Samsung Galaxy S5 Launch Date, Location Still Being Decided (Rumors)(Specifications Update)
Samsung is experiencing issues picking a date and location to launch its highly-anticipated Galaxy S5 smartphone, according to a recent tweet Mobile Review's Eldar Murtazin.
"Samsung isn't sure about place/date of sgs5 announce after yesterday leak :))) they think about London again, info will be in a few days :)," Murtazin said via Twitter.
The tweet suggests that Samsung has apparently zeroed in on London as a likely location for the event, as well as the fact that the S5's specifications are basically 'known' at this point following a recent leak.
The update contradicts a recent report that claimed the Galaxy S5 would launch shortly before Mobile World Congress on February 23 at a special event in Barcelona.
However, another previous report claimed a Samsung executive confirmed that the Galaxy S5 will not be get a launch date at Mobile World Congress, providing further indication that nothing has actually been set as far as the upcoming smartphone's unveiling.
The Galaxy S5 could feature updates to its music player and one-hand functionality, according to The Droid Guy.
One-hand functionality is a clear concern for many smartphone users looking at larger-screened 'phablets,' and the GS5's rumored stock music player would be an attractive selling point for the Samsung device due to its ability to share music via several social media platforms. The one-handed functionality patent states a method that would allow a user to choose the corner of the phone they to function in, Talk Android reports. They would also have the option to pick between apps, notifications, favorite calls and more.
Both features were recently patened by Samsung, according to Korean patent filing database K.I.P.R.I.S., meaning they are distinct possibilities to debut in the upcoming Samsung flagship.
Samsung may also be looking to switch things up with the GS5's display, as a recent report claims Samsung plans to ditch its Super AMOLED HD display in favor of a 5.25" 2K Ultra HD LTPS display panel for the smartphone, according to Chinese website Tencent (as reported by GSM Arena).
Though Samsung has favored its own AMOLED displays for its flagship smartphones since the Galaxy S, the South Korean tech giant has instead opted for the Sharp display's 560 ppi density, Tencent claims.
Another reason for the switch is apparently with one of Samsung's subsidiaries, which has experienced production issues with the 2K Ultra HD AMOLED displays, halting Samsung's production, GSM Arena reports. It should be noted that if Sharp is to produce the Galaxy S5's display, it would still be beneficial for Samsung, which owns a 3% stake in the company.
The report seems to confirm an earlier alleged GS5 benchmark result that featured a 2K UHD display.
It was also recently reported that Samsung will launch the Galaxy S5 alongside a metal body Galaxy F smartphone, according to Korean publication ET News.
The Galaxy F would be the first Samsung smartphone with a metal chassis. According to ET News, the phone's metallic prototype was developed in Europe and moved to Samsung's plant in Vietnam.
The report adds that the Galaxy F will help kick off a new line of "super-premium" smartphones, with the Galaxy F serving as a higher-end version of the Galaxy S5. It is unknown whether the smartphones will carry the same specs with different bodies or if the Galaxy F will feature better specs than the S5, as well.
While the Galaxy S5 will likely be a hot item with several carriers, it could be linked up to AT&T first, as a new rumor suggests the wireless carrier is testing a device with the GS5 code name.
AT&T and Samsung have hooked up in the past, with AT&T receiving both the Galaxy S4 and Note 3 months ahead of their respective releases, Gotta Be Mobile reports. The leak comes via evleaks, who claims AT&T is testing a device code named Samsung SM-G900A, which is believed to be the S5. It would make sense for AT&T to have begun internal testing on the device based on its rumored release date, which is possibly four months away.