Samsung Galaxy S5 review: Fab Five

08 April 2014
Every time the Samsung Galaxy S counter flips a digit, the world is getting ready to be amazed. The lineup that stood up to the iPhone and has been pulling Android to the very top of the food chain, is under new leadership effective last month...

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  • ?
  • Anonymous
  • MpU
  • 08 Apr 2014

The build quality and ability to survive droptests impress me most, no more need for any protective case!

    • ?
    • Anonymous
    • MpU
    • 08 Apr 2014

    Flash is still welcome using Dolphin browser or Boat browser on every KitKat, including S5!

      • D
      • AnonD-66693
      • tR6
      • 08 Apr 2014

      AnonD-237389, 08 Apr 2014Yes. The second picture of comparison easily show that.the ... moreYeah on that but not overall.

        • L
        • Lord
        • 0@v
        • 08 Apr 2014

        Nothing new here. My G2 still has better size ratio and battery life. Im not saying the S5 isn't a better performer but the difference is negligible.. I think that the m8 offer more. even though it loses in the specs department it has better software. I want to see if the Z2 can deliver what was promised and maybe I'll switch.

          • D
          • AnonD-13270
          • Tr}
          • 08 Apr 2014

          Many good choices came up this year(M8-Z2-S5)
          Personally Ill go with s5 for my own reasons.But we are lucky to have so many great options.Freedom of choice people no need to harass others just choose what you like and move on.

            • D
            • AnonD-53326
            • gJX
            • 08 Apr 2014

            So much love and so much hate.
            No one can deny that the S5 is an overall excelent phone. It has no major drawbacks and has many unique features.
            The only bad thing about the S5 in that for most it is not a beautiful devise with premium materials. But the built quality and durability is absolutly fantastic if you have checked any of the available drop tests.
            That being said I personally prefer the Z2 and I can't undestand the hate about its vesels. Same thickness as S5, only 1 mm wider but it has a 0.1'' bigger screen. Yes it is 4mm taller but that doesn't make ergonomics worse for single handed use and it has front stereo speakers and 200mA bigger battery.
            Every phone has their up and downs. HTC ONE M8 is also an excelent phone with its camera (prolly) being the weak spot.
            Samsung had superior offerings with S line for 3 years. Up to S3 it was by far the best flagship choice. Since last year other OEMS catch up and this year we have trully ON PAR flagship devises.
            So stop bashing and accept that it all comes down to PERSONAL prefferences.

              • D
              • AnonD-252027
              • Snu
              • 08 Apr 2014

              stereospeakers for kids
              camera is best
              display is best
              performance is best
              Metal is bad for the connection know about it all in the industry, aluminum is not a premium material, it is used for beer cans. At s5 soft touch texture like nexus7 instead of glossy plastic s4

                • D
                • AnonD-237389
                • avF
                • 08 Apr 2014

                AnonD-66693, 08 Apr 2014Did you read the review? -.-Yes. The second picture of comparison easily show that.the writings are much more readable on z1c not s5, so z1c is in top

                  • D
                  • AnonD-66693
                  • tR6
                  • 08 Apr 2014

                  AnonD-237389, 08 Apr 2014Z1c camera is superior over s5Did you read the review? -.-

                    • d
                    • darkich
                    • 3LG
                    • 08 Apr 2014

                    Yet another brilliant review by GSMArena.
                    Keep up the great work guys :)

                      • D
                      • AnonD-237389
                      • avF
                      • 08 Apr 2014

                      Z1c camera is superior over s5

                        • D
                        • Dovice
                        • 32E
                        • 08 Apr 2014

                        I think it unfair that GSMArena compared a brand new phone, the S5, to an older phone, the Z1, when the Z2 is entering the market at the same time as the S5. BTW, I tried an S5, Gear 2 and Gear Fit yesterday in a Three store here in the UK. All very impressive, although touchwhiz on the S5 is still much much slower than pure Android or Xperia or the G2. Samsung need to optimise it because it slows down an otherwise fast capable phone. The same with the Gear 2, great screen and industrial design, but the swipe interface is laggy and inconsistent. Gear Fit is very nice though.

                          • n
                          • nadeem
                          • vGD
                          • 08 Apr 2014

                          HTC m8 is better than s5 and z2 Bcz design and camera

                            • f
                            • fico
                            • Ia1
                            • 08 Apr 2014

                            Not a surprise.. here we go again, samsung marketing bucks speaks again. sad!
                            Anyway s5 is a great phone for sure, but not that better than other competitor such as M8 and Z2.

                              • ?
                              • Anonymous
                              • 5FJ
                              • 08 Apr 2014

                              [deleted post]I get the same feeling, too. Bezels on Z2, M8 and S5 are quite comparable without any noticeable difference. In another review on YouTube (made by a famous channel) it was stated that bezel size was increased in S5 (in comparison with S4), in order to improve durability and rigidity. At the same time, ANY bezel size is unacceptable in Sony. Why is that? Overall it feels like there is too much fake hype going on around the new Samsung, which is already getting annoying. Honestly, it is an okay phone but nothing special and so ground breaking as some reviews are desperately trying to make it look. Especially while being overly critical and picky towards other competitors.

                              Not to make a huge statement here but it seems more and more that Samsung Mobile has increased its marketing and advertising budget once again...

                                • D
                                • AnonD-222610
                                • IVK
                                • 08 Apr 2014

                                AnonD-237024, 08 Apr 2014The plastic build NEEDS to change, and I'm sure some will a... moreWhatever you say DehMacLuvr. My opinion premium material does increase price, size, weight and break easily like xperia z, iphone 5s/4s. My xperia acro s is made out of plastic and does the job protect my phone from crack but with scratches ONLY.

                                  • D
                                  • AnonD-243215
                                  • dQK
                                  • 08 Apr 2014

                                  great review for great phone..
                                  i wonder how htc m8 could beat s5 in most benchmark with excellent optomaization..
                                  i like both s5 and m8 ..last year i had m7 and i very satisfy of this..
                                  i think i`ll prefer m8 this year over s5 but both of are the best in the market..
                                  great job sami.

                                    • D
                                    • AnonD-251997
                                    • KIQ
                                    • 08 Apr 2014

                                    It's an amazing phone and is readily available to purchase from homeshopping.pk for rs 79900 which is almost 800 usd ....I don't know how did they manage to get it even before launch

                                      • D
                                      • AnonD-237024
                                      • 9E9
                                      • 08 Apr 2014

                                      AnonD-222610, 08 Apr 2014OIS, plastic body need to be change, bigger sensor(1/2.3&qu... moreThe plastic build NEEDS to change, and I'm sure some will agree with me on that. If they are going to make a premium phone at least make it a premium build as well. It looks like a toy when you think of it.

                                        • D
                                        • AnonD-237024
                                        • nGg
                                        • 08 Apr 2014

                                        Anonymous, 08 Apr 2014I don't think there's nothing wrong with the S5. There are ... moreI agree. Innovation is running out and companies are taking drastic measures.