Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+
| Industry | Consumer electronics |
|---|---|
| Founded | January 13, 1969 in Suwon, South Korea |
| Headquarters | Suwon , South Korea |
| Products | Smartphones, consumer electronics, semiconductors |
| Website | www |
The Samsung Galaxy S6, a series of Android smartphones developed, launched, and distributed by Samsung Electronics, followed the release of the Samsung Galaxy S5. Unlike a single model launch, the lineup debuted with two versions simultaneously—the standard Galaxy S6, alongside the Galaxy S6 Edge, which features a distinctive display curving around the device’s edges. Compared to its predecessor, this generation introduced an internal battery with faster charging capabilities but reduced capacity, incorporated an optically stabilized camera sensor, enabled audio recording during slow-motion videos, adopted a glass rear panel, and eliminated user-removable batteries, microSD card expansion slots, water resistance features, as well as MHL-to-HDMI support for external displays.
Announced on March 1, 2015 at Samsung’s Unpacked event held during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, the Galaxy S sixth generation marked a shift towards a more design-focused approach within the Samsung Galaxy S series. Subsequently, at another Samsung Unpacked presentation on August 13, 2015—coinciding with the launch of the Galaxy Note 5—the company introduced a third variant named the Galaxy S6 Edge+. This model offered a larger phablet-sized screen measuring five-point-seven inches instead of five-point-one inches and increased RAM from three to four gigabytes but omitted an infrared transmitter used for remote control functions.
While retaining some design elements from earlier models, the Galaxy S sixth generation was substantially redesigned with a metal unibody chassis complemented by a glass back panel replacing prior plastic constructions. Samsung emphasized enhancements including an upgraded camera system, a refined user interface experience, compatibility with key wireless charging standards, and integration of a mobile payment system capable of emulating credit card magnetic stripes.
Critics generally responded favorably to the Galaxy S sixth generation’s build quality improvements over previous iterations as well as advancements in display technology, performance metrics, camera functionality, and other refinements. However, Samsung’s removal of expandable storage options via microSD cards along with non-removable batteries and absence of water resistance drew criticism for potentially alienating advanced users seeking these features. Additionally, the premium charged for the curved-screen Edge model was seen as insufficiently justified by its software utilization at launch compared to the standard edition. The series was ultimately succeeded by the Galaxy S7 lineup in March 201৬.
Rumors
Speculation about the Galaxy S5's follow-up began emerging in January 2015, with reports indicating that Samsung intended to utilize its own Exynos system-on-chip instead of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 for the S6, due to overheating concerns. Shortly thereafter, Qualcomm confirmed in a financial statement that its chips would be excluded from "[a] large customer's flagship device". Meanwhile, competitor LG Electronics challenged the overheating claims related to the 810; although demonstration units of the 810-powered LG G Flex 2 displayed potential overheating during the Consumer Electronics Show, LG stressed these were early prototypes.
By early February 2015, Bloomberg News revealed that the S6 would feature a metal chassis and be available in two models: a standard version and another with a display curved on both the left and right edges, akin to the Galaxy Note Edge. The design of the S6 was officially hinted at through a promotional page launched by T-Mobile US on 22 February 2015, which highlighted a curved form factor alongside the slogan "Six Appeal".
Keynote
Samsung introduced the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge at the inaugural Samsung Unpacked 2015 event held during Mobile World Congress on 1 March 2015, with availability commencing on 10 April 2015 across 20 nations. In the Japanese market, these models are promoted exclusively under the Galaxy name, omitting most Samsung branding due to the impact of historical tensions between Japan and South Korea on Samsung's sales. A company representative noted that the Galaxy brand enjoys strong recognition within Japan.
Design changes
The Galaxy S6 series was developed in response to user feedback and critiques of earlier versions, aiming to appeal broadly to consumers. During its launch, Samsung emphasized enhancements in design, camera technology, and wireless charging capabilities. To support these objectives, several features present in the Galaxy S5 were eliminated, including waterproofing, the USB 3.0 port, expandable storage via MicroSD, and Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL).
Moreover, the Galaxy S6 features a sealed battery that cannot be replaced by users. Samsung, which had previously resisted moving away from removable batteries, justified this change by highlighting the device’s rapid AC charging and compatibility with both leading wireless charging standards, thereby reducing the necessity for battery swaps.
The company postponed removing user-replaceable batteries throughout the Samsung Galaxy S series until consumers could "feel confident about charging their phones," as explained by Justin Denison, then vice president of product strategy at Samsung, during the Unpacked 2015 Episode 1 keynote. This shift contrasts with a previous marketing campaign for the Galaxy S5 that mocked iPhone users for their reliance on non-removable batteries by labeling them "wall huggers" due to frequent charging needs.
In addition to hardware changes, Samsung streamlined its software experience; a company spokesperson revealed that approximately 40% of the features within TouchWiz were either removed or simplified compared to those found in the S5 model.
Galaxy S6 Active
The Samsung Galaxy S6 Active (styled as SΛMSUNG Galaxy S6 active) represents a ruggedized edition of the Galaxy S6. It shares many core specifications with the standard model but distinguishes itself by incorporating waterproofing, shock resistance, and dust protection that adhere to the IP68 rating. This version also features a sturdier exterior design and replaces touch-sensitive navigation keys with physical buttons. It was launched on 12 June 2015 and was exclusively offered through the AT&T network in the United States.
On 12 June 2015, AT&T introduced the S6 Active to the U.S. market, making it available in three color options: gray, camo-blue, and camo-white. The device carries the model number SM–G890A.
Design
The design language of the Galaxy S6 series maintains continuity with earlier models but introduces a unibody chassis crafted from aluminium alloy 6013, paired with a glass back panel. The device features a curved bezel with chamfered edges to enhance grip comfort. Notably, both the speaker grille and the 3.5mm headphone jack have been relocated to the bottom edge beside the MicroUSB 2.0 type B charging port—marking a first for the Samsung Galaxy S series.
Color choices for these models include "White Pearl," "Black Sapphire," and "Gold Platinum." Exclusive finishes are "Blue Topaz" for the S6 and "Emerald Green" for the S6 Edge.
Additionally, Samsung released a limited-edition Iron Man variant of the Galaxy S6 in conjunction with Avengers: Age of Ultron, offering six unique color schemes.
Some design aspects of the S6 represent a step back compared to its predecessor, the S5. The device omits a MicroSD expansion slot and reverts from USB 3.0 to micro-USB 2.0 connectivity. Furthermore, both models lack water resistance and utilize smaller, non-removable batteries.
Battery
The Galaxy S6 is equipped with a 2550 mAh battery, whereas the S6 Edge features a slightly larger 2600 mAh battery, with neither designed for user replacement.
These models mark the first instances within the Samsung Galaxy S lineup to incorporate Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0 technology, enabling charging rates up to 15 Watts when paired with a compatible charger. Nevertheless, this rapid charging capability is disabled during active device usage.[lower-alpha 1]
Hardware
The Galaxy S6 series is driven by the 64-bit ARMv8 Exynos 7 Octa 7420 system-on-chip, which includes four Cortex-A57 cores clocked at 2.1 GHz and four Cortex-A53 cores running at 1.5 GHz. Both the S6 and S6 Edge are outfitted with 3 GB of LPDDR4 RAM, while the S6 Edge+ boasts 4 GB of LPDDR4 memory, making these Samsung's inaugural flagship devices to support 64-bit processing. This processor is also Samsung’s first to employ a 14 nm FinFET fabrication process, which the company claims enhances power efficiency. The internal storage options include 32, 64, or 128 GB of non-expandable memory utilizing Universal Flash Storage (UFS) 2.0 technology, marking a shift from previous use of eMMC storage.
The displays on the S6 and S6 Edge measure 5.1 inches with a resolution of 1440p on Super AMOLED panels; in contrast, the S6 Edge+ features a larger 5.7-inch 1440p Super AMOLED screen. Both the S6 Edge and S6 Edge+ have displays that curve gently along both lengthwise edges, though less pronounced than the curvature seen on the Galaxy Note Edge. The screens exhibit a reflectance of 4.6% and can reach a peak brightness of 784 nits.
Wireless charging support on the Galaxy S6 lineup includes compatibility with both the Qi and Power Matters Alliance standards.
Notably, the Galaxy S6 series discontinued support for Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL), a feature that had been present since the introduction of the Galaxy S2 in 2011.
Certain variants of the Galaxy S6 incorporate an additional Qualcomm MDM9635M modem to provide CDMA network compatibility, such as those distributed through Verizon.
Cameras
The Galaxy S6's rear camera incorporates the same image sensor (Sony Exmor RS IMX240/Samsung ISOCELL S5K2P2) equipped with optical image stabilization as found in the Galaxy Note 4.[1] Notably, this Samsung flagship introduces a built-in slow-motion video editor, enabling users to select specific segments of footage, adjust playback speed, and export the edited clips for sharing.
Upgrades to the front camera include an increase from 2.1 to 5 megapixels and the addition of 1440p video recording, marking a first for the Galaxy S series. It also features an f/1.9 aperture and is the first front-facing camera in a Samsung device to offer an HDR viewfinder.[2] The home button’s fingerprint sensor has shifted from a swipe-based to a touch-based recognition system. Pressing the Home button twice now opens the camera application, replacing the previous shortcut to S Voice, Samsung’s digital assistant used on flagship models between 2012 and 2014.[3]
Both front and rear cameras support burst shot functionality, capturing approximately eight frames per second with a maximum of 30 images per burst sequence.[4]Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
The camera app’s interface was redesigned to include swipe gestures for switching between camera modes and accessing the gallery. The mode selector now presents options in a flat, two-row grid combining icons and labels. Users can download additional modes as desired. Furthermore, manual camera controls were introduced with the Android Marshmallow update.[1]
The settings menu no longer appears as a four-column icon-and-label grid overlaying the viewfinder; instead, it has been relocated to a separate page presented as a list. Customization of setting shortcuts has been removed.[1][5]
Operating system
At launch, the S6 and S6 Edge operated on Android 5.0.2 "Lollipop", whereas the S6 Edge+ debuted with Android 5.1.1 "Lollipop". All models featured Samsung’s TouchWiz interface, which was refined for the S6 series to adopt a more minimalistic aesthetic and reduce the number of pre-installed apps. Users gained the ability to personalize their devices by downloading custom themes. Additionally, several Microsoft applications came preloaded, including OneDrive, OneNote, and Skype. Samsung committed to providing two major Android updates—upgrading up to Android 7.0—as well as delivering security patches for four years, extending through 2019.
Curved edge
The S6 Edge and S6 Edge+ incorporated a feature allowing users to assign up to five contacts for swift access by swiping from the screen’s curved edges. Each contact was identified by a distinct color; when the phone was placed face down, these edge curves would illuminate in the respective contact’s hue to indicate incoming calls. The Night Clock function, originally introduced with the Galaxy Note Edge, was also integrated into these Edge variants. Furthermore, the heart rate sensor doubled as a control button, enabling users to reject calls and automatically send predefined text responses. However, carrier-specific models for Sprint, Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile omitted certain features found on the unlocked versions—such as Smart Manager, Simple Sharing (exclusive to AT&T), and Download Booster (available only on Sprint and AT&T).
Accessibility
The one-handed operation mode, an accessibility enhancement first introduced with the 2013 Galaxy Note 3 and also featured on the Galaxy S5 and Note 4, is included on the S6 Edge Plus but absent from both the S6 and S6 Edge models. When activated through the settings menu, this mode can be triggered by pressing the home button three times consecutively, replacing the previous swipe gesture method, and reduces the screen's display area to make single-handed use more manageable.
In contrast to earlier versions, the reduced viewport size is fixed and cannot be adjusted, and it can only be positioned in one of two preset locations at either lower corner of the screen instead of being freely movable. Additionally, on-screen navigation and volume controls, along with certain app and contact shortcuts available on the S5, have been removed.
Samsung Pay
The Galaxy S6 marked Samsung’s initial integration of Samsung Pay, a mobile payment platform derived from technology acquired through LoopPay, a crowdfunded startup company purchased by Samsung in February 2015. Samsung Pay utilizes LoopPay’s proprietary "magnetic secure transmission" (MST) technology, which sends card information to payment terminals via an electromagnetic field, enabling terminals to recognize it as if a traditional card had been swiped. According to LoopPay’s creators, this system overcomes many of the restrictions faced by other mobile payment solutions and is compatible with approximately "90%" of all point-of-sale devices across the United States. The service also supports NFC-enabled transactions alongside MST. Card details are securely stored as tokens, with payment authentication requiring fingerprint verification. Samsung Pay was not available immediately at the S6 launch but was activated midway through 2015.
Multi-window
Although flagship models beginning with the Galaxy S III have supported screen splitting to display two apps concurrently, the Galaxy S6 represents the first device in the Galaxy S series to introduce floating pop-up multi-window functionality. The multi-window interface resembles that found on the Galaxy Note 4, but instead of utilizing a floating sidebar, apps are launched from a dedicated split-screen app drawer, which can be accessed by holding the task key or tapping an icon within the recent apps menu. This design means that while floating pop-up windows can overlay apps that do not support multi-window, accessing the split-screen launcher requires minimizing any unsupported app first to enable launching a compatible application.
Additionally, users can open multi-window apps by pressing and holding an app icon in the recently accessed apps view, which is reached via the task key situated to the left of the home button.[6]
Software updates
In February 2016, Samsung initiated the rollout of Android 6.0.1 "Marshmallow" for the Galaxy S6. This update introduced features such as "Google Now on Tap", enabling users to conduct searches contextualized by the current screen content, along with "Doze", which enhances battery efficiency when the device remains idle.[7] For S6 Edge variants, the Edge Display was enhanced to feature broader panels and expanded capabilities akin to those available on the S7 Edge.[8][9][10]
The Galaxy S6 series received Android 7.0 "Nougat" starting in March 2017. Post-update, the user interface was revamped to closely resemble that of the Galaxy S7, though features such as Video Enhancer, Screen Resolution Adjuster, Performance Mode, and simultaneous photo capture during video recording were not included.
The most recent firmware update for the S6 lineup is based on Android 7.0 "Nougat" and incorporates security patches from January 2019.[11][12]
Through unofficial channels, custom ROMs enable the Galaxy S6 series to operate on Android 9.0 "Pie" featuring One UI.[13]
Additional Features
The Galaxy S6 marks Samsung's first premium smartphone to include a torch toggle directly within the pull-down quick settings panel, replacing the traditional home screen widget. This change allows users to activate the flashlight more swiftly without exiting an active application.
Critical Response
Initial reviews of the Galaxy S6 were largely favorable, highlighting its superior build quality compared to earlier Samsung models, enhancements in camera technology, a high-resolution display, and a notable reduction in software "bloat". Anandtech praised the upgraded fingerprint sensor, equating its performance to Apple's Touch ID system. The Verge remarked that the S6 and S6 Edge represented a pivotal moment where Samsung appeared to seriously reconsider the fundamental nature of a smartphone.
Nonetheless, some reviewers expressed dissatisfaction with certain functional compromises relative to the Galaxy S5. These included a smaller, non-removable battery, the absence of a microSD card slot, and lack of water resistance—features that previously appealed to power users loyal to the Galaxy S series.
Wired critiqued the S6 Edge’s dual-curved display as a regression compared to the Galaxy Note Edge, citing limited edge-specific functionalities due to the screen’s inward curve rather than an extended display area. The publication argued that Samsung failed to provide compelling reasons for consumers to favor the curved model over the standard S6, suggesting its appeal lay more in aesthetics and exclusivity than practical improvements. Similarly, The Verge described these additional features as largely forgettable. Regarding speed, The Verge identified the S6 as the fastest Android handset they had tested, attributing this to Samsung’s approach of addressing Android's typical slowdowns through sheer processing power.
Certain users reported a persistent issue with the camera flash remaining faintly illuminated even when not in use or when the phone was powered off. Samsung acknowledged this defect affecting both the S6 and S6 Edge but has yet to announce a timeline for resolution.
According to iFixit, repairs on the Galaxy S6 are challenging due to strong adhesives securing both the rear glass panel and battery components.
In its evaluation of the S6 Active model, The Verge outlined six advantages over the standard S6:
- Enhanced water and shock resistance.
- A battery capacity increased by 37%.
- A customizable button positioned above the volume controls on the left side.
- Cooler operating temperatures compared to occasional heat issues on the S6.
- A minimal $10 price difference relative to the regular model.
- Identical camera and performance specifications as the standard S6.
Conversely, five factors favoring the original S6 over the Active were noted:
- The Active features a plastic chassis instead of metal.
- It lacks a fingerprint reader.
- Available storage options are limited to 32 GB and 64 GB, unlike the S6 which offers an additional 128 GB variant.
- The Active was exclusively sold through AT&T in the United States.
- Firmware and security updates for the Active are expected less frequently than for the standard model.
Security concerns
In November 2015, Google's Project Zero team revealed eleven critical security flaws identified within Samsung's Android implementation on the Galaxy S6. Several of these vulnerabilities had already been addressed by the time the findings were made public.
Sales performance
During the initial month following launch, Samsung sold 6 million units of the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge combined, surpassing the sales figures of the Galaxy S5 over a comparable period but falling short of the 10 million units record set by the Galaxy S4. Despite this, increased competition from rival manufacturers contributed to a decline in market share and reduced net profit. Anticipating a challenging market environment for the latter half of the year, Samsung announced in its Q2 earnings report in July 2015 that it would be lowering the prices of both the S6 and S6 Edge models. The company noted that sales from these devices had only a "marginal" impact on overall profitability. Similarly, the S6 Edge+ experienced a comparable outcome, though it trailed behind the performance of the Note 5.
See also
- Comparison of Samsung Galaxy S smartphones
- Comparison of smartphones
- Samsung Galaxy S series
- Samsung Galaxy Xcover 3
- Samsung Rugby Smart
Notes
- ↑ Fast charging functions only when the device is either in standby or powered off.
References
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External links
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