Samsung Galaxy S5: 12 Rumors Analyzed

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A man walks by the Samsung headquarters in Seoul, South Korea in 2013.

Image: Ahn Young-joon/Associated Press

By Samantha Murphy Kelly2014-02-23 15:23:43 UTC

Samsung's "Unpacked 5" event is scheduled for Monday at the Mobile World Congress trade show in Barcelona, where we're expected to see the launch of the next-generation Galaxy S5 smartphone.

The event — which kicks off at 2 p.m. Eastern Time and will be streamed live online — will be especially important for the company following mixed reviews of its current Galaxy smartphone model, the S4. The device also missed analyst expectations in its recent financial results.

See also: 10 Free Android Apps You'll Use Every Day

The event will be more subdued in tone than last year's S4 launch, which had an over-the-top Broadway theme, and a greater emphasis on the smartphone itself. Mashable will be on the ground in Barcelona reporting live as well as from a simultaneous media event held in New York City.

From eye -canning technology to a re-imagined home screen, here's a look at the Samsung Galaxy S5 smartphone rumors ahead of its launch.

Rumor 1: Two S5 Devices

Rumor: There will be two variants of the Galaxy S5, one with a Quad HD display and another with a full HD display.

Plausibility: It was initially believed that Samsung was planning to launch two S5 versions — a premium model with a 2,560 x 1,440 display (with a metal body) and a standard HD display device (1,920 x 1,080) with a plastic body. But now, it doesn't look like the models will launch at the same time. We might see the Quad HD variant make a summer debut.

Source: Android.gs

Rumor 2: Design

Rumor: The hardware will have an updated look.

Plausibility: There weren’t too many design updates between the Samsung Galaxy S3 and S4, so it seems likely the company could introduce a new look and feel as part of an effort to rejuvenate interest. It's possible the body will embrace an aluminum body, but we're betting it stays plastic for now. The three buttons at the bottom of the device are expected to stay the same, too, as well as the slim bezel around the display.

Source: Twitter

Rumor 3: Eye-Scanning Tech

Rumor: It will come with iris-scanning technology.

Plausibility: A Samsung executive recently told Bloomberg the company is “studying the possibility” of eye-scanning tech, a security feature that would allow the device's owner to unlock the phone by looking at it. Apple too biometric security mainstream with the iPhone 5S fingerprint scanner, it makes sense Samsung is looking at similar tech, but we're thinking iris-scanning won't make it to a Galaxy smartphone yet.

Source: Bloomberg

Rumor 4: Fingerprint Scanner

A fingerprint scanner is rumored to unlock the Galaxy S5.

Rumor: The S5 will come with a fingerprint scanner.

Plausibility: The Galaxy S5 is expected to get a fingerprint sensor integrated into the home button. If rumors prove to be true, users will swipe a finger over the sensor to unlock the device users and can register up to eight fingerprints. Considering Apple recently rolled out similar fingerprint tech in the 5S, this seems far more likely than the eye-scan rumors.

Source: SamMobile

Rumor 5: Waterproof and Dust-Resistance

Rumor: The device will be water- and dust-proof.

Plausibility: Samsung will likely bake the water- and dust-proof technology from its Active line into the Galaxy S5, if the company's latest teaser trailer is any indication. In addition, leaked pictures show a hatch over the USB charging port, which would need to be covered to keep out the water.

Source: TechnoBuffalo

Rumor 6: Faster Processor

Rumor: The S5 will get a Snapdragon 805 chip.

Plausibility: Alleged leaked packaging of the S5 reveals the device will get a 2.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 chip. This is being reported pretty much across the board.

Source: SamsungGalaxyS5.nl

Rumor 7: Redesigned Homescreen

Rumor: The home screen will get a new look.

Plausibility: Twitter account @evleaks, which has a good track record for reporting on smartphone leaks that eventually check out, got its hands on an image that shows the home screen featuring a column of cards. These cards include information ranging from social contacts and upcoming flights to sports scores and appointments.

Source: @evleaks

Rumor 8: Dual LED Flash

Rumor: The S5 will have a two-tone flash.

Plausibility: The iPhone 5S camera added a two-tone flash, typically found in a traditional, non-smartphone camera, to make photos look less harsh and more natural, so it's likely time for Samsung to do the same. Leaked pictures of its latest flash components also indicate the S5 is moving in this direction. The camera is expected to have 16 megapixels.

Source: Samsung Tomorrow

Rumor 9: Gear Features

Galaxy Gear smartwatch

Rumor: The Galaxy S5 will come with fitness-focused software that works with its Gear smartwatches.

Plausibility: The next-generation Gear 2 smartwatches, unveiled just hours ago, will likely take advantage of new Galaxy S5 features. The software is expected to have a fitness focus, with the ability to check everything from steps walked to your heart rate. The "Unpacked 5" invitation also featured an icon of runner, another hint it has fitness on the brain.

Source: Androidandme.com

Rumor 10: Invisible Camera Button

Rumor: The S5 will have an invisible button called Side Touch.

Plausibility: The 5S will have a dedicated camera button on the right side of the smartphone, but not a physical button. Although a user could just tap the device to take a picture, it wouldn't work with certain modes, such as portrait mode and filming video. The jury is out on this one, but it would be a neat feature to see.

Source: SamMobile

Rumor 11: Display

Plausibility: A recent New York Times article reported the S5 will have a 1080p display like the S4, not the Quad HD (2,560 x 1,440 pixels) display also circulating the rumor mill. Leaked photos of the smartphone's packaging show the screen measures 5.2 inches, which sounds about right (the current Galaxy S4 is 5 inches).

Source: New York Times

Rumor 12: No curves

Rumor: The Galaxy S5 won't have a wrappable, bent or curvy screen.

Plausibility: Although the company is definitely interested in flexible displays, we won't see one on the 5S. Sure, Samsung has the Galaxy Round in Korea, it won't roll this out to its signature flagship device. At least, not yet.

Source: Everyone.

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Topics: Mobile, samsung, Samsung Galaxy S5, smartphone, Tech