Galaxy S6 – everything you wanted to know about the flagship – Mobile-review

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1 March in Barcelona will be shown Galaxy S6, and Galaxy S6 EDGE. If the date of presentation of the already known, there are many products around speculation, assumptions event of a leak even more confusing. This material is made on the basis of leaks that have occurred in recent weeks, we try to evaluate the new flagship and the technologies that it applied. First of March at the same time be able to assess what turned out to be true that there is no how to implement certain technologies in terms of business model. For convenience, the material will break through key points to discuss, not all in a heap, and for each topic separately.

Content

1. Design, body materials
2. Type of memory, memory, memory card
3. Chipset and performance
4. The camera – front and rear
5. Display
6. Battery
7. Software – Android 5, TouchWiz and other stuff
8. Payment service Samsung Pay
9. Price, start date sales
10. a sub-total

Design, body materials

The main claim to any and all Samsung phones is that they are made of plastic. Claim far-fetched, since plastic is a convenient and high-quality material, but with the filing of Apple today, most of the flagships made of metal – it is present in one form or another almost everywhere. Against this background, Galaxy S5 looked anachronistic, stood out from the crowd. If in 2011-2013, it was not as noticeable in the 2014th change was evident. Flagships for Android from almost all companies have metal or metal in construction (frame Z3 and glass, to cover both sides).

Galaxy S5

The ideology Samsung has always focused on mass production, that is, if the company introduces some technology or material in its product line, it begins do scale. We have already seen the A-series, which are sold in the name of the A3, A5 and A7.

Such devices will be quite a lot, but they are all quite expensive compared to their plastic counterparts. This is not a question of the price of the metal or its production, although the difference is, it is not too large. Exclusively positioning and separation of the products on the basis of which is clear to most buyers. People are willing to pay more for the metal. The word “overpayment” is conditional, however, about the cost of the final product will be discussed in a separate chapter.

Leaks real elements of the case to S6 already are, you can take a look at these pictures that caused associations with iPhone clone 6 because of the side faces.

I am sure that the outdoor unit to submit, on the basis of these images, it is difficult, do you assess the individual elements that look very similar to the iPhone 6. Let’s look at the renderings that have already been made for this leak. Photo source – samsung.hdblog.it.

These sketches almost completely and correctly describe the apparatus, the individual elements are knocked out of the final design, but it does not matter. Now note that despite the fact that the side faces are similar to the iPhone 6, in the life of these models are called clones of each other will be difficult. They are very different. Material of back wall and the colors – is a separate issue that will remain outside of this discussion, we will see all the first of March.

Feedback from those who have already had the pleasure of seeing Galaxy S6 live quite positive. Thus, in the Russian MediaMarkt compared this device with the iPhone 6, opting for the design Galaxy S6 (Commentary on “trifles” two weeks ago talking about it).

But if someone thought that the design of Galaxy S6 will be something special, then you will be disappointed. IPhone style with all the consequences, nothing special here just yet. For the first time in its flagship Samsung refuses collapsible body, a monolithic structure, following the example of what we have seen in the A-series of the company. Unlike S5, no protection against water standards are not applicable. The experiment was deemed a failure that does not produce any additional bonuses in the eyes of consumers.

Type of memory, memory, memory card

Another difference, which can be considered the influence of Apple, this is a departure from the memory card, Galaxy S6 will be released in three versions – 32, 64 and 128 GB. Therefore, at the start will have to choose the amount of memory that you need. In my opinion, this is a serious disadvantage for many fans of the devices on Android, where the presence of a memory card has always been a serious and bold plus in favor of such devices.

Now, let’s focus on how technology is changing the production of memory. Let me remind you that Samsung is the world leader in the production and development of memory, in particular, at Apple for several years tried to refuse to cooperate with Samsung, but eventually returned to the company and were forced to agree to all the conditions. Model Galaxy S6 is the first device that receives a new type of memory with a name Universal Flash Storage (UFS 2.0). Data transfer rate up to 1.2 GB / s, it is three times faster than the best memory types today. In fact, we have a new generation of NAND Flash, which has all the advantages of SSD, ideal for portable devices due to low power (30 to 50 percent). It turns out that memory is becoming one of the advantages of the device, which has a direct impact on its performance. A similar memory receive only the flagship devices from other companies, but they will appear only in September 2015, and their number can be counted on th e fingers of two hands. Massive use of such memory modules can be expected only in 2016.

One of the hidden benefits – this type of RAM. The amount of RAM – 3 GB, the system will not work in 32 and 64 bits. In December 2014, Samsung launched the industry’s first production of mobile memory chips LPDRR4 density 8Gb (20 nm process). This technology allows to produce memory chips up to 4 GB, currently available chips 2 and 3 GB (8 and 6 Gbit chips). The maximum data transfer rate of this type of memory is 3.2 GB / s, that is twice higher than the chip rate DDR3, used on the PC. Such a data rate of the following tasks – recording 4K for an unlimited time, simultaneous recording of HD-video on the front and rear camera, continuous shooting at a resolution of 20 megapixels with no limit on number of images. Also, the use of this type of memory is a partial explanation for the rejection of memory cards. Why so? It is because by using slow memory cards, many operations can be problematic, and have main memory can be occupied with user data. Nor mal users will not understand what the problem is, because there is free memory, which means a bad phone and manufacturer.

In a nutshell, the S6 Samsung has made a bet on what is traditionally strong, namely stuffing and engineering solutions. This unit tried to make the most functional of all that exists in the world. In theory, it was possible to put and 4 GB of RAM, but the real need for it was not, and Note 5 have something to save.

chipset and performance

For the first time, Samsung refused to release two versions of the device on different chipsets – usually it was Qualcomm’s Snapdragon and its own Exynos.

Let’s see how consumers react to the Exynos 7420 processor and his generation, if they deem their quality, or will think that this is an inexpensive substitute for Qualcomm. Let’s start with the fact that the performance of these processors is already at Qualcomm Snapdragon 820, which comes out in September 2015. That is, six months before you get the fastest processor. Technically, it is an 8-core solution, 4 core Cortex-A53, 4 – Cortex A57. Graphics core – Mali T-760, but it is updated with the relative Note version 4 (higher the frequency, etc.). In S6 is fully disclosed the potential of this SoC, the main left to Note 5. In particular, the amount of RAM in the first half of the year will remain equal to 3 GB, while the second half of the model already comes with 4 GB.

But the most important thing is that before the 7-series Exynos (the same processor 5433 is considered to be the 7-series, oddly enough – it belongs here in terms of marketing), the Samsung had a problem with the support of LTE, so the company so much focused on Qualcomm. Own chipsets have LTE-modem on the side, which automatically leads to greater energy consumption and a number of other shortcomings that need to be compensated by other means, for example, greater or worse battery level backlight, etc. Now, this problem does not exist. Of course, we will have to see this in practice, but in terms of performance S6 shows very good results. From myself, I note that the interface is one of the fastest machines today – it flies. Here you can share and leaked benchmark results. For example, in the test for single core GeekBench S6 gaining 1500-1600 points (Tegra K1 Denver – 1900 points), in the MultiCore at S6 5500-5550 points (Note 4 while gaining 3,900 poi nts here, this is the best result). At the moment, it is the fastest solution of those that are on the market. And the backlog of the same Snapdragon 810 is quite noticeable. Therefore, the ordinary consumer, buying a device for the same money, prefer to get a faster processor.

camera – front and rear

The front camera of 5 megapixels, the main 20 megapixels, similar in characteristics and quality shooting with Note 4.

The new chipset allowed to implement a number of modes, improved image processing algorithms. But to see a dramatic difference, you can hardly. This is about the same level – in terms of aggregate characteristics of the best camera on the market.

Display

The feeling that here play a guessing game, which only diagonal screen may be called up up to 5.5 inches. Logic dictates that the size of the phone has not changed and can not change, all the company’s flagship in this class are exactly the same in size (S6 less because of the housing and components, but only slightly). The screen is 5.1 inches, SuperAMOLED last generation with improved color rendering, there are extreme power saving mode, as in the last generation devices, plus a variety of color temperature settings. This is the most advanced of the existing screen, which has been repeatedly proved on other products from Samsung. Screen Resolution QHD, the same as in Note 4.

Battery

We are used to playing in big numbers, the larger the battery, the better. And it does not look back at the other components of the device, how they may affect the overall system performance, its speed, power consumption. It is well known that the energy-efficient AMOLED-display, but about memory and processors are thinking less. As you already know, here we have used the latest technology from Samsung, which can reduce energy consumption. Let me remind you that in addition to those already mentioned areas, Samsung manufactures and develops power sources, elements from Samsung are among the best on the market and commonly used. But they are quite expensive.

For S6 company has created a new type of battery – it differs from previous models in layout, size and weight. Rumors say that the wireless charging integrated into the housing. May be so, but a competitive advantage if it is, then a small audience.

The question of battery capacity, it seems to be 2550 mAh (iPhone in June 1810 mAh, for comparison). And this capacity is less than the battery in the Galaxy S5, which allows absentia call it dead and malorabotayuschey. But in terms of components and saving their time working, use Android 5, the increase in operating time enough tangible. It is necessary to try to practice, but at least twenty-four hours at full load the unit will operate, which is comparable with the time of work Note 4. I suggest to wait for the first test, not to speculate on the sand. But we can expect that the work will be at a good level and markedly higher than the same iPhone 6 in similar conditions.

Software – Android 5, TouchWiz and other stuff

In principle, we can state a simple fact – TouchWiz more dead than alive. This shell is subjected to considerable criticism from users, Samsung decided to make its next version as simple as possible and close to the original Android 5. At the moment, the first Android firmware 5 for current devices Samsung, give no idea of ​​what will be the S6. Thrown out of it all too much, apparently this device resembles Motorola and their models, at least superfluous and only pure Android. But unlike Motorola, have retained a lot of chips that can be used, but you can not use it. But still within the standard UI from Google, with small and useful changes. Here all depends on what and who like to assess how these changes are good, I will not undertake. I am sure that there are plenty of people who will begin to say that they do not like that option clean interface and you want something else.

It is important to say that the speed of the interface as today, menus open instantly, all very quickly.

Traditionally, together with the leader of subscription offered various services, games and so on. It all depends on the country, but you get free a sufficiently large number of pleasant things.

Payment service Samsung Pay

One of the most mysterious and obscure functions in Galaxy S6. If Apple has its service Apple Pay, which runs on a stripped-down version of the NFC, and requires special equipment in retail outlets, the company found the Samsung LoopPay, which is capable of and has created a technology that works in all parts of the world where they can receive regular bank magnetic stripe cards.

Technology LoopPay looks like – a phone built antenna that transmits to the reader information about the map (non-contact method, you only need to bring the phone), and your payment goes through. Here’s how to evaluate the potential market in LoopPay.

Watch a video that describes how this technology in the video clearly shows that the laminating card or likeness is not necessary, you just hold the phone to the standard reader. And it sounds very cool. But there are all sorts of “but.”

Share your information about this technology, twitter, I realized that many people think that because you can steal information about your card and it unprotected. I’ll try to disappoint the skeptics. Let’s start with the fact that all of the information inside the phone is encrypted (using KNOX, having a separate chip cryptography, no one break and could not, despite the loud statements). When payment is used as the password confirmation screen (with an amount exceeding a certain limit, for example, coffee can be paid by touching and only) or fingerprint scan (unlike S5, swiping the touch, swipe your finger is not necessary). Read data remotely card is virtually impossible, equipment should be placed in centimeters from the reader. All these arguments about the theft of data similar to what someone in the store will consider all the data of your card in hand, then it is also quite likely scenario. Of course, if you paranoid. But from the point of view of secu rity that Apple Pay, what version of Samsung’s equivalent. Also MasterCard and other payment systems are beginning to work with the cloud, where data of your card that promises to make such distribution system.

In terms of technology, service LoopPay very simple and straightforward, but it is unclear how to implement it as a business model. For example, it is not clear to me, as it should be considered my card, where it can be done. At Home? The store Samsung? At the bank? Of these options will depend on the usability of the service. And perhaps no scan and will not need to? But how to start there is not credit cards, and the usual news, which obviously can be used with this service and a convenient way to get rid of piles of cards. Until more questions than answers. And then the realization of its simplicity and come to the fore. One little thing can ruin the perception of the service and put a cross on it. Therefore, to discuss it and say that it will give some additional sales to S6, not worth it, sure it will be an additional feature, for which no one would choose S6, it will be treated due to other features and capabilities.