Ever ready

The single core 1GHz Hummingbird CPU is hardly state-of-the-art either but the Galaxy S 5.0 never feels slow or hesitant, even with multiple apps running. On the gaming front even something as demanding as Shadowgun ran smoothly.

Gaming with Shadowgun runs smoothly

My review device came with 8GB of built-in Flash storage though a 16GB version is also available. Both models come have a MicroSD card slot. Usefully 2 of that 8GB can be used for system storage.

The main camera is a mediocre 3.2Mp autofocus affair with a rather puny LED lamp but it can shoot video at 720p and 30fps and does a good job of it. You also get a web cam, in this case a VGA unit that works well with Skype video calling.

Browsing on a 5in display

Bundled apps are a bit thin on the ground other than the ThinkFree Office suite and a video player that supports MP4, WMV, MKV and DivX/Xvid files up to 720p. Like any kosher Android phone, you also get all the Google apps, access to the Google Play Shop – as the Android Market is now branded – and GPS.

Music and video soundtracks can be enhanced using Samsung’s SoundAlive system, and rather fine it is too. Combined with the excellent bundled earphones and equally handy 1.3W stereo speakers I can’t imagine anyone taking issue with the Galaxy S 5.0’s audio abilities. The music player also supports MTP playlists.

 

Google books and AnTuTu scores

Where the Galaxy S 5.0 really gives Android phones a slap in the face is battery life. Apart from not having a cellular radio to power, the Galaxy S 5.0 has a 2500mAh battery, or to put it another way one and a half times the capacity of the battery in the SII.

Video player supports 720p HD content

Looping a 720p video with the screen brightness and volume set at 75 per cent I got six hours five minutes from a charge. Listening to music or reading ebooks you can expect to get 48 hours of continuous use between visits to a socket.

You can pick up a Galaxy S 5.0 for £190 at the moment, which strikes me as quite a bargain but if that's too pricey for you, Samsung also make 4in and 3.6in versions, the last having a 480 x 320 screen but otherwise identical innards for only £115.

Works in seconds, lasts for hours and hours and hours...

Verdict

If you want a large screen Android device as a media player or mini-tablet but don’t fancy being lumbered with an expensive mobile phone with single day battery life then the Galaxy S 5.0 has a lot to recommend it. Android 2.2 may be a bit behind the times but it does the job and everything looks and sounds just dandy. You could argue that a £170 BlackBerry Playbook is a better buy but it’s bigger, heavier and drains its battery faster. And it won’t be that price for ever. ®

Thanks to PC World for the loan of the Samsung Galaxy S WiFi 5.0.

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