Samsung Galaxy S5, Gear 2 Launch Good as Confirmed as New Specs Revealed

Brash yet well-connected tech insider Eldar Murtazin has shared some new data on the Samsung Galaxy S5, and by the looks of things, the device may be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 processor on some variants, with a much larger 3,200 mAh battery at the back.

Not too long ago, Murtazin had tweeted that the Samsung Galaxy S5 would be launched, or unveiled for the first time, on February 23, one day before the official kickoff of the 2014 Mobile World Congress in Spain. 

He had, however, recanted on his statements, saying that the device’s launch date isn’t that sure a thing after all, and had arguably tried to save face by saying it was his leak that prompted Samsung to go for another announcement date.

But it looks like Murtazin’s first tweet may be sort-of accurate, due to reports that the Galaxy S5 would be launching on February 24 at MWC 2014. These reports have been further corroborated by The New York Times, which cited people familiar with the matter in saying the Galaxy S5 would be debuting at the MWC kickoff alongside the Galaxy Gear 2 companion device.

Those hoping for a splashy product launch, however, may be disappointed, as the Times claims that this year’s Galaxy S5 launch will be a more austere event.

Likewise, new software features may not be as plentiful as expected, with no iris scanner included as previously reported, while the device’s fundamental specifications may also include a 16-megapixel rear camera, as corroborated once again by the Times.

But in a bit of a troubling development, The New York Times made no mention of 2560 x 1440, or QHD display resolution on the Galaxy S5.

Aside from a few isolated rumors that the Galaxy S5 may come with 1080p display resolution, almost every source believes that the Galaxy S5 will up the ante and move from 1080p Full HD resolution to the higher-end, higher-pixel density QHD.

Separately, the aforementioned Mr. Murtazin has chimed in with his own information on the Galaxy S5′s specs. According to Murtazin, the device’s basics may include a 5.24-inch (not 5.25), 2560 x 1440 QHD display (560 pixels per inch density), a Snapdragon 805 processor or Exynos 6 depending on connectivity options, 3 GB RAM, 32 GB or 64 GB storage, a 16-megapixel rear camera, a 3.2-megapixel front camera, and a 3,200 mAh battery.

Aside from the battery, this is nothing new, and although Murtazin has tended to be hit-or-miss in terms of rumor accuracy, hearing these specs from such a well-known and connected individual definitely means something at this point in the game.

Murtazin is on the conservative side when it comes to the Galaxy S5′s possible release date; he expects the device to arrive in stores by early May.  Most others, however, are leaning towards a late April release date, similar to that of the Galaxy S4 last year.