Is Samsung Working on a Galaxy S6?
GalaxyS5 , News , smart phones / November 4, 2014

It’s been just over 6 months since Samsung released its Galaxy S5 flagship smartphone, but new reports suggest the company is already working on its successor. This news comes just weeks after Samsung released the Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge, leaving some people to speculate if The Next Big Thing will be the Galaxy 6. According to SamMobile, Samsung is in fact working on a new Galaxy smartphone, but it’s not being called the Galaxy S6 (at least for now). Sources close to the development team say it’s being called Project Zero. As SamMobile points out, this is the first time Samsung has opted for such a unique codename for its devices. Previous flagship devices were given generic names, such as Project J (Galaxy S4), Project H (Galaxy Note 3), Project K (Galaxy S5) and Project T (Galaxy Note 4). Why is Samsung taking such a different approach with the Galaxy S5’s successor? Being that Samsung has yet to confirm nor deny the project, we really don’t know why it chose the codename Project Zero for the Galaxy S5’s successor. With that said, SamMobile claims its sources told them the project name is a reflection of the device’s…

Android 5.0 Spotted on The Galaxy S5
GalaxyS5 , News , smart phones / November 3, 2014

The largest and most comprehensive update in the history of Google’s Android operating system is right around the corner, leaving many people (including myself) speculating what’s in store for the Galaxy S5. We’ve seen the Android 5.0 Lollipop Developer Preview, but we still don’t know how the new OS will impact build functionality — at least not until now. SamMobile recently published leaked screenshot images depicting Android 5.0 L running on the Galaxy S5. The build shown in the images is LRX02E, and it reveals some pretty impressive new features. It’s important to note, however, that the device depicted in the leaked images isn’t running the official Android 5.0 L, but rather a modified version. The build reportedly changes the Android version name from “L” to “5.0,” and it brings back the Android bird game as an Easter egg. Android 5.0 L will introduce a plethora of new goodies, including a fingerprint screen lock feature, system-wide universal fonts (smaller than original), Google search bar added to recent menu, different color schemes, removed interruptions from sound settings, new filter options under Gallery (Pets, Events, Scenery, Documents, Food, Vehicles and Flowers), improved Material user interface, text in navigation bar icons, new search…

Galaxy S5 Active May Soon Launch In European Markets
GalaxyS5 , News , smart phones / October 28, 2014

The rugged and ultra-durable Galaxy S5 Active may soon launch in select European markets. According to the folks at GSM Arena, November 16 is the rumored date for the release. While Samsung has yet to confirm or deny this rumor, there’s strong evidence suggesting that it’s true. So, how do we know the Galaxy S5 Active will launch in Europe next month? One piece of evidence hinting at its release was a listing on the European retailer giant Centralpoint. The listing, which was posted presumably by mistake, revealed the Galaxy S5 Active with a €577 (included VAT) price tag. Assuming this listing is correct, the Galaxy S5 Active will cost about €50 less than its previously rumored price. And to make the deal even better, Centralpoint will offer buyers a €100 store gift card for leaving a review of the Galaxy S5 Active on their website. Another recently leaked document revealed the markets in which the Galaxy S5 Active will be launched. These markets reportedly include Austria, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Bulgaria, France, Switzerland, Poland, Slovenia, Germany, Italy, the UK, the Nordic countries, and the Baltics. Other regions will likely be added to the list once new firmware updated are rolled…

Review: Mophie’s Extended Battery Case For The Galaxy S5
consumer electronics , GalaxyS5 , News , smart phones / October 15, 2014

Mophie, one of the most leading manufacturers of extended battery smartphone cases, recently released a case for the Galaxy S5. Samsung’s flagship smartphone is already touted as being one of the most power-efficient devices on the market, offering an average of 21 hours talk time per single charge. And users can stretch their Galaxy S5’s battery even longer by using its Ultra Power Saving Mode. So, do you really need Mophie’s extended battery case? The Galaxy S5 features a removable 2,850 mAh battery, meaning you can carry a backup if you can’t seem to keep your device charged. When your device runs out of juice, you can simply replace the battery for instant power. There’s no faster or easier way to recharge your device. With that said, Galaxy S5-compatible batteries aren’t cheap, so it’s probably a smarter move to invest in an extended battery case, such as Mophie’s. You might assume that Mophie’s case for the Galaxy S5 features the same 2,850 mAh battery. After all, this is the battery type used in the Galaxy S5, so it would only make sense for Mophie to include it in its case. According to the company’s official product listing, though, it features…

Why Is Samsung Dragging Its Feet With the Galaxy Alpha?
News , smart phones / October 14, 2014

We’ve known about Samsung’s premium smartphone for months now. The device was originally rumored to be named the “Galaxy Prime,” but recent reports suggest it will be called the “Galaxy Alpha.” What we don’t know, however, is when exactly Samsung plans to release it, or why they are taking so long. This year, we’ve seen an influx in smartphones with large screens that teeter on the line of being called a phablet. The Galaxy S5, for instance, boasts an impressive 5.1″ display, and Apple announced that both the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus would feature larger display screens. So, what size screen will Samsung include in its upcoming Galaxy Alpha? According to PhoneArena.com, the Galaxy Alpha will have a slightly smaller 4.7″ Super AMOLED display with 720 by 1280-pixel. What truly makes the Galaxy Alpha stand out from the rest, however, is its physical design. It may have a smaller display screen with a lower pixel resolution, but the overall body design is quiet impressive to say the least. At just 6.7 mm, it’s the thinnest smartphone manufactured by Samsung — even thinner than the Galaxy S5. In addition to its sleek and slim design, the Galaxy Alpha also…

Logitech Launches New Ultra-Rugged Galaxy S5 Case
GalaxyS5 , hardware , News , smart phones / October 7, 2014

Still searching for a durable yet stylish case for your Galaxy S5? Logitech launched a new Logitech Protection [+] (Plus) case earlier this month. While there are dozens if not hundreds of Galaxy S5 cases available on the market, the Protection [+] takes a bold step in a different direction. It offers a unique combination of style, comfort, durability and usability features that simply aren’t found in other cases. To learn more about the new Logitech Protection [+] case and what it has to offer, keep reading. The Logitech Protection [+] lives up to its namesake by delivering more than just your average protective outer shell. Before we go into the special features it offers, however, let’s first talk about the physical design of this innovative new the case. According to the company’s website, the new Protection [+] case is designed withstand drops, bumps and scratches. It’s even tested to exceed the Military Drop Standard (MIL-STD 810G), which is pretty impressive to say the least. The Logitech Protection [+] will protect your Galaxy S5 from drops of 1.2 meters high, and it contains a layer of soft thermoplastic rubber to absorb shocks and blows. But the real beauty of the…

Android L Previewed on The Galaxy S5
GalaxyS5 , News , smart phones / October 6, 2014

Curious to know what Google’s upcoming Android 5.0 L operating system will look like on the Galaxy S5? While it’s still months away from being officially released (we assume), the folks over at SamMobile.com recently published a video which shows Android L running on the Galaxy S5. How were they able to install Android L on the Galaxy S5? SamMobile claims that unnamed “sources” provided the Android L test build for Samsung’s flagship smartphone. Initially, their goal was to make the new firmware available for every Galaxy S5 user on the planet, but this vision was soon shot down once they released just how many bugs and quirks needed fixing. Nonetheless, the preview video gives us fans a sneak peak into the future of the Galaxy S5 and other Android L-compatible devices. Samsung typically drags its feet when it comes to rolling out new Android updates, but there’s a good reason for its procrastination: the Galaxy S5 uses its own TouchWiz UI on top of the standard Android OS. This often creates some compatibility problems which Samsung must fix before releasing new Android updates to the Galaxy S5. In the preview video showing the Galaxy S5 running Android L, however,…

Samsung To Launch Galaxy S5 Mini In July
GalaxyS5 , News , smart phones / October 1, 2014

You might have to wait a little while longer to get your hands on the Galaxy S5 Mini. According to a recent report published by SamMobile, Samsung is preparing to launch the new miniaturized version of its flagship smartphone in July. So if you’ve been patiently waiting to purchase the Galaxy S5 Mini, you may want to choose a different device. Assuming this information is correct, it could take nine months (or longer) before it’s even released. Why is Samsung waiting to release the Galaxy S5 Mini when the device is more than likely already finished? We can only speculate as to why Samsung is waiting to release the Galaxy S5, but one theory is that it’s hoping to capitalize on the Galaxy S5 brand name. Samsung has spent millions of dollars promoting the Galaxy S5, which is apparent if you watch the television or listen to the radio. With the Galaxy S5 brand already known to so many people — both in America and abroad — the Galaxy S5 Mini should sell with little effort. This will allow Samsung to continue selling devices well into 2015, even as demand for the original Galaxy S5 begins to subside. The Galaxy…

Android 5.0 L Coming Soon To The Galaxy S5
GalaxyS5 , News , smart phones / September 23, 2014

Android 5.0 (dubbed Android L) is expected to be largest and most complex update ever performed on the Google-owned mobile operating system. In fact, the Mountain View company even released a developer preview version of the upcoming OS to help smooth over the transition for developers. We still don’t know which devices will receive the Android 5.0 update, but several credible sources are saying Samsung is planning to roll out Android 5.0 to its Galaxy S5 flagship smartphone and Galaxy Note 4 “phablet.” There’s on major hurdle that Samsung most cross in order to use Android 5.0 L on the Galaxy S5 and Galaxy Note 4: creating an environment in which the new Android 5.0 L OS is compatible with its own signature TouchWiz user interface. Samsung’s TouchWiz UI is a skin that’s applied to the devices’ OS, which could trigger some compatibility problems with the new version of Android is released. Samsung is known for dragging its feet when it comes to providing updates; however, analysts are optimistic that it will provide a timely update to the Galaxy S5 and Galaxy Note 4 when Android 5.0 L is finally released. Assuming they are able to create a stable, compatible…

Galaxy A SM-A500 Spotted With Full-Metal Body
GalaxyS5 , News , smart phones / September 16, 2014

Samsung is known for releasing numerous versions, or variants, of its flagship smartphones, and the Galaxy S5 is no exception. According to leaked documents, the tech giant is preparing to release a Galaxy A variant (see image to the right). The upcoming Galaxy A will take a step away from Samsung’s traditional smartphone designs. While all of the previous Galaxy models have used a plastic body, this new variant will reportedly feature an all-metal body. Samsung has been criticized in the past for its use of a plastic body with the Galaxy S5, with some market analysts saying the company was cutting corners in an attempt to save money on production costs. Well, it looks like Samsung is taking the advice of these critics by releasing a metal body Galaxy variant. Unfortunately, we still know the complete details for Samsung’s new Galaxy variant. Tech Times reports that it feature a 13-megapixel primary camera, 5-megapixel secondary camera, 16GB storage, micro SD card,  2,330 mAh battery, and the same TouchWiz user interface from the Galaxy Note 4. Of course, the real beauty of the Galaxy A — if the reports are accurate — is its all-metal body. Samsung has been hesitant to produce…