Review of the flagship version – Samsung Galaxy S6 EDGE (SM-G925F). Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge review

Samsung Galaxy S6 is the new “successor” of the legendary line of flagship smartphones of the Korean company. Perhaps, no other model from the manufacturer has been as expected as this one, because it was promised to show an almost new smartphone in all areas, and the Koreans succeeded. We would like to present you with our review, because the Galaxy S6 really has something to praise for.

Design and materials

Despite the generally accepted design concept, the origin of the Galaxy S6 can only be recognized by the front of the smartphone. If you look at the model from the back or from the sides, it’s hard to say that this is the good old “Galaxy”. The use of a metal frame and one-piece design have a positive impact on the appearance, and the smartphone fits much better in the hand and feels much more premium. The display and back cover are covered with ultra-durable Gorilla Glass 4.

The metal back cover shimmers especially beautifully under the rays of light! The physical dimensions of the model are 143.4 x 70.5 x 6.8 mm, and the weight is 138 grams. The smartphone will be produced in four colors: black, white, gold and blue. The speaker and headset jack were moved to the bottom edge, while on the sides there are only volume control buttons, power buttons and one SIM card slot covered with a flap.

There is no slot for a microSD memory card, so consider how much you fill the device’s memory in order to choose the appropriate modification of the smartphone - 32, 64 or 128 GB.

Display

They decided not to increase the display size of the new flagship - a 5.1-inch Super AMOLED screen is used, but with Quad HD resolution (2560 by 1440 pixels) and the highest pixel density of 577 ppi. With such parameters, it is simply unrealistic to see individual pixels! In addition, the screen is very bright and colorful, has the highest possible viewing angles and very deep blacks - there’s simply nothing to complain about, all images and videos look amazing.

Iron

As expected, the Samsung Galaxy S6 is equipped with all the top hardware developments that the Korean brand has in its arsenal. The flagship is equipped with the seventh generation Exynos chipset - model 7420, created using new 14nm technology, which provides even greater performance and energy efficiency.

It is based on a 64-bit 8-core processor with an operating frequency of up to 2.1 GHz and an ARM Mali-T760 video accelerator. The test results are impressive, just like the indicator in AnTuTu:

The use of 3 GB of DDR4 RAM also has a positive effect on the overall operating speed. As for the internal storage, as already noted, three model options are available for sale: 32 GB, 64 GB and 128 GB of internal memory, which, by the way, is also created using new technology that provides record writing and reading speeds.

The thin and light body simply could not accommodate a super-capacity battery and the Galaxy C6 uses a 2550 mAh battery, however, new hardware technologies and high software optimization allow achieving high autonomy results, even despite such a “gluttonous” screen and powerful chip. To ensure maximum comfort of use, the Galaxy S6 supports wireless charging by default, as well as a fast charging function - 10 minutes of power connection is enough for 4 hours of smartphone operation.

Front and main cameras

The main camera module has a resolution of 16 megapixels, while the front camera is 5 megapixels. What they have in common is that in both cases they use lenses with a light transmittance of f/1.9 - which is why in low-light mode the cameras capture the maximum amount of light, making the pictures and videos bright and clear.

The main module is complemented by a bright flash, and next to it there is an infrared heart rate sensor, which also facilitates shooting through the main camera, because it is responsible for correcting the white balance. Among other things, it is worth noting automatic HDR in real time and optical image stabilization (OIS). The camera application interface has been made even more convenient, all elements are at hand, and the application launch time is 0.7 seconds.

Other parameters

The loudspeaker, moved to the bottom end, became one and a half times louder, while the sound quality is also noticeably higher. The fingerprint scanner has also been updated, which works by touch, and not like in the Galaxy S5, where you had to swipe it with your finger.

It is worth noting the TouchWiz user interface with Android Lollipop - it was really rebuilt from the ground up and lost not only unnecessary software, but also a lot of unnecessary functions, although it acquired a new feature - the use of custom themes.

Video

Accessories for S6 and S6 Edge

Video: shell overview

For users:

In contact with

Classmates

To be honest, we don't know why so many people are still interested in the release date of the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge. The new items were presented on March 1, 2015, and soon hit the shelves of retail chains. However, some people are still interested in this question for some reason.

Also, for the most curious, we note that the release date of the Samsung Galaxy S6 in Russia took place on March 16, when the smartphone officially went on sale.

In general, the release date of the Samsung Galaxy S6 was different in different regions of the world. But unlike the company's other line, the Galaxy Note, there was no such extended period of time in the case of the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge.

Of course, fans of Samsung products from South Korea were the first to have the opportunity to purchase the new product. Here, owning a smartphone made by it is considered a kind of patriotic act, and the release of flagship devices is a national event.

In general, the release date of the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge took place almost simultaneously with their main competitors, primarily the HTC One M9 (Hima), and did not overlap with the release of such an important rival as the Apple iPhone 6S. As for Apple phones, since the release date of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus (see), Samsung has had enough time to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of competing models, draw appropriate conclusions and implement solutions. At the same time, there were almost six months left before the release of the updated Apple flagship.

A little later is the release date for the Samsung Galaxy S6 on the US and Chinese markets, followed by European and CIS countries.

Samsung Galaxy S6 release date in Russia

Unlike the Galaxy Note 4, when it came to the release date of the Galaxy S6 on the Russian market, Samsung did not slow down and the smartphones arrived on shelves on time. However, despite the difficult economic situation in the country, the demand turned out to be so great that most of the pipes were swept off the shelves literally in the very first days. This is especially true for the Galaxy S6 Edge.

In light of the rising US dollar, the release of the Samsung Galaxy S6 in Russia had certain nuances. However, unlike Apple, Samsung does not strictly tie the cost of its devices to the dollar, using a more flexible policy, since the same or even much greater profits can be obtained at a lower price. In addition, the first purchases of the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge fell on a period of relatively high ruble exchange rates, making the smartphone quite affordable for the average consumer from Russia.

Photos in the interior

Contents of delivery

• Telephone
• Charger with USB cable
• Wired stereo headset
• SIM Card Clip
• Instructions

Specifications

• Android 5.0.2 (5.1 in early summer), latest generation TouchWiz shell
• 5.1 inches, SuperAMOLED screen, 577 ppi, 2560x1440 pixels, automatic brightness adjustment
• Exynos 7420 chipset, 8 cores (4 A53 cores, 4 A57 cores), maximum clock frequency up to 2.1 GHz, 64 bit
• MALI-T760 GPU
• 3 GB LPDDR4 RAM, no memory cards
• 32/64/128 GB of internal memory, UFS 2.0
• Front camera 5 megapixels, main camera 16 megapixels, OIS, True HDR, tracking autofocus, F 1.9, white balance detection by IR sensor, Pro shooting mode
• Payment system Samsung Pay
• Wi-Fi: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz), HT80 MIMO(2x2) 620Mbps, Dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, Mobile hotspot, Bluetooth®: v4.1, A2DP, LE, apt-X, ANT+, USB 2.0, NFC, IR port for controlling household appliances
• LTE cat.6
• Wireless charging built into case (WPC1.1(4.6W Output) & PMA 1.0(4.2W)
• Li-Ion 2550 mAh battery, extreme power saving mode, fast charging in one hour
• Dimensions – 143.4 x 70.5 x 6.8 mm, weight – 138 grams

Positioning

The 2015 flagship was created with two goals - traditionally to compete with the current iPhone model, in our case the iPhone 6, and also to partially rehabilitate the Galaxy line after the rather sluggish sales of the Galaxy S5, which many perceived as a step to the side. In the S5, Samsung focused on water protection and the presence of the IP67 standard, but it turned out that these functions are not very important for consumers; they rather pay attention to the image component. And it is traditionally lower for Samsung phones than for the iPhone. As a result, sales of the Galaxy S5 turned out to be good, but very far from the company's internal plans. Suffice it to say that the Galaxy S5 was the best-selling Android flagship among all phones, but it did not reach the level of iPhone sales.

In 2015, Samsung is relying on metal, glass and the highest technical specifications possible. That is, the bet is on high-quality case materials, even if the continuity with the previous generation of Galaxy, which was considered a failed experiment, is broken. It's interesting how many people claim that the lack of protection from water has now suddenly become a disadvantage. I highly doubt that this is the case, although the function looks interesting for any model.

The focus is on design, quality of the case and direct competition with the iPhone. Numerous claims that this device is an exact copy of the iPhone are not entirely true. It is made in the style of the iPhone, but is not an exact copy. When you look at it, you see the same Galaxy line, there are no special differences.

Those who want to see an iPhone in this device will still see it, there is no point in convincing them otherwise. In real life, phones are very different and look like different models. It is impossible to confuse an iPhone and a Galaxy S6 in real life; not a single person has made a mistake in determining which hand is holding which phone, even from a distance of several meters. Another indicator will be the absence of legal claims from Apple, although the indicator is indirect, since last time the similarity of the models was also very far-fetched.

The flagship from Samsung will be of interest to ordinary users who want to get a modern smartphone with maximum camera quality, a good and large screen, and one-day operating time. This model is also suitable for those who can be called technology enthusiasts, since it implements the latest developments, which will last for at least a couple of years. Although there was a fly in the ointment, which we’ll talk about in this review.

The Galaxy S6 is a key device for the entire market in 2015/2016, as it was for previous Galaxy. We can expect global sales of the S6 (along with the S6 EDGE variant) to outpace the S5 over a comparable time frame. Interest in this model is noticeably higher. Let's take a look at the strengths and weaknesses of this solution together.

Design, dimensions, control elements

The phone turned out to be compact for such a screen diagonal, its dimensions are 143.4x70.5x6.8 mm, weight - 138 grams (for comparison, S6 EDGE - 142.1x70.1x7 mm, 132 grams). Fits well in the hand and does not slip.

Compared to Apple iPhone 6 Plus

Compared to Samsung Galaxy Note 4

Compared to Samsung Galaxy S5

The side frame and back wall are made of metal, special attention was paid to the strength characteristics, it cannot be bent even with great effort. This was especially emphasized at the presentation. Since Samsung decided that the model should pamper the consumer with variety, they presented it in many colors. To achieve this, the back wall is painted over and covered with Corning Gorilla Glass 4. Exactly the same glass covers the front surface. To avoid creating confusion, Samsung calls the glass fourth generation, but in fact, it differs from what other manufacturers get (fewer scratches, more drop resistance, which is important with such a screen). You can call this piece of glass Gorilla Glass 4+, although this name will be very arbitrary.

Each color looks metallic due to the glass, and they play well in the sun. Just like on Sony devices, hand marks remain on the glass; it is easily soiled, but not excessively. In bright light the marks are almost invisible, but in the room they become noticeable.

In real life, the devices play in the light and look dull indoors.

Other color solutions will appear, but this is a matter of the near future. The accessories for the Galaxy S6/S6 EDGE also turned out to be quite bright, playing with the theme of the body color.

In the S6 EDGE you can feel the cut of the body due to the beveled screen; in the regular S6 there is nothing like that, it fits very well in the hand. The metal frame has recesses on the side edges, which also adds convenience.

The nanoSIM card tray is located on the right side surface, and there is also an on/off button. Volume keys are on the left. At the top end there is an IR port for controlling household appliances and a microphone, another microphone is located at the bottom end. There is also a microUSB connector (USB 2.0), 3.5 mm for a headset or headphones, and a speaker output.

On the back surface, in addition to the flash, there is a heart rate sensor; it also performs a number of other functions; more about this in the section about S Health. There is a physical button on the front panel, it contains a fingerprint sensor (you can unlock the device by placing your finger, no need to swipe it). There are also two touch keys, everything is familiar to other devices from Samsung. Above the screen there is a proximity sensor, as well as a 5 megapixel front camera.

Display

Screen 5.1 inches diagonal, SuperAMOLED, 577 ppi, 2560x1440 pixels, automatic brightness adjustment. This is one of the best screens from Samsung; it traditionally has customizable colors - from bright and sometimes acidic to muted. Here everyone will choose their own option, but the main thing is that, according to reviews from professionals testing screens in various devices, AMOLED matrices in previous models have already become very accurate in terms of color reproduction and behavior in the sun. In this device, the quality of the screen has also increased and the brightness of the backlight has been improved (everything is readable in the sun with a bang).

Communication capabilities

If you can imagine that a device has all possible technologies, then this is the case with the S6/S6 EDGE. I’ll just list them: Wi-Fi: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz), HT80 MIMO(2x2) 620Mbps, Dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, Mobile hotspot, Bluetooth®: v4.1 , A2DP, LE, apt-X, ANT+, USB 2.0, NFC, IR port for controlling household appliances.

Memory, RAM, performance

The device has 3 GB of RAM (LDPPR4), which has a maximum bandwidth of 3.2 GB/s (64 bits) today. The built-in memory capacity may vary - 32, 64 and 128 GB. Memory type is UFS 2.0, which also provides maximum writing and reading speeds; it is actually an SSD array. The speed of the memory subsystem is such that no other device yet has comparable characteristics.

The Exynos 7420 chipset belongs to the latest generation, made at 14 nm. Technically, this is an 8-core solution, 4 Cortex-A53 cores, 4 Cortex A57 cores. The graphics core is Mali T-760, but its version is updated compared to Note 4 (more frequency, etc.). It is also the fastest processor available, which together with the memory makes this device very fast. In life, he just flies, there are no brakes at all (Android 5 also contributes to this). During my time with the phone, I did not experience any slowdowns or application crashes.

And here's what the results look like in synthetic tests. These are the best values ​​possible for devices of this kind. With performance in synthetic tests, everything is more or less clear, see the values ​​below.

What’s more interesting is how the device behaves in 3D tests, that is, how predisposed it is to graphics, since the MALI graphics processor has always been inferior to similar solutions from Qualcomm, and even more so from NVidia. Increased frequency, eight cores - all this, in theory, should contribute to performance, but on the other side there is an increased screen resolution.

There are other tests, we present their values ​​here.

But it was interesting to see how, for example, Epic Citadel is going. In the initial test on an almost clean device, the result was about 60 frames per second.

But then, when I tried to repeat it, it turned out that the program produces, at best, 50 frames, and after heating, even 30 frames. This is one of the Galaxy S6's weakest points in terms of performance - the 3D graphics and how repeatable the results you get.

Having looked at the 3D toys, I can say that the range of results in Dead Trigger 2, NOVA3, Asphalt 8, Real Racing 3 is from 30 to 60 frames per second. In some games the level stays at 60 almost constantly, in some it is closer to 30. But this is with maximum settings for textures, resolution, and so on. Even taking this into account, you as a user will not see any problems in the game, since stuttering at 30 frames per second simply does not exist. And this is the lowest value.

For those who want to approach performance in a straightforward and stupid way, I recommend comparing the gaming component in GTA, since this game is not optimized for MALI graphics, does not load the best textures and is guaranteed to have problems with graphics display. In my opinion, this is a flaw in the game and a lack of optimization for a specific platform, but as an example of “disadvantages” it will do. The question in 3D games today is simply which platform they are optimized for and how well. The same solutions from NVidia tear everyone apart in terms of 3D performance and graphics rendering quality, but they are not popular. Apparently, not everyone needs this.

Battery

The built-in battery has a capacity of 2550 mAh (2600 mAh in S6 EDGE), operating time is approximately a full working day under load. This is about 3 and a half hours of screen operation (automatic brightness adjustment, turned to maximum), data transfer in 4G. The video device plays for about 10.5 hours.

One of the nice things to note is that fast charging of the battery is supported - it takes one hour. If you use a regular 2A charger, the battery charging time will be 2 hours. The phone has built-in wireless charging that supports several formats, meaning you can buy a branded device or any other. I had a charger from Lumia (DT-601, Qi standard) on hand; it charges the device perfectly.

You shouldn't expect this model to last as long as the Note 4. But the result turned out to be slightly higher than that of the iPhone 6 with the same load (number of calls, data transferred). The difference is almost imperceptible; we can say that these devices live for the same time. Again, for most people this will be full time.

Many people do not understand how changing the chipset and process technology, speeding up the memory, or introducing a different screen with a higher resolution may not lead to an increase in power consumption. The logic is simple - all new technologies consume more energy. But the logic is flawed and far from reality; it’s precisely the new technologies that make it possible to achieve lower power consumption, which Samsung consistently shows on its Galaxy line, and the same Note has long become the standard in terms of operating time.

Camera

A separate detailed and extensive material is devoted to a description of the camera and all its capabilities.

Software features – Android 5.x and TouchWiz

Samsung has begun to simplify the TouchWiz shell, and this is clearly noticeable in Android 5. While this is not pure Android, a lot of unnecessary junk has been removed, useful and not so useful functions have been added, the system has begun to look simple and understandable. I will try to describe the changes sequentially.

So, in the drop-down curtain, everything is different from Android 5 - Samsung retained one row of shortcuts, but the list scrolls horizontally, and you can also select the icons that are shown here. I like the way it’s done in pure Android, where you just have to pull it again and the full list opens, I think it’s more convenient this way.

Some icons have additional functionality, for example, the Wi-Fi icon now displays part of the Wi-Fi network name. This is a small thing, but quite convenient, which I found very interesting.

Traditionally, the drop-down curtain contains S Finder, in which you can search for content both on the network and in the phone’s memory. You can limit your search by category. This is a convenient search client for the device. Nearby is a utility for connecting to other devices; everything in it is also familiar.

How do I open notifications from the lock screen? When clicked, they redirect you to the appropriate application. If the screen lock is set, for example, to a fingerprint, then you receive a warning that you need to press the central key - touch, and again the phone opens the desired item. Everything has become much clearer and simpler than it was. If you don't need a notification, you can simply swipe it aside.

Of the minuses in the menu, I’ll note this for myself - I have about 6 screens with icons, previously you could click on the square of a specific screen in the line below. Now, when clicked, the transition goes only to the adjacent screen. Inconvenient.

Dialer and contacts. By dialing a number, you can quickly call a contact by simply entering the first numbers or letters of the first and last name correctly. Matches will appear in the list. The call log has a filter by call type.

Just like on previous models, you can swipe left or right on a name to send a message or make a call; this setting can be disabled, but many people liked it. In Favorites, in addition to the selected contacts, there is also a list of numbers that you often use. When you call, information related to the contact, recent SMS, mail, and calendar events are displayed.

In the contact list, you can scroll through names by letter of the alphabet (Russian comes first, then Latin).

The changes are purely visual, the UI has become simpler and lighter, but the functionality has been maintained at the level of the previous version of TouchWiz. This seems wrong to many, but it is purely a matter of taste and habit.

Messages. Some people are upset only by the lop-eared man, which is in the menu for rooms without an icon set by the user. It remains as before, although its size has greatly decreased. You can choose the design of the windows, their style, and set your own wallpaper. Also, by choosing a different theme or your own screensavers, you can get rid of this little man. Messages are sent on a schedule.

The range of features is typical and will be enough for ordinary users. I have no complaints about working with messages on this device.

Among the unusual functions, I will note shortcuts for quickly inserting text - they work in all menus. That is, when the T9 function is activated, by typing the letter assigned to the shortcut, you will see in the list of hints not only words, but also a recorded pattern. So far this only works for the English language, but it is a very useful and convenient thing.

Gallery. Sorting photos works by time, place, event or category (here the phone itself determines what is in the photo - food, landscape, portrait, and so on). There is also access to Picasa from the menu.

Calculator. In a horizontal position it is scientific, in a vertical position it is normal.

Watch. Alarm clock, world time, stopwatch and timer. The usual sections, but externally they have been redesigned and look more interesting.

Notes. Regular text notes that are synchronized with the cloud and transferred from phone to phone.

My files. A regular file manager that also supports Google Drive. Convenient and simple, there are all possible operations with files.

Dictaphone. In addition to regular voice recording, you can turn on the Interview mode (first seen in Note 4), then the microphones at the ends work in turn, and the recording quality is good. There is also a voice note mode, when text entered by voice is immediately recognized.

Peel Smart Remote. A program for controlling household appliances using an infrared port. Automatically detects your location, shows a list of channels and programs, and can work with any equipment. On other devices it is not so interesting, since they do not have an infrared port.

S Planner. The calendar was made visually lighter and simpler. There are birthday reminders, synchronization with any network calendars, and a separate task list. I like the way this application is designed, there is nothing superfluous in it and everything is clear.

S Health (ver. 4). A completely updated S Health application, which now includes motivational rewards (walk more, do more, etc.). A sensor on the back of the phone is used to measure heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, stress levels and emotions. Now you can enter a food diary, there is a database of foods and their calorie content. In every sense, this application has become richer, and at the same time it is not necessary to use all the options. You can also keep track of your workouts here, plus there is a virtual trainer who can help you train.

S Voice. The engine from Nuance is used, just like on previous models. The speech synthesizer is very clumsy, like from the past, command recognition is stupid and completely inferior to Google Now. It’s definitely not worth using this voice control, although it has a wide range of functionality. It's not very pleasant.

Smart Manager. A new utility that combines several programs from different companies, but in one interface. So, there is Clean Master, which is able to remove application caches and various garbage. The battery management utility shows how long it can last, and you can switch between modes. In the Security section you can install KNOX, plus there is an antivirus from McAfee. There is also a utility for cleaning RAM, which is more of a tribute to the needs of users and their desires than an urgent need for Android - it is more of a harmful utility than a useful one.

Microsoft Applications. The folder contains three pre-installed applications - OneDrive, OneNote and Skype. These are applications whose pre-installation is paid for by Microsoft; there are no differences or integration into the system. It’s worth tearing them down right away, at least the first two deserve it. The user is given 100 GB of cloud space from Microsoft free of charge for two years.

Mail. A regular email client that supports multiple accounts, HTML layout. There is nothing unusual here, nor are there any advantages over the GMail client. Outwardly they became very similar.

Settings. The usual set of settings for the Galaxy S, I won’t list everything, I’ll list the main screens, everything is clear from them.

Free apps with S6/S6 Edge

Samsung is used to giving flagship customers subscriptions to paid services or applications, sometimes this is quite a significant saving. I will try to list the main gifts, they may differ from country to country and may not be available everywhere:

• The Economist – 6 month subscription;
• Audible, audiobooks, 3-month subscription, one book free every month;
• NY Times - news, 12-week subscription;
• Pocket
• Parallels Access – 6-month subscription, access to up to 5 computers;
• PayPal – discount on various goods;
• Evernote - premium subscription;
• Flexy keyboard;
• Entrenador – personal trainer;
• Magisto Video Editor – three months subscription to the service;
• Keepy – note-taking service, 6-month subscription;
• Shazam – version without restrictions and without advertising;
• Hancom Office 2014 – unlimited time license;
• Kindle – subscription for 12 months, you can receive one book monthly;
• Deezer – music subscription for 6 months;
• Kick is an application for football fans, match results.

Additional accessories for Galaxy S6/S6 EDGE

For several years now, Samsung has been creating the widest possible range of accessories for its flagships. Starting with 6, the set comes with headphones of a new design, which are built similarly to Level In, provide good sound and are noticeably better than the previous model.

In terms of cooperation with famous brands, I would like to mention cases from Burton, protective cases with crystals from Swarovski, leather covers from Montblanc, women's handbag cases from Rebecca Minkoff, cases painted by Britto. These accessories are almost impossible to find on the market; their cost is very high.

Now let's look at the standard set of accessories, they are completely the same for the two models, only the article number and color options differ. Wireless charging is available in two colors – white and dark gray. I recommend taking a dark color, since the rubber insert at the top, which prevents the phone from sliding, gets dirty very quickly on white. A dark color is more practical.

The QI 1.1 standard is supported (backwards compatible with 1.0), charging speed is about 4-5 hours, which is typical for such devices. The cost of the charger in Russia will be 3,490 rubles. The fast charger included in the kit costs 2,000 rubles if you buy it separately, so you shouldn’t lose it. The same price applies to a car charger that supports Quick Charge technology.

A regular transparent bumper covering the back of the phone will cost 2,590 rubles.

But the opaque cover can be of almost any color, it is of good quality, but it also needs to be matched to the color of the phone so that they match. Its price is 2,290 rubles.

The book case is also available in different colors, the price is 2,990 rubles; these types of cases make the device very thick.

The S View Cover with a window has become very popular. Different fabric or leather, a huge number of colors - all together create an alternative. You can activate the camera, enable dialing of favorite numbers, listen to music, open the quick shortcuts panel - the latter was previously unavailable. In the video I show how this case works, it's worth watching. But the price is steep - 4,490 rubles.

The mirrored book case can also be selected in different colors, it has an NFC tag, so Chinese craftsmen will not do anything like that. In the closed state, you can answer calls, reject messages and reminders. There is no need to open the device.

You can see how all these accessories work in our video.

Impression

I was pleasantly surprised by the loudness of the Samsung S6 speaker, despite the fact that there is only one speaker and is located at the end - it is very clear and loud, the device is clearly audible in different conditions. In the video I showed the differences with the S5, they are noticeable to the naked eye. We can say that the sound is one of the loudest and most pleasant devices from the company. The vibration alert is average in strength, there are no achievements here.

The phone's connection quality is not satisfactory in any way. I tried to find differences from my Note 4, but could not find them. The quality of work in LTE is also flawless; I noticed that the phone is better able to connect to Wi-Fi networks than the Note 4. Subjectively, it seemed that in general the quality of communication was a little better.

I like how the one touch fingerprint works, you can watch this feature in the video.

The speed of launching the camera from any menu is less than a second. Just press the Home key twice. And it's convenient. The camera is excellent and comparable to the Note 4, which I consider (and not only me) the best device on the market in this regard.

We could go on and on about how the S6 differs from most devices on the market - the fastest processor, the best camera, a display that has already been recognized as outstanding. But this is all lyricism, since we need to dwell on several negative aspects that may discourage you from purchasing this device.

The obvious thing is the lack of memory cards. I'm so used to having the option of having a memory card that I feel uncomfortable without it. A memory capacity of 32 GB seems to me clearly insufficient for full use of the device - listening to music, watching videos, taking photographs. This is an annoying limitation that came with the iPhone. I really hope that the “brilliant” idea to do this will not come to the company’s engineers in the Note line.

Now about another point - the device warming up, which is often felt when working in heavy applications (3D toys) or transferring large amounts of data (Wi-Fi or LTE/3G does not matter). The housing near the camera gets hot, as does the metal frame. It gets quite hot, but you can hold the device, it’s warm, it doesn’t burn. This moment upset me a little, and not at all because of the heat as such; in the end, all fast devices heat up. Rather, here we come to another issue - replacing the battery. After about a year and after 350-400 charging cycles, the battery capacity will drop by at least 20 percent. If in other devices of the Galaxy line you could replace it yourself, then you will have to contact a service center or read instructions on how to disassemble the phone, look for a replacement battery and pervert in such ways. In the same iPhone, this is a standard story that its owners have learned. The fact that the Galaxy S6 abandoned the collapsible case is understandable, but it doesn’t add any joy.

I managed to drop the Galaxy S6 a couple of times, it did not cause any problems - but this is not an indicator. I am sure that Gorilla Glass 4 will not have any problems, as, indeed, this can be seen from the Note 4. As part of the VIP program, the first replacement of the screen you cracked will cost up to 3,000 rubles. No manufacturer provides such conditions, and this is a significant advantage, as well as confidence in the quality of the product (the cost of replacing the screen on an iPhone 6 is approximately half its cost).

For many, the choice will be between the Galaxy S6 and the iPhone 6; the arguments for both devices were presented in a short video. But I can say that these are devices of different classes - the iPhone is fashionable and empty in functionality and capabilities, the Galaxy S6 is the best in its class.

The cost of the Galaxy S6 in Russia will be 49,990 rubles (in Europe the price will be at the same level as for the Galaxy S5 - 650 euros). Many will consider choosing between S6 and S6 EDGE; the second device will cost about 55,000 rubles. Sales start in mid-April.

I like both the S6 and S6 EDGE. Although from an image point of view the second is more interesting, but the first is more practical. Functionally there is no difference between them.

By and large, the Galaxy S6 turned out to be very nice in appearance and functional, which is what you expect from a device in the Galaxy line, but it also does not have memory cards, which many will consider a minus. Comparing this model with similar devices in the same price category, we can say that they are much inferior in all respects. This is a device without any compromises, the best in almost everything. From subjective things, personal dislike of the design and/or Samsung may interfere. But these matters are so subtle that there is no point in discussing them. From a market perspective, the Galaxy S6 sets the bar very high in both performance and everyday usability. The ergonomics of this device are simply excellent.

The twin brother of the Samsung Galaxy S6 is almost the same device, but with a display curved on both sides. All the same glass, metal, QHD display, Exynos 7420, 3 gigabytes of RAM. Support for all kinds of wireless charging standards in the absence of a replaceable battery and from 32 to 128 gigabytes of internal memory in the absence of a microSD slot complete the picture. Cameras of 16 and 5 megapixels with an aperture of 1.9 are included. The main difference is the curves of the screen - they are endowed with additional functionality.

Samsung Electronics announced the complete end of software support for the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge three years after they went on sale. This is stated on the official website of the manufacturer. From now on, owners of 2014 flagship devices will not receive even quarterly security updates.

This year, Samsung Electronics will break its own tradition of updating branded smartphones and will release it for devices that were three years old. This follows from the materials of the official website of the American operator T-Mobile, where confirmation of an additional year of software support has already appeared.

Despite the manufacturer's promised delay in the release date of the update, owners of the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge from some countries have already begun to receive 7.0 Nougat. At the time of publication, the update is available in the UK, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and a number of other countries and can be downloaded to the device over the air.

Consumers are already accustomed to the fact that devices with displays rounded on the sides cost a lot of money. Thus, the Galaxy S7 edge is estimated at $600-700. You can already find cheap smartphones from Chinese manufacturers on the Internet with a similar display, but they are priced at about $150-200, so $80 for a device with an edge display is really not bad.

When dreaming of new smartphones, we should not forget about models from previous years, which are still quite productive and have enough capabilities for many users. The only thing missing is the new software features provided by the new operating system. According to a tweet from Samsung Turkey Vice President Tansu Yegen, the company will also be rolling out Android 7.0 Nougat to Galaxy S6 edge users by the end of February 2017.

Over the next few months, management will present an update to the flagship line of smartphones. Its new representatives will be the Galaxy S8 with a 5.8-inch display and the Galaxy S8+ with a diagonal of 6.2 inches and a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels. According to the company's employees, the long-awaited announcement will take place not at the end of February, but on March 29. And although there is a month and a half left before this date, this does not prevent the management from doubting the success of the eighth “Galaxy” right now.

Modern smartphones have many useful features. They notify us of approaching bad weather, can measure our heart rate, and even monitor the quality of our sleep. And if you consider that all of the above is seasoned with a high-resolution display, high-quality cameras and many other functions, there is no doubt about the need to purchase one of these devices. However, there were some downsides. This refers to a strange tendency towards self-immolation. Today we will be able to see the result of this using the example of edge+.

The South Korean smartphone manufacturer will undoubtedly continue to release flagship models of the Galaxy S line in 2015. The Galaxy S6 has been featured in various rumors for months now, and we already know something about its hardware specifications and the timing of its announcement. In any case, the S6 model is already in the works and in the coming months there will be a lot of information from various sources.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 has been on the market for about six months now, so the media, analysts and fans are already turning their attention towards the Galaxy S6. Based on previous presentations and leaks that have surfaced online in various articles, we hope to get an idea of ​​what we can expect from the unannounced flagship.

Over the course of a couple of years, we have already gotten used to the fact that Samsung introduces its Galaxy S smartphones in February or March. We also expect the Galaxy S6 to be unveiled in the first quarter of 2015 - probably either in February at MWC 2015, or maybe at CES 2015 in January (but there's very little chance of that). In any case, sales could begin in March next year.

In recent news, we said that Samsung is working on the flagship Galaxy S6 literally from scratch. The smartphone is being developed as part of Project Zero, which is not surprising, since sales of smartphones have dropped significantly compared to its predecessors, and the company clearly does not intend to lose fans.

At the beginning of this year, there were already rumors that the Galaxy S5 will receive a display with Quad HD resolution. Samsung considered that a Full HD screen would be sufficient for a flagship, and therefore in 2015 we should definitely expect an increase in the screen resolution of the S6 to QHD (2560 x 1440 pixels). This is because already in the second half of this year an unspoken standard for flagship smartphones was established. Again we will see a Super AMOLED screen, but its diagonal should grow to at least 5.2 inches, but no more, so as not to threaten sales of the Galaxy Note 4. By the way, Samsung is quite capable of fitting a slightly larger display into the dimensions of the Galaxy S5 due to narrower frames .

We all know that Google recently introduced a new version of its operating system - Android 5.0 Lollipop with built-in support for 64-bit processors. There are already rumors that the Galaxy S6 will run on a self-produced processor – Exynos 7420, and the second flagship model will already have Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processors (depending on the sales market). Yes, let's clarify about the processors - the Exynos 7420 will have LTE support thanks to the built-in Exynos Modem 333 modem, but the Snapdragon 810 will already be eight-core with four Cortex-A57 and four Cortex-A53 cores, with an Adreno 430 graphics accelerator and support for 64-bit calculations.

As for the design, this should be the first flagship of the Galaxy S line with a metal body. Enough steps have already been taken to produce affordable premium smartphones. Firstly, this is the Galaxy Alpha with its metal frame, which we also saw on the Galaxy Note 4 phablet. Secondly, a separate line of premium Galaxy A smartphones with metal cases has appeared. It's a pity, but this means one thing - we lose access to a replaceable battery.

The Galaxy S6 will “get fatter” due to an increase in memory - the RAM will already be 3GB, and the built-in volume will increase to 128GB. The initial model will have 16GB of internal memory, but is only available in the Asian market, while the international market will have 3 variants: 32, 64 and 128GB. But what about MicroSD card support? I hope Samsung doesn't give up on this.

Samsung is also already setting a new standard for front-facing cameras - it makes sense to expect a 5-megapixel selfie camera, given that this is already a popular trend. As for the main camera, Samsung may limit itself to a 16-megapixel camera, as in the Galaxy Note 4, with optical image stabilization, smart autofocus, support for Ultra HD video recording, as well as the possibility of accelerated recording (slow motion). It looks like low-light shooting will also be improved.

Apple set a new rule in the smartphone market by introducing its iPhone with a fingerprint scanner. Samsung supported the initiative, so the S6 will also have this sensor, and there will also be a heart rate monitor and an ultraviolet sensor, which gives a significant advantage. Perhaps a retinal scanner will also appear, but the chances are slim.