SEOUL, Apr 11 (AFP): The latest version of Samsung's flagship Galaxy smartphone went on sale worldwide Friday, days after the electronics giant announced it was facing a second consecutive quarter of profit decline.
The Galaxy S5 has a lot riding on it to steer the South Korean firm's profit-making machine back on track as growth in smartphone sales slows, with mature markets like North America and Europe near saturation.
Reviews of the S5 have mostly concluded that it is one of the best high-end smartphones on the market, but there is also a general consensus that it lacks the "wow" factor needed to differentiate it from its predecessors and competitors.
"It can swim, but it won't make any waves," was the verdict of the Wall Street Journal, referring to one innovation in the S5's waterproof covering.
"The Galaxy S5 is a good phone. It earns an unreserved recommendation," said the Washington Post.
"But the truth of the matter is that there's really nothing here that's worth breaking your contract to buy," it added.
Samsung Galaxy S5 makes global debut
FE Team | Published: April 12, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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