By Prince Osuagwu

Samsung’s latest flagship smart phone, the Galaxy S5, has been making the news since it was officially launched in Nigeria on April 16. The device comes packed with a new upgraded camera and a heart rate scanner, among other features.

Accolades have since been pouring in, with highly-respected gadget display calibrators, DisplayMate, describing the device as having the “best smart phone display ever tested’, even before its global roll-out on April 11.

But do these improvements justify discarding your current smart phone for the Galaxy S5? The choice is yours, but there are some unforgettable pointers to guide you along the right path.

A battery that lasts for a whole week with just a single charge
The Galaxy S5 features an ultra-power saving mode that shuts down all of the device’s key functions to allow you make the most of your last bit of battery power. When the charge on the device gets low and this mode is activated, the feature automatically transforms the colour display on the device to black and white, reducing background processes and limiting access to many apps.

According to the manufacturers, the Galaxy S5 can run for up to 24 hours on a 10 percent battery charge when the ultra power saving mode is activated. When it’s 100 percent, you’re talking about a week of ‘uninterrupted power supply.’

Dust and water resistance
You would probably have to buy a new device if you dropped your current phone in water, but with the Galaxy S5 can live to tell the tale after experiencing a dribble or a dip, with absolutely no residual problems. The device boasts IP67 certification, meaning that it is completely dust proof and can be submerged in up to one metre of water for up to 30 minutes. If you’re a swimmer or water-sport enthusiast you can even take photos under water if you wish.

Control access when sharing the Galaxy S5 with children
Nothing beats a smartphone game in quieting down a whining child, but the last thing you want is for an erroneous tap to lead to an embarrassing exchange where you to have to explain those 50 selfies with you in an uncompromising position to your colleagues!

With the Galaxy S5, there’s a unique “Kids’ Mode” feature that limits children’s access to just the applications that you label as being child-friendly. Giving up your selfies is now out of the question!

A fingerprint scanner that authorises payment
Most smart phones that boast of a fingerprint scanner probably don’t let you do anything interesting with the feature. Samsung’s fingerprint scanner boasts a partnership with PayPal, meaning you can actually use it to authorise payments on your device. What’s more, upcoming deals with other payment service providers will further expand the scanner’s utility as Samsung has announced that it is open to working with partners.