Summary: For Samsung's latest flagship smartphone, it's
more about what's beneath the surface than its outer design. But there
are a few innovations we haven't seen in a Galaxy device before, notably
a fingerprint scanner, a heart-rate sensor, and a beefier 16-megapixel
camera.
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| (Image: ZDNet/CBS Interactive) |
NEW YORK — What might be normally reserved for an iPhone launch, the hype surrounding Samsung's next-generation smartphone has been almost unbearable for Galaxy fans.
On Monday, we finally saw the long-awaited device in person — almost a year since its nearest predecessor was first launched.
The Galaxy S5, announced at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, was also up-for-grabs at an event in New York City. Landing with a slightly larger 5.1-inch high-definition 1080p display, a powerful Snapdragon 800 2.5GHz quad-core processor, and a beefier 16-megapixel camera, it is as you might expect a smidge heavier than the Galaxy S4. But that's expected considering it's packing a great deal more punch than the previous model.
Design
The device itself lands in much the same physical design shell as its
predecessor, the Galaxy S4, so those hoping for a more mature metal
backing may be disappointed. With its plastic backing and the same
rounded corners, it feels a little too similar to the Galaxy S4 than it
probably should do.
There is a subtle change to the back of the handset, featuring a
discreet rubberized, indented dotted case that makes it certainly feel
interesting to hold. It makes it easier to hold than the HTC One or the
iPhone 5s (without a case), but it's a feeling that will probably take
some getting used to — at least for new users.
As with previous versions, you can remove the case and replace it, which
is handy because the material feels as though it could be marked or
scratched over long use. Samsung will provide four color cases: black,
blue, white, and bronze.
It doesn't feel as though it's particularly new or exciting, but reading
the specification sheet will make any seasoned Galaxy user giddy to
their core.
Flagship features
The two top-line new features will no doubt help the Korean electronics
giant keep the pace in the tight race it currently stands in with its
competitors — Apple.
The smartphone's flagship features don't exactly come hand-in-hand but
match and one-up Apple's current rumored effort with a focus on health.
Landing with a fingerprint scanner integrated in the home button, à la
iPhone 5s, it also features a heart-rate sensor seamlessly
and surreptitiously next to the rear camera's flash — a feature never
seen before in a modern smartphone.
Fingerprint scanner
Apple may have been the first to dish out a fingerprint scanner for its
iPhone, but it certainly wouldn't be the last. Samsung's included the
fingerprint scanner not least to further woo its growing enterprise user
base.
It not only unlocks the phone, but can also be used to make mobile
payments — something Apple has come close to with its App Store
integration, but not much further. In partnership with PayPal, Galaxy S5
users can authorize mobile payments with a touch of an enrolled finger.
Heart-rate sensor
It's so small and unnoticeable, you would be forgiven for not giving it a
second thought. Next to the flash is a heart-rate sensor that can —
prepare yourself for a hearty dose of real-life sci-fi — see the blood
pumping through your finger.
It works when you gently push your finger over the flash on the rear of
the handset. This ties in with the smartphone's pre-installed health
apps, such as the S Health, which includes a fitness tracker and
pedometer.
The inclusion of a heart-rate sensor will probably have Samsung's
arch-rival Apple engineers kicking themselves for not adding the
technology sooner. Rumors point to a "Healthbook" feature in Apple's
next iPhone and iOS software, as the race to bridge the gap between
wearable tech and smartphones over conscientious health nuts reaches a
peak.
In-built software helps connect the smartphone to Samsung's recently announced Tizen-powered Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo smartwatches.
Battery, storage, data transfers
In true Samsung style, the Galaxy S5 has a removable case and 2,800mAh
battery, allowing you to swap out and in a new battery if you're running
down on charge. That's probably not as likely as you might think with
this model, thanks to its new in-built power saving mode that is said to
increase battery life by near-double when the device is low on charge.
All in all, Samsung says it will squeeze out 21 hours of talk time, and more than two weeks on standby on a single full charge.
The Galaxy S5 also lands with a USB 3.0 on the underside of the device
allowing for significantly faster data transfer and sync speeds. That's
certainly helpful if you're expanding your storage beyond the 16GB and
32GB options to have an extra 64GB from a plugged-in micro-SD card.
Software
Other than that, the most notable change of all is the software. Running
the latest version of Android 4.4.2 KitKat, while the interface hasn't
changed significantly it builds the wider Samsung ecosystem within,
enticing users to expand their gadget line-up with technology they
didn't even realize they wanted.
For the business and enterprise user, the Galaxy S5 lands with the
latest version of Knox, which installs a virtual barrier between
personal and work data.
The Galaxy S5 will land in the wider public's hands in early April, but
there's no pricing details for the time being. Keep your eyes open for
more news in the coming days and weeks.
~ Zack Whittaker
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