Review: Samsung Galaxy S5

Design/Build

I'll admit it, I was wrong. I saw the metal trim & pleather-looking plastic on the Note 3 and thought Samsung would go a bit more premium on their next Galaxy. They did on the durability side of things but still plastic. Which is fine. Just curious to see what a high-end, non-plastic Galaxy would look like. Alas, the rear cover w/ the dimples everyone made fun calling it a bandage feels a lot better than it looks. It helps w/ the grip and feels comfortable to hold for long periods of time. For next device, I hope for the Note 4 Samsung put the speaker in a better place instead of behind you. As well as placing the heart rate sensor in a better place - like where the speaker currently is.

"Just curious to see what a high-end, non-plastic Galaxy would look like."

The 5th-generation Galaxy has a IP67 rating with it. Being IP67-rated meaning it can withstand being submerged just over 3ft of water for up to 30 minutes. Make sure the back cover and the USB ports are completely closed as it has seals to ensure its protection. You never know when you could be out somewhere and someone accidentally spills something on it. Mind you its water resistant NOT waterproof. The difference is that you can't just hangout underwater w/ it for like an hour and expect it to work. Based on the many tests on the Internet it does still work but if your GS5 goes to crap, Samsung isn't responsible. So there's your warning.

Performance/Battery Life

Powered by a 2.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon 801 CPU coupled w/ 2GB of RAM, the GS5 is armed w/ the last, fastest, & greatest from Qualcomm. Its better equipped to tackle everything you can throw at it - but struggles a bit at times. This is thanks to the TouchWiz UX NOT the CPU. You also have 16GB of internal storage on-board as TouchWiz takes up about half of that and shows its virtual weight when using the S5 at times. On the upside, this support microSD card support up to 128GB. So there's that.

When removing the rear cover w/ water-resistant seal, you expose the 2800 mAh battery. This is where the CPU doesn't come across any software hiccups and handle battery consumption quite well. Without utilizing their Ultra Power Saving mode I was able to get 1 day +14 hours on a single charge. Using the Ultra Power Saving mode I was able to get even more w/ 2 days + 10 hours. This testing ranges form heavy to moderate usage throughout the course of several days. If you didn't get the memo, Android problems is officially over thanks to Qualcomm.

Cameras

The 2014 edition Galaxy sports a 16MP ISOCELL lens capable of 1080p HD + 4K or UHD video as well. This ain't the GS4's 13MP shooter. It's actually a bit better in some places, worse in other places - performance-wise. 2.1MP front-facing is more of the same old same old. Perfectly grainy for video chats + selfies. HTC has spoiled us w/ their 5MP shooter on the front. We covered the performance of the 16MP camera in our camera test.

GALAXY S5 CAMERA TEST

"Refocusing is definitely the trend of the year."

On the software side of the camera, you have plenty of features + modes to choose from ISO adjustment, exposure value. remote viewfinder, effects, and change picture size while keeping a 16:9 aspect ratio. What's new w/ the software is Selective Focus which allows you to refocus after you take the photo. It works but not as well you would like it to. Refocusing is definitely the trend of the year. The autofocus is lightning-fast as long as you have a great light source. Samsung provides you w/ an abundance of features but no standout feature.

Fingerprint Scanner

Doubling as the Home button also lies a fingerprint scanner. Sigh. It's not terrible, I just don't want to use it. Let me explain. It works but it doesn't feel as natural as I'd like it to be. I say this as the Home button ins';t flush w/ the body and it protrudes out a little bit. Since the scanner requires you to swipe instead of lay your finger on it. I prefer Apple's Touch ID. Other manufacturers that have tried all need to stop until they get better at it.

Heart Rate Sensor

On the right of the single LED flash lies the built-in heart rate sensor. The sensor works hand-in-hand w/ the all new 3.0 version of the S Health app. It works w/ the new line of Gear smartwatches to read your hear rate a lot better than on the phone. Despite the terrible location, it works as well as heart sensor on a smartphone could work. I'm not sure exactly how accurate it is or is it just within a ballpark figure. Since its using your finger, I'm thinking the latter. Anyone seriously looking to get accurate measurement should look into Polar devices for a more accurate reading.

S Health 3.0

Unlike last year's version of the app, v3.0 is actually a great , complete app. It has a host apps you cost use to monitor many aspects of your health. Like the pedometer, exercise, heart rate (of course), food/caloric intake, a built-in coach, & weight monitor.

The Pedometer other than the heart rate monitor are of the better features as it is harder to cheat this time around. Meaning you truly have to earn every step. I love the addition to adding your own music to the Exercise portion of S Health to better motivate you to achieve your goals. The rest of the features require a manual input which the app falls a bit short. More sensors would have come in handy to monitor.

My Magazine from the Note 3 is present as it is Samsung's slightly customized version of Flipboard. Aiming to be their version of BlinkFeed more or less. While it looks better than HTC version, I just don't see many people using it. This is an example of Samsung doing too much at this point.

Multi Window, Air View, Gesture/Motions, Easy mode, remote control, and all of the other S stuff (Voice, Finder, Translator,etc.) are all back. But there is one new feature that I just love: the Toolbox. Its a floating, transparent circle that allows you choose between 5 apps as an 'always there' shortcut menu. The Toolbox is on every screen except for the camera app and can be moved in case its in the way. Me not being a fan of many homescreens on Android, I think Toolbox is well executed extra - for those who would use it.

With the new look and even more additions, you will either further enjoy it or like some/hate some stuff about it. Regardless, it is a step in the right direction.

The Galaxy S5 is upgrade worthy for anyone with a GS3. It may not be as much for anyone with last year's model.

TG 2 Cents

The Galaxy S5 is another great device from Samsung that's provides you w/ a lot of options (too many for some) you may not even use. But that's been their motto for the past few years now. In my opinion, they could have waited on the fingerprint scanner + heart rate monitor. The fingerprint reader needs work and the heart rate sensor needs a better placement. However it still a beautiful display, retains great battery life, and a great camera (in well-lit environments). At the end of the day, those 3 are on the top of most people's list on what they need on a smartphone. In conclusion, it is the master of some while providing more than enough features + options to cover the bases/needs of the many.

To Buy Or Not To Buy

So now that both of the big dogs of Android are out. Decision time! To go with the GS5 or the M8? Or wait to see what LG comes out with? Samsung loyalists will be fine w/ the GS5 but I wouldn't recommend those w/ the GS4 to upgrade. The new additions aren't leaps and bounds better as the GS4 is still a comparable phone. So choose wisely.

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