The upcoming Samsung flagship Galaxy S5 smartphone
will not be labeled the "cheap" phone its predecessors
have, according to a several reports. The S5 is likely to
be the first of the 'Galaxy S' line to ditch plastic and
feature premium materials, inside and out, according
to the IBTimes . The S5 is rumored for a unibody design
made from aluminum and magnesium components,
with high-quality parts including a new CPU and
higher RAM. While the materials will cost consumers,
the next step for the Galaxy S series is clearly to
improve on the quality of the phone's exterior.
The S5 is also being rumored to include exclusive
applications designed to improve daily tasks. Some of
these apps, which include those from the Galaxy S4
and the Galaxy Note 3, are S Health, S Translator, Air
Gestures and S Voice. More exclusive apps are
expected to go along with these, as well.
The Galaxy S5 could run Samsung's own OS, Tizen,
instead of Android, according to a report by the
IBTimes.
While it's possible the S5 will run Tizen, it's more
likely that the smartphone will come in both versions
rather than just Tizen. While sending out the Galaxy
S5 with Tizen would help cut down on costs (every
phone Samsung sells it sends a cut to Google for its
Android OS; money spent on apps, games, movies and
music from the Google Play online store also go to
Google), it would make the most sense for Samsung to
offer consumers the opportunity to choose—at least
while Tizen is still new and features less apps, games
and services that Android.
The company plans to use Tizen on all mobile phones
and tablets in the future, according to co-CEO of
Samsung, Boo-Keun Yoon.
The latest rumors about Samsung's flagship
smartphone allege that the S5 could truly compete
with its competitors as a premium quality smartphone
camera.
More details about the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S5's
camera specs are circulating, with rumors suggesting
Samsung is currently developing a 16MP camera
sensor with optical image stabilization, according to
South Korea's Electronic News Times . The camera will
reportedly be tried out by the end of 2013, which falls
in line with previous rumors that the S5 will get a
release date in Q1 of 2014. Another report from The
Full Signal claims that the optical image stabilization
was going to be featured in the Galaxy Note 3, but
Samsung had to hold off because development was
taking longer than expected.
TFS also claims that the Galaxy S5 specs include a
multi-core Exynos CPU, 2 Gigs of RAM. a new, faster
GPU, a 1080p display and Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie
(though KitKat seems more likely based on the S5's Q1
2014 release date).
The Galaxy S5 is also being rumored to feature a 64-
bit processing board like the iPhone 5S, according to
The Korea Times.
Apple's new A7 chip makes the 5S the first iPhone to
feature a 64-bit processor, meaning that there should
also be an increase in the amount of apps written for a
64-bit performance, with gaming a focus as these apps
take up a lot of processing power.
Samsung is reportedly working on making the S5 a
legitimate competitor to the 5S (you should check out
our comparison series on the 5S vs. S5, by the way)
by ensuring that the Galaxy S5 will also feature 64-bit
processor speed and power. While the Korea Times
report did not specifically call the smartphone the S5,
if this tech is on the way, its likely Samsung's mobile
business chief Shin Jong-kyun was talking about the
Galaxy S5 and future devices.
The 64-bit processor appears to be the first confirmed
feature of the Galaxy S5, which has been rumored for
a release in the U.S. within the next six months.
A new Galaxy S5 concept has also been revealed, via
MobiLeaks.
In the three photos, which you can check out here, the
S5 is designed with a flexible display and carbon-like
back that allows a user to fold it in half. The S5
concept also shows a huge edge-to-edge screen and a
tiny stand. Another feature appears to be a small
screen on the back when you fold it half, allowing the
user to use the folded smartphone as a media player.
A report from Product-Reviews on the concept
explained why many consumers are not fond of the
design.
"It should be noted that some people reacted to the
design with distaste, although this is due to not
wanting to see "a line down the middle of the phone
screen". This assumption would be wrong thanks to
flexible technology that is already possible and would
be needed for this Samsung Galaxy S5 concept. Others
are more practical with their thoughts on the folding
idea. While it would be great to offer a phablet sized
phone that fits in small pockets, some people think a
folding phone is "just asking to be broken" and they
would rather have something more solid."
The concept goes against the recent rumors that
Samsung will release the S5 in a metal chassis, possibly
bringing consumers an entirely metal body that many
have been calling for.
Samsung Galaxy S5 Metal Design Rumors
The next Samsung flagship smartphone, likely to be
named the Galaxy S5 and released in early 2014, could
feature a metal design, according to a report by ET
News.
According to the report by ET News, Samsung plans to
use a metal chassis for the Galaxy S5, with production
set to begin by the end of this year. This wouldn't be
the first time a Samsung smartphone was rumored to
feature a metal design, however, as previous rumors
suggested the Galaxy S4 would (it didn't) and the
Galaxy Note 3 also looks like it will end up releasing
with a plastic back in place of metal.
With competitors Apple and HTC already shifted to
metal designs, it would make sense for Samsung to
release the S5 with a metal chassis. According to ET
News, a sample has already been created in Europe
and sent to Vietnam, where the chassis will be mass-
produced. The report also mentions that Samsung is
doing a lot of pre-production testing to make sure there
won't be problems with radio interference. The article
does not specifically call the smartphone an S5, but the
early 2014 release date mentioned falls in line with
Samsung's Galaxy S upgrade cycle.
It is unknown whether the smartphone will include a
removable battery or a uni-body design, like the HTC
One. While some smartphones with metal designs
restrict users to a storage limit, it is possible that
Samsung could deliver the S5 with the additional
storage capacity consumers enjoy. The Galaxy Wave 3
features an airbrussed metal design that allows users
to access a Micro SD card slot.
A 2014 release date means the S5 could launch at the
first Samsung Mobile Unpacked event of 2014. There
are also other rumored specs, including a flexible
display, which Samsung showed at CES 2013.