Galaxy S5 Release Date More Likely on April 2014: 7 Confirmed Killer Specs & Features to Expect
Release date of the Galaxy S5 is more likely to happen on April 2014 contrary to earlier report that the Galaxy S4 replacement is making its grand entry as early as January of the same year, a new report said.
The claims aired by popular tech blogger Eldur Murtazin bears more credence, according to Gotta Be Mobile. The industry insider is boldly shooting down suggestions coming from South Korea that the next hero phone from Samsung will rollout either by the last week of January or early February 2014.
Murtazin based his guesswork on the notion that the Asian tech giant would want to make the Galaxy S5 debut glitch-free - no supply woes to hamper the global distribution and no software and hardware problems to disappoint old and new Sammy fans.
April, according to GBM, is the sweet spot for Samsung as the GS5 release date on the month will ensure that buyers from all over the world will get hold of the handset on time plus with the variants and specifications (colours, storage configurations, etc.) of their choice.
One clear advantage of an April 2014 availability for the Galaxy S5 is the shorter waiting time for its actual release, said the same report, adding that Samsung is likely planning a launch date that is independent of any major tech gatherings set in Q1 2014.
That would mean, the GS5 is more likely to skip the CES in January and the Mobile World Congress that will follow shortly. The reason for this: Samsung will push for the GS5's own Unpacked Event with the device hogging spotlight just like the GS4 and the Galaxy Note 3 before it.
So it safe to assume that intro time for the Galaxy S5 will be late March 2014 in preparation for a global rollout after a very brief waiting period. And Galaxy lovers can expect the following killer specs and features to come right out of the box with the GS5:
Same GS4 build but with enhanced display
Sammy watchers believe the Galaxy S5 is keeping the handset profile introduced by Samsung with the Galaxy S4. The new phone will pretty much come in the same size of the GS4 but definitely with a slightly wider screen, probably stretched to 5.2-inch.
The GS5 will also sport a 2K resolution display panel, meaning the viewing window will boast of 2560 x 1440 screen resolution with pixel density of 560ppi.
Two key variants - metal and plastic editions
Rumours about the Galaxy S5 casing are in conflict. Some say the frame would be metallic this time around with Samsung finally ditching the much-criticised cheap look and feel of the Galaxy S flagship phones.
However, in order to deliver the device on time and make sure that is robust and cost-effective at the same time, Samsung will issue the GS5 in two editions. The plastic variant will likely come out first in the appointed release date while the metal-wrapped edition will be pushed out in a later date.
With this approach, the company is making everybody happy.
Superior camera features
The GS5 will represent a giant leap from the GS4 in terms of smartphone camera servings from Samsung. For its first 2014 flagship, the Korean tech firm will serve 16MP main shooter that will be paired with a host of killer cam features.
There were talks that Samsung is investigating the possibility of equipping its upscale handsets with 20MP+ lens but the likelihood of that is stronger on the Galaxy Note 4, which should materialise in the last quarter of 2014.
Premium storage options
Samsung is going very high-end with the GS5 and to highlight such big jump, the storage configuration to come with the phone would be no less than 32GB, which is what was seen in the Galaxy Note 3.
No more 16GB for the Galaxy S5 plus the possibility that the device will be sold too in numerous built-in device storage options - with buyers getting a 128GB variant plus the ability to further extend that space with the usual microSD slot.
Highly improved Samsung-Android ecosystem
Researchers said that for the smartphone business, only two names matter - that of Apple and Samsung. Yet to date, the Apple ecosystem is considered a lot better than any other although Samsung is catching up fast.
That could soon change with the Galaxy S5 with the promise of more premium Android apps for the smartphone and wider choice of device accessories - from productivity, aesthetic and entertainment compatible products.
Better software support
There is little doubt that the GS5 will debut with the latest Android build in tow, probably KitKat 4.4.2. And for the life of the device, it is expected that its OS will be updated as soon as Google issues the latest from, at least faster than any other device makers can.
Reasonable retail price point
As Samsung gains more traction on its ongoing battle with Apple, the Galaxy maker is establishing better presence in the global smartphone market. With more destinations for its products, Samsung has earlier vowed that its mobile devices will become more accessible.
With more telcos, distributors and retailers picking up the Galaxy brand, analysts expect the upcoming Galaxy S and Galaxy Note iterations to become attractive to consumers in terms of pricing for the value they get.
While the Galaxy S5 is touted as a giant upgrade from the Galaxy S4, Samsung watchers expect the device to reflect the same price points associated with its predecessor. That would mean greater accessibility for existing and would-be Galaxy phone owners.