(Samsung)
Just hours after we saw the all-new HTC One M9 revealed during a live stream event, Samsung has stolen the spotlight with an event of their own. Samsung’s latest flagship smartphone is the Galaxy S6, the followup to the Galaxy S5. Alongside the S6 is the S6 Edge, which offers a different display from its sister phone. Unlike the S6’s flat screen, the S6 Edge has two gently curved edges on each side. It’s slightly different from the Samsung Note Edge, which has one curve that’s a bit steeper.
On stage at the Unpacked event, Samsung’s JK Shin joked, “I may not be the best public speaker. That’s because my first language is engineering.” But is Samsung actually speaking a design language that consumers can understand? Will their “edgy” new phone be a best-seller, or another high-profile flop?
The Samsung Galaxy S6 and the S6 Edge will be on sale very soon. Wondering if you should buy one of these cool new phones? Here’s everything you need to know about these phones before you make up your mind.
1. Samsung Galaxy S6 & S6 Edge: Specs
(Samsung)
The S6 has a 5.1-inch Quad HD display, with over 75 percent more pixels than the Galaxy S5. 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB versions will be available. This is contrast to the iPhone 6, which offers 16GB, 64GB, and 128GB versions.
The front camera on the S6 is designed to take great selfies, even in low light conditions. It has a 5MP sensor with a f/1.9 lens, and the phone also boasts real-time HDR. As for the rear camera, you will get a 16MP sensor, with the same lens as the front of the camera. You will also be able to use OIS for the rear lens to take images that have reduced blur.
A Samsung employee stated that “The special metal that we use is 50 percent stronger than the metal in other smartphones” during the Unpacked live event. Samsung is making a subtle jab at Apple here, referencing the iPhone 6’s infamous “Bendgate” scandal.
2. Samsung Galaxy S6 & S6 Edge: Coolest Features
(Samsung)
After recently buying LoopPay, Samsung is introducing Samsung Pay with the S6 and S6 Edge. It will work with MasterCard and VISA credit cards, as well as financial institutions like Chase, Citi, US Bank, and Bank of America. Samsung Pay will compete directly with Apple Pay. However, Samsung Pay will not start working until this summer, so new S6 and S6 Edge owners will have the phone for a few months before they can take advantage of that feature.
Both the S6 & S6 Edge will offer wireless charging, which is built right in. The wireless charging features will work with both WPC and PMA wireless charging standards, which is great news for travelers. In addition, Samsung claims that the S6 will fully recharge in half the time of the iPhone 6.
The UX has been redesigned to eliminate stuttering and lag, and Samsung is hoping that users will find the new color-coded menus much easier to navigate.
Need to get the camera ready fast? The camera is always on in the background. You can just double tap the home button to capture an image, instead of waiting for the camera app to load.
One cool feature of the S6 Edge is the use of color indicators on the edge. You can assign your contacts a color. When they call you, one side of the device will light up, indicating who is calling without you having to actually pick up the phone.
3. Samsung Galaxy S6 & S6 Edge: Price
(Samsung)
This is a flagship phone, so we expect it to carry a hefty price tag. It will likely cost about what the S5 cost when it was new. However, it is likely that US carriers will offer certain promotions to entice buyers, and these plans may involve lower prices for this hot new device.
According to Phone Arena, Samsung UK posted the price of the S6 at £699, which converts to about $1080. That price may be incorrect, so we’ll have to wait for an official pricing announcement to be sure of the final cost of this phone when it hits the market. Another competing report from Computerworld suggests that, at least in Spain, the S6 will cost the equivalent of $780 in American currency when you buy it unlocked.
The S6 Edge will likely cost around the same amount as the S6. The rumor mill suggests we’ll get final confirmed pricing info a few days before the phone goes on sale.
4. Samsung Galaxy S6 & S6 Edge: Release Date
(Samsung)
You can expect to pre-order a new Samsung Galaxy S6 or S6 Edge in March or early April. The device will ship on April 10 in 20 countries, and be available in additional countries shortly after that.
5. Samsung Galaxy S6 & S6 Edge: What Carriers Will Offer This Phone?
(Samsung)
It is expected that all major US carriers (T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, and AT&T) will carry these phones. Some carriers may have exclusive versions of the phone, but this is not confirmed. If Samsung follows the trends of the S5 and S4, smartphone fans will likely see “Prime,” “Active,” and even “Mini” versions of the S6 in the coming months, with some carriers getting exclusive colors or variants. The availability of S6 Edge variants will likely depend on sales.
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Samsung Galaxy S6 & S6 Edge: Specs, Features, & Pricing