Android By Ryan Whitwam Apr. 8, 2014 12:16 pm
The Samsung Galaxy S5 is one of the most anticipated devices of the year, and now the reviews are in. For the last several years, Samsung’s Galaxy line has become increasingly synonymous with Android. People are loyal to this brand in a way only Apple could claim before, and it looks like the Korean company isn’t going to disappoint its fans this time around. The Galaxy S5 is getting very positive reviews, and has even improved in a number of surprising areas.
The build quality is something on which almost everyone agrees — Samsung was smart to make the Galaxy S5 water and dust resistant (IP67), but it doesn’t quite make up for the cheap plastic feel. It doesn’t beat the competition in this department, but it’s an improvement for Samsung devices. According to Anandtech, “Overall, while the Galaxy S5 isn’t as nice in the hand as the HTC One (M8), it’s certainly not as bad as the Galaxy S4 or S3.” Being soft-touch is a good thing for comfort, but the dimple pattern is questionable at best.
The verdict on Samsung’s heart rate monitor is also quite consistent — it’s a gimmick that most people won’t get much use out of. The fingerprint scanner is a little more useful, but it’s very finicky. Pocket Lint’s review says the fingerprint reader is only comfortable to use if you hold the phone with two hands.
The back might not be everyone’s favorite, but the camera could make you forget that. HTC has stuck with a 4MP Ultrapixel sensor in the M8, but Samsung went the more traditional route and bumped the GS5 camera up to 16MP. PCMag’s review points out the Galaxy S5′s live HDR mode is excellent, and it can’t be beaten in crispness when taking shots outdoors. Anandtech also reports great success with the camera compared to other top Android devices.
Samsung’s 5.1-inch 1080p Super AMOLED screen gets high points all around as well. CNET says*in its review that the screen is vibrant and extremely crisp. Anandtech’s more exhaustive review indicates Samsung has solved many of the issues with AMOLED, like high power drain and low brightness. The Galaxy S5′s display offers the benefits of AMOLED without as many drawbacks.
Performance is also not an issue with the Snapdragon 801, which has notable efficiency upgrades from even the Snapdragon 800 powering many other flagship phones. Combined with the removable 2800mAh battery, the Galaxy S5 kept chugging along for a full day (and then some) in all the reviews.
The Galaxy S5 ships with Android 4.4.2 and Samsung’s TouchWiz interface. This Android skin used to elicit little more than annoyance and derision from reviewers, but this time it’s showing real improvement. It gets high marks for being more consistent and flatter. It’s not as elegant as HTC Sense, but it’s a marked improvement. There are also fewer wacky features front and center with the Galaxy S5. “Samsung shows a new discipline that sets this phone apart from the Galaxy S4,” according to Time.
Features like Download Booster and Ultra Power Saving Mode seem to live up to Samsung’s claims as well. In fact, the company might have even undersold how efficient its new power saving mode is.
Samsung’s Galaxy S5 is not a drastic departure from its predecessor, but the company has refined an already winning formula. It caters to the Galaxy fans, while being increasingly appealing to everyone else. It lacks the refined exterior of the HTC One M8, but IP67 certification and a killer camera might be enough make the skeptics forget that.
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The build quality is something on which almost everyone agrees — Samsung was smart to make the Galaxy S5 water and dust resistant (IP67), but it doesn’t quite make up for the cheap plastic feel. It doesn’t beat the competition in this department, but it’s an improvement for Samsung devices. According to Anandtech, “Overall, while the Galaxy S5 isn’t as nice in the hand as the HTC One (M8), it’s certainly not as bad as the Galaxy S4 or S3.” Being soft-touch is a good thing for comfort, but the dimple pattern is questionable at best.
The verdict on Samsung’s heart rate monitor is also quite consistent — it’s a gimmick that most people won’t get much use out of. The fingerprint scanner is a little more useful, but it’s very finicky. Pocket Lint’s review says the fingerprint reader is only comfortable to use if you hold the phone with two hands.
The back might not be everyone’s favorite, but the camera could make you forget that. HTC has stuck with a 4MP Ultrapixel sensor in the M8, but Samsung went the more traditional route and bumped the GS5 camera up to 16MP. PCMag’s review points out the Galaxy S5′s live HDR mode is excellent, and it can’t be beaten in crispness when taking shots outdoors. Anandtech also reports great success with the camera compared to other top Android devices.
Samsung’s 5.1-inch 1080p Super AMOLED screen gets high points all around as well. CNET says*in its review that the screen is vibrant and extremely crisp. Anandtech’s more exhaustive review indicates Samsung has solved many of the issues with AMOLED, like high power drain and low brightness. The Galaxy S5′s display offers the benefits of AMOLED without as many drawbacks.
Performance is also not an issue with the Snapdragon 801, which has notable efficiency upgrades from even the Snapdragon 800 powering many other flagship phones. Combined with the removable 2800mAh battery, the Galaxy S5 kept chugging along for a full day (and then some) in all the reviews.
The Galaxy S5 ships with Android 4.4.2 and Samsung’s TouchWiz interface. This Android skin used to elicit little more than annoyance and derision from reviewers, but this time it’s showing real improvement. It gets high marks for being more consistent and flatter. It’s not as elegant as HTC Sense, but it’s a marked improvement. There are also fewer wacky features front and center with the Galaxy S5. “Samsung shows a new discipline that sets this phone apart from the Galaxy S4,” according to Time.
Features like Download Booster and Ultra Power Saving Mode seem to live up to Samsung’s claims as well. In fact, the company might have even undersold how efficient its new power saving mode is.
Samsung’s Galaxy S5 is not a drastic departure from its predecessor, but the company has refined an already winning formula. It caters to the Galaxy fans, while being increasingly appealing to everyone else. It lacks the refined exterior of the HTC One M8, but IP67 certification and a killer camera might be enough make the skeptics forget that.
More...
