A touch of elegance, a hint of futurism, no excellence: the Android smartphone that is long overdue. S6 with the Galaxy, Samsung finds the keys of the dream machine.
The S6 is the heir to a lineage prestigious, the dynasty of the Galaxy S, which dominates smartphone sales for five years alongside the iPhone. The new S6 is the most brilliant of his lineage: it corrects all errors of his predecessors. More aesthetic, simpler, more powerful, it immediately stands out as one of the best smartphones on the market. A mobile “fun”, whose success should know a brake: its price, higher than ever. For many French, this dream will remain unattainable
.
Other criticisms can be sent to him. It is a rather bulky smartphone – for the drive with one hand, we must have very large fingers; in the case of all large-screen smartphones. The materials of the S6 also seem more fragile than plastic models of past and the battery is slightly less enduring than the Galaxy S5, which was excellent. S6 however will easily charge a normal day, except intense and prolonged use. Under these conditions, the battery will yield late, at the same time as that of the iPhone 6, its direct competitor.
So why choose a rather S6? Elements of explanations
. Design: fantasy for all
Let us not mince words, Samsung has operated an aesthetic transformation. The Galaxy S5 was a mobile plastic pasted, which was lost in an imitation leather stitched on its back and a parody of chrome metal finishes way; materials that detonated with its price of 700 euros. The Galaxy S6 again from scratch. The pencil stroke designers is safe enough to classify the Galaxy S6 among the finest smartphones of the moment. Its metal rim is impeccable, its buttons are machined carefully and fully dressed in reflective glass, S6 takes good light. What open the door to the world of luxury.
Samsung offers several variations of colors (white, black, gold, turquoise and emerald), but the most surprising finish, called “Edge” is an ode to science fiction. Its screen curved edges seem to disappear into the background. A radical design: for some, this is the first application of the famous desirable folding screens, we are promised for ten years; for others, it’s a stylistic quirk that disturbs the eye and gives an impression of fragility.
But if it appeals to you, you’d better get to know this very different smarpthone plain S6. Its price is 150 euros more than the base model. Its metal frame is sharper and therefore less comfortable to handle. But the screen edges are thinner, more easily thumb reaches the top of the screen. On some websites, when the texts are very close to the edge of the screen, they seem a bit distorted and interfere with playback. Nothing insurmountable, but it will take time to get used to.
Please note, the Edge screen offers no practical advantage, unlike Samsung announcements. The Korean manufacturer boasts the “shortcut” and “night view” function but none convinced us. On the slide, we can bring up five telephone contacts list. But this function was perfectly compatible with the regular S6 screen. Samsung also boasts the ability to screen display the time, or important alerts during the night, its curved edges. But the maneuver requires some dexterity …
Robustness: plastic, it was better
At first glance, the glass surface of Galaxy S6 seems more fragile than plastic Galaxy S5. An impression should be qualified
When the mobile fall, they almost always fall on level ground. Floor, asphalt, tile, etc. That’s why so many smartphones are equipped with a solid perimeter designed to absorb shock. The metal rim of the Galaxy S6 protect the mobile as well as plastic perimeter of the S5, up to a meter in height. In addition, mobile have always been threatened and their screen rarely survives. However, if the mobile fall on uneven ground or on an angle, the back cover of Galaxy S6 glass will be more vulnerable than the plastic back of the Galaxy S5 …
The Gorilla Glass glass covering the front and back of S6 is certainly more scratch resistant than the plastic of the S5, much more flexible. But this immaculate surface, the slightest scratch enormously brand. In addition, the extremely rigid metal surrounding the brand S6 blows. In short, the Galaxy S6 probably show faster wear. It will be better to offer him a protective case.
The Galaxy S5 was resistant to rain and you could drop it in a sink. Conversely, the Galaxy S6 would not survive any storm. But Samsung is preparing a response to this sealing problem: an “active” version of the S6, sealed and reinforced. It will probably be heavier and less elegant, but who cares: Consumers will have the choice
. Photo: the new reference
In terms of image The Galaxy S6 did much better than its predecessors.
The Galaxy S6 captures images with very natural colors, warm anything, very bright, and are almost never overexposed: blue skies are blue well. Compared to the iPhone 6, the reference date, the difference is subtle. In some images, the colors of Galaxy S6 are fairer, clearer and bright atmosphere. The sharpness of the pictures Galaxy S6 is theoretically better, since the iPhone features a 8 megapixel sensor, against 16 on the Samsung. But to perceive, look the pictures on a desktop computer with a large screen. On a HD TV, tablet, or even a laptop, hardly sees any difference.
With the S6, pictures taken in low light remain excellent, but watch out for night portraits. More artificial lighting, the lower the S6 uses its “stabilizing”, which compensates for hand movement of the photographer. But if the person photographed is moving at the same time, his face becomes blurred.
clear and balanced audio Video
On the video side, the S6 drew with the iPhone 6. His images are more sharp as the iPhone, and its wide angle allows shooting monuments without flinching, what the iPhone can not. In terms of image stabilization works miracles iPhone and videos are of exceptional fluidity; Samsung has improved in this area, but when we walk, the images always hop a little
The audio quality of the video audio player from Samsung is excellent when it connects a headset.: the sound is rich and balanced. If desired, you can inflate the bass, thanks to the built-in audio equalizer. However, the speaker S6 is a bit tight. It is not stereo, and completely erases the bass. The video player, he is far read all existing video formats
Screen:. A record fine
The first time you turn the Galaxy S6, its screen is obvious. On this large display of 5.1 inches, everything seems exceptionally pleasant to look at: a movie, a few photos, a web page. The gap with the average smartphone is striking. Its contrast is perfect thanks to the AMOLED technology, Samsung has now mastered perfectly.
This screen shows balanced colors, which derive more toward the green, as in previous generations of Galaxy S. It is extremely bright and as it is relatively low reflection, there is sunlight readable. Its pixels are finer record: 561 points per square inch (ppi), four times more pixels than iPhone 6. And if a lot of vision specialists claim that the difference is impossible to perceive all the people we interviewed perceive a difference when looking at the short screen (20 cm)
Simplicity. android finally easy
The simplicity n ‘ has never been the forte of Samsung mobiles. But it seems that on this point too, the Korean giant has begun its transformation. The Galaxy S6 is much easier to use than its predecessors. The wallpaper is softer, application icons are on a nice shadow. Everything is done to create a sense of serenity. Result, there are more easily what you seek.
The application menu is in the same spirit: their number from 34 to 23 and so beginners will find what they need more easily. The Galaxy S6 embarks further twenty additional applications, but they are hidden in folders.
Fewer buttons, fewer options, fewer screens: Samsung has redesigned its programs. Icons, which were often difficult to understand, are replaced with clear text. Those who wonder where are the advanced applications they appreciated the S5 – video editing, music composition, assistant for the car, etc. – No longer will find them: they are simply stored in the Samsung application store. By the way, we gain a little memory. S6 holds 1GB less than the Galaxy S5 … but still more than 3GB of basic Android smartphone
Behind all these changes, one philosophy. “Less is more”, “less c is more “. A popular idea among ergonomists, that fewer features provide greater peace of mind, allows to focus on the essentials, and ultimately improve the speed and efficiency.
The Galaxy S6 is equipped the latest version of Android: Lollipop. Samsung has made a lot of changes and the result is amazing: the S6 is much easier to use than a smartphone equipped with the basic version of the operating system. The time when complicated Samsung Android seems long gone. Exit the SMS application and camera, the S6 does not use the same directory or the same phone. The keyboard of the S6 offers great typing experience. Its keys are large and legible, and when typing a letter, you feel a vibration that confirms the strike: it is very reassuring
Features:. Mr. more
The Galaxy S6 remains the smartphone of geeks and big curious is the champion in all categories of functions. Some are useful, some fun, and some downright prove superfluous. Here are the most interesting features:
- The “power save” mode: when the battery is critically low, we can move the smartphone in black and white, and prohibit the use of 95% of the functions. It’s effective: we multiply the autonomy of five smartphone
- The mode “windowing” of interest to professionals.. It allows two applications simultaneously by dividing the screen into two. We can make tens of copy and paste in more pleasant conditions.
- The “IR blaster” is an infrared transmitter that turns the S6 remote. With it, you can control all remote-controllable devices of the show.
- The “fingerprint reader” to lock the much more safely than with a smartphone password. The fingerprint reader S6 is incomparably better than the S5. Reliability is good: the fingerprint is recognized three times out of four. The fingerprint can be used to unlock access to a secret folder, where you can store files and applications.
- The wireless charger is nice : just put the phone on it to recharge it. But beware, the charging base must be laid flat and the smarpthone should be placed well in the middle. Otherwise loading shows capricious.
In his great cleaning, Samsung has kept some fun features. Themes allow redecorating menus smartphone in depth. The themes will appeal especially to the young, to the theme of the picture “The Avengers” or “pink” theme
Price:. Cap on luxury
The base price of the Galaxy S6 has barely budged: 710 euros. But Samsung now offers paid options that drive up the bill. Count and 150 euros for the Edge model, 100 euros more for its 64 GB or 128 GB for 200 euros or 1,060 euros for an Edge 128 GB version! The only psychological thousand of euros are crossed … like at Apple.
The 32 GB of memory is enough to you, unless you possess hundreds of photo albums or you count filming hours video. But this tariff conjuring trick is unpleasant. We would have liked to retain the option to extend the memory of the S6 with memory card, a 32GB card costs only 15 euros. But the manufacturer does not allow it. Samsung defends itself by emphasizing the quality of the memory of Galaxy S6, defended by GSM Arena website: information transfer is ten times faster than from a conventional memory card. But for most of us, a memory card would have been enough, since to store movies and music, a slow memory is perfect
This tariff in fact hides another. The S6 battery is not removable. To change it, must be a technician. The life of such a battery is estimated to be two or three years, it will therefore provide a few dozen euros intervention.
Higher prices may seem indecent, while one is pleasant and versatile models below the 200 euros. The difference with the Galaxy S5 he warrants a quadrupling of prices? Certainly not. But buying a Galaxy S6 is anything but a rational act; it’s a pleasure shopping for consumers who can pay the price.
Faced with the iPhone, its only competitor
How to avoid the comparison? The iPhone 6 and S6 Galaxy share many things … Samsung has clearly borrowed heavily from Apple. Starting with his mind: minimalism, simplicity, noble materials, polished finish. S6 takes even more expensive aesthetic details at the apple. The gate of the speaker, the volume buttons, the drawer of the SIM card, battery charger S6 closely resemble those of its competitor. Fortunately, the design of the two mobile is different enough that a trained eye will not be confused.
The S6 is not content to ape Apple. Aesthetically, the “Edge” version of the S6 borrows nothing from anyone. In addition, numerous aesthetic variants of S6 offer choices to the consumer. It is easier to him than in the range of Apple. In addition, the S6′s screen is objectively better than the iPhone 6. Finally, the Galaxy S6 retains its status of “Mr. More.” It offers dozens of features and settings that most curious of us explore with relish.
The iPhone, meanwhile, keeps several advantages. It is much more comfortable to hold, thanks to its more menu format and its edges extremely gentle. The iPhone also remains much more simple to use, although the gap has narrowed considerably. An iPhone is always driver with less concentration than Samsung. Finally, the two manufacturers, Samsung continues whom much copied his neighbor. Some consumers do not forget.
We have only scratched the comparison between the iPhone 6 and the Galaxy S6. But one thing is certain: Samsung has never been better equipped to lute against his rival. Customer apple remained in February 2015, the most faithful: 87% of iPhone owners were planning to invest in a new iPhone, according to the study conducted in the United States and Europe by Kantar. With the arrival of Galaxy S6, we expect that loyalty to Apple will be put to the test.
