Samsung Galaxy S5 S-View Flip Cover review (Video)

When it comes to cases, there’s usually nothing better than first-party options. With the release of the Galaxy S5, Samsung launched a new set of accessories to protect and enhance the device. Samsung’s new S-View Flip Cover is designed with simplicity and functionality in mind, but is it worth the money?

The S-View Flip Cover is available in a handful of colors and also comes in a wireless charging version that adds Qi charging capabilities to the Galaxy S5. The main benefit of the S-View Flip Cover is to provide quick access to features and information without the need to unlock your device. Also, thanks to the Galaxy S5’s Super AMOLED display, the S-View Flip Cover may also help preserve battery life as the display is only required to light the pixels showing through the S-View window when in use.

Watch our Galaxy S5 S-View Flip Cover video review below:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoIbmWXJ5Jg]

Design

The build quality of this case is excellent. It’s made from a faux leather material with actual stitching along the edges. The S-View Flip Cover does add a little bulk to Galaxy S5, but some of that is cut down thanks to its implementation. The S-View case actually replaces the back battery cover on the Galaxy S5. It even includes a rubber gasket on the inside that will retain the S5’s IP67 dust and water resistance certification.

Being a first-party case, you won’t have to worry about any problems with the its fit. The cutouts for the camera, flash, and heart rate sensor are precise and the outer edges of the phone remain exposed, leaving quick access to the ports and buttons. The S-View’s window does tend to collect lint often, and because it’s plastic, it may scratch easier than the screen it’s protecting.

Features

Information like the date, time, weather, and pedometer data is available from the main screen through the S-View window and the wallpaper can be set to a custom image or any of the default selections available through the settings. Assorted notifications like phone calls, text messages, and alarms will appear within the S-View window when appropriate and may offer a level of simplicity that’s not available without the case. Along with that, you have the ability to sleep/wake the display with the cover.

If you receive a phone call, the S-View window will notify you and provide the option to answer/decline the call or respond with one of the customizable quick reply messages. If you choose to answer the call, you’ll find other options such as mute and speakerphone to manage the conversation.

When a text message is received, you’ll need to swipe left across the messages icon to view the notification panel. Here you’ll have the ability to view the message in full, call the sender, and dismiss the message notification. As mentioned above, the case does also give you the ability to quickly dismiss or snooze alarms as well. You also have access to music controls through the S-View window, but only if you’ve previously started the music before closing the cover.

From the S-View screen, you can swipe to the right and access the Galaxy S5’s rear camera. This special camera mode will take photos at a 1:1 aspect ratio with a resolution of 2,976 x 2,976 and are stored in a special “Cover Camera” folder within the Gallery app. The Cover Camera mode also allows you to control the flash and focus before taking photos, but you’ll need to open the cover and launch the camera app to access advanced features.

Final Thoughts

Overall, this is a high quality case. It’s definitely not the only case available for the S5 as we recently pointed out in our budget accessory roundup, but it does have the perfect blend of protection and features to compliment the Galaxy S5. The S-View Flip Cover will set you back $49.99 and the wireless charging version is priced at $69.99, but you can often find the standard version available at a discounted price here on Amazon.

So is it a worthy purchase? If you’re willing to spend $40 to $50 on a case, I highly doubt you’ll be disappointed with the S-View Flip Cover. It’s made from high quality materials and simplifies specific tasks on the Galaxy S5. If you’d like to find out more information check out Samsung’s official accessory page, or click here for pricing and availability.