The iPhone 6.
During the presentation the iPhone was mentioned again and again when comparing battery recharge speed, “bendability” and camera quality. That battery technology, according to Samsung, meant that you could charge your S6 faster than any other smartphone out there. A mere 10 minute charge will give you four hours of usage and it’ll charge up to 100% in half the time of an iPhone.
The specs and technology in these handsets seems endless.
So, the S6 then. It’s slim and full metal and glass construction. These are the thinnest smartphones Samsung have ever created. The screen is a 5.1″ QHD (2560×1440) 577ppi Super AMOLED display which has “real” RGB colour to deliver “life-like” images. The 2K screens are gorgeous, but as usual we have everything turned up to “super-bright” for these demos.
The edge, which we’ve been told to type in lower-case (grrr), has the dual curve screen and I must admit you don’t initially appreciate it when you pick it up because the Android menus don’t go to the edges of the screen. The moment comes when you’re browsing a site or running an app which uses the whole screen. Websites are particularly good for this and it looks both strange and good in equal measures.
Here’s the T-Mobile intro video showing you around the device..
The cameras are F1.9 lenses with 5 megapixel units up front and a 16 megapixel rear camera around back. There’s something called “Auto Real-time High Dynamic Range (HDR)” to produce HDR video, Smart Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) plus IR Detect White Balance which provides “advanced light sensitivities and crisp camera solutions”. The shots, especially in low-light, were very impressive.
Running Android 5.0 Lollipop, it has an octa-core CPU comprising of a quad 2.1GHz and quad 1.5Ghz setup. The 3GB of DDR4 RAM (yes, DDR4) adds speed and the combination means that it’s 30% more efficient than the Galaxy Note 4. You also get the usual WiFi, GPS, NFC, IR Remote and 2550mAh battery (S6), with a 2600mAh battery in the S6 edge.
In the hand, I thought the S6 edge would be my favourite, but to be honest they’re both very good looking handsets and definitely have a premium feel about them. They’re both more than a match for the iPhone, although they do have “fingerprint magnet” written all over them. I asked one of the Samsung ladies where her cleaning cloth was. When she mentioned that she didn’t have one, I looked around and spotted several reporters wiping the S6’s with their T-shirts and other random bits of clothing.
Additional apps and junk? Well, I didn’t see a great deal of “junk apps” on the phone but I did see that Microsoft OneDrive was on there to provide 115GB of storage for 2 years. We also saw “Samsung Pay” announced, which is a direct challenger for Apple Pay. Much was said about the American banks (Citi, Chase etc) without the presenter realising that he was in Europe.
The phones operated, as expected, very quickly and fluidly. The UI had been altered to create a clean interface which is an enjoyable place to be. TouchWiz has been turned down a notch so that it’s not clunking everything up and it ran pretty quickly for me.
Both handsets are very nice indeed and I like the little touches like the “glowing” edges to show an incoming call, and the fact that you can respond with a pre-set message simply by touching the rear panel.
Overall, it was the sheer quality and construction I appreciated over anything else. Gone are the plastics and the almost familiar Galaxy gripes of old. Here we have two really useful and powerful handsets which are top of their game and Samsung aren’t afraid to shout about the fact either.
Beautifully Crafted from Metal and Glass,
Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge Define What’s Next in Mobility
Equipped with first-of-its-kind technology, Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge are the most advanced smartphones on the market
London, UK, 1st March, 2015 – Samsung Electronics today announced its entirely redefined smartphones, the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6edge. Creating a new standard for design, craftsmanship and performance, the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge seamlessly blend premium materials with the most advanced Samsung technology to offer consumers an unmatched mobile experience.
Andy Griffiths, President, Samsung Electronics UK and Ireland said: “With the all new Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge, Samsung is offering what’s next in mobility, along with a new standard to drive the global mobile agenda.”
He went on to say: “By listening to our customers we continuously push forward new technologies and ideas. With a reimagined design, robust partner network and novel services, the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge do just this, offering users two completely differentiated products that deliver the ultimate in smartphone options.”
Beauty Meets Purpose
Carefully crafted from metal and glass, the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge blend purposeful design with powerful features. The Galaxy S6edge, particularly, shows unique and outstanding beauty while also providing a solid grip and an immersive viewing experience with the world’s first curved display on both sides. Its glass body, made from the toughest glass to date, Corning® Gorilla Glass® 4, is available in an array of colourful jewel tones, including White Pearl, Black Sapphire, Gold Platinum, Blue Topaz and Green Emerald, which elicit a unique visual texture as it reflects natural light. This timeless design required first-of-its-kind glass crafting technology and unmatched quality control, setting the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge apart from every other mobile device on the market. The premium device aesthetics deliver true value and are complemented by a totally new and lighter interface that greatly enhances usability and functionality. A refined and fully optimised user experience simplifies applications and offers features and settings in a more intuitive way.
Vivid Images with a Fast, Bright Camera
The Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge are equipped with an incredibly vivid, bright and fast front and rear camera. The F1.9 lenses and high-resolution sensors on both front (5MP) and rear (16MP) cameras provide the most superior image quality in a smartphone, even in the dark. In addition, Auto Real-time High Dynamic Range (HDR), Smart Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS)and IR Detect White Balance provide advanced light sensitivities and crisp camera solutions. Furthermore, a new “Quick Launch” feature give users fast, direct access to the camera from any screen in just 0.7 seconds* by simply double clicking the home key button. These advanced camera functions enable users to capture their most precious and personal moments in uncompromising quality, however and wherever they want.
Super Charging and Cord Free
Cutting-edge Core Technology
The thin (6.8 mm/7.0mm edge) and lightweight (138g / 132g edge) Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge integrate the most advanced, cutting-edge, Samsung core technology available today. 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 1440P/VP9 hardware based codec 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.
Easy and Protected Mobile Payment
Samsung Pay, a new, easy-to-use mobile payment service that will be compatible with more locations than any competing offering in a single application, will launch on Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge in the United States during the second half of this year. Protected by Samsung KNOX, fingerprint scanning, and advanced tokenisation, Samsung Pay works with both NFC (Near Field Communication) and MST (Magnetic Secure Transmission) technology to make it device, merchant and card issuer agnostic.
Enhanced Security
The Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge are built on the upgraded Samsung KNOX, end-to-end secure mobile platform, offering defence-grade features for real-time protection from potential malicious attacks. Both of these new devices are also ready for immediate enterprise adoption, with market leading MDMs and KNOX enhancements enabled at launch to simplify and improve mobile device management. Additionally, the Find My Mobile feature secures lost devices and protects personal information through a number of services, including the all-new remotely controlled “Reactivation Lock.” With an enhanced touch-type fingerprint scanner, it also provides quick authentication and saves encrypted data in secure device storage.
The Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge will be available globally starting from 10th April, 2015 with 32/64/128GB storage options available in White Pearl, Black Sapphire, Gold Platinum, Blue Topaz (Galaxy S6 only) and Green Emerald (Galaxy S6 edge only).
Full details and product images are available at www.samsungmobilepress.com.
For full information on the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge please visit www.samsung.com/uk/galaxyS6/
*Average speed based on internal testing conducted by Samsung. Results may vary by device or situation.
Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge Product Specifications
|
Galaxy S6 |
Galaxy S6 edge |
Network |
LTE Cat.6 (300/50Mbps) |
Display |
5.1’’ Quad HD (2560×1440) 577ppi,Super AMOLED |
5.1’’ Quad HD (2560×1440) 577ppi, Super AMOLED, Dual edge |
AP |
Quad 2.1GHz + Quad 1.5Ghz, Octacore application processor |
OS |
Android 5.0 (Lollipop) |
Camera |
16MP OIS (rear), 5MP (front) |
Video |
MP4,M4V,3GP,3G2,WMV,ASF,AVI,FLV,MKV,WEBM, VP9 |
Audio |
Audio Codec : MP3, AMR-NB, AMR-WB, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, WMA, Vorbis, FLAC, OPUS |
Audio Format: MP3, M4A, 3GA, AAC, OGG, OGA, WAV, WMA, AMR, AWB, FLAC, MID, MIDI, XMF, MXMF, IMY, RTTTL, RTX, OTA |
Camera Features |
Quick Launch, Tracking AF, Auto Real-time HDR (Front & Rear) , F1.9, Low Light Video (Front & Rear), High Clear Zoom, IR Detect White Balance, Virtual Shot, Slow Motion, Fast Motion, Pro Mode, Selective Focus |
Additional Features |
Ultra Power Saving Mode |
Download Booster |
S Health 4.0 |
Samsung Pay |
Smart Manager |
Microsoft Apps (OneDrive 115GB for 2 years, OneNote) |
Sound Alive+ |
Themes |
Quick Connect |
Private Mode |
S Finder, S Voice |
Google Mobile Services |
Chrome, Drive, Photos, Gmail, Google, Google+, Google Settings, Hangouts, Maps, Play Books, Play Games, Play Newsstand, Play Movie & TV, Play Music, Play Store, Voice Search, YouTube |
Connectivity |
WiFi: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz), HT80 MIMO (2×2) 620Mbps, Dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, Mobile hotspotBluetooth®: v4.1, A2DP, LE, apt-X, ANT+USB: USB 2.0
NFC
IR Remote |
Sensor |
Accelerometer, Light, Gyroscope, Proximity, Compass, Barometer, Fingerprint, Hall, HRM |
Memory |
RAM: 3GB, LPDDR4Internal Memory: 32/64/128GB, UFS 2.0 |
Wireless Charging |
WPC1.1 (4.6W Output) & PMA 1.0 (4.2W) compatible |
Dimension |
143.4 x 70.5 x 6.8mm, 138g |
142.1 x 70.1 x 7.0mm, 132g |
Battery |
2,550mAh |
2,600mAh |
* All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice or obligation.
* Android, Google, Chrome, Drive, Photos, Gmail, Google, Google+, Google Settings, Hangouts, Maps, Play Books, Play Games, Play Newsstand, Play Movie & TV, Play Music, Play Store, Voice Search, YouTube are trademarks of Google Inc.