Samsung Galaxy S5 Sport Review

I get excited when I get to review a new phone because I am a total phone junkie, and I love checking out the latest and the greatest. But I was positively giddy when I received the Samsung Galaxy S5 Sport from Sprint. Why? Because for the last two years my primary phone has been the Samsung Galaxy S3, and I love that phone. I thought about updating to the S4 a few times, but I never got around to it and now an S5 has arrived in my life. Big happy Galaxy dork here!

So, how have things changed since the S3?

Samsung Galaxy S5 Sport Body

First, it’s blue! Electric blue, actually. Sure, the color of the phone doesn’t improve functionality, but it makes me happy to see something pretty so that’s something. (The S5 Sport is also available in red.)

While we are talking about the look of the phone, let me mention the phone’s texture. Unlike most smooth phones, the Samsung Galaxy S5 Sport has a textured back that is supposed to make it easier to hold. At first I missed the sleek, smooth back, but I am a total klutz when it comes to dropping phones and I have to admit that the texture really does give it more grip. So now I dig it. Actually the whole phone has an overall more solid feel to it — almost like it is already wearing a case.

One thing that really bugged me about the HTC One (M8) is that the back of the phone scratched up like crazy — even the camera lens. In contrast, after weeks of use I see no scratches on the Samsung Galaxy S5 Sport.

Waterproof

Say what?! Yes, the Samsung Galaxy S5 Sport (and non Sport version) boasts a fully sealed design that protects the phone against moisture and dust. They say it is waterproof submerged three feet for up to 30 minutes. I’ve seen videos of people taking it swimming and someone even ran it through the washing machine (Google it). While I tested the waterproof feature of the Kyocera, I haven’t yet been brave enough to submerge my S5 in water.

One of the features that has taken the most getting used to is the trap door that closes off the slot where you plug in the phone. It is part of the phone waterproofing, but it is a bit cumbersome to open the door and remember to close the door every time I charge the phone. No big deal, but I am paranoid I am going to snap the door off. In this respect (only) the Kyocera had the S5 beat because it was waterproof without the trap door.

16 Megapixel Camera

Since my phone doubles as my go-to camera, the impressive 16 megapixel rear camera is fab-u-los! It has zero shutter lag and onboard editing tools that make me happy when taking pictures on the go. It even does decently well in low-light situations, which are tough for camera phones. Even the two megapixel forward camera does well for selfies especially with the “beauty face” mode that provides an automatic airbrushed effect.

I should know, I have taken +150 pictures on my S5 since receiving it a few weeks ago. Even important pictures like “meet the teacher” day.

Samsung Galaxy S5 Sport Specs

While the trend for phones used to smaller, smaller and smaller – Android phones have reversed the trend with bigger, bigger and bigger screens. The S5 features and impressive 5.1 inch screen vs the 4 inch screen of the Galaxy S3 or iPhone 5.

While I said “whoa” as I pulled it out of the box, the Samsung Galaxy S5 Sport isn’t so giant that I can’t easily use the phone one handed. And I still stick it in my back pocket — even with the more rugged body. (Although I do think this is my size limit for phones — any bigger and I feel like are bordering on making phones with a tablet.) I should note, however, that it doesn’t fit in some of my shorts pockets as nicely. Which is something to consider if you are an on-the-go mom who never wants to be more than arms length from her phone.

Still, I love looking at and using my giant and beautiful screen. Especially for pictures!

Other specs of note: the Samsung Galaxy S5 Sport runs 4.4.2 KitKat with a 2.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon quad-core processor. It also has 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage (gotta have storage for all of my pictures!). And the battery life is fantastic! I tend to run my batteries hard, and so far the S5 has kept up.

MapMyFitness

The big difference (only difference other than the body) between the S5 and the S5 Sport on the onboard fitness features. With MapMyFitness users have mobile access to fitness tracking, educational information, and music, as well as offer applications to help keep track of exercise, watch what they eat and take better care of themselves.

So far, I haven’t used the app much — other than to play around with it — but a friend and I have challenged ourselves to a 5K and we start training next week. So I plan to utilize the app to help keep me on track. Tracking every small success is going to be a huge motivator for this out-of-shape mom.