Samsung Galaxy S5 hands-on, first impressions

We finally got a more time with the elusive Samsung Galaxy S5 today during the tutorial hosted by Samsung in their SM Aura Store. The smartphone is scheduled to be released on April 11 but the media launch is already set for tomorrow, April 3.

We’ve had several short encounters with the Galaxy S5 since the MWC in Barcelona and in all those occasion, we’ve always mistaken it for the Galaxy S4.

Of course, there are some tell-tale signs that it’s the S5 and the most obvious one is the dimpled back panel.

We suggest watching this short hands-on video to get acquainted with it:

The Galaxy S5 is more powerful and Samsung made sure that’s evident. It has a monster of a specs with additional features we’ve also seen elsewhere.

Samsung Galaxy S5 specs:
5.1-inch Super AMOLED display @ 1080×1920 pixels, 432ppi
Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 8974-AC 2.5GHz quad-core processor
Adreno 330 Graphics
16, 32GB internal memory
up to 128GB via microSD card
LTE 150Mbps
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth 4.0
NFC
IP67 water & dust resistant
Fingerprint scanner
GPS with aGPS, GLONASS
16 megapixel camera with AF, LED flash
1080p @ 30, 60fps, 4K @ 30fps
2 megapixel front-facing camera @ 1080p
2,800mAh removable battery
Android 4.4.2 KitKat with TouchWiz UI

So one of the first things we did was to take some benchmarks of the handset.

The Antutu Benchmark score was thru the roof at 34,053. A similar Snapdragon 801 chip (with lower 2.3GHz clock speed) on an Xperia Z2 got a score of 31,659 the last time we tested it.

In Quadrant Standard, the Galaxy S5 got a score of 22,633.

What we were a bit surprised is the frame rates it got with Nenamark 2 which is just 50fps. The full HD resolution could be the culprit.

While there were a lot of jokes going around about the back panel of the Galaxy S5, we think it wasn’t a bad idea after all.

Besides, with an IP67 rating, making the handset water-proof means it should not have the same faux-leather design as the one on the Galaxy S4 Black Edition or the Note 3.

Then, during those times that it has to be submerged or soaked in water, the dimpled back cover allows for much better grip. In essence, Samsung actually created the Galaxy S5 around the design principle they executed with the Galaxy S4 Active.

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Samsung Galaxy S5 mini specs leak

This shouldn’t come as a surprise as it has always been expected that Samsung will launch a mini version of its Galaxy S5 flagship. Details are scarce but thanks to Sam Mobile we now have new information on what the Galaxy S5 mini will pack under the hood.

Samsung Galaxy S5

Below is the list of specs that Sam Mobile received from their insiders.

Samsung Galaxy S5 mini (SM-G800) specs: (unofficial)
4.5-inch Super AMOLED 720p display, 326ppi
Qualcomm Snapdragon (400?) quad-core CPU
1.5GB RAM
16GB internal storage
microSD slot
8 megapixel rear camera
2 megapixel front camera
IR blaster
WiFi
Bluetooth
2,100mAh battery
Android 4.4 Kitkat

The S5 mini is also expected to get an IP67 treatment like its big brother but without the heart rate and fingerprint sensors. No information yet about its pricing and availability.

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Huawei Ascend P7 poses for a quick snapshot

Rumors of the Huawei Ascend P7, have been making its rounds on the internet. Recently, however, some dude on Weibo Network managed to sneak a couple of pictures of what is believed to be Huawei’s upcoming flagship handset.

Unfortunately, the uploader didn’t seem to have a decent camera handy during his encounter with the alleged Ascend P7 as the leaked images (seen below) were subpar at best. Well, at least the device didn’t turn out like the rendered image that surfaced prior to this leak.

As for its hardware configuration, the Ascend P7 has been reported to have of a 5-inch 1080p display, 1.6GHz quad-core processor, 2GB RAM, 16GB of storage and LTE connectivity. Moreover, it has two on-board cameras, 13MP on the back and 8MP on the front, and is said to be powered by 2,460mAh battery pack.

Considering that the device is only “meant for internal testing”, we can’t definitively say that the final device will end up like the one in the pictures above, but if the Ascend P7 is priced anywhere near its predecessor (Ascend P6), we think that Huawei’s upcoming smartphone will surely turn some heads.

{Source}

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DATA A DAY: When did we get connected?

THESE DAYS, people take the internet for granted. People grump when they can’t download their movies fast enough (yes, many of you still do that!), or if they can only get 3G on their phones, and not HSDPA or LTE.

But time was when a 64 kbps connection was enough to draw cheers from people peering into their green CRT monitors.

Today’s DATA A DAY should be really easy for those who have followed the PCIJ blog in the past few days:

When was the Philippines connected to the internet?

For the answer to that question, check out the PCIJ’s Data a Day subsite, or go visit the PCIJ’s MoneyPolitics Online website.

 

 

 

Open-line CloudFone Excite 400dx comes with interchangeable batteries

Previously exclusive to Globe’s Postpaid Plan, the now open-line CloudFone Excite 400dx is available locally and includes 3000mAh and 1400mAh batteries upon purchase — all for under Php3,000.

Cloudfone 400dx

CloudFone Excite 400dx specs:

4-inch WVGA capacitive display @ 800 x 480 resolution
1.2GHz MTK 6572 dual-core processor
512MB RAM
4GB internal storage (expandable to 32GB via microSD)
5MP rear, VGA front cameras
3G, Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi
Dual-SIM, dual standby
Interchangeable 3000mAh and 1400mAh batteries
Android 4.2 Jelly Bean

The CloudFone Excite 400dx now provides its users continuous power which can last them a day (or more, depending on usage) without charging their smartphones. When one of the batteries gets drained, simply switch them up along with their corresponding back covers and you’re good to go for a couple more hours.

CloudFone Excite 400dx's 1400mAh and 3000mAh batteries

CloudFone Excite 400dx’s 1400mAh and 3000mAh batteries

Again, the smartphone is now on open channel — meaning it’s no longer limited to Globe users. This smartphone comes in black, red, and silver which retails in the Philippines for Php2,999.

So if you’ve always experienced running out of juice with no power source around, the CloudFone Excite 400dx should do the job to excite you.

{CloudFone}

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