6 Cool Features in Considering the Samsung Galaxy S5

Considering the Samsung Galaxy S5?  We often get asked, is it worth it to upgrade to the latest and greatest phone on the market.  Our answer? It depends.  First of all, it depends how old your phone is.  If it’s a couple of Android generations back, it may be time to upgrade to benefit from the latest Android and Bluetooth features.

If you have last year’s model, well, waiting another year might be in order…unless the new features would totally benefit you.  For example, if you’ve dropped your phone in water a couple of times, a water resistant phone will save you more money in the long-term.

In considring the Samsung Galaxy S5, there are a lot of features we like about the smartphone, like it’s increased 4 quad-core processor for super fast movements and its 2,800 mAh battery, which is slightly better than it’s S4 2,600 mAh battery predecessor in the Galaxy S4.  Samsung has improved the Galaxy in a number of areas.  In addition to increasing the camera quality, here are 5 more features to keep in mind when considering the Samsung Galaxy S5…

Considering the Samsung Galaxy S5 New Features 

1.  16 Megapixel Camera

Provides rich colors and choice of what object is the focus of the picture.

The Galaxy S5’s 5.1 HD Super AMOLED screen makes taking and viewing pictures a delight!  Right away you’ll notice it’s phase detection autofocus which makes it faster to get your shot in focus.  Interestingly enough, the Galaxy S5 has a true 16:9 aspect sensor, which means you photos will finally fill your entire 16:9 ratio TV screen without distortion.  And guess what?  the GS5 also shoots video in 4K resolution.  This is the highest intensity of colors and detail available on the market today.

2.  Heart Rate Sensor

Samsung created a built-in heart rate sensor…right into the phone.  It’s located on the back of the phone, just below the camera lens and next to the phone’s flash.  Just press your finger lightly onto this space and a red light turns on to sense your heartbeat through the pumping of the blood in your finger.  You get to the app through Samsung’s own app, S Health.  Within this app you can get a list of all your readings or see them on a chart graphically.  

3.  Finger Swipe Security

Not to be outdone by the fingerprint scanner on the iPhone 5S, Samsung has now included one on the GS 5, only with the iPhone 5S you hold your finger there to activate and with the GS5, you need to swipe your finger over the sensor.  Samsung anticipates there will be many apps down the road, utilizing this fingerprint authentication for their security and authorizations. The finger swipe security works pretty well.  At times I have difficulty with it, but if it doesn’t work, you can enter a typed in password that you predetermine ahead of time.  I also like that you can instantly take pictures, even if you haven’t swiped your finger to gain access into the phone.

4.  Waterproof

Although Samsung doesn’t come out and call the  Galaxy S5 waterproof, it’s pretty much is.  Samsung received IP67 certification for the GS5, which means it’s water and dust resistant.  The micro charging input port comes with a swivel cover that you’re supposed to close after releasing the charging cord.  It’s a little annoying, but I see how this helps protect the phone from water situations.   If you lift of the back cover of the phone, you see a rubber seal that protects the innards from water.

Although I have not been gutsy enough to try my own tests of submerging the GS5 in water, I have watched a number of videos that show it can be submerged for several minutes and still work fine.  It’s really amazing.  Here’s a video I found online to show you…

5.  Ultra Performance Saving Mode (UPSM)

OK, it’s happened to us all.  You’re expecting an important call and you look down at your phone and see you have just 3% battery power left…perhaps even less!  Or you’re at a conference, snapping pics, reading email’s, tweeting away and it’s 1pm and you only have 9% battery to last you through the day.  Ugh.  With no charger in sight, what are you to do?

With the GS5, Samsung has created a new Ultra Power Saving Mode (UPSM).  With UPSM on, your 10% battery power is expected to last as long as 24 hours of standby time.  Once turned on, your screen turns to black and white, your WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity will be turned off, your mobile connection will be turned off (only when the screen turns off), yet you can still access essential apps/features.  I searched the Internet and found I could still review website pages fine…they were just in black and white.  THe UPSM is a great feature when you find yourself in a depleted battery emergency.  

6.  Fit Gear Integration

Samsung came out with the Galaxy Gear last year.  The Galaxy Gear is a smartwatch where you can check the time, answer your phone through the wristwatch, receive your text messages, check your steps with its built-in pedometer, take pictures and videos with it, and a slew of other features through apps built especially for the Galaxy Gear.  It’s  a fun watch, but it is a bit bulky and heavy too, especially for women.

Recognizing the need to cater to a more health focused consumer, Samsung came out this year with the Gear Fit.  Weighing only 1 ounce, the Gear Fit helps you monitor your steps, calories, running, hiking, cycling as well as your sleep.  It’s a pretty comprehensive device.  It also has a built-in heart rate monitor so you can measure your heart rate intensity at rest and during exercise. Just like the Galaxy Gear, you can receive text messages and appointment reminders right on your wrist, which is very handy.  Although you can’t take calls on it, you can see when a call is coming in and you can either dismiss it or have a pre-written message that is texted to the caller with a wipe of your finger.  

Right now, the Gear Fit syncs with a variety of Samsung devices, including the Galaxy S5/ Galaxy Grand 2 / Galaxy Note 3 / Galaxy Note 3 Neo / Galaxy Note 2 / Galaxy S4 / Galaxy S3 / Galaxy S4 Zoom / Galaxy S4 Active / Galaxy S4 mini /Galaxy Mega 6.3 / Galaxy Mega 5.8 / Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014 Edition) / Galaxy NotePRO (12.2) / and Galaxy TabPRO (12.2/10.1/8.4).

The Samsung Galaxy S5 is available at Walmart for $168 with a 2-year commitment to Verizon or AT&T.  The Samsung Gear Fit is also available at Walmart for $199, and does not need mobile service to use.

A Mom’s Perspective

Overall, when considering the Galaxy S5, you’ll find that there is not a dramatic upgrade from the Galaxy S4.  Yes, it has a heartbeat monitor, finger swipe security, and its waterproof appeal, which makes it a solid choice if upgrading from an iPhone or other Android phone.

Although Samsung doesn’t recommend dropping your Galaxy S5 in water, they created a phone that performs very well in shallow water.  We hope Samsung makes this a standard in their phones moving forward, many people would certainly benefit from it.

While we love the look and style and proposed functionality of the Galaxy Fit, it still isn’t the ultimate meter for fitness and rest, it’s not as automatic in tracking things as you’d hope and the sleep monitor needs to be turned on and off at night.

We are Samsung lovers here at WellConnectedMom.  They make a good quality product and despite the negative comments they get for their plastic backings on their smartphones, they do make the phone pleasantly light weight and reduce worries of dents if you drop your phone.

Are you considering the Samsung Galaxy S5?  Let us know!