One of the key selling points of the Samsung Galaxy S5 is its 16-megapixel rear-facing camera. Most users have praised Samsung for delivering such a powerful camera on an otherwise small device. Recently, though, the South Korean manufacturer has come under fire for camera failure issues. While the problem isn’t related to all Galaxy S5 devices, some users have complained and Samsung is listening. You don’t have to search very hard to find complaints posted online about the Galaxy S5’s faulty camera. From forums to blogs, hundreds of people have taken to the Internet to voice their frustration with Samsung. According to users’ reports, the Galaxy S5 generates a “camera failure” message when attempting to take a picture; thus, rendering this feature useless. Verizon Wireless Models Are Affected The Most It’s important to note that Verizon Wireless model Galaxy S5s are being affected the most. Far more reports of the faulty camera have come from Verizon Wireless customers, leaving us to ask the question: is it an issue with the carrier? That would certainly make since if the problem was limited strictly to Verizon Wireless devices, but it’s not. Sprint, AT&T and T-Mobile users have all reported the same “camera…

And you though the original Samsung Galaxy S5 was the world’s best smartphone. Now, it appears the South Korean tech giant is working to produce an even better-looking version of its flagship smartphone. While Samsung has yet to confirm this rumor, there’s plenty of evidence popping up online which suggests the Galaxy S5 Prime will hit the market soon. SamMobile was the first to spill the beans about an upcoming ‘premium’ variant of the Galaxy S5. According to the article, Ming-Chi Kuo, KGI Securities’ analyst, revealed Samsung is working on multiple Galaxy S5 variants, including the upgraded model that’s known by Samsung employees as “Samsung KQ.” Galaxy S5 Prime: What To Expect So, what can you expect to see in the Samsung Galaxy S5 Prime? We don’t have much to go on other than the leaked source published at SamMobile; however, the article says the new Prime variant will feature a faster Exynos 5430 SoC with a 2.1GHz Corex-A15 and 1.5GHz Cortex 7 cluster, and an additional Cortex-A5 co-processor deserved strictly for audio coding/decoding. We do have one other piece of information to go on: a GFXBench sighting of a new Samsung smartphone build SM-G906S handset. Specs for the build…

Ever wonder how much manufacturers pay to build smartphones? With retail prices for the Samsung Galaxy S5 teetering around $699 (without a contract), you might assume it’s expensive. According to a recent breakdown by the tech analysis firm IHS Technology, however, the 32 GB Galaxy S5 sosts $256 to build. The firm broke down the price of each individual component of the Galaxy S5 to determine the overall manufacturing cost. The most expensive component of the Galaxy S5 is its ultra-rich 5.1” Super AMOLED display, which comes with a price tag of $63 for each unit. This is in stark contrast to the Samsung Galaxy S4’s display, which costs roughly $51. IHS Technology also broke down the memory costs for the Galaxy S5, stating the combined costs for the Galaxy S5’s flash memory and DRAM memory is $33 per unit. “Our main takeaway is that Samsung has been moved up to the higher end of the cost spectrum. It used to be that its typical flagship phone sold for $600 without a contract and had a bill of materials of about $200,” said IHS analyst Andrew Rassweiler when comparing the manufacturing cost of the Samsung Galaxy S4 to the S5….

It’s official: the Samsung Galaxy S5 is now available for pre-order through Verizon Wireless! VW has been dragging their feet with the Galaxy S5, leaving some people to question whether they would even offer it at all. Well, on April 4th the U.S.-based cell carrier added it to their lineup and began accepting pre-orders.   So, how much will the Samsung Galaxy S5 set you back at Verizon Wireless? They are actually offering some pretty good deals on this superb smartphone, including a $199 w/ year agreement (after a $50 mail-in rebate) or a $25.22 per month on a payment plant. Verizon Wireless is offering both the white and charcoal black models of the Galaxy S5. The real kicker with Verizon Wireless’ deal  is their current BUY ONE GET ONE FREE. Yep, Verizon Wireless will give you a free Samsung Galaxy S5 just for purchasing one. Of course, you’ll have to sign up for a 2-year agreement on both devices, but that’s a small price to pay considering the fact that they are giving you a free Galaxy S5. (note: Verizon Wireless is offering the BOGO deal on the Galaxy S5, ATIV SE and HTC One M8). You can also purchase…

New details have surfaced regarding the specs for the Samsung Galaxy S5 Zoom. Samsung hasn’t officially stated plans to release a Zoom version of the Galaxy S5, but it’s safe to assume the South Korean company is in fact working on it. The Galaxy S4 was released in several different model variations, including a Zoom, so it only makes sense for Samsung to follow this same pattern with the Galaxy S5. What We Know About The Galaxy S5 Zoom According to the Polish website Galaktyczny.pl, Samsung recently held an invite-only presentation showcasing the Galaxy S5 Zoom. In an effort to prevent details of the new device from being leaked, Samsung prohibited its employees from taking photos. However, one savvy attendee at the presentation took some rather interesting notes which provide some insight on the upcoming Galaxy S5 Zoom. According to the Polish website, the new Samsung Galaxy S5 will feature a slimmer body with a non-protruding camera lens. This is in stark contrast to its predecessor, as the Galaxy S4 Zoom was large, bulky and featured a prominent camera lens. Some users preferred the Galaxy S4 Zoom over the standard S4 due to its larger body, but most people claimed it…

If the Galaxy S5’s 5.11-inch screen is too large for your liking, you’ll be glad to hear that Samsung is currently working on a Galaxy S5 Mini — at least that’s the rumor currently circulating throughout the web. This is much better than the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini GT-I9192 GSM Factory Unlocked Dual Sim – White Samsung is known for creating multiple variations of Galaxy smartphones and devices. Take the Galaxy S4, for instance. The South Korean-based consumer electronics company released a Galaxy S4 Zoom, Galaxy S4 Active (water-resistant model), and a smaller and more affordable Galaxy S4 Mini. Since the Galaxy S5 is already made with water-resistant materials and technology, it’s highly unlikely Samsung will release a Zoom version. However, there’s strong evidence suggesting a Mini version of the Galaxy S5 is on the horizon. A user agent profile (UAP) for an unknown Samsung Galaxy S5 model was spotted on the company’s servers. The device in question was SM-G750A, which indicates an Mini version of the Galaxy S5 being available on AT&T (the A is believed to represent AT&T). If Samsung takes the same approach to the Galaxy S5 as they did the S4, though, it will likely be released…

Last week, we covered the story of Samsung offering over $500 in free apps with the Galaxy 5. Some of these apps include a 1-year premium subscription to RunKeeper, Wall Street Journal, Blurb, Cut The Note and LinkedIn just to name a few. Samsung went one step further on Friday, however, by announcing plans to sell their Galaxy S5 flagship smartphone with the free streaming music app Milk Music. “Milk Music introduces a fresh approach to music that reflects our innovation leadership and our focus on creating best-in-class consumer experiences. We’re offering consumers amazing, rich music experiences built around what matters most to them and their lifestyle,” said Samsung’s Gregory Lee said at the company’s Unpacked 5 event in Barcelona, Spain. Milk Music will come pre-loaded on all Galaxy S5 devices, offering users a fresh alternative to Pandora or Spotify. So, what exactly is Milk Music? Basically, it’s a combination of streaming internet radio and massive downloadable library. If you were to combine iTunes with Pandora, you would get Milk Music. There are around 200 or so different stations available and 13 million individual songs. The one drawback to using the app (as of now) is the inability to purchase specific…

Reports suggest the Samsung Galaxy S5 could have slow-to-non-existent sales in South Korea due to a recent 45-day ban on all new cell phones sold by the country’s major cell carriers. Samsung recently announced plans to sell their new flagship smartphone on April 11, which is less than a month away. However, the new ban prohibiting cell phone sales would fall in line with this date, forcing South Korean residents to wait even longer to get their hands on the Galaxy S5. So, why are South Korean cell carriers banned from selling new phones for 45 days? The ban was handed down by a watchdog group after several carriers began selling smartphones and other devices for steep discounts. Under the country’s current law, carriers are only allowed to subsidize phones up to $250, and this incident involved phones being subsidized for more than $250. You might be wondering why South Korean cell carriers would willingly subsidize phone prices more than $250. Well, it’s likely due to the country’s stiff competition. It’s estimated that 7 out of 10 South Koreans already own a smartphone (note: Samsung is based in South Korea). The only way cell carriers can attract new customers is…

It didn’t take very long for a knockoff of the Samsung Galaxy S5 to show up on the market. Just two days after the South Korean company unveiled their latest flagship smartphone, the ‘Goophone S5‘ (yes, that’s really the name of it) was being marketed to consumers. So, what makes the Goophone S5 different than the actual Galaxy S5? As you can see in the photo to the right, the Goophone S5 looks nearly identical to the Samsung Galaxy S5. They both feature the same rectangular-shaped body with slightly rounded corners, a soft texture back, and even the same front design with a physical home button. With the exception of the word “Goophone” printed on the back, most people would probably assume it’s an authentic Galaxy S5. But don’t let the Goophone S5’s appearance fool you into thinking its the real deal. One minor nuance between the two devices is screen size. The Samsung Galaxy S5 features a 5.1″ diagonal screen, whereas the Goophone S5’s screen is 5″. The major differences between the two devices, however, lies in the hardware. You can kiss the Samsung Galaxy S5’s ultra-powerful 2.5 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 801 processor goodbye, as the Goophone is powered by…

Following Samsung’s unveiling of their highly anticipated Galaxy S5 smartphone, the South Korean-based tech company recently announced plans to provide users with over $500 in free apps. The Galaxy S5 has already drawn praise for its unique combination of style, simplicity and power — which are three key selling points for most smartphone buyers today. Now, however, Samsung has taken their game to the next level by offering apps valued at over $500 for Galaxy S5 owners. The free app program, rightfully titled Galaxy Gifts, was announced earlier this week. And while some people may turn their head at the notion of so-called “free” apps, the lineup actually looks pretty good. Whether you intend to use your Galaxy S5 for multitasking or strictly to make calls, there are plenty of apps in the Galaxy Gifts program designed to make your life easier. “Meaningful rewards from the world’s top brands to make your GALAXY S5 experience even more enjoyable and productive. From fitness to news to productivity apps, the Samsung GALAXY S5 comes with free, long-term subscriptions and premium services,” says Samsung on their Galaxy Gifts webpage. RunKepper: 1 year free premium service (valued at $20) Lark: 1 year free premium service…