London - The specs for Samsung’s new Galaxy S5 have leaked online – and it’s claimed the handset will come in both metal and plastic versions.
The handset, which is expected to have a 5.25-inch screen and iris scanning to recognise users without a password, will also have a new super-fast Snapdragon processor.
There will also be a mini version of the S5, and a camera version called the Zoom, according to the Sammobile website.
“First, let’s get the most mysterious thing about the Galaxy S5 out of the way: Yes, it will come in both metal and plastic versions as has been rumoured, with the metal version costing around e800 (R11 700) and the plastic model coming in at around e650 (R9 500),” the site says.
The move is identical to Apple’s decision to launch a plastic iPhone 5C alongside its flagship 5S model last year.
The site also claims to have an almost complete set of specs for the handset.
“As expected, the Galaxy S5 will sport an AMOLED display of 2 560×1 440 resolution; we were unable to confirm the size, though it should be around 5.25 inches as has been rumoured often.”
It is also expected to be the first mass market cellphone to use a new super-fast Exynos 6 Snapdragon 805 processor, which could give the handset a major speed boost.
It could also allow the handset to run in 64bit mode – although the site believes that, again like Apple, only the metal version will do this.
Recent reports also claimed the handset could feature an iris-scanning system designed to recognise users without the need for a password.
It will also boost a 16MP rear camera, and run KitKat, the latest version of Google’s Android software.
Speaking at the Consumer Electronics Show in Vegas last week, Lee Young Hee announced that the firm was looking to release its next flagship phone between March and April – and admitted it would be called the Galaxy S5.
Lee also discussed the possibility a future model of the phone could feature iris-recognition technology, yet did not confirm if it would be added to the S5 or not.
Rumours have suggested Samsung is working on a follow-up to its Galaxy Gear smartwatch since last year, too, and this could be unveiled at the same time as the S5.
Lee told Bloomberg: “We’ve been announcing our first flagship model in the first half of each year, around March and April, and we are still targeting for release around that time.
“When we release our S5 device, you can also expect a Gear successor with more advanced functions, and the bulky design will also be improved.”
Lee is referring to the criticism the watch received when it went on sale in September.
Some analysts claimed the Korean firm had rushed the production of the gadget in order to beat Apple to releasing a smartwatch, and the design suffered.
However, Apple has still not announced its rumoured iWatch.
Regarding the iris recognition technology, Lee said during Samsung’s press event at the Consumer Electronics Show: “Many people are fanatical about iris-recognition technology and we are studying the possibility but can’t really say whether we will have it or not on the S5.”
Samsung is said to be working on adding biometric technology to a future model to rival the popular fingerprint scanner on Apple’s iPhone 5S.
The iris scanner would not be the first time Samsung has introduced eye-tracking technology.
Its Galaxy S4 includes a feature that locks on to the movement and position of a user’s eyes.
The phone can analyse where the user is looking and will automatically scroll a web page when the eyes reach the bottom of the screen, for example, or lock the screen when the user looks away.
Both of Samsung’s new devices are expected to be unveiled during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona next month.
They will probably then go on sale in Korea in March, before being rolled out worldwide in April. – Daily Mail
THE GALAXY S5: WHAT WE KNOW
l 5.25-inch QHD (2 560×1 440) Super AMOLED display
l Exynos 6 / Snapdragon 805 processor
l 16-megapixel camera
l Android 4.4 KitKat
l Plastic/metal versions
l Mini and Zoom (camera) version also set to launch
Source: Sammmobile