Good smartphone, but the competition is not sleeping

== == Delivery
The packaging of the smartphone is held in a wood finish. After opening the carton, comes directly the Galaxy S5 to light. Also included are a charger (2A), a connection cable (USB to microUSB), In-ear headphones with interchangeable attachments, quick start guides and warranty documents.

=== === Design
I have the device in the color variant "Shimmery White". My first impression: the smartphone is large (142 mm x 73 mm x 8 mm), but not too big. I am currently working on a 4.3 "inch device, the HTC One S used, the Galaxy S5 is 5.1." Noticeably greater, but I find it not disturbing because it simultaneously thin and - with 145 g - is comparatively easy.
The front is dominated by the large display. Below the screen is the famous Samsung devices Home button above the Samsung logo, the phone speaker, a hidden notification LED, brightness and proximity sensor and the front camera.
On the side runs to the unit a chrome-colored plastic strip. There is at the lower end of the smartphone has an opening for the microphone and the connection for the data or charging cables behind a protective flap. On the left side is the volume rocker and arranged on the right side of the on / off switch.
The front side of the device can accommodate the IR transmitter, another microphone and headset port.
The back of the Samsung Galaxy S5 was redesigned and now has a golf ball-like structure on. There is the speaker, a Samsung logo, the heart rate monitor, an LED flash and the main camera.

=== === Processing and haptics
Samsung remains true even when Galaxy S5 and uses plastic as vorherschendes housing material. This ensures on the one hand, of course, for a low weight, even though the smartphone is quite large. On the other hand, the S5 feels not particularly dibasic. Especially the very thin plastic battery cover reminds me here to negative. The chrome-colored frame on the housing side now seems quite antiquated. Other smartphone manufacturers offer a much more innovative, wertigeres style.
At the processing can not be faulted in my tester. The keys have a good pressure point, there are no obvious gaps or other defects.
Overall, the Galaxy S5 fits comfortably in your hand. The thin case and low weight contribute to this impression. However, with the 5.1 "screen size is reached at which I can no longer be operated with one hand the smartphone.

=== === Display
The screen is for me one of the most attractive Austattungsmerkmalen this smartphone. The 5.1 "(12.95 cm) wide AMOLED screen provides rich colors, sufficient brightness, excellent black levels and particularly outstanding sharpness.
With a Full HD resolution of 1920x1080 pixels and a pixel density of 432ppi font can be sharply defined. The reading texts on your phone is a joy.
Colors are represented AMOLED typically supersaturated - that's a matter of taste (and can be adjusted to your own preferences by setting). Black actually appear black. The maximum screen brightness is sufficient to direct sunlight still be able to recognize anything on the screen - the contrast will however significantly.

=== === Performance
The Samsung Galaxy S5 has a quad-core processor with 2.5GHz clock speed and 2GB RAM.
Thus it offers enough power reserves to perform daily tasks and also complicated games to deal with. I never had the impression of bringing the S5 to its performance limits.
Only on the software side I still see potential for optimization. So the camera app launches much too slow and the Touchwiz interface acts, little complacent. I would prefer a slimmer, more performant UI. Overall, there is at the service nothing to complain about.

=== === Battery
The Galaxy S5 provides a good battery life. In normal use quite a 2-day life on a single charge of the 2800mAh battery is possible. Here, I use, among other things push email, Twitter, have the S5 coupled with the Gear 2, Scan a little and occasionally surf the net.
Prolonged exposure through games, video recordings, often bright screen etc. It creates the S5 still well over a working day. I am happy.
Through the power save modes of Galaxy S5 can significantly extend the term. In ultra-energy-saving mode, the functionality of smartphones is reduced to an absolute minimum. For this, the S5 terminates all processes are not needed, switch to a black and white display and is then essentially only write for calling and texting. You are rewarded by extremely long standby time. Very handy if you are traveling and even longer must remain accessible at low battery.

=== === Connectivity and wireless connections
Here, the Galaxy S5 leaves no wish unfulfilled. It dominates all current wireless standards: UMTS, LTE and WLAN ac standard. It also offers a USB 3.0 interface, NFC and an IR transmitter.
The speed wireless downloads can bundle with the so-called "Download-boosters", the LTE and WLAN, continue to accelerate. But considering the current LTE tariffs, this option is probably only in exceptional cases in question.
The Empangsleistung in the mobile network, I would describe as very good.
Overall, there is not to complain about here.

=== === Audio
The voice quality of the S5 is the phone, both on receiver and on the transmitter side, quite well. The casing speaker achieves a high volume. However, do not like listening to adapt - this is the tiny speakers lack naturally to volume.
Via connected headphones I have on the sound quality of the Galaxy S5 nothing to complain about. The music player also provides a variety of possibilities to adjust the sound by equalizer to your own listening habits. The accompanying in-ear earphones are useful, but not outstanding.

=== === Camera
Another highlight of the Galaxy S5 is undoubtedly the camera. Samsung has equipped the smartphone with a 16 megapixel camera that takes pictures x 2,988 pixels to 5,312 size. In video is a UHD resolution, ie 3840 × 2160 pixels, are available. The front camera can record full-HD video and photos recorded with 2-megapixels.

== == Autofocus
The autofocus works quickly and reliably, can in difficult lighting conditions, however slightly. Also moving objects are made pretty sure sharp.
I would, however, have wished for a lower minimum focus distance. Macro shooting is so unfortunately very limited.

== The image quality ==
Photos taken with the Galaxy S5, appear detailed and characterized by strong, but not unnaturally oversaturated colors. Especially in daylight, the picture quality is remarkable. Here, the smartphone does not need to hide from a better compact camera definitely.
In contrast scenes, the HDR function helps to obtain a balanced, detailed photograph. Taking pictures in low light conditions and low light conditions, such as at dusk, resulting in a loss of detail in the images. Unfortunately, the noise suppression is here too radical before other smartphones dominate the better.
Overall, however, the camera produces very convincing results and it is fun to take pictures with the Galaxy S5.

== Video ==
The Galaxy S5 can even video in ultra-HD resolution, ie 3840 × 2160 pixel record. Unfortunately I do not own a TV or monitor that could display this resolution natively. Therefore I can not comment on the quality of the videos. However, one should note that some functions are not available in the UHD video mode. The Dual Camera mode, HDR, effects, remote viewfinder and taking photos during video recording can not be used here.
Since only very few smartphone users currently have corresponding display devices that UHD resolution remains a nice gimmick without real benefit.
Videos in full HD resolution are characterized by bright colors and a detailed representation. The autofocus responds well, however, could be a bit faster in some situations.
Especially when shooting HDR function provides the real added value. This makes it possible, even difficult lighting situations with high contrasts reflect so that shadows still have detail and not erode lights, are therefore shown without drawing.
The video quality I like very much. The material that I recorded with the Galaxy S5, also acts on a 50-inch full high-definition televisions sharp and detailed. It should be so.

== == Automatics and effects
The camera app helps the user with many useful automatic functions and effects. As an example I would like to mention the modes "selective focus" and "Shot & More" here.

-selective Focus
Especially from the SLR photography a look is known, in which only an image area is in focus and the rest of the image disappears in blur. This is usually accomplished with wide-open aperture and long focal length. Physical reasons (related to the lower sensor size) ensure that smartphones can not achieve the same effect.
The recording mode Selective focus is now but possible to achieve a similar look with the S5. You just have to be careful, close to an image area in the foreground of approaching (When triggered, the camera takes several photos, is where each focused on different areas of the image. In order to achieve good results, you should prefer stationary subjects and make sure the smartphone to keep quiet. After recording can choose whether to be in focus in the final photo of the foreground, the background, or the entire image area. With a little practice to succeed here very handsome photos that you have not previously hammer out with a smartphone camera. I like it Good.

-Shot & More
Behind this mode, several useful functions, which are all based on the camera when you press the shutter button makes some shots in rapid succession, which may be provided with an effect then hide.
The choices are:

-Bestes Photo: - Here you can later the picture from the series select the S5 also makes a proposal.

-Best Face: - For group shots, it is particularly difficult to hold all individuals with an appealing face impression. A blinks, the next looking away with Best Face can be put together from different photos the best faces of all the people and so put together into a coherent picture.

-Radierer: - Daytime photograph the Brandenburg Gate without tourists? No Problem. With the eraser function undesirables are removed from the photo.

Drama shooting: - Allows you to hold a motion sequence in an image, similar to a stroboscopic exposure.

-Panoramaschwenk: - This effect can be a movement impression, achieve as a Mitzieher photo in the photo.

Overall, a very versatile function that encourages performance.

=== === Fingerprint scanner
Compared to its predecessors, the Samsung Galaxy S5 provides a completely new feature: the fingerprint scanner. This is located in the Home button below the touch screen and can be used to unlock the smartphone. In addition, the own fingerprint even when logging in to your Samsung account or to pay with Paypal can be used.
First you have to read one or more fingers. Additionally, it is necessary to establish a (not simple) alternative password. If the unlocking fingerprint succeed not even know you can instead type in the password previously defined. , Or similar injuries to the fingertip Especially with wet fingers can happen that.
Mostly succeed unlock the Samsung Galaxy S5 with the stored fingerprint. In any case, you should be sure to pull his finger straight and in the right speed across the scanner.
It has been my experience that you can increase the detection rate, if you deposited the same finger twice in Samsung S5. One should vary the angle at which you draw your finger over the scanner, and the finger position easily.
With another finger to the scanner could not outwit previously.
But you should not fail to mention that the use of fingerprints to secure the smartphones offers only limited protection. Of course, this is perfectly adequate if you just want to prevent others from snooping in a brief absence in the smartphone. If the smartphone but be stolen, can the ban probably overturn. A touch screen phone is usually littered with fingerprints of its owner. With simple means you can back up these impressions and it produced a finger which then unlocks the smartphone. In a tutorial for it I renounce times for understandable reasons :-)
If one uses biometric characteristics such as fingerprints, for identification, you should also take account of privacy concerns. Saves Samsung possibly the complete imprint or some identifying features? If the data is stored only on your smartphone or on servers in the network?
Ultimately it boils down to that I have to rely on Samsung, I can not check what is happening with my data anyway. One should consider whether the gain in comfort by unlocking fingerprint is worth taking the risk of misuse of biometric data therefore.

Unfortunately, the implementation of the fingerprint scanner is not quite optimal. Samsung uses a scanner the finger is thus scanned line by line. If you want to unlock your smartphone, you must first press the Home button and then drag the corresponding finger on the scanner. Move succeed only with both hands. The time savings adheres as compared to the input of a PIN or a password, in limits.
Apple has significantly better resolved on the iPhone 5s, in my opinion. Here, the sensor detects the entire fingerprint in one operation. One press with the (right) finger on the home button so is enough to unlock the iPhone.

=== === Dust and waterproof
Water is the natural enemy of high-quality electronics. With the exception of special outdoor equipment, the contact with large amounts of water usually meant the violent end of a smartphone. Fortunately, some manufacturers have now recognized that it is quite represents a significant added value if you do not have to bring before every raindrop in safety his phone.
The Galaxy S5 is certified to IP67, meaning it is dust and waterproof (with submersion for up to 30 minutes in up to 1 m water depth). If you look closely at the smartphone, a fall has taken in several places the action in the eye, the Samsung to protect your device. The micro USB connector is located at the lower end of the smartphone behind a flap, which is provided with a rubber seal. Taking the back of the S5 from, one sees a sealing lip that seals the area around the battery, SIM and memory card. The headset jack, speaker, microphone, camera and pulse monitor are apparently carried out so that they do not need to be additionally protected against water penetration.
In my opinion, the sealing against dust and water is a very good feature and I would appreciate it if even more smartphones were equipped in such a way.

=== === Fitness
Among the innovations of the Galaxy S5 is one of the integrated heart rate monitor on the back of the device. It consists of a sensor and a red LED. If you put a finger on there and starts the measurement in the S Health app, then the LED illuminates the finger and the sensor can measure in this way the pulse frequency. Mir does not open up the sense of an additional sensor, however. In Play Store apps are already available that make similar to the smartphone camera and the LED flash - This also works when S5. Higher accuracy I could not find in my experiments. In my opinion, the separate heart rate monitor is therefore only a marketing argument.
The aforementioned S Health app can be used to monitor your training. For this purpose measurement data of the Galaxy S5 or the addition of a wearables such as the Gear 2 is detected. Training progress can be tracked. There are programs available to assist the user in achieving an objective workout for various sports.
Overall, I like the app and offer fitness functions quite well. It bothers me though is that I have the phone, for example, while running away, to capture the training parameters. Here a wearable with built-in GPS function would be more practical.

=== === User Interface
The Galaxy S5 comes with Android 4.4.2 and the latest TouchWiz interface of Samsung.
The lock screen, home screen, icons and menus have been revised sharply compared to previous versions. In particular, the icons now look more uniform and pleasing. Unfortunately, the settings menu is quite confusing fall, as all options are displayed in a long list that is not structured sense. One can - if necessary - but change to a different menu view.
Taken overall, the S5 with Touchwiz good use. Sometimes the variety of configuration options a bit overwhelming. The Samsung typical appearance by large Widgets etc. can be adapted comprehensively as they wish. Added is "MyMagazine", a Flipboard-variant for reading news, accessible on a separate screen.
Manufacturer-specific user interfaces as Touchwiz (or example of HTC Sense) remain a matter of taste. In summary, I would look and feel but certainly be described as successful.

=== === Conclusion
With the Galaxy S5 Samsung has delivered a good smartphone. It offers the latest technology, good performance, a great display and excellent camera in a convenient packaging. However, I lack some innovation or a unique selling point. The new fitness functions and the fingerprint scanner (both somewhat half-heartedly implemented) do not cause me any case an immediate Have-Want-reflex.
Unfortunately, Samsung holds firmly also to its design and choice of materials. Other smartphone manufacturers prove here more courage and provide updated models that significantly exceed the S5 in terms of design and quality. Ultimately, every buyer must evaluate the importance of these criteria for themselves. I expect, however, from an upper-class smartphone that it looks afterwards.
Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S5 offers but a very good overall package, making it one safely to the currently best smartphones on the market. However, I would wait a little buying until the market price has fallen further.

-Pro

* Excellent display
* Very good camera
* Dust and waterproof
* Performance
* Battery life / power saving
* Light weight, thin
* Good overall package

- = Neutral
* Fingerprint Scanner
* Heart Rate Monitor
* Design

- Negative
* Haptics
* Flap into the USB port does not work particularly durable