Samsung Reveals Water Resistant Galaxy S5 With Heart Rate Monitor and Fingerprint Scanner

Samsung Reveals Water Resistant Galaxy S5 With Heart Rate Monitor and Fingerprint Scanner

Samsung have unveiled their latest flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S5 at the Mobile World Congress show in Barcelona this week.

In a bid to keep up with its biggest rival, Apple, Samsung have included a whole heap of new features in the S5 to refresh the Galaxy range of smartphones. Among the new features are a fingerprint scanner (much like the one found on the iPhone 5S), a heart rate monitor and resistance to water and dust. Despite these new features, the S5 does not set itself apart from its predecessor (Galaxy S4) in design, retaining the plastic shell, casing and backing. It is, however, slightly heavier and a fraction larger to accommodate the bigger screen and the new technology included in the device.

Check out the features and specs of the Galaxy S5 below!

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Features

Water and Dust Proof

Much to the delight of many smartphone users out there, the S5 is IP67 certified, which provides resistance to water and dust.

Fingerprint Scanner

Much like the fingerprint scanner introduced in the iPhone 5S, the Galaxy S5 will feature a Finger Scanner. Users can teach the phone to recognise 3 different fingerprints, unlocking the device by swiping their finger across the home button. The fingerprints will be stored on the handset’s hardware.

However, unlike the iPhone 5S, this biometric security feature can be used to make payments. Samsung has partnered with online payment provider PayPal to allow for users to make purchases online from a wide range of providers with a swipe of a finger.

16 Megapixel Camera

The camera has also received an update, with the rear camera capturing photos at 16 megapixels and able to record videos that support the new Ultra HD standard. On the software side of the camera, Samsung have added phase detection, high dynamic range (HDR) and a much faster autofocus, which works in just 0.3 seconds. The update to autofocus allows users to take crisper photos, particularly when taking action shots.

Heart Rate Monitor

The S5 will be the first smartphone in the world to come equipped with a built-in heart rate monitor. The heart rate monitor is housed beneath the camera and beside the single flash, which will beef up the updated health app that comes shipped with the device.

Samsung Galaxy S5 Heart Rate Monitor

Source: Gizmodo

 

Quicker Downloads Using Wi-Fi

For those of you frustrated with the download speeds to your phone over Wi-Fi, Samsung have combined the latest Wi-Fi standard with 4G LTE technology to significantly increase the rate of file transfers. Name Download Booster, Samsung claim this feature can transfer a gigabyte movie in thirty seconds.

Ultra Power Saving Mode

With great power comes significant battery drain. In order to improve battery life, Samsung have not only included a decent 2800mAh battery, but have also introduce an Ultra Power Saving Mode. When enabled, this mode deactivates unnecessary features, such as turning the screen black and white and cutting down the phone’s functions to the bare essentials, such as phone calls and text, delivering up to 24 hours of standby battery from just 10% charge.

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Specs

  • 5.1inch Super AMOLED full HD screen with 1920×1080 pixel resolution.
  • Android 4.4.2 KitKat
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core 2.5GHz processor with 2GB of RAM
  • 16GB or 32GB of internal storage which is expandable up to 64GB via microSD.
  • 16 megapixel rear camera
  • 2.1 megapixel front camera
  • USB 3.0 connection
  • 4G LTE compatible
Samsung Galaxy S5 colours

Source: Harry Tucker, NewsComAu

 

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Availability

Samsung have confirmed that the Galaxy S5 will begin shipping worldwide (including Australia) on April 11. However, details on a local release and pricing have not been provided yet.

The Galaxy S5 will be available in charcoal black, shimmery white, electric blue and copper gold with either 16GB or 32GB internal storage.

Update

Samsung have announced that they will be holding an Australian launch event for the Galaxy S5 on the 26th of March. According to Good Gear Guide, the “official invites issued to Australian press indicate Australia could be one of the first countries to launch the smartphone two weeks later.”

Stay tuned for more information about the Galaxy S5 on Telstra plans!

What are your thoughts on the Galaxy S5? Let us know in the comments below!