The clothes don't make the man. The Galaxy S4 is a FULL update.

I don't understand how people call the S4 a "minor" update. What more did you wan't from it? They improved the display, processor, ram, camera, software, and the weight/thickness, all in major ways.

What would it take for the Verge to acknowledge this as a "full" update? Does it need to look different? Does it need to have angular corners?

A good update does NOT necessitate a new physical design. Ask Apple.

This is just as much an update as the HTC One, Xperia Z, G Pro, or anything else we'll see this year.

I wanted a new design too, but think about what you're saying. This thing is the whole nine.