Upgrade: S5 or S6 ($23/mo vs $24/mo)

[chadhindsley]

Had an iPhone 4 for this long and im tired of "updating" smartphones and having them turn into slow running pieces of crap just because they aren't the latests models.
For a few months I've been eyeballing the S5. I plan to just never update it (4.4.2) since ive hear that 5.0 pretty much ruins it.
I like the S5 because of the water resistance, removable SD card and removable battery. I could keep it for years and years and years and just keep changing the battery.
I believe that Samsung realized they made too good of a smartphone and made the iPhone-like S6 in order to get people sucked into always buying the latest phone (more fragile glass, non-water resistance, no removable SD card and no removable battery= have to get a new phone if the battery starts sucking).
for a phone that's ALMOST 2 YEARS OLD, the S5 is only $25 less than the S6 ($23/month at Verizon vs $24/month for the S5)

Will I be doing the right thing in pursuing the S5? Will it start turning into a slow piece of junk because its outdated and will eventually be phased out? or is the S6 not all that bad?

 

[BlurryEyed]

If I were you, I would buy a refurb/used Galaxy S5 (~$250 US)

$24/mo x 12= $288. So you'll save a few bucks and can use the S5 for a while, and if you don't care for it - you can resell it later on without losing too much.

I don't see much reason to upgrade to the 6 - not many notable features. And I'm totally with you - the main selling points for me on the S5 were the water resistance (I'm a fisherman/boater), SD Card (I have a 64GB card), and Removeable battery (I have two).

 

[chadhindsley]

wheres the best place to find refurbished S5s? Really hoping samsung/android don't force me in the future to update to something that slows down the S5

 

[IMANUT46]

I have a samsung galaxy s5. I got it last May of 2014. I'm running version 5.0. Not 5.1 The phone is almost perfect. If I were you, I get a new S5 . In my opinion, You won't be sorry.

Samsung Galaxy S5 Lollipop 5.0 Verizon network

 

[BlurryEyed]

wheres the best place to find refurbished S5s? Really hoping samsung/android don't force me in the future to update to something that slows down the S5

Lot's of places - really on you to find what's best, but here's an example:
Buy a Used Samsung Galaxy S5 | Glyde

I shop Craigslist a lot for used phones. Just make sure the ESN is clean, you can check with Verizon before buying.

 

[chadhindsley]

thanks, I found a couple on CL but im hesitant. I've bought almost everything on CL except for phones. Just disappointing that Samsung still has the S5 retail so high

 

[telrod11]

Craigslist:
Just do your homework on the fake S5's so you know what you're getting.
Also, make sure the EMEI is clean - start here https://swappa.com/esn?ref=mobilenations&data1=UUacUvbUpU4687500

I'd follow that up with a call to your provider and make sure the phone is OK, before I handed over the cash...

Since you're on an S5 board, most of us will point you toward the S5, for many reasons that make sense to us. I'd go look through the S6 threads and see if they agree with staying with the 5.

 

[BlurryEyed]

$199 Here today:
16GB Samsung Galaxy S5 SM-G900V Verizon Unlocked Smartphone (Refurbished) -- $199.99 + FS at eBay

 

[BlurryEyed]

Down to $179 today:

Samsung Galaxy S5 SM-G900V 16GB Verizon Android Smartphone (Refurbished) -- $179.99 + FS at eBay

 

[sctbc2]

My S5 is running 5.1 and it's been great.
It's a pain, but factory reset after each update makes a huge difference.

I've got a 64g SD card and 3 batteries,
Phone doesn't lag (nova prime is very fast).

Last runtime after fully charging was 32 hours with just over 2 hours of screen time (power saving off).

I plan on keeping this phone for a while.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[shadowsjc]

I was in a similar boat - wound up picking a used galaxy s5 over a new or used galaxy s6. The s6 was a step back in many ways, and I think I'd rather wait for the next generation of Android phones before splurging on a $700 device.

I jumped on the deal yesterday for a $180 refurb s5. If you can find something similar, I would go for that.

 

[dgcamero]

If you're going to do the payment plan, I'd get the S6. It's much faster overall, and has a significantly better (and faster), truly excellent camera. This despite its lack of interchangeable battery, expandable storage, water resistance, and that it's made of glass. You should just get a refurbished or used S5 if you go that route. It's a solid device, if a bit sluggish sometimes...

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[dby2011]

I have a S5 that has been great but I recently gave it to my daughter and now have a Motorola X Pure. I'd skip the idea of a S5 and get the 16gb Moto X Pure for $399. No bloatware and it is fast, plus you know you will get software updates as opposed to waiting for carrier updates with the S5. Motorola offers 12 months no interest if you buy the phone from them.

 

[BlurryEyed]

I have a S5 that has been great but I recently gave it to my daughter and now have a Motorola X Pure. I'd skip the idea of a S5 and get the 16gb Moto X Pure for $399. No bloatware and it is fast, plus you know you will get software updates as opposed to waiting for carrier updates with the S5. Motorola offers 12 months no interest if you buy the phone from them.

The Moto X Pure looks great, I like that phone. Almost identical feature set to the S5, minus the removeable battery. The Moto G is great for people on a budget as well, but I gather the screen is so-so.

 

[dby2011]

Not the case, I think the screen is great. It is not quite as vivid as the S5 but it is by no. means inferior. I would strongly consider the X Pure.

 

[BlurryEyed]

Not the case, I think the screen is great. It is not quite as vivid as the S5 but it is by no. means inferior. I would strongly consider the X Pure.

The Moto X Pure has a great screen. (5.7” IPS TFT LCD 1440x2560 520 ppi)

I was referencing the Moto G (5" IPS LCD 720 x 1280 pixels 294 ppi pixel density)

For reference S5: (5.1" Super AMOLED 1080 x 1920 pixels 432 ppi pixel density)

 

[dby2011]

If you are using a GSM network the new Moto G is awfully compelling too. I have not seen the screen on the new Moto G, but if you can look at one on display I would do it before you make a decision. Not trying to take away from the S5, but there are some really compelling alternatives out now.

 

[BlurryEyed]

If you are using a GSM network the new Moto G is awfully compelling too. I have not seen the screen on the new Moto G, but if you can look at one on display I would do it before you make a decision. Not trying to take away from the S5, but there are some really compelling alternatives out now.

I agree. I am moving on to a pure google phone for my next device. I like my S5, but it's quirky and never gets updated (Verizon's fault though). My fear is at one point they're just going to stop updating it all together because they have newer devices to develop for.

Now that there are other pure google phones out there with water resistance and microSD slots - there's more to choose from.