I was a bit underwhelmed with the design of the Galaxy S5, but apparently it is causing more of a fiasco than I would have thought. Samsung has already ousted the guy who headed up the design of it, due to the lackluster response to the new model. It was a bit too much like previous models, imo, but it wasn't hideously ugly either. I am kind of surprised at some of the backlash that it got upon it's release - with people nitpicking about the tiniest little things.
I don't think a phone *has* to be made of metal in order to be considered a "premium" phone or a "high quality" exterior. In fact, one of the previous Samsung clamshell phones I had several years ago which was made in a Magnesium alloy frame had all sorts of problems with losing signals because of the metal casing, to the point where they had to re-release the model in a plastic frame. The iPhones have also had their fair share of interference problems due to the metal casings. Not to mention metal cases dent and scratch and chip a *lot* easier. I would much rather have a more durable, nice looking, plastic case, such as the Kevlar based ones Motorola was using on some of their phones. Give me some Kevlar and some Gorilla Glass with a few metal buttons and I'm thrilled.
But back to the Galaxy S5, it looks like some retailers are already trying to unload it - Best Buy just started an offer where you can get it for $50 if you turn in your old phone - so that sounds like too good of a deal to pass up.