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Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge review

8.5/10 AVG.
RATING
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Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge
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8.5/10
Informr score
The Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge currently has an Informr score of 8.5 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 44 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

What's good

  • Incredibly sharp and vibrant display
  • Curved edges make areas of screen easier to reach
  • Improved Touchwiz has less bloatware
  • Smooth and slick performance

What's bad

  • Glass back and edges make it difficult to grasp
  • No microSD slot

For years consumers and experts complained about Samsung's continued use of cheap plastic for their smartphones and unnecessary bloatware. With the Galaxy S6 Edge, Samsung has finally updated the design of their smartphones. Unlike previous Galaxy phones, the S6 Edge offers a metal chassis and back coated with Gorilla Glass 4. While the glass back adds a premium feel to the phone, critics found it slightly difficult to grip especially when combined with its curved edges. Still, they add they wouldn't give up the curved screen as they are able to reach further across it than other phones that have the same size display.

The S6 Edge has a 5.1 inch AMOLED display with a quad HD (1,440 x 2,560) resolution. This translates to a whopping 577ppi pixel density. Experts describe it as "gorgeous" with BGR going so far as to say, "I'm not sure we'll see a better screen on a smartphone all year (2015)." Besides making the phone easier to use one-handed the curved display edges did not offer an improved viewing experience for experts.

Instead of opting for the standard Snapdragon processor, the S6 Edge comes equipped with an Exynos octa-core processor broken up into two sets of four cores with one set running at 2.5GHz and the other at 1.5GHz. As with a quad-core setup, the two sets are not utilized at the same time. Instead, each set is dedicated to different tasks for an allegedly more power-efficient performance. When combined with the 3GB of RAM critics had no issue flicking through the screens or starting up apps. While it doesn't come with a microSD slot, it does offer up to 128GB of onboard storage.

In the eyes of reviewers, the biggest improvement is the TouchWiz interface. Samsung has reported it reduced the number of features by 40%, which ultimately leads to more available internal storage space and a cleaner user experience. Experts confirm that a large about of bloat has been removed and instead replaced by a few key Microsoft apps.

Jutting out slightly on the back of the phone is the 16MP camera with an f/1.9 lenses. It comes with optical image stabilization technology and real-time HDR mode. When experts put it to the test they were able to take very detailed and color accurate photos even in low lighting situations.

The Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge is a clear departure from the rest of Samsung's line with its updated Touchwiz interface, curved edges and more premium build quality. Experts view it as a defining smartphone for Samsung and other manufacturers. TechRadar states, "The Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge is one of those phones that sets a line in the sand for smartphones."


Android
Operating system
Operating system
Android
2.1 GHz
Processor
Processor
2.1 GHz
5.1"
Screen Size
Screen Size
5.1"
16+ MP
Camera
Camera
16+ MP
2600 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


Gadgets 360
Gadgets 360

Samsung's second phone with a curved screen does things a little differently and will definitely get you noticed.

- Jamshed Avari, Gadgets 360
TechnoBuffalo
TechnoBuffalo

While Samsung’s new weirdo phone is a sight to behold, we’re still left waiting for that killer use-case. As of now, there’s no real purpose to that curved screen, which means, as I said above, you’re just buying the S6 Edge Plus because it looks cooler than any other phone o...

- Brandon Russell, TechnoBuffalo
Digital Trends
Digital Trends

The Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge are both absolutely gorgeous phones. They borrow a lot of design traits from the iPhone line, and that’s fantastic, because the iPhone is the most beautiful phone out there. But of the two, we do not recommend the Galaxy S6 Edge. The S6 Edge gets worse battery life t...

- Jeffrey Van Camp, Digital Trends
What Mobile
What Mobile

It’s hard not to be drawn to the Samsung Galaxy S6 edge’s unique design. The dual curved screen really makes it stand out from the competition, whilst the glass body and metal frame add to its premium design. Looks aren’t the only good thing the Samsung Galaxy S6 edge has goin...

- Alex Yau, What Mobile
Know Your Mobile
Know Your Mobile

Design. Power. Performance. Imaging. Connectivity. Features –– the Galaxy S6 EDGE, like its EDGE-less brother, has them all to the max. No other handset we’ve tested this year feels quite so well realised as these pair from Samsung. The LG G4 was a fine setup and, to a certain exte...

- Paul Briden, Know Your Mobile


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions


We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge user manual here.


Samsung backs up the Galaxy S6 Edge with a 2 Years parts & labour warranty.


If your Galaxy S6 Edge has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Samsung support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Samsung's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.




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Quick view

Screen Size
5.1"

The Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge's screen size is 5.1 inches with 1440 x 2560 pixels resolution.

Processor
2.1 GHz

There is a Samsung Exynos 7420 Octa core 2.1 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on the Android 5.0 Lollipop (Update Available: 7.0 Nougat) operating system (OS).

Camera
16+ MP

You can take photos with the phone's onboard 16+ MP camera.

There is also a secondary front facing camera with 5+ megapixels resolution.

Storage
32/64/128 GB

Internal memory is 32/64/128 GB. No external card slot is available for expansion.

Battery
2600mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 2600 mAh battery. Samsung's performance ratings are 1560 minutes, 780 minutes Wi-Fi surfing.

Galaxy S6 Edge Specs

Overview
Release Date April 10, 2015
Regions Available USA, Canada, United Kingdom
Operating System Android 5.0 Lollipop (Update Available: 7.0 Nougat)

Compare Android Smartphones

Processor Samsung Exynos 7420 Octa core 2.1 GHz
Internal Storage 32/64/128 GB
RAM 3 GB
Hearing Aid Compatible Yes
TTY/TDD Yes
Noise Cancellation Yes
SAR Head: 0.68 W/kg
Body: 1.02 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 2 Years
Accessories Included AC Charger, Manual
Cellular
Networks
GPRS, EDGE, HSUPA, HSPA+, LTE
Mobile / Cellular Data
4G/LTE
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling Unknown
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) Yes
SIM card size
Nano-SIM
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Micro-USB 2.0
USB OTG Support No
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared Yes
Bluetooth 4.1
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, OPP/FTP, HFP, HSP
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC, aptX
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Mobile Hotspot Yes
Memory Expansion Slot No
NFC Yes
Data Tethering Compatibility Yes
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
16+ Megapixels
Zoom
Yes
Flash
Yes (LED)
Additional Rear Camera Info
Auto focus, Effects, Face detection, Geotagging, Multi-shot, Panorama, Self-timer, White balance, HDR
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, 3G2 / 3GPP2, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4, WMV, ASF, FLV, AVI
Video Recording Parameters
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
5+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
No
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology Super AMOLED
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution 1440 x 2560 pixels
Pixel Density 577 pixels
Size 5.1 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Digital Compass
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features Capacitive touch screen, Corning Gorilla Glass 4, Curved edge screen
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 2600 mAh
Removable Battery No
Wireless Charging Yes
Fast Charging No
Video Playback Time Up to 780 minutes
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 780 minutes
Internet Use (Cellular) Up to 720 minutes
Talk Time Up to 1560 minutes
Standby Time Up to 13 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Bar
Material Aluminium
Colors White Pearl, Black Sapphire, Gold Platinum, Green Emerald
Dimensions [H x W x D] 14.2 x 7 x 0.7 cm (5.6 x 2.8 x 0.3 in)
Weight 132 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Yes
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key Yes
Home Key Yes
Input / Keyboard Type Touchscreen
Navigation Type Touchscreen
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
More
Additional Information Other Names (AKA):

Also available in a dual-SIM model.

Additional Sensors
- Finger Scanner
- Barometer

Additional Features
- Ultra Power Saving Mode
- Download Booster
- S Health 4.0
- Quick Connect
- Private Mode

Related Links Manual (PDF)
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge Reviews
Where to buy Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge
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