Samsung Galaxy S5 Rumors Heat Up: Will Device Release With 4GB RAM And Without Optical Image Stabilization?

Recent rumors indicate that the Samsung Galaxy S5 will feature some beefed up specs in addition to the 64-bit system on a chip, which was previously reported.

News out of Korea suggests that the Galaxy S5 will also feature 4GB of RAM. The 64-bit processing will reportedly help power the RAM upgrade. As Samsung continues to boost its own software within its TouchWiz UI, many believe more RAM will further aid the Galaxy S5 in multitasking and other high-powered processes.

Samsung unveiled its Galaxy Note 3, which features 3GB of RAM, in September. It is notably the first device on the market to receive such a RAM boost; currently most handsets feature between 1GB and 2GB of RAM. Samsung’s 3GB RAM module contains four 6Gb LPDDR3 DRAM chips, which reportedly allow for thinner smartphone designs and additional battery space in addition to fast data speeds and more seamless output.

But Samsung may be looking to up the ante already by providing 4GB RAM for the Galaxy S5. A previous report, prior to the release of the Galaxy Note 3, indicated manufacturers were already developing 4GB RAM chips. One manufacturer, in particular, that is developing such ships is Samsung rival SK Hynix, which also sometimes provides components for Samsung. SK Hynix’s “8Gb (gigabit) LPDDR3 (low-power DDR3)” chip will provide 4G of RAM in four 8Gb chips. Mass production of these chips is expected to begin by the end of the year with implementation into devices expected by 2014.

There is current no word on whether Samsung is developing its own 4GB chips or whether it will outsource the task to a supplier. The manufacturer is known for developing most of the components for its devices on its own; however, such high-demand devices such as those in the Galaxy S series often have several other suppliers providing components in order to avoid inventory storages upon device releases.

Second Cancellation Of Optical Image Stabilization?

Meanwhile, reports also indicate that the camera on the Galaxy S5 may not feature optical image stabilization after all. According to ETNews, the Galaxy S5 will not include the camera feature because Samsung’s supply partners may, ironically, be unable to manufacturer enough of the component in time for the S5 release. As said, for such high demand devices as those in the Galaxy S series, Samsung often manufactures several of its own components in addition to outsourcing where it can.

Most notable is Samsung’s use of two different processors in different variants of its devices. Many handsets such as the Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy S4 and Galaxy S3 feature either Samsung Exynos processors or Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, depending on the market. During many releases, more devices shipped with Qualcomm Snapdragon processors rather than Exynos ones due to product shortages of the latter.

Product shortages from outside manufacturers are less common, but do appear to occur. The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 was rumored to feature optical image stabilization prior to its release, but reportedly missed out on the feature due to outside component shortages. So far, the legitimate “camera-phone” Galaxy S4 Zoom is the only Samsung device to feature OIS, and it has sold in much smaller numbers than flagship cousins such as the Galaxy S4.

Do you think we will see the Samsung Galaxy S5 release with 4GB RAM and without OIS? Let us know in the comments below.

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