Samsung

Samsung Galaxy S5: Pros and Cons

Android OS v4.4.2 (KitKat)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 MSM8974AC
Adreno 330
2 GB / 16 GB
5.1 inch (1080 x 1920 px)
16 MP, 5312 x 2988 px, autofocus

Samsung announced the launch of the Galaxy S5 smartphone in 2014. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5.1 inch Super AMOLED display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 MSM8974AC SoC, and 2 GB of RAM. The Galaxy S5 series was launched with Android OS v4.4.2 (KitKat) pre-installed, but it is upgradable. The 5.1 inch phone comes with a high resolution AMOLED display (1080 x 1920 px). This smartphone has a single camera on the back (16 MP, 5312 x 2988 px, autofocus). Let's dive into what makes this device unique.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Samsung Galaxy S5 smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.

Samsung Galaxy S5 / 1

Samsung Galaxy S5 specifications

BrandSamsung
NameGalaxy S5
ModelSM-G900
Release date2014

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight5.11 oz
Dimensions5.59 x 2.85 x 0.32 inch
Colorscharcoal black, copper gold, electric blue, shimmery white
SIM typeMicro SIM

The weight of Samsung Galaxy S5 is about 5.11 oz with battery. This is average for smartphones of the same size. A micro SIM is a smaller version of the standard SIM card used in mobile devices.

Samsung Galaxy S5 / 1

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v4.4.2 (KitKat)
SoCQualcomm Snapdragon 801 MSM8974AC
CPUQuad-core 2.5 GHz Krait 400
GPUAdreno 330

The Samsung Galaxy S5 comes with Android OS v4.4.2 (KitKat) out of the box. Android is a mobile operating system. Google built it using a modified version of the Linux kernel. They also used other open-source software. The mid-range CPU can deliver fast, efficient performance for many tasks. Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors work with Adreno GPUs. The processors are designed for the GPUs.

Samsung Galaxy S5 / 2

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeSuper AMOLED
Screen size5.1 inch
Resolution1080 x 1920 px
Multitouch supportyes

AMOLED displays enable an Always-On Display feature. A part of the screen remains active to display the time, date, and notifications. The 5.1 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.

Samsung Galaxy S5 / 3

Memory, storage

RAM2 GB
Internal storage16 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

The smartphone has 2 GB of RAM. It can run many apps at once without much lag or slowness. More RAM lets you keep more apps and processes open in the background. This keeps the device from slowing down. Most people think a smartphone needs at least 32 GB of storage. The Galaxy S5 has only 16 GB. You can expand the internal storage (16 GB) with a compatible microSD card.

Samsung Galaxy S5 / 4

Cameras, flash

Main camera16 MP, 5312 x 2988 px, autofocus
FlashLED
Selfie camera2 MP

The single camera can be enough for many smartphone users. It depends on their photography needs and preferences. The main camera of Galaxy S5 smartphone does not have OIS. The optical image stabilization (OIS) is an important feature in smartphones.

Samsung Galaxy S5 / 5

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetoothv4.0, A2DP, LE
GPSA-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou
NFCyes
FM radioyes
USBUSB host
Headphone3.5 mm jack

The 4G provides faster data transfer speeds compared to previous generations. The phone is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The Galaxy S5 smartphone is capable of connecting to Bluetooth devices. The GPS allows this smartphone to find their exact location. It provides accurate navigation and mapping. The Galaxy S5 comes with NFC (Near Field Communication) functionality. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Samsung Galaxy S5 / 6

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Ion 2800 mAh

The Li-Ion 2800 mAh battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The Li-ion is a low maintenance battery. It does not need periodic full discharge. You can simply buy a new battery from the open market and interchange it by yourself.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, barometer, compass, gesture, gyroscope, heart rate, proximity
SpecialsCorning Gorilla Glass 3

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer is a sensor. It measures the tilting motion and orientation of the phone. Corning Gorilla Glass is tougher. It resists scratches, impacts, and drops.

Verdict, pros and cons

Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this Samsung phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.

Pros

  • Super AMOLED display
  • microSD slot
  • Corning Gorilla Glass shield

Cons

  • limited-size screen
  • insufficient internal storage
  • single camera setup
  • no OIS function
  • no 5G support
  • low-capacity battery
  • no fingerprint reader
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Lucas Bradley I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.
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