Verizon Galaxy S5 Developer Edition now available directly from Samsung for $600

The Verizon variant of the Galaxy S5 may be having a little camera trouble, but depending on who you ask, this might not be the handset’s biggest issue. Although Android’s setup offers a lot of flexibility, Big Red’s version of Samsung new flagship ships with a locked bootloader. This makes it extremely difficult to take advantage custom ROMs and early software updates. Verizon locking down the Galaxy S5’s bootloader has become such an issue, a band of developers are offering a bounty (now over $11,000) to whoever can find an effective workaround to this problem.

If you’re tired of holding your breath waiting for someone to crack Big Red’s GS5, Samsung is offering a Developer Edition of the device for $600. Yes, it’s expensive, but it’s a sure thing. It’s also worth noting that it only comes in black and with the exception of being able to unlock its bootloader, the phone is exactly the same as what’s available from Verizon.

So if you’re a Verizon customer desperately wanting a Galaxy S5 with an unlockable bootloader, you now have an option. A very expensive option, but nevertheless, it’s a choice.