The big new features of the Samsung Galaxy S5 that separate it from the S4 are:
- Improvements in the camera.
- Inclusion of a fingerprint reader.
- Sensor that measures heart rate.
- Water and dust resistance.
- New energy saving mode to optimize your battery to the maximum.
The fingerprint reader, which had been mentioned in rumors prior to the launch, gives Samsung the possibility of competing head to head with this feature of Apple's iPhone 5S. The scanner allows the user to unlock the phone as well as make payments through PayPal.
Meanwhile, the heart rate sensor is built into the back of the phone and, in conjunction with the S Health application, allows the user to track and monitor their pulse by placing their finger on the sensor.
In addition, Samsung made its new flagship smartphone resistant to water and dust. In its original version, the S4 lacked those features, which the company later included in the S4 Active variant of the phone, which it launched in the middle of last year.
Camera
Samsung incorporated in the S5 a 16-megapixel rear camera with improved HDR that films 4K video and a 2-megapixel front camera, an improvement over that of the S4, with a 13-megapixel rear sensor that films 1080p video and a front camera with the same resolution as the S5.
One of the new features of the S5 is that it allows you to take photos and add effects after capturing, regardless of the mode used. Samsung also highlighted that it allows you to focus in 0.3 seconds.
Aesthetics
In terms of aesthetics, the back is the big difference between the S5 and the S4, incorporating a pattern of small holes and a texture that seeks to imitate leather compared to the glossier plastic that the S4 had. However, the overall appearance of the phone is not broadly different from that of the S4. The S5 will also come with new colors: gold, white, black and blue.
Display
The Galaxy S5 did not incorporate a 2K screen as previous rumors had indicated, but rather the same screen as the S4, slightly larger: both are super AMOLED with 1080p resolution, but while the S4's is 5 inches, the S5's is 5.1 inches.
Performance and space storage
The S4 was initially launched with a 1.9GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600, although different variants incorporate different chips. The S5 comes with a 2.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800. As with the S4, Samsung would also launch a version of the S5 with an Exynos Octa Core chip.
Samsung chose not to modify the RAM memory of the S5 compared to the S4: both have 2GB. When it comes to storage space, both phones come with 16GB and 32GB options, although the S5 appears to not have a 64GB variant, which its predecessor did have. However, Samsung's latest phone allows you to expand the space up to 128GB via microSD, while its predecessor reached up to 64GB.
Battery
A fairly important change regarding the battery, the S5 incorporates a more powerful battery than the previous model: 2,800mAh versus 2,600mAh. The latest smartphone from the South Korean company also includes a battery saving mode called Ultra Power Saving Mode, which when activated turns the interface into black and white, while offering 24 hours to make calls and send SMS. The user can choose whether they want other applications to remain on.
Connectivity
Both phones come equipped with support for LTE, NFC, Wi-Fi, although the S5 uses a different standard to the S4 and Bluetooth 4.0. However, the latest smartphone in the Galaxy S family has a feature called Download Booster, which allows you to combine Wi-Fi with LTE to obtain higher download speeds.
Measurements
The S5 is larger and heavier than the S4: while the former measures 142 x 72.5 x 8.1 millimeters, the dimensions of the latter are 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9 millimeters.
Weight
Only 15 grams difference separates them. The new smartphone weighs 145 grams, while its previous version is 130 grams.
Complete features of the S5
- 5.1'' Super Amoled screen (1920 x 1080)
- 2.5GHz Quad Core processor
- Android 4.4.2 operating system KitKat
- Rear and front camera 16 megapixels and 2 megapixels
- Ultra High Definition Video (UHD/4K), video stabilization, HDR
- Wi-Fi connectivity (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac HT80), MIMO (2x2); Bluetooth 4.0; USB 3.0; NFC; and IR Remote
- Accelerometer sensors, gyroscope; proximity; compass; barometer; ambient light; gestures; fingerprints; heart rate
- Memory 2GB of RAM and internal storage of 16GB or 32GB, expandable to 128GB via microSD
- Dimensions 142 x 72.5 x 8.1 mm
- weight 145 grams
- Battery: 2800 mAh; 390 hours in standby
Availability and Price
Although it was anticipated that the Galaxy S5 will be available in the first days of April, its arrival in Argentina is still uncertain. Regarding the price, it is all a mystery at the moment.
Conclusion
Although there are some new features that were somewhat predictable, the change is not much compared to the S4, it seems that Samsung did not put effort into the improvements, the truth is that they could have included a little more performance, increasing the processor and RAM even more.
Regarding aesthetics, it is practically the same, it was rumored possibility of a metal case version, but apparently, Samsung fans will have to continue waiting.
In short, it leaves a bitter taste, since instead of being called Galaxy S5 it should have been called Galaxy S4.5.
So is it really worth buying an S5? Samsung and Apple lately have been instilling excessive consumerism in us. On the one hand, investors who do not want to lose their capital are betting on renewal, but companies offer a new annual version without significant changes. Both Samsung and Apple will have to put a little more effort so that their followers do not feel disappointed between one version and another. What do you think?
