Samsung Galaxy S5 extended batteries now on pre-order from ZeroLemon and Mugen Power

There's no denying that the Samsung Galaxy S5 is a top performer when it comes to battery life. Need proof? Well, we put the phone's 2800mAh cell to the test, and it took a whopping 8 hours and 20 minutes for our custom battery benchmark to drain it entirely. This ranks Samsung's flagship ahead of many high-end competitors, including the iPhone 5s, the HTC One (M8), and the LG G2.

But as stellar as the Galaxy S5's battery life may be, some users might still find its cell's capacity insufficient for their needs. These are the people that ZeroLemon and Mugen Power, two of the better-known makers of extended cell phone batteries, cater to.

Mugen Power is currently offering a 2950mAh lithium-ion battery for the Samsung Galaxy S5 – a cell that should last about 5% longer than a stock one, according to the manufacturer. For those in need of a spare cell for their Galaxy S5, or for an extended battery that does not add any extra bulk to the device, this is an option worth considering. NFC is built into the pack so don't worry about losing the feature once you swap.

ZeroLemon's approach to designing an extended battery for the Galaxy S5 has been quite a bit different. The company has built a pack that can hold 7500mAh of charge, making it more than 2.5 times more capacious than the phone's stock cell. There's a catch, however. The extended battery is so large that it requires you to swap the Galaxy S5's back cover with one provided by ZeroLemon (included in the set). The battery will also make your Galaxy S5 significantly heavier. Another drawback is that you might not be able to use the phone's heart rate monitor as comfortably with all that protruding plastic around it. On the brighter side of things, this replacement back cover doubles as a protective case.

The Mugen Power extended battery for Samsung Galaxy S5 is now on pre-order for $44.50 and it is expected to ship on May 23. As for ZeroLemon's solution, its gargantuan cell can be pre-ordered from Amazon for $49.99 and will ship on May 14.

Extended batteries for the Samsung Galaxy S5

1. Mugen Power extended battery for the Samsung Galaxy S5. Capacity: 1950mAh

 

2. ZeroLemon extended battery for the Samsung Galaxy S5. Capacity: 7500mAh

 

3. ZeroLemon extended battery for the Samsung Galaxy S5. Capacity: 7500mAh

 

source: Mugen Power, ZeroLemon

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One month with the HTC One (M8) and Samsung Galaxy S5

Summary: I have now spent over a month with both devices and neither has compelled me enough to visit my local T-Mobile store to make a purchase. They are both solid phones, but also both lack some things I want in a flagship device.

I have been using both the new HTC One (M8) and Samsung Galaxy S5 with my personal T-Mobile SIM splitting the time in each so I could try to figure out which one I would purchase for myself. After more than a month with these devices, there are still a couple of reasons I haven't yet visited my local store and that means LG, Motorola, and Apple still have a chance to end up in my pocket.

The HTC One (M8) was the first to land in my hands and it is a very impressive piece of hardware with top notch design and construction. The HTC One (M7) was a fabulous device that served as my primary smartphone for a year. The Samsung Galaxy S5 is not as premium feeling as the HTC One, but it brings a much better camera and some more great features that I am enjoying.

(Image: HTC)

Let's break it down into a couple simple lists to share my experiences over the past month. Here is what I like about the HTC One (M8):

• Metal design: HTC does a great job with design and the new One continues that tradition with rock solid construction, beveled edges, curved back, and excellent fit and finish.
• BoomSound speakers: The front facing stereo speakers are better this year than they were last year and I have yet to hear any other device that can match the experience.
• Sense 6 UI: I have always been a fan of Sense and it is even better on the new One. BlinkFeed is even more useful and customizable than before, the device flies when it comes to performance, the widgets are useful, and much more.
• Camera software: Highlight Videos are great ways to share photos and video clips with people, especially when you travel a lot or have young children whose experiences you want to capture and add some context to. The effects and editing tools are also great on the HTC One.
• Ample storage and microSD card: All HTC One devices in the US have 32GB of storage, which is the minimum that all flagship phones should have. HTC also finally brought their microSD support, common on their Japanese line, to the HTC One line so you can capture lots of video and images without worrying about filling up your storage.
• Long battery life: I am a heavy smartphone user and find I can go very long days with the HTC One without charging it up. It is so good that it makes my Moto X look anemic.
• Solid front facing camera: Front facing cameras are useful to capture photos with you in the picture with other people, especially given that handing over the new HTC One to a stranger to take your shot will likely result in your HTC One being dropped. The wide angle 5 megapixel camera takes good photos and is definitely the one to get if you take lots of selfies.

There are also a few things I don't like about the new HTC One (M8), including the following:

• Slippery back and sides: I am extremely careful with my smartphones, but even I have dropped the new HTC One a few times and can almost guarantee that this phone will be dropped due to the slippery skin.
• Camera doesn't capture detail: HTC could have hit it out of the park and I would own my personal One right now if they had bumped the camera up in quality over last year's model. I wanted to see at least 8 megapixels, even if they wanted to stick with their low light ultrapixel strategy. You can capture good photos, but they will not have depth and detail like you can get with most all other flagship smartphones.
• Long phone: I accept that many phones are getting larger today, but the HTC One (M8) feels too long in your hand without any real obvious benefit to the length. It sticks out of my back jeans pocket and I wish it was a bit shorter.

(Image: AT&T)

I just returned from a five day Disneyland vacation and took along the Samsung Galaxy S5 to use as my primary smartphone and it performed admirably. Here are several things I like about the new Galaxy S5.

• Waterproof design: While you do have to keep the bottom microUSB port door closed, going on rides with water splashing and enjoying the pool with the family was a relief knowing the phone was safe from water. It is very convenient to have integrated protection from the elements.
• Solid camera performance: Time and again the Galaxy S5 camera proved to be the best of the bunch while on vacation. I was able to capture excellent quality photos inside buildings, out in the sun, and while walking around the park.
• Vivid display: The HTC One has an excellent LCD display, but the eye-popping colors of the Galaxy S5 are tough to beat. It even performed very well in full sunlight in California.
• Removable battery and microSD card: Very few phones have removable batteries, but it is convenient to go long periods of time without charging and swap out batteries which is one major reason why I wrote that the S5 may be the best current business smartphone.

While the S5 is a nice iteration in the Galaxy line, there are a few things I don't like about it either. These include:

• Limited internal storage: You only get about 9 GB of available internal storage and with KitKat that means you can only install a limited number of apps and games. Every flagship Android device needs to launch with 32GB minimum and if Samsung had launched with this amount of RAM then it is likely I would have already purchased one at T-Mobile.
• Chrome frame: The plastic back doesn't really bug me at all and I understand its presence since you get the ability to swap the battery. It is the ridged chrome frame piece that gives the S5 a bit of a cheap feel and if Samsung could have just put in a little metal band around the device I bet it would have felt a lot more premium.
• TouchWiz UI: TouchWiz has gotten a bit better, but the settings area is terrible with something like 62 icons available to the user. The notifications area is halfway consumed with Samsung stuff that cannot be removed either. I do like seeing some of the Note 3 utilities in the S5, such as Multi-Window and Air View.
• Useless functions: The finger scanner rarely works and the heart rate monitor has limited functionality. Samsung doesn't have to throw everything in one device and should stay focused on what works well.

Both of these phones are excellent choices and some may say that I am being too picky in my cons that are preventing me from purchasing one or the other. However, we know that LG will be announcing their new flagship at the end of the month, Apple will likely announce the next iPhone next month, and Motorola is likely to update the Moto X with something a bit bigger and newer.

If Samsung had a 32GB S5 available on T-Mobile then I would likely have picked one up and if HTC had an improved camera then it would have been my first choice. The 32GB S5 model may actually come to T-Mobile in the future so it is more likely that a Samsung Galaxy S5 will end up in my pocket than a new HTC One (M8).

zdnet.com

Samsung Galaxy S5 camera bug found; new units coming to market with no problems

Over the weekend, we mentioned an issue that some Verizon owners of the Samsung Galaxy S5 were experiencing when they opened their camera. Instead of being able to use the snapper, a notice popped up saying "Warning: Camera Failed." A factory reset is not going to help with this problem. As we suggested on Saturday, those with a Samsung Galaxy S5 that is affected, should call Samsung at 1-888-987-4357 to arrange an exchange under the warranty. You should also contact Verizon technical support.

On Sunday, Samsung announced that the number of Galaxy S5 units with this problem is "very limited". Even more important for a flagship device that markets its 16MP rear camera heavily, Samsung says that new units tumbling off the assembly line will not have this problem. The Korean manufacturer found that the problem has to do with the ROM component, which stores the information that is necessary for the phone to run the camera.

While it is not related to the camera issue, Samsung warned its investors that profit for the first quarter is going to be lower on a year-over-year basis. This will be the second straight annual decline in profitability for the company.

source: Reuters

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Verizon's Samsung Galaxy S5 users run into problems with the camera

Verizon owners with the Samsung Galaxy S5 are running into a major problem with their camera. Even though it works perfectly for the first few days, it eventually starts malfunctioning. Whether you are trying to take a picture for Instagram, or just looking to snap a shot of your cat, the camera refuses to work and reveals a warning message that states: "Warning: Camera Failed."

You can try to restart or factory reset your new Galaxy S5, but it will be to no avail. And at this stage, there appears to be no fix in the works. Your best shot (so to speak) is to bring your Samsung Galaxy S5 back to Verizon, and find a sympathetic ear.

Once word spreads, or the number of such incidences increase, we could expect to see a software update for the device that will fix the camera. And the scary thing is that this is also happening to Verizon customers with the Samsung Galaxy S III.

Are you a Verizon customer with a Samsung Galaxy S5 or another Galaxy S model, and are receiving on-screen notices that the camera has failed? Hit us up with your story by commenting in the box below.

source: XDA, TechRadar

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Use the Samsung Galaxy S5's emergency contact feature

Editor Jessica Dolcourt shows you how to set up an emergency Galaxy S5 tool you'll hopefully never have to use.

There are those features on your phone that you'll probably never use, and then the ones you'll neverwant to use. Such is the case with Safety Assistance, an emergency tool that will alert up to four predetermined contacts when you sound the alarm.

There are those features on your phone that you'll probably never use, and then the ones you'll neverwant to use. Such is the case with Safety Assistance, an emergency tool that will alert up to four predetermined contacts when you sound the alarm.

Here's how it works: In time of need, you would press the power/lock button three times in quick succession. This action sends a series of text messages with your approximate mapped location, a photo from the front and rear-facing cameras, and a short voice recording.

This isn't to replace a call to 911, 999, 000, or other emergency services. Samsung's lengthy disclaimer also states that, since the tool is based on text messaging, it "may not work accurately, continuously, or error-free" depending on network conditions.

Still, for a little peace of mind, Samsung's twist on ICE, or In Case of Emergency, numbers, is easy to set up. Here's how you do it.

1.) Turn it on

Navigate to the Settings menu, then press Quick Settings. Select Safety Assistance from the list of choices, then tap Send help messages, and swipe the toggle to On.

Hop into the settings menu to get started with Safety Assistance.Screenshot by Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

You'll be asked to read through and sign off on a lengthy terms of service that reminds you that this feature won't summon an ambulance, and that also absolves Samsung of personal liability.

2.) Check the boxes

If you want to scale back on the service to keep from inundating your contact with so many texts, you can uncheck the boxes to deselect sending a recording, and photos from the Galaxy S5's two cameras. In that case, triggering the emergency response would send an SOS text with your location.

3.) Set up your contacts

Back out of the help messages window and tap Manage primary contacts to select your emergency recipients. You can have up to four.

You can have up to four contacts on your list. You'll see a notification that the GS5 has sent your SOS.Screenshot by Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

It isn't a good idea to include emergency services here, since most government agencies won't accept texts, or even know who you are in the first place. (This is changing in some places in the US, but isn't widespread by far.)

4.) Test it out

It's worth letting your contacts know that you've added them. I'd also recommend a dry-run test so both sides understand what to expect in the event of the real deal -- may it never occur.

Your recipient sees a series of texts, including a short voice recording, and a map with your coordinates.Screenshot by Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

cnet.com

White Samsung Galaxy S5 gets price cut in India

When the Samsung Galaxy S5 launched in India, it was priced at 51,990 Rupees without a contract ($860 USD). But on Monday, the HTC One (M8) was released in the same market for a price of 49,990 Rupees ($827 USD). With HTC undercutting Samsung in the battle of flagship devices, at least one Indian retailer has cut the price of the Galaxy S5 by at about 10%.

Now, the white version of the Samsung Galaxy S5 is priced under the HTC One (M8) in India at Flipkart. The model is wearing a price tag of 46,450 Rupees ($767 USD). With the HTC One (M8) launching today in the world's third largest smartphone market, cutting the price of the Korean manufacturer's flagship model keeps some of the attention off of the just released HTC flagship.

The discounted white Samsung Galaxy S5 can now be ordered from Flipkart, and it is almost a certainty that the black model will also be discounted. If Indian retailers start cutting the price of the HTC One (M8) over the next few days, we could see a price war between the two models.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 in white, has its price cut in India

source: Flipkart, SamMobile,via BGR

phonearena.com

Samsung reveals 10 hidden features on the Samsung Galaxy S5

Part of the pleasure, or fun, of owning a high-end smartphone is finding out all of the little things that it can do. Samsung, for example, shoehorned some hidden features into the Samsung Galaxy S5. The latest iteration of Sammy's flagship Android phone has been available for a week and some owners of the device might have already discovered some of these hidden goodies. 

First of all, the Samsung Galaxy S5 doesn't come with S-Pen. But why bother with such a high tech writing instrument when a regular low-tech pencil will do the trick. All you need to do is go to the Display Settings and enable the increase touch settings option. Another cool little trick involves the stock music player. While in landscape, tilt the phone to receive a list of tunes that are similar to the one you're listening to.

Got kids? We told you earlier this year about the Kids Mode on the Galaxy S5, which will keep your kids busy with games and animation. This way, junior doesn't accidentally dial your boss, or erase the important documents you've been storing on your handset. After tapping the Kids Mode app from the home screen, you set up an account with a PIN number. You can then decide which applications your kid can and cannot use. Prepare for tantrums!

Private Mode allows you, from the lockscreen, to hide video, pictures or documents from nosy busybodies like your mother-in-law. To access this feature, go to Settings then tap Private Mode. Decide which content you want to hide, click on Menu and then tap 'Move to private.' A lock key will appear which means that the selected content is secure. While not exactly hidden, Toolbox is always ready for you to use to open your favorite apps.You can reach this feature by clicking on Toolbox in the Quick Settings, or by going to Settings and tapping on Toolbox. A white circle with three dots will appear. Drag it over to the Edit button to customize which apps you want to be able to quickly reach. The floating menu will be available on every app and every screen so that youcan quickly open your favorite apps from any screen on the device.

You just saw Bigfoot, or Lindsey Lohan or Eric Schmidt using a BlackBerry and you need to open your camera application quickly. You can add a shortcut to the lock screen so that you can quickly access your snapper. This prevents you from missing the moment by fumbling to open the camera app on your Galaxy S5. Speaking of the camera, there is a setting that will allow you to shoot pictures and create a virtual tour. That comes in handy if you're a broker trying to sell a house.

Don't you hate scrolling through ten zillion contacts to find the number of Ms.Jane Doe? With Priority Senders, you can select the top 25 people you want to connect with the most, and have their names and information displayed on top of the messaging app. Just go the messaging app, tap '+' and add up to 25 contacts. And when you do call Ms. Doe, while talking with her, you can see the latest interactions you've had with her along with a list of her most recent Google+ posts. Simply go to Settings, tap on call and then click on the "Show caller information" check box. Lastly, the Call Notifications Pop-up feature will notify you when you receive a call, while you are using another app. This way, you don't have to stop playing a game just to pick up a call from the aforementioned Ms. Doe. To turn on the feature, go to settings, tap Call, and select Call notification pop-ups check box.

So there you have it, one hidden feature on the Samsung Galaxy S5 for each finger on your hand. Check them out and let us know how useful they are by dropping your comments in the box below.

 

Hidden features on the Samsung Galaxy S5

1. Use a regular pencil to write on your Samsung Galaxy S5 by enabling the increase touch settings option

 

2. While using the stock music app in landscape mode, tilt the phone to receive a list of tunes similar to the one you are listening to

 

3. The Toolbox widget allows you quick access to your favorite apps

 

4. Privacy mode keeps videos, pictures and documents away from roving eyes

 

5. With Kids Mode, junior will have plenty of fun things to do on your phone without getting into your content or apps

 

6. Use the shortcut to access your camera quickly from the lockscreen

 

7. Create a virtual tour using your Galaxy S5

 

8. Shot and more allows you to quickly edit a newly snapped photograph

 

9. With Priority Senders, the top 25 people you communicate with the most are easily reached

 

10. Find out the last time you spoke with a caller by going to settings, selecting call and then tapping 'Show caller information’ check box

 

11. Call notification lets you receive a call while still using an app

 

source: SamsungTomorrow via AndroidAuthority

Samsung Galaxy S5 Zoom alleged specs leak suggests 19MP camera

Now that Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S5 handset has been unveiled, we can well expect to see its family of variants getting a makeover, too.

It appears at least one of those – the smartphone-camera combo Zoom model – may already be close to release following the publication Friday of what’s claimed to be a spec list for the device.

The information, posted online by benchmark site GFXBench, suggests the next iteration of the Zoom will launch with enhancements across the board.

For starters, the camera’s pixel count is said to jump from 16 megapixels to 19 megapixels (5184 x 3888), however, we’ll really want to see the quality of the images from the device before deciding if the pixel increase can be considered an improvement.

There’s no information on whether any changes have been made to its optical zoom. The original model, which launched last summer, was noted for being the first smartphone ever to incorporate a 10x optical zoom, controlled via the ring located around the lens. For more on this, and to see what Les Shu, DT’s photography editor, found when he compared images from the Zoom with those taken by the iPhone 5S, which has a digital zoom, click here.

As for the S5 Zoom’s front shooter, this is listed as 2 megapixels, slightly up from the 1.9-megapixel camera on the S4 Zoom.

We can also expect to see a 4.8-inch 720p display on the new model – still not massive, but a definite improvement on the piddly 4.3-inch offering on the current device.

Said to launch with Android 4.2.2. KitKat, the next Zoom could also feature Samsung’s new Exynos 5 hexa-core processor (a step up from the original’s dual core), which, incidentally, is currently powering the Galaxy Note 3 Neo.

Other under-the-hood details include 2GB of RAM (up from 1.5GB) and 16GB of storage (double the original).

While the suggested specs for the S5 Zoom are a definite improvement on the original model, we’ll have to wait and see if Samsung has made any changes to its physical design. One of the criticisms leveled at the Zoom by DT’s mobile editor Jeffrey Van Camp was that it was simply too big, making it uncomfortable to hold. Of course, with a whopping great lens attached, Samsung designers will have done well to make it less bulky, but they might at least have been able to make the main body a little slimmer.

There’s no official word on when the revamped Zoom might hit stores, though May is being widely suggested as a strong possibility.

[Webtrek via SamMobile]

digitaltrends.com

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