Galaxy S5 Vs Iphone 6 Plus In Current Year Was Upgrading Really Worth It

It’s been nearly a decade since the Samsung Galaxy S5 and Apple iPhone 6 Plus launched—two flagship devices that defined mobile experiences in 2014. At the time, choosing between them felt like picking sides in a tech war: Android flexibility versus iOS polish, customization versus simplicity. But now, in 2024, both phones are long past their prime. Yet some users still rely on them or consider buying one secondhand due to low cost. So, is upgrading from either device—or choosing between them today—actually worth it? The answer isn’t just about specs; it's about real-world functionality, security, app support, and daily usability.

The State of Legacy Devices in 2024

By modern standards, both the Galaxy S5 and iPhone 6 Plus are obsolete. Neither receives official software updates. Samsung ended major OS updates for the S5 in 2017, with security patches stopping shortly after. Apple extended support for the iPhone 6 Plus longer than most Android devices of its era, delivering updates up to iOS 12.5.7—which was released as late as January 2023 for security fixes—but even that has now ceased.

Without updates, these phones are vulnerable to unpatched exploits. Modern apps increasingly drop support for older operating systems. For example, WhatsApp stopped functioning on iPhones running iOS 10 or earlier by late 2023. Google services like Maps and Gmail still work but may load slowly or lack features. Even basic web browsing can be frustrating due to outdated browser engines that don't support modern JavaScript or encryption standards.

“Devices more than seven years old struggle not because of hardware alone, but because the ecosystem moves on.” — David Lin, Mobile Infrastructure Analyst at TechTrend Insights

Performance Comparison: Then vs. Now

In 2014, the Galaxy S5 featured a Snapdragon 801 (or Exynos 5422 depending on region), 2GB RAM, and a 5.1-inch 1080p display. The iPhone 6 Plus used Apple’s A8 chip, 1GB RAM, and a slightly larger 5.5-inch 1080p screen with optical image stabilization—a rarity at the time. Back then, the iPhone often outperformed the S5 in real-world responsiveness despite lower RAM, thanks to iOS optimization.

Fast forward to 2024, and neither phone handles multitasking smoothly. Apps take seconds to open, switching between them causes reloads, and background processes are aggressively killed. The S5’s plastic build and removable battery once offered practicality, but now its aging battery health rarely lasts through half a day. The iPhone 6 Plus suffers similarly—its battery degrades significantly over time, and replacement parts are harder to source reliably.

Tip: If you're still using either device, disable animations and background app refresh to eke out minimal performance gains.

Detailed Feature Comparison (2024 Usability)

Feature	Galaxy S5	iPhone 6 Plus
Last OS Version	Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow)	iOS 12.5.7
Current App Compatibility	Limited – many apps no longer install	Slightly better, but declining fast
Battery Life (Today)	3–4 hours screen-on time (if functional)	2.5–3.5 hours (with degraded battery)
Security Updates	None since 2017	None since early 2023
Camera Quality (Current Use)	Marginal in good light; poor low-light	Better color accuracy; weak in motion
Repair & Parts Availability	Widely available, inexpensive	Declining; higher cost for quality parts

The table shows that while the iPhone 6 Plus had longer software support, both devices now sit in the same category: functionally limited and insecure for daily use.

Real-World Case: Sarah’s Upgrade Dilemma

Sarah, a freelance writer in Portland, used her iPhone 6 Plus for eight years. She delayed upgrading due to budget constraints and satisfaction with basic functionality—calls, texts, email, and occasional web searches. By early 2024, she found herself unable to log into her banking app, which required biometric authentication unsupported on iOS 12. Her Gmail became sluggish, and she missed deadlines because calendar alerts failed to sync.

She considered switching to a used Galaxy S5, thinking Android might offer better value. After testing one, she found the experience worse: inconsistent app behavior, constant crashes, and no fingerprint reliability. Ultimately, she invested in a modern budget phone—a $150 Android device with three years of guaranteed updates. The difference was immediate: faster responses, secure logins, reliable notifications, and access to cloud tools essential for her work.

Sarah’s story reflects a broader truth: clinging to legacy devices may save money short-term but costs in productivity, security, and peace of mind.

Step-by-Step: Evaluating Whether to Upgrade

If you’re still using a Galaxy S5 or iPhone 6 Plus, follow this timeline to assess your next move:

1. Test Core Apps (Day 1): Open your banking, email, social media, and navigation apps. Note crashes, slow loading, or login failures.
2. Check Battery Health (Day 2): Use built-in diagnostics (iOS) or third-party apps (Android). If battery holds less than 60% of original capacity, replacement won’t justify cost.
3. Review Security Needs (Day 3): Are you storing passwords, using two-factor authentication, or accessing sensitive data? Outdated OS = high risk.
4. Research Entry-Level Upgrades (Day 4): Look at phones under $200 with recent OS versions and update guarantees (e.g., Samsung A-series, Google Pixel A-series).
5. Plan Transition (Day 5): Backup data, transfer accounts, and prepare for migration. Avoid waiting until the device fails completely.

Tip: Sell or recycle your old device before upgrading—even non-functional units have scrap value.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still use WhatsApp on a Galaxy S5 or iPhone 6 Plus?

No. As of late 2023, WhatsApp requires Android 5.0+ or iOS 12+, but newer app versions demand updated APIs. Even if installed, syncing messages and media fails frequently due to deprecated protocols.

Is it safe to use these phones for online banking?

Not recommended. Without security patches, malware can exploit known vulnerabilities. Keyloggers and phishing attacks are undetectable on outdated systems. Modern phones include hardware-level protections these lack.

Are there any benefits to keeping these models today?

Only in niche cases: as emergency backup phones, for kids with restricted usage, or in regions with limited connectivity where lightweight devices perform adequately. Otherwise, drawbacks far outweigh benefits.

Upgrade Checklist: Making the Move Wisely

• ✅ Confirm your current phone no longer receives updates
• ✅ List essential apps and verify they run on modern OS versions
• ✅ Set a realistic budget ($150–$300 covers capable entry-level devices)
• ✅ Choose a phone with at least two years of promised updates
• ✅ Backup contacts, photos, and documents before switching
• ✅ Recycle or resell your old device responsibly

Conclusion: Letting Go for Real Progress

The emotional attachment to a long-used device is understandable. The Galaxy S5 and iPhone 6 Plus were milestones in smartphone evolution—durable, innovative for their time, and deeply integrated into users’ lives. But technology’s purpose is to serve us efficiently and securely. Holding onto hardware that can’t meet today’s digital demands undermines that goal.

Upgrading isn’t about chasing trends. It’s about enabling communication, protecting personal data, and participating fully in a connected world. For less than the price of a monthly subscription service, you can gain years of reliable performance, camera quality that captures life clearly, and an interface that responds instantly—not after a five-second delay.

🚀 Take action today: Test your device, acknowledge its limits, and commit to a responsible upgrade. Your future self will thank you for the speed, safety, and sanity it brings.