Samsung Galaxy S5 In 2022! (Still Worth It?) (Review) | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

The Samsung Galaxy S5, while historically significant, is outdated and not recommended as a primary device in 2022.

Key Insights

• ⌛ The Galaxy S5 was prominent for its time, bringing innovative features like a removable battery and expandable storage, appealing to those valuing customization.
• ✋ While its Super AMOLED display was once high-quality, it lacks the advancements such as higher resolutions and refresh rates seen in current smartphones.
• 🎥 Although equipped with a capable 16 MP rear camera, it fails to maintain imaging standards found in today's devices with multi-lens setups.
• 😀 The phone’s performance suffers due to an outdated processor and insufficient RAM for modern apps and multitasking.
• 🥺 Samsung's transition to more premium materials in later models has led to a decline in user options for plastic back designs that offer functionality.
• 🔒 Limited software support and outdated Android version make the Galaxy S5 an impractical choice for those who require modern software features and security updates.
• 🎚️ The smartphone market has evolved significantly since the S5’s release, with even entry-level models outperforming it.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: What were the notable features of the Samsung Galaxy S5 that made it stand out when it was released?

When the Samsung Galaxy S5 was released, it had a 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display, a fingerprint sensor integrated into a home button, and the ability to use a micro SD card for storage expansion. Additionally, it provided a removable battery, which was becoming rare in smartphones at that time. The phone included features like water resistance and varied camera modes, which made it appealing to consumers who wanted a fully equipped device.

Q: How does the performance of the Galaxy S5 compare to modern smartphones?

The Galaxy S5 features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor and 2GB of RAM, which, by modern standards, is very underwhelming. Today's budget smartphones significantly outperform the S5 with faster processors and more RAM, leading to smoother user experiences. The lag and choppy performance experienced on the S5, largely due to the TouchWiz interface, makes it difficult to recommend for daily use.

Q: Why is the camera quality of the Galaxy S5 considered outdated?

Despite having a 16 MP rear camera, the Galaxy S5's camera struggles to compete with modern smartphones. The front camera, especially, is criticized for poor quality even at the time of its release. The rear camera can produce decent images in ideal conditions, but overall, the camera quality, features, and software cannot keep up with contemporary smartphones that offer multiple lenses and advanced shooting modes.

Q: What should someone consider if they still want to use a Galaxy S5 today?

If someone wants to use the Galaxy S5 today, they should keep in mind its outdated software, which presently caps at Android 6.0, rendering it vulnerable and limited in functionality. While it may still serve as a side phone with potential for custom ROMs, using it as a primary device is not advisable. Users interested in nostalgic smartphones should consider the challenges associated with lack of software updates and a limited community for ROM support.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The Samsung Galaxy S5, released in 2014, was a feature-rich flagship phone that excelled in design and functionality, particularly with its remappable features and expandable storage.

• In terms of display, the S5 has a decent Super AMOLED screen but lacks the high refresh rates and resolutions found in modern devices, making it feel less premium.

• Though the camera system features a 16 MP rear camera, its quality is disappointing by 2022 standards, and software support has ceased, recommending users consider more current alternatives.