Samsung Galaxy Edge (smartphone): review, specifications, prices

The era of utilitarian plastic, which was used in the assembly of any smartphone line Galaxy S, has passed. Now there are luxurious phones with glass trim, fastened with aluminum alloys. So, the body of the Samsung Galaxy Edge S6 is made of metal completely, which looks new and original.

Being equipped with a frame of brushed aluminum alloy, as well as Gorilla glass on the front and rear surfaces, the S6 differs significantly from the devices of the previous five generations of the Galaxy. Obviously, this is a completely different device, which fans have been waiting for for many years.

Appearance

So, Samsung Galaxy Edge S6 has a familiar form of Samsung tablets with rounded top and bottom and straight sides. The power button and slot of the nano-SIM-card are located on the right side of it. On the left there are connectors for MicroUSB and headsets, from the bottom there are separate buttons for volume control (as in iPhone 6).

The central metal Home button connects two capacitive keys to open the latest applications and return. A stunning new feature allows you to double-click the Home button to start the camera at any time, even if the phone is locked (although it takes a little longer). Developers Samsung also improved the fingerprint scanner, which can be used to reliably unlock the phone. Instead of dragging the digits down the sensor, you can now simply drop them to Home.

On the back surface you will find a 16-megapixel camera and convex sensors, which include an LED flash and a camera motion monitor. At the top is also an IR blaster for those users who want to use their phones as a TV remote control.

However, it can be noted and disadvantages - the camera performs slightly on the back, and this may not be very convenient for some users. In addition, the glass surface of the phone, most likely, will be covered with stains and fingerprints of your fingers. However, this problem can be solved for the Samsung Galaxy Edge cover, covering its back surface. S6 is not waterproof.

Design Features

The S6 looks slim and thin, especially compared to the slightly more cumbersome Galaxy S5. Because of its straight edges, the smartphone does not look as organic as the iPhone 6 with rounded sides, but still the design of the device is impressive. However, Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge, whose price is slightly above average, makes confident attempts to match high-end "apple" devices.

The colors are rather modest - both models come with a platinum frame in addition to the "black sapphire" and "white pearl" cases. The back surface of the device shines and reflects light. Developers from Samsung say that this effect should add depth and warmth, but users note that such a relentless reflection can be annoying. The white version minimizes this effect, but it is still evident in the open air.

Comparison with the device from Apple is not accidental. Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge, whose review is presented in this article, looks too similar to it. Despite the fact that it is larger in size and has more direct sides, its shape and placement of components such as buttons, headset jack and speaker grille are surprisingly similar if two devices are placed side by side. Moreover, in white color there is almost indistinguishable shade of matte silver finish.

It is noteworthy that the basic configuration of the Samsung Galaxy Edge 32Gb includes teardrop-shaped earphones that look like a new model from Apple - EarPods in the iPhone.

Screen

Despite the fact that Samsung uses not the largest display size in this model - 5.1 inches, its AMOLED resolution 2.560x1.440 pixels density of 577 pixels per inch (PPI) is currently the best on the market. Looking at streaming video, enlarged texts and HD-wallpapers, it can be noted that no interference and individual points are displayed at all.

But in standard everyday use, such a high density of the S6 screen may seem tedious to the eyes.

Software

For years, users have complained about the rough and heavy TouchWiz interface that Samsung uses as a custom layer over Android. There will be no more of this defect. Using Android-version 5.0 led to the introduction of more convenient settings in the smartphone, which rely on the basic design from Google. Developers Samsung managed to create a simpler layout without losing functional software.

The installation process is now much easier with Lollipop, and the instruction manual will help you avoid all possible difficulties (for example, setting up S Voice and fingerprint scanner).

Samsung also cut the menu. The multi-window mode, intended for viewing the split screen, still allows you to open two programs at once, but instead of switching and selecting from the pop-up menu, the "Recent" tab is available. You can still drag and resize these windows, even turning them into floating images.

Other useful add-ons include private mode and call blocking, Do Not Disturb, as well as popular gestures and SmartStay. A more complete list of quick access controls and settings is available, which you can see by pulling down the notification line with two fingers.

Preinstalled applications

Several folders filled with applications have a simplified view. One is Google Apps and services, another is Microsoft applications (this folder contains Skype and OneDrive, for example). There is also a nice bonus: you can edit the color of the folders.

As for the preinstalled programs, there are many own Samsung services - for listening to music, watching videos and so on. To download more applications from Samsung Apps and affiliate programs, you need to open a shortcut and select the one from the list. One such available service is Fleksy - an alternative to the keyboard, which is offered free of charge to all users of S6 phones.

The smartphone also features a powerful and high-quality Exynos processor (unlike the Qualcomm Snapdragon 810, which can be found in most high-end competitor devices on Android). Samsung Galaxy Edge S6 is also equipped with wireless charging capability and compatibility with the new version of VR-accessories. These two features you will not find in the iPhone, or in most other gadgets.

Samsung Galaxy Edge - the characteristics of architecture

The processor consists of two quad-core chips - one with a clock speed of 2.1 GHz for performing energy-intensive tasks such as games and streaming video, while the 1.5GHz chip takes on more simple options, such as text messaging or surfing the Internet . All this power means that the system is running at great speed without any slowdowns.

Payment systems

The improved fingerprint reader has already been mentioned above, and this service is used not only to unlock the phone. He also sets up settings for mobile payments using the Samsung Pay system, which was launched in trial mode in the US and South Korea. To date, it is not known in which countries this option will be available in the future, but its convenience is already appreciated by users. The appearance of this payment service in Samsung Galaxy Edge, reviews about which are only positive, it is likely in the near future and in the CIS countries.

At the same time, you can use GooglePay or various other payment applications, there are no restrictions on their installation.

Camera Features

The 16-megapixel camera slightly protrudes from the back of the Samsung Galaxy Edge. Its technical characteristics in many ways resemble the camera that is present on the model of 2014 - GalaxyNote 4. The lens itself has updates that were included in the Galaxy S5.

S6 and S6 - this is the second wave of Samsung phones, the design of which includes optical image stabilization, which should help smooth images taken by a trembling hand. The new auto-HDR (High Dynamic Range) function means that you no longer need to interrupt shooting in order to improve some settings. The option will automatically adjust the balance of color and lighting.

You can also make good selfies with this 16-megapixel camera, which has optical image stabilization and will get a clear shot.

On the front of the device Samsung installs a 5-megapixel camera for wide-angle self and guarantees improved quality of photos taken at low light. As in the previous model, you can shoot yourself by pressing the sensor on the back of the phone, and also download a separate Samsung shooting mode "self-portrait", allowing you to shoot from the back of the phone's camera.

The right edge of the screen containing the camera settings includes effects and a timer, plus the adjustment of shooting options such as AF tracking and voice control. Meanwhile, the Mode button on the right side offers six alternative shooting options, including panorama and slow motion. Pro mode allows you to more granularly adjust the settings for macro and white balance, and virtual shooting - get the image in a moving GIF format.

Battery operation

Immediately after the release of the smartphone Samsung Galaxy Edge plus, there were questions about whether a 2600mAh battery can really provide decent performance. Unfortunately, the battery life of the smartphone is not too big. The high resolution of the display and the powerful processor hardly allow the device to last on one charge all day. In addition, the battery of the device is not removable - it can not be removed and replaced.

A small economy of charging can be that the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge consumes very little power in standby mode. If your phone spends most of the day on the table, in a bag or in a pocket, you can rest assured that the device will work quietly until the end of the day.

Positive traits

The sleek Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge, reviewed above, is made of glass and a matte metal frame, which makes it look luxurious. Improved fingerprint reader and convenient camera settings will also be appreciated by any user. Android 5.0 provides convenience and high functionality.

disadvantages

The main disadvantages of the device are a non-removable battery and the lack of memory expansion. In addition, the battery is not powerful enough.

The final verdict

Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge, whose price is 329 dollars, looks great and has first-class characteristics. Despite the shortcomings, this is one of the best smartphones of 2015.