The GoodThe Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge's wraparound screen transforms an already great phone into Samsung's best-looking handset. Ever.
The BadThat
supercool design comes with a big price tag, and the screen doesn't
deliver any real killer apps. Like the regular S6, the Edge doesn't
support swappable batteries or expandable storage.
The Bottom LineSamsung's
striking, high-end Galaxy S6 Edge has the beauty, brains and brawn to
take down the iPhone 6 and all the Android competition.
The Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge is the Ferrari to the Samsung Galaxy S6's
BMW, the Chanel handbag to the S6's Coach. OK, so maybe the differences
aren't that extreme, but you get the point. The S6 Edge earns its right
to be called the designer version of the S6, and you'll pay a premium
for it.
Its two rounded sides create a bold, innovative
design that isn't just the first commercial dual-curved display, it's
also probably the best screen on a phone today. And although the S6 and
S6 Edge share every major spec and nearly every color, it's the S6 Edge
that looks and feels like a completely different -- and far more
upper-crust -- device. This is the Android phone you want to buy.
That is, until we get to the nitty-gritty: the real money
involved. Australian carriers and retailers haven't announced pricing
yet, but in the US, the Edge costs $100 more than the S6 on contract,
and about $100 to $130 more off-contract, with $100 bumps for each
storage size. That's as much as a 19 percent difference over the S6. (Price breakdown by carrier here.) In the UK, the 32GB S6 Edge is priced at £760 compared to the S6's £600, a 27 percent premium. In other words: prepare to pay up for this sexy design.
Your choice here could well come down to paying
more for the Edge's cutting-edge shape, or putting that extra cash
towards step-up S6 models with more storage. The good news is that the
nearly hardware-identical standard Galaxy S6 is pretty spectacular on its own, and you're not missing out on much if you pass up the Edge in favor of the better-value S6.
So, stick with the S6 if you want your money to go further,
but for the more luxurious and distinctive phone, it's the Edge all the
way. Editors' note: This review has been
updated extensively since its original publication on March 26, with
additions including battery testing results and additional comparisons
to the standard Galaxy S6. Ratings have also been added.
The S6 Edge: Like the S6, in a far prettier package
Releasing multiple variants of its Galaxy phones is
old hat with Samsung. But 2015's Galaxy S6 line is the first time the
company has announced and released two sibling models simultaneously.
Make no mistake, though: the hardware differences between the two
handsets are mostly skin-deep.
Where the S6 has straight
sides, the S6 Edge tapers on its right and left sides, where the curved
portion of the screens arc to meet the back. Though it feels slimmer,
the Edge is a hair thicker in its fattest part, but also a tad lighter.
The power button and nano-SIM card slot also move up top on this
variant.
Samsung Galaxy S6, S6 Edge dimensions
Galaxy S6
Galaxy S6 Edge
Dimensions (inches)
5.6 x 2.8 x 0.27
5.6 x 2.8 x 0.28
Dimensions (millimeters)
143.4 x 70.5 x 6.8
142.1 x 70.1 x 7.0
Weight (ounces)
4.9
4.6
Weight (grams)
138
132
The Edge also has a slightly higher capacity battery,
presumably to work with night mode on the Edge display: 2,600mAh on the
Edge versus 2,550mAh for the standard S6. The Edge gives us an average
of 13.5 hours of battery run time in our looping-video tests, an hour
over the S6's 12.4-hour average. Keep in mind that these tests don't
take into account real-world longevity, especially if you're constantly
using the Edge screen features, like night mode.
While both the S6 and S6 Edge are
available in gold, black and white, Samsung throws in some color to each
lineup. The Edge's portfolio gets jewel-toned emerald green, while the
S6 springs for topaz blue.
View full gallery (20 Photos)
The Galaxy S6 and the LG G Flex 2 host different kinds of curves.
Josh Miller/CNET
Besides the unique screen and the few subtle
distinctions listed above, the S6 Edge is otherwise identical to the
standard S6. That includes the same 1440p ultra-HD screen, 16-megapixel
camera and Exynos octa-core processor. See my in-depth Galaxy S6 review for more details on how that translates into
performance and everyday usage, and rest assured that the Edge delivers
the same experience. (Except for the screen features and design flair --
which are, in fact, pretty cool.)
Design: Two curves really are better than none
Rounded glass on the left and right sides of the
5.1-inch metal-wrought Galaxy S6 Edge give this phone its name. The
curved portions of screen meet the phone's back to form symmetrical
ridges on either side and a kind of flattened bubble effect on the glass
itself.
This actually works out better than
it sounds. Its unique shape pops, giving it plenty of in-hand appeal.
The phone feels aggressively slim, yet balanced, and the sharper sides
provide a surprisingly solid grip.
While I had no problem
fumbling the device, all that slim glass gives it a much more petite and
delicate look and feel than a lot of other phones. You may feel more
comfortable protecting all that investment in a case. Unfortunately,
there aren't a ton of options at the time of this writing (but I'm
getting in a gaggle of cases to find my favorite, and will update y'all
soon.)
View full gallery (20 Photos)
The S6 Edge and Note Edge have different curvatures.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Compared with the S6's familiar rectangular shape,
the S6 Edge is palpably modern and chic. If you're wondering, the Note
Edge felt the same way despite its asymmetry, though I like the way this
Edge looks even more.
The curved display isn't only an
aesthetic affectation, either. Navigating around the S6 and the Edge
side-by-side in real life produces more lifelike icons and images than
when viewing them on the flat S6 display. (Alas, this doesn't translate
well in a photo.)
The concave Galaxy Round,
which is sold only in South Korea, had some of this effect, too. When
reviewing that phone, the screen's deeper bend occasionally caused a
parallax problem, one that the S6 Edge seems to avoid since most of its
surface is flat.
0 Comments
Good day precious one, We love you more than anything.