Samsung Galaxy S5, is the best Android? - FORTUNE

NEW YORK –

Mirror, mirror, what is the best Google Android phone of all?

At this point last week, the answer was clear: the HTC One (M8), which stated in these pages, without exaggeration as the best Android device on the market. But as I mentioned in that review, the Samsung Galaxy S5 soon launch the new version of its flagship model (and one of the best selling devices in the world). Can you defend the S5 Charms its smaller competitor – even though need not be the best to sell?

Like the HTC device, the Samsung Galaxy S5 run the new version of the Google Android operating system, 4.4.2 KitKat. And like the HTC device, Samsung also decided to install a “layer” on top – Samsung calls his version ‘TouchWiz’, and is a major point of differentiation for the company, changing the overall appearance of the phone interface .

Some people, including myself, we see ‘TouchWiz’ as a way to bring its own ecosystem of applications and services to users, in preparation for Android and take away from your own Tizen OS. Evidence of this early transition can be found in the recently released portable devices Gear 2, Gear and Gear Neo Fit, running Tizen OS. It is a look that is hard not to notice the 5.1 inch screen of the phone; unless you find yourself distracted by the back Imitation leather phone.

Inside the smartphone is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801, two gigabytes of memory, and a battery of 2,800 milliamps per hour. But none of the guts of the phone can be up to the decision to make the Samsung Galaxy S5 “waterproof and dustproof”, a feature that has been fashionable in consumer electronics in recent times.

Of course, I could not help to test this claim, and then let my review unit will rest in a bowl of water for about 10 minutes, I could use the device without problems. No matter how many devices on the market have this protection feature-and today there are many follow-impressed (and a little disgusted when I forced to check it).

But, go back to the parts inside. With almost identical to the new HTC One internal parts, the Galaxy S5 should be a fast device. And I found the opposite. In tests, the performance of the S5 was slow in the best of cases. He suffered the same multitasking delay found in the new One, but also slowed performance when receiving a call, when the phone rang, I took it and had to wait for the screen to ignite before they can respond, and for general use.

The back of the phone boasts a 16 megapixel camera with a heart rate monitor hidden just below it. (More on that shortly). The software camera gadget allows you to control advanced imaging functions (ISO, exposure) and includes image stabilization, HDR mode and filters. Like most cameras in current smartphones, is capable of capturing video in 1080p high definition.

The front camera is a respectable 2.1 megapixels, which is fine for its intended use in video calls and the occasional selfie Presidential. In my testing, the camera had some difficulty capturing images in low-light, but overall I thought it was on par with the leading smartphones available today.

The Health S5 S5 comes with application that uses multiple sensors to count your steps phone, track your activities and monitor your heart rate. The heart rate monitor requires you to put your finger on a designated area while remaining quiet with little background noise, in order to get a reading. My experience with it was mixed. On one occasion I had to restart the S5 after seven failed attempts to take a reading in order to make it work; although, when I could get a reading, the results were in line with a manual count of my own heartbeat.

Adding a fingerprint scanner below the start button, Samsung remains competitive with Apple iPhone 5S. Well, at least in theory: in testing, I found that the implementation of the function needs to be polished. After registering my thumb, routinely experienced problems to make the phone accept my mark. The process involves placing the finger just above the Start button and then move down into a firm gesture. If your finger is not perfectly centered, or else complete the slip, you are prompted to scan it again. Sometimes I was lucky and unblocked the device on the first try, but it was more common for me to succeed in my second or third attempt. And if you plan to use the reader while holding the S5 with one hand, forget it: between the screen size and the requirement to swipe always so perfectly, the whole effort becomes an exercise in frustration.

Related article: ‘hacked’ the Galaxy S5

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As for battery life was impressive during my tests. I was able to count to 36 hours of use on a single charge. This is remarkable considering the fingerprint sensor, the pedometer and other specific functions added TouchWiz. In addition, the Galaxy S5 includes two different modes of saving energy to help extend battery life.

Should you buy a Galaxy S5? That depends on if you have a Galaxy S4. The new model is a minimal update on the previous and the good (the camera battery) comes the bad (the fingerprint scanner, the heart rate monitor). No doubt, the new Samsung Galaxy S5 is a formidable phone on almost all measures, but the sum is greater than its parts. The Samsung why implementation is deficient in its commercial properties is critical for this humble, a real question.