The fingerprint scanner is the most improved aspect of the Galaxy S5 following the Android 5.0 update. Pre-Lollipop, the scanner was an utter hinderance that required multiple attempts to unlock phone. Failing it three times forced you to enter a backup pin to unlock the screen and this occurred all too often.
Post-update, the scanner is significantly more responsive and doesn’t require such a rigid swipe to unlock your phone. Now a natural thumb swipe across the home button opens the phone – it’s almost as slick as the TouchID scanner in the iPhone 5S and iPhone 6, or the new scanner on the Galaxy S6. Almost.
The Galaxy S5 now features Smart Lock, which can keep device unlocked under certain circumstances, such as your location, when approved devices are connected or while it’s being carried. A great use of this feature is you don’t have to turn off your security when you’re at home, if you set home as a Trusted Location, you won’t have to unlock your phone within 100 metres of where you live.