Days before the Galaxy S4's actual release date, Samsung published a diagram for users to discover rich features of its new flagship.

Most of these features are not instantly apparent but through intensive tinkering, GS4 users should further discover that Samsung is pushing out a premium handset - both in form and functions.

So by the time you snap up your shiny new GS3, make sure you check out these powerful features that likely will make your gadget like more exciting and a little easier.

Gyro Sensor and Accelerometer

Not exactly new as everyone knows this technology enables mobile phones to detect movements and adjust handset orientation in the process. Samsung, however, spiced up this seemingly negligible function by packaging it with S-Health and Walking Mate - the company's attempt to convince consumers that gadget life can also contribute to a healthy lifestyle.

Finger hovering

Galaxy Note 2 owners are familiar with this serving, which was originally designed for optimal collaboration with the S-Pen. Now, the feature can also be enjoyed via the GS4 and obviously without the need for a stylus. It is activated by measuring electric current then adjusts on the proximity of a user's hand to the phone screen.

Barometer

The GS4 also doubles as a reliable gauge that sends helpful data on atmospheric pressure on a given location.

RGB Light Sensor

Know that the GS4 not only pampers with the Full HD Super AMOLED screen display technology but also smartly predicts the appropriate viewing ambiance depending on the current light source. This sensor detects light intensity based on the red, green blue and white determinants.

Face recognition

This was first deployed as a security feature that allows Galaxy devices to recognise users' face to bypass security lock codes. Now, Samsung has figured out a more exciting application for the extra-sensitive camera sensor chip installed on every GS4. With this capability, users can watch video clips and never miss a scene as the playback pauses when their eyes are out of the camera sight. Conversely, the clip resumes rolling once the watcher gazes back.

The technology also serves the Smart Scroll, which allows hands-free scrolling of documents on the phone screen.

Infrared sensor

Again, Samsung thought it wise to revamp a 'dead technology'. Using infrared, the GS4 is able to detect gesture or hand movements that enable users to manipulate the handset without touching it. Also, the same infrared also determines the distance of an owner from his mobile phone through a feature called Proximity sensor.

Geomagnetic sensor

The GS4 is a useful gadget both indoors and outdoors. If users will ever need a digital compass, they can pull out the new Samsung smartphone, which indeed is smart enough to detect magnetic field intensity based on three axes.

Temperature and humidity sensor

The Samsung flagship is also a handy partner when one needs to know if mercury is rising in alarming levels, which could prevent the onset of heatstroke in the middle of a deadly heatwave.

Powerful chips

And making sure that all these sensors will behave in the manner that they were designed is the CPU that Samsung deploys with the GS4. We know that we will have a muscle-phone with a choice of a Snapdragon 600 and the Exynos Octa 5. But according to SamMobile, the latter easily smokes the former by garnering an impressive 28018 points on the popular AnTuTu benchmark test. That proves that the GS4 now sports the fastest chips installed on a mobile gadget to date.

By the way, Samsung has assured that these features are indeed premium in nature but not necessarily power-hungry.

"The Galaxy S4 has a Micro Controller Unit (MCU) that activates the Application Processor (AP) only when needed and makes it possible to control the sensors without activating AP. As a result, the power consumption of GALAXY S4 is optimized, letting you enjoy these features longer," Android Times reported the tech giant as saying.