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Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo review

7.9/10 AVG.
RATING
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Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo
Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo
Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo
Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo
Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo
Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo
...


7.9/10
Informr score
The Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo currently has an Informr score of 7.9 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 11 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

Rebooting the wildly popular Galaxy S5, Samsung is releasing a nearly untouched version of the phone in the Galaxy S5 Neo. Does the reduced price and slightly tweaked features make this old flagship favorite competitive again?

Let’s see what reviews are saying!

It’s important to note that the phone features are almost identical to the Samsung Galaxy S5.

Notable changes include:

- The leather rear panel is replaced with a plastic shell. However, it’s not removable allowing you to swap batteries for extra juice when needed.
- You no longer need to put flaps and plugs into the various ports to maintain water resistance.
- The processor in the new handset is an octa-core 1.66GHz Exynos processor. Reviews on the processor were mixed. The general consensus is that for typical usage, the processor performs slightly better than the Snapdragon used in the S5. However, a weaker graphics processor in the Neo means gaming isn’t as strong.
- The front-facing camera is upgraded from 2MP to 5MP. Reviews on the camera are positive.
- No IR transmitter
- No fingerprint scanner

Otherwise, you’re getting the same screen, storage and other features from the Samsung Galaxy S5. For more on what to expect, check out our previously published summary!


Android
Operating system
Operating system
Android
1.6 GHz
Processor
Processor
1.6 GHz
5.1"
Screen Size
Screen Size
5.1"
16+ MP
Camera
Camera
16+ MP
2800 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


Know Your Mobile
Know Your Mobile

Surprisingly good, actually. It may look like a bulldog chewing a wasp but it has a lot of practical features, some of which are to a very high standard; notably the display, camera, and battery. If you favour features and pragmatism over aesthetics this could be a winner.

- Paul Briden, Know Your Mobile
Alphr
Alphr

The S5 Neo is the Galaxy S5 reborn, but it's faster, has better battery life and is much cheaper.

- Jonathan Bray, Alphr
Canadian Reviewer
Canadian Reviewer

The Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo is a great option for anyone considering a contract-free midrange device that has dust and water resistance, microSD expansion and a removeable, user-replaceable battery.

- Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla, Canadian Reviewer
Expert Reviews
Expert Reviews

Its battery life and display are still first in class, but at this price the Galaxy S5 Neo faces stiff competition.

- Katharine Byrne, Expert Reviews
Notebookcheck
Notebookcheck

The Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo is "recycling" on a very high level. The previous flagship smartphone has been improved in some respects, but the performance of the SoC is reduced and some features have been removed.Positive aspects of the Galaxy S5 Neo are still the sturdy chassis, the great display, the...

- Andreas Osthoff, Notebookcheck


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions


We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo user manual here.


Samsung backs up the Galaxy S5 Neo with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.


If your Galaxy S5 Neo has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Samsung support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Samsung's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.




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Quick view

Screen Size
5.1"

The Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo's screen size is 5.1 inches with 1080 x 1920 pixels resolution.

Processor
1.6 GHz

There is a Samsung Exynos Octa core 1.6 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on the Android 5.1.1 Lollipop (Update Available: 7.0 Nougat) operating system (OS).

Camera
16+ MP

You can take photos with the phone's onboard 16+ MP camera.

There is also a secondary front facing camera with 5+ megapixels resolution.

Storage
16 GB

Internal memory is 16 GB. An external, MicroSD, MicroSDHC, microSDXC (up to 128 GB) expansion slot is available for increased storage capacity.

Battery
2800mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 2800 mAh battery. Samsung's performance ratings are 900 minutes, 780 minutes Wi-Fi surfing.

Galaxy S5 Neo Specs

Overview
Release Date September 10, 2015
Regions Available Canada, United Kingdom
Operating System Android 5.1.1 Lollipop (Update Available: 7.0 Nougat)

Compare Android Smartphones

Processor Samsung Exynos Octa core 1.6 GHz
Internal Storage 16 GB
RAM 2 GB
Hearing Aid Compatible No
TTY/TDD No
Noise Cancellation Yes
SAR Head: 0.46 W/kg
Body: 0.58 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included USB Power Adapter, Manual, Standard Battery, Headset, Data Cable
Cellular
Networks
GPRS, EDGE, HSUPA, HSPA+, LTE
Mobile / Cellular Data
4G/LTE
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling Unknown
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) Yes
SIM card size
Micro-SIM
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Micro-USB 2.0
USB OTG Support No
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth 4.1
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, OPP/FTP, HID, HFP, HSP, PAN
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Mobile Hotspot Yes
Memory Expansion Slot Yes
Expansion Slot Info MicroSD, MicroSDHC, microSDXC (up to 128 GB)
NFC Yes
Data Tethering Compatibility Yes
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
16+ Megapixels
Zoom
Yes
Flash
Yes (LED)
Additional Rear Camera Info
Auto focus, Effects, Geotagging, ISO, Multi-shot, Panorama, Self-timer, White balance, Exposure value, HDR
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, 3G2 / 3GPP2, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4, WMV, ASF, FLV, AVI
Video Recording Parameters
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
5+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
No
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology Super AMOLED
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution 1080 x 1920 pixels
Pixel Density 432 pixels
Size 5.1 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Digital Compass
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features Capacitive touch screen
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 2800 mAh
Removable Battery Yes
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging No
Video Playback Time Up to 780 minutes
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 780 minutes
Internet Use (Cellular) Up to 660 minutes
Talk Time Up to 900 minutes
Standby Time Up to 16.3 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Bar
Material Plastic
Colors Black, Gold, Silver
Dimensions [H x W x D] 14.2 x 7.2 x 0.8 cm (5.6 x 2.8 x 0.3 in)
Weight 145 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Water Resistant
Rugged design No
IP Rating IP 67
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Yes
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key Yes
Home Key Yes
Input / Keyboard Type Touchscreen
Navigation Type Touchscreen
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
More
Additional Information Other Names (AKA): Samsung SM-G903W

Variation: Samsung SM-G903F, sold in the UK, adds an FM radio
Related Links Manual (PDF)
Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo Reviews
Where to buy Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo
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