Samsung Galaxy S5 Release Date Arrives: Developer Edition Now Available On Verizon

The anticipated Developer Edition of the Samsung Galaxy S5 is now available on Samsung’s website.

The Verizon powered variant is non-contract and comes with an unlocked bootloader, which makes modifying stock software and installing custom ROMS easier for the tech savvy. Those interested in the Developer Edition will have to shell out $599.99 and only have the Charcoal Black color option from which to choose. Though Verizon powers the model, the carrier will not offer the Developer Edition online or in retail stores; as said it is only available through Samsung’s website.

With its unlocked bootloader, the users can flash a custom recovery, and then root or flash a custom ROM on the Samsung Galaxy S5 Developer Edition. Users should keep in mind that flashing a ROM will void the devices’ warranty. Other than the unlocked bootloader, the Developer Edition is identical to the original Samsung Galaxy S5.

Meanwhile, Google has hinted that a Samsung Galaxy S5 Google Play Edition is in the works. Last week the Samsung Galaxy S5 Google Play Edition appeared on the Play Store. Though the product listing was labeled as the Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition, the perforated back panel of the device gave away the Galaxy S5.

There has been no word on when the Galaxy S5 Google Play Edition will release despite the fact that the HTC One (M8) Google Play Edition is already available. Previously, the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One 2013 Google Play Editions released at the same time.

Google Play Editions feature pure Android operating systems and get system updates as frequently as Google’s Nexus brand devices. Without manufacturers-specific software, Google Play Editions tend to have much more internal storage available than standard models.

About the Samsung Galaxy S5

The Samsung Galaxy S5 includes a 5.1-inch 1080p Super AMOLED display, a 2.5GHz quad-core ARM chip (believed to be the Qualcomm Snapdragon 801), 2GB mobile RAM, 16GB and 32GB internal storage options with microSD expansion, networking and connectivity that features 802.11ac MIMO and LTE Cat. 4 and a 2800mAh battery.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 is water- and dust-proof, and has an Ingress Protection Rating of IP67. That means the device can function in up to 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes. The 16-megapixel-rear camera on the S5 includes auto-focus technology, selective focus and HDR rich tone. The device also includes a 2.1-megapixel front-facing camera. New sensors on the Galaxy S5 include a heart rate sensor and fingerprint scanner. The latter acts as a simple means of security that can speed up the online purchasing process. The phone also has a "private mode," which acts as a personal storage area for confidential documents, and a "kid mode," which allows parents to choose which apps their children can use.

The Galaxy S5 is 142.0 x 72.5 x 8.1mm, and it weighs 145g. It features USB 3.0 and runs the Android 4.4.2 KitKat operating system. The device’s exterior design features a perforated back panel and four color options: blue, white, black and gold. Samsung updated its onscreen environment with a user interface that's less cluttered than the S4's interface, and the Galaxy S5 also comes with an updated settings menu.

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