased the Samsung Galaxy S4 with Nature UX have complained about the multitude of apps that come pre-installed on it. Some of them might be useful in some cases, but not all of them can be unistalled and they are occupying quite a lot of internal storage.

A clean version of Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean will probably be more appreciated than TouchWiz Nature UX, despite the fact that the apps and features developed by Samsung for the Galaxy S4 will not be available. Google will sell the smartphone with an unlocked bootloader, which is good news for those who want to stick their noses in the advanced functions of the operating system.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Edition specs list also includes 2 GB of RAM, all standards of WiFi, microSD card slot, NFC chip, 4G LTE, IR blaster, 3.5 mm audio jack, Bluetooth 4.0, and microUSB 2.0.

What would you choose: the original SGS4 or the Galaxy S4 Google Edition? We are waiting for your comments and answers in the special section below.