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Upgrade, or not to Upgrade?

D

derekellis

Newbie
I am still running the Samsung Galaxy S5. Phone has been in an Otter box since the day after i bought it.

Is the S5 still good enough that it could be held out for some more time? Or has the new models advanced that its worth it to get the S8 or possible S9?
 
If it does everything you need a phone to do, then there is no reason to toss it just because it's outdated. The only thing that I might suggest is to replace the battery since that's most likely to be degraded where it affects your user experience.
 
There you go. :)

I looked over the specs and it's still a viable device, so I wouldn't worry about it. Newer models will be faster, bigger and even prettier, but making a call, sending a text or getting directions won't be that much better.
 
I would keep the phone, if like me you like to be able to change a faulty battery or even carry a spare one in your pocket you won't be able to do that with the new rubbish they are trying to con us into buying now. For all the manufacturers say about built in batteries being better there is is only one reason they like them and that's because when the battery goes the phone is obsolete and you buy a new one. Phil
 
After Galaxy S5 there is no Samsung upgrade path to follow if you are a wise consumer.
I would never buy a phone that I can not replace battery by my self.
I would never trash a 700$ or more expensive phone, because it battery not working properly any more.

Galaxy S5 still is CPU power efficient, best screen in the market, Android 6 and compatible with any apps out there.
Battery replacement less than 20$.
By adding screen protection and Samsung S-view wireless, this phone becomes an asset and a keeper up to 2022.
 
Kiriakos_GR said:
After Galaxy S5 there is no Samsung upgrade path to follow if you are a wise consumer.
I would never buy a phone that I can not replace battery by my self.
I would never trash a 700$ or more expensive phone, because it battery not working properly any more.

Galaxy S5 still is CPU power efficient, best screen in the market, Android 6 and compatible with any apps out there.
Battery replacement less than 20$.
By adding screen protection and Samsung S-view wireless, this phone becomes an asset and a keeper up to 2022.
Click to expand...
Have to agree 100% with that statement, although it is getting harder by the day to find one. Phil
 
Kiriakos_GR said:
I would never buy a phone that I can not replace battery by my self.
Click to expand...

My wife has an S7 Edge and the OEM battery became swollen about a month out of warranty. Samsung wanted $90 plus shipping to fix it. I got a battery kit on Amazon for less that $20 and did it myself. It certainly wasn't as easy as sliding open a battery compartment and unplugging one battery for another, but it wasn't all the difficult if you're careful.

I know most of the flagship phones have sealed backs, but it doesn't mean you can't replace things yourself.
 
Hi, the reason I like to be able to replace the battery is not so much replacing a dud battery but to be able to carry a fully charged one in my pocket and just pop it in the phone if needed in about one minute, they are nice and slim unlike these battery booster things. I have never put my phone on charge since I bought it, I have a wall charger and a spare battery that is always charged and just swap it over before I leave the house, then put the other one on charge. Phil
 
Still using the S5, just recently did the update to 6.0 (lost root, boohoo). I've replaced the battery a few times, currently on an Anker battery that's been holding up well. I plan to keep it going for a while, I like the size, replaceable battery, IR blaster, the list goes on.
 
lunatic59 said:
I know most of the flagship phones have sealed backs, but it doesn't mean you can't replace things yourself.
Click to expand...

Top feature of S5 this is be water resistant, any DIY repair will sacrifice this feature which is essential to me.
Few year back I lost one good phone because water came in my pocket of my rainproof jacket, this was a 350 Euro worth Sony- Ericsson first generation with 3G -Bluetooth and Internet.
With S5 G900F I feel safe indoor and outdoor, it is most armed mobile companion that I ever had. :-)
 
philayl said:
Have to agree 100% with that statement, although it is getting harder by the day to find one. Phil
Click to expand...
For us staying in Europe there is several opportunities at German Ebay.
Several good people and careful owners whom respected their phone and this is shiny and intact, their selling them now and most bids stop at 100 Euro.

Two years ago I got my S5 from Germany with 240 Euro bid, just the phone and one 64GB memory card, the phone was legal & never repaired, and I got written receipt this verifying that I am the new owner of the specific phone / serial number.
This receipt does not measure as warranty, but I requested it so to be able to retrieve my phone if ever be stolen and delivered to local police department.

This seller left speechless after such unique request but he did print and signed such receipt just for me.
 
Keep it if it does what you want. Regarding replaceable batteries, I have several phones (Jellybean up to Marshmallow) wit replaceable batteries - currently used variously as satnav and running torque with an OBD-ii dongle and as IP security cams, or music player. I have a Huawei P8 Lite (2017) on Nougat 7.0 with a non replaceable battery (but at GBP129 it's cheap enough to junk when the battery dies) even though I hate the waste.
 
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