Originally unveiled last month, the Nokia Lumia 930 is being touted as the “The most complete Windows Phone to date. It’s the first to properly challenge the flagship might of Android and iOS with its impressive design, new Windows Phone 8.1 software and all round decent specs.” That’s a pretty bold statement considering its use of the Windows mobile operating system. But how exactly does Nokia’s latest flagship smartphone compare to Samsung’s Galaxy S5? Display The Galaxy S5 features a 5.1″ Super AMOLED display with 1080 x 1920 pixels, whereas the Nokia Lumia 930 is just a hair smaller at 5″ with the same 1080 x 1920 pixel resolution. The Nokia Lumia 930 does not have Super AMOLED technology, but rather basic AMOLED. Processor There’s no denying the fact that Samsung’s Galaxy S5 is powered by one of the best mobile processors currently available. It features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 quad-core processor for superior speed and performance. The Nokia Lumia 930, on the other hand, is powered by the slower Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor. If you’re looking for a blazing-fast smartphone that’s capable of multitasking with half a dozen or more different applications, stick with the Galaxy S5. Camera One of…

Samsung’s rugged outdoor variant of its flagship smartphone is now available for sale. The Galaxy S5 Active offers all of the same features as the original Galaxy S5 while introducing several new ones in the process. So, how does in fare in comparison to the original Galaxy S5? Under the hard rugged body, the Galaxy S5 Active is strikingly  similar to the original. It’s powered by a 2.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon processor, 2GB of RAM, a 5.1-inch Full HD Super AMOLED display, 16GB capacity, and a micro SD slot for additional storage. And you can go ahead take a deep sigh of relief, because the Active variant also has the same 16-megapixel rear-facing camera that’s attracted so many users to the Galaxy S5. But there’s an obvious visual difference between the Galaxy S5 Active and original Galaxy S5. The Galaxy S5 Active, as depicted in the image above, is larger, thicker, and more protected. Protection is always a plus, especially for users who take their device hiking, biking, or through other outdoor activities, but some people may argue that Samsung went overboard with the Galaxy S5 Active. The USB port is covered by a soft flap, which we assume is there to protect…

Users of the Samsung Galaxy S5 can now gain root access to the device using a new method released by hacker George Hotz. What Is Rooting? Rooting is basically a method of gaining access to the core files of a device. Most smartphone manufacturers lock these files to prevent users from removing, adding, or otherwise editing certain functions. By locking the device’s core files, however, users are restricted to what they can modify and what they can’t. Rooting a device “unlocks” these restricts, granting the user full freedom to modify the device however they choose. Towelroot The Galaxy S5 rooting method released by hacker George Hotz uses a program known as Towelroot, which allows Android users to bypass Samsung’s software limitations on the Galaxy S5. Digital Trends reports that Hotz was able to create Towelroot using a software bug in Linux, and since Android is a variant of Linux, the tool is compatible with Android-powered smartphones. Towelroot.com states the following in regards to Hotz’s new rooting tool: “no warranty expressed or implied my second android root vuln thanks to disclosure by Pinkie Pie with love for my rap career if this doesn’t work on your phone e-mail my gmail geohot+towelroot with…

There’s a whopping $18,000 bounty being offered to the first person who successfully roots the Samsung Galaxy S5 for Verizon and AT&T. The community over at XDA Developers is hosting the bounty program, with the initial pledge of $500 offered by senior member Demiurge7 back in April. Since then, however, dozens of other members have stepped up to pledge their own cash bounties, creating a grand total in excess of $18,000 for successfully rooting the Galaxy S5 on Verizon and AT&T. How To Win The $18,000 Bounty So, what exactly does rooting entitle? According to XDA Developers, in order to be eligible to receive the $18,000 plus bounty, the person or organization must create or exploit a current method to gain root access to the device build VRU1ANBG (Galaxy S5). Upon completion of this task, they must also post screenshots of their rooted device on the forum and wait for at least one other member to confirm that it works. If and when these conditions are met, the person will receive the bounty. “I would like to personally offer a $500 bounty to the first person able to find or create a method, exploit, or unlock that allows us to fully root and…

Rumors have been circulating about Samsung releasing a smaller, more compact “Mini” variant of its flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S5, for some time. In keeping up with the company’s tradition, however, they’ve kept quiet about the specs and details surrounding this device. But we now have a first-hand look at the Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini thanks to several leaked photos. Body The photos of the Galaxy S5 Mini were reportedly sent to Sam Mobile from an anonymous tipster.  They show what appears to be a device with the same body style and back as the launch-edition Galaxy S5 — only on a smaller scale. As you can see in the photo above, it even possess the same dotted plastic back with rounded edges as the original Galaxy S5, further authenticating the belief that these are in fact real photos of the Galaxy S5 Mini. Heart Rate Monitor The device depicted in the leaked photos also show the heart rate monitor in the same spot — directly underneath the rear-facing camera. There was some doubt on whether or not Samsung would even include the heart rate monitor in the Galaxy S5 Mini, but these photos reveal the presence of this nifty…

Samsung typically doesn’t release new Android updates for its smartphones and tablet computers, but that could soon change with the release of Android KitKat 4.4.3. Several sources have reported that the South Korean electronics company has tested the upcoming Android build on a variety of Exynos and Snapdragon-powered devices, including their flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S5. Document Reveals Testing Is Underway According to a recent article published at SamMobile.com, Samsung is currently testing Android KitKat 4.4.3 (KTU70 build) on the Galaxy S5. The unnamed source didn’t reveal any details regarding the specifications and features of Android KitKat 4.4.3 — only that it’s currently being tested with Galaxy S5’s software and features. The report suggests that Android KitKat 4.4.3 is being tested on the Galaxy S5, as well as an LTW variant of the Galaxy S4 (model # GT-I9506A). Being that testing for Android KitKat 4.4.3 is limited strictly to Samsung’s own software, I wouldn’t get your hopes up about seeing a new update in the next few days. There’s been no official release date announced by Google, Samsung or any other major party in the mobile space, but analysts believe the most probable time for a release is later this…

The ultra-durable Samsung Galaxy S5 Active is now available through AT&T. On June 29, the U.S. cell carrier silently added it to their lineup of devices available for purchase through their website. Before you go trading in your smartphone for an upgrade, however, you should read our review on the Galaxy S5 Active variant. Dust, Water and Shock Resistant Not to our surprise, the Samsung Galaxy S5 Active features a rugged dust, water and shock-resistant shell. It’s able to withstand drops from 4 feet on a flat surface, and it can be submerged in water 3-feet deep for 30 minutes (although I don’t recommend the latter). Granted, the launch-edition Galaxy S5 also boasts dust and water-resistant technology, but the variant looks and feels stronger and more durable. As you can see from the photo above, it’s beefier with four large bolts attached to the rear. We’re not sure if these bolts serve a purpose, but they are pretty cool looking nonetheless. Activity Zone Another major change in the Samsung Galaxy S5 Active is the addition of an all-in-one button that launches every health and fitness app.  The button, dubbed Activity Zone, is located on the side of the device. When…

Most people have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of Samsung’s Galaxy S5 variants. We know they have an Active, Mini and a Premium variant in the works, but the company has not released any official statement regarding the release of these devices. However, a recently published YouTube video shows what appears to be the Galaxy S5 Active variant. When Samsung launched its fourth generation Galaxy smartphone last year, many users complained about its lack of water-resistant technology. To solve this issue, the South Korean company released a water-resistant variant known as the Galaxy S4 Active. The Galaxy S5, however, featured water-resistant and dust-resistant technology right off the bat, leaving some people to question whether or not Samsung would even attempt to produce a Galaxy S5 Active. Well, it looks like they are in fact releasing a Galaxy S5 Active, because we have exclusive footage of the upcoming device below. Video: Samsung Galaxy S5 Active Check out the video above for a sneak peak at the Samsung Galaxy S5 Active variant. In terms of appearance, it looks quite similar to the Galaxy S4 Active — it’s thick with a solid yet ergonomic body for maximum strength and comfort. The video also…

The upcoming Android KitKat 4.4.2 update will bring some of the Galaxy S5’s features to the S4. These new features range from camera improvements and security features to the addition of a Battery Saving Mode and Kid Mode. If you own the Galaxy S4, keep reading to learn more about the upcoming features being added. Now for the bad news: the new Android KitKat 4.4.2 is currently only available on the Galaxy S4 in select regions overseas, and there’s been no word yet on when the update will rollout to U.S./U.K. Nonetheless, you can catch a sneak peak at the upcoming changes listed below. Kids Mode According to a changelog published at All About Samsung, Android KitKat 4.4.2 will bring a Kids Mode to the Samsung Galaxy S4. The Kids Mode, as the name suggests, is a parental control app that allows parents to place restrictions in various content, including online purchases. If you’re a parent who allows your child to play on your Galaxy S4, you’ll want to take advantage of this nifty feature. Knox 2.0 Knox 2.0 is another feature that’s coming to the Galaxy S4 with the Android KitKat 4.4.2 update. Knox 2.0 offers a wide range…

The Samsung Galaxy S5 boasts an impressive battery life (going well over 24 hours for most users on a single charge), but now you can double its battery life thanks to a new extended battery case offered by ZeroLemon. Whether you’re struggling to keep your Galaxy S5 alive throughout the day, or if you simply want a longer charge, you should consider investing in the ZeroLemon case. It’s a brilliant case that’s both attractive and beneficial. And with a price of just $49.99, it’s cheaper that a lot of the so-called “premium” cases on the market. Do I Really Need an Extended Battery For My Galaxy S5? I guess it depends on how much you use your device. The Samsung Galaxy S5 features a 2800mAh battery, which should provide a full 24 hours on a single charge for most users. However, if you plan on watching streaming video or perform other power-intensive operations, you can expect a single charge to last for about 12 hours. Critics have praised the Samsung Galaxy S5 for its exceptional battery life, saying it trumps nearly every other next-gen smartphone. The ZeroLemon can boost the Galaxy S5’s battery an eye-opening 7500mAh. You don’t have to be a…