Prior to its release date, the Galaxy S4, according to Samsung, will deliver the same across the board experience regardless if the unit is powered by an 8-core Exynos chip or the Snapdragon kind.

Samsung is deploying its fresh flagship in four flavours but the major push seems focus on the units that bears the model number GT-I9505. This is the same make that most markets will get, which includes the United States, the United Kingdom and most likely Australia.

The unit is fuelled by the Qualcomm-made chip that flexes its muscle at a top-speed of 1.9GHz, dizzying enough for the average user.

In specific destinations, however, Samsung will diffuse three more GS4 types namely the GT-I9500, the GT-I9502 and SHV-E300. The first two's common denominator is they rely on an Exynos horsepower that steams along at a maximum speed of 1.6GHz. The latter is also Exynos but with a bit faster clock time, spinning at 1.8GHz.

Note that the GT-I9500 is the GS4's international version, meaning most of the markets not mentioned above will experience its might, reputed to hit it high in the AnTuTu benchmark standard plus the ability to access breakneck LTE networks in about 20 regions around the world, courtesy of the inclusive Exynos 5410 LTE radio chip.

The GT-I9502, on the other hand, is essentially a twin of the GT-I9500 with a slight distinction. It is dual-SIM capable, according to Samsung, and is initially geared only for the vast China market, where the feature is hugely popular.

The last class, the SHV-E300, is Korea exclusive, meaning GS4 fans outside of the Samsung homebase can only get the unit if they make trip up the northeast Asian nation.

Yet before doing so, Engadget said in a recent review that the SHV-E300 is configured for optimal function only in Asia. The same is true with the GT-I9500 and the GT-I9502, which leaves most users to the Snapdragon-laced GT-I9505.

The question now begs: Are GS4 users confined for now to GT-I9505 missing a lot in terms of richer smartphone experience?

In the same review, Engadget practically echoed Samsung's take on the matter.

"The 5410's eight processing cores are set up in ARM's trademarked big.LITTLE architecture style: it has four energy-efficient Cortex-A7 cores for lighter tasks, along with four high-performance Cortex-A15 cores that are designed to kick in for duties that require more processing power," the review explained.

There is no particular moment that an Exynos-powered GS4 will employ all eight cores at the same time because the chip is not designed to behave that way. In effect, the GS4 is a quad-core device in function whether it is on Exynos or Snapdragon.

"The Octa-core GS4 isn't significantly faster or better than its Snapdragon sibling ... It offers a small advantage in overall processor performance, but the difference isn't as obvious as we thought it would be," Engadget concluded.

In the end, all GS4 buyers will get the same deal, which comprises of a 5-inch Super AMOLED display screen, a GB of RAM, a 13MP main snapper, a powerful battery at 2600mAh and Jelly Bean 4.2.2.

Experts, however, suggest going for the 32GB model and up as the 16GB config leaves little room for apps installation. Remember that the microSD card only accepts media and other files. Google has long banished (through the introduction of Jelly Bean) the ability to install apps on expansion cards and has no intention for a rewind.