Samsung Galaxy S5 costs $256 to build

15 April, 2014
The most expensive part in the phone is its display, while the fingerprint sensor costs just $4.

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  • ?
  • Anonymous
  • d%B
  • 15 Mar 2016

Does this BOM price includes huge discounts phone makers have when ordering bulk and from the same company for years?
I suppose when you order milions of Snapdragon chipsets and you are doing this for years,then you dont pay the same retail price as a customer who buys one at the store?

    • y
    • youareblind
    • mh@
    • 03 Jun 2014

    AnonD-212255, 15 Apr 2014You really can't believe that....right? Making plastic mold... moreActually, nothing you said is true, Samsung makes phones that are 60$ more expensive than currect iphone 5s to make, and yet they lower the selling price of their phone, unlike apple does, apple is constantly keeping the price up even when you dont have to pay for the advertisement anymore.

    Reason why phones are expensive at start is that advertisement part, but apple doesnt need it anymore because of people like you, Samsung does. Samsungs phone is also prices pretty much the same all over the world versus apple that can in some countries cost over 1200$ and this price is CHOSEN by apple, not by the reseller.

      • J
      • Jack
      • K6j
      • 16 Apr 2014

      Unfortunately, this increasing trend of the cost of manufacturing will translate into higher prices. So, S6 would be costlier than S5, which is already carries an hefty pricetag :( http://goo.gl/OfS1Eq

        • ?
        • Anonymous
        • m77
        • 16 Apr 2014

        Anonymous, 16 Apr 2014Not really. It's just Apple products are so overrated that ... moreSorry, but who cares if a product is "overrated" if it will hold its value more?

        The overall package is of a higher quality than many other Android handsets, due to build materials and R&D. Perhaps Samsung et al need to concentrate on the prestige of its devices, instead of releasing several versions of one handset, some of which are incompatible with some games and software?

        Also, premium build quality vs plastic will always win.

          • J
          • Johan
          • Mfx
          • 16 Apr 2014

          Awesome phone..but honestly, I can see the fingerprint scanner cost only $4. I deactivated it after one day of use, it only works when it wants to work.. And you have to swipe your finger so slowly over it to register, not a very practical lockscreen mechanism if you quickly want to check something on your phone

            • A
            • Arcane
            • 3SK
            • 16 Apr 2014

            Jarret, 16 Apr 2014It's nearly the same cost as well as iPhone5SI'm not that good in math but "the same cost as iPhone 5s". Are you serious? It's a difference of 60 bucks!

              • J
              • Jarret
              • 25G
              • 16 Apr 2014

              It's nearly the same cost as well as iPhone5S

                • ?
                • Anonymous
                • m86
                • 16 Apr 2014

                Anonymous, 15 Apr 2014...Which means that your phone is worth less when you come ... moreNot really. It's just Apple products are so overrated that they keep being overpriced being second hand or old and so for their trading price.

                It's pure logic, electronic components get cheaper with time because getting obsolete and production getting mastered. It's same with all products, but Apple get a pass to not follow that rule if you open your eyes and don't lie to yourself.

                  • v
                  • van brew
                  • bxc
                  • 16 Apr 2014

                  I see comment on the costs but don't forget to take into count the cost of R&D which can go into millions and hundreds of millions. You need to factor in that cost on top of parts, than tax, shipping, reseller markup.

                  Mind you I still wouldn't buy a phone as soon as it comes to sale.

                    • M
                    • MoFo
                    • j8w
                    • 16 Apr 2014

                    This is nothing new. This kinda thing can be seen in the documentary "The Corporation".

                      • Q
                      • Qammy
                      • 0pY
                      • 16 Apr 2014

                      AnonD-212255, 15 Apr 2014You really can't believe that....right? Making plastic mold... moreWhy are people so stupid? Didn't you read the article? ???
                      They said it cost Apple $199 to make the iphone. Thats way cheaper than Samsung. So which is the cheap crappy company now? And use your brain. Iphone 5s is nothing in comparison in terms of specs yet the over inflated prices makes me wonder who actually buys an iphone. Btw im not a Sammy fan but actually looking at the real picture and not blindly following a particular company because regardless of what you think. ..Apple couldn't care less about you or me and frankly neither could Samsung. They're only here to make money.

                        • ?
                        • Anonymous
                        • 4bh
                        • 16 Apr 2014

                        AnonD-197278, 15 Apr 2014please note that it doesn't include R&D, software, dis... moredefinitely! the RD expense of increasing screen size by .1" is very costly!

                          • Q
                          • Qammy
                          • 0pY
                          • 16 Apr 2014

                          AnonD-212255, 15 Apr 2014You really can't believe that....right? Making plastic mold... moreWhy are people so stupid? Didn't you read the article? ???
                          They said it cost Apple $199 to make the iphone. Thats way cheaper than Samsung. So which is the cheap crappy company now? And use your brain. Iphone 5s is nothing in comparison in terms of specs yet the over inflated prices makes me wonder who actually buys an iphone. Btw im not a Sammy fan but actually looking at the real picture and not blindly following a particular company because regardless of what you think. ..Apple couldn't care less about you or me and frankly neither could Samsung. They're only here to make money.

                            Cheap phone should result in a lower price than it's currently sells for. The plastic ugly hopeless phones is worth not much really. Glad I don't have to look at it everyday.

                              • ?
                              • Anonymous
                              • mXh
                              • 15 Apr 2014

                              Anonymous, 15 Apr 2014What you and everyone should remind is that S5's price will... more...Which means that your phone is worth less when you come to sell it.

                              For example, on Mizuma Mobile, which gives you cash for your phone, the 2012 iPhone 5 16gb is worth £30 MORE than the 2013 Galaxy S 4 16gb.

                                • ?
                                • Anonymous
                                • m86
                                • 15 Apr 2014

                                AnonD-249320, 15 Apr 2014iPhone markets for $650 SIM free, Samsung markets for $660.... moreWhat you and everyone should remind is that S5's price will lower next month or in 2 months and continuously. Which is honest. Unlike Apple products.

                                  • D
                                  • AnonD-123936
                                  • u{J
                                  • 15 Apr 2014

                                  Just shows how naive people really are, I understand manufacturers need to make a substantial amount of profit. Going back in time manufactures only sold devices for 200-300 ranges depending on manufacturing costs, now its so profitable they just keep on releasing mobile phones for idiotic customers who pay loads to buy them.

                                    • ?
                                    • Anonymous
                                    • sxt
                                    • 15 Apr 2014

                                    [deleted post]I don't think your comment has anything to do with the this bit of news at all. Maybe you might want to take that hate somewhere appropriate.

                                      • D
                                      • AnonD-212255
                                      • khm
                                      • 15 Apr 2014

                                      AnonD-168372, 15 Apr 2014S5 is built from expensive quality materials but lower mark... moreYou really can't believe that....right? Making plastic molds is much less labor intensive than machining and milling aluminum for the iPhone.

                                      It's not quantum mechanics, so why does everybody get so confused? Plastic will ALWAYS be cheaper to manufacture than metal and glass.

                                      Face it. Samsung is just as greedy,if not more than all the other companies. At least when I buy an HTC or an iPhone I get a premium device for the premium price.

                                        • l
                                        • lol
                                        • m5g
                                        • 15 Apr 2014

                                        Anonymous, 15 Apr 2014No, He's right. The S5 is more expensive than the iphone 5S... moreprevious iphones had bom of 140 dollars and sold for 600