Last week we heard that if you buy the 16GB version of Samsung’s Galaxy S4 smartphone, you would only be able to use around 8GB of actual storage on the device, as the rest is taken up by the OS and installed applications.
A number of owners of the Samsung Galaxy S4 were less than pleased about this, and now Samsung has commented on the issue and tried to explain why so much of the device’s storage is used up.
In a statement sent to CNET, Samsung says, “For the Galaxy S4 16GB model, approximately 6.85GB occupies [the] system part of internal memory, which is 1GB bigger than that of the Galaxy S3, in order to provide [a] high resolution display and more powerful features to our consumers.”
Understanding Storage Allocation
The issue of storage allocation is not unique to the Samsung Galaxy S4. Most smartphones, regardless of the manufacturer, come with a certain amount of pre-installed software and operating system files that take up a significant portion of the advertised storage. For example, Apple’s iPhones also have a considerable amount of storage occupied by iOS and pre-installed apps. However, what makes the Galaxy S4 stand out is the sheer volume of storage consumed by these pre-installed elements.
Samsung’s explanation highlights that the increased storage usage is due to the high-resolution display and enhanced features. The Galaxy S4 boasts a 1080p Super AMOLED display, which requires more system resources and storage space to function optimally. Additionally, the device comes with a plethora of features such as Air Gesture, Smart Scroll, and a variety of camera modes, all of which contribute to the increased storage usage.
Consumer Reactions and Alternatives
The reaction from consumers has been mixed. While some understand the necessity of having a portion of the storage occupied by the system and pre-installed apps, others feel misled by the advertised storage capacity. This has led to discussions about whether manufacturers should be more transparent about the actual usable storage available on their devices.
One potential solution for consumers facing storage issues is to utilize external storage options. The Galaxy S4 supports microSD cards, allowing users to expand their storage by up to 64GB. This can be particularly useful for storing photos, videos, and other media files, freeing up the internal storage for apps and system files.
Another alternative is to use cloud storage services. Samsung offers its own cloud storage solution, and there are numerous third-party options such as Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive. These services allow users to store files online and access them from any device, reducing the need for extensive local storage.
Moreover, some users opt to root their devices to remove bloatware and free up additional storage. However, this process can void the warranty and potentially harm the device if not done correctly. Therefore, it is generally recommended for advanced users who are comfortable with the risks involved.
What do you guys think? This is standard practice with smartphones, where a device is advertised as having 16GB of built-in storage, but the actual amount you can use yourself is less. Although this is probably one of the first devices that uses almost half of the handset’s storage, it raises important questions about transparency and consumer expectations.
In conclusion, while the storage issue with the Galaxy S4 has caused some frustration among users, it also highlights the need for better communication from manufacturers about the actual usable storage on their devices. By understanding the reasons behind the storage allocation and exploring alternative storage solutions, consumers can make more informed decisions and better manage their device’s storage.
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