Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo is one of those devices that tries to pack a lot into one package. Let us see if Samsung has managed to put together a phone that is actually worth your money. Announced in 2015, August. Released 2015, August, it arrives at a time when the competition is as tight as ever.
Design & Display
The Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo comes with a 5.1 inches, 71.7 cm 2 (~69.6% screen-to-body ratio) display, pushing a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~432 ppi density), which is more than sharp enough for everyday use, streaming and a bit of gaming. The build feels well put together, and Samsung has clearly paid attention to the in-hand feel. You can pick it up in a few finishes, including Black.
Performance & Software
Under the hood you will find the Exynos 7580 Octa (28 nm), paired with 2GB of RAM, which means smooth scrolling, quick app switching and no real hiccups in normal use. It runs Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 7.0 (Nougat) out of the box, so the software experience feels current.
Camera
Photography is handled by a main 16 MP shooter that should cover most situations, from daylight shots to the occasional low-light frame. Point-and-shoot results are reliable, and that is exactly what most buyers want.
Battery
Battery duties are handled by a Li-Ion 2800 mAh, removable unit, and that is a healthy number that keeps range anxiety at bay.
Our Opinion
So, what do we actually make of the Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo? Samsung has clearly gone for substance over gimmicks here, and we respect that approach. It gets the basics right, offering a dependable main camera, a crisp display, which is exactly what most buyers are really after. In day-to-day use it feels like the kind of device you can rely on, whether you are replying to messages, scrolling through social media, watching videos or taking the odd photo. Is it perfect? No phone is, and you will always find a sharper camera or a faster chip somewhere else for a little more money. Even so, the Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo holds its own and represents a solid, no-nonsense buy. If you have used this device or are planning to pick one up, do let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
