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When will Samsung’s Galaxy S5 actually be released?

Published Feb 19th, 2014 8:20AM EST
Galaxy S5 Release Date Late March

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The Galaxy S5 will be unveiled at MWC 2014 in just a few days, but it may be a while until the phone will hit stores, ZDNet Korea has learned. Apparently officials from Samsung’s local supply chain have confirmed they have not received components orders for the Galaxy S5. “Since Samsung is yet to place an order for parts, the company may change some of the peripheral features of the Galaxy S5 while retaining core features,” an unnamed official said. “If they place orders at the end of this month or early next month, the handset will be commercialized around the end of next month at the earliest.”

The publication has also confirmed some of the features of the upcoming flagship handset revealing that Samsung may have learned a valuable lesson from last year’s Xperia Z flagship handsets.

Sony shocked the smartphone world in early 2013 when it introduced a waterproof and dustproof flagship smartphone, the Xperia Z, that rivals did not see coming. Samsung quickly adapted and launched a waterproof version of the Galaxy S4 handset, although the Galaxy S4 Active only came much later after the standard Galaxy S4 was launched. This year, however, Samsung’s standard will have waterproof and dustproof features out of the gate.

According to sources that talked to the publication, the regular Galaxy S5 will have the same waterproof capability as the Galaxy S4 Active. The report seems to confirm a recent teaser Galaxy S5 page posted by German carrier O2, which hinted that the phone may be waterproof. At the same time, the report contradicts a previous rumors that said a Galaxy S5 Active model will join the Galaxy S5 this year.

Additionally, ZDNet Korea is also confirming a previous report that said the Galaxy S5 will have a fingerprint sensor embedded in the home button. Samsung will apparently use an ultra violet coating to protect the scanner, compared to Apple which uses sapphire glass for it.

Chris Smith Senior Writer

Chris Smith has been covering consumer electronics ever since the iPhone revolutionized the industry in 2008. When he’s not writing about the most recent tech news for BGR, he brings his entertainment expertise to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and other blockbuster franchises.

Outside of work, you’ll catch him streaming almost every new movie and TV show release as soon as it's available.