Samsung Galaxy S5 review

Can the Galaxy S5 still be considered a viable buy?

Samsung Galaxy S5 review
It might not look like much, but the S5 is a very capable smartphone

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

Samsung Galaxy S5 review

Samsung's HDR mode has better colour

Click here for the full res image

Samsung Galaxy S5 review

HTC's One M8 looks washed-out in comparison

Click here for the full res image

Samsung Galaxy S5 review

The S5 is adept at capturing the sharpness, but lacks the low light ability

Click here for the full res image

Samsung Galaxy S5 review

But the One M8 is a better, clearer photo despite added grain

Click here for the full res image

Samsung Galaxy S5 review

IN lower light, the graininess of the S5 camera is apparent at speed

Click here for the full res image

Samsung Galaxy S5 review

The One M8 showed itself to be more adept and speedy

Click here for the full res image

Samsung Galaxy S5 review

The macro mode of the S5 is automatic and superior to the One M8

Click here for the full res image

Samsung Galaxy S5 review

The One M8 is capable at close range, but needs more cajoling for sharpness

Click here for the full res image

Samsung Galaxy S5 review

The Galaxy S5 shows low light detail incredibly well with candlelight

Click here for the full res image

Samsung Galaxy S5 review

The One M8's Ultrapixel sensor lets in too much light

Click here for the full res image

Gareth Beavis
Formerly Global Editor in Chief

Gareth has been part of the consumer technology world in a career spanning three decades. He started life as a staff writer on the fledgling TechRadar, and has grown with the site (primarily as phones, tablets and wearables editor) until becoming Global Editor in Chief in 2018. Gareth has written over 4,000 articles for TechRadar, has contributed expert insight to a number of other publications, chaired panels on zeitgeist technologies, presented at the Gadget Show Live as well as representing the brand on TV and radio for multiple channels including Sky, BBC, ITV and Al-Jazeera. Passionate about fitness, he can bore anyone rigid about stress management, sleep tracking, heart rate variance as well as bemoaning something about the latest iPhone, Galaxy or OLED TV.