[Deal] AT&T goes BOGO-ish with Samsung Galaxy S6
If you are looking for a pair of smartphones as gifts this holiday season, AT&T is offering up the Samsung Galaxy S6 in a kind of buy one get one free deal. Since the deal only works by signing up for the AT&T Next program, you end up having to setup service and make payments on both phones. However, as long as you comply with the program’s requirements, AT&T will start granting credits that effectively make the second smartphone free.
For the first device, users can choose from the Samsung Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy S6 Edge+, Galaxy S6 Active or the Galaxy Note 5. Once you add one of those devices to your cart, you can add the Galaxy S6 as the second device. In addition to signing up for AT&T Next and staying with the program, consumers also have to use a service plan of at least $70 per month.
With so many people putting multiple lines on their plans, this could be a good way to control the cost a bit. Hit the source link below for more information and to start your order.
source: AT&T
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Holiday Buying Guide 2015: The best Android phones
We live in a mobility-focused world, and manufacturers from all over the world have risen up to meet this demand. You have Samsung with its new line of premium Galaxy devices, Google revolutionizing the off-contract market with the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P, Motorola’s own off-contract efforts, and even up and comers like Alcatel OneTouch. There are so many different smartphones out there, all for different types of people. With that in mind, it can be difficult to find the perfect handset, especially with how expensive many of these devices are.
Here at Talk Android, we’ve put together a detailed shopping guide on the best smartphones in the market for the holidays. There’s something for everybody on this list, whether it be powerful performance packages that Samsung offers, something more luxury in the Sony Xperia handsets, or even the media production capabilities in many of LG’s new devices.
We’ve taken the liberty of digging through the mire in order to bring you the best Android smartphones for this holiday shopping season. One thing we can guarantee: there’s something for you on this list.
Stocking Stuffers ($99 – $199)
Moto G (2015)
Motorola can make some impressive devices, even with decidedly mid-range specifications. The company created the Moto G with low price points and high performance in mind. It goes without saying, the Moto G delivers.
Motorola equipped the Moto G with a 5-inch 1280 x 720 display, a quad-core Snapdragon 410, 8GB ROM/1GB RAM or 16GB ROM/2GB RAM configurations, a 13-megapixel rear camera, and a 2470mAh battery. The smartphone comes with Android 5.1 straight out of the box with planned upgrades to Android 6.0 down the road.
The specifications may be low, but the off-contract handset is just as slick as many high-end devices. Not only that, but it’s guaranteed to save some money on those outrageous carrier bills by helping you ditch contracts. That’s the big benefit with the Moto G (2015): ditching carrier contracts while not breaking the bank on an off-contract smartphone. As mentioned earlier, even at its low price point, it has great mid-range specifications. In some cases, if you were to put the Moto G and a Galaxy Note 5 side-by-side and navigate the software, you wouldn’t notice much of a difference in speed or smoothness. It’s most definitely a win for the person that wants to get rid of contracts while still having a great smartphone.
The Moto G also has a lot of different accessories available for it, particularly an arsenal of back plates in different colors. Motorola also offers tons of different cases, shells, battery packs, microSD cards, and earphones for the Moto G. And if you’re still on the fence, be sure to check out review of the device. Starting at $179, a mid-range handset truly doesn’t get any better than this.
Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3 (4.7)
Alcatel OneTouch first launched the Idol 3, arguably one of the most impressive off-contract smartphones on the market. But with the demand for smaller devices, Alcatel OneTouch launched a smaller version of the handset, the Idol 3 4.7. It’s notably different in performance, but still delivers.
The Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3 (4.7) features a 4.7-inch 1280 x 720 display, a quad-core Snapdragon 410 processor, 1.5GB of RAM, 8/16GB ROM configurations, a 13-megapixel rear camera, and a 2,000mAh battery. As far as software goes, it’s running Android 5.0. Alcatel OneTouch hasn’t made their plans known to upgrade the device to Android 6.0 yet, which may be something to consider when thinking over your purchase.
The highlight of the Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3 (4.7) certainly isn’t specifications, but providing a truly elegant device in a size that most people prefer. 5.5-inch or 6-inch devices are quickly becoming the norm, but aren’t for everyone. With that in mind, the Idol 3 with the 4.7-inch display is quite literally the perfect fit for those who want something smaller. On the downside, there aren’t a whole lot of accessories beyond your standard third-party cases for this device. However, much like the Moto G (2015) a great plus is that you get a formidable off-contract smartphone on the cheap.
Alcatel OneTouch did an impressive job with the Idol 3 4.7, bringing both performance and elegance in a relatively cheap package. For $179, this handset will break you free of carrier contracts while giving you something to impress your friends with.
[Alcatel OneTouch] [Amazon] [Newegg]
Under the Christmas Tree ($199 – $399)
ZTE Axon Pro
ZTE isn’t very well known in the United States, but the Chinese manufacturer is trying to change that by offering high-end devices at a competitive price point. That said, some might be surprised to see this device under the Christmas tree this year, but won’t live to regret it.
The ZTE Axon Pro (review here) sports a 5.5-inch 2560 x 1440 display, an octa-core Snapdragon 810 processor, 4GB of RAM, 32/64GB ROM configurations, a 13-megapixel rear camera, a 3,000mAh battery, and it’s running Android 5.1 with ZTE’s own skin over top.
ZTE’s Axon Pro is an off-contract smartphone, which might be surprising from the specifications. High-end smartphones are far and few between as far as off-contract devices go. What’s even more surprising is that the Axon Pro is a high-end/flagship smartphone at a cheap price. The specifications are close to that of the Galaxy Note 5, but there’s still a good $400 – $600 difference in price. That makes the Axon Pro a hard one to pass up for the person looking for a flagship device, but still wanting to break free of those sometimes nasty contracts.
ZTE has undoubtedly become one of the leading manufacturers when it comes to producing off-contract and high-end smartphones at a low price points. Not only that, but the company offers an array of decent accessories for the device. Whether you need cases, shells, flip covers, clear cases, Bluetooth speakers or earphones, ZTE has it all available for the Axon Pro through its online store.
Still not sure about the Axon Pro? Check out our review for more details. Starting at $400, what you get from ZTE in the Axon Pro is pure, unadulterated quality.
Moto X Pure Edition
The Moto X Pure Edition is the best of Motorola all in one pretty package. Not only do you get relatively powerful specifications, but you also get to tailor this handset to your likes and dislikes inside the Moto Maker. That last feature is what truly makes the Moto X Pure Edition special–the Moto Maker. Just about anyone can make a great performing smartphone with high-end specifications, but not many give you the ability to customize the device in almost every way possible.
Whether you want a traditional plastic back plate, bamboo, wood, a textured back, the Moto Maker has it all. You can go crazy and make your Moto X Pure Edition pink, neon green or even settle for some more standard colors. Whatever you choose to do, the Moto X Pure Edition is truly tailored to your likes. The customization does have a small downside: the smartphones takes a little longer to get to you. But if you can wait an extra couple of days, the Moto X Pure Edition is well worth having.
Motorola’s Moto X Pure Edition sports a 5.2-inch 2560 x 1440 display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor, 16/32/64GB internal storage configurations, 3GB of RAM, a 21-megapixel rear camera, and a 3,000mAh battery. It’s also running Android 5.1 with plans to upgrade to Android 6.0.
Just like with the Moto G (2015), Motorola offers tons of different accessories for the Moto X Pure Edition, whether it be cases, shells, earphones, and more. Motorola has everything you need available to you, and that kind of service truly makes the Moto X Pure Edition worth having.
For just $399, you not only get a great performance package and the ability to break away from carrier contracts, but you get a device tailored to you.
Nexus 5X
The Nexus 5X is not only the latest and greatest from Google, but also the successor of the famed Nexus 5. Like many devices on this list, the Nexus 5X will break you free from those nasty carrier contracts, and maybe even offer you something better with Project Fi, that is, if coverage is available in your area.
This handset features a 5.2-inch 1920 x 1080 display, a Snapragon 808 processor, 2GB of RAM, 16/32GB ROM configurations, a 12.3-megapixel rear camera, a 2,700mAh battery, and it’s running Android 6.0, the latest version of the mobile operating system.
The Nexus 5X is a hard one to pass up for the tech enthusiast in your life. Being a Nexus device, it’s one of the first devices on the market to get the latest versions of Google’s mobile operating system, which is every tech-savvy individual’s dream. Unfortunately, Google doesn’t offer a lot of accessories for the device, but you do have the option of getting the Nexus 5X Folio from the Google Store as well as a handful of other cases for the handset.
At $299, between the performance and continued support, it’s a difficult device to pass up. But if you have more money to spend, it might be worth passing this one by and looking at the Nexus 6P, which we’ve detailed below.
[Google Store] [Amazon] [Best Buy] [B&H Photo]
For someone special ($399 – $899)
Galaxy Note 5
The Galaxy Note 5 is the latest and greatest from Samsung. It’s not a huge upgrade from last year’s Note 4, but the Galaxy Note 5 takes everything from its predecessor and makes things even better. It has a slightly larger display, more beautiful body, and all-around better improvements. Almost anyone would love to see this behemoth under the tree Christmas morning.
Samsung, being the smartphone giant that it is, has tons of accessories for this device as well, and I mean that in the literal sense. You can get almost anything you need for this device from Samsung, and even things you may not need. There’s S-View flip covers, protective covers, battery charging packs, wireless charging pads, wireless headphones, car accessories, and much, much more.
The handset has a 5.7-inch 2560 x 1440 Super AMOLED display, an octa-core Exynos 7420 processor, 4GB of RAM, 32/64GB ROM configurations, a 16-megapixel rear camera, and a non-removable 3,000mAh battery. It also is running on Android 5.1 (planned upgrade for Android 6.0) with Samsung’s own TouchWiz UI atop.
There’s a couple aspects that make the Galaxy Note 5 the handset to buy this holiday season. Not only does it have high-end specs and a beautiful media package, but it also comes with some extra nifty features, thanks to the S-Pen. Using features like Air Command and Air View with the S-Pen makes this device that much easier to use. And with its massive 5.7-inch display, media doesn’t get any better on a smartphone. If you feel like splurging this holiday season, the Galaxy Note 5 is the device to do it with. Still not sure? Be sure to check out our detailed review–it’s truly the best of Samsung!
Samsung’s Galaxy Note 5 price varies from retailer to retailer, but you can generally get it for $699 outright, $199 on a new two-year contract, or as low as $20/mo on a device payment plan through a carrier.
[Samsung] [Amazon] [Verizon] [AT&T] [T-Mobile] [Sprint] [Newegg]
Galaxy S6 Edge+
With how much of a hit the Galaxy S6 Edge was, it only made sense for Samsung to introduce a successor: the Galaxy S6 Edge+, a cross between its predecessor and the Galaxy Note 4. It’s one of the most premium devices on the market, and is the perfect companion for those that aren’t sure about the S-Pen on the Galaxy Note 5. Not having the S-Pen, you don’t get any of the extra features that come with it, which is a huge benefit for those that don’t actively use styluses; it also frees up some storage space.
This is exactly the same device as the Galaxy Note 5, just without the S-Pen, although there is the inclusion of the “edge” display, which adds some additional functionality that can prove to be useful. Much like the Galaxy Note 5, there’re tons of accessories for this device, whether that be protective shells, S-View flip covers, wireless chargers, and so on. Specifically for the Galaxy S6 Edge+ is also the optional physical keyboard accessory. It makes typing easy and efficient, but the downside is that it takes up way too much screen real estate.
The Galaxy S6 Edge+ is sporting a 5.7-inch 2560 x 1440 Super AMOLED display, an octa-core Exynos 7420 CPU, 4GB of RAM, 32/64GB ROM configurations, a 16-megapixel rear camera, and a non-removable 3,000mAh battery. Similar to the Note 5, it’s running Android 5.1 with a planned upgrade to Android 6.0. With the Galaxy S6 Edge+ (and Galaxy Note 5) Samsung also added a neat feature, allowing users to stream video directly to YouTube. With that in mind, the S6 Edge+ might just be the perfect choice for content creators as well.
The Galaxy S6 Edge+ sits around the same price as the Note 5 at $799 outright, $399 on a new two-year contract, or around $25/mo on a device payment plan. Not sure about making the leap for the device? Talk Android’s very own Justin Herrick put together an all-around solid review on the Galaxy S6 Edge+.
[Samsung] [Amazon] [Verizon] [AT&T] [T-Mobile] [Sprint] [Newegg]
Nexus 6P
Google partnered with up and coming Chinese manufacturer Huawei to make the Nexus 6P. Despite some wild controversy, the handset is one of the best Android experiences we’ve seen from the search giant yet. Not only will it save you a chunk of change by breaking you free of carrier contracts, but it’s also the perfect companion for consuming media, taking pictures, playing games, and even work.
The handset is equipped with a 5.7-inch 2560 x 1440 display, an octa-core Snapdragon 810 processor, 3GB of RAM, 32/64/128GB ROM configurations, a 12.3-megapixel rear camera, and a non removable 3450mAh battery.
Much like the Nexus 5X, there aren’t many accessories for the Nexus 6P, but Google does have their own Folio cases and regular cases available for the device in the Google Store. Not only that, but Google is also advertising a handful of other third-party cases in the Google Store that work well with the handset.
The Nexus 6P is truly the best from Google, and it’ll be officially supported for quite some time. Google is promised monthly security updates for many of its Nexus devices in addition to providing all of the latest versions of Android in a timely manner. If you’re looking for a handset with a beautiful and large display, all while sticking with stock Android, the Nexus 6P might just be right up your alley.
Starting at $399, this is one of the most premium devices you’ll ever get from Google.
[Huawei] [Google Store] [Amazon]
If you’ve got any questions, concerns, have a suggestion for this Holiday Buyer’s Guide, or saw a deal on any of these awesome devices, be sure to let us know in the comments below!
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How to use Samsung’s Live Broadcast
At the company’s event on August 13, Samsung announced the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+. Along with those two phones came Live Broadcast, a feature that would also be brought to the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge. As time progressed, people forgot about the feature because it’s not very common to stumble upon. The feature allows users to stream live video from their device to YouTube. This means you’ll have to have a YouTube account (through Google) set up and ready to go. The feature seeks to fight off rival apps such as Periscope, Meerkat, and a number of others.
First, you’ll want to make sure you have the feature installed. You can do this by going into your device’s native camera application and clicking on the “more” option in the bottom left corner. This will bring up small thumbnails of all the camera features you have installed. If you don’t see the option for Live Broadcast, you can hit the download thumbnail and it will redirect you to the Galaxy App Store where it can be easily downloaded.
When entering the Live Broadcast mode for the first time, you’ll be prompted with a disclaimer. Once agreed to, you’ll have to link the YouTube account in which you want to stream video from. The following two permissions will be presented
- View your basic profile info
- Manage your YouTube account
Users must accept both permissions in order to use the Live Broadcast feature. After that, live-broadcasting is just a tap away. Here are some things you should know:
- Live-broadcasting works both publicly (anyone can watch) and privately (via invitation only)
- Video size is limited to Full HD and may not exceed 60fps
- Live video must be shot in landscape orientation
- Users can only stream from one account at a time
- Depending on quality and network speed, it could take a chunk of time to upload the video once the session has concluded
When you’re ready to record, tap the Live button to get started. From there, it will give you a few seconds to get ready before it goes live. The duration of time is also displayed at all times, so there’s no need to do anything while in the middle of a session. To adjust the video quality, switch between accounts, enable auto save, or switch on power saving, tap the settings icon in the bottom left of the display. Above that will be an Invite button. This is where you can share the link to your stream with the contacts you so choose. A separate icon for switching between the front and rear-facing cameras is also included just above the sharing thumbnail.
For future sessions, all you’ll have to do is go into the camera application and select the Live Broadcast option to get started. It’s that simple.
If you got lost in the setup process or have any questions feel free to drop a comment down below and I myself or a member of our team will try our best to assist you. Included below is a video to help you get started:
Click here to view the embedded video.
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Samsung wants to increase people’s desire for mid-range handsets
A new report suggests that Samsung might bring some of the features found on its flagship lineups to mid-range handsets.
With the release of the Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy S6 Edge+ and Galaxy Note 5, the company introduced a slew of new features. Samsung’s new strategy is to launch less smartphones but make them more desirable, and it’s going about this by introducing some of its most popular features on a wider variety of phones.
Some of Samsung’s mid-range handsets that could take part in this include the Galaxy A3, A5, A7, and A8. Currently, buyers who want the latest and greatest are forced to buy from one of Samsung’s upper lineups. According to The Korea Herald, Samsung may start by widening support for Samsung Pay, the company’s mobile payment service. Samsung believes this approach will not only lead to increase of desire for mid to low-range handsets, but generate more active users for its new payment service. The company will also seek to take design cues from its flagship lines for future handsets. It should also be noted that Samsung plans to bring a number of other sensors and features, although not directly specified.
Source: The Korea Herald
Via: Android Headlines
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Here’s when Samsung’s Galaxy devices will get the Marshmallow update
If you own a Samsung device, you have come to the right place. A full roadmap has been posted including over 15 Galaxy devices and when they’ll get Android 6.0.
The map is organized into phases, (Phase. 1) and (Phase. 2). If you bought a Samsung flagship either this year or last year, you’ll be happy to know that you’re at the top of the list for the update. Updates will start next month with the newly released Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+. Following will be the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge which launched back in March. They’re scheduled to get the update in January of 2016. Last year’s Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge will start receiving the update in February of next year, with the Galaxy S5 flagship and Galaxy Alpha to follow shortly after.
In phase 2, the handsets listed are awaiting official approval and are currently listed as N/A. However, if you own one of these handsets, at least you know you’ll be receiving the major update. The Galaxy A-series and E-series fit this category, which include the A9, A7, A5, A3, E7 and E5. If your device is not on this list, that doesn’t mean all hope is lost, but it will likely be just shy of a year before you get your hands on the update, if that even happens.
Please remember that if you live in the United States, owners of these devices will have to wait for carriers to roll-out the update which comes after the manufacturer. This typically takes another month or two before the update actually hits your device via OTA. So please add that to your estimations. You can check out the official Samsung roadmap pictured above for all the details.
Source: TimesNews.co.uk
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Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ review: Same edges, similar body, soaring price
Samsung is fearless when it comes to trying new things, a characteristic aided by the company’s deep pockets. We’ve seen countless devices from Samsung over the years that are unusual or the first of its kind. This company isn’t afraid to see a product underwhelm before revamping it and coming back with something even better. Samsung’s use of displays with curved edges is a perfect example. The Galaxy Round from 2013 was the first sign of Samsung trying to buck the trend of conventional displays. It had a display that was curved down the center. Hardly any attention was paid to the Galaxy Round, but the following year, with the Galaxy Note Edge, the company moved to implementing a display with a single curved edge to provide extra information. The issue was that it provided little reason to be chosen over the Galaxy Note 4. Then the Galaxy S6 Edge came along in early 2015 to show that, yes, curved edges can be part of a mainstream device.
The Galaxy S6 Edge+ builds upon its young predecessor by being bigger and better in every way. It’s basically the result of merging the original Galaxy S6 Edge with the more recent Galaxy Note 5. Samsung created a device that has the size and strength of the Galaxy Note 5 while maintaining the look of the Galaxy S6 Edge.
Note: Pieces of this review are taken from the Galaxy Note 5 review (but also edited) due to many of the same components being used.
Design
The original Galaxy S6 Edge measures 142.1 x 70.1 7mm and weighs 132g. This plus-sized version raises those figures to 154.4 x 75.8 x 6.9mm and 153g, making the Galaxy S6 Edge+ larger and heavier than most of today’s flagships. It’s pretty much the same size as the Galaxy Note 5 while being way lighter. As with that Samsung flagship, the company has done an excellent job dissipating the weight throughout the body of the Galaxy S6 Edge+ — it’s not a top- or bottom-heavy phone. In use, even for someone with smaller hands like myself, the Galaxy S6 Edge+ is easily manageable in one hand because the side bezels are pretty much nonexistent and the height of the phone isn’t all that different from other devices like the LG G4.
Metal and glass rule the day here. The front and back of this phone feature smooth scratch-resistant glass, being met with sharp metal at every edge. Where there is not metal, there is glass. And where there is not glass, there is metal.
Pick up the phone and you’re met with a cold, solid piece of hardware that sits perfectly in the hand. The Galaxy S6 Edge+ screams premium.
My sole gripe with the design of the Galaxy S6 Edge+ is how uncomfortable the phone is to hold. The dual-edge display takes up a lot space on the sides. Samsung wasn’t able to replicate the Galaxy Note 5’s curved sides. Like the back’s edges, the edges on the front where the display and sides meet dig in to your hands and fingers. There isn’t any avoiding that unless you hold the Galaxy S6 Edge+ with your fingertips, obviously an impractical thing to do. Samsung’s only solution that I can think of would be making the device thicker to provide extra space, and I highly doubt that would go over well with consumers.
Regarding buttons, ports, and visible components, this doesn’t differ very much from any Samsung phone you’ve seen within the last eighteen months. Below the display is a narrower-but-taller home button (which is also a fingerprint scanner) with Samsung’s capacitive buttons that illuminate when used. Sadly, Samsung still believes that the Recents button belongs on the left and the Back button belongs on the right. Who knows if this will ever change. Spin around to the back of the Galaxy S6 Edge+ and you’ll see a cutout to the right of the camera that houses the LED flash and heart rate monitor. On the top of the phone, the SIM card tray is accessible. The bottom of the Galaxy S6 Edge+, though, is busier than any other part of the phone. It has the audio jack, micro-USB port, and speaker.
What’s missing that buyers of Samsung devices have come to expect? A removable battery and a microSD card slot. The design of the Galaxy S6 Edge+ limits users to the battery and internal storage that ships with the phone.
You can pick up the Galaxy S6 Edge+ in Black Sapphire, Gold Platinum, Silver Titan, and White Pearl. Color options may depend on your carrier.
Hardware
The Galaxy S6 Edge+ features a 5.7-inch Quad HD (2560×1440) Super AMOLED dual-edge display, Exynos 7420 octa-core processor, Mali T760MP8, 4GB of RAM, 32GB or 64GB of internal storage, a 16MP rear camera, a 5MP front camera, a 3000mAh battery (non-removable), a fingerprint scanner, WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, and Bluetooth 4.2.
Bands:
4G LTE (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 27, 20)
HSDPA (850, 900, 1800, 1900)
GSM (850, 900, 1800, 1900)
Performance
Both display size and display resolution are identical to the Galaxy Note 5. Samsung is continuing to go with 5.7 inches and Quad HD (2560×1440) resolution. From afar, the crispness can be matched by phones that have Full HD (1920×1080) resolution, but bring the Galaxy S6 Edge+ closer to your face and that Quad HD resolution never gives away a single pixel. The 5.7 inches gives a lot to look at, especially if you want to run multiple apps simultaneously with Multi Window.
The display, which is of the Super AMOLED variety, is also vibrant. It offers incredible viewing angles and impressive color reproduction. Looking at the display from almost any angle does not mean that quality is lost. Whites shine and blacks are deep while other colors pop, giving the Galaxy S6 Edge+ a display with depth. Items on the home screen — app icons and text — look as if they is lifting off of the display, for example. Throw in the dual-edge design and the Galaxy S6 Edge+ has an infinity-like display. Content seems to be flowing to the sides and spilling over, an illusion that I’ve never seen executed on any other device.
Samsung clearly benefits from designing its own displays because this one is awing at all times.
The only thing odd about using the Galaxy S6 Edge+ as a multimedia beast is that the speaker on the bottom is pretty weak. If it gets covered, the sound is essentially muted. Samsung should have put another speaker on the other end of the bottom.
Once again, Samsung is using its very own processor after Qualcomm sent the mobile industry into panic mode, causing many companies to look at other options. Samsung, like it does with displays, makes processors; therefore, abandoning Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 800 series was easy. The Galaxy S6 Edge+ uses Samsung’s go-to processor for 2015, the Exynos 7420. This time the strongest Exynos processor to date has been paired with 4GB of RAM.
The Galaxy S6 started to change the perception of Samsung’s devices being sluggish. The Galaxy S6 Edge+ (like the Galaxy Note 5) proves that slowdowns are a thing of the past for Samsung flagships. An octa-core processor, 4GB of RAM, and software optimization puts this phone as one that performs with speed, avoiding speed bumps or hiccups in the process. I was jumping between Hangouts (with multiple accounts) conversations and Minecraft: Pocket Edition as Samsung’s Milk Music streamed in the background; to my surprise, the Galaxy S6 Edge+ was not batting an eye. Then I put Hangouts and YouTube on the screen at the same time with Multi Window and the Galaxy S6 Edge+ held its ground.
It really satisfies me that performance on Samsung devices is finally where it should have been years ago. Do what you want with the Galaxy S6 Edge+ because it probably won’t slow down.
Battery
Let’s just get it out of the way: the battery encased within the Galaxy S6 Edge+ cannot be removed. Samsung’s faithful were upset when the company made the same decision for the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge. But if you want to have beautiful phone made of high-end materials rather than cheap plastic, you have sacrifice something. So the 3000mAh battery inside is all you get to work with.
Perhaps the inclusion of Fast Wireless Charging makes up for the smaller, non-removable battery. Samsung’s Fast Wireless Charging Pad powers the Galaxy S6 Edge+ up to the top of its capacity in about 120 minutes. With the included wired charger, the Galaxy S6 Edge+ charges to completion in less than 90 minutes. Using another charger means that the Galaxy S6 Edge+ will take hours to charge.
What really matters, though, is how long the battery lasts. The Galaxy S6 Edge+ is fine-tuned to carry you during the day. A typical day for me includes sending and receiving many emails, chatting on Hangouts, tweeting a lot, playing a lighter game like Threes or Game Dev Story once or twice, and maybe watching videos on YouTube for a few minutes. I would start my day with 100% 8:30AM and start to get antsy for a charger by 10:00PM. It makes me doubt that there is such a concern among consumers about non-removable batteries. If the hardware manufacturer does the proper software optimizations, a device can get by with respectable battery life.
Software
Very little has changed on the software side compared to other Samsung devices released this year. Here, Samsung’s TouchWiz overlay is based on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop. Although still not as attractive as stock Android or HTC’s Sense, TouchWiz is better than ever before. It now feels like a mature user experience instead of looking so rough and technical. Samsung flattened everything to basically move closer to (but not match) Google’s Material Design guidelines. This translates to Samsung-made apps such as Calendar, S Health, S Note, Milk Music, Samsung Pay, and Voice Recorder being aesthetically pleasing.
Note: Read our review of the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge for in-depth analysis of the software due to the Galaxy S6 Edge+ being practically identical in this area.
Samsung didn’t choose a dual-edge display for beauty alone. This phone’s unique design serves a purpose. With People Edge and Apps Edge, Samsung allows you to store contacts and apps in a slideout menu at one edge of the display. A small tab (seen above) requires just a little flick to bring out the menu. In People Edge, selecting a contact brings up actionable icons for calling, messaging, and emailing. Apps Edge launches the designated app immediately. When the Galaxy S6 Edge+ is inactive, Edge Lighting will illuminate the display to inform you of incoming calls or other notifications. Each of these features are helpful and they do add value to the Galaxy S6 Edge+. How much value do they add? That depends on your needs.
Camera
A flagship phone deserves a flagship camera. Both rear and front-facing cameras from the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge return months later for the Galaxy S6 Edge+. That’s not necessarily a bad thing as the Galaxy S6 takes decent pictures. When taking pictures with the 16MP rear camera, you’re able to choose between Auto and Pro modes. I kept the Galaxy S6 Edge+ on Auto because I’m not one to delve into camera settings and become a Master of Photography. Unsurprisingly, the Galaxy S6 Edge+ takes amazing pictures that are always sharp due to optical image stabilization (OIS). The camera also proved to be impressive under low-light conditions.
No one questions the quality of Samsung’s cameras anymore. It’s only a matter of stacking them up against Apple, LG, and Sony’s cameras to see where Samsung places. I compared the Galaxy S6 Edge+ with a friend’s iPhone 6S Plus and found that the latter was more accurate and less washed out. But compared to other Android phones, this phone only has the LG G4 to truly worry about.
And those of you who record a lot of video on mobile devices will appreciate that the Galaxy S6 Edge+ can record in 4K. Keep in mind that there is no way to expand internal storage and 4K content takes up a tremendous amount of space.
Closing
Probably the biggest concern for Samsung with the Galaxy S6 Edge+ is giving consumers reasons to purchase it. Is the dual-edge display, the only clear differentiator here, enough for the company to sell millions of units? Because the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge are both very similar to and, more importantly, cheaper than the Galaxy S6 Edge+. Even the brilliant Galaxy Note 5, which has added value coming from the S Pen, is cheaper than the Galaxy S6 Edge+. This phone is crowded by the very company that makes it. Competition is already fierce from the likes of Apple, Motorola, LG, and HTC this fall. Samsung injecting another device into the market seems like a bad idea; however, remember this is the company that doesn’t mind if an idea doesn’t work. The company will make changes and come back with something better than before. For now, the Galaxy S6 Edge+, especially given its price, shouldn’t be viewed as a true flagship.
Come comment on this article: Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ review: Same edges, similar body, soaring price
Samsung offering two new accessory bundles with a smartphone purchase and Samsung Pay activation
If you’re thinking about buying a new Samsung phone over the holidays, Samsung is offering two new pricey bundles to tempt you. Both bundles are valued at about $349, and all you’ll have to do is buy a 2015 Samsung flagship and activate Samsung Pay.
Both bundles include a wireless charging pad and a fast charging battery pack, but one bundle includes a Swarovski crystal case for your phone and the other includes a Samsung Level On pair of headphones. That’s a pretty solid set of accessories to go with a new phone.
If you’re curious about the eligible phones, you can buy a Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge or its Plus variant, or a Galaxy Note 5. Once you buy the phone, you’ll have to activate a valid card on Samsung Pay, which will also net a $50 cash back rebate, too. Then you’ll just have to register with Samsung and they’ll get your accessory bundle set up.
Also, for anyone coming from an iPhone, you can trade in an old Apple smartphone for $100 in Play Store credit. Samsung’s really not pulling any punches to sell some phones over the holidays.
source: Samsung Promotions
Come comment on this article: Samsung offering two new accessory bundles with a smartphone purchase and Samsung Pay activation
Samsung’s profits are up in Q3 thanks to the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+
Samsung’s 2015 Q3 earnings are in. They brought in 51.68 trillion won ($45.2 billion) total with an operating profit of 7.4 trillion won (around $6.46 billion). This is up quite a bit from the previous 4.1 trillion won only a year ago.
Samsung makes many products, but it’s mobile division specifically brought in 26.1 trillion won ($22.8 billion) with an operating profit of 2.4 trillion won ($2.1 billion). Again, also up from last year’s 1.75 trillion won ($1.53 billion). Samsung has said that the huge growth was specifically from the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+.
Samsung does not expect it’s Q4 results to be as good and hopes to just maintain. It also expects the growth rate of smartphones to continue to decline in 2016. To counter this, Samsung plan on cutting down on phone models and having a more focused approach.
Aside from phones, Samsung will keep pushing TVs and wearables. They are also working on transparent and mirror displays for cars. Possibly unveiling them in CES this January.
Source: Samsung
Come comment on this article: Samsung’s profits are up in Q3 thanks to the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+
Samsung’s Project Valley is a folding smartphone, set to see a limited January release
Samsung is working on a new experimental device that’s currently dubbed Project Valley. The device will supposedly sport a foldable design, which is something we’ve seen Samsung patent and toy with previously, and it’s expected to launch next January. That might crowd Samsung’s Q1 with reports of an accelerated Galaxy S7 release.
The device has a model number of SM-G929F, which is strikingly similar to the Galaxy S6 Edge+. That might mean that we’ll see a folding version of a Galaxy device with very similar hardware, which may or may not also have that curved screen. Tough to tell at this point.
The kicker for Project Valley is that we won’t see it launch globally, at least not at first. Samsung’s home country, South Korea, is slated to see a launch, as well as some other big markets (UK, Italy, Poland, Germany, and some other European countries) but there’s nothing regarding a US launch. With the US being one of the biggest smartphone markets in the world, that’s an interesting omission. We might see the device make its way to other countries later after a test run, or it might just be something experimental that Samsung doesn’t think will sell well in the US.
Either way, expect a busy first quarter from Samsung in 2016.
source: SamMobile
Come comment on this article: Samsung’s Project Valley is a folding smartphone, set to see a limited January release
Samsung’s now pushing out a call stability update for the Galaxy S6 Edge+
Samsung is currently in the process of rolling out its first minor software update for the Galaxy S6 Edge+. This upgrade is identical to the update the South Korean company pushed out to the Note 5 last week, and brings some much-needed software optimizations and security improvements to the device.
The full changelog can be seen below:
- The stability of Call has been improved.
- Battery usage optimization.
- The security of your device has been improved.
Unfortunately, the record of changes is a little misleading where it states that the update bundles “battery usage optimizations.” This doesn’t refer to the software improving battery life on the S6 Edge+, but, instead, the brand new App Optimization section of the Settings menu, which allows users to stop applications form running in the background after 10 minutes in an effort to preserve battery life.
As is the norm, the update is being rolled out in stages. To see if it’s ready for your device head into Settings, scroll to the bottom and tap on “About Device”, hit “System Updates”, then select “Check for updates”. Alternatively, you can wait until you receive a push notification prompting you to install the upgrade.
Come comment on this article: Samsung’s now pushing out a call stability update for the Galaxy S6 Edge+
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