Two Galaxy S5 Release Dates for Q1 2014? 2 Body Builds, 1440p Display & Other Killer Features to Watch For
It is likely that Samsung fans will be getting two versions of the rumoured Galaxy S5 with the separate release date spread out from January through April of 2014.
Numerous reports insist that Samsung is building not one but two editions of the GS5, which is an approach that was employed by the South Korean tech giant with the Galaxy S4 earlier this year. It should be safe to assume then that apart from the regular-size GS5, there will be a Galaxy S5 Mini.
Which will come out first is now the question but conflicting reports seem to suggest of varying release dates for the GS4 replacement. From South Korea, tech blog sites hinted that the GS5 could be unveiled as early as January 2014.
Afterwards, the release date will soon follow, likely happening within the first two weeks of February.
But according to Gotta Be Mobile, tech blogger Eldar Murtazin is disputing the 2014 first quarter rollout for the GS5. In a tweet last week, Murtazin stated that "Galaxy s5 launch date (is) late April... Not 1q."
With the claims confusing, the only rationale left is the likelihood of at least two major GS5 builds with more editions coming out not totally discounted.
Regardless of how many Galaxy S5 versions will circulate next year, the following power specs and features are expected to be served, courtesy of Samsung:
Galaxy S5 wrapped in metal and plastic
The GS5 will retail in two builds - a version for the premium market and another for the budget-conscious. Obviously, the metallic GS5 will end up as the regular edition while the plastic-covered will be marketed as the GS5 Mini.
But no matter the material used to house and protect the GS5 components, the device should be slimmer than before thanks to Samsung's use of new antenna technology.
5.2-inch screen in 1440p display resolution and 560ppi
Benchmarks and chassis leaks about the GS5 pointed to a slightly bigger display, from the GS4's 5-inch to a 5.2-inch viewer that will beam out in 2560 x 1440 resolution. Also, the front real estate should be stunningly clear and crisp with 560ppi of pixel density flooding the screen.
Multiple processing chip implementations
Like the GS4 before it, analysts expect the Galaxy S5 to hit the market using various CPUs. Samsung has confirmed that 64-bit chips will debut with the GS5 but this will not be universal. In other destinations, the GS5 will be powered by a Snapdragon 800 or 805 chips.
As for the Galaxy S5 Mini, a mid-range processing chip should be expected in order to keep the price within the budget sphere.
Body design
Concepts have been coming out presenting the GS5 in different forms - curved display, foldable and wraparound. Nothing is written in stone at the moment but one thing is sure, the GS5 display language will employ and evolve from the GS4 and Galaxy Note 3. So nothing radical can be anticipated in this respect.
Killer camera
The GS4 cam was a mixed bag - from being decent to impressive. For sure, Samsung is gunning for enhancements in the GS5 which explains the speculations that a 16MP shooter is already in the works.
Note too that the Galaxy maker is currently developing a 20MP+ monster cam and maybe a bit more of nudge and the technology will be rushed in time for the rollout of a GS5 version, Perhaps, a Galaxy S5 Zoom is now laid out on the drawing boards?
Android still or Tizen?
There were talks that Samsung wants to have its ecosystem totally independent of Google's Android. The company could be headed to that path but not for 2014. So the GS5 will remain Android-based with a TouchWiz-skinned KitKat 4.4 coming out of the box.
Still, an experimental GS5 running on Tizen is not a bad idea if only for R&D purposes.