Some will remember what it was like Project J: the internal name that grouped the Galaxy S4 (original, Mini, Zoom and Active). The successor adopted the codename Project F and with it came the first clues about design and hardware of the Samsung Galaxy S5, as well as rumors of a full line of variants to cover different segments.
Among the first Project F cards were shuffled screens between 4,5 and 5,5 inches with the aim of adjusting the format at hand and competing with direct rivals. Finally, the commercial version set the panel in 5,1 inches, a size that sought a balance between ergonomics and multimedia viewing. Early discussions also considered reducing the size compared to the previous model to attract users for whom 5 inches were excessive. There was even talk of configurations of 3 GB of RAM, but the final unit opted for 2 GB LPDDR3 prioritizing system efficiency and stability.
Another key piece was the processor. On the table were the Exynos Octa own and the jump to 64 bits, although compatibility with LTE 4G set the course: variants coexisted with Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 y Samsung Exynos 5 Octa de 32 bitsIn photography, the objective was clear: a sensor of 16 SM PDAF and advanced HDR, accompanied by stabilization digital and video UHD/4K at 30 fps.
Project F wasn't just a phone. The strategy included a complete family of devices and living with w to strengthen health, sports and notifications, something that would further define the Galaxy ecosystem.
Metal will be the protagonist
The first rumors pointed to the metal as the star material, with reports of aluminum. In the commercial version, the Galaxy S5 opted for a polycarbonate body with metallic-look frame and certification IP67 against water and dust. The back cover is removable to exchange the battery, and the port USB 3.0 integrates cover for sealing. Later, agreements with metal casing suppliers also emerged. related to future designs.
The design approach was pragmatic: resistance and functionality More than just luxuries, with improved grip and a low weight. The ability to remove the cover and maintain an IP67 seal was a differentiating factor compared to unibody models, and the infrared port (IR blaster) added remote control to the set.
Key specifications and advanced connectivity
- Dimensions and weight: 142 × 72,5 × 8,1mm; 145g; volume approx. 83,39 cm³.
- Colours: black, white, blue and gold; body in polycarbonate; IP67.
- YES: Micro‑SIM (3FF); YES: 1.
- Social: GSM 850/900/1800/1900; UMTS 850/900/1900/2100; LTE 800/850/900/1800/2100/2600 (Cat 4, up to 150,8 Mbps download / 51 Mbps upload).
- Carbon-Negative: GPRS/EDGE Class 12; UMTS 384kbps; HSPA+ (42,2/5,76 Mbps); LTE Cat 4.
- Location: GPS, A‑GPS, GLONASS and, depending on the region, Beidou.
- Wi ‑ Fi: 802.11 a/b/g/n (2,4 and 5 GHz) and 802.11ac, Wi‑Fi Direct, hotspot; Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP, AVRCP, DIP, HFP, HID, HSP, LE, MAP, OPP, PAN, PBAP and HOGP profiles; NFC; ANT +; IR blaster.
- USB: Micro‑USB 3.0 with OTG, USB charging and MHL to HDMI; 3,5 mm jack. FM Radio: No. available in most variants.
- Audio: Speaker and earphone; AAC/HE‑AAC, AMR, eAAC+, FLAC, M4A, MIDI, MP3, OGG/Opus, WMA, WAV codecs; HAC (M3); Qualcomm codec WCD9320.
- Institutional: 3GPP/3GPP2, AVI/DivX, FLV, H.263, H.264/AVC, MKV, MP4/M4V, VC‑1, WebM, WMV7/8/9.
- Web navegation: HTML/HTML5, CSS3.
Super AMOLED display
The Galaxy S5 has a panel 5,1-inch Super AMOLED (12,95 cm) with 1080 × 1920, ratio 16:9 and 432 dpi (≈169 ppcm). It offers 24-bit color, Gorilla Glass 3 and occupies about 70% of the front. Samsung uses the matrix type Diamond to improve sharpness and subpixel, with color profiles such as Cinema mode for greater fidelity.
In brightness, the panel reaches in manual around 456 nits, being able to overcome the 600 nits automatically under intense light. Where it particularly stands out is in its minimum brightness, very low for comfortable reading in dark environments. It is capacitive touch, multi-touch and scratch resistant.
Performance, hardware and autonomy
The S5 was marketed with two platforms: Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 (MSM8974AC) with Krait 400 CPU (4×2,45 GHz) and Adreno GPU 330 a ~578 MHz, and Exynos 5 Octa (5420/5422) with 4x1,9 GHz Cortex‑A15 + 4x1,3 GHz Cortex‑A7 and Mali-T628 MP6 GPU a ~533 MHz. Both in 28 nm y 7-bit ARMv32‑A, with 16K/32K L1 caches per core and L2 caches of 2 MB.
- RAM: 2GB LPDDR3 dual channel (933MHz).
- Storage: 16/32 GB expandable by microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC up to 128 GB.
- System: Android 4.4.2 with TouchWiz Nature UX 3.0, officially upgradeable to Android 6.0.1.
- Showtimes:: Download Booster (combines Wi‑Fi + LTE), Multi-window y Toolbox floating.
The battery is 2800 mAh, removable, with option of wireless charging depending on the market. It has Saving mode y Ultra Savings (grayscale, app restriction and refreshment), which allows you to extend hours of use. Guidance figures (depending on network and chipset): 3G conversation around 16–29 hours, waiting ≈ 390–480 hours and similar values in 4G; with sustained use, you can expect more than 16 hours of talk time under typical conditions. USB 3.0 charging speeds up times compared to USB 2.0.
Cameras and video
The main integrated sensor ISOCELL Samsung S5K2P2XX de 16 SM (5312×2988), size 1/2.6”, pixel 1,12 μm, f/ lens2.2 with real focal length 4,89 mm (≈31 mm eq.), ISO 100--2000 and shutter speed 1/14–1/10000 s. Add PDAF (very fast focus, ~0,3 s), HDR in real time, continuous shooting, panorama, white balance, ISO control, exposure compensation, face detection, touch to focus and stabilization digital. Although initial rumors mentioned optical stabilization (OIS), the commercial unit used digital stabilization. Record UHD / 4K at 30 fps and 1080p up to 60fps.
The front is of 2 SM (Samsung S5K8B1, f/2.4) and records 1080p is 30 fps. Among the modes it stands out Selective focus to simulate background blur with reliable clipping in foregrounds. Software communities such as CyanogenMod/Lineage They later published capture and processing improvements.
Security, sensors and experience
It includes fingerprint reader integrated into the start button (Synaptics‑Validity VAL004A8‑T) with swipe gesture for unlocking, private mode and compatible payments such as PayPal. It also integrates pulsometer next to the flash, connected to S Health for activity metrics.
The set of sensors is extensive: proximity, light, accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, barometer, Hall, footprints y heart rate. In terms of sound, the rear speaker is adequate but with shallow depth; with headphones and advanced Bluetooth profiles the experience is enhanced, and it has HAC (M3) for hearing aid compatibility.
Versions, colors, SAR and bands
It was distributed in multiple regional variants (bands/modems). Common identifiers: SM-G900S, SM-G900F, SM-G900I, SM-G900K, SM-G900L, SM-G900M, SM-G900A, AM-G900T, SM-G900V, SM-G900R4, SM-G900P, SM-G900H, G900H, SM-G900T1, SM-G900W8, SM-G900FD, SM-G9006V, SM-G906KSome markets received variants LTE-A. Colors: Black, White, Blue and Gold.
- (varies by version): EU, head ≈ 0,562–0,638 W/kg, body ≈ 0,326–0,406 W/kg; US, head ≈ 1,03–1,20 W/kg, body ≈ 1,26–1,58 W/kg.
In its origins, Project F aimed to cover several ranges - as happened with S4 with Mini, Zoom and Active - and to coexist with watches and bracelets that expand the Galaxy user's health, notifications and sports ecosystem.
The Galaxy S5 Project F brings together a mature screen Super AMOLED, solid performance in its two SoCs, one fast camera and versatile, IP67, fingerprint, heart rate monitor and connectivity extras such as Download Booster or IR blaster. Its practical approach, with removable battery y microSD, keeping it attractive for those who prioritize balance, connectivity options, and durability in their daily lives.
