The Google Play Edition Galaxy S5 is one step closer to release

Galaxy-S5-Google-Play-Edition

There are lots of things I love about the Galaxy S5, but one thing that lets it down is its TouchWiz software. Samsung bakes in so many tweaks and modifications that it’s noticeably slower than stock Android, and filled to the brim with stuff (crap) no one ever wants or needs.

Fortunately, that won’t be the case with the Google Play Edition device, which will run pure Android 4.4 KitKat exactly as Google intended. And after picking up its Bluetooth SIG certificate today, it should be too long before this device hits the Play Store.

The Google Play Edition device is believed to be one of two Galaxy S5 variants certified by Bluetooth SIG; the other is the much-anticipated Galaxy S5 Prime. The respective model numbers for these devices are “SM-G900FG” and “SM-G906L.”

The Bluetooth SIG documents don’t shed any light on specifications, unfortunately, but the Google Play Edition Galaxy S5 will almost certainly be identical to the original when it comes to both design and specifications. Like other GPE devices, it will simply have its software stripped away in favor of stock Android.

We first got an indication that the GPE Galaxy S5 was on the way when Google accidentally published a picture (above) of the handset on the Play Store — in place of a picture of the Galaxy S4. It was quickly removed, but of course, it had already made its way around the Internet.

As for the Galaxy S5 Prime, that’s expected to be a more premium Galaxy device. In addition to a metal form factor, it could have a sharper and slightly larger 2K display, Qualcomm’s faster Snapdragon 805 processor, 3GB of RAM, and LTE-Advanced connectivity.