Certain devices on certain cell carriers have already received the Android 5.0 Lollipop update. Unfortunately, the Galaxy S5 isn’t on the list, meaning you’ll have to wait a little bit longer to get your hands on Google’s largest and most comprehensive Android update. If you aren’t willing to wait, however, Galaxy S5 users on the Sprint network can download and install the unofficial update elsewhere. Warning: Read Before Installing Let me first start off by saying that downloading and installing any unofficial update, Android 5.0 Lollipop included, is a somewhat technical process — and for that reason, we don’t recommend attempting this unofficial update unless you’ve performed manual OS installations in the past. There’s an inherit risk of bricking your device if you happen to make a mistake, which is something no one wants to see happen to their Galaxy S5. If you aren’t comfortable installing manual OS updates on your Galaxy S5, hold off a little longer and you’ll likely receive Android 5.0 Lollipop over the air. Sprint, along with several other major cell carriers, are expected to release Lollipop within the upcoming weeks. Installing Unofficial Lollipop Update The folks over at XDA Developers forum posted a tutorial for…

Ask any serious smartphone enthusiast and they’ll agree: the Galaxy S5 is one of the fastest and most powerful mobile devices on the market. Featuring a quad-core Snapdragon 801 processor, 2GB RAM 16/32GB memory, 18-megapixel primary camera, and Samsung’s signature Touchwiz mod on top of Android 4.4, there are few devices that rival the Galaxy S5. Given the undeniable positive brand image surrounding the Galaxy S5, it should come as somewhat shocking news that sales of Samsung’s flagship smartphone have declined considerably since its release. According to an article published by the Wall Street Journal, Samsung sold 40% fewer units than it expected to sell, dealing a major blow to the company’s profits and its morale. Samsung reportedly based its sales predictions on surveys and polls taken from cell carriers from across the world. An unnamed person close to Samsung told the WSJ, however, that cell carriers were not liable for any unsold Galaxy S5 units. Assuming this information is accurate, it’s possible that some cell carriers gave inflated sales predictions for the sole purpose of scoring a deal with Samsung. And being that they weren’t responsible for paying Samsung for unsold units, they  didn’t face any consequences for inaccurate…

It’s been a long time in the making, but Galaxy S5 users on the Sprint network are now receiving the Android update — but it’s not the Android 5.0 Lollipop update so many users were hoping for. On November 20, Sprint quietly rolled out Android 4.4.4 KitKat to Samsung Galaxy S5 users. It’s an over-the-air (OTA) update, meaning you don’t have to manually download and install it. Assuming you have a Galaxy S5 device on the Sprint network, you should receive a notification prompting you to update your Android operating system. Confirming this update will begin the download/installation process, at which point you’ll have Android 4.4.4 running on your device. The new (well, new to Sprint users) Android 4.4.4 KitKat updates brings a range of new features, bug fixes and improvements to the Galaxy S5. According to Sprint’s changelog, the update adds the following to the Galaxy S5: HD voice icon in the app drawer Support for international calling using WiFi Google security patches Sprint is known for its dragging its feet when it comes to releasing new Android updates. Verizon Wireless, for instance, launched the Android 4.4.4 KitKat update to its Galaxy S5 users over two months ago. So,…

The Galaxy S5 and Note 4 are arguably two of Samsung’s most popular smartphones. Powered by high-end hardware and paired with Samsung’s TouchWiz interface on the Android 4.4.4 KiKat operating system (soon to be Android 5.0), these devices are among the best smartphones currently on the market. If you can’t seem to choose between the two, keep reading for a more in-depth comparison of their specs and features. Display With a 5.1-inch 1920 x 1080 display, the Galaxy S5 just feels right in your hands. It’s comfortable to use and carry, which is something that can’t be said for many smartphones on the market. Of course, the Note 4 features a slightly larger 5.7-inch display with 2560 x 1440 resolution. Some users may prefer this larger display, but others may find it to be a nuisance (it’s hard to fit a phone with a 5.7-inch display in your pocket). Both the Galaxy S5 and Note 4 displays are protected with Corning Gorilla Glass 3. Processor The Galaxy S5 features the quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor running at 2.5 GHz, whereas the Note 4 features the newer Snapdragon 805 processor running at 2.7 GHz. How much of a difference does this…

With Black Friday and Cyber Monday right around the corner, you can expect to see some hot deals in the upcoming weeks. This makes November the perfect time to buy a new smartphone like the Galaxy S5 or Note 3. In fact, T-Mobile recently announced plans to sell both of these devices at $100 off their original price. But there are a few things you should know before you head out the door to your local T-Mobile store. The deal will begin on November 21, at which point customers who purchase either the Galaxy S5 or Note 3 will notice a $100 discount automatically deducted from the total price. This isn’t a standard mail-in rebate like many companies offer, but instead it’s an automatic, on-the-spot deduction. T-Mobile has the discount programmed into its computer system, so anytime a customer buys one of the devices he or she will see a $100 discount taken off the price. So, how much will the Galaxy S5 cost with the $100 discount taken into account? Unfortunately, we’re not quite sure on the total price, as T-Mobile failed to answer this in its announcement. The current sale price for the Galaxy S5 is $609.60 down,…

Samsung devices are usually last in line to receive major Android updates, which is partly due to the fact that Samsung uses its own TouchWiz skin on top of Android. While most users love TouchWiz and the simplicity it brings to the table, it requires further testing to ensure compatibility with new versions of Android. But there’s hope on the horizon for Galaxy S5 users looking to get their hands on the upcoming Android 5.0 Lollipop update. According to SamMobile, Samsung’s latest flagship smartphone will receive the update in early-to-mid December. The website states that unlocked international Galaxy S5 devices will receive the update first, followed by carrier-locked devices in specific regions. It’s important to note, however, that the timing of Android updates is ultimately at the sole discretion of the respective cell carrier. In other words, a cell carrier can delay the update by weeks or even months if they choose. Why would a cell carrier explicitly stop the new Android update from being sent to its customers? Well, there are several different reasons that may convince a cell carrier to take this action, such as the presence of a major vulnerability or bug. Or if the cell carrier…

The Galaxy S5 has a built-in security feature that’s designed to hide your most sensitive files, without relying on third-party apps or programs. Dubbed Private Mode, it allows users to lock, secure and hide files in just few simple steps. If you have documents containing account passwords, contact addresses, work-related information, or other critical data, for instance, you may want to utilize this feature to ensure it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. So, how exactly do you enable Private Mode on the Samsung Galaxy S5? Private Mode works by hiding all of your text files, photos, videos, messages and other files. When you’re actually in Private Mode, all of your documents will be viewable. However, exiting out of this mode will keep them hidden so other people won’t be able to see them. Just be sure exit out of Private Mode when handing your device to another person. Enabling Private Mode To enable Private Mode on the Galaxy S5, swipe down from the home screen using two fingers simultaneously. When you see a list of icons on your screen, tap the one labeled “Private Mode.” When you initially enter Private Mode for the first time, you’ll be given a…

Given the widespread success of the Galaxy S5, it’s no secret that Samsung is already working on a successor behind the curtains. The South Korean-based tech company typically releases a new flagship smartphone about once a year, meaning we’ll likely see the Galaxy S6 on retail shelves by Q2 2015. But how exactly is Samsung going to improve on a device that’s already touted as one of the best smartphones on the market? Curved Screen While Samsung has yet to confirm any rumors regarding its upcoming Galaxy S6, Jerry Kang of IHD Technology said it will feature a dual-edged screen with curvature on both the right and left sides. Kang also said that Samsung had originally planned to use this same design for the Note Edge, but it ultimately scrapped the idea in favor of a single-side curved display. “The Galaxy S6 to be released next year will feature a ‘dual-edged’ screen which is curved on the right and left sides,” said IHD Technology senior analyst Jerry Kang. “The dual edge is expected to be beneficial for Samsung Display, the main display supplier for the smartphone-maker, as larger displays bring more profit.” Processor There are a few different possible scenarios…

The day after Thanksgiving, known as Black Friday, is the country’s largest shopping day of the year. With millions of consumers using this time to begin their holiday shopping, retailers are forced to lower their prices in an attempt to capture this ever-growing market of post-Thanksgiving-day shoppers. While most stores have yet to release their Black Friday ads, leaked details reveal a listing for the Galaxy S5 for just $0.01 cents. The tech website 9to5Google published the deal listing on its website, suggesting that national retailing giant Target plans to sell the Galaxy S5 for a penny on Black Friday (with a 2-year agreement). Currently, Verizon Wireless and AT&T sell the Galaxy S5 for $199.999 with a 2-year agreement, while Sprint offers a slightly better deal with the Galaxy S5 listed for $99.99 with a 2-year agreement. Assuming the folks at 9to5Google are correct, that’s a $100-$200 savings on Samsung’s flagship smartphone. Target will also sell the iPhone 6 for $99 with a 2-year agreement. But don’t let Apple’s presentation of the iPhone 6 fool you into thinking its a revolutionary new smartphone. In reality, the Galaxy S5 has better specs than Apple’s upcoming handset, not to mention the fact…

The Samsung Galaxy S5 and Motorola DROID Turbo are shaping up to be two of the hottest selling smartphones this holiday season. Both of these devices are incredibly powerful, boasting top-of-the-line hardware along with the latest version of Google’s Android operating system. If you can’t seem to choose between the Galaxy S5 and DROID Turbo, keep reading to learn more about these devices and everything they have to offer. Based on appearance alone, you might assume the Galaxy S5 and DROID Turbo are actually the same device. They both have 5.2-inch Super AMOLED display that’s protected in Corning Gorilla Glass 3. Upon closer inspection, however, you’ll notice the DROID Turbo delivers a higher quality display thanks to its 1440 x 2560 resolution and pixel density of 565 ppi. The Galaxy S5, on the other hand, delivers a 1080 x 1920 resolution with 432 ppi pixel density. It’s not a substantial difference, but the DROID Turbo wins the display battle due to its higher resolution and pixel density. Now let’s talk about the processors driving these two next-gen smartphones. Samsung opted for the quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 chipset (clocked at 2.5 GHz), along with the Adreno 330 GPU. At the time…