The Galaxy S5

[Max(IT)]

On th I like audio and Sense feels pretty lean and responsive but the UI look is drab and sorta utilitarian. Also, I absolutely do not like the screen. Flat out, I think it's pretty bad. Very stale looking colors and blah contrast. It's needs the saturation turned up a few ticks. It just doesn't come close to the LG G2 or S5 screens.

And then there is the camera which I thought took washed out pics.

HTC is so very close to hitting the mark. Their design language is really good right now. Just fix two or three things.

That said, I think the S5 is the best android phone you can get and is good enough to bring me back to android. The screen is brilliant and the experience is the best of any android phone on the market. I'm really enjoying it.

Anyone that knows my post history knows I don't shill for Samsung or android, and I really like Apple. It's all about the best product and for now that is easily the Samsung S5. That could change in 5 months, but as it stands the S5 is the phone to beat.

Did you try any Sony phone ?
It is very hard for me to consider Samsung S5 as the best phone on the market, since its construction quality is so meh....
Even the cheap Nexus 5 seems premium in comparison to it, and that is unacceptable on a 700$ device.
Since I'm not so sure about buying an iPhone 6, especially if they are going to increase again the price, I'm looking around to find an alternative. Sony is known for good quality but the last Sony I had was the Xperia X10 quite a long time ago.

 

[Technarchy]

Did you try any Sony phone ?
It is very hard for me to consider Samsung S5 as the best phone on the market, since its construction quality is so meh....
Even the cheap Nexus 5 seems premium in comparison to it, and that is unacceptable on a 700$ device.
Since I'm not so sure about buying an iPhone 6, especially if they are going to increase again the price, I'm looking around to find an alternative. Sony is known for good quality but the last Sony I had was the Xperia X10 quite a long time ago.

Sony's software and support leaves me cold. Hardly worth it just for sake of getting a glass phone. And I just don't see the appeal in it's utterly massive size and very heavy weight.

And I don't see anything of merit in the Nexus 5's design, feel or materials. Especially over the S5 or even the S4, both of which are built well and solidly.

You say it seems more premium yet the screen is inferior, as is the camera, and battery life. No SD card support, no replaceable battery, much slower charge time, not waterproof...where is the advantage again? Where is the "premium"?

 

[Max(IT)]

Well...that is one guy's opinion...now let see what the experts have to say!
They say the Galaxy S5 has the best display on a smartphone they have ever tested.....including the HTC One M8....



http://www.displaymate.com/Galaxy_S5_ShootOut_1.htm

With a little googling you could find that there is a lot of questioning about displaymate conclusions and their "motivations", since other reviews (like anandtech but not only that) showed different results.
There are long threads on forums like xda and android central.
I can't say their results are biased for commercial reason, like someone is saying, but surely it is strange displaymate results are different from any other. The S5 display still is gorgeous, but I don't know if it is so much better than, for example, the M8's ...

 

[jamezr]

With a little googling you could find that there is a lot of questioning about displaymate conclusions and their "motivations", since other reviews (like anandtech but not only that) showed different results.
There are long threads on forums like xda and android central.
I can't say their results are biased for commercial reason, like someone is saying, but surely it is strange displaymate results are different from any other. The S5 display still is gorgeous, but I don't know if it is so much better than, for example, the M8's ...

With a little Googling....I am sure you can find whatever results you want to find to reinforce whatever POV you already have.............

 

[Max(IT)]

Sony's software and support leaves me cold. Hardly worth it just for sake of getting a glass phone. And I just don't see the appeal in it's utterly massive size and very heavy weight.

And I don't see anything of merit in the Nexus 5's design, feel or materials. Especially over the S5 or even the S4, both of which are built well and solidly.

You say it seems more premium yet the screen is inferior, as is the camera, and battery life. No SD card support, no replaceable battery, much slower charge time, not waterproof...where is the advantage again? Where is the "premium"?

I'd like to see a Z2 before judging it.
I asked you because lately I've read that Sony's UI has became very light and similar to stock Android, and I like the idea (at the time of x10 and android 2.1 it was a mess).
But I'd like to have some user reports....
Nexus 5 materials and design are superior than Galaxy's in my opinion.
The screen is inferior, you said? I've yet to discover. According to Anandtech the Nexus displays are very accurate.
Surely battery and camera are much better on the S5. Much better.
SD and replaceable battery are a no factor for me: Google is supporting SD less and less at every new so release and I'll never carry with me a spare battery (nor I know someone that do).
I'm not defining the Nexus 5 as premium. They cut some edges to keep price low. But it is a good phone compared to the S5 also....

I'm searching for alternative. The M8 is out of the game because of its camera. The LG G3? I'll take a close look at it, but Lg UI is a mess worse than touchwiz.
I'm very curious about Sony .....

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With a little Googling....I am sure you can find whatever results you want to find to reinforce whatever POV you already have.............

You are wrong: about the display I have no point of view.
I used it for a while, and I found it gorgeous, but for me are gorgeous the Nexus 5 and the M8 screens also.
But I like this kind of discussion, so if you have time take a look at those forum and let me know what do you think, if you are able to read without take it as an insult to your device.

 

[Technarchy]

With a little googling you could find that there is a lot of questioning about displaymate conclusions and their "motivations", since other reviews (like anandtech but not only that) showed different results.
There are long threads on forums like xda and android central.
I can't say their results are biased for commercial reason, like someone is saying, but surely it is strange displaymate results are different from any other. The S5 display still is gorgeous, but I don't know if it is so much better than, for example, the M8's ...

Google "S5" and "best display" and those words seem to go together quite often.

Google "S5 display better than M8" and that will turn up a slew of results as well

That same level of recognition just isn't happening for the M8, and then there is the camera which is leaves a lot to be desired.

Praise for the S5 display is near universal with the occasional anomaly. The M8 display is seen as good but 2nd fiddle by and large.

 

[jamezr]

You are wrong: about the display I have no point of view.
I used it for a while, and I found it gorgeous, but for me are gorgeous the Nexus 5 and the M8 screens also.
But I like this kind of discussion, so if you have time take a look at those forum and let me know what do you think, if you are able to read without take it as an insult to your device.

But you do have a very specific POV......as numerous others have called out here. You have already made up your mind about the S5. You constantly post negative misleading stuff about it. You have expressed your displeasure with just about all things Samsung and TW and the S5.....so why are you in this thread? You post something about the S5 then other who actually HAVE the phone repute your findings. Yet you continue to post negative things about a phone you do not like. Great...don't buy it...pretty simple. But then to keep coming back and post all the negative stuff you do.....well they call that trolling......

Every time someone posts a positive experience with the S5 you challenge them and say something negative. That speaks of your very narrow POV....you have an agenda. This is obvious to everyone as others have called it out as well.......

 

[bmac4]

I know you're enamored with the M8 and all it's terrible photos, but no need to poo-poo on the S5, which pretty universally is being regarded as the top android phone at the moment. With good reason. It's a damn good phone.

I don't care what people are saying. I would take the N5 and M8 over the S5. Not trying to troll here. The S5 is a good phone as you said, but Samsung can't figure the whole TW thing out. They just can't make it light. No matter what they do. They are always going to put a bunch of Samsung junk apps on the phone that no body wants, or uses. I know all the OEMs do it, but Samsung is by far the worst. This is why the N5 is the fastest, and IMO the best android phone until the next Nexus. The GPE come pretty close too.

 

[jamezr]

I don't care what people are saying. I would take the N5 and M8 over the S5. Not trying to troll here. The S5 is a good phone as you said, but Samsung can't figure the whole TW thing out. They just can't make it light. No matter what they do. They are always going to put a bunch of Samsung junk apps on the phone that no body wants, or uses. I know all the OEMs do it, but Samsung is by far the worst. This is why the N5 is the fastest, and IMO the best android phone until the next Nexus. The GPE come pretty close too.

I agree with you on this! I wish they would just tone it down with some of the bundled apps. Everyone just disables them anyway. I know I do.....

 

[Max(IT)]

Google "S5" and "best display" and those words seem to go together quite often.

Google "S5 display better than M8" and that will turn up a slew of results as well

That same level of recognition just isn't happening for the M8, and then there is the camera which is leaves a lot to be desired.

Praise for the S5 display is near universal with the occasional anomaly. The M8 display is seen as good but 2nd fiddle by and large.

Most (if not all) of the results will point to displaymate statement ....
S5 display surely is very good, I just don't know if it is so good as displaymate said or there is something behind that statement as someone is saying.
It is just out of curiosity, nothing more.
Anandtech described the S5 screen as very very good, so it's not a criticism ....

 

[bmac4]

I agree with you on this! I wish they would just tone it down with some of the bundled apps. Everyone just disables them anyway. I know I do.....

I don't get it. Why bother? You aren't going to make more money because no one uses it. I had a Note 2, and the crapware is the reason I stop using it, and said I would most likely never buy another Samsung phone. HTC seems to have it more figured out. I has the M7, and loved it. Very fast, and bloat seems limited to a degree.

I think I will just stick with my iPhone 5s, and my N5 as my backup. Don't have to worry about it at all.

 

[Max(IT)]

But you do have a very specific POV......as numerous others have called out here. You have already made up your mind about the S5. You constantly post negative misleading stuff about it. You have expressed your displeasure with just about all things Samsung and TW and the S5.....so why are you in this thread? You post something about the S5 then other who actually HAVE the phone repute your findings. Yet you continue to post negative things about a phone you do not like. Great...don't buy it...pretty simple. But then to keep coming back and post all the negative stuff you do.....well they call that trolling......

Every time someone posts a positive experience with the S5 you challenge them and say something negative. That speaks of your very narrow POV....you have an agenda. This is obvious to everyone as others have called it out as well.......

I have an agenda ? Lol, best post of the year ... I do have an agenda dude, with my wife (she's quite pretty, lucky me).
This is not a forum for customer advice.
This is a discussion forum.
This thread is not to meet people and say how good is your s5. This thread is to speak about it, positive and negative opinion are welcomed because they lead to discussion.

 

[gotluck]

I have an agenda ? Lol, best post of the year ... I do have an agenda dude, with my wife (she's quite pretty, lucky me).
This is not a forum for customer advice.
This is a discussion forum.
This thread is not to meet people and say how good is your s5. This thread is to speak about it, positive and negative opinion are welcomed because they lead to discussion.

you are constantly negative though
strausd's or appledes' protege

 

[Switchback666]

Do any of you s5 owners have try the download booster mode and how it works?

 

[ritholtz]

Google "S5" and "best display" and those words seem to go together quite often.

Google "S5 display better than M8" and that will turn up a slew of results as well

That same level of recognition just isn't happening for the M8, and then there is the camera which is leaves a lot to be desired.

Praise for the S5 display is near universal with the occasional anomaly. The M8 display is seen as good but 2nd fiddle by and large.

Some one posted these diagonal measurements in android forum.
if the navigation row is not "usable", then Galaxy S5 = 5.1, LG G2 = 5.0, Droid Maxx = 5.0, Galaxy S4 = 4.99, HTC M8 = 4.81, Nexus 5 = 4.76, HTC M7 = 4.7, Moto X = 4.52.

 

[Vegastouch]

With a little googling you could find that there is a lot of questioning about displaymate conclusions and their "motivations", since other reviews (like anandtech but not only that) showed different results.
There are long threads on forums like xda and android central.
I can't say their results are biased for commercial reason, like someone is saying, but surely it is strange displaymate results are different from any other. The S5 display still is gorgeous, but I don't know if it is so much better than, for example, the M8's ...

Well really who cares which screen has the best reviews. I buy the phone for what I like the best, not for which screen is the best. They are all close enough.
My Nexus 5 screen is nice and I can see it in the sun which I could not do on my GS3 but i also miss those vibrant colors so I don't really care what Anandtech thinks.
I have eyes.

 

[Robster3]

I just had another look at a S5 in store as i want a second phone, yes the screen looks nice, any better than my M8 i don't know.
But it's the lag, specially when you hit multitask button and then bring up the recent apps. Its slow, guess if you don't multitask no problem.

Lets be honest S5 owners is it annoying? Bit hard to cop for a $800 plus phone.

 

[Technarchy]

I just had another look at a S5 in store as i want a second phone, yes the screen looks nice, any better than my M8 i don't know.
But it's the lag, specially when you hit multitask button and then bring up the recent apps. Its slow, guess if you don't multitask no problem.

Lets be honest S5 owners is it annoying? Bit hard to cop for a $800 plus phone.

Not sure what lag you're referring to, but somewhere out there, a cat on a log surrounded by flowers is waiting to have a bad, washed out photo taken of it and posted on the internet.

You're giving a great deal of attention and time to a device you claim to have no interest in.

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Some one posted these diagonal measurements in android forum.
if the navigation row is not "usable", then Galaxy S5 = 5.1, LG G2 = 5.0, Droid Maxx = 5.0, Galaxy S4 = 4.99, HTC M8 = 4.81, Nexus 5 = 4.76, HTC M7 = 4.7, Moto X = 4.52.

While I personally prefer a physical home button for a couple of reasons, the fact the a 5.1" screen means exactly that all the time is a nice advantage over competing devices.

 

[Switchback666]

Not sure what lag you're referring to, but somewhere out there, a cat on a log surrounded by flowers is waiting to have a bad, washed out photo taken of it and posted on the internet.

Hahaha haha best post on thread

 

[JH-]

The lack of disagreements like this I why I normally come here for my android discussions. Everywhere else the forums seem to be overtaken by these kinds of ego driven conversations. Can all parties involved just look at this phone and realize they have a different opinion with their own set of evidence to back it up? I Iike reading differing opinions but squabbling like this is fun for no one, even those of us not involved.

 

[iEvolution]

Dont you have to activate the KNOX thing? Didnt read a lot about it, i dont have a SS anymore but it was there when i still had my GS3 and never activated it, or whatever it was .

Knox is the warranty enforcer disguised as a security platform for businesses.

Its already active by default.

Warranty coverage with a knox trip has been inconsistent from what I've seen. I don't think your warranty is necessarily invalid by triggering the flag but its best to assume it is.

Knox is essentially a sandbox that separates play from work and allows companies to enforce their policies on the knox side while keeping the other side free to do what you want to.

The reason is that Samsung hopes it will allow them to break into the business sector with their smart phones. The Department of Defense allows knox phones but doesn't allow others.

Personally I'm set on the Note Series now and as long as those terrible rumors of a slanted screen are just rumors and they don't increase the screen size to ridiculousness that is the Galaxy Mega (6.3) then I will probably be updating to the Note 4 next.

 

[Fernandez21]

The lack of disagreements like this I why I normally come here for my android discussions. Everywhere else the forums seem to be overtaken by these kinds of ego driven conversations. Can all parties involved just look at this phone and realize they have a different opinion with their own set of evidence to back it up? I Iike reading differing opinions but squabbling like this is fun for no one, even those of us not involved.

There aren't enough plus ones to give here. Best post in a while in this thread and the iPhone size comparison thread too.

Speaking of differing opinions....

25 Reasons Why Galaxy S5 Is Better Than HTC One (M8)
and
25 Reasons Why HTC One (M8) Is Better Than Galaxy S5

and even though this is outdated now, some of the reasons still hold true.
25 Reasons Why iPhone 5S Is Better Than Galaxy S4

 

[Shanghaichica]

Well really who cares which screen has the best reviews. I buy the phone for what I like the best, not for which screen is the best. They are all close enough.
My Nexus 5 screen is nice and I can see it in the sun which I could not do on my GS3 but i also miss those vibrant colors so I don't really care what Anandtech thinks.
I have eyes.

Exactly! I couldn't care less what anyone thinks. At the end of the the day it's me that's going to spend the money and me that's going to use it so my opinion is the only one that counts when it comes to what phone I use.

 

[MRU]

The lack of disagreements like this I why I normally come here for my android discussions. Everywhere else the forums seem to be overtaken by these kinds of ego driven conversations. Can all parties involved just look at this phone and realize they have a different opinion with their own set of evidence to back it up? I Iike reading differing opinions but squabbling like this is fun for no one, even those of us not involved.

I've tried a few times now to stop this squabbling on this thread. Sadly common sense posts like this seems to make little difference the tit for tat squabbling rages on.

But hey at least know you are not alone

 

[Max(IT)]

Some one posted these diagonal measurements in android forum.
if the navigation row is not "usable", then Galaxy S5 = 5.1, LG G2 = 5.0, Droid Maxx = 5.0, Galaxy S4 = 4.99, HTC M8 = 4.81, Nexus 5 = 4.76, HTC M7 = 4.7, Moto X = 4.52.

Here the capacitive and physical buttons made the difference