Connect with us

Galaxy Note 3

Galaxy S5 May Borrow Note 3 Tech to Slim Down

Published

on

The Samsung Galaxy S5 may arrive with a slimmer design thanks to a new method of integrating antennas which Samsung used on the Galaxy Note 3 as one of the methods of shrinking the thickness of the large smartphone.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 is the name given to Samsung’s next flagship smartphone that multiple rumors suggest will arrive in early 2014 to replace the Galaxy S4. The latest report suggests the Galaxy S5 launches in April, though other media reports claim the new smartphone could arrive earlier in Q1.

Samsung is reportedly experimenting with a new design that may include a metal Galaxy S5, but the latest rumor points to a plastic back for at least some Galaxy S5 models and technology that could help slim the phone down further.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 may use a Note 3 feature to slim down further.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 may use a Note 3 feature to slim down further.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 delivered a marked improvement over the previous generation with an improved design and a very similar size despite the larger screen. Samsung was able to shrink the thickness by .5mm from the Galaxy S3. The company continued the shrinking with the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 cutting the thickness of this phone by nearly 1mm from the previous generation.

The Galaxy Note 3 was able to slim down thanks to LDS antenna technology which puts the antennas in the plastic back of the phone, instead of integrating them into the body of the phone.

ETNews reports that some models of the Galaxy S5 will use LDS antenna technology. In addition to helping cut down the thickness of the Galaxy S5 this technology brings manufacturing benefits that may help prevent any delays as Samsung tweaks the antenna design for multiple countries in a run up to the Galaxy S5 release.

The Galaxy Note 3 uses LDS antenna tech to help slim down the overall phone. The Galaxy S5 back may look similar.

The Galaxy Note 3 uses LDS antenna tech to help slim down the overall phone. The Galaxy S5 back may look similar.

When we were developing the Galaxy S3, it took us more than three weeks to change the antenna frequency design for different countries and regions.”, an antenna expert tells ETNews adding, “As we began to use the LDS-type cases with built-in antennas, we could reduce the development time to 3~4 days.”

There is a major downside to this type of technology.  Phones with the LDS antenna technology are more susceptible to communication issues after a drop because the shock can break the antennas that are wedged between thin layers of plastic. The photo above shows this technology in the Galaxy Note 3, where thin lines are visible indicating where the antenna is. The photo below shows the back of the Galaxy S4 which does not use LDS antennas.

The Smooth Galaxy S4 back does not use this technology.

The Smooth Galaxy S4 back does not use this technology.

Something as small as the antenna design may not seem interesting, but as we’ve seen with the Galaxy Note 3 and iPhone 5s, small leaks of information like this can add up to deliver a picture of what to expect before the phone arrives.

 Samsung Galaxy S5 Concepts

The images below show what the Samsung Galaxy S5 could look like based on rumors and artistic license. These are not leaked Galaxy S5 photos, but they do show versions of the Galaxy S5 that Samsung could make.

Check out the Galaxy S5 concepts in more detail.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.