Samsung

Samsung Galaxy S5 Plus: Pros and Cons

Android OS v4.4.2 (KitKat)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 APQ8084
Adreno 420
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 Plus smartphone in 2014. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5.1 inch Super AMOLED display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 APQ8084 SoC, and 2 GB of RAM. The Galaxy S5 Plus series was launched with Android OS v4.4.2 (KitKat) pre-installed, but it is upgradable. The phone comes with a high-quality AMOLED display. This smartphone has a single camera on the back (16 MP, 5312 x 2988 px, autofocus). Does this phone justify its price tag? I hope to provide clarity by the conclusion of my review.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Samsung Galaxy S5 Plus 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 Plus / 1

Samsung Galaxy S5 Plus specifications

BrandSamsung
NameGalaxy S5 Plus
ModelG901F
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 Plus 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 Plus / 1

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v4.4.2 (KitKat)
SoCQualcomm Snapdragon 805 APQ8084
CPUQuad-core 2.5 GHz Krait 450
GPUAdreno 420

The Samsung Galaxy S5 Plus comes with Android OS v4.4.2 (KitKat) out of the box. The Android operating system uses the Linux kernel as its foundation. It includes a user interface, middleware, and many pre-installed applications. 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 Plus / 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 Plus / 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. The needed RAM amount for good performance depends on factors. These include the OS, the apps, and the services you use. Most people think a smartphone needs at least 32 GB of storage. The Galaxy S5 Plus has only 16 GB. You can expand the internal storage (16 GB) with a compatible microSD card.

Samsung Galaxy S5 Plus / 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 Galaxy S5 Plus comes with a basic camera setup and lacks any advanced features.

Samsung Galaxy S5 Plus / 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
NFCyes
FM radiono
USBUSB host
Headphone3.5 mm jack

Worldwide, people use 4G networks. They have become the standard for mobile networks in many countries. The phone is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The Galaxy S5 Plus 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 Plus has a built-in NFC chip, which allows it to support various NFC applications and services. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

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, fingerprint, gesture, gyroscope, heart rate, proximity
SpecialsCorning Gorilla Glass 3

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The Galaxy S5 Plus smartphone has an accelerometer. The Galaxy S5 Plus phone has a fingerprint scanner. Corning Gorilla Glass is a type of chemically strengthened super-glass.

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
Add Samsung Galaxy S5 Plus to your comparison

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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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