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Selecting a smartphone no longer simply includes decisions about style and price. My phone is my lifeline and I use it to keep track of our family’s schedules, respond to personal and professional emails, navigate my way through LA traffic, connect to friends and colleagues via social media, and capture everyday moments through photography and short videos. I like to stay in-the-know when it comes to the latest technology and every year or so, I consider whether or not to upgrade to the latest smartphone. Samsung just released its new Galaxy S5 smartphone, outfitted with innovative features like a built-in heart rate monitor and fingerprint identification. But is the Samsung Galaxy S5 smartphone worth the investment?
Admittedly, this is my very first, extended, hands-on experience with a Samsung Galaxy smartphone. Not only was the phone intuitive and sleek, it offers a handful of features I didn’t even know I wanted (or needed!). Here are 3 reasons to consider the new Samsung Galaxy Smartphone, available at your local Walmart for just $168 (with a 2-year contract).
Capture everyday moments with vibrance using Samsung’s 16-megapixel camera.
If you follow me on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, anywhere, you know that I have a passion for photography. While I would never give up my SLR, I tend to use my smartphone more for life’s everyday moments like soccer practice, swim lessons, school musicals, and selfies! For a smartphone, this camera is incredible. To give you some perspective, the resolution on Samsung’s Galaxy S5 is BETTER than the resolution on my SLR.
Immediately upon taking a photo, you can rotate, crop and resize it, which is standard for most smartphone cameras. Where the Samsung Galaxy S5 stands out is in its editing features. Adjust the tone of your photo (i.e. brightness, saturation, contrast), add a filter, and even add text without ever downloading a single photo editing app. You can then share your photo via email or your favorite social networking site or send it to your Google Drive or Picasa Acount to store for later use.
Secure your phone and important information with innovative fingerprint scanner.
The Samsung Galaxy S5 allows users the option of registering up to 3 fingerprints which can be used in place of passwords. At present, this biometric technology can be used to unlock the phone and access private information such as photos, videos, music, and personal files. Additionally, users can use the fingerprint scanner to log into and make payments via PayPal. While I can see how this technology can hasten everyday tasks like paying bills, I hesitate to utilize the technology until the security features are more robust.
Set personal fitness goals and track your progress through Samsung’s S Health and Gear Fit systems.
Before I had kids, I could easily go for a run or sneak in a 30 minute workout after work. Our family’s busy, overlapping schedules mean that I have to be more purposeful about my fitness regimen. I wear a pedometer, and throughout the day, I monitor my activity level to determine what amount and intensity of exercise I’ll need to complete for that day. The Samsung Galaxy S5 features S Health, a program designed to help you set and manage your fitness, nutrition, and overall health goals. Once you’ve set up your profile (which takes just minutes), you can begin tracking your steps and activity, calories expended, weight and even keep track of what you’ve eaten throughout the day.
Working out and wonder if you’re within your target heart rate range for your age? Simply use the Heart Rate Sensor located on the back of the smartphone. Additionally, Samsung recently introduced Gear Fit, a wearable fitness tracker that is designed to be used with S Health. But more than just a pedometer, Gear Fit will track your steps, monitor your heart rate, and receive alerts from your smartphone (you’ll need to sync the device with your smartphone using the free Gear Fit Manager app). This device resembles a watch and is relatively lightweight and doesn’t feel awkward or cumbersome.
There are definitely pros and cons to a wearable fitness tracker. Because I wear a pedometer attached to my waist, I’ve come very close to losing it and I even washed one while doing laundry. While Gear Fit is water resistant, I don’t recommend submerging it in water (I have been taking it off to wash dishes and give my children baths). Overall, I was quit impressed with Gear Fit and the seamless integration with the Samsung Galaxy S5. At just under $200, it is definitely an investment, but if you don’t have a pedometer and you’re looking for one that is “smart,” sleek, and intuitive, check out Gear Fit.
Along with the above capabilities, Samsung’s Galaxy S5 is a strong competitor with it’s sleek, water-resistant design, bold, 5.1″ HD display which adapts depending on light conditions, and an Ultra Power Saving Mode which will extend your battery life up to 24 hours (at 10%) in order to receive texts and calls. Since this phone operates on an Android system, you’ll have access to all of the apps and services within Google Play.
The Samsung Galaxy S5 smartphone is now available at your local Walmart store for $168 with a 2-year agreement (AT&T and Verizon). For more information, visit Samsung.com.
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