Connect with us

Samsung Galaxy S6 EDGE Review: The Best Android Phone Money Can Buy

Featured

Samsung Galaxy S6 EDGE Review: The Best Android Phone Money Can Buy

The Samsung Galaxy S6 EDGE is perhaps the finest Android handset we’ve EVER tested.

Perhaps it was inevitable. After years of putting out competetive and well-received Galaxy S flagships which successfully took the fight to arch-rival Apple’s doorstep, Samsung underestimated the market and its competitors, and overestimated its own abilities when it put out the Galaxy S5 in early 2014. The handset was met largely with indifference and didn’t sell very well at all, leading to a bit of a shake-up inside the Korean tech giant and a back to the drawing board approach for the so-called “Project Zero”; what we now know as the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 EDGE.

Samsung realised these two devices needed to be winners to make-up for lost ground and to go toe-to-toe with the Apple iPhone 6. It took the stall that was the Galaxy S5 to push Samsung to embrace higher-end built materials and design, and that’s exactly what we’ve witnessed with these two new phones.

The Galaxy S6 EDGE is the more expensive and more stylish of the two, but aside from some added aesthetic flair from the curved display design it is pretty much identical in specs and capabilites to its Galaxy 6 stable-mate. However, that extra bit of pezzazz, along with what is quite a fearsome spec line-up all told, may have been enough to push it out in front of the rest of the mobile market, so much so that it seems Samsung is making plans to incorporate curved EDGE display designs and metal and glass builds into the rest of its portfolio…

“There’s a larger version of the Galaxy S6 edge undergoing development over in Samsung’s backyard, that much has been made certain by numerous rumors and a leak that actually showed us such a device in the flesh. Given the beauty that is the Galaxy S6 edge, these leaks have gotten us pretty interested. We reached out to our insiders to see if we could get more information on the Galaxy S6 edge Plus (as the rumors call it), and managed to dig up two important details,” notes Sam Mobile.

The report added: “First, the display. The Galaxy S6 edge Plus will have a 5.7-inch display, with curves on both sides like the Galaxy S6 edge. Rumors had pointed at a 5.5-inch display, but it looks like Samsung thinks 5.7-inch is a better size (or the company is just more comfortable with the size because of its last two Galaxy Note smartphones.) Secondly, the Galaxy S6 edge Plus will come with Android 5.1.1 preloaded out of the box – unsurprising, as anything below 5.1.1 would be totally unacceptable at this point.”

In our Samsung Galaxy S6 review we awarded the handset full marks, something that we have only ever done once before –– the iPad Air also got full marks. In this respect, we kind of knew what the EDGE would entail, so the purpose of this review was to ascertain whether or not the EDGE actually made a difference and, importantly, whether it was worth shelling out the additional monies to pick one up. 

The agenda here, then, is pretty clear. Right: let’s do this! 

Samsung Galaxy S6 EDGE Review: Design & Display

A theme throughout this review is going to be something along the lines of “it’s like the Galaxy S6, but a bit different”, because that’s literally what the Galaxy S6 EDGE is, a Galaxy S6 with curved display edges. And this is a crucial point, those display edges are purely a stylistic choice, one that changes the whole look and feel of the phone of course, but it’s important to remember than on the whole you’re not getting a VERY different deal here. 

It’s a bit like choosing whether or not your new car is the plain old regular edition or going for the sport package with a spoiler, alloy wheels and a racing stripe. The Galaxy S6 EDGE still features all the great design cues we saw on the Galaxy 6, including a sleek metal casing with some nicely styled details (such as the punched speaker grille), and a glass panel on the rear. It’s smooth, elegant, distinctly premium to look at and feels great in the hand thanks to all that metal round the outside.

I can hardly believe I’m being presented with such an editorial opportunity for this pun, but the Galaxy S6 EDGE’s dual edge design really is something of a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it’s fair to say that it looks a good deal more slick and refined than the regular Galaxy S6, and indeed, pretty much any other smartphone on the market. The curved sides make the display look expansive and give the illusion that the phone is thinner than it actually is, and it’s fair to say that curvy surfaces seem to have an innate aesthetic appeal to the human eye; just look at any sports car –– and just as with that example, it’s worth remembering that the Galaxy S6 EDGE costs extra. 

On the other hand, however, the curved screen does create an extremely thin strip of bodywork along those two edges for the user to grip and access the physical power and volume keys. We’ve talked before on this site about how very thin phones can be awkward to handle in a way that feels secure, it can seem as if you’re always moments away from dropping it.

Ultimately though, it’s not enough of a problem to discourage from perseverance, and at the same time it makes for one fine looking phone. 

Is it worth it? On balance, I reckon yes.

Apple usually gets all the praise for its focus on design and the painstaking attention it pays to every aspect of its hardware. But these new devices from Samsung really are stunningly beautiful, more so than both the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Nothing else has looked this exciting since, well, probably the iPhone 4 or HTC’s first One handset. The Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 EDGE really are that good. Samsung should be very proud of its design team this time around. 

Of course I’m still not sold on the usefulness of the “EDGE” part of the display besides aesthetics. The only useful feature Samsung showed off was that it’s now easy to see who is calling you when your phone is face-down: you can pre-program up to five colours representing five different people in your contacts. The screen’s EDGEs will glow their colour when they call.

As for colour options, both the Galaxy S6 and S6 EDGE come in shimmering black, white, and gold. I say shimmering, because the S6 series features a finish where their colours reflect the light that hits the devices. Both the Galaxy S6 and S6 EDGE also come in a fourth colour option, with the Galaxy S6 coming in bright blue and the Galaxy S6 EDGE coming in a deep green.

What about the quality of the display panel itself? Well Samsung has been hitting gold on displays for a while now thanks to its continued commitment to improving Super AMOLED tech. Again, as with the regular Galaxy S6, the touchscreen on offer here really is incredibly impressive, and the curved edges do not detract from the visual quality in any way whatsoever. It measures 5.1in and the phone is mostly screen (over 70% of the frontage), with a QHD 1440 x 2560 pixel resolution at 577 pixels-per-inch (ppi). Needless to say, that is very sharp indeed, pinpoint, in fact, with no pixilation and crystal clear text display. 

But it’s not just about clarity, as important as it is, it’s also crucial to get the brightness, colour accuracy, contrast, and viewing fidelity in varied conditions for a truly high-end experience. And this handset certainly does; you can view it satisfactorily from virtually any angle, and it is bright, vibrant and colourful, with plenty of punch in the contrast that Samsung loves. Samsung hasn’t had much of an issue with colour accuracy for a little while now since it got hauled over the coals critically for previous-gen handsets, meanwhile the brightness is suitably robust enough to make reading this screen a pleasure even on sunny days spent outside.

In short, this display is a marvel. It’s got that neat little trick of bendy edges but this has not impacted on image quality one iota and you could sit there gazing into this colourful, vibrant glass panel happily for days watching all manner of videos, or browsing the web, or playing games – considering that’s what most of us do with our smartphones most of the time, that’s a very good thing!

Samsung Galaxy S6 EDGE Review: TouchWiz

Samsung appears to have really taken a lot of the criticism levelled at it to heart, but nowhere is this more evident than with TouchWiz. Once the most hated Android overlay of all, TouchWiz in recent times has developed into one of the least offensive Android skins around. It’s slicker, trimmed down and feels a lot less, well, Samsung. 

The design has been toned down in order to mimic Google’s Material Design and there’s no way near as much bloatware. There’s still a fair bit but it is nothing like it was before –– before it was just a mountain of useless, storage-clogging applications and bells and whistles which did nothing to aid the actual experience of using the handset. 

I’m glad these days are now in the past. Using both the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 EDGE, as I have in the past few months, was a great experience. Never before have I felt so refreshed when coming back to a well known brand of phones, sort of like rekindling a relationship with an alcoholic that has now cleaned up once and for all –– all the bits you liked are there, intact, just minus the bad bits. 

Performance inside TouchWiz is, quite literally, off the charts. This is the smoothest experience I’ve ever had on Android –– and that applies to both the Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S6 EDGE. A lot of this is down to optimisation but most of it is because of Samsung’s insanely powerful Exynos 7420 chipset, which provides more than enough grunt for pretty much anything you’ll want to do. It’s like driving a 2014 BMW M5 normally, you can do it, sure, but you know there’s a monster lurking inside, ready and raring to go anytime you feel like it. 

Samsung Galaxy S6 EDGE Review: Battery

OK, so first things first, the Galaxy S6 EDGE is just like the Galaxy S6 in being an awkward bugger. That is to say, unlike previous Samsung Galaxy handsets it won’t let you access the battery cell and swap it with another one, whether for repair purposes because said cell has breathed its last, or just to carry a spare on the go for quickly topping up. 

This is quite a bit less flexible, and understandably gets a few Samsung veterans grumbling. To be honest my view is that it’s less about the hot-swapping battery cells and more about the fact that batteries do gradually degrade over time and, when they do, if you want to replace it you’re going to need to visit a phone shop and have it fixed (likely for a fee) rather than simply being able to pop open the back. The alternative, of course, is to buy a new phone. For people who want the maximum longevity out of a device against money invested that’s a bit of a prickly pear.

The flipside of this is the sheer scope of the Galaxy S6 EDGE’s battery performance as is –– it’s literally a powerhouse. The cell is a 2,600mAh unit, just slightly juicier than the regular Galaxy S6’s 2,550mAh deal but that 50mAh difference doesn’t even register. The trick here seems to be hardware and software optimisation, we reckon that battery saving cleverness inside Android Lollipop and TouchWiz has coupled up with the fast and efficient Exynos 7420 64-bit octa-core processor running Samsung’s 14 nanometre architecture to offer some crazy battery life. 

During our video test, with Wi-Fi enabled and full-brightness, a downloaded two hour film brought the battery down from 100% charge to 84% –  that’s insane! You could watch a whole day’s worth of movies on this thing! Naturally this means with less battery-sapping activities than films and games, you can expect to get a LOT of time out of this phone on a single charge, at least a couple of days. 

And what’s more, it still comes loaded with Samsung’s innovative Ultra Power Saving mode, which limits the phone’s capabilities and turns the display black and white, but this allows you to keep it going for several weeks on a single charge, which is particularly useful if you’re travelling or at a festival and know you’re going to need it for calls and texts –– it pretty much turns it into a feature phone, which is a nice option to have.

Samsung Galaxy S6 EDGE Review: Camera

Again, the camera tech on offer here is identical to that of the Samsung Galaxy S6, indeed once you turn the Galaxy S6 EDGE around to show its back there’s virtually nothing to distinguish it from its less edgy brethren, and so the sensor protruding slightly from the top of the glass rear is exactly the same.

And that means it’s a remarkable little 16MP sensor loaded with optical image stabilisation and a wide-angle f/1.9 aperture; these two features allow plenty of light in across a range of conditions, and it’s equally at home snapping shots in the day or in lower-light scenarios. It also has an LED flash for when you need it.

Images captured using this setup are beyond impressive. Samsung is hell bent on being the final word when it comes to mobile camera technology and both the Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S6 EDGE prove the company certainly has the chops to be just this. I cannot think of another Android manufacturer who’s camera UX and features are as easy to use or, for that matter, can produce such good results from simply pointing and shooting. 

The proof, however, is in the pudding and, as you can see below, images captured using the Galaxy S6 EDGE are BEYOND impressive. But this was always going to be the case because this is the exact same setup you’ll find inside the Galaxy S6, which was by far and away one of the best point and shoot setups in the business. 

Samsung Galaxy S6 EDGE Review: Exynos 7 CPU

Samsung also took time to detail its new Exynos chipset and memory standard at MWC 2015 –– what it sees as the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 EDGE’s BIG USPs: ‘The world’s first 14nm mobile processor with 64-bit platform, new LPDDR4 memory system and UFS 2.0 flash memory provides higher performance and enhanced memory speed with lower power consumption. Moreover, the world’s first mobile 1440P/VP9 hardware based decoder enables users to enjoy high resolution streaming video while also using less power. In addition, the 5.1-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED screen offers users the highest pixel density of 577ppi. Enhanced outdoor visibility with a brighter display (600cd/mm) lets consumers experience content without compromise – anywhere, at any time.

“For the first time in a global flagship model, Samsung is switching to its own Exynos app processor. This offers the promise of delivering better overall margins for Samsung and, in time, differentiated performance from rivals, as Apple has achieved with their A series app processor designs. But it’s a high risk, high reward strategy,” said IDC in a note to KYM.

We knew Samsung’s new 64-bit 14nm Exynos chipset was going to be plenty powerful and deliver blistering, break-neck speeds. But now we have proof of the fact courtesy of a selection of graphs via AnTuTu, the popular benchmarking application. 

“Samsung Galaxy s6/Edge, without doubt, would be the performance king of the past quarter,” noted the company on its official blog, “scoring over 60000, owe [sic] to the strong power of Exynos 7420. Exynos 7420 is manufactured on Samsung’s very own 14nm FinFET manufacturing process, giving it not only significant performance, but also power enhancements.”

Samsung Galaxy S6 AND Galaxy S6 EDGE Review Wireless Charging

One reason Samsung decided to ditch the removable battery in the Galaxy S6 and S6 EDGE is because the new battery features wireless charging. But rather than needing a specific wireless charging pad Samsung has opted to support both the WPC and PMA standards (including Qi). This means your Galaxy S6 and S6 EDGE can be charged from most of the wireless pads found in cafes and places like McDonalds.

Another thing Samsung did to improve the charging capabilities is engineering a 10-minute quick charge that juices up your Galaxy S6 and S6 EDGE to 4 hours of battery life in just 10 minutes.

Samsung Galaxy S6 and Samsung Galaxy S6 EDGE: Samsung Pay

Samsung Pay, like Apple Pay, is designed to tap into the now rapidly growing mobile payments market and, like Apple’s version, Samsung Pay runs via a fingerprint scanner embedded in the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 EDGE’s Home button. The service will go live in the US during the second half of the year and it works with both Near Field Communication (NFC) and Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST) technology to make it device, merchant and card issuer agnostic. 

“Samsung Pay will reinvent how people pay for goods and services and transform how they use their smartphones,” said JK Shin, CEO and Head of IT & Mobile Communications Division at Samsung Electronics. “The secure and simple payment process, coupled with our robust partner network, makes Samsung Pay a truly game-changing service that will bring value to consumers and our partners in the ecosystem.” 

“Mobile commerce just got a lot more interesting,” said Jim McCarthy, Executive Vice President, Visa Inc. “Combining Visa’s expertise in payment technology with Samsung’s leadership in creating innovative mobile experiences, gives more choice to financial institutions who want to enable their customers to pay by phone.”

“We are committed to making interactions easier in the financial lives of our customers”, said Brian Moynihan, CEO, Chairman and Director of Bank of America. “Samsung Pay is another significant move in that direction for our 17 million mobile customers.”

Samsung Galaxy S6 EDGE Review: Verdict

Design. Power. Performance. Imaging. Connectivity. Features –– the Galaxy S6 EDGE, like its EDGE-less brother, has them all to the max. No other handset we’ve tested this year feels quite so well realised as this pair from Samsung. 

The LG G4 was a fine setup and, to a certain extent certainly equal to the Galaxy S6 EDGE in some respects, but where the G4 loses some points for its rather clunky design, the Galaxy S6 EDGE rages on with its unique and HUGELY satisfying design, which not only sets it apart from every other phone on the market, but also brings with it a bunch of useful features that some people might really enjoy. 

If I had to choose between the two, I’d almost certainly go for the EDGE. I prefer the way it looks and when you’re talking about phones, when features and specs are the same, this is all that matters. 

EDGE all the way, for me! 

Pros: 
Gorgeous Design; Insane Display; Excellent Battery; Supremely Powerful; Useful Features; Brilliant Camera; Future-Proofed With Features Like Samsung Pay


Reviews

Paul Briden

Cons: 
Battery Isn’t Removable; No SD-Card Support
Verdict: 
Design. Power. Performance. Imaging. Connectivity. Features –– the Galaxy S6 EDGE, like its EDGE-less brother, has them all to the max. No other handset we’ve tested this year feels quite so well realised as this pair from Samsung.


12:55, 19 Jun 2015

The Samsung Galaxy S6 EDGE is in all probability the best Android handset we’ve EVER examined.

Perhaps it used to be inevitable. After years of striking out competetive and smartly-won Galaxy A flagships which effectively took the struggle to arch-rival Apple's doorstep, Samsung underestimated the marketplace and its competition, and overvalued its personal talents while it placed out the Galaxy S5 in early 2014. The handset used to be met in large part with indifference and did not promote really well in any respect, resulting in just a little of a shake-up within the Korean tech large and a again to the drafting board means for the so-referred to as "Project Zero"; what we now realize because the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 EDGE.

Samsung realised those units had to be winners to makeup for misplaced floor and to head toe-to-toe with the Apple iPhone 6. It took the stall that used to be the Galaxy S5 to push Samsung to include upper-finish constructed fabrics and layout, and that is the reason precisely what we have witnessed with those new telephones.

The Galaxy S6 EDGE is the costlier and extra trendy of the 2, however excluding a few introduced aesthetic aptitude from the curved show layout it's just about equivalent in specifications and capabilites to its Galaxy 6 solid-mate. However, that additional little bit of pezzazz, in conjunction with what's slightly a fearsome spec line-up all informed, could have been sufficient to push it out in entrance of the remainder of the cellular marketplace, such a lot in order that it kind of feels Samsung is planning to include curved EDGE show designs and steel and glass builds into the remainder of its portfolio...

“There’s a bigger model of the Galaxy S6 facet present process construction over in Samsung’s outdoor, that so much has been made sure through a large number of rumors and a leak that in fact confirmed us one of these software within the flesh. Given the sweetness that may be the Galaxy S6 aspect, those leaks have got us lovely . We reached out to our insiders to peer if shall we get additional info at the Galaxy S6 side Plus (because the rumors name it), and controlled to dig up essential main points,” notes Sam Mobile.

The document introduced: “First, the show. The Galaxy S6 facet Plus could have a 5.7-inch show, with curves on each side just like the Galaxy S6 facet. Rumors had pointed at a 5.5-inch show, nevertheless it seems like Samsung thinks 5.7-inch is a greater measurement (or the corporate is simply extra ok with the dimensions as a result of its ultimate Galaxy Note smartphones.) Secondly, the Galaxy S6 part Plus will include Android 5.1.1 preloaded out of the field – unsurprising, as anything else beneath 5.1.1 can be utterly unacceptable at this aspect.”

In our Samsung Galaxy S6 evaluation we provided the handset complete marks, one thing that we've got most effective ever performed as soon as prior to –– the iPad Air additionally were given complete marks. In this appreciate, we more or less knew what the EDGE might entail, so the aim of this evaluation used to be to establish whether or not or now not the EDGE in reality made a distinction and, importantly, whether or not it used to be value doling out the extra monies to pick out one up. 

The time table right here, then, is lovely transparent. Right: allow’s do that! 

Samsung Galaxy S6 EDGE Review: Design & Display


O topic all the way through this evaluation goes to be one thing alongside the strains of “it’s just like the Galaxy S6, however slightly other”, as a result of that’s actually what the Galaxy S6 EDGE is, a Galaxy S6 with curved show edges. And this can be a the most important aspect, the ones show edges are only a stylistic selection, person who adjustments the entire feel and appear of the telephone in fact, nevertheless it’s necessary to keep in mind that than at the entire you’re now not getting a VERY other deal right here. 

It’s slightly like opting for whether or not or now not your new automotive is the obvious antique common variation or going for the game package deal with a spoiler, alloy wheels and a racing stripe. The Galaxy S6 EDGE nonetheless options all of the nice layout cues we noticed at the Galaxy 6, together with a swish steel casing with a few well styled main points (such because the punched speaker grille), and a tumbler panel at the rear. It’s clean, sublime, quite top class to take a look at and feels nice within the hand way to all that steel around the out of doors.

S can rarely consider O’m being introduced with such a piece of writing chance for this pun, however the Galaxy S6 EDGE’s twin aspect layout in point of fact is one thing of a double-edged sword. On the only hand, it’s truthful to mention that it seems a just right deal extra slick and subtle than the common Galaxy S6, and certainly, just about some other smartphone available on the market. The curved facets make the show glance expansive and provides the semblance that the telephone is thinner than it in fact is, and it’s truthful to mention that curvy surfaces appear to have an innate aesthetic attraction to the human eye; simply take a look at any sports activities automotive –– and simply as with that instance, it’s value remembering that the Galaxy S6 EDGE prices additional. 

On the opposite hand, then again, the curved display does create a particularly skinny strip of bodywork alongside the ones edges for the consumer to grip and get entry to the bodily energy and quantity keys. We’ve talked ahead of in this web site approximately how very skinny telephones may also be awkward to care for in some way that feels safe, it could actually appear as for those who’re all the time moments clear of losing it.

Ultimately even though, it’s now not sufficient of an issue to deter from perseverance, and on the comparable time it makes for one high-quality taking a look telephone. 

Is it value it? On stability, O reckon sure.

Apple frequently will get all of the reward for its center of attention on layout and the painstaking consideration it will pay to each and every side of its hardware. But those new units from Samsung in reality are stunningly stunning, extra so than each the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Nothing else has seemed this fun due to the fact, smartly, almost certainly the iPhone 4 or HTC’s first One handset. The Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 EDGE in reality are that just right. Samsung will have to be very pleased with its layout staff this time round. 

Of direction A’m nonetheless now not bought at the usefulness of the “EDGE” a part of the show but even so aesthetics. The best helpful function Samsung confirmed off used to be that it’s now simple to peer who is looking you while your telephone is face-down: you'll be able to pre-software as much as 5 colors representing 5 other other folks on your contacts. The display’s EDGEs will glow their color once they name.

As for color choices, each the Galaxy S6 and S6 EDGE are available shimmering black, white, and gold. S say shimmering, since the S6 collection includes a end the place their colors mirror the sunshine that hits the units. Both the Galaxy S6 and S6 EDGE additionally are available a fourth color choice, with the Galaxy S6 coming in brilliant blue and the Galaxy S6 EDGE coming in a deep inexperienced.

What concerning the high quality of the show panel itself? Well Samsung has been hitting gold on presentations for a at the same time as now way to its persisted dedication to making improvements to Super AMOLED tech. Again, as with the common Galaxy S6, the touchscreen on be offering right here in point of fact is very spectacular, and the curved edges don't detract from the visible high quality whatsoever in any way. It measures 5.1in and the telephone is most commonly monitor (over 70% of the frontage), with a QHD 1440 x 2560 pixel solution at 577 pixels-in line with-inch (ppi). Needless to mention, that may be very sharp certainly, pinpoint, actually, and not using a pixilation and crystal transparent textual content show. 

But it’s now not with reference to readability, as essential as it's, it’s additionally an important to get the brightness, color accuracy, distinction, and viewing constancy in various prerequisites for a really top-finish revel in. And this handset unquestionably does; you'll be able to view it satisfactorily from nearly any attitude, and it's shiny, colourful and vibrant, with a number of punch within the distinction that Samsung loves. Samsung hasn’t had so much of a topic with color accuracy for somewhat at the same time as now because it were given hauled over the coals seriously for earlier-gen handsets, in the meantime the brightness is definitely tough sufficient to make studying this display a excitement even on sunny days spent out of doors.

In brief, this show is a wonder. It’s were given that neat little trick of flexible edges however this has now not impacted on symbol high quality one iota and you'll want to take a seat there observing into this vibrant, colourful glass panel fortuitously for days staring at all way of movies, or surfing the internet, or enjoying video games - making an allowance for that’s what so much folks do with our smartphones more often than not, that’s an excellent factor!

Samsung Galaxy S6 EDGE Review: TouchWiz

Samsung seems to have in reality taken a large number of the complaint levelled at it to center, however nowhere is that this extra glaring than with TouchWiz. Once probably the most hated Android overlay of all, TouchWiz in up to date occasions has evolved into one of the most least offensive Android skins round. It’s slicker, trimmed down and feels so much much less, smartly, Samsung. 

The layout has been toned down to be able to mimic Google’s Material Design and there’s no method close to as so much bloatware. There’s nonetheless a good bit however it's not anything adore it used to be sooner than –– sooner than it used to be only a mountain of needless, garage-clogging programs and bells and whistles which did not anything to assist the real revel in of the use of the handset. 


O’m satisfied this present day at the moment are up to now. Using each the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 EDGE, as S have up to now few months, used to be a super revel in. Never prior to have O felt so refreshed while coming again to a widely recognized logo of telephones, kind of like rekindling a dating with an alcoholic that has now wiped clean up as soon as and for all –– all of the bits you loved are there, intact, simply minus the dangerous bits. 

Performance inside of TouchWiz is, fairly actually, off the charts. This is the smoothest revel in A’ve ever had on Android –– and that applies to each the Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S6 EDGE. I lot of that is right down to optimisation however so much of it's as a result of Samsung’s insanely tough Exynos 7420 chipset, which gives greater than sufficient grunt for just about anything else you’ll need to do. It’s like riding a 2014 BMW M5 in most cases, you'll be able to do it, positive, however you already know there’s a monster lurking inside of, in a position and raring to head every time you are feeling love it. 

Samsung Galaxy S6 EDGE Review: Battery

OK, so first issues first, the Galaxy S6 EDGE is rather like the Galaxy S6 in being a clumsy bugger. That is to mention, in contrast to earlier Samsung Galaxy handsets it gained’t allow you to get right of entry to the battery cellular phone and switch it with some other one, whether or not for restore functions as a result of stated mobile phone has breathed its ultimate, or simply to hold a spare at the opt for temporarily topping up. 

This is slightly a little much less versatile, and understandably will get a couple of Samsung veterans grumbling. To be fair my view is that it’s much less concerning the scorching-swapping battery cells and extra approximately the truth that batteries do steadily degrade over the years and, once they do, if you wish to exchange it you’re going to want to seek advice from a telephone keep and feature it fastened (most probably for a rate) somewhat than just with the ability to pop open the again. The choice, in fact, is to shop for a brand new telephone. For individuals who need the utmost toughness out of a tool towards cash invested that’s somewhat of a prickly pear.

The flipside of that is the sheer scope of the Galaxy S6 EDGE’s battery efficiency as is –– it’s actually a powerhouse. The mobile phone is a 2,600mAh unit, simply moderately juicier than the common Galaxy S6’s 2,550mAh deal however that 50mAh distinction doesn’t even check in. The trick right here appears to be hardware and tool optimisation, we reckon that battery saving cleverness inside of Android Lollipop and TouchWiz has coupled up with the quick and environment friendly Exynos 7420 64-bit octa-center processor operating Samsung’s 14 nanometre structure to provide a few loopy battery lifestyles. 

During our video check, with Wi-Fi enabled and entire-brightness, a downloaded hour movie introduced the battery down from 100% price to 84% -  that’s insane! You may just watch an entire day’s value of flicks in this factor! Naturally this implies with much less battery-sapping actions than movies and video games, you'll be able to be expecting to get a LOT of day out of this telephone on a unmarried rate, no less than a few days. 

And what’s extra, it nonetheless comes loaded with Samsung’s cutting edge Ultra Power Saving mode, which limits the telephone’s functions and turns the show black and white, however this permits you to stay it going for a couple of weeks on a unmarried rate, which is especially helpful for those who’re traveling or at a pageant and realize you’re going to wish it for calls and texts –– it just about turns it right into a feature phone, that is a pleasant way to have.

Samsung Galaxy S6 EDGE Review: Camera


Again, the digital camera tech on be offering right here is the same to that of the Samsung Galaxy S6, certainly whenever you flip the Galaxy S6 EDGE round to turn its again there’s nearly not anything to differentiate it from its much less edgy brethren, and so the sensor sticking out fairly from the highest of the glass rear is strictly the similar.

And that suggests it’s a exceptional little 16MP sensor loaded with optical symbol stabilisation and a large-attitude f/1.9 aperture; those options permit a number of gentle in throughout a variety of prerequisites, and it’s similarly at house snapping photographs within the day or in decrease-gentle situations. It additionally has an LED flash for while you wish to have it.

Images captured the use of this setup are past spectacular. Samsung is hell bent on being the ultimate with regards to cellular digital camera generation and each the Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S6 EDGE turn out the corporate for sure has the chops to be simply this. S can not bring to mind any other Android producer who’s digital camera UX and lines are as simple to make use of or, for that topic, can produce such just right effects from merely pointing and capturing. 

The evidence, then again, is within the pudding and, as you'll be able to see under, photographs captured the use of the Galaxy S6 EDGE are BEYOND spectacular. But this used to be all the time going to be the case as a result of that is the very same setup you’ll in finding within the Galaxy S6, which used to be via some distance and away probably the most highest aspect and shoot setups within the industry. 

Samsung Galaxy S6 EDGE Review: Exynos 7 CPU

Samsung additionally took time to element its new Exynos chipset and reminiscence same old at MWC 2015 –– what it sees because the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 EDGE's BIG USPs: 'The global’s first 14nm cellular processor with 64-bit platform, new LPDDR4 reminiscence gadget and UFS 2.0 flash reminiscence supplies upper efficiency and better reminiscence velocity with decrease energy intake. Moreover, the arena’s first cellular 1440P/VP9 hardware primarily based decoder allows customers to revel in top solution streaming video at the same time as additionally the use of much less energy. In addition, the 5.1-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED monitor gives customers the best possible pixel density of 577ppi. Enhanced out of doors visibility with a brighter show (600cd/mm) shall we shoppers revel in content material with out compromise – any place, at any time.

“For the primary time in an international flagship type, Samsung is switching to its personal Exynos app processor. This gives the promise of turning in higher general margins for Samsung and, in time, differentiated efficiency from competitors, as Apple has accomplished with their S collection app processor designs. But it is a top possibility, top praise technique,” stated IDC in a observe to KYM.

We knew Samsung’s new 64-bit 14nm Exynos chipset used to be going to be masses tough and ship blistering, holiday-neck speeds. But now we've got evidence of the reality courtesy of a number of graphs by the use of AnTuTu, the preferred benchmarking software. 

“Samsung Galaxy s6/Edge, doubtless, will be the efficiency king of the earlier quarter,” mentioned the corporate on its authentic weblog, “scoring over 60000, owe [sic] to the robust energy of Exynos 7420. Exynos 7420 is synthetic on Samsung’s very personal 14nm FinFET production procedure, giving it now not best vital efficiency, but in addition energy improvements.”

Samsung Galaxy S6 AND Galaxy S6 EDGE Review Wireless Charging

One explanation why Samsung made up our minds to ditch the detachable battery within the Galaxy S6 and S6 EDGE is since the new battery options wireless charging. But somewhat than desiring a selected wireless charging pad Samsung has opted to reinforce each the WPC and PMA requirements (together with Qi). This method your Galaxy S6 and S6 EDGE can also be charged from some of the wireless pads present in cafes and puts like McDonalds.

Another factor Samsung did to fortify the charging functions is engineering a 10-minute fast price that juices up your Galaxy S6 and S6 EDGE to 4 hours of battery lifestyles in simply 10 mins.

Samsung Galaxy S6 and Samsung Galaxy S6 EDGE: Samsung Pay

Samsung Pay, like Apple Pay, is designed to faucet into the now hastily rising cellular bills marketplace and, like Apple’s model, Samsung Pay runs by the use of a fingerprint scanner embedded within the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 EDGE’s Home button. The carrier will pass are living in the United States all through the second one part of the yr and it really works with each Near Field Communication (NFC) and Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST) generation to make it software, service provider and card provider agnostic. 

“Samsung Pay will reinvent how other folks pay for items and products and services and turn into how they use their smartphones,” stated JK Shin, CEO and Head of IT & Mobile Communications Division at Samsung Electronics. “The safe and easy cost procedure, coupled with our tough spouse network, makes Samsung Pay a in point of fact recreation-converting carrier in order to deliver worth to shoppers and our companions within the atmosphere.” 

“Mobile trade simply were given much more fascinating,” stated Jim McCarthy, Executive Vice President, Visa Inc. “Combining Visa’s experience in cost generation with Samsung’s management in developing cutting edge cellular reviews, provides extra option to monetary establishments who need to allow their consumers to pay through telephone.”

“We are dedicated to creating interactions more uncomplicated within the monetary lives of our consumers”, stated Brian Moynihan, CEO, Chairman and Director of Bank of America. “Samsung Pay is some other vital transfer in that course for our 17 million cellular consumers."

Samsung Galaxy S6 EDGE Review: Verdict

Design. Power. Performance. Imaging. Connectivity. Features –– the Galaxy S6 EDGE, like its EDGE-much less brother, has all of them to the max. No different handset we’ve examined this yr feels moderately so smartly realised as this pair from Samsung. 

The LG G4 used to be a superb setup and, to a undeniable quantity undoubtedly equivalent to the Galaxy S6 EDGE in a few respects, however the place the G4 loses a few issues for its fairly clunky layout, the Galaxy S6 EDGE rages on with its distinctive and HUGELY pleasant layout, which now not most effective units it with the exception of each and every different telephone available on the market, but in addition brings with it a host of helpful options that a few folks would possibly in point of fact revel in. 

If A had to make a choice from the 2, S’d virtually definitely opt for the EDGE. S choose how it appears and while you’re speaking approximately telephones, while options and specifications are the similar, that is all that issues. 

EDGE all of the approach, for me! 

Pros: 
Gorgeous Design; Insane Display; Excellent Battery; Supremely Powerful; Useful Features; Brilliant Camera; Future-Proofed With Features Like Samsung Pay
Reviews Paul Briden
Cons: 
Battery Isn't Removable; No SD-Card Support
Verdict: 
Design. Power. Performance. Imaging. Connectivity. Features –– the Galaxy S6 EDGE, like its EDGE-much less brother, has all of them to the max. No different handset we’ve examined this yr feels fairly so smartly realised as this pair from Samsung.
12:55, 19 Jun 2015
Comments

More in Featured

Popular

Featured

Advertisement
To Top