Samsung unveils Galaxy S5, to be priced above Rs 51,000

Launch price of S5 is Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000 higher than the launch price of Galaxy S4

Samsung Electronics, on Thursday, unveiled its flagship and highest priced smart phone Galaxy S5 in India. The device, which will be priced between Rs 51,000 and Rs 53,000, will be available in retail market from 11 April, while pre-booking would start on 29 March.

The launch price of Samsung's Galaxy S5 is Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000 higher than the launch price of Galaxy S4 that was unveiled about a year ago.

In this price segment, Samsung's latest device will have to compete with Sony Xperia Z2 and HTC One M8, which are expected to be launched in India in mid-April and are expected to be priced in the same range. Besides, there is Apple's iPhone 5S.

To take on the existing and upcoming rival devices, Samsung has included dust and water resistant which Sony's Xperia line carries. It also has a fingerprint scanner, similar to the one on the Apple's iPhone 5S.

Overall, Samsung has taken the useful and necessary features from Sony and Apple's devices and integrated those into its latest bet - Galaxy S5. The S5 comes with a bigger screen, but design-wise, is very similar to the Note 3. Galaxy S5 is all plastic but the devices with maximum possible applications, including those of health-related applications like heart sensor.

While Samsung will find buyers, including the existing Galaxy users wanting to upgrade, it won't be the first choice of the consumers.

"The 5 pillars are design, camera, speed, stay fit and life," Vineet Taneja, Country Head, IT & Mobile Division at Samsung India, said pointing out that consumers want a good-looking phone, a phone with a great camera, a phone that's fast and phone that can help them stay fit. The S5 runs on the latest Android KitKat with the slightly tweaked Touch Wiz UI, and comes with Knox which will keep data secure.

Samsung has also launched Galaxy Gear Fit, a fitness band that doubles up as a smart watch. Priced at Rs 15,900, it will be available in India from April 11. Samsung is also launching Galaxy Gear 2, which will cost Rs 21,900 and Galaxy Gear 2 Neo that will cost over Rs 15,900.