Samsung Galaxy S6 vs S6 Edge: Which one should you buy?
Samsung surprised no one when it announced two versions of the Samsung Galaxy S6, the standard 'plain' version and the S6 Edge. But what is the difference between the two and which one should you buy?
Bottom line, it's easier to talk about how they're the same as the differences are slight, but they are thereat this stage we've taken a liking for the edge display.
Samsung Galaxy S6 vs S6 Edge: They share the same basic features
Let's start with how they're the same first. Both feature a 5.1-inch Quad HD display – that's 2,560 x 1,440, up from 1,920 x 1,080 on the Galaxy S5. Next is the Samsung Exynos processor, an octo-core processor with four cores clocked at 2.1GHz and another four at 1.5GHz. They have the same cameras – 16-megapixel with optical image stabilisation on the back, 5-megapixel on the front – and every other core spec is more or less the same.
In other words, if you're worried that you're making serious compromises to get the curved screen, worry not. You're not losing out anything really serious here. But what do you gain from getting the S6 Edge?
Samsung Galaxy S6 vs S6 Edge: The S6 Edge has smaller battery
One of the key changes for the S6 is this is the first flagship Samsung phone that has a non-removable battery. This battery will last 12 hours of continuous web browsing on Wi-Fi according to Samsung, but its biggest trick is the fast charging. Samsung claims that a ten-minute charge equates to four hours of use and that it charges 1.5 times faster than the Galaxy S5.
But the Galaxy S6 Edge has a slightly smaller capacity battery than the Galaxy S6 – 2,550mAh vs 2,600mAh. If your reaction is "Is that all?" then you'd be right, it's a trivial difference. Hats off to Samsung for ensuring there's such a small difference.
They both feature wireless charging, too, though they won't charge as fast when charged without the cable.
Samsung Galaxy S6 vs S6 Edge: S6 Edge is taller, thinner and heavier
Again, we're talking tiny margins, but the S6 Edge is marginally heavier and taller than the S6, though it's thinner into the bargain. The S6 Edge is 143.4mm tall and weighs 138g; the S6 is 142.1mm tall and 7mm thick – so that's 1.3mm taller and 6g heavier. The curve means it's 0.2mm slimmer than the S6.
The more important point here is that the S6 Edge feels different and, arguably, better. The light curve on each side feels good, and it also looks really good. We can't say whether the software elements of the edge display are worth the bother, but from a purely aesthetic point of view it's a winner.
It looks cool.
Samsung Galaxy S6 vs S6 Edge: Extra Software Features
We didn't have enough time to fully explore the extra software features of the edge display, but from what we've seen none of them are killer features that make the S6 Edge a must have. The benefits are mainly aesthetic, though that in itself isn't the worst thing in the world because, as we just noted, the S6 Edge looks really cool.
A few examples, however, are how the edge displays the time (see above) even when the phone is asleep – it's very similar to the 'glance' feature seen on some Lumia smartphones.
Like the Galaxy Note Edge, you can also access notifications from the edge. One of the smaller, but more intriguing, features is how you can set the edge to glow a specific colour when a particular person calls. This means you can work out who is calling, even if the phone is face down on a table, as the light glows outwards. If nothing else, it looks cool.
Samsung Galaxy S6 vs S6 Edge: Price and Release Date
Both phones will ship on 10th April and both will be available in 32GB, 64GB and 128GB versions – neither, incidentally, have a built-in microSD card slot. Each will be available in White Pearl, Black Sapphire, Gold Platinum, but each also has an exclusive colour – Blue Topaz for the S6 and Green Emerald for the S6 Edge.
What we don't know, however, is the difference in price. This is, obviously, a huge issue. We expect the S6 Edge to be more expensive, but how big the difference is will play a big part in whether it's worth spending extra on.
As we noted above, the main appeal is simply the novelty factor and style that the edge display provides. We really think it looks and feels better. How much you're willing to pay for that difference, however, is entirely down to you.
Let us know what price you think is fair in the comments.
