In mid-August, Samsung has violated its sacred calendar: his second Unpacked was not held alongside the Berlin trade fair for consumer electronics (IFA), but two weeks in advance. On this occasion, we discovered two very different phablettes: the Galaxy Note 5, a large Galaxy S6 with integrated stylus, and the Galaxy Edge + S6, large format declination Edge S6 without the stylus this time
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Note that do not want to be
We could have thought that the S6 + Edge was finally the successor of a surprise Edge Rating . But the disappearance of the stylus (which does not appear to be simply an ergonomic stress) clearly indicates that Samsung wants to position this product as a smartphone and not a small tablet. Clearly, this is a natural competitor at all next iPhone 6S Plus (at the time of writing, it is still not official). Data sheet in support:
- dimensions: 154.4 x 75.8 x 6.9 mm
- Weight: 153 grams
- glass reinforced Protection Corning Gorilla 4
- Super AMOLED curved screen Quad HD 5.7-inch with a resolution of 518 pixels per inch
- ratio screen size of the mobile: 75.6%
- Samsung Exynos chipset 7 Octa 7420 comprises 4 Cortex-A57 cores clocked at 2.1 GHz, 4 Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.5 GHz and a GPU ARM Mali T-760 clocked at 772 MHz MP8
- 4GB RAM LPDDR4
- 32 GB of internal storage UFS 2.0 format (not expandable)
- Battery 3000 mAh non-removable
- Compatible wireless charging shell Qi and Samsung Pay mobile payment
- photo 16 megapixel sensor, lens opening to f / 1.9, single LED flash, image stabilization, white balance Infrared compatible 4K video (Idle Mode 120 fps in 720p)
- 5 megapixel webcam in the front, lens opening to f / 1.9, supports 1080p video
- IR sensor in the center button on the back and heart rate
- Category 6 compliant LTE, dual band WiFi ac, Bluetooth 4.1, NFC, MHL 3.0, ANT +, infrared and GPS Glonass
- Lollipop Android 5.1.1 with Touchwiz overlay
At first, we tended to take the S6 + Edge Galaxy as a variant of how Edge Samsung S6 (with some concessions). However, we found that the smartphone gets a more powerful battery and a larger memory. We are also reassured that the remaining elements that had charmed us when testing the Edge S6, including the Exynos 7420, the sensor 16 megapixels and qHD display, are retained. You will also discover later in the test, qu’Etiquedge has been improved, providing utility to curved edges
The even bigger?
Let’s start with the smartphone design. Here we find the characteristic lines of the Galaxy S6 Edge, namely this beautiful curved screen protected by Gorilla glass reinforced 4 Corning. Here, the slab is even more impressive with more generous dimensions (width but always contained). The thickness is virtually identical between the smartphone and PHABLET versions.
The borders around the display are however not larger, which is why the screen ratio / size exceeds 75%. Under the slab is the physical button feature of Samsung, flanked by two touch zones for multitasking Android navigation keys and back.
At the rear, we find here as a slab Gorilla glass 4 covering a chassis that we guess metal, taking into account the nature of the slices. As with the S6 and S6 Edge, the camera is protruding. To his right, the flash and the heart rate monitor, which also measures the white balance in photography. Slices are still very round and pleasant to grip. They are obviously thinner on the lateral edges than those above and below the screen, curved screen requires.
The jean pocket is not her friend
The mechanical parts that adorn the edges are in the same locations as the Edge S6: SIM card on top, 3.5 mm jack, microUSB and speaker down, volume Standby left and right. No fancy here. But there he really needed with such a design? No. The grip is also very good, although it is less certain that the version 5.1 inch, given the size difference. It is also less easy to get into a pocket …
Once lit, the smartphone screen is obviously a real treat. As its flagship stores last March, Samsung still here demonstrates the relevance of the Super AMOLED display for a smartphone. The technology may be expensive but it nice to look at, it consumes less energy than the IPS and is visible even in bright light.
The relevance of QHD resolution here is more probative on a 5.1 inch screen compared to the Full HD. The colors sparkle (but not fire toward red). Contrast is superb. And the viewing angles are always open. A beautiful slab as we would like to see more often.
A well-rounded interface
The Edge Galaxy S6 + is based on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop dressed by the overlay of Samsung, the famous Touchwiz. The version of Touchwiz here is almost identical to the Galaxy S6, with some differences on optimizations and improvements offered by the latest updates of Android. But not only. Samsung has made some changes. First, the icons and files were reviewed: they adopt a more rounded design, less obtuse. Recall that Touchwiz also now integrates a theme manager, if Touchwiz dressing does not suit you
Then, some widgets have been displaced, including the advertising widget that links to Samsung Apps who was deported second page. New applications now appear under the weather widget on the main screen. Finally, as you indicated above, Etiquedge, the application that leverages the curved borders has been updated with new features: shortcuts to applications and additional information son. This is less successful than on the Edge Note.
Etiquedge
Facebook and Microsoft are friends (them)!
For the rest, we are on familiar ground. The office always consists of three panels by default: in the center, reception with Google suite, shortcuts to the most important applications (Play Store, camera); Flipboard left (replacing Magazine UX); . and on the right a secondary display more focused on social networking and productivity
You will find the advertising widget Samsung, the S Planner application and a bunch of additional software: the collection Facebook (Instagram Messenger , WhatsApp, Facebook) and the collection Microsoft (Skype, onedrive, Excel, Powerpoint, OneNote and Word …). Remember that it is impossible to uninstall these applications, but it is possible to disable (in other words, hide them).
Applications Gear, S Planner and Gallery
The menus have also moved very little, be it that of the applications or settings. The first retains its two screens (not more) where we find some Samsung applications pre-installed (such as controller or S Gear Health) and a link to marketing Coyote Jump, a navigation application created by the specialist assistance to the modules Conduct which is free for all buyers an Edge S6 + until June. The offer is interesting, even if the mechanics marketing lack subtlety. The second still has a handful of fast setting at the top of the screen, followed by a more complete and cut list item.
Lien to Coyote Jump and Microsoft and Facebook folders
Performance fly high
In use, the Edge + S6 offers an extremely interface fluid, through a technical platform that we have come to know and appreciate the spring. The Edge S6 + has the same octo-core Exynos 7420 that the two other members of his family. It even seems to be faster again, thanks to the inclusion of a fourth gigabyte of RAM.
Everything goes very quickly with this smartphone. And this translates into high score still than the Galaxy S6 (though it was the best smartphone so far technically tested in our columns). We get a score of 70,834 points AnTuTu, almost 10 000 points higher than the Galaxy Edge S6. On Basemark OS II it reached the rave score of 1893 points.
Antutu left and center, Basemark OS II right
Finally, 3DMark, he obtained 24,532 points Icestorm Unlimited, 1246 points on Slingshot ES 3.1 and 1544 points on Slingshot ES 3.0. Remember, Slingshot is the new test 3DMark much more demanding for high-end smartphones. Version 3.0 is in 1080p and 3.1 version in 1440p (either Quad HD). With his score on Icestorm Unlimited, the Edge S6 + is positioned in second place behind the HTC nexus 9 (sub Tegra K1), but ahead in mobile Snapdragon Adreno 810 and 430. A performance ARM Mali GPU for. Imagine if Samsung chose a Power VR …
3DMark
Curves missing usage
In use, the ease and power of wealth is clearly feeling, either with video games or HD video files (with a video application that retains the qualities already known at Samsung). By launching Dead Trigger 2, we were amazed at the speed at which the game is loaded, then the fluidity of levels. While this title is suitable for smartphones and even turn on modest configurations. But on this smartphone, unlike the Sony Xperia Z3 + or HTC One example M9, Dead Trigger 2 has chosen immediately to position itself on the best graphics. And, even so, the game has never turned as well.
Dead Trigger 2
We are, however, as on the Edge S6 (even if it is less pronounced here), rather disappointed by the phone’s full screen mode. Whether gaming or film viewing, the display also covers the edges, which helps neither the grip in the landscape position, or the visibility of information on the edges of the screen. With a movie, the situation is even worse since part of the image is distorted. Fortunately, this is not the most important. But Samsung could not only change the full screen mode of Touchwiz video player, but also to deport some controls on these borders, as was done with the Edge Note.
Lecteur Video
Always on top photo
In the photo, nothing wrong: the Galaxy S6 was already one of the best image sensors of the market. He Edge S6 +, which is obviously the same, retains its qualities. It is clearly difficult to miss a shot with settings automatically. The pictures are bright, detailed, contrasting and balanced. Even in the Parisian gray sky, it is possible to see the outline of the clouds, while having the details of the street below. Notice in the second picture detail about the Parisian rooftops while the scene is very bright.
Photos taken with the Galaxy S6 + Edge
The camera interface is the same as the Galaxy S6 / S6 Edge. On the left, the main settings (timer, HDR, flash) and effects. Right trigger, access the webcam and video mode. If you tap “mode”, you access other modes of shooting to less traditional photos and videos. As the application of the Sony Xperia, other modules are available to enhance the experience. At Samsung, they can be downloaded from Samsung Apps.
Sélecteur patterns in the photo application
More like iPhone 6S Plus?
The Galaxy Edge + S6 is undoubtedly better than Galaxy Edge S6, not because we prefer the big screen, but because the 4 GB of RAM and increasing the battery make a big difference to use. Of course, this large 5.7-inch curved slab is a treat and some changes to the interface are also good points. But they are not as much as the autonomy and fluidity that are best here.
multimedia use, despite the increase in RAM, we continue to prefer the standard version of Galaxy S6 because it’s just right (and because the borders are not exploited). A trend we will confirm with the Galaxy Note 5 if Samsung decides to market it in Europe. However, at the time of writing, it is still not the case. And in the segment of curved screen smartphones, we also prefer the Galaxy Note Edge, which uses more of its design
One question remains:. Galaxy S6 Edge + is there a better PHABLET that Models of competition in the high end? It is clearly on the podium, this is no doubt because no opponent is now size. Reasons ? Materials, design, performance, the interface (which is no longer a negative point). Its MSRP, positioned at 799 euros before subsidies, 100 euros more than the Edge S6 equal storage capacity, is obviously not an argument in its favor. IPhone 6 Plus, its price level was not his best asset. This does not prevent him to sell. So why not him?
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