Galaxy S6 vs Galaxy S6 Edge: What's the difference?
Tech specs: Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge
Samsung has decided to split its flagship smartphone into two models - the standard Galaxy S6, and the Galaxy S6 Edge. But what is it exactly that separates these two devices?
Let's start with the obvious - the Galaxy S6 Edge's curve on the edge of the screen which can be used to present information in cool (gimmicky?) ways. Features such as "Information Stream," "Night Clock," "Edge Lighting," and "People Edge" make use of the curved edge as secondary displays. Some of these features are already present on the Note Edge.
Is this useful to you? Only you can answer that. Personally, I think some interesting stuff might come of this if/when it is ever opened up to third-party developers (assuming there's enough interest in the S6 Edge to attract developer attention).
AR + VR
Other than the fact that the display extends over the edge on the S6 Edge, the two devices share exactly the same display spec. Both feature a 5.1-inch Super AMOLED panel with a screen resolution of 2,560 x 1,440 pixels and a pixel density of 577 pixels per inch.
On the dimensions front, there are some minimal differences between the two handsets:
- Galaxy S6: 143.4 x 70.5 x 6.8mm (5.64 x 2.77 x 0.27in) and 138g (4.86oz)
- Galaxy S6 Edge: 142.1 x 70.1 x 7mm (5.59 x 2.76 x 0.27in) and 132g (4.65oz)
The bigger display on the S6 Edge has resulted in Samsung giving it a slightly larger battery:
- Galaxy S6: 2550mAh
- Galaxy S6 Edge: 2600mAh
Both are smaller than the 2800mAh battery capacity of the Galaxy S5.
On the processor front, the S6 and the S6 Edge share the same silicon, an Exynos 7420 SoC built using 14-nanometer architecture. It features an octa-core 64-bit (4 x 2.1GHz cores and 4 x 1.5GHz cores) along with a Mali-T760 GPU. Both have 3GB of RAM and come in 32/64/128GB storage options.
On the design front, the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge will be offered in White Pearl, Black Sapphire, and Gold Platinum options, along with a special Blue Topaz for the Galaxy S6, and Green Emerald for the Galaxy S6 Edge.
Everything else is the same... until we come down to price. European prices suggest that the S6 Edge will command a premium in the region of $100.
- Galaxy S6: 32GB 699 euros, 64GB 799 euros, 128GB 899 euros
- Galaxy S Edge: 32GB 849 euros, 64GB 949 euros, 128GB 1049 euros
If the price difference were a few bucks it would be easier to take a gamble on the curved screen being useful (or at least offering something in the way of bragging rights), but if the price is too high (and the benefits too tenuous) then it makes it easier to overlook.
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