The five different Galaxy S4s: Which one's for you?

There are now five smartphones bearing Samsung's Galaxy S4 name, but they're all a little different. Here's how to tell them apart.

Careful! They may look alike, but not all Samsung Galaxy S4 phones are like the other.

Samsung wasted very little time after sending its Samsung Galaxy S4 into the wild to breed a whole line of variants.

Now, there are no fewer than five Galaxy S4 models vying for your time and attention, and they're rather tough to tell apart.

Take the Galaxy S4 Google Edition, for instance, a model that's almost identical to the GS4 original -- oh, except for its entire experience and price. Then there are the Galaxy S4 Mini, Samsung Galaxy S4 Active, and Galaxy S4 Zoom. What's a Samsung fan to do?

Don't worry, that's what charts are for. I stack up the specs below, then roll through some of the key differences that could help you make up your mind.

In many cases, absent pricing and availability details mean I can't offer final buying advice. Stay tuned, though; I'll update this as details emerge.

Samsung Galaxy S4

The original Galaxy S4 dropped this summer, bringing with it an impressive 13-megapixel camera and a veritable arsenal of software addenda, a few of which you may actually use.

The handset isn't terribly fancy-looking, but it's easy on the eye and has a rounded-out feature set that's hard for competitors to beat.

It's a pricey one, especially off-contract, but as Samsung's global flagship phone, it's available nearly everywhere.

If you're planning to buy a Samsung phone in the near term, this one's the default choice. Read the full Galaxy S4 review.

Samsung Galaxy S4, Google Edition

Available June 26 for $649 from AT&T, T-Mobile, and Google's online Play Store, this version of the handset keeps all of the GS4's hardware specs and instead swaps out the software. T-Mobile may offer the phone for a smaller down payment and monthly installments thereafter.

Instead of running Samsung's Touch Wiz interface, the Google Edition uses Android's stock Nexus experience. That means no bloatware in the pre-installed apps; clean, "pure Google" visuals, and a bootloader that's already unlocked for you. As an added bonus, it'll get Android OS updates faster than non-Nexus phones.

Aimed squarely at developers, prospective buyers should keep in mind that they'll lose out on the extra features built into Touch Wiz. However, many of Samsung's pre-installed apps are also available from the Google Play store.

Get this version if you're a developer, you heavily customize Android, or you strongly dislike Touch Wiz. It also helps if you don't mind paying the full phone price up-front.

Read up on the Galaxy S4 Google Edition.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini

More compact, but also with leaner specs, the S4 Mini follows a precedent set by last year's S3 Mini to sells a less expensive version of the flagship phone in specific markets.

Not knowing what that pricing is or where it sells makes it hard to assess this model's overall value. If a lower price is more important than cutting-edge features, then wait to see how the numbers shake out. Don't worry; the Mini's midrange feature set is still quite strong.

Learn more about the Galaxy S4 Mini.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Active

Outdoor enthusiasts, klutzes, and people who work or live in more rugged environments should keep an eye on Samsung's Galaxy S4 Active.

This variant is dustproof and waterproof for up to 30 minutes. It's so hydrophilic, in fact, that Samsung has given the phone's 8-megapixel camera its own aqua mode for snapping underwater scenes.

The camera resolution and sturdier body are about the phone's only major changes compared to the original S4, so you'll be getting top specs along with mastery of the elements.

AT&T has teased the phone for its U.S. network, but also look for it to arrive elsewhere around the world. Hold out for pricing and availability information if a tougher phone appeals to you. It's a fairly unique offering.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom

Still a little more camera than smartphone, Samsung's new version of its Galaxy Camera reshapes the 16-megapixel zoom lens into a flatter form that's all compact camera on one side and all Galaxy S4 on the other.

Last year's model took great photos for a smartphone, but not necessarily for a pocket camera. As such, it'll appeal to a more limited set. Apart from the advanced camera action, the Zoom's specs take a step down from the Galaxy S4, but they're still plenty rich for many folks.

I don't know pricing yet, but expect the Galaxy S4 Zoom to cost a pretty penny above the Galaxy S4. After all, that larger sensor and 10x zoom components won't come to Samsung cheap.

Galaxy S4 Zoom

Samsung Galaxy S3 still a contender

If all these Galaxy S4 spin-offs weren't confusing enough, there's also the Galaxy S3. Last year's model still has a lot of life left in it, and prices are now lower than ever. CNET's Maggie Reardon offers some compelling reasons why you might want to buy the Galaxy S3 instead.

Samsung's Galaxy S4, left, and HTC One square off.

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)

And what about HTC?

Then there's the sleek and oh-so-stylish HTC One, which beats the pants off the Galaxy S4 when it comes to its tuxedo good looks and audio quality. Here's a full punch-out between the HTC One and original Galaxy S4 that will hopefully help you decide between the two if you're torn.

Pick your poison

Do you have a Samsung Galaxy S4 phone, or are you thinking of getting one? Which appeals to you most? Have your say in the comments below.