An unannounced Samsung smartphone with model number SM-C115 has just dropped by the FCC and it is most likely the Galaxy S5 Zoom camera-centric handset.
The Samsung Galaxy S5 has already leaked on several occasions and a recent benchmark leak offered more details regarding the handset's purported specs. Now, it seems the upcoming device has reached the FCC, which is usually the last step ahead of its official debut.
The FCC has approved the Samsung smartphone with model number SM-C115, and previous reports have indicated that the model number is for the Samsung Galaxy S5 Zoom.
Last year, Samsung launched its Galaxy S4 flagship and then released several spinoffs, including Galaxy S4 Mini, Galaxy S4 Active, and Galaxy S4 Zoom models. With this year's Galaxy S5 flagship, Samsung was not expected to release as many variants because the original smartphone is already quite powerful. It already has IP67 certification for dust- and water-resistance, which would eliminate the need for a more rugged "Active" version, and it also boasts a high-end camera that would suffice without needing a separate "Zoom" model.
Nevertheless, both the Galaxy S5 Zoom and S5 Active variants of the new flagship have leaked online, and now more evidence supports the imminent launch of the camera-centric model.
The FCC listing confirms that the Samsung SM-C115 supports NFC and LTE connectivity, although it only lists LTE bands 2 and 5. As PhoneArena points out, these LTE bands are not widely used in the U.S.
The purported Samsung Galaxy S5 Zoom had previously leaked in an image allegedly showing the back of the device, and it falls in line with the FCC diagram for the SM-C115 model.
Judging by Samsung's strategy from last year, the Galaxy S5 Zoom should boast a powerful rear camera for photography enthusiasts. The Galaxy S5 Zoom is expected to feature a 20.1-megapixel shooter with 10x optical zoom, optical image stabilization (OIS), and Xenon flash. Otherwise, this version will likely not sport all of the high-end features found on the standard Galaxy S5.
In terms of specs, the Samsung Galaxy S5 Zoom is rumored to have a 4.8-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels, pack Samsung's new Exynos 5 Hexa processor with 2GB of RAM, and run Android 4.4 KitKat out of the box.
Samsung has yet to announce this Galaxy S5 Zoom variant, and it remains unclear at this point when the camera-centric model will make its official debut. Last year, the Galaxy S4 Zoom arrived three months after the flagship's launch, but Samsung may speed things up this year. We'll keep you up to date as soon as we learn more.
