[Review] Rokform Galaxy S6 Crystal V3 case plus accessories go beyond protection and into usefulness
- Affordable pricing
- Easy to put on
- Extremely handy
- One piece case
86%Overall Score
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I am a naked device kind of person. Manufacturers work hard to deliver a device that looks amazing and then we toss a case on it to protect that beauty, but at the same time detract from its looks. Often times the cases we use are bulky and can even hinder your device use experience, but offer superior protection. Other cases are more for looks and offer minimal protection, but protection none the less. There are very few cases on the market that offer a little bit of everything along with additional functionality. Incipio shows some style with additional features like card holders and kick stands. Pelican offers outstanding protection and a belt clip that doubles as a kickstand. Those are the sorts of cases I look for. The ones that can do more than just protect my device. Rokform, in my opinion, currently offers the best protection coupled with a laundry list of additional functions that it is almost ridiculous. Let’s take a quick look at the new Rokform Crystal V3 case for the Samsung Galaxy S6 and a few of the separate accessories that are available. Mind you, the accessories aren’t specific to this case, they are cross compatible with all their phone cases and universal kits.
The Crystal V3 case for the Galaxy S6 comes with a few things in the box. First you get the one piece case for he phone. It offers up a rubber rim on part the shell at the bottom and top along with the cut out for the camera. The rubber extends on the volume side to allow easy control of your devices volume keys. On the opposite side it rims the case and drops in to allow a rubber button to press the power button. You also get a lanyard and a small round metal Rokform disk. (I’ll clue you in on that in a minute.)
The rear of the case is a clear plastic that allows you to still see the rear of your S6 in places. There are two additional features built-in on the rear as well. The lower portion houses a round magnet that is slightly larger than the size of a quarter. There is a soft felt cover over it to keep the metal of the magnet from rubbing your S6’s rear glass. Small side note, they call the magnet BAM. It is short for Big Ass Magnet. The magnet is housed in a rubber grommet that can be removed if desired. The grommet is textured on the opposite side, or back, of the case, but doesn’t protrude at all.
The second additional feature you might notice is an odd cut out that sits just above the magnet. I will explain what that is all about when I get to one of the accessories short.
Before I dive deeper into the additional accessories and functions of the case, lets talk how it fits and feels. Being a one piece case means you will need to push a little to get your device inside. It also means that if you want to take it off, you might have a tough time. After about the 6th time putting it on and taking it off it becomes pretty simple. Mostly because I figured out that if you start pulling from the top corner while pressing from the rear through the camera or the center cut out, it will just ease its self out of the case.
I am always a bit leery when it comes to cases that cover access to my volume and power buttons. I have experienced cases that used rather rigid materials that made it near impossible to turn the screen on. The material Rokform used is sturdy, but moves quite easily on button presses. Inside where the buttons res they added a small raised molded rubber form that shortens the push to the button from the outside. In a nut shell, I could use all three buttons as easily as if they were exposed and not covered. The plastic that forms the rest of the case is your typical polycarbonate material.
How the case works
Unlike most traditional cases, the Rokform Crystal V3 serves as much more than a protect barrier between your phone and outside elements. As I mentioned above, there is a magnet inside the case its self. While I am sure you can figure out what to do with it, I’ll still explain a few use cases that I have utilized it for. I recently changed out the alternator in my car. Not being a car guy, I used YouTube to walk me through the process. Being that the car is metal I was able to set my phone on the fender without fear of it falling off while I was watching the tutorial and changing the alternator.
I also used it in the kitchen while I was cooking since the stove hood is metal.
The small disc that comes with the case is metal and more so geared to be used in your car. You use the alcohol prep pad to clean off the dash and adhere it with the 3M adhesive. I haven’t decided where to place the disk yet as I don’t have any really good flat driver facing spots in my Subaru. If placing it in your car isn’t really your thing, you can always adhere it to an other flat surface that isn’t metal. Maybe the wall above your workbench, or next to your PC monitors in your office.
Accessories: The Rokmeister
The first additional accessory I landed to add to this case is the Rockmeister. It is a bit ominous looking in the packaging, but it is a bit more useful than deadly. It is designed to click into the back of your case at will. You don’t ALWAYS have to have it on and can easily leave it at home during the week. The Rokmeister serves us two purposes. With it attached it acts as a belt clip for your device. Easily enough explained. Its second use comes when you detach it from the case as it is also a bottle opener. Pretty useful product if when you find yourself out at the lake without a way to crack open a brew.
Accessory #2: The Multi-Tool
The second accessory doesn’t have a fancy name like the Rokmeister does, but it does offer up a number of uses that make it pretty valuable. The Multi-Tool is a solid piece of machine aluminum which makes it sturdy, but also light weight. On the front you have a pre-installed Rokform metal disc that allows you to do a couple of things, mostly lets you prop your device up using the Multi-Tool as a removable kickstand.
On the bottom of the Multi-Tool you will find a set of holes. One is drilled and threaded to fit a tri-pod while the other is smooth. The smooth hole, I am told, fits on a Golf alignment tool. I am not a golfer so I will just take their word for it. You will also notice that there is a cut out. Again, this little guy is more than capable of helping you open your bottles. The end has a larger whole as well as a smaller set cross drilled. Either of which could be used to attach the Multi-Tool to your key chain if you felt like it. Although, I think it is a little large as a keychainable accessory. However, it is easily attached to a backpack with a Carabiner clip.
The Multi-Tool is offered in the silver black color you see above, as well as an all black and a black with red option.
Overall thoughts
Rokform is one of those companies that takes the basic principal of protecting your valuable investment and gives you added functionality that is easy to use. While I have put a few different cases on some of my devices, the Crystal V3 case is the one I keep going back to. While I do preferr the previous models 2 piece design, the single piece design makes more sense. I have zero issue with the magnet interfering with anything on the device nor have I had issues with the buttons being unresponsive.
Like any other case, it will add a little bulk to your device, but its bulk is easily overlooked by its additional functionality. Rokform doesn’t force you to spend a premium for a ton of accessories packaged together. You buy the case and can grab anything else you want, when you want. If you don’t need a bottle opener on your belt clip, then just buy the belt clip attachment. Don’t want to adhere the Rokform disc to your dash, then get the Windshield suction mount that uses the mounting slot on the rear of the case. Do you hit the back country trails on your mountain bike? Then snag the Bike Mount kit
One annoyance, which is one that might be a sticking point for some, is the magnet. I am smart enough to keep it away from my debit cards, but those that toss them in the same pocket as the case might run into issues. The second semi annoying thing, is again, the magnet. When my phone is in my pocket and the magnet is facing out, it will stick to the car or washing machine when I am close to it. Not a HUGE deal, more so just funny really.
Pricing details
Rokform could easily charge a premium for all the products, but they don’t.
- Rokform Crystal V3 case for the Galaxy S6 will set you back $38.99 on Amazon
and $39.99 from Rokform.
- The Rokmeister currently only showing up on Rokforms site and is set at $29.99.
- The Multi-Tool will run you $49.99 on Rokform.com.
Rokform offers a slew of accessories for a variety of devices, not just the Galaxy S6. If they don’t make a case that suites up your device, you can always pick up the ultra affordable universal adapter
The post [Review] Rokform Galaxy S6 Crystal V3 case plus accessories go beyond protection and into usefulness appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Samsung may be #1 in the USA, but they are still losing!
Despite Samsung’s recent onslaught of bad fortune, the latest smartphone data from Kantar Worldpanel ComTech puts the popular phone maker back in the #1 spot in the USA. This is good news for Sammy, as they have finally taken back the crown they once held so dearly. The sad news is that chances are no one is celebrating in Samsung’s Korean head quarters. Even though Samsung is winning, they are still losing!
The report states the Android operating system continues to grow its market share when taking a look at the three months of the year ending in May 2015. Android now holds 64.9% of the US smartphone market, showing a 2.8% increase over last year. The real question is whether this is, in large, thanks to Samsung or not.
The Galaxy phone maker is reported to have regained the market lead in the US with an increase from 52% (3 months ending in April) to 55% (three months ending in May). This means they were able to retake 3% of the market in just one month, mostly thanks to the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge. The Galaxy S6 went on to become one of the best-selling smartphones in the US after the iPhone 6 and Samsung Galaxy S5.
How is Samsung losing?
Here’s where things get interesting: Samsung also improved their year-over-year statistics, with market share only down by 0.5%, as opposed to 2014’s 1.6% during the same period of time. According to these numbers, Samsung is still losing sales… they are just losing them slower.
Regardless, these changes don’t seem significant enough to place Samsung in a victorious state. A big factor is that Apple is beginning to lose sales as the iPhone 6 hype starts to die down. Meanwhile, Samsung’s flagship device is brand new and should probably be doing much better. The real numbers will come once we compare both devices’ statistics on equal terms. Keep in mind the Galaxy S6 is still the third most sold smartphone in the USA, not the first.
It could be argued that Apple numbers are going down thanks to Samsung’s awesome smartphones, which offer an improved build quality, stunning design, an insane camera and top-notch performance. The phone is a beast, but we can’t give Samsung all the credit for taking down Apple; LG has managed to nearly double its market share year-over-year, which is helping the cause. Now that is an impressive statistic!
Not to mention, Samsung continues to report more quarterly profit drops, with Q2 2015 expected to be the 7th in a row (wow!) Not even their best smartphone ever was able to take them out of this whole they are digging themselves into.
Why is this? These matters are complex and no one can give you a straight explanation as to why Samsung keeps spiraling down. Some say it has to do with Samsung’s supply not being able to meet customer demand. That may be a factor, but we also have to consider Samsung’s phones haven’t exactly been meeting consumer expectations either.
Previous Galaxy smartphones performed great, but the build quality was horrendous. Samsung went back to the drawing board after realizing a change was due. They wanted to improve their strategy and create a Galaxy S6 worthy of consumer envy. This thing had to be powerful and well-built, and they sure accomplished it. The Samsung Galaxy S6 really is amazing in many ways, but it’s still not the hero Samsung was looking for, nor the one we deserved.
I believe Samsung is still trying way too hard to compete with Apple, as opposed to placing more attention on what their customers want. One of the main reasons why Samsung critics stuck to Galaxy phones was that these devices continued to support expandable storage and removable batteries. It was what differentiated them, yet the Samsung Galaxy S6 got rid of both features. And chances are the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 will do the same.
There are good arguments to the exclusion of these, something we make sure to mention in our opinion piece regarding the Note 5’s lack of microSD support. My gripe with this whole issue is more about the lack of a removable battery. Have you used a Samsung Galaxy S6? Its battery life is disgusting! The thing seriously won’t last me half a day. And now I can’t even swap batteries when one dies? One day I said “forget this” and just stopped using it.
If Samsung was going to improve the build quality by sacrificing battery life (or the removable battery), we would have liked it to be a sizable battery, at least. This is why so many are finding refuge in LG’s latest smartphone, the G4. It offers a huge removable battery, great performance and a design that is also amazing. In a different way, but it’s amazing.
The real question is whether the Galaxy S6 will continue to sell as well as it has. And if all my beliefs on Samsung’s decline are right, the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 won’t really help much, as the latest rumors suggest the it will pretty much be a larger Galaxy S6 with a stylus.
Like I said above… Samsung may be #1, but they are still losing. Their numbers are still going down, their new devices have flaws they don’t plan on changing and the awesome improvements pale against the sacrifices Samsung had to take. But tell us, guys. Would you agree with me that Samsung made some bad decisions? What factors would you credit their decline to? Sound off in the comments and let us know whether you agree or disagree with me.
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Samsung Galaxy S6 Active vs Galaxy S6 / S6 Edge
There’s no denying that the latest additions to the Samsung flagship family, the Galaxy S6, and its curved display counterpart, the Galaxy S6 Edge, are two of the best smartphones of the year thus far. Of course, Samsung does tend to launch multiple devices with various features and capabilities that share the flagship moniker, and that’s exactly what you get with the Samsung Galaxy S6 Active.
The new active variant of the Galaxy S6 is a ruggedized, waterproof, and overall beefier version of its original brethren. Is this version of the Galaxy S6 the one that is best suited to your needs?
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Before we fully jump in and do our best to answer that question, it has to be mentioned that a lot of what made the Samsung Galaxy S6 a success returns with the Galaxy S6 Active. Particularly the performance between the two devices will be largely the same, due to the fact that it sports the same processor, GPU, and RAM. Still, there are a number of enhancements or compromises made with the Galaxy S6 Active, which is why we will skip over all that is same and instead focus solely on what makes the Galaxy S6 Active different from its flagship namesake.
Without further ado, let’s dive in and take an in-depth look at the Samsung Galaxy S6 Active vs Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge!
Design
The big difference between these devices, of course, begins in the design department. Many of us were excited with Samsung’s decision to move on to a different build material in the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge, with their metal and glass unibody designs finally offering the premium look and feel that we wished for. This is why the all plastic build of the Galaxy S6 Active may feel like a step back, but is a necessary change to create a device that sports a sturdy and beefy build that can take any punishment you bring its way.
Speaking of taking any punishment, there’s plenty that the Galaxy S6 Active has to offer in terms of protection. Its IP68 rating for resistance to dust and water means that apart from being almost entirely protected from dust, the device can also be submerged in up to 1.5 meters of water for as long as 30 minutes with no negative impact on usability and performance. The Galaxy S6 Active is also Military Standard MIL-STD-810G certified, making it resistant to salt, dust, rain, vibration, solar radiation, and transport and thermal shock. Basically, accidental spills, drops, and bumps aren’t going to do much to keep this device down, as this phone is outfitted for so much more than what the clumsiest of people can dish out.
These protection capabilities are in stark contrast with the seemingly fragile glass encased Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge, whose thin, and what looks like delicat, builds give an impression that even a small drop from the hand to the table could cause damage. While making the Samsung Galaxy S6 review, the protruding camera of the device did crack from just falling over, which has resulted in me being wary of even any small stumbles. There isn’t any form of waterproofing either, so don’t go spilling any water on it or dunking the phone in liquids, as just about everything will malfunction if you do.
In order to reach an alleviated level of durability with the Active some compromises had to be made, and they’re easy to see at first glance. For starters, the button layout has been made fully tactile, and the home button also loses the fingerprint scanner. This poses a problem that isn’t that far removed from what occurs with the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge, with there always being a danger of the device being triggered in the pocket, because of the presence of a tactile home button. This might be more prevalent with the Galaxy S6 Active though, because of a quick launch button on the top left corner that can wake the phone and automatically go into preset applications which, while incredibly useful, can be an issue when the device is in the pocket.
The Galaxy S6 Active sports a rugged design and is significantly thicker than its flagship counterparts, with a camouflage print on the back making for a device that may not be particularly attractive to everyone. That isn’t the point here though, with the device being built to withstand anything that is thrown at it. Where an elegant, but somewhat delicate, device like the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge may turn heads, the Galaxy S6 Active provides a peace of mind that will be useful and necessary for quite a few users out there.
Display
When it comes to the display, the same 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display with a Quad HD resolution is found across the board, so the main difference in this area comes with regards to the edges of the Galaxy S6 Edge, with capabilities that include tickers and quick shortcuts, all of which are overshadowed by the only truly useful feature, the night clock.
The Galaxy S6 Active obviously doesn’t have the curved sides of the display, that ultimately helps with handling, helped along with the extra girth that the device features. In the case of the Galaxy S6 Edge, handling and comfort are helped by the curved sides, but what became a nuisance was accidentally triggering the screen from to time, along with the many times that our palms emulated a long press on the screen and stifled any other taps on the screen as a result. Overall, the better handling experience the Galaxy S6 Active provides is more useful than the abilities of the edges of the Galaxy S6 Edge.
This isn’t an issue with the regular Galaxy S6 of course, which makes it the middle path device here. The Galaxy S6 and the S6 Active won’t suffer from touch problems like the Galaxy S6 Edge, but the latter is definitely the most attractive of the lot. Granted, the Galaxy S6 Active may turn heads as well, but not for the same aesthetic reasons as is the case with the sleek S6 Edge.
Hardware
We keep using the word “beefy” to describe the Galaxy S6 Active, but that is just not in association with the size of the phone, but is also related to what the device packs underneath the surface.
This is mainly seen in terms of battery life, with the Galaxy S6 Active featuring a larger 3,500 mAh battery that has been proving itself, giving this device one highly contestable point over its original siblings. With typically heavier than average use a full 12 hours of work was possible with relative ease, and I was comfortably able to end most days with at least 25% of battery life left in the tank. With fast charging capabilities still available, it doesn’t take long to get the device back to full capacity either, and the device also comes with the same wireless charging capabilities as its siblings. While the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge also come with these features, you might find yourself relying on fast charging more often than is comfortable, and the batteries of these devices feel quite paltry when compared to the beefier Galaxy S6 Active.
As mentioned, there are compromises though, like the understandable omission of the fingerprint reader, with its press type implementation something that we really enjoy on the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge. If it is a feature you absolutely need than the Active probably isn’t the right device for you, but if you are someone who won’t miss it much, and give more importance to external protection, the choice is obvious.
The customizable quick launch button on the top left of the device allows for two applications to be launched, via a tap or a long press, and has proven to be incredibly useful. Have them set to open up a music application and your fitness tracker, or to open up Evernote and a calendar app for any important meeting or notes, and you’ll find yourself pressing consistently. You also don’t have to waste a precious slot on the camera app, as a double-tap of the home button will quickly and smoothly launch the camera. This extra button on the side for customized launches will be useful to everyone, and it is something we’re hoping isn’t just limited to Active iterations in future devices.
Camera
The same sensor and features of the Galaxy S6 return with the Galaxy S6 Active, with its f/1.9 aperture, pro modes, and video recording that includes 4K and slow motion capture. As expected, the picture quality is fantastic with the Active as well, with images benefitting from higher saturation and high detail even in lower light conditions. As mentioned in the reviews of the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge, the best part of the image quality stems from a lack of post processing artifacts. Noise reduction is kept to a minimum, allowing for details to be shown the way they are, without any smudging that otherwise occurs.
The only real difference here is addition of an Aqua Mode with the Galaxy S6 Active, which makes the touchscreen inoperable, and requires using the Active button for photos, or the volume buttons for video capture. It’s a typical move for swimming photos that make another case for the inclusion of this Active button in future Galaxy smartphones.
Software
On the software side of things, you get the same new trimmed down, speedy, and smooth version of TouchWiz, which certainly proved to be pleasantly surprising when we first used it. With both these devices sporting the identical operating system, it’s hard to really give the edge to either in this department.
The Galaxy S6 Active does come with an Activity Zone though, but it’s really nothing more than a easy to find grouping of tools that are mostly found in S Health already, including a compass and barometer. The Galaxy S6 Active doesn’t get much more in the way of software features, but having a rugged phone that is ready for the active lifestyle makes sense when it can still take advantage of all the sporty and fitness related apps found on the Google Play Store.
Specs comparison
| Samsung Galaxy S6 / S6 Edge | Samsung Galaxy S6 Active | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 5.1-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED display 577 ppi |
5.1-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED display 577 ppi |
| Processor | 2.1 GHz octa-core Exynos 7420 processor Mali-T760 |
2.1 GHz octa-core Exynos 7420 processor Mali-T760 |
| RAM | 3 GB | 3 GB |
| Storage | 32/64/128 GB not expandable |
32 GB not expandable |
| Network | 4G / LTE / HSPA+ 21/42 Mbps | 4G / LTE / HSPA+ 21/42 Mbps |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.1, NFC, A-GPS / Glonass, USB 2.0 | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.1, NFC, A-GPS / Glonass, USB 2.0 |
| Camera | Rear 16 MP with OIS. Front 5 MP wide angle lens |
Rear 16 MP with OIS. Front 5 MP wide angle lens |
| Software | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop | Android 5.0.2 Lollipop |
| Battery | 2,600 mAh – S6 Edge 2,550 mAh – S6 |
3,500 mAh |
| Dimensions | 142.1 x 70.1 x 7 mm 132 grams – S6 Edge 143.4 x 70.5 x 6.8 mm 138 grams – S6 |
146.8 x 73.4 x 8.6 mm 150 grams |
Gallery
Pricing and Final Thoughts
While the curves of the Galaxy S6 Edge result in a significant increase in the price when compared to the regular Galaxy S6, usually around a $100 more, the larger battery, rugged exterior, and extra useful button of the Galaxy S6 Active will set you back only $10 more. At least for the moment, the Galaxy S6 Active is available exclusively from AT&T.
So there you have it for this closer look at the Samsung Galaxy S6 Active vs Galaxy S6 / S6 Edge! The Galaxy S6 Active is really the phone made for anyone that doesn’t feel as safe with Samsung’s more elegant, but also more delicate, offerings. Despite the move back to plastic, or as a result of, the Active can take a beating and keep things ticking along. Its usefulness is more than catered just towards the rock climber, the drink spiller, or the clumsy handler, with its larger size allowing for a battery capacity and longevity that we only wished the Galaxy S6 could muster, and the Active button is useful for everyone who wants an easy access method to their most used applications. If the Galaxy S6 Edge is the luxury sports car, and seems to be priced accordingly, the Galaxy S6 Active is the off-roading vehicle that can still show off on the streets, and in this scenario, also gives far better gas mileage.
Best Three Android phones (UK)
Three may be a smaller player in the UK market, but the company has recently been taking a stand against the established mobile carriers, promising not to charge extra for faster 4G data speeds or punishing their customers with expensive roaming charges. The company also bucks current trends by offering to unlock its smartphones for free and has some of the lowest pay-as-you-go call and text rates around.
It’s all quite compelling, so let’s see if Three has some equally tempting hardware on offer. Here are the best Three Android phones.
#1 Samsung Galaxy S6
As I’m sure you’re aware, the Samsung Galaxy S6 is probably the most cutting edge piece of mobile hardware on the market right now. In fact, it’s pretty hard to find a list that isn’t recommending this phone, but Three’s current contract options make it an even more appealing bargain.
Contrary to many other carriers, Three is actually selling the Galaxy S6 for cheaper than the LG G4, the HTC One M9, and Apple’s iPhone 6 Plus. Contract prices begin at just £35 per month with £0 down for the 32GB model, while rival flagships are all priced closer to £40 per month with at least £20 upfront. Over two years, that works out to a saving of £140! However, this offer is set to end on July 9th.
Three also has the Galaxy S6 Edge available with a slightly higher £43 per month minimum contract price and £49 upfront.
Specs
- 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display with 1440×2560 resolution
- 2.1GHz Samsung Exynos 7420 SoC
- 3GB of RAM
- 32/64/128GB internal storage
- 16MP rear camera, 5MP front camera
- Non-removable 2,550mAh battery
- 143.4 x 70.5 x 6.8 mm, 138g
- Black Sapphire, Gold Platinum or White Pearl colours
- Android 5.0 Lollipop
Read More
#2 LG G4
If your smartphone has replaced your old point-and-shoot camera then the LG G4 is probably the next handset for you. Boasting an improved f/1.8 aperture camera with 16 megapixel resolution, the LG G4 produces impressive picture in both high and low light environments.
Coupled with LG’s latest and greatest QHD display, hexa-core Snapdragon 808 SoC, microSD card and removable battery, the G4 is a cutting edge device in every regard.
Three’s contract pricing starts at £39 per month with £19 up front. The handset is also one of the cheaper flagship options available with a pay-as-you-go SIM. The G4 has a price tag of just £479.99, which is more than £100 cheaper than the S6 or One M9.
Specs
- 5.5-inch LCD display with 1440×2560 resolution
- 1.8GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 SoC
- 3GB of RAM
- 32GB internal storage with support for 128GB microSD card
- 16MP rear camera, 8MP front camera
- Removable 3,000mAh battery
- 149.1 x 75.3 x 8.9 mm, 154g
- White, Black
- Android 5.1 Lollipop
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#3 Galaxy Note 4
A modern classic, the Galaxy Note 4 is still a go-to choice for customers looking for a larger smartphone with specs in the right places. Featuring a QHD 5.7-inch display, quad-core Snapdragon 805 processor, 3GB of RAM and 16 megapixel rear camera, the Note 4 is still a competitor to 2015’s range of flagships.
Price wise, the Galaxy Note 4 is a little more expensive that other flagships on Three’s network. The 32GB model comes with a £32 per month two year contract with a rather large £99 upfront fee. PAYG is also an option, but at £600 the Note 4 doesn’t come cheap.
Specs
- 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display with 1440×2560 resolution
- 2.7GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 SoC
- 3GB of RAM
- 32GB internal storage with 128GB microSD card support
- 16MP rear camera and 3.7MP front camera
- Removable 3,220mAh battery
- 153.5 x 78.6 x 8.5 mm, 176g
- Black Charcoal
- Android 5.0 Lollipop
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#4 Huawei Honor 6 Plus
These days you don’t need to spend a fortune to lay your hands on flagship level performance and Huawei has been at the forefront of lowering smartphone costs in Europe. Three is offering the Huawei Honor 6 Plus at almost half of cost of your typical flagship, which certainly makes it a contender for one of the best Three Android phones.
The Honor 6 Plus doesn’t come with the extra flagships bells and whistles, such as NFC connectivity, wireless charging or fingerprint scanning technology. But with dual-SIM support, a powerful HiSilicon 925 SoC and a 5.5-inch 1080p display, there’s very little to complain about at this price.
The Honor 6 Plus will set you back at least £24 per month over two years with £19 upfront. Three’s PAYG price is also reasonable at £299.99.
Specs
- 5.5-inch LCD display with 1080×1920 resolution
- 1.8GHz HiSilicon Kirin 925 SoC
- 3GB of RAM
- 32GB of internal memory with 128GB microSD support
- Dual 8MP rear cameras with 8MP front camera
- Non-removable 3,600mAh battery
- 150.5 x 75.7 x 7.5 m, 165g
- Black
- Android 4.4.2 KitKat
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#5 Motorola Moto G
If you’re looking for a more moderately priced mid-ranger, there are few handsets that offer more bang for buck than the Moto G.
Featuring a sharp 4.5-inch display with 720p resolution, Snapdragon 400 processing package, 8GB of internal storage and 4G connectivity, the Moto G offers a great balance of hardware and cost for your day to day tasks.
Three’s cheapest contract starts at £16 per month with £0 up front. However, the PAYG cost of just £129.99 is also quite an attractive prospect, given that you pay as little as 3p per minute and 2p per text with a Three SIM.
Specs
- 5-inch LCD display with 720×1280 resolution
- 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 SoC
- 1GB of RAM
- 8GB of internal storage with 32GB microSD card support
- 8MP rear camera, 2MP front camera
- Non-removable 2,390mAh battery
- 141.5 x 70.7 x 11 mm, 155g
- Black
- Android 5.0 Lollipop
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#6 Samsung Galaxy A3
Style is certainly a subjective thing, but a good looking handset can be hard to come by in the mid-range market. Closing out our best Three Android phones list, the Samsung’s Galaxy A series aims to address this gap in the market with its metal unibody design.
Specifications wise, the Galaxy A3 includes a 540 x 960 pixel 4.5-inch display, a 1.2GHz Snapdragon 410 processor, 1GB of RAM, an 8MP rear camera and 5MP front facing camera, 16GB of internal storage and 1,900mAh battery, making it quite a typical mid-ranger.
Three has priced the Galaxy A3 quite competitively against the likes of the Moto G, which a monthly contract price of £17 per month for two years with £0 up front. PAYG is also a more expensive option, with the upfront cost leaping to £259.99.
Specs
- 4.5-inch Super AMLOED display with 540×960 resolution
- 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 SoC
- 1.5GB of RAM
- 16GB of internal storage with up to 64GB via microSD
- 8MP rear camera, 5MP front camera
- Non-removable 1,900mAh battery
- 130.1 x 65.5 x 6.9 mm, 110g
- Black or White
- Android 4.4.4 KitKat, upgradable to Android 5.0.2
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Report reveals Galaxy S6 Edge Plus, Note 5 specs
The announcement of the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus and the Galaxy Note 5 is expected to take place at Berlin’s IFA 2015 in September but a new report has revealed most of the details about Samsung’s upcoming smartphones. There have been plenty of rumours about the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus and whether the Note 5 would actually exist alongside it and today’s report should help clear up a lot of the confusion.
The report – courtesy of SamMobile – reveals that both handsets do exist and they will both feature Quad HD (2560 x 1440 pixels) displays measuring 5.7 inches (or 5.67 inches to be exact). Both handsets will also be made available in black, gold, silver and white and will likely also feature fingerprint sensors in the home button like Samsung’s current flagships.
The Galaxy Note 5 (model number SM-N920) will have a flat display akin to the Galaxy S6 while the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus will come with a dual-curved display like the Galaxy S6 Edge. The report also reveals that both handsets will have a glass black like Samsung’s two Galaxy S flagships, which also means that the handsets could possibly lack a removable battery or microSD card slot.
The report goes on to state that the differences between the two handsets (other than the aforementioned display differences) are likely to be internal. The Galaxy Note 5 – which is known internally as Project Noble – is expected to be the first handset to use Samsung’s Exynos 7422 all-in-one chipset – featuring a 64-bit octa-core CPU, GPU, RAM, storage and LTE modem – and Samsung was reportedly considering a 4K display before settling on a Quad HD panel.
Moving onto the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus – which is known internally as Project Zen – will be powered by a hexa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor (like the LG G4 incidentally) and will have 32GB internal storage, a 16MP rear camera with Optical Image Stabilisation, a 5MP front facing camera and a 3000mAh battery. The handset is expected to run Android 5.1 Lollipop out of the box, may have the ability to shoot images in RAW format and could finally bring a long-awaited fix for the RAM issues that are plaguing the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge.
The reported specs of the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus and Galaxy Note 5 suggest that we’re now looking at two smartphones that are bigger versions of the Galaxy S6 Edge and Galaxy S6 respectively. Interestingly, today’s report doesn’t touch on the S-Pen – which is a mainstay feature of the Galaxy Note range – and although it’s not mentioned, it’s almost certain that Samsung will offer the S-Pen with its latest big-screen phablets.
Related Galaxy S6 / Edge videos:
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What do you think of these specs? Would you buy the Galaxy Note 5 or the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus? Let us know your views in the comments below guys!
Disappointing, but unsurprising: Samsung Galaxy Note 5 won’t have a microSD slot
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Samsung abandoned many notable things in the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge that they had previously held as important to consumers – removable batteries and microSD slots headline the list of omissions. It’s suspected that Samsung did most of this to help slim down the device and we had hoped that with all the extra internal space, the new Galaxy Note device would be able to accommodate at least some of these “luxuries”. Unfortunately, according to a new report, the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 won’t have a microSD slot, which is just as disappointing as it is unsurprising.
Before you polish your pitchforks however, the report also details the new storage technology that Samsung utilized in the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge. Called UFS 2.0, the new technology reads and writes almost twice as fast as the old storage standard, eMMC 5.0. This includes scenarios where the fastest available microSD cards are used, which really paints a picture where microSD is a technology that will eventually be abandoned in favour of lightening fast internal storage. With that in mind, it’s no surprised that countless manufacturers are joining Samsung in abandoning physical expandable memory in their flagship devices – don’t be surprised if the LG G4 turns out to be the only flagship this year with the feature. The future, for now, appears to be cloud-based storage and super-quick onboard storage.
What do you think about the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 not having a microSD slot? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: SamMobile via Droid-life
The post Disappointing, but unsurprising: Samsung Galaxy Note 5 won’t have a microSD slot appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge get Android 5.1.1 Lollipop in India
After releasing the latest Android 5.1.1 Lollipop update for Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge users in several countries including the US and UK, Samsung has released the update to users in India. The details of the firmware update for the Galaxy S6 (model number SM-G920I) and Galaxy S6 Edge (SM-G925I) can be seen below:
Galaxy S6 Firmware Details:
- Model: SM-G920I
- Version: Android 5.1.1 Lollipop
- Changelist: 5228538
- Build Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2015 08:28:54 +0000
- Product Code: INS
- PDA: G920IDVU2COF8
- CSC: G920IODD2COF8
Galaxy S6 Edge Firmware details:
- Model: SM-G925I
- Version: Android 5.1.1
- Changelist: 5228538
- Build date: Thu, 25 Jun 2015 08:28:39 +0000
- Product code: INS
- PDA: G925IDVU2COF8
- CSC: G925IODD2COF8
The Android 5.1.1 update brings a host of tweaks, including the ability to finally sort apps by alphabetical order in the app drawer. Also on board is exposure control, support for capturing images in RAW format – although Samsung hasn’t yet enabled the feature in the ROM – and multi user support.
Galaxy S6 / Edge in Video:
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The update also lets you finally remove S Finder and Quick Connect from the notifications drawer, freeing up space in what can become a crowded notification area. Other notable changes in the update include the ability to enable or disable the wallpaper motion effect, new modes in the camera app and other under the hood tweaks and changes.
Interestingly, we’ve been using the Android 5.1.1 Lollipop update on the Galaxy S6 Edge and one thing that hasn’t been fixed yet is Lollipop’s aggressive RAM management. As many people have reported, the RAM management on the Galaxy S6 mean many apps are closed in the background and while there were rumours that this would be fixed in the latest update, it hasn’t as yet.
Have you got the update on your phone? What do you think of it? Noticed anything we’ve missed out? Let us know your thoughts below guys and don’t forget to check out the latest Android Authority Podcast where we answer a user question on the 5.1.1 update.
Samsung estimates yet another profit drop for Q2 of 2015
Samsung may still be selling most Android handsets in the world, but their numbers have been dropping earnings report after earnings report for a worrisome time. It was only recently that people were starting to become tired of Samsung’s sub-par design and build quality. Nothing was improving profits and Sammy was falling into its impending doom. In an effort to turn things around, they took their team back to the drawing board and created what would be the solution to their problems – the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge.
Compared to previous Galaxy S smartphones, these new flagship handsets were masterpieces of design and engineering (read our Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge reviews). These handsets are powerful, snappy, full of helpful features and, finally, they offered a design worthy of pride. It was a new era for the Korean manufacturer and Q2 of 2015 was the quarter when they would shine… only they didn’t.
Despite the release of the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge super phones, Samsung is estimating yet another lackluster quarter. Their earnings guidance report for Q2 of 2015 shows the company should conclude the time period with approximately 48.0 trillion Korean won in consolidated sales and an operating profit of about 6.9 trillion Korean won. This would translate to a 4% decline over Q2 of 2014.
Shall these estimations be correct, it would mean Samsung’s 7th consecutive quarterly profit drop in a row. Definitely not a good sign, especially considering this is the very first quarter report in which the new Galaxy devices are taken into account. Is Samsung’s bad reputation preceding them? Likely, but that is probably not the only factor that comes into play.
Samsung has been facing supply issues for the Galaxy S6 Edge, a phone with immense demand from consumers. We all love those beautiful Edge displays and the new elegant design – it’s likely catching a lot of people’s eyes. If Samsung can’t meet demand, we definitely have an issue at hand, and it’s reflecting in their numbers.
We are definitely fans of what Samsung did with its latest high-end smartphones, but we know they could do much better (especially in the battery department). There’s a saying that goes “build up a reputation and then you can go to sleep”. Sadly, this works the same way for negative reputation. Samsung spent many years creating a fame for bad design, and long-time opinions are hard to kill. Maybe things will turn up if they continue to improve their manufacturing strategy.
What do you guys think about this situation, though? Would you say Samsung is on its way out and a new Android manufacturer is soon to take the crown? Which phone maker do you think would be the next ruler?
Pretty much official: Samsung profits are down four percent in Q2 2015 from a year ago
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It was a result that was suspected, but now it’s pretty much official: It was announced today that Samsung profits are down four percent in the second quarter compared to the same quarter a year ago, falling to 6.9 trillion won ($6.13 billion USD). While it’s not quite all bad news – this quarter has been Samsung’s best over the last four quarters – tellingly, this quarter of loss is Samsung’s seventh period of registering annual decline.
There are a lot of subtle factors that have contributed to this result – despite the dam-busting popularity and critical acclaim of the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge, they were greeted with a much more competitive smartphone market this year and a decline in demand from China and Europe. The supply issues that initially plagued the Galaxy S6 Edge have also been pointed to as a pain point. It’s also been pointed out that Samsung’s strategy of moving away from low and mid-range devices may have affected overall sales. Samsung’s middling performance is probably the biggest indicator yet that the global smartphone marketplace is changing in ways that see less demand for high-powered, high-performance handsets.
What do you think about Samsung’s quarterly financial results? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: Samsung via Reuters, engadget
The post Pretty much official: Samsung profits are down four percent in Q2 2015 from a year ago appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Deal: unlocked Samsung Galaxy S6 only $499.99 on eBay!
The Samsung Galaxy S6 is definitely one of the best smartphones around, but it’s by no means cheap. In fact, it happens to be one of the most expensive phones in the market, making it seem like that super thin profile is a knife cutting right through your pocket. Thankfully, here at Android Authority we are always on the lookout for great deals to share with you. Today might be your lucky day, because eBay’s latest offer is hot!
The Samsung Galaxy S6 is currently being sold for only $499.99 on eBay. This is a pretty awesome deal considering the device is new to the market and usually goes for $600 at the lowest. Essentially, you get a $100 discount, but that is not the only treat buyers would get.
This phone is unlocked and new. Not refurbished or used… completely new. To make matters even better, the eBay seller is allowing you to choose between a bevy of available colors, including black, white, gold and blue. Oh, and shipping is completely free in the USA.
I would seriously jump all over this deal if I was looking to get an off-contract, unlocked, high-end smartphone. My only gripe with the Samsung Galaxy S6 is its ridiculous battery life, but if you can get past that issue it’s one hell of a phone. It has top-notch specs, an insanely good camera and the build quality we have been begging Samsung for.
You can go ahead and read our Samsung Galaxy S6 review to see what this phone is all about. You can’t really beat this price! Have a blast purchasing it and hit the comments to let us know if you are signing up for this deal. Is it what you were looking for?
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AIVAnet 