Samsung Galaxy S5

Some of the features are pretty cool, water and dust resistance, ultra power saving mode, improved camera (in low light) and Gear 2. However, was really expecting something better by way of design. I'll stick to my S2 thanks...
 
Dubes said:
Are you in the market for a new phone? What will you be considering then? I am due for an upgrade and was looking at the Note 3 but was waiting for the S5 launch. Now I must decide whether to take the plunge or wait a little longer. Nothing is really saying "buy me, I'm a must have". I've even been pondering a Lumia for a change of scenery but the MS road map seems a little disjointed at the moment....

Maybe I'll hang onto my S3 and just go month to month.
Click to expand...
Nope, not in the market per se. However I was playing with the thought of getting this and then handing my S4 down to my wife who's S3 is pretty much FUBAR
 
Read a bit more on the S5. In all honesty - it is a fantastic phone, but it is easy to see why those having the S4 already (especially the S4) would be disappointed. So much for the innovation we all were looking for. After reading progressive innovation about flexible and curved screens, I find it a bit disappointing that they stick with super amoled instead of IPS. For someone coming from the S2 or even the S3, they will certainly not be disappointed. It is a very powerful phone, but what would you want all that power for? It's not like we are using a full blooded excel file with macros, pivot tables and links to other spreadsheets. There is no app in the world that requires this kind of computing power. I love more power and more memory and more RAM and more everything in cellphones, but if I have to be very realistic and honest with myself, it boils down to one important question - will I be willing to pay this much (I expect a price tag of R10-12k) for what I am getting. For this kind of cash, I can have a great time in Mauritius... (and for a little more take my wife with)
 
OGroteKoning said:
Read a bit more on the S5. In all honesty - it is a fantastic phone, but it is easy to see why those having the S4 already (especially the S4) would be disappointed. So much for the innovation we all were looking for. After reading progressive innovation about flexible and curved screens, I find it a bit disappointing that they stick with super amoled instead of IPS. For someone coming from the S2 or even the S3, they will certainly not be disappointed. It is a very powerful phone, but what would you want all that power for? It's not like we are using a full blooded excel file with macros, pivot tables and links to other spreadsheets. There is no app in the world that requires this kind of computing power. I love more power and more memory and more RAM and more everything in cellphones, but if I have to be very realistic and honest with myself, it boils down to one important question - will I be willing to pay this much (I expect a price tag of R10-12k) for what I am getting. For this kind of cash, I can have a great time in Mauritius... (and for a little more take my wife with)
Click to expand...

So if you are about to upgrade... what would you get then?
 
fanie.dry said:
So if you are about to upgrade... what would you get then?
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In all honesty I'd look at the competition (Sony, LG).

But I have to mention that I currently have an S4, which is why I'm so disappointed. This S5 is an S4 with a few gimmicks thrown in. I feel Samsung ran out of ideas with this device
 
Sorry, my Note 3 looks better than this S4s, and is still seen as possibly a better unit. And that being said, I feel the S4 looks better than the S5...
 
fanie.dry said:
So if you are about to upgrade... what would you get then?
Click to expand...

Note 3.

A quick comparison of the two:
http://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3?idPhone1=5665&idPhone2=6033

Basically Note 3 is slightly bigger, slightly heavier, slightly less MP camera, slightly less powerful CPU, and doesn't have IP67 rating, heart rate monitor or finger scanner.
Note 3 has more RAM (3gig to 2gig,) uses same screen resolution (1080p super amoled) and batteries seem to last about the same time (roughly 2 days with moderate use.)

Another big difference is that the Note 3 uses a Micro SIM, while the S5 uses a Nano SIM.
You are either going to have to cut your existing SIM, or get a new one.

I already have a Note 3 + Gear, so can't really think it would be much of an upgrade.
 
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pezulu said:
Note 3.

A quick comparison of the two:
http://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3?idPhone1=5665&idPhone2=6033

Basically Note 3 is slightly bigger, slightly heavier, slightly less MP camera, slightly less powerful CPU, and doesn't have IP67 rating, heart rate monitor or finger scanner.
Note 3 has more RAM (3gig to 2gig,) uses same screen resolution (1080p super amoled) and batteries seem to last about the same time (roughly 2 days with moderate use.)

I already have a Note 3 + Gear, so can't really think it would be much of an upgrade.
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Umm, i have the note 3 now.

Thinking of getting the S5 and the Gear 2/Gear 2 Neo
 
fanie.dry said:
So if you are about to upgrade... what would you get then?
Click to expand...

Definitely the Sony Xperia Z2 (is it even a question)....and I want the Z2 tablet as well!!

Damn, I am lusting for this so much. Telkom Mobile better get these two devices fast.
 
fanie.dry said:
Umm, i have the note 3 now.

Thinking of getting the S5 and the Gear 2/Gear 2 Neo
Click to expand...

The big problem with the S5 is that protruding camera lens cover - you will need a cover for it, otherwise you'll damage it when putting it down on surfaces.

Samsung should have checked the Sony Xperia Z1 & Z2 for how it's done correctly.

Oh, and did I mention the Sony has a dedicated camera button?
 
kingrob said:
The big problem with the S5 is that protruding camera lens cover - you will need a cover for it, otherwise you'll damage it when putting it down on surfaces.

Samsung should have checked the Sony Xperia Z1 & Z2 for how it's done correctly.

Oh, and did I mention the Sony has a dedicated camera button?
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All the cameras of all the Galaxy's have been protruding. I own the S2, had the S4, and now have a Note 3, Never had any issues with scratching of the camera, but yes, I agree with your point, should have been done better!

Any idea on the release date of the Z2 over here?
 
fanie.dry said:
All the cameras of all the Galaxy's have been protruding. I own the S2, had the S4, and now have a Note 3, Never had any issues with scratching of the camera, but yes, I agree with your point, should have been done better!

Any idea on the release date of the Z2 over here?
Click to expand...

Never scratched the camera on my S3 or S4 either...

The camera on my HTC Sensation was recessed, and always used to gather dust.
 
It seems that some mainstream reviewers disagrees with this thread, as per launch discussion. On search engines it is S5 everywhere... it will most probably outsell the Z2 by the hordes, perhaps the USA will side with Sony, they like Sony.
 
fanie.dry said:
So if you are about to upgrade... what would you get then?
Click to expand...

I had this very discussion with a colleague of mine this morning. It is difficult. I recently got a Nexus 5 and I love the phone - dare I say more than the S2 ...

/runs away so kingrob can't catch me

The N5 ticks every single box I want from a phone - with vanilla Android I can shape the UI exactly the way I want to with xposed and Nova so I am not bound by manufacturer's UI's like Touchwiz. And I am one to try to stick to stock firmwares as close as possible.

To answer your question, I have to be very realistic when asking "Do I need to upgrade". I have a fantastic phone at half the price, so perhaps I should skip upgrading altogether and just pay less on my contract (or go to Game and get a R6k voucher for that gas braai I so want)

But if I didn't have the N5, my first choice would be the Samsung Galaxy S5. It is top of the line - although only slightly improved over the S4 (imo) but you can not go wrong with the S5. Samsung makes very high quality phones (forget about the plasticy comments and opinions for a moment). Although it is water/dust resistant, I am sure Samsung will still give a 2 indecent warranty (water damage/cracked screens/etc) which is a lot of peace of mind to have. There is nothing that makes this option non-viable (except maybe pricing which is unknown at this point in time)

Me next choice would probably be the LG G2 - fantastic camera and awesome battery life according to a review from a friend - although I m not sure what to think about the rocker switch at the back under the camera.

Then probably (unlikely?) the Sony. I am not a Sony fan for the feel when I hold it in my hands, but they make good devices
 
Fulcrum29 said:
It seems that some mainstream reviewers disagrees with this thread, as per launch discussion. On search engines it is S5 everywhere... it will most probably outsell the Z2 by the hordes, perhaps the USA will side with Sony, they like Sony.
Click to expand...

Nah ... not even in the USA. The S5 will continue and improve on the sales of the S4
 
Fulcrum29 said:
It seems that some mainstream reviewers disagrees with this thread, as per launch discussion. On search engines it is S5 everywhere... it will most probably outsell the Z2 by the hordes, perhaps the USA will side with Sony, they like Sony.
Click to expand...

Some mainstream reviewers always give favourable reviews for Samsung products, and then Samsung continues to send them their new phones and tablets for review first.

You don't want to bite the hand that feeds, otherwise you might find yourself always last on the list.
 
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