Samsung Galaxy S5 Release Date Coming: Recent Rumors Include Stylus Functionality, 2,900mAh Battery And Head Tracking Gesture Controls [PHOTOS]

The Samsung Galaxy S5 is still relatively far from being official, but spec rumors are surfacing almost daily. Many of the most recent reports are actually quite plausible to end up as features for the Galaxy S5.

Samsung Galaxy S5: Air View, Air Gesture and Stylus

Most recently, news out Korea indicated that the Samsung Galaxy S5 might include "passive" stylus functionality as well as updated versions of the Air View and Air Gesture features. ETNews recently reported that the features could make it onto both the Galaxy S5 and the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 phablet. For the stylus functionality, Samsung is reportedly working with a company called Synaptics, which is dedicated to human interface solutions. For example, such actions like touch-screen interaction and S-Pen compatibility are developed by Synaptics. The company provided touch controller mechanisms for the Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 3 last year, and this year it will help improve the sensitivity and accuracy of such Samsung flagship features as Air View and Air Gesture.

Notably, Air View, a feature that was introduced on the Galaxy Note 2, allows users to preview photos, emails, etc., by hovering the S-Pen (or finger for other Galaxy devices). The Galaxy S3, Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 3 all feature Air View, but the Galaxy S4 introduced Air Gesture, a feature that allows users to flip through photos, music and more with the wave of a hand. According to ETNews, Air View will be “accurate and reliable, and [will] increase the range of detection.” The same is likely intended for the Air Gesture. With each new Samsung Galaxy flagship, such features as Air View and Air Gesture are updated regularly. It makes sense that the Galaxy S5 would see updates of its most practical special features.

Additionally, Synaptics will reportedly be working on that stylus functionality for the Galaxy S5. The Galaxy S5 does not feature a dedicated S-Pen, hence the term "passive" stylus for the S5 feature. The Galaxy S5 may feature a touchscreen panel, which will be able to recognize the pen point of a stylus measuring as low as 2.5 pi. Android Authority notes that the passive stylus does not interact with a device like an S-Pen, but will provide the precision that cannot be obtained with a much wider finger.

Though Samsung Galaxy S series devices have yet to feature a dedicated stylus, we discovered that it is in fact possible for such devices to work with an S-Pen. Upon rooting a Samsung Galaxy S4 model and using the Titanium Backup app, an associate of ours discovered code for S-Pen functionality on the handset. We propose that Samsung may include certain codes in many of their devices, which remain dormant until such a time that Samsung decides to activate them. Passive stylus functionality could be just the beginning for Galaxy S models to feature an S-Pen of their own.

Samsung Galaxy S5: Head Tracking Gesture Controls

The Samsung Galaxy S3 introduced Smart Stay, which allows the handset to stay on as long as the user is looking. The Samsung Galaxy S4 introduced Smart Pause, which pauses video if the user isn't looking, and Smart Scroll, which allows the user to scroll up and down by moving their eyes up and down. The Samsung Galaxy S5 could introduce an update to such features, which reacts to the user moving their head.

Recently, a patent was discovered that details a software feature, which allows the user to flip through pages by moving their head in a flipping motion. SamMobile suggests that the feature could be used for moving from one webpage to another. Other practical uses could be moving from one page to another while reading a PDF file or an E-book.

The feature seems to be a cross between Air Gesture and Smart Scroll. In addition to using the same sensors that power many of Samsung’s smart features, it could likely use the same Synaptics developed features as Air View and Air Gesture. What is could be called is uncertain; Smart Flip perhaps. The patent was notably filed in July 2013, but was published last week. As mentioned, Samsung has long been updating its current flagship app and introducing new apps, which build on old ones. This indicates the marketing of a whole new "Life Companion."

During a recent interview with Bloomberg, a Samsung executive said that the consumer electronics giant was planning on going "back to the basics" with the development of the Galaxy S5. This could mean that we may see highlighted in the Galaxy S5 things that made us love previous Galaxy S devices. That does not mean that the Galaxy S5 won’t feature something new. After all, their new features are also what made us love each Samsung device.

Samsung Galaxy S5: 2,900mAh Battery

One of the most important features on a smartphone is its power source, and SamMobile claims it can confirm that the Galaxy S5 may feature a 2,900mAh battery. The Galaxy S5 will reportedly feature a new type of Li-ion battery, which allows for 20 percent more energy storage than current Li-ion batteries on the market. In addition, the Galaxy S5 might feature rapid charging support similar to the Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 3, and could possibly even feature the USB 3.0 port, which was introduced on the Note 3. With such specs being rumored for the Galaxy S5 as a QHD (2,560×1,440) Super AMOLED display, the handset would definitely need a powerful battery.

If true, this would be a 300mAh increase compared to the Galaxy S4. Notably the Galaxy S4 saw a 500mAh (2600mAh) increase in its battery in comparison to the one in the Galaxy S3 (2100mAh). Back then, Samsung explained that the power driving the 5-inch 1080p Super AMOLED display on the Galaxy S4 was just one of the many reasons why the device got such a larger battery. It seems as if even with the increase, Samsung would attempt to keep the Galaxy S5 battery under 3,000mAh in order to differentiate between the Galaxy Note series. The Galaxy Note 3 features a 3,200mAh battery. But that notion could easily go out the window when considering future Galaxy S devices, after the S5, and what kind of battery capacity they might possess.

Samsung Galaxy S5: So Far

As said, the Samsung Galaxy S5 likely won’t be released for some time, so all of these rumors should currently be taken with a grain of salt. However, some rumors are actually beginning to fall into place as true. Keep in mind that Samsung’s Galaxy flagships are known for having all of their accurate specs revealed prior to unveiling and release. The only real question left is whether or not Samsung is leaking these features itself.

Do you think these features will actually end up in the Samsung Galaxy S5? Let us know in the comments below.

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