Samsung S5 Radio/MP3 Player - Design
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The original K5 had dimensions of 3.8 in x 1.8 in x 0.7 in. Its weight was 3.7 oz. So basically, while the K5 was still small enough to be considered "handheld," it was much heavier than its competitors. That’s why so many people felt somewhat disappointed. Sure, they had an innovative way to listen to MP3s, but they had to sacrifice portability in the process.
Well, that’s no longer the case with the Samsung S5. With dimensions of 1.9 in x 0.7 in x 3.8 in, and a weight of 2.8 oz, it is only slightly thicker than its competitors. And in terms of length, it is around the same size. So, you should have no problems transporting the device, whether it’s in your pants pocket, in your purse, or even in your hand.
Once you are ready to use the device, you will be greeted with a very user-friendly interface. Consisting of just six keys (the directional arrows, a play/pause button and a menu button), the Samsung S5 won’t overwhelm customers who are not very technical. Additionally, all of these keys are touch-sensitive, which might be impressive to those who are gung-ho about that type of technology. If you aren’t, the Samsung S5’s interface will take some time to get used to, since you won’t find any old-fashioned, tactile buttons.
Of course, keep in mind that if the device did have tactile buttons, it wouldn’t have the ability to make them glow. This is what happens to the S5’s keys once you touch the interface. Such a feature makes it easier to manipulate the MP3 player in darker environments. However, this is not necessarily the case if you’re using the device where there’s a lot of sunlight. You’ll still be able to see everything; it just won’t be as clear.
There is another disadvantage associated with the Samsung S5’s interface. Unlike many of its competitors, the Samsung S5 does not have any dedicated volume keys or buttons. This can be extremely annoying for consumers who like the convenience such buttons bring when one wants to turn up the volume on the fly.
On the up side, the S5’s layout allows you to operate the device horizontally or vertically, a feature that is very powerful, considering the device’s innovation. Why would I say this? Well, if you operate the device horizontally, you can take advantage of the S5’s unique speaker setup. On the other hand, if you would prefer to use it for your own personal listening, you can operate the S5 vertically… just like any other MP3 player.
As far as design choices, you can opt to get the Samsung S5 in black or white. Both operate the same, though in my personal opinion the keys are not as clear on the white model. Take a look at the picture below to judge for yourself.
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