New Samsung Galaxy S5 Model May Launch With Previously Rumored Features

An updated model of the Samsung Galaxy S5 with features consumers were originally expecting may finally launch next month, if reports out of Korea are accurate.

According to the publication Korea Times, Samsung Electronics Co. (KRX:005930) plans to release a new Galaxy S5 model that may be compatible with LTE-Advanced mobile networks. The LTE-A mobile communication standard connects electronic devices to the Internet wirelessly at faster speeds than most common networks allow.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 LTE-A model launched in June 2013 and was the first device compatible with the new standard, which supports upload and download speeds of up to 150 megabits per second (Mbps). The LTE-A network on which the new Galaxy S5 may run will reportedly be updated to support data speeds up to 225 Mbps.

Sources suspect the new Galaxy S5 model will include the Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 chipset in order to enable the faster LTE-A connectivity. The Snapdragon 805 supports data transfers of up to 300 Mbps. In comparison, the original Galaxy S5 includes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 chipset, which is compatible with the current LTE-A data speeds of 150 megabits per second. Previous reports have noted how several chipsets in the Snapdragon 800 series have had certain features tweaked to cater to different devices and different markets; this could be an example of the Snapdragon 800 chipsets being used in different ways.

Before the Samsung Galaxy S5 was launched, many rumors suggested that the device might include a number of high-end features, such as a QHD (2560 x 1440 resolution) display and 3GB of RAM as well as the Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 chipset. The original Galaxy S5 instead launched with a Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution display, 2GB of RAM and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 801. Many Samsung fans criticized the lack of updated features on the Galaxy S5, noting that its hardware specifications were very close to those included on the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy S4.

Meanwhile, rumors continue to swirl that prospective handsets like the Samsung Galaxy S5 Prime and Samsung Galaxy F might include the updated features originally rumored for the Samsung Galaxy S5. But now, reports indicate that the updated specifications may be included on the new Galaxy S5 model. Tech website Sammy Hub reports that an advertisement has surfaced for an LTE-A-enabled Galaxy S5, reportedly to include a 5.1-inch QHD Super AMOLED display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 chipset, 3GB of RAM and Android 4.4.2 KitKat operating system. Sammy Hub believes that the ad is for the South Korean carrier SK Telecom.

Notably, SK Telecom was first to launch the Samsung Galaxy S4 LTE-A last year. According to the publication Yonhap News, the carrier is expected to launch the new Galaxy S5 on July 19.

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