I guess the S5 review embargo has lifted

[gorcorps]

The AT&T model got great battery life supposedly right?

But honestly at the end of the day these benchmarks are terrible indicators of real world performance. There's some takeaways from them, but it's important to note to not rely on a single site. Even if we love AT's battery tests the most, I also pay close attention to Ars, Phone Arena and especially GSM Arena. The more data you gather, the better picture you get for these phones.

That's true enough. Though I wasn't really impressed with GSM Arena's review. It seemed kind of poorly written... but I did read it immediately after the highly technical AT review so that probably didn't help.

I'd like to hear how much improvement people who buy it actually see. Unfortunately I don't know anybody who's going from an S4 to S5 which is what I'd want to know.

 

[dawheat]

The article says that grayscale is now green. The new UPSM relies on grayscale. I wonder what other surprises GS5 customers will get with this new OLED screen.

Besides getting a great screen? Seriously - check out the phone with an open mind before doing your normal gig. I was very impressed with it in person compared to an iPhone. I tihnk Anand's summary is certainly fair and if he's coming on board, it's a good milestone.

Overall, I’m quite pleased with the display. The AMOLED display in the Galaxy S5 is finally equivalent to LCD displays in color accuracy and peak luminance, areas that LCD used to be the best in. Throw in the incredible contrast that AMOLED has always had and the ability to toggle between wide color gamut and accurate color, and I would say that AMOLED is finally equal, if not slightly better than LCD. With a few more iterations, I wouldn’t be surprised if I were to write that AMOLED is clearly superior to LCD. Of course, there are some issues such as a noticeable green tint to the display in grayscale and Samsung still needs to improve their clamping of gamut to sRGB for Cinema/Movie mode, but none of these issues seriously detract from the viewing experience.

 

[Muadib]

Finally can dump the S3. Verizon is doing a BOGO w/contract.

S4 just didn't have enough for me, but this seems like a good jump.

You will lose your unlimited data plan if you do that

 

[OCGuy]

You will lose your unlimited data plan if you do that

I already lost it, but it hasn't been an issue for me, and I actively surf/DL large .pdfs for work. etc.

Basically everywhere I go that it is appropriate to be surfing or reading emails, I have a WiFi PW saved or can get one. Also I write off my phone bill.

But we digress...

 

[s44]

US carriers...

AT&T removes download booster feature from their S5

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

That's true enough. Though I wasn't really impressed with GSM Arena's review. It seemed kind of poorly written... but I did read it immediately after the highly technical AT review so that probably didn't help.

I'd like to hear how much improvement people who buy it actually see. Unfortunately I don't know anybody who's going from an S4 to S5 which is what I'd want to know.

GSM Arena's reviews aren't well written. My takeaway is typically regarding the camera (you can compare samples with a huge # of phones) and the battery tests. The battery tests aren't perfect either, but to put them next to other reviews helps give you a good picture of how the phone does. Plus, they're the only ones who test idle battery life.

 

[Dari]

Besides getting a great screen? Seriously - check out the phone with an open mind before doing your normal gig. I was very impressed with it in person compared to an iPhone. I tihnk Anand's summary is certainly fair and if he's coming on board, it's a good milestone.

I'll definitely have an open mind. But, it's the same thing every year where Samsung fanatics claim that the latest Galaxy OLED screen is the bestest ever. Only to see how terrible it is. Last year, everyone claimed that the GS4's screen was the best. I disagreed then and now this article is saying how terrible it was...

 

[gorcorps]

US carriers...

AT&T removes download booster feature from their S5

Not that I thought that feature was going to be terribly useful, but I'd be pretty pissed if I was looking at that phone and features announced were taken out. I honestly think Samsung would have enough power to pull their device from AT&T unless their features made it in.

 

[Dulanic]

US carriers...

AT&T removes download booster feature from their S5

Well, honestly who on AT&T wants to download huge files on AT&T with the data rates? Outside of unlimited plans, this feature will either be costly or useless.

 

[sze5003]

Looks like the Verizon dev model will have unlocked bootloader.

Samsung Galaxy S5 Developer Edition coming soon to Verizon
http://www.engadget.com/2014/04/11/samsung-galaxy-s-5-developer-edition?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000595

 

[s44]

Well, honestly who on AT&T wants to download huge files on AT&T with the data rates? Outside of unlimited plans, this feature will either be costly or useless.

But why wouldn't AT&T want you to hit your 10gb family cap sooner rather than later? Or Verizon, though I understand they do have their "unlimited unlimited" problem.

 

[Oyeve]

But why wouldn't AT&T want you to hit your 10gb family cap sooner rather than later? Or Verizon, though I understand they do have their "unlimited unlimited" problem.

Because they will get a butt load of complaints from users who don't understand the tech and it will cost $$ having customer service deal with that. Remember when the iPhone initially launched on att and users were getting massive bills because they didn't understand the data plans.

 

[Red Storm]

Checked this out at the AT&T store the other day, this phone is light. Only other time I got the same feeling was when I first held an iPhone 5. And the back looked much better (or at least not as bad) in person. Touchwiz is still a mess, and there's still too much bezel for my tastes, but I'd definitely take an S5 over the new One without question.

Also, why is it that some companies like to go with sub-optimal button placement? Samsung gets it, power on one side, volume on the other. Having both on one side (like the Moto X) is annoying because it puts the volume controls right where your finger wants to grip the phone.

 

[kn51]

Going from an S3 to this I'm fairly impressed.

I'm not a big cell phone fan of any of them but with a slim case this feels fairly decent in my hands. Screen is nice.

First time dealing with the micro USB 3. Understand why, but...egads.

I'll try out the .11ac radio tonight.

 

[Muadib]

Going from an S3 to this I'm fairly impressed.

I'm not a big cell phone fan of any of them but with a slim case this feels fairly decent in my hands. Screen is nice.

First time dealing with the micro USB 3. Understand why, but...egads.

I'll try out the .11ac radio tonight.

What's your issue with the usb 3?

 

[blairharrington]

Just used an S5 at AT&T for the first time. White model.

The good.

Screen is incredible. Proper whites. Finally. I purchased the S4 Active last year to avoid the S4's OLED panel. No more. This screen is up there with the best IPS displays.

Back cover definitely feels better than the S4 but it still isn't great IMO. Much prefer the feel of my N5. This cover feels less slippery/slimy over time compared to the S4, but it isn't a great feel in hand either. I think the Note 3 cover feels better.

The bad.

Grey edge around the edges feels meh and looks really ugly IMO on the front of the device. (More noticeable on the white model.)

There was a slightly delay when waking the phone compared to my N5. Very noticeable. Ditto when opening a folder containing apps.

TouchWiz is still fugly.

Prefer the lighter weight of the S4.

If forced to pick between this and the M8 I'd pick the S5. Still prefer my N5 to both. (Smaller, lighter, better in-hand feel, faster wake/folder open.)

 

[blairharrington]

I'll definitely have an open mind. But, it's the same thing every year where Samsung fanatics claim that the latest Galaxy OLED screen is the bestest ever. Only to see how terrible it is. Last year, everyone claimed that the GS4's screen was the best. I disagreed then and now this article is saying how terrible it was...

I've hated Samsung's OLED's just as much as you in the past. The S5 has an awesome screen.

 

[s44]

The white and black S5s have different material feel. I think white has some anti-stain thing on it that makes it more slick.

 

[sze5003]

So touchwiz is still clunky? Not sure I want to change from my m7.

 

[s44]

So touchwiz is still clunky? Not sure I want to change from my m7.

No need to change from last year's phones, IMO, though the battery is tempting.

But with all the Touchwiz complaints one sees here, one would think that 99% of AT readers used default launchers!

 

[Red Storm]

No need to change from last year's phones, IMO, though the battery is tempting.

But with all the Touchwiz complaints one sees here, one would think that 99% of AT readers used default launchers!

Except that Touchwiz doesn't stop at the launcher.

 

[kn51]

What's your issue with the usb 3?

Not really an issue, just my first impression of the plug design.

 

[s44]

Except that Touchwiz doesn't stop at the launcher.

That's the only part that's slow and subpar though. The toggles still kill AOSP's horrific implementation... And Smart Stay is super useful, not to mention multiwindow on larger devices.

 

[sze5003]

Most that get this one want it rooted and unlocked so they can run pure aosp as most other Samsung Roms will also have some form of modified touchwiz, but it will be smoother I'm sure.

 

[SAWYER]

http://www.engadget.com/2014/04/11/samsung-galaxy-s5-review/

Chances are, you'll be happy with the Galaxy S5 if you choose to buy it. It's a solid upgrade to the Galaxy S4, with reasonable improvements to the design, software and camera. I can't say this is your most visually appealing option, especially compared to the all-metal HTC One M8, but the dimpled back and waterproof casing at least add more durability than we've enjoyed on previous Galaxy S devices.

The fingerprint scanner and the heart rate monitor, on the other hand, need some work. Each delivers inconsistent results and can be quite frustrating to use. The good news is that you don't have to use them if you have the same experience that I did; the bad news is: If you don't take advantage of these features, you have fewer reasons to buy the phone in the first place. What's more, Samsung put a lot of energy into integrating these features into both the GS5's hardware and software, which makes me wonder what the company could have included instead if it left those out. If you're looking for a good Android phone, the GS5 won't let you down. I'd be happy using this as my daily driver. That said, I wouldn't waste an early upgrade on it, either.

Edgar Alvarez produced the video review.

83
Samsung
Galaxy S5

PROS
Fantastic display
Daylight images are on par with other flagship phones
Waterproof casing and improved design
Good battery life
CONS
Fingerprint scanner can be frustrating
Selective focus doesn't always work as promised
Heart rate monitor isn't completely accurate
TouchWiz UI looks better, but is still confusing
CONCLUSION
The S5 is a solid upgrade over last year's model, with improvements to the hardware, software and camera. However, certain headline features like the fingerprint scanner and heart rate monitor are mediocre at best. Chances are, you'll be happy with the phone, but don't fork out the extra cash for an early upgrade.