Recently,one of my family member’s mobile phone lines was up for renewal, and since that person didn’t want to get a new phone, I used the opportunity to upgrade to a Samsung Galaxy S5. It’s been about a year since I bought the Samsung Galaxy S4, and I was hesitant about upgrading, but I’m glad I did. Here’s why.
32GB Internal Storage
The white GS5 I purchased features 32 GB of internal storage. Finally.
It should be mentioned that although Samsung Galaxy phones typically offer microsd cards expandability, not all apps can be installed or moved to the microsd card, thereby limiting the user to the device’s internal storage. This won’t be a problem for most users, but it is definitely an issue for power-users, especially when the 16GB Samsung Galaxy S4 has only 9GB usable.
After using the Samsung Galaxy S4 for only a month, I found myself wanting more internal storage. I am glad to see that Samsung’s latest flagship phone is finally available in larger capacities in Singapore.
Sharper Photos with More Details
I was impressed with the GS4’s camera. It produces excellent images, so it’s quite a feat that its successor’s camera is even better. From my tests, images appear noticeably sharper and more detailed.
Whereas Samsung’s previous phones used image sensors by Sony, the GS5 features Samsung’s internally developed ISOCELL image sensor, and I am very impressed by the photos it produces.
I tested the GS5 against the GS4, Sony Xperia Z2 and the HTC One M8, and to my eyes, it took the best photos. The shooting experience is also better, it focuses faster and the shot-to-shot times are improved, as is low-light performance. That being said, it’s still not full-proof and it can focus incorrectly on occasion.
Touch Wiz – Finally Worth Using
Even though I’ve used Samsung Galaxy phones for the last 3 years, I’ve never used the default Touch Wiz user interface for an extended period of time. Typically, I replaced it with another launcher. But with the GS5, I’m actually using Touch Wiz and I’m quite happy with it.
Touch Wiz’s ‘bleeping’ and ‘blopping’ is still obnoxious and irritating, but it can be disabled quite easily.
I also appreciate how Samsung has clearly separated the lock screen from screen-off, ala iOS. Now I can switch-off the screen and only have the lock screen to kick-in after a pre-determined amount of time. This gives me the perfect mix of security and quick accessibility.
The Display is Fantastic
This upgrade surprised me the most. The GS5 is only 0.1 inches bigger than the GS4, and the resolution remains the same at 1920X1080, so I wasn’t expecting much of a change, but the significant increase in brightness and the way the images appear closer to the surface dramatically increases the quality of the image.
I must admit that I’ve longed preferred the brightness and colour reproduction of the IPS displays on the iPhone and HTC One over Samsung’s otherwise excellent AMOLED panels, but with the GS5, Samsung now has a monopoly on my admiration. Its mixture of brightness, pixel density, contrast, saturation and colour balance makes it a superlative display to my eyes.
Once again, considering how good the GS4’s screen is, this is another remarkable achievement.
A Vastly Improved Back Panel
A valid criticism of the GS4 was its ultra-smooth, almost slimy plastic back. It was a grease magnet that required constant cleaning. The back panel on the GS5 solves this problem with a matte, soft-touch, dimpled design, which reminds me of the HTC Desire and Galaxy SII respectively; two phones I thoroughly enjoyed using.
Standard Android Buttons
One thing I loved about my Xperia V was its standard Android buttons. Samsung has finally come to its senses and followed suit by replacing its menu button with the multi-tasking button. Personally I prefer the multi-tasking button because I tend to switch between apps more often than entering the menu.
Loyal Galaxy owners will be pleased to know that the menu can still be accessed from the on-screen menu button, or by long-pressing the multi-tasking button, so there is no reduced functionality.
Water Resistance – Great For The Careless, Sporty and Hygienic
Despite having previously owned a water proof phone, the Sony Xperia V, I had forgotten one of my favourite uses for it – washing it under the tap.
I tend to be quite careful with my phones and I don’t engage in any water bound activities, but I love to keep my phone clean. There’s no better way of getting rid of oil and smudges than giving your phone a good wash, provided it is water resistant.
Ergonomics – The One Step Back
If there is one area where the GS5 takes a step backwards, its the ergonomics. The GS4 is easier to use with one-hand due to its smaller size. I believe Samsung had the perfect size with the GS4; it was teetering on being ‘too big’ for one-handed use, but with the GS5, Samsung has firmly crossed the line. This issue is made worse by the GS5’s heavier weight. 15g may not sound like much, but it makes it even harder to use with one-hand.
I also take issue with some of the disingenuous display sets I handled. They had their batteries removed making them appear lighter than they really were. I confirmed this when I bought the phone and compared it with several display units side by side.
If the GS5 had retained the size and weight of the GS4, it would be perfect. Whenever I pick up a GS4, I immediately envy its petite size and shape.
A significant upgrade that I prefer over the competition
I did my due diligence before buying this phone. Honestly, I was quite hesitant about the purchase because the reviewers made the GS5 seem like a minor upgrade. But this hasn’t been my experience at all. The improved camera, build quality, back panel and increased storage makes it well-worth the money.
That’s saying a lot considering that I tend to be very careful with my tech purchases and I do not take a this kind of expenditure lightly.
In fact, I spent some time with the Sony Xperia Z2 and the HTC One M8 prior to buying the GS5. Originally, I had my heart set on the Xperia Z2 and I spent 30 minutes playing with the Z2, but it took only 10 minutes with the GS5 to win me over. Despite wanting to love the Z2, it was totally unwieldy and uncomfortable to use with one hand (much worse than the GS5) and Sony’s notification shade is terrible – why do I have to tap on a second panel in order to access quick settings? It’s called “quick settings” for a reason.
Considering how frequently I use that feature, I knew it would drive me crazy.
The Z2’s 20.7 mega pixel camera also defaults to 8 mega pixel in Auto Mode. Considering I shoot the majority of my photos in Auto, this made the camera considerably inferior to my GS4, let alone the GS5. I shouldn’t have to enter Manual mode to use the full 20.7 mega pixels.
It took me even less time with the HTC One M8 to rule it out. Even though I love Sense, HTC’s Ultra Pixel camera left me feeling underwhelmed. Its button placement is also a terrible travesty. Considering how tall the phone is, the top placement of the power button is absolutely ridiculous.
“But HTC has this new screen-based gestures to help you unlock your phone without having to press the hardware button,” a HTC sales representative proclaimed to me at the M1 Store at Paragon.
Without missing a beat, I immediately retorted, “Yeah, but I still need to switch the screen off right?”
To which, I was met with immediate silence.
The GS5’s removable battery also remains an understated feature that I’ve come to appreciate. Considering the amount of wear-and-tear that batteries undergo, I like having the ability to buy a new battery when the old one starts losing its ability to hold a charge.
I used this feature extensively with my GS4 and I have found it to be invaluable. Considering how large batteries are becoming, and how long it takes to charge, swapping a battery gives you the freedom to use your phone untethered. I almost never plugged in my GS4, saving it from the heat caused from charging. and increasing the longevity of the microusb port.
To upgrade or not to upgrade?
Despite its considerably improvements, I can think of several reasons why one should stick with the GS4. Firstly, it’s still an excellent phone and anyone looking to buy a new phone should consider its lower price and great value. Ironically, I think the greatest competition to the GS5 isn’t the HTC One M8 or the Sony Xperia Z2, it’s the GS4, with its superior ergonomics and size.
Another reason not to upgrade is Samsung’s latest duo of gimmicks, the heart rate monitor and the fingerprint sensor. Both are an absolutely horrible and terrible embarrassment. I am literally ashamed that these half-baked features are present on my phone. The fingerprint sensor isn’t as good as the iPhone 5S and the heart rate sensor provides such dubious results, it’s totally not worth using.
Samsung should not have included these features. I’d rather they make a higher profit margin by excluding these features from their bill of materials, instead of putting in lousy features that barely work, much to my utter embarrassment.
Thoroughly Satisfying
As a marketing communications professional, I am immune to ‘marketing speak’ and cognitive dissonance. I view products with the cold hard truth, ‘as-is’ without rose-tinted glasses. When I used the GS4, I was very happy with it. It was a great phone in every regard, but it wasn’t the kind of game-changer that the GS2 was for me.
With the GS5, Samsung has made enough significant improvements to give the phone the kind of same kind of game-changing experience that the GS2 gave me, making it a thoroughly satisfying phone.
