For world travellers with a need for LTE speed, Samsung’s newest version of the Galaxy S4 might be the answer to your jet-setting prayers. When they arrive, the updated Galaxy S4 and S4 Mini will be the world’s first handsets to automatically switch between the two different types of LTE networks used worldwide.
While FDD-LTE is the standard in most of the world, TDD-LTE is becoming more popular in countries around the world.
While ZTE introduced the first dual-mode LTE phone in China in late 2012, that handset required a not-so-seamless reboot to switch networks. Samsung claims its dual-mode S4 will allow continuous voice or data coverage even during format switchover. So globetrotters used to juggling a carry on full of burner phones or switching out SIM cards can spend that time doing more important things. Like playing Candy Crunch Saga.
Optus will be the first carrier in Australia to carry the new dual-mode Samsung Galaxy S4 from September, adding in a press release that it has also been testing the Galaxy S4 mini on its network, fuelling speculation that the phone is lining up for a release soon.