Samsung Galaxy S5 Review

Welcome to the 2017 Samsung Galaxy S5 review. The Galaxy S5 was original release in early 2014 so is old but it’s still being sold because it’s replacement the Galaxy S6 was a bit of a flop and the S6 has one key selling feature that Samsung discovered was essential and that was a MicroSD memory expansion slot. The Galaxy S6 didn’t have it and sold according while the latest S7 has it and has sold in record numbers. Apart form that, the obvious other key factor was that  the majority of the range topping phones are on two year contracts Samsung needed to keep selling the S5 for another 2 years until the all now 2017 S8 gets released. The Galaxy S5 now features on this website is because it’s retail pricing has dropped under $399 and more often than not $369.

In terms of construction theGAlaxy  S5 is good. The chrome like frame looks cheap likewise the plastic removable back cover but at least the glass screen has a nice high end pattern running through it. By 2017 standards the Galaxy S5 overall looks a little cheap as a growing number for mobile phones in this price range are now made of aluminum. All that said, it is well put together and feels solid in the hand. Put on a decent cover and no one would know that it’s an old design.

In terms of hardware features the Galaxy S5 still has everything you could possibly want in 2017. Perhaps the missing fingerprint scanner may disappoint but it was designed back in 2013 for the 2014 release and let’s face it no one had it as a feature at the time and more to the point other phones in this price still don’t have them. The S5 camera outclassed but top end phones but this camera still beats any phone in this price range easily and any other smart phone except the Nokia N95. The removable back means that you can replace the battery and add in a memory card up to 128Gig memory card for not much more money! Extra features include a infra-red blaster perfect of universal remote control, heart rate monitor, replaceable battery and even a micro SD slot.

In terms of use the Galaxy S5 has a feature packed interface. Unfortunately the interface is not as smooth as others in the price range. Apart from that it will run all the latest apps without any problems. There are plenty of old reviews on this phone so won’t carry on about the why’s and why not after all it was released in 2014,  needless to say that it was ahead of it’s time in terms of little things like notifications and multi-tasking that have only arrived recently.

The Galaxy S5 is an appealing smartphone in 2017 thanks to the price drop. Sure there are many 2017 models of the same price will be just as good but in a different way and they won’t be a Galaxy S5 it’s old but it’s good.

Specifications

  • Samsung Galaxy S5 Active
  • Network
    Quad-band GSM 850/900/1800/1900
    All 3G frequencies
    All 4G frequencies
  • Design
    Touch screen
  • L145.3 x W73.4 x D8.9 mm
  • Weight 170 grams
  • Display
    5.1 inch 1,920 x 1080 AMOLED
  • Camera
    16MP auto-focus
    LED Flash
    2nd forward facing still/video call camera 2MP
  • Video Camera
    2160p high definition 30FPS main video camera
    2MP Video phone camera
  • Connectivity
    Wi-Fi
    Bluetooth V4
  • CPU
    Quad core 2.5 Ghz
    Separate Andreno 330 Graphics CPU
  • Memory
    2Gig RAM
    Up to 16 Gig for user
    Up to 128Gig micro-SD expansion
  • Features
    A-GPS, GLANOSS, Compass, Accelerometer, Gyroscope
    Proximity, Ambient Light, Barometer, Heart rate monitor,
    Infra-red blaster
    Google Play store and Samsung Store
    Li-Po 2800 mAh battery
    Up to 20 Days standby
    Up to 24 hours Talk Time
  • Price history
    Approx $369 AUD late 2017 (Outright)