Last updated: August 2026
The Galaxy S5 was the last of the old order — a removable battery, a microSD slot and water resistance, all at once. It dates from 2014 and is long past software support, but it is worth understanding what changed after it.
Why removable batteries disappeared
They were genuinely useful: carry a spare, swap it in seconds, replace it yourself when it wore out. Manufacturers dropped them anyway, for reasons that were not purely commercial:
- Water resistance is far harder with a removable back panel
- Sealed designs allow larger batteries in the same space — no housing or door needed
- Glass and metal bodies are not compatible with a snap-off back
The trade was real in both directions. You gained build quality and sealing; you lost the ability to fix the one component that reliably wears out.
What this means now
Battery replacement is still possible on modern phones — it is a workshop job rather than a pocket one. On any phone a few years old it is the single most cost-effective repair, restoring most of the original endurance for a fraction of a new handset.
The convenience was lost. The option was not.
The S5 itself
| Had | But |
|---|---|
| Removable battery | Past software support since long ago |
| microSD expansion | Apps will not run on this Android version |
| Water resistance | Seals degrade after a decade |
Do not buy one, and do not finance one. If you still have one working, treat it as a spare rather than a daily phone — and keep no banking apps on it.
See Galaxy S6, Galaxy S7, Galaxy S range, budget Android deals and SIM only deals.
Frequently asked questions
Why did removable batteries disappear?
Water resistance, larger battery capacity, and glass and metal bodies.
Can I still replace a phone battery?
Yes, as a workshop repair. It is the best-value fix on an older phone.
Is the S5 usable today?
Not as a daily phone. It is far past software support.
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This is general information, not financial advice.