When Samsung announced its Galaxy S5 hero phone we were more than a little skeptical. Not because we doubt that it will sell like crazy worldwide, nor because we think that Samsung's continued reliance on plastic will see existing Galaxy S fans switch allegiances elsewhere. What we really weren't too sure about was the claim that the Galaxy S5 will feature an IP67 rating for both dust and water resistance.
We're about two-thirds of the way through our countdown of the Samsung Galaxy S5 from announcement to release, and even though we've had plenty of opportunity to see and read of what's in store, we're now starting to get leaks of the official software to try out for ourselves. Samsung may have pushed the Galaxy S5 Experience app over to the Google Play Store last week, but while this demo is insightful, there's nothing quite experiencing the device and its features first-hand. If you're not among the lucky few to have gotten hold of the device earlier than billed, then an official ROM leak, intended for the Chinese version of the SM-G9009D, has to be the next best thing.
The announcement of the Galaxy S5 seems like an age ago, but with almost one month having passed since Samsung took the wraps off its latest Android humdinger, we're now just a couple of weeks from retail. During the past few days, UK carriers Three and Vodafone have offered the all-important details regarding the S5's pricing and availability on British shores, and now, US-based AT&T has done likewise. For those wishing to tether themselves to a contract with North America's foremost mobile operator, the Galaxy S5 will be available from April 8th with an up-front cost of $199, and pre-orders are being taken as of now.
After an extensive period of rumor and speculation leading up to the MWC announcement of the Samsung Galaxy S5, we're now on the cusp of its release. The device, which is expected to hit shelves on April 11th, packs a bunch of new perks, including a gold color configuration and fingerprint sensor, but there's more to the flagship device besides these rather showy features. To underline this point, the Korean electronics giant has released the Galaxy S5 Experience app, which allows those contemplating an upgrade to get a better idea and general feel of the device's various apps and services.
Considering the gold rush that ensued upon the release of the iPhone 5s back in September, it's none too surprising that in the UK, mobile carrier Vodafone has sought exclusivity over the gold variant of Samsung's forthcoming Galaxy S5. The deal means that on British shores, only Vodafone will carry the device, which is due for release on April 11th, and the network operator will begin taking pre-orders from March 28th.
The Galaxy S5, which Samsung announced a couple of weeks ago at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, has yet to see the light of day in the retail market, but with the device having been handed out to a select few industry insiders already, we've seen a steady increase in new videos and close-up coverage of the eagerly-anticipated handset. Following the extensive hands-on clip we saw yesterday from Eldar Murtazin, he's back with a comparison video of the Galaxy S5 and the preceding Galaxy S4, offering a vivid, first-hand look at how the upcoming device holds up against the current flagship.
Samsung's Galaxy S5, which was released at the tail-end of last month at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, includes a bunch of new and exciting features both in terms of hardware and software. From the new gold color option and fingerprint scanner, to the 4K video capturing and advanced shot-taking experience offered by the 16-megapixel rear-facing camera, prospective Galaxy S5 owners have a fair amount to look forward to. Up until now, though, we've only seen little snippets of the eagerly-awaited device, but mobile industry insider Eldar Murtazin has just posted a series of hands-on clips totaling almost 50 minutes.
Samsung's relentless quest to shower the market with as many new smartphones as possible has only continued in 2014. January brought us the announcement of the Galaxy Note 3 Neo range, and last month, the Korean outfit finally took the wraps off the Galaxy S5. As we continue to await the key details of the S5's pricing and availability following the unveiling at Mobile World Congress, there has been persistent talk of a premium Galaxy S5 version of the newly-announced flagship, known in Android circles as the Galaxy F. While there's no word on when it will hit the scene, one designer has, based upon leaks, sought to give us an idea of what's in store with some life-like renders.
Although we're still unsure as to just when exactly the Samsung Galaxy S5 will hit the market, new details are being uncovered by the day. Only a short while ago, we got to see the capabilities of the handset's new-and-improved 16-megapixel rear-facing shooter, which followed an earlier, albeit unofficial demo of the very impressive 4K video capturing. Today, we can, for the first time, take a look some of the Galaxy S5's official accessories, with images having emerged of cases and covers that Samsung allegedly will retail alongside its forthcoming flagship.
Yesterday, we got a very good look at the 4K video output of the Galaxy S5 thanks to a leak from a guy in Mexico with some enviable early access, and today, we get to see how the camera holds up when taking stills thanks to some sample shots. Samsung has clearly put a lot of effort into significantly improving the rear-facing snapper of its newest flagship model, and as if the earlier video didn't emphasize this point enough, these photos certainly do. Check them out after the break.
