While most people are busy talking about the recently unveiled Apple iPhone 6, there are several other notable mobile devices being introduced into the market as well. Earlier this month, for instance, Samsung announced a new model of its flagship “phablet,” the Galaxy Note 4. The Galaxy Note 4 offers the best of both worlds, featuring a tablet-like design with all of the features and goodies of a traditional smartphone. So, how does the Galaxy Note 4 plablet compare against the Galaxy S5 smartphone? Size Let’s first talk about the size differences between these two devices, because this is arguably one of the most influential factors consumers use in determining which one is right for them. The Galaxy S5 features a 5.1″ display screen with 1080p resolution and 421 ppi, whereas the Note 4 boasts a larger 5.7″ display with an even higher resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels. Both display screens feature Super AMOLED technology with the ultra-durable Corning Gorilla Glass 3 covering. Processor In terms of processing power, you really can’t go wrong with the Galaxy S5 or Note 4. However, the Note 4 is slightly faster with a quad-core Snapdragon 805 2.7 GHz CPU. The Galaxy S5,…

Samsung is known for releasing numerous versions, or variants, of its flagship smartphones, and the Galaxy S5 is no exception. According to leaked documents, the tech giant is preparing to release a Galaxy A variant (see image to the right). The upcoming Galaxy A will take a step away from Samsung’s traditional smartphone designs. While all of the previous Galaxy models have used a plastic body, this new variant will reportedly feature an all-metal body. Samsung has been criticized in the past for its use of a plastic body with the Galaxy S5, with some market analysts saying the company was cutting corners in an attempt to save money on production costs. Well, it looks like Samsung is taking the advice of these critics by releasing a metal body Galaxy variant. Unfortunately, we still know the complete details for Samsung’s new Galaxy variant. Tech Times reports that it feature a 13-megapixel primary camera, 5-megapixel secondary camera, 16GB storage, micro SD card,  2,330 mAh battery, and the same TouchWiz user interface from the Galaxy Note 4. Of course, the real beauty of the Galaxy A — if the reports are accurate — is its all-metal body. Samsung has been hesitant to produce…

Samsung today announced the release of the Galaxy S5 Active to Canadian markets. Up until now, none of the cell carriers in Canada have supported the Galaxy S5 Active. Starting today, however, it will launch on multiple cell carriers. It’s important to note that this isn’t Samsung’s launch-edition flagship smartphone. Instead, it’s the Active variant. The Galaxy S5 Active is designed specifically for active, on-the-go individuals, which is apparent from its rugged body. Both the launch-edition and Galaxy S5 Active feature a 5.1-inch 1080p Gorilla Glass display with Super AMOLED technology, but the Active contains a durable rubber body shell to protect it from damage. Another feature included in the Galaxy S5 Active is Locqus Field Service. This new feature is designed to streamline the jobs of contractors, electricians and general service providers by offering an all-in-one management platform. With Locqus Field Service, you can schedule jobs, dispatch technicians, track employee locations and more. Other than the rugged body design and a few new software tools like Locqus Field Service, however, the Galaxy S5 Active is pretty much the same as the launch-edition Galaxy S5. Both devices have identical under-the-hood specs, including a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor, 2GB RAM and a…

On September 9, Apple unveiled its highly anticipated iPhone 6  at the Flint Performing Arts Center on the De Anza College campus. Technically, the company unveiled two versions of its new flagship smartphone, the standard iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus. So, how do these devices fare against the Samsung Galaxy S5? Display Apple has been criticized in the past for using such a small display screen on previous versions of the iPhone. The iPhone 5, for instance, featured a 4″ display. Well, the new iPhone 6 has a slightly larger display at 4.7″ for the standard version and 5.5″ for the Plus. The Galaxy S5 features a 5.1″ screen. Regarding resolution, the Galaxy S5 is the clear winner with its 1920 x 1080 at 432 ppi screen compared to the iPhone 6’s 1334 x 750 at 326ppi. Camera The Galaxy S5 is equipped with a 16-megapixel primary camera, which is capable of taking some truly remarkable photos. The iPhone 6, on the other hand, is equipped with a smaller and less powerful 8-megapixel camera. Granted, Apple included some goodies like f/2.2 aperture lens and image stabilization  software, but it ultimately falls short when compared to Samsung’s flagship smartphone. Processor Apple went with a…

U.S.-based cell carrier Sprint announced last week that a new over-the-air (OTA) update is coming soon to the Galaxy S5. While there’s no official date confirmed for its release, Sprint notes that it will happen “soon.” So, what’s included in this update? This isn’t some minor update that aims to solve a few bugs. Instead, it’s a major update that will introduce the Android 4.4.4 KitKat operating system to Galaxy S5 users on the Sprint network. The update will be sent via Sprint’s 3G/4G network, with compatible Galaxy S5 devices automatically downloading them. Once the download is complete, users will have the option to install them. Of course, it’s recommended that users confirm the installation process, as older versions of Android may be susceptible to malicious attacks, bugs, and various other problems. Surprisingly, Samsung has stood by its decision to use earlier versions of Android, even in the midst of Google releasing Android 4.4.4. This has caused some criticism and backlash among users who are eager to try the latest version of Google’s Android operating system. While HTC, Motorola, and several other big names in the smartphone industry have released Android 4.4.4 KitKat updates, Samsung has lagged behind.  Some analysts…

The California-based startup company Olloclip unveiled its signature 4-in-1 camera lens attachment for the Samsung Galaxy S5 earlier this month. If you’re a Galaxy S5 owner who’s constantly snapping photos left and right, you’ll want to check out this revolutionary new product. Although small in size, the Olloclip is a powerful attachment that opens up a whole new world of possibilities for the Galaxy S5. The Olloclip isn’t a new product by any means. While the company has just recently unveiled its Galaxy S5-compatible product, they’ve been producing similar lens attachment products for the Apple iPhone for several years. Up until recently, though, only iPhone users were given the opportunity to own this nifty device. So, what exactly is the Olloclip? It’s basically a small attachment with four different lenses that’s designed to fit over the phone’s camera. The Galaxy S5 already boasts an impressive 16-megapixel primary camera, but users can improve the quality and dynamics of their photos by utilizing the Olloclip. The Olloclip adds fisheye, wide-angle, a 15X magnification, and 10X magnification lens to the Galaxy S5. With four new lens types added, Galaxy S5 owners can snap some truly amazing and unique photos that are superior to other…

Motorola released a newly updated model model of its flagship smartphone, the Moto X, earlier this month. The new and improved 2014 model features several cosmetic and under-the-hood improvements. So, how does Motorola’s latest device fair against Samsung’s Galaxy S5? Display If you were to compare the two devices side by side, you probably wouldn’t notice much (if any) of a difference in size. The Moto X features a 5.2″ full-HD display screen, whereas the Galaxy S5 is just a hair smaller at 5.1″. Both display screens are Super AMOLED with a high pixel-density resolution. Water Resistance Samsung touts its flagship smartphone as having IP67 dust and water-resistant body. This doesn’t necessarily mean you can drop it in a lake and expect it to work, but light exposure to moisture and dust shouldn’t cause any damage. The Moto X does not have this same IP67 dust and water-resistant body. Instead, it features a light water-resistant coating on the screen, which is better than nothing I suppose. Storage The Galaxy S5 is equipped with 32GB internal storage capacity along with a MicroSD slot for expansion. The Moto X, on the other hand, is available in either a 16 or 32 GB…

The Samsung Galaxy S5 is arguably one of the best — if not the best — smartphone on the market. With high-end specs like a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, 2GB RAM, 16-megapixel primary camera, and Ip67 dust/water-resistant body, Samsung’s award-winning flagship smartphone continues to surpass our expectations. But one of the complains by some users is a weak WiFi signal. If you are experiencing a weak signal when connected to your home or business’s wireless network, keep reading for some possible solutions. Close Unnecessary Apps and Processes First and foremost, access your Galaxy S5’s apps and processes under Settings to see what exactly is running on your device. Most people don’t realize just how many different apps and processes are running until they view this information in the Settings. Even if you aren’t actively engaged in an app, your device may still be running them. Ideally, you should close out as many apps and processes as possible, allowing just the basic, core processes to run  in the background. Avoid Poor WiFi Connections Samsung implemented a feature in the Galaxy S5 that specifically avoids wireless connections with poor signals. This feature is turned off by default, though, so you’ll need to…

One of Canada’a largest cell carriers, TELUS, is expected to launch the Samsung Galaxy S5 Active in the upcoming weeks. As some of you may already know, the Galaxy S5 Active is currently only available in the U.S. through AT&T. Samsung announced the Active variant of its flagship smartphone earlier this year, confirming an exclusive deal brokered with AT&T. The Galaxy S5 Active remains limited to the U.S., but this may soon change as TELUS prepares to add the device to its lineup of smartphones. So, how do we know that TELUS is planning to launch the Galaxy S5 Active? Several sources, including AndroidHeadlines, report that a “reliable tipster” shared this information. According to the mysterious tipster, TELUS will release the Samsung Galaxy S5 Active sometime next month (no specific date announced yet). This isn’t an official confirmation by any means, but it’s promising news for consumers in Canada who’ve been waiting patiently for Samsung to release the rugged, ultra-durable variant of its flagship smartphone. The Samsung Galaxy S4 Active was an instant success thanks to its water/dust-resistant body. The original Galaxy S4 was not water or dust resistant, and many users ended up damaging or ruining their device by…

Samsung recently launched a new LTE variant of its flagship smartphone in Singapore. Known as the Galaxy S5 4G+, it’s available exclusively through the country’s Singtel cell carrier in half a dozen different service plans. While it may look like an ordinary Galaxy S5, the Galaxy S5 4G+ has some subtle differences that set it apart from the original handset. So before you go scooping up this latest variant, you should take a minute to read the following post. One of the most notable differences between the Samsung Galaxy S5 and the Galaxy S5 4G+ is the processor. Samsung used a high-end quad-core Snapdragon 805 processor in the 4G+ model — the same used in the Korean model. Unlike the Korean model, however, the Samsung Galaxy S5 4G+ does not feature a full QHD display. Instead, Samsung choose to use the same full HD display that’s found in the U.S. and international models. According to AnTuTu’s rankings, the Snapdragon 805 is currently the second best smartphone processor on the market. That’s a pretty bold statement given the countless number of other chipsets available. While the Galaxy S5 4G+ may use a different Snapdragon chip than the Korean model, it’s still…