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11 Reasons iPhone Owners Should Switch to the Galaxy S5

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The Samsung Galaxy S5 is arguably one of the best iPhone alternatives for 2014 with a large screen, carrier support, new software features and refinements that polish the Android experience. Simply put the Samsung Galaxy S5 offers a collection of features that are exciting and worth a second look from iPhone owners, even those who haven’t considered an Android phone since they bought an iPhone 4s or iPhone 5.

In 2013 and into 2014 we are seeing iPhone users look at Android phones as Samsung and HTC led the charge to deliver a better user experience with faster updates, more accessories and better build quality. Google helped with new versions of Android that improve performance and usability. If you bought an iPhone in 2011 or 2012 after a bad experience with an Android smartphone, take a few minutes to look at the Galaxy S5. Android phones from 2011 and Android phones from 2014 don’t share many characteristics.

The Galaxy S5 is worth looking at, especially for iPhone owners.

The Galaxy S5 is worth looking at, especially for iPhone owners.

While iPhone owners are undoubtedly looking at the iPhone 6 which we expect later this year, as a new smartphone to buy in 2014 the Galaxy S5 is an option that shoppers should not pass over just because it doesn’t come from Apple.

Galaxy S5 Camera

The Samsung Galaxy S5 camera is one of the phone’s most impressive features thanks to the improved speed and the numerous modes and features that it offers. The Galaxy S5 features a 16MP sensor, but the biggest reasons to look at the Galaxy S5 are more than just megapixels.

The iPhone 5s camera uses an 8MP sensor and offers users just a few options like Auto HDR, Panorama, Square and Slow Motion video. There is no mistaking the iPhone’s ability to capture good-looking images and it’s popularity, but the Galaxy S5 offers more software features and modes that are typically found on a point-and-shoot or a DSLR.

The Galaxy S5 camera is paired with great software features.

The Galaxy S5 camera is paired with great software features.

Samsung delivers a much faster camera experience over the Galaxy S4 with faster auto focus which helps users take photos faster and capture better looking snapshots. in addition to this speed users can also see the benefit of HDR before pressing the shutter button, making it easier to compose a shot.

Samsung also adds a new Selective Focus mode that allows users to change the point of focus after taking the shot. This allows users to blur the background or foreground of a photo to make a more dramatic looking shot. There are also modes like Drama Shot which can show action in one photo and eraser mode which can remove an unwanted object from the scene.

There are many other modes as well as the ability to record 4k video that make the Samsung Galaxy S5 camera an attractive feature. Check out these Galaxy S5 sample photos.

Health Features

The iPhone 5s arrived with a M7 chip that tracked steps and movement, but Samsung is going all in with health on the Galaxy S5. On the back of the Galaxy S5 is a pulse reader that allows users to take their pulse while using the Galaxy S5. There are apps that can use the iPhone 5s camera to do this, but that’s not all Samsung is offering.

The Galaxy S5 features a pulse sensor to track your heart rate.

The Galaxy S5 features a pulse sensor to track your heart rate.

The Galaxy S5 includes S Health, an app designed to track personal fitness from heart rate and steps to exercise, calories burned and more. Users can also buy the Gear Fit, a small fitness tracker that includes a pulse reader, fitness apps and can also show notifications from the Galaxy S5 on your wrist.

Apple’s iOS 8 update may include an S Health type app called Healthbook which could offer similar functionality later this year, but Samsung is ready today and the Gear Fit is a very tempting device.

Add Storage and Replace the Battery

Samsung lets users add more memory to the Galaxy S5 and swap out a battery to keep going without finding a plug thanks to a removable back. The iPhone requires a battery case to get more power and for more storage users need a WiFi hard drive or a case with built-in storage.

The back comes off to replace the battery and add storage.

The back comes off to replace the battery and add storage.

The Mophie Space Pack is over $100 to add a battery and extra storage to the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5s. The Galaxy S5 accepts a Micro SD card that owners can buy for $20 to $30 on Amazon and a battery that we expect will retail for $40 to $50. These options are cheaper and don’t add bulk to the device.

Larger, HD Display

The Samsung Galaxy S5 arrives with a 5.1-inch 1920 x 1080 resolution display, which offers a larger canvas for watching movies and playing games at a resolution matched by most HDTVs. The iPhone 5s only offers a 4-inch 1136 x 640 resolution display that is small by comparison.

samsung-galaxy-s5-iphone-5s

The Galaxy S5 display is larger and offers a higher resolution than the iPhone 5s.

Samsung also includes a feature that changes the display automatically to deliver a better looking picture based on the environment and activities. With the Galaxy S5 Samsung also includes new low brightness and super-high brightness options.

If you love to game and watch movies and TV on your phone, the Galaxy S5 may deliver a better overall experience for you.  

Water Resistant & Dust Resistant

The iPhone and water do not mix, not even a little. If you drop the iPhone in the sink for 30 seconds it might be toast, and it certainly won’t last 30 minutes.

This small seal on the back, is part of the water-resistant feature.

This small seal on the back, is part of the water-resistant feature.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 is water-resistant and dust resistant without being large and out of date like many heavy-duty smartphones. This is not a rugged smartphone, but it can survive 30 minutes in 1 meter of water. That makes it safe for the kitchen, bathroom and rain without a big, expensive case.

Design Improvements

Samsung continually faces criticism for making plastic smartphone, and while the Galaxy S5 is not made of aluminum like the iPhone 5s it is much nicer to look at and to hold than the Samsung Galaxy S3 and other phones from two to three years ago.

The overall design is much better than the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy S4.

The overall design is much better than the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy S4.

The back of the Galaxy S5 is made of a better feeling plastic with a soft touch finish and dimples that make it easy to hold on to. The feel of the phone is more solid than the Galaxy S3, which flexed under pressure.

While there are certainly shoppers that would love to see a metal Galaxy S5, this is still a well-built smartphone.

Smart Battery Saving Technology

There are tips and tricks to get better iPhone 5s battery life, but Samsung is working to make sure the phone can help you without manually turning off a lot of features.

Ultra Power Saver mode lets the Galaxy S5 battery last even longer when users only need access to a few features.

Ultra Power Saver mode lets the Galaxy S5 battery last even longer when users only need access to a few features.

There are battery saving technologies from Lucid which helps deliver better battery life while gaming, browsing the web and using GPS. This can help deliver a two or three hours of additional battery life without asking users to change habits or limit use.

Samsung also includes Ultra Power Saver mode that turns the display black and white and limits running apps when you need the battery to last as long as possible.

Fingerprint Security

Samsung matches the iPhone 5s with a new fingerprint reader built-in to the home button. Samsung’s solution requires a swipe over the home button, instead of sitting your finger on the home button like on the iPhone 5s.

Use the fingerprint reader to secure the Galaxy S5.

Use the fingerprint reader to secure the Galaxy S5.

While this is not something that beats the iPhone 5s, it is an important feature because it makes using security easier than a password or pattern. Samsung allows apps to access the scanner, something Apple doesn’t do. This allows users to use a finger to authenticate PayPal and to lock documents up with a Private Mode.

 Mobile Payments

The Samsung Galaxy S5 includes Android 4.4.2 and NFC which means users can install Google Wallet and use the phone to make mobile payments by tapping on supported cash registers.

The Galaxy S5 supports mobile payments with PayPal, ISIS and Google Wallet.

The Galaxy S5 supports mobile payments with PayPal, ISIS and Google Wallet.

The iPhone only supports a similar option with a case, which is not an ideal way to make mobile payments. With the Galaxy S5 users can tap on a credit card reader at McDonald’s, some grocery stores and even vending machines to make payments.

If you have multiple credit cards you can carry them all in the Galaxy S5 and switch to the ones you want right before you pay.

Kid Mode

The Galaxy S5 features a kids mode that lets parents put kids into a special are with pre-approved apps and access. When in this mode kids can’t delete parent’s apps and information. There is even an option to limit the time kids can play on the Galaxy S5.

The iPhone allows users to set some limits and make changes, but there is no one-tap to kids mode and then back to adult mode. If you share your phone with a kid, this could be a Galaxy S5 feature you use every day.

Keyboard Options

The Samsung Galaxy S5 runs Android 4.4.2 which means users can pick from many different keyboards to use across the entire phone. The iPhone 5s only offers a single keyboard option to users. There are apps that include their own keyboards, but iPhone owners can not pick a new keyboard to use for everything.

On Android, users can pick from Samsung, Google, SwiftKey and many others to use the perfect keyboard on their device, based on their preferences.

Samsung Galaxy S5 Release Date

Samsung Galaxy S5 Release Date

The Samsung Galaxy S5 release date is set for April 11th in over 150 countries. Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint and US Cellular have yet to confirm a specific release date, but they are planning to start selling the Galaxy S5 in April.

We expect to see a 16GB and 32GB Galaxy S5 on sale in the U.S., but the 16GB model may be the only one available in stores on the release date. We don't expect to see sell outs or long lines like an Apple launch, but we do anticipate carriers will make a big deal out of the day.

Galaxy S5 buyers can expect to see two color options, black and white, and many accessories available on the release day.

30 Comments

30 Comments

  1. craig holloway

    03/15/2014 at 3:46 pm

    Thank you for your insights and knowledge.

  2. Larry

    03/15/2014 at 7:44 pm

    Kid mode??? Haa just keep there little grubby HANDS OFF!!! And finger scanner didn’t they copy apple on that?? All the rest could careless for!! I think I prefer my iPhone not some plastic junk and a early 2000s look samsung still has it’s samcrap!!! My iPhone will also have better resale value a year later not the galaxy as much!! The galaxy is for people who can’t pop up the ca$H for an iPhone!! Samsung that’s so Walmart!!! Nuf said!!

    • Rob

      07/03/2015 at 8:50 pm

      Phone snob! Get a life you materialistic dickhead!

  3. Potin

    03/15/2014 at 9:10 pm

    You know a 16 GB iPhone and a 16 GB Galaxy phone with an upgrade/new contract are the same price, right Larry? The fingerprint scanner was originally an Android idea from 4-5 years ago.

  4. Raj

    03/15/2014 at 10:44 pm

    One thing that’s not going to make me buy a galaxy is the customer service. And they do not cover water damage for a waterproof phone? Iphone goes beyond the bells and whistles.

  5. Kai (@myninjaninja)

    03/15/2014 at 11:10 pm

    What’s makes me stop from saying my Samsung wasn’t suppose to stop working when I was swimming or showering? It’s suppose to be water resistant, I see that line being hard to describe and things getting real fuzzy when you try to get your phone switched out. Good luck for anyone that buys that phone.

  6. Larry

    03/16/2014 at 8:31 am

    @ potin just admit ya same price like I said you sell a iPhone and a samsung both a year old the iPhone will sell at a higher resale!! As for the finger scanner u may be right?? Buy why just now samsung pops up with a finger scanner?? Why to copete with apple?? Hmmm also like I say samsung if for people who don’t have the ca$h for an iPhone!! And that must be you!! I bet you at walmart wetting your pants for the galaxy S5 like a little mall girl At a justin bieber poster!! Ya I like my apple products iPhone 5s gold 64 gb Mac book pro yep better and paid ca$$$$hh no problem potin I’m a CNC machinist and programmer and repair so ya 6 figures a year sounds great to me and you Taco Bell ??

    • Lorie

      09/05/2015 at 11:41 am

      I own an iPhone and your horrible attitude makes me want to switch to a Samsung. What an elitist snob!

  7. Truth

    03/16/2014 at 8:53 am

    Almost the same article every year, try the samsung g3, g4 and now 5; I am an iphone user and every time I have tried any Samsung they are buggy, freeze up and the apps do not have a smooth interface. Granted they have a bigger screen, but so will the next iphone. As for battery I’ve never seen one person carry any extra battery to switch into their phone, so maybe all the fuss about a removable back is so that when it does freeze up you can pull the battery to restart. The great thing about any iphone is it holds it’s value. No other phone comes close.

  8. Larry

    03/16/2014 at 9:33 am

    Truth… That’s the REAL TRUTH iPhones are best!! My co worker at my shop had the ss gs4 and yep it froze up like a ice storm now he has an iPhone and is better off, problem the samsungs value was only 100 bucks, an iPhone 3GS goes close to 150 bucks on Ebay that’s almost 5 years ago would a samsung do that? Nope!! Let’s see how the gs5 goes and read all the issues to come on it lol lol

  9. Y'ALL FAGGOTS

    03/16/2014 at 10:51 am

    why are you apple fanboys reading a galaxy s5 thread? if you want to bitch, find something else.

  10. Larry

    03/16/2014 at 2:55 pm

    @ ya all faggots dude not a fag here douche bag the article says 11 reasons why iPhone people should consider galaxy s5 so I read it you idiot can you read??

  11. Shah

    03/16/2014 at 3:00 pm

    Lol.

    Split screen capability is one feature that I love on android and my samsung. Can view youtube and whatsapp or facebook and youtube at the same time.

    Im due an upgrade soon so s5 might be the way forward.

    Wifi direct also another excellent android feature.

    As for iphones, not a big fan of apple simply for not having a ‘back’ button.

    Resale value doesn’t bother me as mobile phones are designed to be disposable.

  12. Zenediah

    03/16/2014 at 3:28 pm

    @ Larry- 6 figures clearly doesn’t buy you class or the ability to provide yourself and education. Good job.

  13. Larry

    03/16/2014 at 3:55 pm

    @ Zenediah My work and here are two different things!! Work I focus here everyone talks crap I’m 26 and I can still be young maybe not you family buisines is great too and part company ownership so who cares your opinions

    • Mike

      04/29/2014 at 3:58 am

      So you have ADHD as well as being thick! Grammar and spelling doesn’t take concentration if your educated, what a clown you really are. If you really had a six figure salary you wouldn’t be concerned about re-selling your phone.

      • Rob

        07/03/2015 at 8:55 pm

        Great response that! What a dick eh

      • Jack

        11/13/2015 at 3:19 pm

        you’re

  14. Paul

    03/16/2014 at 4:01 pm

    Yes motorola atrix was the first with a fingerprint scanner in 2011, but isheep see one on theres and think it was the first. But with samsung its not halfbaked you can actually use it to purchase online with paypal. Its not just another gimmick like the iphones scanner which really dosent do much! bit like there maps dosent do much and a bit like siri pretty useless.

  15. Greg

    03/16/2014 at 4:07 pm

    Oh iphones dont freeze up, tell that to my downstairs neighbours who constantly hit there iphones swearing this bloody thing keeps freezing up! some people better do more research its proven apps crash more on iphone than they do on android! proven fact research it!

  16. Larry

    03/16/2014 at 6:19 pm

    What the hell are they doing to them also what carrier too ya they freeze but only a few seconds like like a brick Samsung also did they update software??

  17. wined

    03/26/2014 at 10:50 am

    the iPhone sucks its not a USA American made products is made all over the world and you wanna call it American made phone it has Samsung ports

  18. Larry's Mum

    03/31/2014 at 7:28 am

    LARRY YOU TOOL

  19. elizabeth

    04/21/2014 at 2:20 pm

    haha ay wey rich guy lol as you can see that galaxys are pricy as well so stop acting like yuh have tons of money when nobody asked your dumbass lol people like you are full of shit js :)

    • oak

      04/29/2014 at 11:13 pm

      Who taught Larry how to write? Somehow I doubt he’ll ever be a brand ambassador for Apple. Daddy had to give him a way to make a buck because nobody wants to hire 26 year old teenager.

  20. Larrys Dad

    10/04/2014 at 3:35 pm

    Larry’s spelling is fine, it’s his damn iPhones auto correct that let’s him down! He keeps forgetting to proof read every time

  21. Parry is hilarious

    10/20/2014 at 6:42 pm

    Lol.

  22. Parry is hilarious

    10/20/2014 at 6:44 pm

    Parry [Larry] is hilarious…. Damn that iphone keyboard. ;'(

  23. Keni0410

    10/28/2014 at 8:18 am

    I am an iPhone 6 user. Galaxy was not an alternative. Speed or anything else are not issues.

    Because,
    1. It is too ugly big.
    2. I don’t need a copy cat.
    3. I believe they stole all from Japan and the US.
    4. I feel ashamed and even guilty with it.
    5. Ther are more reasons not to have Samson galaxy.

  24. Atilla

    10/31/2014 at 9:42 am

    Larry is just jealous because the s5 is bigger than his pee pee.

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