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Don’t Buy the Galaxy S5 Right Now

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The Galaxy S5 is Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S smartphone, a device that’s currently getting Android 5.0 Lollipop and one that remains a solid option for those looking for a new device. That said, right now is a horrible time to buy the Samsung Galaxy S5 and if you can help it, there’s reason to hold off. At least for right now.

In February of 2013, Samsung returned to Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain to announce its brand new Galaxy S flagship, a device called the Samsung Galaxy S5. The Galaxy S5 took over for the Galaxy S4 and it delivered a number of powerful specifications including an improved design, better camera, gorgeous display, new software, and more.

For the past year, the Galaxy S5 has reigned as one of the more visible Android smartphones and a device that many people, including us, have recommended to those in the hunt for a new smartphone. A year after its highly anticipated launch, the Galaxy S5 remains a solid choice given that its now receiving  Google’s Android 5.0 Lollipop update and given that its price tag has dropped at retailers like Amazon. Now is not the time to buy the Samsung Galaxy S5 though.

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Right now, in our opinion, is perhaps the worst time to buy the Samsung Galaxy S5. Android 5.0 Lollipop, its hardware and its price tag make it a tempting proposition but there are some reasons to hold off on buying Samsung’s current flagship. We’re not saying not to buy it, we’re saying not to buy it right now. There’s a difference.

Here, we take a look at why we think buying the Samsung Galaxy S5 would be a terrible mistake and why you’re better off waiting a few weeks before jumping in with Samsung’s aging former flagship smartphone.

Galaxy S6 Release

The first reason we think that you would be wise to hold off is because we’re starting to see Samsung Galaxy S6 rumors make a strong push as we head deeper into the year. Samsung Galaxy S6 release rumors that were once vague have started to firm up and we now have a solid lead on when, and where, Samsung will announce the Galaxy S5’s successor.

Samsung Galaxy S6 launch date rumors put the device’s announcement at MWC 2015 in Barcelona, Spain. Specifically, they’ve pinpointed March 2nd as the device’s probable launch date. If true, and there’s a good chance that these rumors are spot on, it means that we’re just about a month out from the Galaxy S6 launch. In the world of smartphone launches and upgrades, that’s not a lot of time. At all.

The company tends to get its Galaxy S smartphone out just a few weeks after launch and this year, the Galaxy S6 release date is rumored to be coming a bit earlier than Samsung’s usual Galaxy S window. Two to three weeks early to be exact. That’s not confirmed but it means that we could see a release in late March. Again, only a few weeks away.

Throw in the fact that the HTC One M9, HTC’s One M8 successor, is scheduled to arrive on March 1st and you have some pretty solid reasons to think about holding off on buying the Galaxy S5 or really any other top Android smartphone for that matter. That is, if you can.

Galaxy S6 Specs

The Galaxy S6 spec rumor cycle has also matured to the point that we have a pretty good idea about what to expect from the Galaxy S6’s features. The Galaxy S6 specs are said to include a collection of upgrades that should help to make it a powerhouse and a sizable upgrade over the Samsung Galaxy S5.

Samsung’s Galaxy S6 specs sheet is said to include a large Quad HD display, a speedy Exynos or Snapdragon processor, a new camera sensor with Optical Image Stabilization, new toned down TouchWiz software with Android 5.0 Jelly Bean, tons of storage space, and most importantly a new design that’s said to feature premium materials. Perhaps metal, perhaps glass, perhaps both.

Rumors suggest that this device will be a huge leap forward and it could potentially leave the Galaxy S5 and its feature set in the dust. It will almost certainly be more expensive but we think that the new design and the new features are all worth waiting for. If only to compare them to the Galaxy S5’s. If that’s not enough to convince you, consider this.

Galaxy S5 Price

There’s a chance, a real good chance, that the Galaxy S5 price at carriers and retailers like Amazon will drop once the Galaxy S5 arrives. You can’t sell a year old phone at $199.99 on-contract when there is something better out. It makes no sense.

It’s hard to say how much it will drop down to though we could see it dropping to $99 on-contract or less at some U.S. carriers and retailers offering it for much cheaper. To us, it’s a win-win. You get to see the Galaxy S6 and the new HTC One and you also get exposed to the inevitable Galaxy S5 price drop. It’s really that simple.

Why You Shouldn’t Buy the Galaxy S5 Right Now

Avoid the Samsung Galaxy S5. You have a Galaxy S6 launch that’s probably just a few weeks away. You have an HTC One M9 that’s probably just a few weeks away. You have a Galaxy S6 that looks like it will trump the Galaxy S5 in more ways than one. And you probably have a cheaper Samsung Galaxy S5 on the way as well. To us, it’s a no-brainer.

We realize that everyones situation is a little bit different and some people won’t be able to wait that long. But if you can, you’d be wise to hold off on that upgrade until the Galaxy S6 is announced.

2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. Steve

    01/28/2015 at 10:53 am

    Couple errors to fix – the Galaxy S6 is not getting Jelly Bean 5.0, and also mentioned is “There’s a chance, a real good chance, that the Galaxy S5 price at carriers and retailers like Amazon will drop once the Galaxy S5 arrives. You can’t sell a year old phone at $199.99 on-contract when there is something better out. It makes no sense.” I think you meant to say “Once the Galaxy S6 arrives”.

  2. Nick

    01/29/2015 at 1:43 pm

    Also the S5 was released in 2014 so I’m assuming it wasn’t announced in 2013

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