Galaxy S5 Specs: Samsung Secures Suppliers for Device's Metal Casing
Various rumors regarding the Samsung Galaxy S5 specs have pointed to the device coming with metal casing on its exterior.
This design was recently confirmed by a Japanese publication known as EMSOnes that claims Samsung has already secured suppliers for the cases. One of these companies will be Catcher Technologies, who also helped craft the outside of the recently launched iPad.
Catcher will produce somewhere between 10 to 30 million units, according to the report. Initial shipments are expected to arrive at Samsung later this month. The Chinese company BYD and Taiwanese company Jo Teng will function as secondary suppliers for the components on the device.
None of these partnerships have been officially confirmed at this time, so all these rumors should be taken with a grain of salt.
The Galaxy S5 is also expected to feature a camera with a 16-megapixel Isocell sensor that will be manufactured by its System LSI division, Korean IT news portal ETNews confirmed.
Unfortunately, Samsung will not be able to equip the handset with optical image stabilization due to the company's inability to secure the 50 million actuators required for the production of a device with this technology.
It will not be available at the level that Samsung needs it at until the second half of next year, leaving them with the task of finding another selling point for the next-gen flagship. More megapixels seems to be the route the company is taking as its System LSI division will be producing 13MP and 16MP Isocell sensors starting in the beginning of next year. Sony will supply Samsung with 20-megapixel sensors starting the second half of 2014.
Sony is currently manufacturing 20.7-megapixel sensors for its Xperia Z1 handset. This same camera could end up on the next-gen Galaxy Note, which will most likely be available in the fall of 2014.