After Samsung sent out invitations for its Unpacked 2014 Episode 1 event earlier this week, speculation about what the company has planned began to run wild. Many suggested that the inclusion of the number "5" on the invitations was a hint that the Galaxy S5 will be the guest of honor at the event, and if a new report from The New York Times is to be believed, that is indeed the case.
A source "with knowledge of the plans" has spilled some details of the Galaxy S5 to the NYT, claiming that Samsung is planning to unveil the device during Mobile World Congress at an event that'll be more "low-key" than last year's over-the-top Galaxy S 4 announcement. A new version of the Galaxy Gear is also expected to be shown at the shindig.
The tipster went on to say that Samsung's new will indeed go by the name "Galaxy S5" and that the company is planning to focus less on unique software features like Air View with its new device.
So what kinds of goodies will Samsung pack into its next flagship? According to a source that's reportedly been filled in on its specs, the Galaxy S5 will feature an improved camera and processor over its predecessor, as well as unnamed "design enhancements" and an updated version of Samsung's Knox security software. Some of the rumored features that aren't expected to make their way into the S5 are an eye scanner or high-res WQHD display.
Samsung has held dedicated events for the debuts of its previous two Galaxy S smartphones, so it's kind of surprising to learn that the company will be going back to its Galaxy S II ways and unveiling the Galaxy S5 at MWC. Doing so isn't a bad idea, though, because much of the mobile press will already be in Barcelona for MWC, and an announcement of the Galaxy S5 will likely overshadow much of what Samsung's competition shows at MWC.
As for the Galaxy S5 itself, so far the device sounds like a nice evolution of the Galaxy S line. Samsung caught some flak when it launched the Galaxy S 4 because it had loaded the device up with a large number of software features, some of which were considered gimmicky by reviewers. This time around it sounds like Samsung is scaling things back and focusing more on the design of the S5, which may address the complaints that some folks have had about previous Galaxy S phones and their glossy, plasticky bodies.
MWC has certainly become quite a bit more interesting with the news that not only will Samsung showcase the Galaxy S5 there, but that it's planning a low-key unveiling for the device and its improved design. The good news is that MWC and Samsung's event both get underway on Feb. 24, which is now less than three weeks out.
If you could select one aspect of the Galaxy S5's "design enhancements," what would you choose?
