14 DAY TRIAL // Starting today, mobile phone users in the United States will be able to purchase the latest flagship Android-based device from South Korean mobile phone maker Samsung, none other than the Galaxy S5, though it seems that they will be in for a little surprise.
Previously, rumors suggested that AT&T might plan on removing one of the handset’s newly added features right from the start, namely the Download Booster, though it seems that it will not be the only carrier in the country to make such a move.
According to the latest reports on this, Sprint and Verizon Wireless will also disable the feature on their versions of the Samsung Galaxy S5 out of the box.
For those out of the loop, we should note that the functionality was included in the handset so as to provide users with the possibility to download files much faster. Apparently, it does so by using available Wi-Fi and LTE connections at the same time.
Fiercewireless reports that AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon have all confirmed that they opted out of the feature, it seems, though they did not offer specific details on what determined them to make such a decision.
According to SamMobile, it might have something to do with the usage of LTE data. Supposedly, they are trying to limit users from eating too much of it, though it is possible that they would want things the other way around, and that they don’t agree with offloading downloads to Wi-Fi connections.
As it turns out, T-Mobile, the fourth largest wireless carrier in the United States, was the only one to have left the feature untouched. In fact, it seems that it is touting the phone as including said Download Booster as one of its most appealing features.
Of course, the new Galaxy S5 arrives on shelves with a great deal of other capabilities packed inside too, and many users will grab it regardless of whether it comes with the Download Booster or not.
For those out of the loop, we should note that the phone sports a 5.1-inch full HD touchscreen display, along with a 2.5GHz processor inside, 2GB of RAM, and a 16-megapixel camera on the back, with 4K video recording. The handset runs under Android 4.4.2 KitKat.
Starting today, the Samsung Galaxy S5 will be up for grabs in the United States through various retailers and carriers, so let us know whether you plan on making a purchase and what carrier you will go for.