Samsung Galaxy S6 vs Samsung Galaxy S6 edge

Last year, Samsung did something memorable with the Note line. For the first time ever, it split the new generation into two separate entities, two new Note phones. One was the regular Note 4 – the standard, feature-packed upgrade to the Note 3 that all of us expected. The other, however, managed to take us by surprise. It was another Note, very similar to the Note 4, yet markedly unique and way more futuristic. That second handset was called Galaxy Note Edge, and its main standout characteristic was that the right-hand edge of its sizable screen was curved inwards towards the back of the body. Samsung made sure that this so-called Edge screen served some practical purpose, but it was more or less an experiment, devised to find out how the consumer is going to react to Samsung's promising new technology.

It turns out the reaction hasn't been too negative, seeing that Samsung is now ready to repeat the same process with its flagship smartphone line, the Galaxy S. Replacing last year's Galaxy S5, here come the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge – a flagship duo, which once again shows that Samsung — as hopeful as it is about its high-tech, curved displays — is still reluctant to bet on them as its exclusive form factor. This year, consumers will not only need to decide what brand they want their new smartphone to be, but, should they go for Samsung, they'll also need to figure out which of the two options is worthier of their hard-earned cash. But have no worries – that's why we're here: to help you decide if you should put your hands on the sexy curves of the S6 edge, or you should stay conservative and opt for the impressively flat S6.

The bodies of the Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 edge are built around the same unmistakably Samsung-ish concept, but the curved screen of the Galaxy S6 edge gives it a considerably differentiated look and feel. While the S6 has the appearance of a leaner, more elegant S5, the S6 edge looks like a phone from the future, thanks to its screen and front glass, which are both slightly curved towards the edges (unlike the Note Edge, only one edge of which had the curved treatment). This 'dual-curved' design is undeniably flashy, but it also makes the phone more uncomfortable to hold, due to the thin side frame proving to be a bit too sharp. Then again, we can't think of too many instances where "sexy" and "comfort" have played well together. On the other hand, the more conventional looking Galaxy S6 has better, more relaxed in-hand feel.

Material-wise, Samsung has finally stepped its game up, avoiding any excessive use of plastic and instead sculpting the duo from glass and metal. The phones feel decidedly more premium compared to the S5 or Note 4. The glass backs are nice and grippy, but they do have a major drawback – they get grotesquely messy, covered in fingerprints, as soon as you pick the phones up. Depending on the color variant that you've chosen, this effect may be a bit more or less apparent.

As far as dimensions go, the Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 edge both qualify as relatively compact by today's standards. The S6 edge is the slightly smaller of the two in terms of length (5.59” vs 5.65”) and width (2.76” vs 2.78”), but it's also ever so slightly thicker with its 7 mm, compared to the S6's 6.8 mm. Both are also sufficiently lightweight: 4.66 oz (132 g) for the S6 edge, and 4.87 oz (138 g) for the S6.

So, no major differences between the two when it comes to dimensions, though, as we mentioned earlier, the Galaxy S6 is considerably more comfortable to hold than the S6 edge, due to the latter's sharp side edges. Sadly, such lean profiles obviously have a cost. Neither of Samsung's new flagships possesses any of the water- or dust-proof specifics that the Galaxy S5 had. Design ambition eschewed other practical features too – both devices lack removable batteries and omit microSD card slots for memory expansion.

5.65 x 2.78 x 0.27 inches
143.4 x 70.5 x 6.8 mm
4.87 oz (138 g)
5.59 x 2.76 x 0.28 inches
142.1 x 70.1 x 7 mm
4.66 oz (132 g)


For the most part, screen characteristics are the same for the Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 edge. That is, both of them measure 5.1 inches by diagonal and have sky-high resolutions of 1440 x 2560 pixels. This is great news, unless you prefer larger screens.

The displays on the Galaxy S6 & S6 edge boast exemplary color accuracy, with the former having a color temperature of 6584K, and the latter hitting around 6800K. Both values are very close to the reference color temperature of 6500K, where white balance looks just right - neither too warm, nor too cold, provided that there isn't excessive or insufficient green. But obviously, when it comes down to the minute differences that entertain keen eyes, the Galaxy S6 wins over its curved screen sibling. Although its colors are pleasing as it is, the Galaxy S6 edge's whites appear ever so slightly blueish. Then again, Samsung knows it can't possibly please everyone, and that forcing pinpoint-accurate colors on users who like sweet, if artificial shades, isn't a winning move. So both the GS6 & GS6 edge graciously let you choose between multiple display options - 'Basic' mode for types like us who favor accuracy, or any of the others for more glamorous colors in games, multimedia, and general use.

Moving on to another important factor, brightness levels, the Galaxy S6 is adorned with the brightest Super AMOLED display out there, capable of outputting 563 nits of maximum brightness. That's enough for comfortable use under direct sunlight, and this happily applies to the Galaxy S6 edge, which hits 553 nits. On the other side of the scale, the Galaxy S6 gives a fine example of minimum brightness output with just 2 nits of illumination, making it a display suitable for night reading. The GS6 edge is even better in this regard, with just 1 nit of illumination.

Gamma is another important metric for display quality, as it shows whether a screen provides an adequate amount of luminance while displaying various colors and shades. With 2.2 being the reference value, the GS6 hits 2.11, while the GS6 edge hits a perfect 2.2. Both screens are all-around excellent here.

Viewing angles determine how well a screen's image quality holds up when it's being viewed at an angle. In our test, we hold devices at a 45-degree angle, and measure the percentage by which brightness levels, color temperature, gamma, and Delta E values deviate from the original. It turns out that the Galaxy S6 generally holds up better, deviating by lesser percentages in the aforementioned aspects.

As a whole, the display on the Galaxy S6 is a bit better than the GS6 edge's in terms of color reproduction, maximum brightness, and viewing angles - but certainly not in amounts that should impact your purchase preference. The major factor in deciding between the two is whether you'll develop an acquired taste for curved screens upon trying out the GS 6 edge - or not.

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Samsung Galaxy S6 edge vs Google Nexus 6

It’s almost hard to believe that it’s been already months since the Google Nexus 6 officially launched, and in that time frame, it’s also equally as mind-boggling that many flagship phones are still not running the latest version of the platform – Android 5.0 Lollipop. Bestowed with the Nexus moniker, naturally, the Nexus 6 from Motorola is one to showcase the latest and greatest there is to offer with the platform. At the same time, it’s also not one to be overlooked because it’s riddled with some astounding specs.

Like a kid amped up on some sugar, the Samsung Galaxy S6 edge is a fresh new entrant running on all cylinders. Not only is it incredibly fast, but it’s setting the bar high for everything else that intends on coming out the rest of the year. Best of all, there’s just something alluring about its unique looks, which is further complemented by the new premium design language Samsung has bestowed its flagship line this year.

At the end of the day, there can only be one phone to stand tall, rise above its rival. It’s old versus new, big versus small, and stock versus custom, so which one of these two venerable smartphones will have the guts and glory to reign supreme?

Staring at them longingly, there’s no denying that the two are just two very differently designed phones – crafted to appeal to certain demographics more than other. In terms of aesthetics and appeal, we’d give the Samsung Galaxy S6 the nods on achieving more glances and looks from bystanders, mainly because it has the luxurious qualities that cater to a wider audience.

Brandishing one sharp design, thanks in part to its Corning Gorilla Glass 4 surfaces and metal trim bezel, the entire package is enhanced even further by the way light reflects off the glass, producing this cool shimmering and dazzling effect. Add to that, it’s incredibly skinny, super lightweight, and far more compact, it all translates to an unprecedented change we’re happy to experience from a company that wasn’t all that notable that long ago for its smartphone designs. Lastly, the dual-curved display is a neat touch that gives the phone a cool-looking, unique aesthetic.

Conversely, the Google Nexus 6 is pretty much on the other side of the spectrum with its gargantuan size. That alone, will probably keep some folks at bay, but then again, others favor its phablet-esque dimensions. Yes, it’s obnoxiously large, which surprisingly enough, can catch the attention of some people. However, it’s just a handful to operate – requiring two-handed operation more than anything else. Visually speaking, it’s a bit more contemporary with its design language, comprised out of mostly durable plastic.

Impressively enough, even with its compact stature, Samsung is able to stuff several other goodies into its already tight package – like an improved finger print sensor, wireless charging, IR blaster, and heart rate senor. Meanwhile, the Nexus 6 also boasts wireless charging, in addition to dual front-firing speakers, but that’s all. For having so much real estate to work with, you’d imagine that Motorola would’ve been able to crap a few extra stuff in the process. Guess not.

5.59 x 2.76 x 0.28 inches
142.1 x 70.1 x 7 mm
4.66 oz (132 g)
6.27 x 3.27 x 0.4 inches
159.26 x 82.98 x 10.06 mm
6.49 oz (184 g)



In being true pioneers in the space, it’s wonderful to know that the two handsets tip the scales with their quad-HD resolution displays – something we feel that’s necessary to stand head-above-water over the rest of the high-end crop. For the Galaxy S6 edge, it’s fashioned with an incredibly sharp 5.1-inch 1440 x 2560 Super AMOLED dual-curved display, which achieves a higher pixel density count of 577 ppi. The figures alone paint something exquisite with the Galaxy S6 edge, but we can’t neglect the same level of attention paid to the Nexus 6’s 6-inch 1440 x 2560 AMOLED display – one that still pulls in a respectable 493 ppi pixel density.

Seriously, the two panels cram a ton of pixels, giving plenty of detail in everything that’s being displayed. Whether it’s viewing them up close and personal, or from a normal distance, we can’t argue that they deliver sharp visuals that make it easy on eyes to decipher the most miniscule of things. All told, it purely boils down to size preference – where the Nexus 6 carries more real estate, which some can find useful for specific occasions.

Even though they both rely on AMOLED technology, the S6 edge’s Super AMOLED panel produces higher quality results. To be fair, however, we have to applaud both companies for getting the displays to very close to that ideal color temperature reference value of 6500K – giving them a very neutral tone, neither too warm, nor too cold. Still, the S6 edge’s screen drives away with its stronger brightness output of 553 nits, versus the Nexus 6’s poor mark of 270 nits. Naturally, the vast discrepancy between the two becomes apparent outdoors when viewing the displays under the gaze of the sun. The Nexus 6’s display is just unviewable.

Moreover, Sammy has calibrated its display perfectly in Basic mode so that it’s one of the most color accurate screens out there, which is something noteworthy for AMOLED technology in general. With the Nexus 6, it’s evident that it favors a more saturated color production, made more profound as it doesn’t technically hit each of the target values in the color gamut chart below.

And lastly, we can’t forget to mention the added functionality brought on by the dual-curved display of the S6 edge. From being able to access some of our favorite contacts from the lock and home screen, to the cool visualizing pattern when we receive incoming calls from our favorite contacts, and the notification tickers that bring info to one of its edges, the dual-curved display adds to the phone’s arsenal, but as we’ve detailed already, it’s most profound for the aesthetics.

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Samsung Galaxy S6 vs LG G3

Just a year ago, the LG G3 was a new smartphone that seemed mighty impressive with its hardware parameters and attractive design. And while the G3 is still a great phone, the new Samsung Galaxy S6 is in a league of its own, sporting a premium build and a unique combination of powerful internals that's far ahead of what LG could come up with in 2014. If you are interested in upgrading your LG G3 to the Galaxy S6, or have to choose between an expensive new GS6 and a discounted LG G3, look no further than this review. We'll compare the two devices in the important aspects of design, display, user experience, hardware, connectivity, camera, call quality, and battery life. Armed with this knowledge, you'll be able to make the right decision for you.
The Samsung Galaxy S6 is a no-holds-barred premium device that combines the traditional Galaxy smartphone look with a top-notch glass and aluminum build. The LG G3 has just a simple plastic build that's of admirable quality, but certainly doesn't look and feel as impressive. Samsung poured a lot of attention in the S6's design, and made a reasonably sturdy smartphone, too, thanks to those Gorilla Glass 4 layers covering its front and back. Save for its semi-realistic metallic sheen, the LG G3 doesn't have anything to show in the way of luxury or damage protection, but its strong card is ergonomics. The big phone is easy to hold, thanks to its carefully chiseled back and sides.

Talking about ergonomics and sizes, the Samsung Galaxy S6 measures 5.65 x 2.78 x 0.27 inches (143.4 x 70.5 x 6.8 mm) at a weight of 4.87 oz (138 g), while the LG G3 is a bulkier 5.76 x 2.94 x 0.35 inches (146.3 x 74.6 x 8.9 mm) and a heftier 5.26 oz (149 g). The Galaxy S6 is more compact because its display has a lesser diagonal - 5.1 inches versus the LG G3's 5.5 inches, and it is lighter, although made of stronger materials.

Among the S6 and G3's most notable differences are the power and volume key placements. The GS6's hardware buttons are conventionally placed on the sides, while the latter's occupy its back panel. While there's nothing overly curious about the GS6's button placement - you most likely know it from other smartphones, getting used to the one on the LG G3 takes a while. And although it's comfortable for the most part, it's not always practical. Other important differences are the lack of microSD slot and interchangeable battery on the Galaxy S6. But the latter has a fingerprint sensor, which is useful for a fair bit of functionality that we'll have a quick look at later.

To sum it up, the Samsung Galaxy S6 is more compact, lighter, and of generally better design and build quality than the LG G3 – which is still quite an attractive smartphone that also comes with a larger 5.5-inch display, a microSD slot, and a removable battery.

5.65 x 2.78 x 0.27 inches
143.4 x 70.5 x 6.8 mm
4.87 oz (138 g)
5.76 x 2.94 x 0.35 inches
146.3 x 74.6 x 8.9 mm
5.26 oz (149 g)

If Quad-HD resolution and gazing at over three million pixels simultaneously tickle your fancy, you are correct for looking up the Samsung Galaxy S6 and LG G3, as they both have great, extra high-resolution panels. The Galaxy S6 has a 5.1-inch Super AMOLED 1440x2560 screen with an extremely high pixel density of 577, making individual pixels nearly impossible to discern. The LG G3 has a 5.5-inch IPS LCD display with the same resolution, but a lesser pixel density of 538ppi which is a tradeoff for the increased diagonal. When measured in Basic screen mode, the Galaxy S6's display boasts a color temperature of 6584 Kelvin, which is very close to the reference temperature of 6500K, where colors look neither too warm, nor too cold. As you can see for yourself, each color gradient matches the reference points throughout the chart, and the colors are almost textbook-like! In comparison, the LG G3's color temperature of 7099 Kelvins is farther off the 6500K we use as reference. Comparatively, colors on the LG G3 are generally fine, but colder than the Galaxy S6's, and a bit over-saturated. LG didn't go overboard or anything, but it's obvious that perfect color accuracy wasn't the prime objective.

In terms of brightness, the Galaxy S6 is adorned with the brightest Super AMOLED display to date, capable of up to 563 nits of maximum brightness. This means you won't have any trouble using this screen under bright sunlight. On the other side of the scale, the GS6 accomplishes an excellent minimum brightness value of 2 nits, which makes for easy bedtime reading. The LG G3's display, on the other hand, has a lower maximum brightness level of 455 nits, which means you can use it under direct sunlight or bright lighting conditions, but it may take some effort. And its acceptable minimum brightness level of 9 nits means you can use it in dark rooms without retina-searing experiences. although the screen should have been a bit darker.

Next, we'll talk gamma values. At a value of 2.11, the Galaxy S6's gamma response is relatively close to the reference value of 2.2, which means its display has adequate brightness response across the spectrum. We can say the same for the LG G3's display, which reports a gamma value of 2.26.

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Samsung Galaxy S6 edge vs Sony Xperia Z3

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again. The Sony Xperia Z3 has arguably the most underrated designs around! Being good looking is one thing, but the designers over at Sony’s camp delivered an impressive offering in the Xperia Z3 – one that adds a higher degree of water-resistance protection, which isn’t something we tend to see too much of nowadays in flagships.

On the flip side, the Samsung Galaxy S6 edge bears one eye-catching aesthetics with is unique dual-curved screen. Add to that, Sammy’s transformation is realized with the unveiling of its latest flagship smartphones, mainly because the designs now feature that premium quality that was non-existent with its previous efforts. Between them, we know the advantages that come along with being the newer product, especially from a specifications point, but the Xperia Z3 can’t be neglected either.

With every new Galaxy S release, Samsung has historically built upon the base by refining what's already there and adding some extra on top. With the Galaxy S6, however, the electronics giant has focused far more on the latter than on the former. To that end, instead of the plasticky shell of the Galaxy S5, Samsung has adopted a metal frame that hugs the device all over and nestles within two sheets of Corning Gorilla Glass 4 – one placed in front of the display, and the other to protect the rear.

Samsung didn't stop there, instead opting to carve several 'nano layers' into the shell. The result is a front and back that reflect light in different hues depending on your viewing angle. Also, we can’t forget about some of the handset’s key features – like its improved fingerprint sensor, built-in wireless charging, heart rate sensor, and IR blaster. In achieving a higher degree of craftsmanship and premium design, the Galaxy S6 edge, however, is stripped of some key design features that were once notable qualities with its predecessor.

What really sets the S6 edge apart from everything else is its unique dual-curved display, where both edges feature a subtle curve. We’ll admit that it supplements its aesthetic appeal, but it comes with some precautions as well – as in the way we hold it, just because it feels rather sharp in the hand. In doing this, it certainly does not make it the most comfortable thing, though, some folks will gladly still take it primarily for the aesthetics. However, we have to point out that this design isn’t water-resistant.

And with that, we have to look at the Sony Xperia Z3 longingly and admire the fact that it’s one of the few, remaining flagships to qualify being regarded as water-resistant with its design. That’s a testament to say the least, since it doesn’t make that many sacrifices whatsoever with its aesthetics and construction – it’s relatively slim and premium. Surprisingly enough, it shares some of the same design characteristics as its rival, such as its premium glass surfaces and metal unibody.

At the same time, too, it’s able to accommodate a handy, and always useful microSD card slot and dedicated shutter key. Not surprisingly, the Galaxy S6 edge earns adulation and commendation for its stark redesign, one that’s undoubtedly now deemed as premium, but we can’t neglect to forget about the Xperia Z3’s design either.

5.59 x 2.76 x 0.28 inches
142.1 x 70.1 x 7 mm
4.66 oz (132 g)
5.75 x 2.83 x 0.29 inches
146 x 72 x 7.3 mm
5.36 oz (152 g)



Being almost a year newer has its advantages, especially knowing Samsung’s insatiable appetite for pushing the boundaries. Clearly within the flagship range, the Xperia Z3’s 5.2-inch 1080 x 1920 LCD display has several good qualities about it, but it looks daunting on paper in comparison to the Galaxy S6 edge’s dazzling 5.1-inch 1440 x 2560 Super AMOLED dual-curved display.

In all fairness, it’s quite difficult in deciphering the detail superiority of the Galaxy S6’s display over the Xperia Z3 when looking at the two from a normal distance – they’re both sharp and pleasing to the eye. Moving ever so closer, however, that’s when we begin to visualize the astounding level of detail produced by the quad-HD resolution of the Galaxy S6 edge’s screen. For practical usage, though, there’s no denying that they’re both on equal ground.Now, let's talk about color calibration. With the Samsung Galaxy S6 edge set in the non-default Basic display mode, we're looking at a spot-on color temperature of 6800K (6500K being the desired optimal value), while the Xperia Z3 offers the very unsatisfactory 10324K. In real terms, this means that the Xperia Z3’s display is cold (or bluish) and that's especially visible with whites and various shades of gray. In comparison, Samsung's device offers realistic whites that are... well, white!

Were we to draw the line right here, the Xperia Z3 would only suffer a relatively small defeat, instead of being steamrolled as it is in reality. Indeed, the Galaxy S6 edge's display also proves far better in terms of color accuracy, with essentially every shade hitting its desired target at every intensity level, while the Z3 falters significantly in comparison – the hue presentation is all over the place when referenced to the standard, as you can see in the color charts below. In reality, the S6 edge’s panel replicates colors with accuracy, while the Z3’s screen tries to be more saturated and punchy, which, however, backfires significantly, resulting in a severely inaccurate screen.

Details and colors aside, the Z3’s LCD-based display shines strongly at 713 nits, making it especially easy to view outdoors with the sun present. Once known to be the among the worst display technologies when it came to maximum brightness, Super AMOLED has taken a great leap forward in recent memory, as the S6 edge’s Super AMOLED display musters up a respectable 553 nits.

And lastly, we can’t forget to mention the added functionality brought on by the dual-curved display of the S6 edge. From being able to access some of our favorite contacts from the lock and home screen, to the cool visualizing pattern when we receive incoming calls from our favorite contacts, and the notification tickers that bring info to one of its edges, the dual-curved display adds to the phone’s arsenal, but as we’ve detailed already, it’s most profound for the aesthetics.

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Samsung Galaxy S6 vs Apple iPhone 6 Plus

After stepping off on the wrong foot and losing grip of the market last year, Samsung was obliged to come up with an enthralling flagship phone in 2015. The Samsung Galaxy S6 is already here and it has all the potential to help Samsung get back on track. You can't afford to disappoint when your leading position is endangered by numerous competitors.

One of these is Apple, which has gained quite the momentum with its most recent iPhone lot, the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. With the former, Cupertino decided that it's high time it battled the competition in the segment that was almost entirely populated with Android phablets. How does the Galaxy S6 fare against the iPhone 6 Plus? That's what we're about to find out!

In mid-2014, Samsung decided that it's high time it stepped up its design game and make use of higher-tier materials in its phones. The first device to employ such materials was the Galaxy Alpha, but the penultimate result of Samsung's design refreshment is definitely the Galaxy S6, a pretty stark departure from the plasticky roots of the Galaxy lineup, a polished and perfected vision of the company's design language.

The exterior of the Galaxy S6 boasts a metal frame with flattened side edges, complemented by a rear cover made of Gorilla Glass 4 that further adds to the premium status of the new Galaxy. This puts it in a similar league like that of the iPhone 6 Plus, a device that also boasts a hefty amount of premium in its build, though it relies more on aluminum than glass.

Both handset have pleasant in-hand feel, with no sharp edges to cause discomfort, though the sheer size of the iPhone 6 Plus makes it somewhat impractical, in comparison to the more compact Galaxy S6. The former also feels a bit slippery due to its aluminum back. In contrast, the glass rear cover of the S6 is less prone to sliding. Unfortunately, it's also way more susceptible to holding fingerprints and smudges than the iPhone 6 Plus.

Despite sharing a few common design aspects (the bottom-positioned speakers, the protruding cameras, and similar hardware button configurations), the Galaxy S6 and the iPhone 6 Plus stay true to their roots and are full-blown representatives of the design languages of their respective makers.

5.65 x 2.78 x 0.27 inches
143.4 x 70.5 x 6.8 mm
4.87 oz (138 g)
6.22 x 3.06 x 0.28 inches
158.1 x 77.8 x 7.1 mm
6.07 oz (172 g)



The regular Galaxy S6 flaunts a 5.1-inch, Quad HD Super AMOLED display, while its iPhone rival comes with a 5.5-inch, IPS LCD one that boasts a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels. The S6 edge exhibits an ultra-sharp pixel density of 577ppi, which makes it one of the sharpest ones around; the iPhone 6 Plus with its pixel density of 401ppi is quite pixel-dense as well. In terms of their properties, neither will disappoint. Both are extremely accurate; yet the Galaxy S6 is more balanced when set to its Basic screen mode, as it has a better white-point color temperature (6550K) than the iPhone 6 Plus (7318K). The reference point is 6500K, which means that the display of the iPhone is slightly more blueish and colder than the one on the new Galaxy flagship.

In its Basic screen mode, the display of the Galaxy S6 is one of the more accurate, if not the most accurate ones we've seen. Our display measurements reveal that its various nuances and shades all match their desired sRGB targets closely.

The iPhone 6 Plus is trailing in this aspect: despite being pretty close to the reference points on the color chart as well, it does not represent all colors as precisely as the Super AMOLED display in the Galaxy S6, and has a slightly colder tone to it.

As far as brightness is concerned, you'd hardly have any issues with viewing them in bright daylight. The iPhone 6 Plus achieves a maximum brightness of 574 nits, while the Samsung Galaxy S6 exhibits a marginally-lower brightness output of 563 nits (in case its super-bright mode kicks in, which usually happens when the phone is directly facing the sun).

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Samsung Galaxy S6 vs Google Nexus 6

Earning the beloved Nexus moniker isn't something that can be achieved so easily, so when a company is given the opportunity to build one, there's a lot of expectations riding on the back of it. The Google Nexus 6 managed to charm many folks thanks to its phablet-esque size, incredible specs, and the latest iteration of Google's always evolving mobile platform – Android 5.0 Lollipop. In a way, the Nexus 6 was a departure from the more humble-looking Nexus 5, by taking everything to a bigger scale.

Similarly, the Samsung Galaxy S6 follows the same approach by being a significantly different phone than its predecessor in the Galaxy S5. Some folks vouch that it's more of an evolutionary thing, while others deem it more revolutionary, but whatever the case, we can't deny that it's a formidable thing that has jump-started 2015 with a bang. No doubt, they target totally different demographics, but at the end of the day, we can't help to wonder which of the two will have more of the star power to continue being a relevant thing throughout the rest of the year.

Staring at them longingly, there’s no denying that the two are just two very differently designed phones – crafted to appeal to certain demographics more than other. In terms of aesthetics and appeal, we’d give the Samsung Galaxy S6 the nods on achieving more glances and looks from bystanders, mainly because it has the luxurious qualities that cater to a wider audience.

Brandishing one sharp design, thanks in part to its Corning Gorilla Glass 4 surfaces and metal trim bezel, the entire package is enhanced even further by the way light reflects off the glass, producing this cool shimmering and dazzling effect. Add to that, it’s incredibly skinny, super lightweight, and far more compact, it all translates to an unprecedented change we’re happy to experience from a company that wasn’t all that notable for its smartphone designs.

Conversely, the Google Nexus 6 is pretty much on the other side of the spectrum with its gargantuan size. That alone, will probably keep some folks at bay, but then again, others favor its phablet-esque dimensions. Yes, it’s obnoxiously large, which, surprisingly enough, can catch the attention of some people. However, it’s just a handful to operate – requiring two-handed operation more than anything else. Visually speaking, it’s a bit more contemporary with its design language, comprised out of mostly durable plastic.

Impressively enough, even with its compact stature, Samsung is able to stuff several other goodies into its already tight package – like an improved finger print sensor, wireless charging, IR blaster, and heart rate senor. Meanwhile, the Nexus 6 also boasts wireless charging, in addition to dual front-firing speakers, but that’s all. For having so much real estate to work with, you’d imagine that Motorola would’ve been able to crap a few extra features in the process. Guess not.

5.65 x 2.78 x 0.27 inches
143.4 x 70.5 x 6.8 mm
4.87 oz (138 g)
6.27 x 3.27 x 0.4 inches
159.26 x 82.98 x 10.06 mm
6.49 oz (184 g)



In being true pioneers in the space, it’s wonderful to know that the two handsets tip the scales with their quad-HD resolution displays – something we feel that’s necessary to stand head-above-water over the rest of the high-end crop. For the Galaxy S6, it’s fashioned with an incredibly sharp, 5.1-inch 1440 x 2560 Super AMOLED display, which achieves a higher pixel density count of 577 ppi. The figures alone paint something exquisite with the Galaxy S6, but we can’t neglect the same level of attention paid to the Nexus 6’s 6-inch 1440 x 2560 AMOLED display – one that still pulls in a respectable 493 ppi pixel density. Seriously, the two panels cram a ton of pixels, giving plenty of detail in everything that’s being displayed. Whether it’s viewing them up close and personal, or from a normal distance, we can’t argue that they deliver sharp visuals that make it easy on eyes to decipher the most miniscule of things. All told, it purely boils down to size preference – where the Nexus 6 carries more real estate, which some can find useful for specific occasions.

Even though they both rely on AMOLED technology, the S6’s Super AMOLED panel produces higher quality results. To be fair, however, we have to applaud both companies for getting the displays very close to that ideal color temperature reference value of 6500K – giving them a very neutral tone, neither too warm, nor too cold. Still, the S6’s screen drives away with its stronger brightness output of 563 nits, versus the Nexus 6’s poor mark of 270 nits. Naturally, the vast discrepancy between the two becomes apparent outdoors when viewing the displays under the gaze of the sun. The Nexus 6’s display is just unviewable.

Moreover, Sammy has calibrated its display perfectly in Basic mode, so that it’s one of the most color accurate screens out there, which is something noteworthy for AMOLED technology in general. With the Nexus 6, it’s evident that it favors a more saturated color production, made more profound as it doesn’t technically hit each of the target values in the color gamut chart below.

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Samsung Galaxy S6 edge vs LG G3

Just a year ago, the LG G3 was a new smartphone that seemed mighty impressive with its hardware parameters and attractive design. And while the G3 is still a great phone, the new Samsung Galaxy S6 edge is far ahead of what LG could come up with in 2014. Samsung's dual curved screen smartphone catches the eye with a unique look, and attracts with powerful performance. If you are interested in upgrading your LG G3 to the Galaxy S6 edge, or have to choose between an expensive new GS6 edge and a discounted LG G3, look no further than this review, where we'll compare the two in the important departments of design, display, user experience, hardware, connectivity, camera, call quality, and battery life. With this knowledge, you'll be able to make the right decision for you.
The Samsung Galaxy S6 edge is an innovative device which disrupts the traditional Galaxy smartphone look with its curved screen and premium build. The LG G3 has just a simple plastic build that's of admirable quality, but certainly doesn't look and feel as impressive. The Galaxy S6 edge is a design showcase with its side-sloping screen and aluminum frame, both being hard to miss. It's a reasonably sturdy smartphone, too, thanks to those Gorilla Glass 4 layers covering its front and back. Save for its semi-faux metallic sheen, the LG G3 doesn't have anything to show in the way of luxury, but its strong card is ergonomics. The big phone is easy to hold, thanks to its carefully chiseled back and sides.

Talking about ergonomics and sizes, the Samsung Galaxy S6 edge measures 5.59 x 2.76 x 0.28 inches (142.1 x 70.1 x 7 mm) at a weight of 4.66 oz (132 g), while the LG G3 is a bulkier 5.76 x 2.94 x 0.35 inches (146.3 x 74.6 x 8.9 mm) and a heftier 5.26 oz (149 g). The Galaxy S6 edge is more compact because its display has a lesser diagonal - 5.1 inches versus the LG G3's 5.5 inches, and it is lighter, although made of stronger materials. And for those of you wondering - the curved display is not a boon for comfortable one-handed usage.

Among the S6 and G3's most notable differences are the power and volume key placements. The GS6 edge's hardware buttons are conventionally placed on the sides, while the latter's occupy its back panel. While there's nothing overly curious about the GS6 edge's button placement - you most likely know it from other smartphones, getting used to the one on the LG G3 takes a while. And although it's comfortable for the most part, it's not always practical. Other important differences are the missing microSD slot and interchangeable battery on the Galaxy GS6 edge.

To sum up, the Galaxy S6 edge is more compact, lighter, and of somewhat better design and build quality than the LG G3, but the latter has a larger 5.5-inch display, a microSD slot, and removable battery.

5.59 x 2.76 x 0.28 inches
142.1 x 70.1 x 7 mm
4.66 oz (132 g)
5.76 x 2.94 x 0.35 inches
146.3 x 74.6 x 8.9 mm
5.26 oz (149 g)



If Quad-HD resolution and gazing at over three million pixels simultaneously tickle your fancy, you are correct for looking up the Samsung Galaxy S6 edge and LG G3, as they both have these great, extra high-resolution panels. The Galaxy GS6 edge has a 5.1-inch Super AMOLED 1440x2560 screen with an extremely high pixel density of 577, making individual pixels nearly impossible to discern. The LG G3 has a 5.5-inch IPS LCD display with the same resolution, but a lesser pixel density of 538ppi due to the increased diagonal.

With a color temperature of 6800 Kelvins, the Galaxy S6 edge's display is rather close to the most neutral color temperature of 6500 K, which is an achievement. It's also not over or under-saturated, which is particularly pleasing... that is, as long as you have it set to the Basic screen profile.. Meanwhile, the LG G3's color temperature of 7099 Kelvins is not too far off the reference value either, but this color temperature makes its LCD display look colder than the GS6 edge's, and the colors are more saturated – LG didn't go overboard or anything, but it's obvious that perfect color accuracy wasn't the prime objective.

In terms of brightness, the GS6 edge's display can hit well above 500nits (about 553, to be more specific), which is an excellent achievement for an AMOLED display. It means you can reliably use this screen outdoors or in bright light. On the other side of the scale, the GS6 edge accomplishes an excellent minimum brightness value of 1 nit, which makes for easy bedtime reading. How does the LG G3 fare here? Well, it has a tolerable maximum brightness level of about 455 nits, which means you can use it under direct sunlight or bright lighting conditions with a little effort. And, its acceptable minimum brightness level of 9 nits means you can use it in dark rooms without retina-searing experiences, although admittedly, the screen should have been a bit darker.

Next, we'll talk gamma values. At a value of 2.2, the Galaxy S6 edge's gamma response hits the reference value, which means we have adequate brightness response across the spectrum. We can say the same for the LG G3's display, which reports a gamma value of 2.26 and is, therefore, very close to the reference value.

Overall, the Galaxy S6 edge clearly has a superior display, thanks to its better color reproduction, brightness levels, and more efficient power consumption.

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Samsung Galaxy S6 vs Sony Xperia Z3

Gaining even more steam just in time for its impending release stateside, the Samsung Galaxy S6 is no doubt going to be a major force to be reckoned with when it’s finally unleashed. Many prized smartphones stand in its way, but as we’ve seen thus far, it has the right guts, looks, specs, and performance to propel it to the top of the food chain.

Indeed, the Sony Xperia Z3 has been making the rounds for quite some time now, and through it all, we have to continue recognizing it for the qualities that make it a phone great. In the specs sheet, the older Xperia Z3 might have a disadvantage against the latest and greatest from Sammy’s camp, however, we just can’t count out the Xperia Z3 yet – more so when it bears some characteristics that are increasingly becoming less prominent amongst flagships.

With every new Galaxy S release, Samsung has historically built upon the base by refining what's already there and adding some extra on top. With the Galaxy S6, however, the electronics giant has focused far more on the latter than on the former. To that end, instead of the plasticky shell of the Galaxy S5, Samsung has adopted a metal frame that hugs the device all over and nestles within two sheets of Corning Gorilla Glass 4 – one placed in front of the display, and the other to protect the rear.

Samsung didn't stop there, instead opting to carve several 'nano layers' into the shell. The result is a front and back that reflect light in slightly different hues depending on your viewing angle. Also, we can’t forget about some of the handset’s key features – like its improved fingerprint sensor, built-in wireless charging, heart rate sensor, and IR blaster. In achieving a higher degree of craftsmanship and premium design, the Galaxy S6, however, is stripped of some key design features that were once notable qualities with its predecessor.

And with that, we have to look at the Sony Xperia Z3 longingly and admire the fact that it’s one of the few, remaining flagships to qualify being regarded as water-resistant with its design. That’s a testament to say the least, since it doesn’t make too many sacrifices with its aesthetics and construction – it’s relatively slim and premium. It shares some of the same design characteristics as its rival, such as its premium glass surfaces and metal frame, though the Z3 is the noticeably bigger phone of the two.Still, it’s able to accommodate a handy, and always useful microSD card slot and dedicated shutter key. Not surprisingly, the Galaxy S6 earns adulation and commendation for its stark redesign, one that’s undoubtedly now deemed as premium, but we can’t neglect to forget about the Xperia Z3’s design either. Come to think of it now, it’s one of the most underrated smartphone designs out there. Despite that, the Xperia Z3’s hard lines makes it a bit awkward to handle at times, which makes the Galaxy S6 feel a ton more comfortable to hold.

5.65 x 2.78 x 0.27 inches
143.4 x 70.5 x 6.8 mm
4.87 oz (138 g)
5.75 x 2.83 x 0.29 inches
146 x 72 x 7.3 mm
5.36 oz (152 g)

Being almost a year newer has its advantages, especially knowing Samsung’s insatiable appetite for pushing the boundaries. Clearly within the flagship range, the Xperia Z3’s 5.2-inch 1080 x 1920 LCD display has several good qualities about it, but it looks daunting on paper in comparison to the Galaxy S6’s dazzling 5.1-inch 1440 x 2560 Super AMOLED display. In all fairness, it’s quite difficult in deciphering the detail superiority of the Galaxy S6’s display over the Xperia Z3 when looking at the two from a normal distance – they’re both sharp and pleasing to the eye. Moving ever so closer, however, that’s when we begin to visualize the astounding level of detail produced by the quad-HD resolution of the Galaxy S6’s screen. For practical usage, though, there’s no denying that they’re both on equal ground.Now, let's talk about color calibration. With the Samsung Galaxy S6 set in the non-default Basic display mode, we're looking at a spot-on color temperature of 6550K (6500K being the desired optimal value), while the Xperia Z3 offers the very unsatisfactory 10324K. In real terms, this means that the Xperia Z3’s display is cold (or bluish) and that's especially visible with whites and various shades of gray. In comparison, Samsung's device offers realistic whites that are... well, white!

Were we to draw the line right here, the Xperia Z3 would only suffer a relatively small defeat, instead of being steamrolled as it is in reality. Indeed, the Galaxy S6's display also proves far better in terms of color accuracy, with essentially every shade hitting its desired target at every intensity level, while the Z3 falters significantly in comparison – the hue presentation is all over the place when referenced to the standard, as you can see in the color charts below. In reality, the S6’s panel replicates colors with accuracy, while the Z3’s screen tries to be more saturated and punchy, which, however, backfires significantly, resulting in a severely inaccurate screen.

Details and colors aside, the Z3’s LCD-based display shines strongly at 713 nits, making it especially easy to view outdoors with the sun present. Once known to be among the worse display technologies when it came to maximum brightness, Super AMOLED has taken a great leap forward in recent memory, as the S6’s Super AMOLED display musters up a respectable 563 nits.

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Samsung Galaxy Fame

Samsung Galaxy Fame
Get ready young'uns - it's got NFC
too

Introduction
The Samsung Galaxy Fame is a
phone that comes with a celebrity
name, but certainly no celebrity
price tag. Available SIM-free and
unlocked from around £180/US$200
and free on UK contracts starting as
low as £10 per month, the Samsung
Galaxy Fame will certainly not drain
your bank balance.
It is unsurprising that Samsung has
the most prolific smartphone sales
figures. With Galaxy devices as
numerous as stars in the night sky
spanning every corner of the market,
from the highest end
Samsung Galaxy S4 and announced
Samsung Galaxy S4 Active, the
super-sized Samsung Galaxy Note 2
right through to the ageing Samsung
Galaxy S3 before hitting the lowest
ends with the Samsung Galaxy Fame
and the Samsung Galaxy Young.
This puts it square in contention with
the Samsung Galaxy Young, the
ageing Samsung Galaxy Ace and
Samsung Galaxy Y , as well as the
newer LG Optimus L3 2 and Nokia
Lumia 520 .
Samsung has clearly got a design
ethos in mind, one that has been
apparent since the Galaxy S3. The
Samsung Galaxy S3 was far curvier
than its predecessor, with its
successor following very much in its
footsteps.
The Samsung Galaxy Fame is not a phone that will live forever, and it
hasn't quite learned to fly. It is clear from the very outset that Samsung has used
the ingredients to create a lower-end
smartphone, such as the smaller
internal chipset, the smaller screen
and the low internal storage.
In doing so the Samsung Galaxy
Fame, in a continuation of the
Samsung Galaxy range's design,
feels a little underpowered. The feel
of the Samsung Galaxy Fame, with
the TouchWiz interface and external
design, is reminiscent of the
Samsung Galaxy S3 and Samsung
Galaxy S3 Mini , and makes you want
to see it as a more expensive
handset.
The smaller chipset generally nipped
along fairly well when swiping
between home screens, but when
waking up to the camera or loading
slightly larger apps, the Samsung
Galaxy Fame struggled really quite
noticeably, to the point where we
were feeling rather frustrated.
We can see the Samsung Galaxy
Fame selling a fair few units,
especially given its super low price
tag, and we don't see that as a bad
thing, given that the majority of users
will likely be young, and wanting a
way of connecting to Facebook, but
for anything more substantial, the
handset really struggles.
Via: techradar posted from Bloggeroid

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Samsung Galaxy Note 3 release date, news and rumours

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 release date, news and rumours

With the Samsung Galaxy S4 now out of the way the door has been thrown open for the Korean firm's other high-end smartphone to get a reboot in the form of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3.

Rumours are beginning to circulate about Samsung's next super-sized handset, suggesting it's going to get even bigger - even though the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 raised eyebrows with its larger size.

We're constantly on the look out for Galaxy Note 3 news and you'll be able to find all the latest right here. You lucky things.
Announcement and release date

In terms of a Samsung Galaxy Note 3 release date the trail is pretty cold at the moment with "later this year" all we have to go on for now.

If previous iterations of the handset are anything to go by we can expect Samsung to uncover the third generation Galaxy Note smartphone towards the end of August, in the run up to IFA 2013 in Berlin.

This would mean that the Galaxy Note 3 would probably hit stores around October if previous cycles are maintained - but given the Samsung Galaxy S4 emerged earlier this year, could the same trick be repeated for the Note 3?
More than a pretty penny in price

You can expect the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 to carry a hefty price tag, probably in line with the Galaxy S4 - making it more expensive than its Chinese rivals the ZTE Grand Memo and the Huawei Ascend Mate.

The Note 3 will probably set you back at least £550 (around $800/AU$770) give or take, plus there will be regional variances too.
Does the screen need to get bigger?

Although exact specs are still unknown the general consensus seems to suggest that the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 will sport an even bigger screen than its 5.5-inch predecessor.

Early reports pointed towards a whopping 6.3-inch display, which would see the handset dwarf the 6.1-inch Ascend Mate and 5.7-inch Grand Memo.

More recently though sources have claimed that the Galaxy Note 3 could actually pack a slightly more modest 5.9-inch AMOLED screen.

However Samsung may have let the cat out of the bag on its own website after listing a smartphone accessory as being compatible with screens from "4- to 6.3-inches", potentially hinting at a massive display bump for the Note 3.

Screen size, then, remains a mystery but that's not the only quandary we have regarding the display on the Galaxy Note 3. Oh no, there are now reports suggesting it will be the first phone to sport a flexible OLED display.

Samsung did show off such a display at CES 2013 - although it wasn't part of a phone at the time and we reckon there's still some way to go before it's ready to hit our handsets, but it certainly gives us food for thought.

Update: We are hearing a lot about the "Samsung Galaxy Mega" range, with leaks suggesting a 5.8-inch and 6.3-inch device may be on the cards.

Could this be Samsung replacing the Note range, or adding more feathers to its super-sized cap?
The operating system conundrum

We can be pretty sure that the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 will roll up running Google's Android platform, but which particular version that will be is not so black and white.

Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie is expected to be announced at Google's I/O event in May, potentially alongside the Nexus 5 - which would put the Note 3 in the running to also launch with the latest version of the software.

However if history has taught us anything it's that assuming is for fools - as we've seen numerous handsets launched with older versions of Android - but the Note 2 was one of the first handsets from Samsung to launch with Jelly Bean, so perhaps a Key Lime Pie device isn't so unlikely.
Specs

The big screen won't be the only feature Samsung will want to shout about though, as you can expect the Galaxy Note 3 to be packing some serious tech under the hood.

It could be another industry leading handset (the Note 2 was the most powerful smartphone when it launched) with reports suggesting it will follow in the footsteps of the Galaxy S4 with a ridiculous octo-core chip.

As this device will fall into Samsung's "Note" family you can expect the fabled S-Pen to make another appearance here as it looks to rub shoulders with the Galaxy Note 8.0 and Galaxy Note 10.1.

Update: According to Android Geeks a software engineer has spilled the beans on the S Orb camera feature which is apparently destined to debut on the Galaxy Note 3, after reports earlier this year suggested it would arrive on the Galaxy S4.

Via : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/samsung-galaxy-note-3-release-date-news-and-rumours-1138556 posted from Bloggeroid

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Samsung Galaxy S4 launched in India for Rs. 41,500

Samsung Galaxy S4
launched in India for Rs.
41,500

The pricing and availability comes as
a pleasant surprise as Samsung has
managed to impress on both fronts.
In comparison, the Galaxy S4's main
rival HTC One is priced at Rs. 42,990
($792) and is yet to go on sale
despite being announced earlier this
month. Even the iPhone 5 is
currently priced at Rs. 45,500 ($838)
for the 16GB model (although dealers
are selling it for a bit less). The Rs.
41,500 price is the MRP, so expect it
to be a bit lower in stores.
The model sold in India is the I9500
model that runs on the Samsung
Exynos 5 Octa 5410 SoC, with four
1.6GHz Cortex A15 cores and four
1.2GHz Cortex A7 cores packed on a
single chip. Along with that it also
has the PowerVR SGX 544MP3 GPU,
2GB of RAM, 16GB internal memory
with microSD card slot, 5.0-inch,
1920 x 1080 resolution Super AMOLED
display, 13 megapixel camera with
1080p video recording, Android 4.2
Jelly Bean, 2,600mAh battery and
every other bell and whistle you can
imagine.

Source posted from Bloggeroid

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