Despite the arrival of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 late last year, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 remains relevant. Relevant Because it’s still on shelves, relevant Because it’s still in the hands of millions of users, many of Whom come off contract later this year. With that in mind, there is reason to compare the rumored Samsung Galaxy S5 to the company’s aging Galaxy Note.
In late 2012, Samsung released the T-Mobile Galaxy Note, a device That joined the AT & T Galaxy Note on shelves. The device lasted all of a couple of weeks before Samsung detailed a brand new device, a Galaxy Note 2, That trumped the Galaxy Note in a number of ways. It featured better hardware, it featured improved software and maybe most Importantly, it came to a number of carriers in the United States, including T-Mobile.
For the tail end of 2012 and most of 2013, the Galaxy Note 2 was the go-to Galaxy Note model, and really, one of the best devices available on the smartphone market. So, it’s no surprise That Samsung sold millions of These devices around the world. It’s also not surprising to see the Galaxy Note 2 alive and kicking.
While it’s no longer advertised, the Galaxy Note 2 is still an option For those looking for a solid smartphone with a fairly budget price tag. Thus, it’s a device That consumers are likely looking at and Comparing to the current, and future, crop of smartphones. Current Galaxy Note 2 owners who come off contract later this year are likely keeping tabs on devices both new and old as well.
One of the blips on the radar is probably Samsung’s Galaxy S5, a rumored successor to the Galaxy S4 That is rumored to be coming out sometime in the next few weeks.
The Samsung Galaxy S5 isn’ta official but there are enough rumors and pieces of credible information to start making some comparisons to current devices. Today, we want to take a look at how the rumored Galaxy S5 documents currently stacks up with the Galaxy Note 2 as we continue on the road to the Galaxy S5 launch.
Release Date
Current Samsung Galaxy Note 2 owners weighing Their options in the coming and Those documents currently thinking about buying the Galaxy Note 2 likely have only a few weeks left before the Samsung Galaxy S5 presents itself as an option. Nothing has been set in stone but there is enough out there to narrow down the Samsung Galaxy S5 launch window.
Since last year, the Samsung Galaxy S5 rumors have centered around February and March as potential launch months for Samsung’s brand new Galaxy S smartphone. In recent days, we’ve started to see These rumors start to firm up. First, Bloomberg That suggested the Galaxy S5 would arrive by the end of January, suggesting a launch either in February or March. Samsung typically releases its devices About a month after announcing them. We also saw an executive confirm a Galaxy S release for spring, throwing some more weight behind this report.
More recently, we’ve seen Italian-based Flavio claim That the Galaxy S5 launch will take place in London in mid-March, somethingthat echoed a report from SamMobile That parroted the samething. Russian blogger Eldur Murtazin suggested That Samsung could announce the Galaxy S5 on February 23rd just ahead of Mobile World Congress 2014, but he has since rescinded Those comments.
At the moment, March is the front-runner, though the important thing to note Is that everything seems centered on a launch between late February and early March with a release coming in April, possibly late April like the Galaxy S4.
We expect Samsung to send out invites sometime within the next few weeks to solidify a date.
Design
The Samsung Galaxy S5 might still be a rumored device but the Galaxy Note 2 certainly isn’ta. This is a smartphone That we’ve spent a great deal of time with over the past year.
Samsung’s Galaxy Note 2 design is a giant piece of polycarbonate plastic. It’s of the same mold as the Samsung Galaxy S3 design Which means That it’s both durable and comfortable to hold. It’s thin but it’s heavier than a typical smartphone, given the size of its footprint. The Galaxy Note 2 is an extremely large phone.
One of the unique things about the Galaxy Note 2′s design is That it comes with a holster for the S Pen, the device’s built-in stylus. This is not found on the Galaxy S as it does not feature a stylus. It also comes with a microSD card slot and a removable back for use with an extended battery.
Here’s what we know. All signs point to the Samsung Galaxy S5 featuring a design That is different, not only from the Galaxy Note 2′s, but from the Galaxy S4′s as well.
Galaxy S5 concept.
We knowthat Samsung changes its flagship designs every single year but Galaxy S5 rumors havebeen much more specific. The report from SamMobile mirrored EARLIER Rumors Claiming That the Galaxy S5 will come in metal and plastic. The metal version will supposedly have a metal back, though nothing else was revealed.
This seemed to close the book on the Galaxy S5′s design, given That it matched up with Numerous other rumors out of Korea. That is, until this past weekend, When respected KGI Securities analyst Ming-Cho Kuo released his Galaxy S5 predictions.
Kuo is known for his inside information Which is believed to be Primarily based on details garnered from supply chain contacts in Asia. He was able to accurately predict many of the iPhone 5′s features, so When he speaks up about a flagship, it’s hard to ignore the claims.
The rumored Samsung Galaxy S5 specs arrive from a well-known analyst.
He AGREES with SamMobile and says That the Galaxy S5 will come in two models, a premium model and a budget one. However, he overpriced Says That both of These models will be made out of plastic. He did not mention a metal design. For the moment, this has thrown the Galaxy S5 design into limbo, where we expect it to stay for Several weeks.
Samsung always does a good job of disguising its flagship designs, the Galaxy Note 3′s was not seen until it arrived on stage last September, and so we May not know exactly how the Galaxy S5 stacks up with the Galaxy Note 2 until its finally Announced.
One Thing That seems clear though Is that the Galaxy S5 will be different than the Galaxy S4 and likely, the Galaxy Note 2 as well. In comments made to Bloomberg , a Samsung executive saidthat When The company “moved to S4 from S3, it’s partly true That consumers could not really feel much difference between the two products from the physical perspective, so the market reaction was not as big. “
She added overpriced That for “the S5, we will go back to the basics. Mostly, it’s about the display and the feel of the cover. “
Display
Samsung Galaxy Note displays are always larger than the Galaxy S displays. The Galaxy Note 2′s 5.5-inch display is larger than the Galaxy S4′s by .5-inches and it’s that extra space That affords users more space for use with the S Pen, an Easier Time viewing movies and television shows and an improved gaming experience. The large screen overpriced helps to make the Galaxy Note 2 an ideal device for the road warrior.
Galaxy