The Samsung Galaxy S5 is an excellent handset, but it may get an upgraded version soon. A KGI analyst predicted that there would not only be a Galaxy S5 “Standard,” but also a Galaxy S5 “Prime.” The Galaxy S5 Prime would be more powerful than its sibling, though it has yet to materialize in any meaningful way. However, rumors of the device’s existence and impending announcement continue to spread.

Updated on 04-28-2014 by Andy Boxall: Added in new reports on alternative names for the S5 Prime, plus more news on the specs, and a possible launch date.

Uncertainty surrounds the name, will it be the Prime?

While we’ve been referring to the higher spec phone as the Galaxy S5 Prime, there’s no indication this name will stick when (and if) it ever goes on sale. Other reports have said the phone is known internally as Project K, or alternatively, Project KQ. While this could be another codename, it’s interesting to note Samsung may call its Galaxy S4 Zoom replacement the Galaxy K Zoom, or an approximation of it. There’s also the chance the S5 Prime is linked to the long-standing rumor of a metal-bodied Galaxy F.

When does Samsung plan to launch the phone?

A report in the Korean media says Samsung is aiming for a June announcement for the phone. This isn’t official, but it does sound plausible. LG is expected to launch the G3 smartphone around the same time, and the two phones may share very similar specifications. Samsung and LG went head-to-head with flexible phones last year, and this year could be the battle for who comes out on top with 1440p displays.

How about the S5 Prime’s spec list?

Spotted on Indian import site Zauba, a posted manifest reveals four SM-G906K – believed to be the S5 Prime’s model number – units as having been shipped from South Korea for “R&D purposes.” We’ve also seen a similarly-named version of the handset, the SM-G906S, at GFXBench. Having since been taken down, the test revealed the main hardware for the latter version of the handset.

Galaxy S5 Prime specs:
    • 5.2-inch 2560 x 1440 display
    • 2.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 processor
    • Adreno 420 GPU
    • 3GB of RAM
    • 32GB of storage
    • 16-megapixel camera
    • 2-megapixel front-facing camera
    • Android 4.4.2 KitKat

Unfortunately, other than the device’s model number, the import site doesn’t reveal much else. Keep in mind that this kind of movement is routine for companies that test handsets with different carrier specifications, so it might not be indicative of a forthcoming release.

An anonymous source chatting to the Korean media has also discussed the phone’s specification. A 5.2-inch, 2560 x 1440 pixel display is once again mentioned, along with a hint Samsung will follow its usual strategy of releasing region-specific hardware. This often relates only to the processor, and it’s suggested the Korean version will use Samsung’s own, brand new octa-core Exynos 5430 chip.

Other possible features include a co-processor for managing audio encoding, decoding, and equalization, plus the introduction of Intel LTE chip on the international model.

Will it be Samsung’s first Galaxy with a metal body?

The Galaxy S5 Prime, or whatever it’ll be called, will reportedly be a premium version of the current Galaxy S5, encased in a metal body rather than the plastic Samsung usually opts for its handsets. We’ve been hearing about Samsung’s plans to introduce a phone not made of plastic for a while, and the rumors were previously linked to the Galaxy F.

Whether the mysterious phone makes its way to market as an LG G3 challenger, or if the components and design end up being used on a future Samsung device such as the Galaxy Note 4 is still an unknown. Samsung’s Mobile supremo J.K. Shin said in an interview there was “no such thing” as a premium version of the Galaxy S5, but confirmed the Galaxy Note 4 would arrive later in the year. Of course, this doesn’t mean Samsung won’t introduce another high-end range of Galaxy devices.

Author: Williams Pelegrin
Citing Sources: http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/galaxy-s5-prime-specs-features-news/#!GbYba