Samsung Galaxy S5 (2014)
VerifiedMPNs: KHSGS54G16GBBLK, KHSGS54G16GBGLD, KHSGS54G16GBWHT and SM-G900IZBAXSA346 reviews
In-depth reviews
Good Phone, Worst Warranty Service by Samsung – several issues had developed over time with my phone. First issue being the charging port flap, which snapped off under normal use and under common and foreseeable circumstances. This part of the product is very flimsy, which is not what any consumer would expect from a product part that is integral to the use of the mobile phone, due to the fact… Read more
that phones need to be charged daily. Therefore, it is obvious and highly foreseeable that consumers will be un-clipping and re-clipping this flap, in and out of place often to connect and disconnect charging cables. It never seemed to be a sturdy part of the phone, and actually it gives you the impression that you ‘had to’ treat it as a fragile part of the phone, for fear of it breaking. Of which I did, but it still broke off.
Secondly, I’ve noticed the phone charging port, overtime had developed a slight play(movement) when connected to charge the phone. Upon connecting the phone to charge, the connection didn’t feel firm as it would normally have, resulting in phone not charging properly unless I hold the cable in at times. This phone is still under warranty.
Being under warranty, I followed the correct procedures for repair. I sent it off for repair to a Samsung authorised repair centre, nominated by Samsung.few days later the repair centre contacted me by email and stated that they ‘cannot repair my phone under warranty’. I was shocked and mystified to the reason now given as to why they cannot fix the issue with my phone.They stated that the reason for not being able to fix the mobile under my warranty was because, ‘they had found corrosion damage to the internals of the phone’.subsequently the phone was returned to me unrepaired by the Samsung Repair Centre.
This claim totally mystifies me, because I have never had an issue of the phone being troubled by water, and I can’t see a connection with any water being the cause for the flap braking or the looseness of the charging port. This unfortunately makes me feel uneasy about their claim.
Firstly, because many can attest as to my ‘over the top’ attention to detail, and compulsiveness in keeping all my belongings in order and in their place. For example, when my belongings are not being used, they will be placed back into the package that they came in when purchased. Therefore, any suggestions made to imply that my belonging somehow came in contact with some misuse of water, is utterly absurd and nonfactual.
Secondly, before I even took this phone out of its purchase boxing, I waited for the product that I had purchased to be delivered, this was a protective heavy duty casing, that is to go over the phone to further protect it from any normal wear and tear.
Since receiving this emailed response in regards to my phone having a further issue of which I was totally unaware of, I began to research this product and look at reviews and other user forums to see if others have had similar outcomes, when they have asked for their product to be fixed. I was stunned at the number of consumers who clearly had the exact issue as I have stated. And furthermore, they also complained of the issue with this flap and their fears about it breaking, and others stating that theirs had broken off within two weeks of use.The I noticed that there appeared to also be a trend in the amount of people who were being declined having their phones fixed under warranty, due to the same reason I was given...i.e. water damage to circuit. They also could not understand how this is possible. So, I am unsure if this is a common scripted reply given to customers with this flap issue, or, whether or not it is an issue that is being caused by the flimsy flap, and its ultimate breakage.
The charging port flap is obviously a design flaw as its so flimsy and prone to be broken sooner than later. If corrosion is found within this area, it would be obvious that the design flaw has also made it unfit for purpose.
I do not live in Tasmania or Victoria, where the weather is unpredictable, but I do live in Queensland, and although we have mostly sunny days, we also have a lot of highly humid days. I also live on the coastlines, so if this products issues in regard to ‘corrosion’ is in fact true, then the only foreseeable chance of any substance of ‘corrosion by water’, that could have ever entered this phone, could only be from sea air and Qld humidity.
This being the fact, if their findings are true, this would make this product design; with its flaw and the Samsung mobile phone, being sold in Australia, as a product that is obviously unfit for service as it clearly is unable to survive even its basic warranty within the market it’s being released to. Making it unfit for purpose.am Currently fighting Samsung through office of fair trading
Awesome phone, even in 2018! – This s5 phone still works as well today as it did in 2014! I put a 128gb sd card in it and love that unlike iphone you can up the storage. The only thing that has gone wrong with this device is that on low brightness it flickers. This started about three years after purchase. Also the charger plug cover snapped off the other day with no undue… Read more
force? Aside from this it has served me very well. I have dropped it multiple times, but the screen has never broken. The photo quality has been good. People have asked which SLR camera I used. They couldn't believe it was an old Samsung phone! I use this phone for everything including writing reviews here! This phone has been excellent value for money.
I had an iphone 4 before this and all of a sudden it started losing charge quickly and would not install apps. This occurred about 2-3 years after purchase.
I am looking to upgrade at Christmas and based on my experience of these phones, although one is 8 years old and the other is 4 years, I would definitely choose a Samsung.
So durable! – I bought this phone just when it was introduced in 2014. And it's been 4 years and it still works perfectly. I have never replaced anything. Battery life is good. I am an extremely clumsy person particularly with phones as I tend to drop and spill water, etc. When this was launched its durable water resistant features were promoted and it's the… Read more
main reason I bought it. I am happy to say that it never failed me. The only thing didn't last till now is the tiny cap that covered the charging port. That clasp broke after 2 years and I used to open it with pins and sharp items as I don't have nails (Yes I am a heavy nail biter) so I guess it broke due to my clumsiness.
I have a small software issue now (totally insignificant) when I reduce the brightness to zero the screen is kind of flickering. It is okay when I keep the brightness at any other level so I am not fussing. I bought the white one and the cover still looks amazingly clean and white although I was just using a cheap transparent silicone cover. My husband had changed 3 phones during I was using this phone (I still am using) and 2 of them were Samsung S7 Edge phones. Those were the worst. So I guess S5 is their best most successful model.
Positive reviews
Excellent – This is one of the best phones I have ever used, it lasted me 6 years. Excellent hardware and software, not as flashy as the new phones but this has everything I need.
The best, said with hindsight!! – Having had many phones before and since, I have had a few S5s! Why? Because I like to upgrade every year. But when the successor fell apart I went back to an S5. They are tough and reliable. High quality photos, pretty fast processing and decent memory.... plus cheap to find these days! I have an S8 now but it's failing me, it's not build like the S5! Reason I upgraded away from S5 e's I needed more memory, and I love changing phones!! Show details
Great Phone! Very Practical and not delicate – The Galaxy S5 is an easy phone to use and can be knocked around a bit and won't get easily damaged unlike Iphones. I definitely recommend this phone for new phone users. It has a high quality camera and the battery life is very good, it will easily last a day or so without charging and with regular use. Show details
Negative reviews
Not good, and overpriced – Since the day I bought this phone I have regretted it. It was expensive, slow, full of bloatware, and had a poor camera. When I called Samsung to report a couple of issues, they were unhelpful and tried to get rid of me. I've found significantly better value for money in Motorola's "G" series phones and won't be buying another Samsung. Show details
We're sorry to hear of your experience with us so far,… Read more
Great Easy Phone To Use – I love how easy the S5 is to use, I went from an S3 to the S5 and found they where very similar and so an easy transition. The only issue I have is there is limited space and the phone gets VERY hot just from using it even on colder days. In summer the phone overheats without even using it. When the phone gets hot it freezes and makes it almost… Read more
impossible to use. Battery life is very short and have to charge it every day. There is an issue with updating apps, there are so many extras on the phone that take up a lot of space and leaves a lot less room for apps.
I'm very sorry to hear this Jessica, we'd like to be able… Read more
Was good, now not – Phone was good when I first got it. However, as with all Samsung Galaxies, they seem to die very suddenly and no longer runs in any useful way. Battery drains quickly and apps take forever to load. If you're looking for a phone that will help you stay on track with work or study, this is the phone for you as you won't be able to get much procrastination done on this thing Show details
Recent reviews
Excellent.But it does alright compared to today’s phones – Oh boy,this phone actually does well.I reviewed my first ever phone on this website.It was called Optus X Play 3G Smartphone but when I got this 8 year old Samsung phone from my Uncle and Nanna(Mum’s Mum).I was kinda hyped. Ok this is my review of Samsung Galaxy S5(2014 Phone) in 2021. Strengths: 1.Decent Screen Size compared to today’s Phones… Read more
2.Decent processing speed 3.Gets the job alright compared to today’s phones. 4.Has just about every feature you need. 5.It’s Camera is not too bad. 6.Ultra Power saving mode is really great for saving power over performance. 7.Power saving mode is quite nice
Weaknesses: 1.Terrible Finger Scan 2.There is a battery issue you don’t use power saving tricks. 3.Home button is small allowing for bigger screen but it’s plastic cheap 4.16 GB storage is ok at best. 5.Unnecessary Back button and Switch app button feels outdated. 6.No more system updates:(
In Conclusion, this phone compared to phones these days,it does ok.
Yeah that is really all I gotta say.
Kind Regards,Kieran Swire from YouTube.
Solid Phone for the Price – Finally had to bite the bullet on my old Samsung GT19000 as it had security issues when trying to load stuff off the web due to its old operating system - although as a phone it still worked fine. Bought a refurbished Samsung S5 to replace it off EBay for $98.00. Whilst not the latest & greatest its easy to use & works fine for me for what I need.… Read more
Must say the refurbed phone looks like a new one with no a marks on it - was a great deal & the phone works flawlessly. The only point I'd make is I got a news alert from Gizmod the day after I ordered the thing & they stated due to new security requirements, old android phones running Marshmallow & prior which the S5 does may have compatibility issues on some web sites. This will come into play on the 1/9/2021. So maybe the glory days of the S5 may be numbered, so till then I'll soldier on with my trusty S5.
A great product – Camera is not so good but thats okay. I love this phone it does everything I need. Its great that you can remove the battery and replace it. This phone is one of the only ones that will last you more than 5 years. Show details · 1
Still going great – This was my first smartphone as it was the first to actually appeal to me. Expandable memory, replaceable battery, Ultra power saving mode, built in heart rate monitor, waterproof. All still great features now that sadly are not all carried on to newer phones. I have a running watch now that makes S Health and the heart rate obsolete but used to… Read more
use them frequently and they are accurate enough unless high intensity workout. It's not waterproof anymore either due to a crack on the screen yet still working flawlessly 18 month after the damage and I haven't bothered replacing. It's rare to find products these days that last like this one. My next phone will likley be a 2nd hand refurbished S5 if this ever dies as the features of new phones vs price don't make me want to buy
Find out how Samsung Galaxy S5 compares to other Mobile Phones
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Little Beauty! – I got an S5 as my first smartphone after my dad got an iPhone. have dropped it on the floor a couple of times (without a cover) and it still works normally, without getting any crack while one of my classmates dropped their iPhone on a concrete stair and the screen shattered, even though it had a screen protector and a metal bevel around it, like… Read more
the S5. although it is a little slow and behind compared to the newer phones (cannot take nice photos of fire in the dark) and it's battery life is a bit short, it is fine the only other downside is the pre installed app "Peel smart remote" which loves to occasionally shove full screen ads on it. it also takes better photos than Photo Hendricks by a long shot
The greatest phone for the cracked-screen longevity award goes to – I would like to thank Samsung for designing the S5 with such a robust screen. About 18 months ago, a heavy steel paper-towel holder landed on it with quite some force (no screen protector) leaving an impressive looking impact point with multiple sweeping cracks radiating outward (really quite pretty to behold). It continued to work unimpaired. … Read more
A few weeks ago, I dropped it in a car park which added 9 new stars (from tiny gravel on the roadway) and an extra 7 cracks. It still continues to work unimpaired. I have gotten used to scrolling and reorienting my phone from portrait to landscape whenever I can't quite read the text through the frosted damage, but other than that, it is working as well as day one. The S5 is a truly robust model that fits my eco-warrior persona of minimising e-waste. (and as you can tell, I'm too cheap to have the screen replaced).
Thanks Samsung!
Awesome and battery replacable! – Can use it to control your TV or aircon without Wifi (Hello InfraRED) Lasts about the same time as most phones, if not a little longer. Mine is starting to get buggy after 3 years. Is completely waterproof for about 1.5 years (until you break the usb port cover) OLED - save power by not lighting up black pixels. It's an android so its fully… Read more · 1
customisable.
I have found that it runs most apps effortlessly until about 1 year in - then you start to notice a little bit of lag.
The removeable Battery can be replaced easily - just buy a new one off ebay and put it in.
Camera is good too.
Sturdy little thing – I loved this phone and regret 'upgrading'. The size was perfect and I liked the physical button on the screen face. It also has thin a lip around the glass so it's harder to drop and smash. This phone was the first time I had expandable storage with the micro SD card and so I never managed to have my phone too overloaded! Show details
This product serves it purposr for me – I have found the samsung galaxy 5 to be great for what i need it for. I have had it for approximetly 2 years , but it is now starting to freeze up sometimes , so i may need to upgrade in the near future. I will be sticking with the samsung brand however. Show details
Works Well – Love the features of this mobile. :) Easy to use and cheap as second hand. Bought my wife one as well. Bought used one My observations so far: Battery is very strong phone does not lag/hang very sharp camera-proud of the camera screen sensitivity 100% power saving is really amazing But Front camera is not very good. Yes, i would buy another Show details
All that I need – I am a person who uses this device for basic functions, i.e. email, messenger, calls, and browsing. It more than meets my needs. I have never had any issues with it. It does not freeze up, and will only slow down if there is too many apps using the ram. Periodic closure of the open app sovles this issue. Durable enough to withstand day to day trauma. Would definately recommend. Show details
Not perfect just ok! – It wasn't as good as S3. It's battery life wasn't good and it had some ongoing problems. However, it worked for about two years. It's still working till now but it's not clear and a has reception. It worked fine but I guess it's time for a new phone now. Show details
Indestructible – Today I went around a sweeping corner at 80kph and my s5 slid off the dash (along with my sunglasses) and flew out the window and onto the bitumen. I just had time to see it bounce and explode into what seemed pieces. I went back to see what could be salvaged and to my amazement, after collecting the cover, battery and phone, it worked perfectly!… Read more
No cracks anywhere, some scrape marks on the edges and case and scratches on the camera but the screen was perfect!! Couldn't believe it.
Find out how Samsung Galaxy S5 compares to other Mobile Phones
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Great phone, great compatibility and features – Decided to get this when the S6 was released and definitely happy with them. We have had older models previously and were impressed with the new features and the OS. I like that it is easily compatible with so many of our other devices - computers, tablets, VR headsets, bluetooth speakers, Telstra TV and so on. If I'm watching a YouTube video… Read more
and want to cast it to the TV it is a simple click and it works every time.
The screen is a great size, it feels big enough to read content and browse online or watch videos but it is still small enough that you can easily operate it one handed.
We are used to the Android system and find it really easy to use. The Google Play store has a vast array of apps available to use on this device.
I find the camera struggles in low light and indoors but outside it takes really crisp and clear photos.
Beware when buying from Ebay. Get the G900I – I got this phone cheap on ebay in November 2016 and it had been going well until the screen cracked last week. The version was a G906S, the south Korean version. Sure it had an extra 1GB of RAM and a 2K display, but it wasn't a good feeling when I had to accept the terms and conditions to even access the phone. The terms said that all my… Read more
information would be accessible by the south Korean government, or something like that.
Maybe I should have returned the phone and demanded a refund, but I ended up using it anyway and tried my best to not divulge anything private. That and I'm lazy.
What I'm trying to say is that if you want a S5 for Australia, get the g900I.
Awesome phone – Awesome phone. Love how it has IR built in so we can change tv stations via mobile. Hate how the default application that comes with the IR has soo many ads and takes over your phone. Battery life is okay but not the best. Constant battle with internal storage as many apps don't want to be installed on SD card. Show details
Samsung Galaxy S5, a very good all round product – Great camera and inclusions, I purchased this new when the S7 was released. The S5 was a good choice with the camera still superior to some current competition. It has good features but forget the fingerprint scanner and heart-rate monitor. Who needs them? It is also waterproof to IP67 and the HD AMOLED display is wicked. Show details
Never had an issue – Over 2 years of owning this phone I couldn't be happier. I was continuing to buy cheaper phones as it was out of my affordability at the time, but glad I upgraded. The camera is great and takes excellent, clear quality pictures, its easy to use and runs quite well with heavier based graphic games. It also charges quite quick and has a good… Read more
battery life throughout the day. It has a considerable amount of storage which can be extended using a micro SD card..
If you're looking for a cheaper phone now, as its a few years old and want to make good use out of it, i recommend the S5.
Very good phone – I've had no problems with my phone, I like the brand Samsung. Hoping to upgrade to the samsung galaxy 9. I recommend the Samsung Galaxy to anyone. Clear screen, plus camera is good.I've always had Samsung phones.And will continue using them. Also has quick downloading.very good volume, and display screen Show details
Still A Solid Choice – Sure the S5 is an older model now but from time to time there are "sweet spot" models that tick every box and the Samsung S5 is such a model. My wife has had one since they were released but I bought one new on EBay from Allphones during a promotion this year (2018)and paid only $306. For that you get the fabulous 5 inch oled screen (still… Read more
stunning) fluid screen transitions, removable battery and waterproofing. These features were removed in the S6
I considered getting an S8 but really don't like the new slimmer aspect ratio.
The S5 still is a really solid package even these days!
Not a good buy – I bought this phone half a year ago because it was on a great special and it was a Samsung which is a reliable company however not long after I bought it the phone began to slow down and calls started cutting out. I wouldn't recommend buying it after my experience Show details
Nice Good Solid Phone – I have just been given this as a gift recently. Very easy to use and set up. Good size screen. Picture is clear and great for watching videos. Love the camera, easy to use and the auto focus is the best. Phone works as it should. There is only one fault I have with it and that is the dust cover on the charge port at the bottom of the phone. I find it difficult to open every time you want to charge it. Show details
Good phone but low RAM can make it slow – I have used this phone for 2 yrs. It's a decent phone for someone with low to moderate use of apps. If one needs to download/use many apps, then 16GB model will simply not work as some apps can't be moved to SD card. Also, 2GB RAM will make it too slow even if you had 32GB space. Also, I purchased the phone in end of 2015 for around $370, when… Read more
other cheaper brands were less popular globally even though they are great value for money. The price that I paid for it then can fetch a phone with much better configuration today if one is ready to use some other reputed Android phone brands.
Top of the line phone without the pricetag – Essentially, the power contained within this phone is more than enough to handle all latest applications and processes. Going beyond this power is an excess. It is also part of a rare line of phones that allows expandable storage. Meaning the bang for your buck is huge. In my opinion, spending more than 400 on a new smart phone is madness. Just look at sightly older models and save yourself a fortune. Show details
Still going strong! – I bought this phone to replace a S4 active. I bought the Korean version, with updated screen and more RAM. I chose this as it maintains the waterproof features of the S4 Active. I also bought the inductive flip-cover meaning I can charge it without popping the USB socket cover. I've now had it for nearly 3 years and I'm still happy with its performance Show details
Reliable phone – Still going, good little phone. Eventually starts to go a bit slow but it is very reliable! Have also dropped it many times with no broken screens (just a couple of broken screen protectors! ) Recommend to keep it protected with a tempered glass protector and an additional case then it's pretty sturdy! Show details
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