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Verizon Wireless subscribers who tend to tinker around with their Android handsets have a new option to consider: the Samsung Galaxy S5 Developer Edition. We’ve known about Samsung’s plans to release the dev version of the phone — complete with unlockable bootloader — since the phone popped up on Samsung’s site earlier this month. Today, it’s now officially available from Samsung and retailing for $600 (same as the full priced “regular” model).
The GS5 Developer Edition comes with everything on display on Verizon Wireless store shelves (read: bloatware), only you wont have to jump through any hoops when it comes to rooting the phone for the easy installation of custom recoveries and/or ROMs. Keep in mind that the Developer Edition is only available in black, and is the 16GB version of the device. Those interested can buy direct from Samsung via the link below.
Why would anyone buy this?
Who wants to pay full price for a phone and the highest price for service? I guess if you live in a place with no other options maybe.
If you really have to ask that question you probably need a iPhone.
Why would that be?
I only buy unlocked phones, both bootloader and network.
Only folks stuck on verizon would want this, otherwise buy and unlocked S5 and take it to T mobile or AT&T or a MVNO.
We’re not “stuck” on Verizon, we simply choose to have the best LTE network in the US with unlimited data (grandfathered of course). And with the right employer discount my bill is likely still less than yours on a sub par network.
As someone who had such a discount and grandfathered data, I assure you that you are wrong. I was on the family 500 with unlimited on two lines.
This does not even include that you now have to pay $650 for a phone to keep that unlimited plan. That makes the pricing even worse. Plus having to buy a VZW dev device that cannot be sold for a decent price when you are done with it. Assuming unlocked bootloaders are important to you, which it must be since you commented on an article about dev devices.
True but can’t imagine wasting money on this over a Nexus 5 anyway, unless you really need IP67.
Drop your phone in a mud puddle and see if you feel the same way.
You clearly have no idea how phone subsidies work or the lease to own.
Paying full price for the phone is the better deal in the long run and you’re not tied to a bs two year contract
Duh, which is why I said what I did.
So buy an unlocked GSM S5 and be done with it.
Samsung always appears unique against Iphone, so that Samsung attract different group of people, but they ignore something basic, like battery, some people still need external charger to keep enough power, why couldn’t Samsung improve battery power capacity? But it’s an opportunity for some company like : WIWOFIT 3500mAh External Rechargeable Backup Battery Power Bank Charger Case with USB and Kick Stand for Samsung Galaxy S5
I am pretty
much satisfied with my three weeks old Galaxy S5 and now don’t want to waste my
hard earned money on this developer edition. I could say that I am a proud
owner of Galaxy S5, with impressive features like water resistant body, easy to
handle dotted back case, Touch Wiz, heart sensor, and its 2800mAh battery that
once fully charged on wireless charger runs all day long. In short, a masterpiece
from world’s number 1 Smartphone maker!