Galaxy S5 to keep it compact with on-screen keys and fingerprint scanner

posted by Daniel P. / Feb 05, 2014, 4:28 AM

Galaxy S5 to keep it compact with on-screen keys and fingerprint scanner

Most of the specs for the upcoming Galaxy S5 have been tipped and rehashed over and over again, including yesterday, so we pretty much know what to expect from the silicon and screen, but what about design?

Samsung India insiders have tipped some fellow tech reporters that the S5 will feature on-screen buttons, as a radical departure from the typical Samsung physical keys on its flagships. Samsung was said to be seriously considering this same move last year with the Galaxy S4, but the more orthodox designer wing ultimately prevailed. Not this year, though, if this speculation is to be believed.

Samsung will apparently also be capitalizing on the improved super-sensitive Synaptics touchscreen tech it will plant in the S5 this year, and for a fingerprint sensor at that. That's right, those Samsung India sources are claiming that the fingerprint scanner coming to the Galaxy S5, will be integrated right into the panel, using the electromagnetic field, looking like some of those fingerprint prank apps you've seen in the Play Store.

On the other hand, Korean media is reporting today that Samsung will indeed include a swipe fingerprint scanner, but will produce its own one as a separate part, in order to secure enough yield. We aren't exactly sure how Samsung would pull the on-screen stuff, even with Synaptics new tech that can recognize numerous hover points over the display. It's nice to imagine it at least, though our money would be on a separate swipe sensor somewhere on the chassis itself.

The insiders also rehashed the specs for the Galaxy S5, and they seem to jibe with everything we've heard so far - 5.25" QHD (2,560×1,440) Super AMOLED display panel, a new Exynos chipset (India, International), and Snapdragon ( for US versions) processor, 3 GB of RAM, 32/64 GB storage, a 16 MP rear camera, and a large 3200 mAh battery.

This new Exynos, however, might still be a 32-bit endeavor, say analysts, and not the 64-bit one Samsung was working on, as the company deduced a 64-bit processor is not needed at the current software state of affairs in Androidland. In any case, 32-bit or 64-bit won't matter for the average user as much as the design of the chassis, and the on-screen shenanigans listed above, so we can't wait for the announcement in three weeks, or the leaks beforehand.

source: iTechAddict, ETNews via G4Games & MobileWorldLive

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Display 5.1" 1080 x 1920 pixels

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25 Comments

1. MarkArigayo

Posts: 240; Member since: Dec 18, 2013

Ummm, must be bigger than LG's G2.

posted on Feb 05, 2014, 4:29 AM 2

8. Aploine

Posts: 445; Member since: Oct 24, 2013

With 5,25" screen sure it will be. Bummer. I realy-realy hope that the on screen buttons are retractable when I need them to be. On the other hand, when so many articles talk about how we CAN'T realy protect personal informations in our phones from those who have the intensions and the means to steal them, why the heck would I put my fingerprint informations in it?

posted on Feb 05, 2014, 5:33 AM 1

11. NexusPhan

Posts: 632; Member since: Jul 11, 2013

What makes you think that is will be bigger? LG G2 is 5.2" screen and this is the next generation of phones after the G2. I expect it to be very similar in size.

posted on Feb 05, 2014, 6:02 AM 3

17. neops

Posts: 297; Member since: Jan 28, 2014

All Samsung models' bezels till now. I really hope to be like you say because, for me, LG is already on the edge of usability comfort. I was that close to buy it last year.

posted on Feb 05, 2014, 7:04 AM 1

18. neops

Posts: 297; Member since: Jan 28, 2014

I mean G2

posted on Feb 05, 2014, 7:08 AM 0

19. MarkArigayo

Posts: 240; Member since: Dec 18, 2013

Once I've read a rumor about the leak of Samsung's metal frame, allegedly belongs to S5. The frame has width of 72.4mm, much wider than G2's (70.9mm). Again, its height sized at 142mm, notably higher than G2's (only 138.5mm). That's why I'm pretty sure the overall size of S5 will notably be bigger than G2. I hope that I'm wrong.

posted on Feb 05, 2014, 7:08 AM 1

13. rd_nest

Posts: 1656; Member since: Jun 06, 2010

Off-topic: New Samsung #Office suit in new Tab/Note Pro line. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bejig7vQPeE

posted on Feb 05, 2014, 6:20 AM 2

15. sipha

Posts: 440; Member since: May 12, 2012

i dont see the need for that!!

posted on Feb 05, 2014, 6:45 AM 1

2. Finalflash

Posts: 4063; Member since: Jul 23, 2013

Finally, on screen buttons, I might actually trade my S4 for an S5 this year instead of something else.

posted on Feb 05, 2014, 4:31 AM 5

3. Klamba92

Posts: 212; Member since: Jun 25, 2012

I agree I really love the functionality of on screen keys but find it very hard to believe. I mean Samsung even changed their tablets to have the hardware buttons and capacitative keys! They will lose their uniformity they have been building up the past years.

posted on Feb 05, 2014, 5:06 AM 0

5. Finalflash

Posts: 4063; Member since: Jul 23, 2013

But Google officially killed the physical menu button in KitKat and moving forward they will have to adopt the Android design philosophy this much at least. Even HTC had to change and I am assuming everyone else will too.

posted on Feb 05, 2014, 5:22 AM 2

12. NexusPhan

Posts: 632; Member since: Jul 11, 2013

Brilliant move by Google to force on screen keys. I never understood why it didn't receive more media attention. I thought it was a really big deal when I first heard of it.

posted on Feb 05, 2014, 6:04 AM 0

25. McLTE

Posts: 922; Member since: Oct 18, 2011

why force on screen keys? I HATE them, and I'm sure I am not alone. I would MUCH rather continue with the existing home button flanked by back and menu. Every bit of the screen real estate is precious to me, I don't want to lose any to dumb on screen keys. I had them on my Nexus, and I didn't like it.

posted on Feb 05, 2014, 10:56 AM 0

24. av911 unregistered

How did Google kill the physical menu button in KitKat?

posted on Feb 05, 2014, 10:51 AM 0

4. ScottSchneider

Posts: 336; Member since: Dec 06, 2011

Added to My Cart...

posted on Feb 05, 2014, 5:12 AM 1

6. aayupanday

Posts: 582; Member since: Jun 28, 2012

On screen fingerprint scanner and Menu buttons sound very intriguing.

posted on Feb 05, 2014, 5:26 AM 0

7. Mube007

Posts: 260; Member since: Sep 24, 2013

I m just curious abt designing and ntng more

posted on Feb 05, 2014, 5:27 AM 0

9. androiphone20

Posts: 1654; Member since: Jul 10, 2013

A little skeptical about how Samsung is going to pull off the fingerprint scanner successfully, there's a lot to consider before they can pull this off flawlessly

posted on Feb 05, 2014, 5:41 AM 0

10. Aploine

Posts: 445; Member since: Oct 24, 2013

I think that last November Apple filed a patent for on screen fingerprint scanner functionality

posted on Feb 05, 2014, 5:50 AM 0

14. twens

Posts: 1173; Member since: Feb 25, 2012

Funny thing is most people with the 5s still use passwords and don't even use the finger print scanner tech. My girlfriend and two other male friends of mine all use the 5s and none of them even use the damn tech. People are just used to the secure security passwords.

posted on Feb 05, 2014, 6:34 AM 4

16. neops

Posts: 297; Member since: Jan 28, 2014

Very true!

posted on Feb 05, 2014, 6:53 AM 0

20. fanboy1974

Posts: 1345; Member since: Nov 12, 2011

I actually did use the fingerprint scanner when I had the 5s. It was the only thing I liked about the phone. Not enough was done to keep me from getting a Note 3.

posted on Feb 05, 2014, 7:30 AM 1

23. androiphone20

Posts: 1654; Member since: Jul 10, 2013

I have a good mind to believe that you're smart enough to realise that there's no way I can believe that, see I think we've had it with the "my sister does it so [insert OEM] is doomed" if you're going to call BS post a link to prove it sir. At least like this user domfonusr in this linkhttp://www.phonearena.com/news/Latest-numbers-from-comScore-reveal-a-slight-decline-in-Androids-market-share-in-the-U.S._id52209

posted on Feb 05, 2014, 9:07 AM 0

21. ThePython

Posts: 902; Member since: May 08, 2013

I just can't see the need for a QHD screen... I mean, more stuff to draw out the battery? Do you have superhuman eyes that can tell the difference between ~440ppi to ~580ppi? Or hell, even 300ppi... Damn.

posted on Feb 05, 2014, 8:44 AM 3

22. hellobib

Posts: 18; Member since: Nov 20, 2013

A 64 bit processors are not needed in androidland, how smart well maybe we should buy it even less and have the s6 come out in December instead. Disrespectful