The debate over whether the Galaxy S5 will have a plastic or metal casing continues today with a new report from DigiTimes. The site claims—against all other recent reports we have seen—that the popular Samsung handset will actually have a plastic backing.
No Galaxy S5 casings ordered
One of the more recent rumors has been that Samsung ordered metal casings for the Galaxy S5 from Catcher Technology, BYD and Ju Teng International. However, the website claims that suppliers say none of them have begun mass production of metal casings for Samsung yet. Mass production of the backings would already have to have started in order to make the launch dates most are expecting.
The new Galaxy S5 is expected to be out fairly early next year, possibly by the end of the first quarter. Some have said the company would unveil it at the Mobile World Congress in February. Also AT&T was reported this week as being in the process of testing a new Samsung flagship phone which is speculated to be the Galaxy S5.
Samsung changing plans for the Galaxy S5?
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (LON:BC94) (KRX:005930) was said to have been considering making the Galaxy S5 out of metal, but the company reportedly changed its mind because the metal casings are too expensive to make. DigiTimes’ sources also reportedly said that Samsung became the world’s biggest smartphone maker by selling plastic smartphones, so the company really wouldn’t need to switch to a metal casing in order to appease consumers.
The sources also suggested that Samsung would look into using compound materials like plastic and fiberglass or plastic and carbon fiber for future smartphone versions because it could help cut costs.
Two versions of the Galaxy S5? Maybe not
[drizzle]Also recently, we have heard that Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (LON:BC94) (KRX:005930) was making two different versions of the Galaxy S5, one with a plastic backing and another with a metal backing. Rumors which are a little older suggested that Samsung was working on a device that would be called the Galaxy F and be an even more premium version of the Galaxy line. The Korean company was said to have been planning to use a metal backing for that device rather than the Galaxy S5.
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