Samsung Galaxy S5 Release Date Set? Rumors Suggest Device Will Begin Mass Production In January For March/April Release

Samsung Galaxy S5 rumors have been steadily streaming in of late, with reports of 64-bit processors, 560ppi AMOLED displays and a 16-megapixel camera, and news about the prospective next generation smartphone is not over. Now, reports indicate that the Galaxy S5 could release between March and April with a host of other features, including a 4,000 mAh battery and a multi-party conference call option.

Previous rumors suggested that the Galaxy S5 would be unveiled in January and released in February due to supposed low sales of the Samsung Galaxy S4. While Samsung insists that the Galaxy S4 is selling fine, as the 2013 flagship device hit the 40 million sales mark in October, reports are now predicting a later release. ETNews recently reported on the new January production and March-April release timeline. According to the Korean publication, Samsung will mass-produce 1 million Galaxy S5 units in January and 6 million units in February in preparation for a launch as early as March.

This is notably still quite early, as many Galaxy S series devices usually come out in April and May, but is a lot more plausible than the Galaxy S5 releasing in February. News of early releases for Samsung products due to low sales of the previous generation is common. During its time, rumors suggested the Galaxy S4 would be released early due to low sales of the Samsung Galaxy S3, but the S4 ultimately was released in late April and May as per usual. Keep in mind that Samsung device releases are often staggered, with multiple models becoming available to different markets at different times.

Conversely, it largely appears that each subsequent Galaxy S model is released a little earlier than its predecessor. While the Galaxy S4 initially was released on April 26, 2013, the Galaxy S3 came out on May 29, 2012; the Samsung Galaxy S2 was released on May 2, 2011, but the original Samsung Galaxy S on June 4, 2010. If there is actually a trend of earlier releases for future Galaxy S devices, there may be truth to the rumor. Of course, nothing is confirmed by Samsung, and will likely not be confirmed for several months.

Latest Samsung Galaxy S5 Rumors: Multi-Party Conference Call

Regardless of when the Samsung Galaxy S5 releases, reports already indicate the next generation flagship will be full of new and exciting features. Most recently, there has been news of a multi-party conference call feature, which could be a flagship feature on the coming Galaxy S5. Recently, a document filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Rights Information Service (KIPRIS) has surfaced detailing the feature, which allows for multiple parties to participate in a conference video call. While the feature is not connected to any particular device (but is shown in images on an Android device render), many have considered this feature probably is connected to the Galaxy S5. The document, which was filed in July, notably identifies Samsung as the submitter of the filing.

This multi-party conference call feature may be an addition to Samsung’s ChatON messaging service, and would compete with other (video) message services such as iMessage/FaceTime and Google Hangouts.

Currently there is little information about how the feature works; however, from the render, it may allow users to utilize either the front or rear camera on a device, and may allow one user to be captured by the rear camera, while another user is being captured by the front camera. These may just be some of many ways the feature works. Notably, the rendered images show multiple people in what appear to be different locations, indicating that several separate people may be able to participate in a conference call at once.

Latest Samsung Galaxy S5 Rumors: Other Features

Meanwhile, other reports suggest the Samsung Galaxy S5 will feature either a Samsung Exynos of Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, as would be expected, as well as a 5-inch flexible OLED display, 3GB of RAM, a 4,000 mAh battery, and a 2-megapixel front camera in addition to the previously mentioned 16-megapixel main camera. The Galaxy S5 is expected to run the Android 4.4 KitKat operating system upon release, and may also be paired with its own Samsung Galaxy Gear companion device; a next generation Galaxy Gear, which would release at the same time as the Galaxy S5.

Another major feature rumor now suggests the Samsung Galaxy S5 may be released in a metal variant as well as a plastic variant. Notably, a metal device frame, believed to be for the Galaxy S5, surfaced last week, which could serve as proof that Samsung will release a metal device in the future.

Not much detail followed the leak, so it is being considered lightly, but the metal rumors will continue to circulate for the Samsung Galaxy S5. Other rumors suggest that Samsung plans to introduce a new line, likely called the Samsung Galaxy F, which would feature a metal chassis for a “premium” look, while the Galaxy S series would remain in plastic and introduce new software features to the market. At this point, there is no telling which route Samsung will take, if any at all. Keep in mind, several previous devices, such as the Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 3, were rumored to feature a metal design and ultimately turned up in plastic.

What do you think of the recent Samsung Galaxy S5 rumors? Let us know in the comments below.

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