Samsung Galaxy S6 Pro Reviews

So close to perfect, but a high price and iffy battery really let it down.

There's time to wax poetic, and there's time to tackle the facts head on. And the facts are that the Galaxy S7 is an evolutionary step forward for Samsung, but no more. Sure, we're more than happy to see that the company has improved on ergonomics and that the handset is now dust- and water-resistant, but much everything else is very comparable to the Galaxy S6, or even slightly worse. For example, the interface has only received some minor improvements. Yes, the Always On Display feature is a nice extra, but definitely not something that'll compel most S6 owners to upgrade. On top of that, the new, 12-megapixel camera isn't the breakthrough we were hoping for, even though it's still overall superior. And finally, while we're glad to see call quality has received some much needed attention, we were very disappointed to see that despite the larger cell, the Galaxy S7 actually posts worse battery life than its predecessor. In closing, unless some of the above-mentioned features and improvements are just too good for you to pass on—and that would be in your view—there isn't much reason to upgrade just yet. Go get a nice stereo and a TV to go with it, and save your money for the Galaxy S8.

With both handsets going for similar approaches on a number of levels, we should really be looking at their more pronounced differences. First off, the screen of the iPhone 6s is less pixel-heavy, but that doesn't really detract from the actual user experience, and comes as a bonus in the way of smoother navigation, higher frame rate in games, and — as it turns out — satisfying battery life. With regards to software experience, cameras, browsing and most other aspects, it's almost always a question of trade-off between quality and quantity, with the iPhone 6s gravitating towards the quality side of things, and the Galaxy S6 demonstrating a preference towards the “more is better” approach. One advantage of the Samsung Galaxy S6 is its slightly lower price point, with savings of anywhere from $50 to $100 right now. Not only that, but the base model comes with 32GB of base storage, while the cheapest iPhone 6s is still — quite disappointingly — limited to just 16GB. Ultimately, not much has changed in the world of Samsung and Apple flagships. Picking either is still a matter of user preference more than anything else.

The Samsung Galaxy S6 is the best Android flagship on Sprint with an attractive design, a brilliant display, a powerful processor, and a crisp new camera.

The Galaxy S6 is pushing the boundaries of smart phone camera technology, offering sophistication that avid photographers can appreciate, including a wide aperture (f/1.9), manual controls, as well as HDR and numerous attractive filters and effects.

Samsung's Galaxy S6 is the best Android phone of 2015 so far, although we've yet to see what's to come from the LG G4 and Sony Xperia Z4. It's fast, it's well built, it has a gorgeous screen and the software isn't overly intrusive. The fingerprint scanner is vastly improved, the heart-rate scanner a potential draw for some users, and the wireless- and fast charging welcome inclusions. We'd like to see the price come down (which we are sure it will) and it's a shame we've lost the removable battery, waterproofing and microSD support, but these are all things we can live with.

Gone are the days when phone cameras were a compromised and inferior substitute to a dedicated compact camera. In favourable lighting, the Galaxy S6 produces images every bit as detailed, vibrant and well exposed as the very best small-sensor compact cameras. Dimmer conditions cause the S6 to struggle, but if you don’t pixel peep, results are more than adequate. The much-improved lens in the S6 with its large f/1.9 maximum aperture and optical image stabilisation does help a lot in low light scenarios though, minimising the need to use higher ISO sensitivities. Autofocus performance is also better than the S5, and only in very dark situations can you expect some focus hunting. Ultra HD video recording is still a rare feature in conventional cameras, but the eight-core processing power in the S6 records this resolution with ease and generates superb quality videos. However, in some ways the S6 is a step down from the S5. It now lacks water and dust resistance, but more importantly you no longer have the option to add extra storage capacity with a Micro SD card. It’s a pity that Samsung has followed Apple’s lead here, so if this is a deal-breaker for you, consider the HTC One M9 or Sony Xperia Z3+ instead. Otherwise, the Samsung Galaxy S6 offers exceptional photographic performance that isn’t just impressive for a smartphone; it’s good enough to beat the majority of conventional compact cameras.

If you kept score, you'd know which way we're leaning right now — the Galaxy S6 snagged more wins on the way, big or small, earning itself a lead on the G4. This doesn't come without a lengthy, maybe even patronizing disclaimer, that makes it sufficiently clear that you should try and identify the things you care about instead of following along blindly. This means deciding whether you want a phablet-sized phone, or one that is easier to handle. It means asking yourself if that extra frame or two when gaming will really make a difference. It means finding out whether metal-and-glass designs are your thing, or whether you prefer the warm touch of leather instead. We opened this stating that this is a tough matchup, and at the end, we're still convinced — it's hard to reach an objective conclusion as to which one is better. Sure, gun-to-our-head, we'd shout “the Galaxy S6!”, but again, that would rob you of the opportunity to make your own choices, weigh your own options.

The Galaxy S6 puts Samsung back on top with the best screen, processor, and body design of any Android-powered phone.

At first glance, it should be easy to make a flagship smartphone. Scoop off the cream at the top of the component chain, throw in some premium materials - you can take your pick, but metal and glass seem good places to start - and bingo. Problem is, not only can that piecemeal approach leave a phone feeling soulless, but the actual user-experience can prove perversely underwhelming compared to the bulging feature list. There have been earlier moves to step off the specification treadmill and generate appeal in a more fundamental way, with varying degrees of success. Apple is the giant in the room on that front, having carved an enviable marketshare by positioning the iPhone not only as a capable device, but a covetable and cohesive one.

Samsung's Galaxy S6 is the best Android phone of 2015 so far, although we've yet to see what's to come from the LG G4 and Sony Xperia Z4. It's fast, it's well built, it has a gorgeous screen and the software isn't overly intrusive. The fingerprint scanner is vastly improved, the heart-rate scanner a potential draw for some users, and the wireless- and fast charging welcome inclusions. We'd like to see the price come down (which we are sure it will) and it's a shame we've lost the removable battery, waterproofing and microSD support, but these are all things we can live with.

The Galaxy S6 puts Samsung back on top with the best screen, processor, and body design of any Android-powered phone.

Let’s talk pricing for a moment! With the Nexus 6, it starts off at $699.99 full price, which is undoubtedly on the steep side, but something that’s warranted for something of its caliber and immense size. Conversely, it’s a little confusing regarding the pricing for the Galaxy S6, as various wireless providers and retail partners all have different prices for the 32GB Galaxy S6. Ranging from $599.99 to $684.99, the Galaxy S6 is at the minimum $100 less than the Nexus 6 when it comes to outright pricing. Quite simply, the two handsets in this comparison are top-notch and phenomenal – so it’s really a tough call to say which is the superior one. For those yearning for a phablet-esque sized thing, it’s a no-brainer decision to go with the Nexus 6, which also packs the beloved stock Android 5.0 Lollipop experience. Another thing to note, it’s going to get updated to the latest version of the platform a lot quicker than the S6. In contrast, go with the Galaxy S6 if you want that all-around performance and the more premium designed smartphone. Meanwhile, TouchWiz is going to add a lot of depth to the Android experience, though it’s still not as visually pleasing as vanilla Android. Pound for pound, though, the Galaxy S6 is packed full of extra goodies that are not found with the Nexus 6 – giving it that higher degree of value at the same time.

The Galaxy S6 trumps the S5 by a large margin in almost every area that matters in terms of specs, and this time around comes with a design that is pleasing to the look and premium to the touch. Some nice characteristics have been sacrificed, like the waterproof rating, removable battery and expandable storage of the S5, but given the S6's brain and bod, it's unlikely that those will be missed much by the typical user. With a much better screen, cleaner camera results, and probably the fastest chip and memory combo currently on the market, the S6 is a no-brainer before the S5. It's not only the hardware, though, as TouchWiz has been given an extra spit and polish for the S6, while the new flagship is in a unique position to let you leave your payment cards at home thanks to the new Samsung Pay platform. Granted, the S6 costs almost twice the S5 at launch, but this time Samsung made sure that its new flagship is as futureproof as it gets, so you can grab one, certain that it will hold appeal for at least the next two years, instead of becoming run-of-the-mill six months after its launch.

If you've ever struggled picking between two great flagships in the past, you'll likely know what we ourselves understand all too well – when you're looking to make the most out of your hard-earned cash, choosing can be difficult. Fortunately, with the Samsung Galaxy S6 and the HTC One M9, things are clear-cut enough for you to simply have to identify what's important to you personally – the answer will then come to you naturally. So, do you value camera performance and battery life above all else? The Galaxy S6, then, is the obvious choice – it steamrolls the One M9's unsatisfying, 20-megapixel shooter, and manages almost an hour longer on our battery life test. It also has the slightly larger display, which is notably superior to its competitor's solution when set to 'Basic' mode. Are you more intrigued by the design work that goes into your gadget? Is sound quality an overly important consideration for you? And are you annoyed by software gimmicks? If you mentally noted a 'yes' whilst going through those three questions, then your choice is simple, and its name is HTC One M9. Indeed, while Samsung has spent a considerable amount of effort trying to classy up the Galaxy S6, the M9's full aluminum body is uncompromisingly beautiful, and comes with none of the oily mess that is the S6's back. What's more, the One M9 is a superior platform for listening to music – whether you go wired or not. Ultimately, point-for-point, the Galaxy S6 is the superior device of the two. But it's not the classier – a subtle, but important difference.

We wondered what Samsung could do in order to live up to the sky-high expectations for the Galaxy S6. With the iPhone 6 grabbing a larger piece of the sales pie, Samsung had to respond with a full-on overhaul. Good news is that it’s gotten a lot of things right in the Galaxy S6 – from its very accurate AMOLED display and blazing-fast chipset, to the wonderful camera and adequate battery life. We still prefer the more consistently reliable performance of the iPhone 6, which moves at a breathtaking pace, and has similarly impressive camera capabilities. Additionally, the iPhone 6 also has the edge when it comes to apps and, most notably, games. The Galaxy S6, however, is the phone to have, should you seek a high-quality Android handset, with deep customization options and cutting-edge feature set. For much else, there is parity between the iPhone 6 and Galaxy S6: both have great designs and both perform very well in daily use. At the end of the day, picking between the two is about subjective priorities. You can’t go wrong with either of these two!

It's not possible to discern whether the iPhone 6 Plus or the Galaxy S6 is the superior device. Indeed, some may say that Samsung is slowly nixing the distinct features that have traditionally set it apart from the competition (a microSD card slot on board and a removable battery), but hasn't Apple actually done the same by releasing such a large phablet like the iPhone 6 Plus? Certainly, the Galaxy S6 is the best smartphone Samsung has ever churned out (along with the S6 edge). Provided that you're on the market for a feature-packed Android champion that wants to excel in every category, then you can hardly go wrong with the Samsung Galaxy S6. Still, if large display, a more straightforward user experience and a more perfected app ecosystem stand higher in your book, then the Apple iPhone 6 Plus is certainly a better option for you.

There’s nothing wrong with the Sony Xperia Z3... except for the weird screen calibration, that is. When we think about what it takes to be slapped with the flagship status, it does carry almost all the qualities that come with the territory. It’s beautifully designed, armed with some lovely hardware, highly responsive, and even takes some dreamy photos and videos. Oh yeah, it also has a slight edge in the video gaming department because of its streaming PlayStation service. All the might and impressive things with the Sony Xperia Z3 are to be commended, however, when it’s pitted against the Samsung Galaxy S6, it’s just eclipsed by something more grandiose. And that, folks, is what makes Samsung’s flagship the phone to beat in the space at the moment. Not only is it oozing with highly prized specs and hardware, but this flagship line has undergone a tremendous transformation with its design – one that we can safely proclaim to be one of the best out there. Best of all, it’s able to go beyond its rival in several key areas to make it the more impressive handset. Pricing, though, favors the Xperia Z3 now that it’s been making the rounds far longer than its competition. With that, it’s possible to snag a phenomenal deal with the Xperia Z3, which naturally will appeal to those on a tighter budget. Now, if money is of no concern to you, the money you’ll fork over in buying the Galaxy S6 will be justified. The higher cost is warranted! Trust us, you won’t be disappointed in the decision.

With a much nicer design, a smaller but superior display, faster hardware, a better camera, and lightning-quick charging, the Samsung Galaxy S6 is a genuine superphone that's a worthy upgrade over the LG G3. It is also quite the challenge for LG, whose upcoming LG G4 will have to face a formidable adversary. However, the LG G3 remains more attractive from a price-oriented perspective. Being a year old and nicely discounted, it is one of the cheapest Quad-HD resolution smartphones you can buy new and unlocked. It's also a very nice smartphone overall, and while its looks and performance, admittedly, can't hold a candle to Samsung's latest and greatest, this doesn't make it anything less than a bargain!

So, do you have a better idea now of which smartphone is a better choice? Well, if you don't want to shed a hundred dollars over the GS6's price for the S6 edge, that's more than fine, but you will be missing out on a louder speaker, and an innovative design. Then again, you might end up not liking the way the curved sides feel in the hand, or you might not be able to get used to the subtly different way movies and websites look on the curved screen. But if money isn't an obstacle and you admire the Samsung Galaxy S6 edge's futuristic looks, they you might as well go for it! After all, it's every bit the class-leading performer its sibling is, but in an even more aesthetically pleasing way. However, the dual curved display of the S6 edge – its key point of interest for the majority of users - is mostly there to supplement the handset’s looks. Functionally, there’s not a lot to be found in it, as most of the features are just gimmicks, or ineffective.

In all fairness, the good outweighs the bad with the Samsung Galaxy S6 – we’ll gladly forgo some of those previous offerings in favor of its new, premium design. Here in the US, it’s expected to sell for the usual $200 with a 2-year contract. Change is good, that’s unquestionable. If this is the beginning of a new era for Samsung, we’re encouraged by the prospect of the Galaxy S6’s arrival. All phones should fear, just because the Galaxy S6 is setting the bar really, really high for everyone.