Samsung Galaxy 5s

phillyman36

Golden Member
Jun 28, 2004
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Just wondering how many of you are grabbing the s5 and if so what phone are you exchanging from? I'm seriously thinking about getting rid of my iphone 5s for the gs5. Larger screen, more storage options is this a no brainer?
 

gorcorps

aka Brandon
Jul 18, 2004
30,739
452
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Just wondering how many of you are grabbing the s5 and if so what phone are you exchanging from? I'm seriously thinking about getting rid of my iphone 5s for the gs5. Larger screen, more storage options is this a no brainer?

Phone choice is never a no brainer. I recommend you go to a store and try it out. If all you want is a bigger screen and SD card then Samsung should have been your choice for the last 3 years.

I've been happy with my Samsung phones for the most part.
 

s44

Diamond Member
Oct 13, 2006
9,427
16
81
Just wondering how many of you are grabbing the s5 and if so what phone are you exchanging from? I'm seriously thinking about getting rid of my iphone 5s for the gs5. Larger screen, more storage options is this a no brainer?
Well, the Android world is so broad and full of options that people here are able to prioritize very specific things and have very specific phone preferences. So I don't think anything is going to seem a no-brainer here.

The S5 is a good default option -- reports indicate very good screen and camera and battery life -- but it's hard to tell how it really shakes out before it's released.

Also, what carrier are you on and how are you planning to switch devices?
The HTC One M8 seems like a better option but that's just me.
See, I would recommend anyone considering the M8 get a Note 3 instead. About the same bulk, but much better screen and camera and battery life. But if you value speakers and metal-in-the-hand more than those...
 

sze5003

Lifer
Aug 18, 2012
14,286
665
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I have an m7 right now. I have a soft clear case on it too. It doesn't weigh lot at all. I came from a droid DNA which was even thinner.

What in terms of specs does the s5 have instead of the m8?

I believe the m8 now has an sd card slot too.

My sister has an s3 and i have played around with the s4 and I did not like how it's made of mostly plastic. It just had a weird feel. The s4 improved on that a little though.

One thing I hate about Samsung is the touchwiz. I dont mind it on their tablets. The galaxy tab 10.2 is good and I've used it a lot but for a phone I hate touchwiz and how they pack so much in there.

Samsung also has Knox which makes it hard to root and unlock your android. Sometimes with my m7 if I get tired of sense, I can always put aosp on there.
 

s44

Diamond Member
Oct 13, 2006
9,427
16
81
I have an m7 right now. I have a soft clear case on it too. It doesn't weigh lot at all.
Yeah, the M8 is much bigger and taller, while the S5 is in between the two in size (body, not screen size obviously) and the same weight as the M7.

It's not Knox that's the problem so much as locked bootloaders on AT&T and Verizon variants... without those you can just Odin anything you like. I do agree that flashing is important, though I figured that a former Apple guy won't be expecting much in that area. ;)

Again, as I said, Android = lots of options and therefore you can pick what you value.
 

sze5003

Lifer
Aug 18, 2012
14,286
665
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I'll need to wait until it is out to go an mess with it in the store. I have unlimited data still on Verizon so I would be getting the phone off contract anyway.

I'm running the latest m8 android source on the m7 now it's super quick so I don't think the m8 would be a big upgrade for me. Well besides the sd card slot because I like to have a lot of space.

Since I run custom roms all my android phones have been HTC variants and I've never had slowdowns or the need to upgrade. So to do so, it would take a phone with really good tech for me to do that, other than just getting a new phone.

Coming from an iPhone, either way if you get the s5 or an htc, you will need to get used to the software and after a while you will be used to all you can do with it. Ex. No more needing of iTunes to sync stuff, don't have to update the phone if you don't want to because android updates are few and far between Apple.
 

Rdmkr

Senior member
Aug 2, 2013
272
0
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the iphone's portability is hard to beat; that makes this not a no-brainer.

I walk around with a phone roughly the size of the S5 (LG G2) and often think it'd be better if it was a bit smaller. especially if you squeeze every .1 inch of screen real estate out of your phone by modding it, most of the extra screen is kind of redundant. you can get by comfortably with about 4.5 inch or even 4 inch easily for most tasks.

I've ordered a cheap 4.5 inch small-bezeled Jiayu G5 to play around with and see if this size suits me.

I'd miss many of the customization features if android in an iphone, so it's definitely not for me. But I've been coming to appreciate it's form factor more and more.
 

SAWYER

Lifer
Apr 27, 2000
16,742
42
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The S5 will be awesome just like the previous ones are. I would take a Galaxy over any phone
 

Oyeve

Lifer
Oct 18, 1999
22,025
868
126
This will be the first galaxy s series of phone that I won't be getting. I am too happy with my note 3.
 

Commodus

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 2004
9,215
6,818
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If you have an iPhone 5s... don't get a GS5.

Not because you shouldn't consider an Android phone, but because you already bought a fast phone with a great camera and a fingerprint reader a few months ago -- that's a lot of cash to spend for relatively little gain. Wait until the late summer or early fall, when there's (hopefully) a larger next-gen iPhone as well as the G3, the Galaxy Note 4 and other devices that would make more of a difference.
 
May 13, 2009
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Is the larger screen accompanied by a larger phone size? If so I'm out. Dang s4 is already a touch too big and I refuse to carry a man purse just to accommodate a mini tablet.
 

Rdmkr

Senior member
Aug 2, 2013
272
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it's 5.4x2.7x0.2mm larger, so yes, an increase that is %-wise larger than the screen size change. it's also about 15 grams heavier.

I agree that at sizes like these, every millimeter counts, so given the choice between the two I'd prefer the galaxy S4. I think samsung is a victim of it's own success here, though. The S4 is amazingly compact for what it offers. its screen-to-body ratio comes close to the LG G2's (which, NB, it's also a millimeter or over 10% thinner than) and in spite of this it does squeeze navigation buttons on to its bottom bezel. so portability wise its already near perfection for a 5 inch phone.
 
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sze5003

Lifer
Aug 18, 2012
14,286
665
126
Take a look at the droid DNA it's 5 inches 1080p screen and pretty light and thin. Not sure why the s5 and m8 didn't go that right.
 

Rdmkr

Senior member
Aug 2, 2013
272
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0
the galaxy S4 was already smaller than that according to my spec sheets... samsung's fear is probably that they'd cannibalize on SGS4 sales if they made something in that size range again.

as for HTC, they set themselves apart with their boom sound stereo speakers, which just take up extra bezel space.
 

KentState

Diamond Member
Oct 19, 2001
8,397
393
126
I'm getting an S5 as my work phone. Not sure if I will use it or just throw it in the drawer. I really like the size of my Note 2 so I will have to see how it compares.
 

mnewsham

Lifer
Oct 2, 2010
14,539
428
136
The S5 is in my opinion just not worth it, phones with essentially the same basic configuration were released last august (LG G2 rings a bell), why would I want a phone that is in no way a significant upgrade from what had already been out on the market for over half a year? Just seems kinda dumb for samsungs new flagship phone to not be well equipped with new flagship specs. If this phone had come out in November or December it would have made a lot more sense, now that we are in April though and it is only just coming to market? Wait a few months and there will be MUCH better offerings. (3-4GB RAM, updated GPU and CPU, 1440p screen, etc)

The only thing the S5 really beats over the LG G2 (which was released in august of 2013) is the IP67 certification and the SoC, it has a 250Mhz CPU bump and a 128Mhz GPU bump. The S5 actually lacks OIS on the camera which really helps when taking 2160p video footage and is something I really expected to see on the new Galaxy iteration.
 

sze5003

Lifer
Aug 18, 2012
14,286
665
126
The S5 is in my opinion just not worth it, phones with essentially the same basic configuration were released last august (LG G2 rings a bell), why would I want a phone that is in no way a significant upgrade from what had already been out on the market for over half a year? Just seems kinda dumb for samsungs new flagship phone to not be well equipped with new flagship specs. If this phone had come out in November or December it would have made a lot more sense, now that we are in April though and it is only just coming to market? Wait a few months and there will be MUCH better offerings. (3-4GB RAM, updated GPU and CPU, 1440p screen, etc)

The only thing the S5 really beats over the LG G2 (which was released in august of 2013) is the IP67 certification and the SoC, it has a 250Mhz CPU bump and a 128Mhz GPU bump. The S5 actually lacks OIS on the camera which really helps when taking 2160p video footage and is something I really expected to see on the new Galaxy iteration.

I feel the same way about the m8..my m7 with a custom Rom runs just as good. The only upgrade is the 5 inch screen and sd card expansion. I don't miss the 5 inch screen as I came from a droid DNA.
 

dawheat

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2000
3,132
93
91
The S5 is in my opinion just not worth it, phones with essentially the same basic configuration were released last august (LG G2 rings a bell), why would I want a phone that is in no way a significant upgrade from what had already been out on the market for over half a year? Just seems kinda dumb for samsungs new flagship phone to not be well equipped with new flagship specs. If this phone had come out in November or December it would have made a lot more sense, now that we are in April though and it is only just coming to market? Wait a few months and there will be MUCH better offerings. (3-4GB RAM, updated GPU and CPU, 1440p screen, etc)

The only thing the S5 really beats over the LG G2 (which was released in august of 2013) is the IP67 certification and the SoC, it has a 250Mhz CPU bump and a 128Mhz GPU bump. The S5 actually lacks OIS on the camera which really helps when taking 2160p video footage and is something I really expected to see on the new Galaxy iteration.

You could say that for all the Q2 flagships - Samsung, Sony, HTC, etc. They all apparently have great performance, good battery life, and some unique features (whether it be aluminum build, fingerprint scanner, etc).

On the other hand, it does feel like SOCs are starting to get diminishing returns in daily usage - the S800 from last year doesn't hiccup on anything, much less the newer 801. Will anyone's 5" phone really feel any different running the S805 and 3GB of RAM? Outside of multi-tasking which barely makes sense on phablets and only really works on tablets, I doubt you'll feel any difference.

Same thing about a 1440p screen in a 5" phone - beyond bragging rights, I doubt anyone will be able to actually tell any difference until you get into phablet territory.

So is it worth losing several months of use waiting for the next better thing when even that phone will be eclipsed come with fall, and again next spring, ad infinitum.
 

mnewsham

Lifer
Oct 2, 2010
14,539
428
136
You could say that for all the Q2 flagships - Samsung, Sony, HTC, etc. They all apparently have great performance, good battery life, and some unique features (whether it be aluminum build, fingerprint scanner, etc).

On the other hand, it does feel like SOCs are starting to get diminishing returns in daily usage - the S800 from last year doesn't hiccup on anything, much less the newer 801. Will anyone's 5" phone really feel any different running the S805 and 3GB of RAM? Outside of multi-tasking which barely makes sense on phablets and only really works on tablets, I doubt you'll feel any difference.

Same thing about a 1440p screen in a 5" phone - beyond bragging rights, I doubt anyone will be able to actually tell any difference until you get into phablet territory.

So is it worth losing several months of use waiting for the next better thing when even that phone will be eclipsed come with fall, and again next spring, ad infinitum.

The S805 will be powerful enough to actually play games at 1440p, with the S801 and S800 both using adreno 330 GPUs where as the 805 (and presumably the next SoC iteration from Qualcomm as well) uses the much more powerful adreno 420. Also I will never complain about more RAM, heavy multitasking will slow down phones with only 2GB easily enough.

People also said once we had 720p phones going to 1080p was stupid because you can't see the difference, which is stupid and untrue, going from 1080p to 1440p won't be a huge difference, but I can pretty much guarantee the 1440p one will appear crisper and better looking.

A 5.5-6.5" 1440p, 3-4GB RAM, 12-20MP camera (preferably with OIS and 2160p video), and S805 or better is in my opinion the next flagship device by the end of summer or early fall, whoever gets a decent one to market first however is still up in the air.
 

dawheat

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2000
3,132
93
91
The S805 will be powerful enough to actually play games at 1440p, with the S801 and S800 both using adreno 330 GPUs where as the 805 (and presumably the next SoC iteration from Qualcomm as well) uses the much more powerful adreno 420. Also I will never complain about more RAM, heavy multitasking will slow down phones with only 2GB easily enough.

People also said once we had 720p phones going to 1080p was stupid because you can't see the difference, which is stupid and untrue, going from 1080p to 1440p won't be a huge difference, but I can pretty much guarantee the 1440p one will appear crisper and better looking.

A 5.5-6.5" 1440p, 3-4GB RAM, 12-20MP camera (preferably with OIS and 2160p video), and S805 or better is in my opinion the next flagship device by the end of summer or early fall, whoever gets a decent one to market first however is still up in the air.

Hey, you're talking to someone who appreciates specs. There's a reason I use the Note 3 and upgrade every year.

But I think you're putting too much emphasis on benchmark improvements vs everyday usage. The vast majority of users will never know the difference between a S801 and S805 5" device. I don't game, but it's hard for me to believe any game stutters on a S800 powered phone, much less the S801. And come on, we're talking about 5" phones here - going from 720p (293dpi) to 1080p (440dpi) had clear benefits, regardless of what a few folks said. The same benefits simply aren't there going from 440dpi to 587 dpi. If the 1440p screen on the new Oppo phone is any indication, you may actually lose out on contrast and viewing angles in this first gen.

The RAM and camera specs are available today, simply no OEM has chosen to put them in all together. You can certainly hope that someone will, but so far Samsung, Sony, and HTC have not. What will have been the value of waiting for several months, only to find no such phone is actually released?

In the phablet space, 1440p screens start to make sense, especially if the Note 4 is around 5.9". But most phablet users are on a fall cadence anyway and are going to still be a niche audience compared to the 5" mainstream users.

I still stand by the belief that if you want a 5" range phone, you should buy one of the current flagships instead of waiting several months and hoping a super phone comes out that doesn't actually go backwards in some aspects (display, battery life, etc). If you're a phablet user, you're going to wait to see what the Note 4 looks like anyway.
 

Zaap

Diamond Member
Jun 12, 2008
7,162
424
126
I can't wait to see an S5 in the real.

It's good for the market to be so spoiled for choice that a phone like the S5 is considered "Meh". In reality its probably a kickass phone that will suit most anyone's needs, even the stat-obsessed.

I like that Samsung's latest mirrors last year's...er... that is, Apple's latest. S5 / 5s