Google Nexus 5 vs Samsung Galaxy S5
A spec-by-spec comparison of the Google Nexus 5 and the Samsung Galaxy S5, taken from their full specification sheets. Green marks the better value in each measured row.
Head to head
| Google Nexus 5 | Samsung Galaxy S5 |
|---|
| Our rating | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| Battery | 2,300 mAh | 2,800 mAh |
| Storage (max) | 32 GB | 128 GB |
| Screen size | 4.95 in | 5.1 in |
| Main camera | 8 MP | 16 MP |
| Weight (lower is lighter) | 130 g | 145 g |
| Released | Oct 2013 | Apr 2014 |
Summary: Google Nexus 5 is ahead on weight (lower is lighter). Samsung Galaxy S5 is ahead on battery, storage (max), screen size, main camera.
★ Which should you buy? Samsung Galaxy S5 is the stronger overall pick on the measured specs.
Researched with AI assistance by infozme.com from manufacturer and retailer sources — see how we research & rate phones.
Display
| Google Nexus 5 | Samsung Galaxy S5 |
|---|
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Size | 4.95 inches (marketed as 5-inch) | 5.1 inches |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels | 1080 x 1920 pixels (Full HD) |
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Pixel Density | 445 ppi | — |
Platform
| Google Nexus 5 | Samsung Galaxy S5 |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 (MSM8974) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 (LTE version) or Exynos 5 Octa 5422 (3G version) |
| CPU | Quad-core 2.26 GHz Krait 400 | Quad-core 2.5 GHz Krait 400 (Snapdragon 801) |
| GPU | Adreno 330, 450 MHz | Adreno 330 (Snapdragon 801) |
| OS | Original: Android 4.4 KitKat; Upgradable to Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow | Android 4.4.2 KitKat, upgradable to Android 6.0 Marshmallow |
Memory
| Google Nexus 5 | Samsung Galaxy S5 |
|---|
| RAM | 2GB LPDDR3 | 2GB |
| Internal Storage | 16GB or 32GB | — |
| Card slot | No | microSDXC, up to 128GB |
| Internal | — | 16GB or 32GB |
Main Camera
| Google Nexus 5 | Samsung Galaxy S5 |
|---|
| Modules | 8 MP | — |
| Features | f/2.4 aperture, 1/3.2" sensor size, 1.4µm pixel size, Autofocus, Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), LED flash | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 2160p@30fps (4K), 1080p@60fps, 720p@120fps, HDR |
| Single | — | 16 MP, f/2.2, 31mm (standard), 1/2.6", 1.12µm, PDAF |
Selfie Camera
| Google Nexus 5 | Samsung Galaxy S5 |
|---|
| Modules | 1.3 MP | — |
| Features | f/2.4 aperture, 1/6" sensor size, 1.9µm pixel size | — |
| Single | — | 2 MP, f/2.4, 22mm (wide) |
| Video | — | 1080p@30fps |
Battery
| Google Nexus 5 | Samsung Galaxy S5 |
|---|
| Type | Non-removable Li-Po | Removable Li-Ion |
| Capacity | 2300 mAh | 2800 mAh |
| Charging | 5W wired | 5W wired |
| Talk time | Up to 17 hours | — |
| Standby time | Up to 300 hours | — |
| Internet use | Up to 8.5 hours on Wi-Fi, up to 7 hours on LTE | — |
Body
| Google Nexus 5 | Samsung Galaxy S5 |
|---|
| Dimensions | 137.9 x 69.2 x 8.6 mm (5.43 x 2.72 x 0.34 in) | 142 x 72.5 x 8.1 mm (5.59 x 2.85 x 0.31 in) |
| Weight | 130 g (4.59 oz) | 145 g (5.11 oz) |
| Build | Polycarbonate back, ceramic buttons | Plastic body, textured rear cover |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| IP Rating | — | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
Comms
| Google Nexus 5 | Samsung Galaxy S5 |
|---|
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Bluetooth | 4.0 (with A2DP) | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE |
| GPS | Yes, with A-GPS, GLONASS | Yes, with A-GPS, GLONASS |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Radio | No | — |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 (SlimPort) | microUSB 3.0 (MHL 2 TV-out), OTG |
| Infrared port | — | Yes |
Launch
| Google Nexus 5 | Samsung Galaxy S5 |
|---|
| Announced | October 31, 2013 | February 24, 2014 |
| Status | Discontinued (production ended December 2014) | — |
| OS at launch | Android 4.4 KitKat | — |
| Latest OS update | Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow | — |
| Released | — | April 11, 2014 |
Frequently asked questions
Which has the better battery, Google Nexus 5 or Samsung Galaxy S5?
Samsung Galaxy S5 — 2,300 mAh for the Google Nexus 5 versus 2,800 mAh for the Samsung Galaxy S5.
Which is lighter, Google Nexus 5 or Samsung Galaxy S5?
Google Nexus 5 — 130 g for the Google Nexus 5 versus 145 g for the Samsung Galaxy S5.
Which is newer, Google Nexus 5 or Samsung Galaxy S5?
Samsung Galaxy S5 — Oct 2013 for the Google Nexus 5 versus Apr 2014 for the Samsung Galaxy S5.
Is the Google Nexus 5 or the Samsung Galaxy S5 rated higher?
We rate the Google Nexus 5 7/10 and the Samsung Galaxy S5 7/10.
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