Anyone Thinking of Buying the New Samsung Galaxy S6

[LowPrices.uk]

Hi Guys

I have been taking a close look at the new Samsung Galaxy S6 for a website of mine. It comes out in the UK around 10 April. It does look like very impressive. Samsung have finally given it a premium feel using an aluminium and glass body. The screen looks amazing, and the camera looks very capable. Performance should be great with an octa-core CPU, 3GB of RAM and 64-bit Android. The only problem with reviewing these phones is that I end up wanting one. I'm still soldiering on with my trusty Galaxy S2 at the moment, but I am very tempted to upgrade. Is anyone else thinking of buying the S6?

Rgds

 

[Ian J]

My contract is about to expire and I'm waiting to see the pricing before I upgrade. if it's significantly more than the S5 then I will either go for another S5 or perhaps Sim only and keep my existing one.

Everyone has said how wonderful it looks but to be honest I couldn't care what it looks like as after all it's only a blooming phone

 

[james_firmsites]

My s4 is more than enough.

I think they are really struggling to come up with ways to sell these other than slightly faster slightly bigger etc

 

[S Isaac]

In my opinion they've gone backwards from the S5 (I currently have the S4).

The S5 was waterproof (to an extent), had removable back & easily replaceable battery and micro SD card expansion slot.

ALL three of these things have been lost in the S6 from what I've read. It's bad enough to drop one or two of these things, but they've basically turned the S6 into an iphone, and I bought a Samsung to get rid of my iphone!

I'll hold on to my S4, possibly get an S5, or maybe even wait until they see some sense on the S7/S8 etc.............

 

[LowPrices.uk]

Yes it's a shame that it's no longer waterproof, but that was a sacrifice made to have the new premium aluminium and glass design. I think there will be an S6 Active model that is waterproof.

 

[james_firmsites]

I think the ditched the no removable back thing, someone posted on reddit last week a shot from the new user guide which clearly showed it off. But do agree they are now following Apple which makes no sense...

 

[Reivop]

I would not buy it as I do not like Android.

But if I were you, I would wait a few months, because Samsung smartphone prices drop insanely fast.

 

[Ian J]

Yes it's a shame that it's no longer waterproof, but that was a sacrifice made to have the new premium aluminium and glass design.

Why? Do people put their phones in the washing machine to clean them?

 

[Dan Izzard]

Did you get your hands on the 'edge' version? I definitely wouldn't say no to one. Maybe we should start getting our hands on some tech for members to review?

 

[kevinof]

I'm getting the Edge. Love the design.

The reason the removable battery/back is gone is that if you want make real premium feeling handset and also keep it thin then fixing the battery and back helps you do that. The fit of a fixed back panel will always be better than any removable. To make the phone fast they changed the memory interface - going with an SD card, which would be slower, would negate this.

My current phone is a 32gb and that's just over half full. The Edge will start at 64gb which is way more than I need. Add in the fact that music,photos, video and documents are all (mostly) stored in the cloud then you shouldn't really need an SD card.

 

[BTON Agency]

Up until last year i was a devoted follower of the iphone. Loved them, did everything you wanted and more.

However, started to get really fed up with the battery life and the fact Apple restrict a lot of content.

Took a chance on the S5 and have been blown away with it, great battery, love the fact its waterproof and has an incredible sized screen compared to the iphone 5s i had.

Only slight negative was the iphone felt better in the hand not as much plastic, looks like the S6 addresses this. Think i will upgrade to the samsung again next time and over look iphone again...

 

[S Isaac]

Why? Do people put their phones in the washing machine to clean them?

No, but accidents happen. So if/when that accident happens, it would be nice not to have to spend hundred to repair/replace a phone.

 

[OldWelshGuy]

If I can't change the battery then I am not interested in it.

Also my understanding was that Android stopped supporting SD cards a while back, but Samsung patched it to get them to work (unreliably I have to say)

I have an S2, my daughter has the S4, she will change hers this year but if she knows the s6 has a fixed battery then I fear she will not go for it (as a battery doesn't last a whole day when you are using the phone heavily, as MOST 15 yr olds do)

 

[pjperez]

For the first time I can say I like a Samsung device. Too bad it runs Android, which I don't use (and not planning to) since the Nexus 4. Maybe they could launch a Windows version, too?

 

[obscure]

I still have the S3 which, due to the length of time it has been in service, is now on its second replacement battery. I am simply not interested in constant upgrading so I expect to keep my next phone for just as long. I also expect the battery to fail long before the phone does so not having a removable battery is a deal breaker. It would be nice to have a cool looking phone but, given it spends most of the time in my pocket I'm not going to worry to much. Will probably wait for the S6 launch so S5 prices drop and then buy an S5.

 

[LowPrices.uk]

I have an S2, my daughter has the S4, she will change hers this year but if she knows the s6 has a fixed battery then I fear she will not go for it (as a battery doesn't last a whole day when you are using the phone heavily, as MOST 15 yr olds do)

Although you could use a portable charging power brick to solve that particular issue.

Rgds

 

[kevinof]

And the S6 has the turbo charger support. A ten minute spell on the charger gives you an additional 4 hours use.

Although you could use a portable charging power brick to solve that particular issue.

Rgds

 

[OldWelshGuy]

Yes I could carry more stuff around with me then find a charging point Alternatively (as I do now) I could simply carry the spare battery and then swap it within a few seconds, and have another bunch of hours use.

Built in batteries are not acceptable, take a look at how many spare batteries are sold for phones to realise this.

Sorry but for me a built in battery is a deal breaker, mainly because the battery is the weak point of any phone, it has limited chare/running time to flat, and its lifespan isn't good, and when it fails, the phone is worthless.

 

[Dan_HiHosting]

I also think it's a poor move on Samsung's part. Most of the benefits of the Galaxy line have been removed in favour of appeasing the apple crowd really.

Fortunately the Note 6 will still have a removable back I believe.

I think what they did with the Note 4 is the best middle ground - have a metal edge and frame, but a removable back.

I have the Note 3 and do find the plastic edging looks a bit cheap, and I managed to damage the edge as it's softer plastic.
However a glass covered design is less practical and ergonomic.

Some nice smooth metal (more comfortable to hold) frame with a removable grippy/swapable to your preference backing is the way to go I think.

A removable back has a lot of benefits to be honest. If you damage it you can just buy another. Teenagers or those inclined can quickly change the style and look of their phone. And you can add a flip cover by barely increasing the thickness and profile of the phone. I use a flip cover with the Note and find it very handy.

Samsung are probably trying to cater to the mass crowd/iphone users/and those that might otherwise get an HTC or Sony flagship because of the styling/build, and then carry on targeting the power user with the Note line, so keeping a removable back and faux leather (which works well for a large device). But as pointed out there are plenty of people that want a smaller phone than the Note and be able to remove the back. Now those that would have gone for Samsung over HTC or Sony for practicality have no reason to do so, so they could well be shooting themselves in the foot.

Also no new smartwatches from Samsung at MWC - interesting.

 

[OldWelshGuy]

I would certainly look to move. Why stay loyal to Samsung when they have broke loyalty to their principles?

 

[Dan_HiHosting]

Power banks can be quite handy though:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/10000mAh-Portable-PowerIQTM-Technology-USB-charged-Black/dp/B0063AAIRG/

I have a smaller version of the above - about half the size and a third of the capacity - enough for at least a full charge - with an inbuilt pop out android cable. Takes up roughly the space of a spare battery. Advantage is it will work with any device - so a decent investment, especially if you change phone model often. Disadvantage is of course you can't just swap the battery over and be fully charged - it needs to be connected. But easily done in your pocket.

 

[Dan_HiHosting]

I would certainly look to move. Why stay loyal to Samsung when they have broke loyalty to their principles?

Yeah it really does seem odd. It's like they've lost faith in what they stuck to for a long time and I'm sure plenty will feel let down by them.

 

[OldWelshGuy]

I understand about the SD card thing, as in fairness to them when Android stopped supporting it, Samsung kept going, but it was less than 100% reliable.

 

[Dan Izzard]

Built in batteries are not acceptable, take a look at how many spare batteries are sold for phones to realise this.

I used to have a HTC for which I had a couple of batteries. Now I'm tethered to a socket or USB plug by about 2pm! I think I've just come to accept it from a modern smartphone, and guess that it could be down to:

- forcing customers to adopt a quite aggressive product upgrade cycle (how many charges would a smartphone battery last before it's capacity drops dramatically?)

- The illusion of a single piece of 'almost organic technology'. I don't think companies want us to think about the individual components of a device, let alone see them. Creating the illusion that the device is more than the sum of it's parts. "It just works". I guess the iMac was a device that started this.

- Is there a benefit to having an unopenable phone chassis? Can the battery be buried away or integrated more tightly saving space in the device? Or is the addition of a mechanism that allows a cover to be removed eating into profits?

 

[LucasHart]

Not yet, the price's still high. And the spec's not really that far away from my current phone in my opinion.

 

[LowPrices.uk]

Not yet, the price's still high. And the spec's not really that far away from my current phone in my opinion.

What phone do you have at the moment? The Galaxy S6 has an extremely good display and camera.

 

[Ian J]

I used to have a HTC for which I had a couple of batteries. Now I'm tethered to a socket or USB plug by about 2pm! I think I've just come to accept it from a modern smartphone, and guess that it could be down to:

- forcing customers to adopt a quite aggressive product upgrade cycle (how many charges would a smartphone battery last before it's capacity drops dramatically?)

My Samsung S3 is permanently attached to a desktop charger whilst in the office and to a car charger whilst in the car and I've not had a battery failure in the two years I've had it.

Prior to that I've had Blackberries for about six years and I used to do the same with them too

 

[LucasHart]

What phone do you have at the moment? The Galaxy S6 has an extremely good display and camera.

Still Moto G. I once planned to change to Asus Zenfone, but still felt that it was uncomfortable. I prefer smaller phone but I found Iphones too expensive.

 

[Laurentb]

I love the looks and specs of the S6, but I will wait for a while until the prices drop - so probably closer to end of year

 

[Ian J]

Vodafone have just announced their preliminary prices and they will give you an S6 if you take out a 2 year 3G plan on a minimum of £48.50 per month. That is £330 extra over the two year period than they would charge you for an S5 which isn't worth it from my point of view

 

[LowPrices.uk]

I see O2 have a free Fitbit Charge (personal fitness band) on the S6. It looks like these fitness bands are going to be big.

 

[william04]

I have recently checked reviews about Samsung Galaxy s6 edge . I must say this is amazing device but too expensive. If you are looking for some exceptional features prefer s6 edge over s6

 

[Primo Seal Europe]

I think its crazy how phones have gone backwards in terms of battery life, and durability.... its the age old marketing trick of " make consumers think that the device is advanced, when in reality it is worse than earlier models"


Does anyone know much about the reasons Samsung S6 removing the waterproofing features that the S5 boasted? Obviously for us it is perfect, as people then look to other options, phone cases, protective screens or our Primo Seal, but a the same time, so many people don't recognise that the manufacturers are not interested in truly protecting the handsets as it stops people buying new ones!

 

[ADNattan]

I think its crazy how phones have gone backwards in terms of battery life, and durability.... its the age old marketing trick of " make consumers think that the device is advanced, when in reality it is worse than earlier models"

It's not really comparing like with like. Take the heroic Nokia 3310. You could go for months on a single charge, and it'd survive a nuclear meltdown. But it was literally just a phone. SMS, calls, and maybe snake. That's it.

Nowadays, we're all carrying pocket computers. Wifi-enabled, web browsing, touch screen computers that can stream HD video from the middle of a field, handle your emails, and still make calls and texts.

Of course they draw more power, and of course they're more fragile. The front of a smartphone is glass. An old mobile is rubber and plastic!

As to the S6, I'm not interested. I swapped my old Galaxy S4 for a HTC M8, and I haven't looked back. HTC build better phones, filled with far less shovelware.

It'd take a lot to convince me to switch.

 

[Primo Seal Europe]

Ye thats true man, you are correct.... times and devices have changed...but lets face it the manufacturers if they wanted could prevent the screens smashing so easily, and protect against water damage, but choose not to....

Is the HTC water resistant? I used to have an HTC but a few years ago i am Iphone now!

 

[ADNattan]

I'm not sure. I tend not to go swimming with my phone, so it's not a huge consideration for me!

 

[Primo Seal Europe]

Haha this is true... if you had a two year old kid running around.... it might be different....

 

[LowPrices.uk]

In my humble opinion, the Samsung Galaxy S6 or the S6 Edge are now the best phones money can buy.

 

[Cameron Ziafat]

Yup, Galaxy s6 or iPhone 6 are in my opinion the best options. I'm not convinced by the s6 edge - looks like a gimmick to me.

 

[Ian J]

The two year contract or my Samsung S3 is about to end and I can either change to a Samsung S6 and pay £59 per month or else I can go sim only at £15 per month and continue to use my existing phone.

No contest really