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Samsung Galaxy S5, Gear 2 (Neo) and Gear Fit available in the UK

by Mark Tyson on 11 April 2014, 12:45

Tags: Samsung (005935.KS), PC

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Samsung UK has today announced that it's much anticipated latest flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S5, and its new range of wearables devices including the Gear 2, Gear 2 Neo and Gear Fit are now available to buy on the high-street and online. The new range of devices are now said to be on the shelves in 125 countries including the US, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America and most Asian markets.

The Galaxy S5, first announced in February at MWC in Barcelona only 11 months after its predecessor Galaxy S4, is a device which combines next-gen specs and new features such as a fingerprint scanner, heart rate monitor, 16MP camera and waterproof design.

To celebrate the launch of the Galaxy S5, Samsung is also offering Galaxy device owners an exclusive FIFA 14 mobile game which is available starting from today. Users will be able to play against the Samsung Galaxy 11* team featuring world-class footballers including Messi, Ronaldo and Rooney, which will be available in the game's Ultimate Team mode.

The Galaxy S5 will be priced at £579 SIM-free or on contract for around £40pm. Users who have pre-ordered the Galaxy S5 will also be able to collect it from one of the nine new Samsung Experience Stores…

Samsung Experience Stores

Hours before its new devices gained UK availability, Samsung opened of nine new Samsung Experience Stores across the UK. Similar to Apple's retail stores, the Samsung Experience stores will allow consumers to get their hands on Samsung products and talk to tech 'experts'. The new shops are located in London, Newcastle, Liverpool, Bradford, Bristol, Manchester, Bournemouth and Cardiff.

"The response to the Galaxy S5 and our new wearables line since Mobile World Congress has been phenomenal and we’re delighted our customers across the UK are now able to get their hands on them and try them out for themselves. Designed with a number of innovative and essential features for day-to-day use, we can’t wait to hear what our customers think," said Simon Stanford, VP of IT & Mobile division, Samsung Electronics UK & Ireland.

The stores also feature a 'Smart Academy' bar which will solve anything from battery problems to replacing cracked screens with two engineers on every site with no appointments needed. Samsung will also offer training sessions to help device owners get the most from their kit. In store devices will be offered SIM free or on contract with Vodafone, O2, and EE.

Curved 55-inch and 65-inch UHD TVs

Two of Samsung's desirable curved UHD TVs will also launch in the UK from next week. On Monday 14th April, the 55-inch and 65-inch HU8500 models will be available to buy from UK retailers.

These smart TVs feature four times more detail than Full HD, Samsung's PurColour technology, Quad-Core Plus processor, a new multitasking screen and smart control with a touchpad and button console. No pricing details were revealed except that pricing will be left up to individual retailers.



HEXUS Forums :: 5 Comments

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So much lovely tech, and so little money.
The new shops are located in London, Newcastle, Liverpool, Bradford, Bristol, Manchester, Bournemouth and Cardiff.
Nothing north of Newcastle? … not good Samsung! :mad:

Then again: my interest in S5 = not much (certainly not at those prices!)
crossy
Nothing north of Newcastle? … not good Samsung! :mad:

Then again: my interest in S5 = not much (certainly not at those prices!)

The prices are silly. If nokia and htc can keep their high end launches below 500 pounds or on 500 pounds then once taking jnto rrp reductions , they might actually start to eat into Samsungs market share.

Personally I think nokia and htc have pulled away in the quality and built department. Shame the m8 has a weak camera.
Brewster0101
The prices are silly. If nokia and htc can keep their high end launches below 500 pounds or on 500 pounds then once taking jnto rrp reductions , they might actually start to eat into Samsungs market share. Personally I think nokia and htc have pulled away in the quality and built department. Shame the m8 has a weak camera.
Unfortunately Amazon has the One-m8 at £529 and the RRP looks to be about the £550 mark. As you say, the camera has been singled out for some criticism - although most reviews I've seen damn it as being no better than the One-m7's, which I'm sure I'd heard was actually decent, but for the loss of the image stabilisation.

No, what really puts me off about the S5 is that Samsung's “value add” software is being pushed as the major advantage. And while I quite like TouchWiz on the surface, the “value add” features on the S3 left me a bit cold, so if all the S5 has to offer is more of the same then I'm not interested. Plus, the S5 is supposed to be visually similar to the S4 - and I've been put off of that phone … too slab-like and plasticy.

Sony Xperia Z2 looks interesting - especially given it's supposed to be quite close in interface to standard Android. Yes, I know, that's a “slab” too - but the Z1 looks a little less ugly than the S4. Making the best of a bad situation. :(

By the way, is it just me or is there something funny going on with EE's Google adverts? I've been doing some new phone searches and it keeps offering this “X for £13.99pm” ad for EE, but when you click through the price is ALWAYS invariably a LOT higher (e.g. £39.99pm). Misleading advert?
I would like to say i so agree with this one's opinion that “ The prices are silly. If nokia and htc can keep their high end launches below 500 pounds or on 500 pounds then once taking jnto rrp reductions , they might actually start to eat into Samsungs market share.

Personally I think nokia and htc have pulled away in the quality and built department. Shame the m8 has a weak camera ”