New Issue: Science’s Impossible Questions. Read Now

February 24, 2014

2 min read

Google Logo Add Us On GoogleAdd SciAm

Galaxy S5 unveiled with fingerprint sensor, bigger screen

Join Our Community of Science Lovers!


(Credit:
Andrew Hoyle/CNET)

It isn't everything the rumors promised, but Samsung unveiled its Galaxy S5 smartphone on Monday, touting faster data connections, a bigger display, an improved camera, and a built-in fingerprint sensor.

The phone has a 5.1-inch display HD screen and a 16-megapixel rear-facing camera with a bunch of bells and whistles that are supposed to improve the experience of taking and viewing images, according to Samsung. The company revealed the latest iteration of its flagship phone at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. No details on pricing and availability yet, but follow along in our live blog to find out more.

On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.

Galaxy S5: Check out Samsung's new superphone (photos)

1-2 of 31
Scroll Left Scroll Right
Join us for CNET's live blog of Samsung's Unpacked event from Mobile World Congress

"Our consumers do not want eye-popping technology or the most complex technology," Samsung CEO J.K. Shin said at the event. "Our consumers want beautiful design and performance; our consumers want a simple, yet powerful camera. Our consumers want faster and seamless connectivity, and our consumers want a phone that can help them stay fit."

The phone comes in new colors, is dust- and water-resistant, and features an ultra-power saving mode, according to Shin.


(Credit:
Sarah Tew/CNET)

The new camera features include advanced auto-focus speeds for taking pictures quickly, real-time High Dynamic Range (HDR) preview mode, and other tools and effects to edit photos and video after you've captured them.

Like the iPhone 5S, the built-in fingerprint sensor will allow users to unlock their phones with a fingerprint scan. The Galaxy S5's sensor also will act as password protection for PayPal payments, according to Samsung. The device supports several mobile wallets including Isis and Google Wallet. Shin said the company will discuss more about Knox, Samsung's mobile security feature, on Tuesday.

Samsung also is promising faster Wi-Fi and "extensive" 4G LTE support for US carriers: AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, MetroPCS, and U.S. Cellular.

Related stories

The new smartphone includes health-monitoring features with the newest version of S-Health, a health app that compliments Samsung's new Galaxy Gear smartwatch. The app tracks meals, heart rate, and workouts while offering nutritional planning and location tracking.

Read more about the features in CNET's first take of the Galaxy S5.

With the fever that's usually reserved for an iPhone launch, the Galaxy S5 caused a lot speculation as users anxiously awaited its unveiling. Possibilities of a fingerprint sensor, an iris scanner, and a metal body churned in the rumor mill for months.

Updated, 11:30 a.m. PT: Added comments from Samsung CEO J.K. Shin.

Subscribe to Support Independent Journalism

Great science journalism requires human expertise, time, effort and creativity. And it costs money. That’s why I and the journalists here at Scientific American hope you’ll join our community.

When you subscribe, you are supporting staff and freelance journalists who are passionate about telling science stories that are true, important and compelling. Our editors and reporters are often experts in their fields, which means they understand the nuances of big discoveries and can untangle the breakthroughs from the hype. With a subscription, you are also supporting rigorous fact-checking to ensure the words we publish are precise and accurate. And you’re supporting original illustrations, graphics and photos that bring you closer to an advanced laboratory, an ice sheet in Antarctica or a space mission in orbit. You’re helping us craft other types of high-quality journalism as well: Our newsletters are carefully written, edited and curated by staffers you have or will come to know and love. Our Science Quickly podcast is based on original reporting, collaboration with editors and scientists and exacting production.

Subscriptions keep this engine running so we can continue to deliver thoughtful, rigorous and independent science journalism to you. In an era of viral misinformation, this work is crucial. If you value what we do, I hope you’ll consider joining us as a subscriber

Thank you,

Jeanna Bryner, Editor in Chief, Scientific American

Subscribe