Samsung Galaxy S5 Release Date, Features & Specs: Smartphone Boasts Impressive 16MP Camera, Fingerprint Sensor and More
South Korean tech giant, Samsung Mobile has finally unveiled their new flagship device with improved specs and features at the MWC in Barcelona, Spain.
The S5 has a slightly bigger screen compared to its predecessor at 5.1 inches and has a bigger battery too, notes CNN. The 5.1-inch OLED display still has the same 1080p resolution but with a few more tweaks such as automatic adjustments for indoor and outdoor display settings that taps on saturation and contrast on top of brightness.
The better battery allows "up to 10 hours of web surfing over an LTE cellular connection, or up to 12 hours of video playback," says Time. It also comes with a neat "ultra power saving mode" when only 10% battery is left. The power save mode renders the screen black and white and shuts off unnecessary functions - making the smartphone last for 24 more hours.
Contrary to a previous rumor that Samsung will be making use of another OS, the new Samsung Galaxy S5 runs on Android 4.4.2 Kit Kat which, according to Time, looks "flatter and less overwhelming with a thin, modern font and simple graphic app circles."
On the other hand, the rumor mill hit right on target with the S5's 16MP camera which has 4K video capabilities, and HDR processing, reports The Verge. The Galaxy S5's camera also has a "selective focus" feature, notes Time and "has an incredibly fast shutter capable of snapping photos in 1/3 of a second," remarks CNN.
Another right on prediction is the device's fingerprint scanner, which functions pretty much like rival iPhone's Touch ID technology as an unlock feature. On top of that, Samsung Mobile is reportedly partnering with PayPal to enable online purchases authentication, says The Verge.
Unlike Apple's Touch ID technology, the S5's fingerprint scanner actually requires the user to vertically swipe over the home button. The Verge notes that the smatphone was "very particular about the speed and orientation of the swiping motion used," making the feature difficult to put to use when using only one hand.
Samsung Mobile has also tossed in fitness features and dust and water-proofing on their flagship device. The company has integrated an updated S Health app complete with new heart-rate sensor on its dimpled plastic back.
As for proofing, the S5 is "completely protected against dust, and can resist water up to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes," CNN says. In fact, the device's charging port now comes with a cover for the IP67 water and dust proofing rating.
The Samsung Galaxy S5 will be available April 11 in 150 countries but no price has been released just yet. Buyers can choose from four different colors - black, white, blue, and gold, says The Verge.