Samsung unveils flagship smartphone Galaxy S5, taps on fitness fans with Gear Fit

Samsung unveiled the latest version of its flagship smart phone series - Galaxy S5 along with Gear Fit at the Mobile World Congress. While the phone combines an advanced camera, fast network connectivity, dedicated fitness tools and enhanced device protection features, Gear Fit is a super AMOLED fitness-themed watch, empowering consumers stay physically active without sacrificing personal style or mobile connectivity.

Both the devices are slated to be launched in April this year. No launch price is announced as yet, but one can easily expect Galaxy S5 to sport a price tag of over Rs 40,000. Here's a quick look at the two gadgets.

Samsung Galaxy S5

The Galaxy S5 comes with a fingerprint scanner and dust- and water-proof capabilities. The S5 is a 5.1-inch upgrade to the year-older Galaxy S4 and sports a full HD screen with the same Super AMOLED panel, and not a 2K display.

However, there is no major change in terms of design except the fact that it has a home button that also functions as a finger-print reader. It features a perforated pattern on the back cover and comes in vivid colors including charcoal black, shimmery white, electric blue and copper gold.

The plastic-built Galaxy S5 also adds a heart-rate monitor just below the camera module. The smartphone comes with a 16MP camera with improved menu and user interface. It also gets a 2.1MP front-facing camera. It claims to offer autofocus speed of 0.3 seconds and advanced High Dynamic Range (HDR) function. An additional 'Selective Focus' feature allows users to focus on a specific area of an object while blurring out the background.

The Galaxy S5 supports the fifth generation Wi-Fi 802.11ac and 2X2 MIMO, and supporting the large number of LTE frequency with LTE Category 4 standard. It features Download Booster, an innovative Wi-Fi technology for boosting data speed by bonding Wi-Fi and LTE simultaneously to enable faster connection.

The phone provides a comprehensive personal fitness tracker to help users monitor and manage their behaviour, along with tools including a pedometer, diet and exercise records, and a new, built-in heart rate monitor.

Gear Fit

The device keeps consumers up to date with instant notifications from Galaxy smartphones such as incoming calls, emails, SMS, alarm, S-planner, third party apps while consumers are on the move so they can stay connected. Changeable straps in black, orange and mocha grey will let users express their individual style, changing the look of the Gear Fit to match their outfit or mood for any type of activity.

The technology used in the device also enables the user to get custom, real time fitness coaching to provide unique, personalised advice and workout recommendations.

(Edited by Joby Puthuparampil Johnson)