Samsung Galaxy S5 is widely expected to be announced at the Mobile World Congress next month. Expectations with the device are sky high, with rumors ranging from a 64-bit processor to an iris eye scanner to a 4000mAh battery, to a metal casing. But nothing of that sort is likely, says KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Ming has an exceptional track record predicting smartphone features.
Galaxy S5 must have biometrics to catch up with the iPhone 5S
According to KGI Securities’ research note reviewed by Apple Insider, the Korean electronics giant will incorporate a fingerprint scanner in the Galaxy S5, playing a catchup game with the iPhone 5S. Ming-Chi Kuo says that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) was certainly not the first company to introduce biometrics in an electronic device. But it started a trend with the Touch ID sensor, relying on the popularity of the iPhone brand. Now it has become a craze and other manufacturers of premium smartphones have to follow it.
Kuo thinks that the Korean company is going to implement fingerprint technology developed by its partner Validity Sensors into Galaxy S5. He said Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.(ADR) (LON:BC94) (KRX:005930) can’t afford to not have the function in the Galaxy S5, even if its technology is less mature than the iPhone 5S. But the Korean company is going to rock the boat again by releasing two models that will differ in terms of memory, display resolution and processor type. Both versions of the Galaxy S5 are expected to have a 5.2-inch display. The high-end “Prime” version will have a WQHD AMOLED display panel with 565 ppi pixel density.
Galaxy S5 with plastic body
The Galaxy S5 will be powered by a faster Exynos 5430 processor built on 20nm process, and will have 3GB of RAM. Kuo said the processor won’t be a 64-bit silicon. He said the prime version will have a screen resolution of 2560 x 1440. KGI says other features of the Galaxy S5 include a 16MP main camera with 3D gestures and phase detection autofocus. The Galaxy S5 is likely to continue with a plastic body.
Contrary to the rumors, Kuo said that Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.(ADR) (LON:BC94) (KRX:005930) isn’t prepared to incorporate the iris eye scanner in its upcoming flagship smartphone. Earlier this month, the company’s vice president Lee Young Hee said that the electronics giant is studying the possibility to include the feature in its upcoming products, without specifying whether it will be in the Galaxy S5.
