Samsung's flagship Galaxy S5--the Next Big Thing, if they are to be believed--is finally available today following positive reviews for the device earlier this week. The phone retails alone for $650, and is available for the standard $200 with a two-year contract.
The S5 is the most powerful phone on the market, and will likely remain that way. The HTC One M8 is neck-and-neck with the S5 in most departments, but is edged by Samsung's slightly more powerful processing and superior camera.
Many still claim the One M8 is the superior phone, however. Its fully metal body and great performance have garnered a lot of praise in reviews, and it innovates more than the S5 which is largely a suped-up version of the S4.
Many reviews found it hard to recommend the S5 to someone who already has the S4, and those looking to buy will probably know what to expect based on the previous Galaxy phones. That said, it received endorsements and high scores from most publications regardless, simply because it works very well and looks better than past Galaxy devices.
There are various pricing models from AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint that allow you to pay for the phone n a subscription basis, rather than up front. Verizon is not offering that deal, but ran a promotion for a free S5 or One M8 with your purchase of one S5.
CNET reports no waiting lines for the S5's launch, but states that this doesn't mean the phone will not sell well. There have been strong pre-orders, and Samsung's marketing nearly ensures the phone will be a hit. Apple, for example, limits the supply of its devices at launches, creating demand and lines at its retail stores (which Samsung also does not have). Pick up your S5 today if you're interested, or add it to your line when your contract expires.