It's the time of the year when all major smartphone brands try to cash in on the holiday season demand with their new devices. And in Samsung's portfolio this year is Galaxy S6 edge+, the big-screen version of its flagship smartphone Galaxy S6 edge.
Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ has a lot of features that will give any top-end smartphone a run for its money, but does it have what it takes to be the must-buy smartphone of the season? We find out in this Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ review...
Design
With the launch of Galaxy S6 and S6 edge, Samsung made design a strength, introducing a glass and metal profile that works well for its flagship models. Of course these were not the first metal-bodied smartphones by the South Korean titan, but they certainly were the ones that were true crowd-pleasers.
With Galaxy S6 edge+, Samsung has not tweaked the design one bit, giving you the same look as Galaxy S6 edge in bigger package. So you get the same sloping Edges Screen on the sides, Home button (with integrated fingerprint sensor), and Back & Tasks soft-keys below the display, heart rate monitor on the back, and speakers on the bottom.
However, the Home button is textured ever so slightly, which makes it a little different from the glossy body.
Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ ticks all the right boxes when it comes to looks, but holding the big-screen handset does not feel as great. The rather big body is not as convenient to hold as we would like it to be, especially if you are trying to operate the device with one hand. The edges digging into the palm of the hand becomes rather noticeable after a little while.
Samsung, however, has provided the option to decrease the screen size so that handling the device becomes much easier, though you will have to sacrifice all the benefits of the large screen with this. All you need to do is to tap the Home button three times in quick succession in order to turn on the one-hand mode.
Display
Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ has among the best display panels we have seen in recent times. The Super AMOLED screen delivers balanced colours and remains easily readable even under direct sunlight. The QHD (1440x2560p) screen resolution ensures that you have pixel density of over 500ppi, keeping the display crisp for videos, photos, etc. The panel is protected by Gorilla Glass 4.
The key feature here, of course, is the pair of Edge screens on the sides. As was the case with Galaxy S6 edge, only one of the two display panels remains active at a time on the new Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+.
In terms of functionality, you get the 'People edge' and 'Apps edge', which let you access your favourite contacts and apps from any homescreen or active app at any time with a swipe; you can select these contacts and apps in the Edge Screen menu under Settings. Each contact is assigned a colour and when you get a text message or missed call, the Edge screen lights up with that colour if the phone is kept facing downwards.
In the Samsung Apps marketplace, you get a number of functions that add extra functionality to the curved displays, like stock ticker, sports scores, news updates, notifications, etc. If the screen of your Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ is off, the Edge display shows the time, date, time, and percentage of battery left.
It must be noted that the Edge screen on both Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ and Galaxy S6 edge performs the same functions.
Hardware
Galaxy S6 edge+ (along with Galaxy Note5) has the best Samsung has to offer in terms of hardware. Interestingly, it runs on the same processor that powers Galaxy S6 edge, the Exynos 7420 octa-core chip (1.5GHz quad-core + 2.1GHz quad-core). However, it has 4GB RAM, while the smaller model in the series has to make do with 'just' 3GB of system memory.
The 4G-enabled Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ comes in only 32GB storage variant in the country, with no support for storage expansion. The rear camera has 16MP resolution and is backed by LED flash, whereas the front camera is rated at 5MP. There's a fingerprint sensor below the screen as we mentioned earlier, and battery has 3,000mAh capacity.
Software
Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop), the latest version of Google's mobile OS, comes preloaded on Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+, with the newest version of the manufacturer's TouchWiz UI. The software has become a lot less uncluttered and lighter to use over the past year, which is a great improvement over Samsung smartphones of the past.
The latest version of TouchWiz does not have much new to offer, so you can head over to our Samsung Galaxy S6 edge review to check out the key feature. However, one notable change is in the design of the icons. Gone are the flat icons with sharp edges, replaced by slightly rounded icons that remind us of the themes used by the company sometime ago. In fact, Samsung has updated the Galaxy S6 edge to the same icon design with the latest software update as well.
In terms of usage, the Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ software is pretty great, delivering an experience quite similar to what the company introduced a few months ago with its smaller sibling. Everything is pretty easy to find in the app drawer and Settings menu, and there is not much clutter to speak of.
Like many Samsung devices, Galaxy S6 edge+ has the provision to use two apps at once. However, the option does not appear through a menu that you can slide out from the edge of the screen anymore (since that slider now houses the 'App edge' and 'People edge' menus). Instead, you need to tap the task switcher button and look for the multi-apps button on the app card, signified by the blue arrow in the image below.
However, using two apps at once becomes a little difficult with one-hand mode turned on.
Performance
Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ is easily among the most powerful devices that have come our way over the past year. The Exynos 7420 processor and 4GB of RAM, coupled with the Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop)-powered TouchWiz UI, deliver a performance that leaves nothing to be desired. The apps are super-fast to open and games are quick to load; even heavy games played without a hitch throughout the review period.
The multimedia experience of Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ is quite good too, what with its big, bright screen that delivers excellent colours. The default video player could handle all the file formats we threw its way with ease. Audio output of Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ is sufficiently loud and crisp, but it is noticeably lower than what HTC flagships deliver.
The big screen, though a big advantage for most users, may be a little too big to use for some of you. As with many big-screen smartphones nowadays, Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ comes with a one-hand mode that reduces the operating size of the display so that it becomes easier to use with one hand.
While testing 4G, we recorded maximum download speed of 26Mbps and average download speed of 23.5Mbps. The call quality delivered by the smartphone is also excellent, with dropped calls only in areas where connectivity is always weak.
Battery capacity of 3,000mAh has become pretty much standard in big-screen Android smartphones nowadays, and so is the case with Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+. The battery lasts over a day with moderate usage and slightly over a day with heavy usage, which is pretty good. You can leave the office without any worries about needing to charge the device before getting home. The smartphone comes with quick-charging functionality that takes the battery from zero to 50% in just 30 minutes.
The fingerprint sensor is extremely quick to unlock the handset and we encountered only a few cases when the device was not able to read the thumbprint. However, the functionality is still limited to just unlocking the phone, since it cannot authenticate Google Play Store payments or verifications in third-party apps. This is a problem that all Android smartphones with fingerprint sensors will have to deal with till they are upgraded to Android Marshmallow. Still, it is a good feature to have.
Samsung did away with the microSD card slot for storage expansion with Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge, and the trend continues here. This is rather unfortunate, since some may find 32GB of storage a little too less for their use and the 64GB variant has not been launched in the country.
Camera
Samsung has always strapped great cameras on its smartphones, and Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ has the same imaging setup as Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge. So, you get a powerful 16MP camera with f/1.9 aperture on the back and a 5MP wide-angle front camera with HDR.
In terms of Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+'s camera performance, the shots captured by the smartphone offer excellent levels of detail and true colours. Take a look at some of the photos we took with this smartphone.
And here's a photo taken with the 5MP front camera. Notice the large area covered in the image and the balanced colours, more than enough for selfies.
The Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ camera is app is equally remarkable as the camera hardware. The UI is pretty clean and similar to what we saw earlier, but seems a little bit faster in capturing shots than Galaxy S6 edge. Following are the shooting modes available on the smartphone.
Pro mode is for those who want to tweak the settings to change the scene, ISO, white balance etc, or if they want to capture in RAW (though the storage will fill up a little too quickly because of it). Otherwise the Auto mode delivers great photos. The Live Broadcast function allows you to stream videos on YouTube in real-time, a feature that has been on Sony phones for quite some time.
Verdict
Samsung seems to have gone all out with Galaxy S6 edge+, delivering the best Hardware it has to offering in hardware, software and performance in a single package. The smartphone is fast, delivers a great user experience, and a good buy for photographers as well. In fact, the biggest qualm you may have with it is the lack of provision for storage expansion.
However, delve deeper and you will find that its highlighting feature - the Edge screen on the sides - still does not have enough functionality to make it a deciding factor while making the purchase. This is rather disappointing since Samsung debuted the Edge panel a year ago, but has not been able to deliver enough functionality for it to become a gamechanger.
Nevertheless, Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ is easily among the best smartphones you can buy in the market today. If you don't mind spending Rs 57,900, then you should definitely go for this model. However, if the budget seems a little too much, then you can take a look at the new Moto X Style (great screen quality and fast processor), last year's Samsung Galaxy Note 4 or HTC One E9+ (smooth performance).
Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ has a lot of features that will give any top-end smartphone a run for its money, but does it have what it takes to be the must-buy smartphone of the season? We find out in this Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ review...
Design
With the launch of Galaxy S6 and S6 edge, Samsung made design a strength, introducing a glass and metal profile that works well for its flagship models. Of course these were not the first metal-bodied smartphones by the South Korean titan, but they certainly were the ones that were true crowd-pleasers.
With Galaxy S6 edge+, Samsung has not tweaked the design one bit, giving you the same look as Galaxy S6 edge in bigger package. So you get the same sloping Edges Screen on the sides, Home button (with integrated fingerprint sensor), and Back & Tasks soft-keys below the display, heart rate monitor on the back, and speakers on the bottom.
However, the Home button is textured ever so slightly, which makes it a little different from the glossy body.
Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ ticks all the right boxes when it comes to looks, but holding the big-screen handset does not feel as great. The rather big body is not as convenient to hold as we would like it to be, especially if you are trying to operate the device with one hand. The edges digging into the palm of the hand becomes rather noticeable after a little while.
Samsung, however, has provided the option to decrease the screen size so that handling the device becomes much easier, though you will have to sacrifice all the benefits of the large screen with this. All you need to do is to tap the Home button three times in quick succession in order to turn on the one-hand mode.
Display
Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ has among the best display panels we have seen in recent times. The Super AMOLED screen delivers balanced colours and remains easily readable even under direct sunlight. The QHD (1440x2560p) screen resolution ensures that you have pixel density of over 500ppi, keeping the display crisp for videos, photos, etc. The panel is protected by Gorilla Glass 4.
The key feature here, of course, is the pair of Edge screens on the sides. As was the case with Galaxy S6 edge, only one of the two display panels remains active at a time on the new Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+.
In terms of functionality, you get the 'People edge' and 'Apps edge', which let you access your favourite contacts and apps from any homescreen or active app at any time with a swipe; you can select these contacts and apps in the Edge Screen menu under Settings. Each contact is assigned a colour and when you get a text message or missed call, the Edge screen lights up with that colour if the phone is kept facing downwards.
In the Samsung Apps marketplace, you get a number of functions that add extra functionality to the curved displays, like stock ticker, sports scores, news updates, notifications, etc. If the screen of your Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ is off, the Edge display shows the time, date, time, and percentage of battery left.
It must be noted that the Edge screen on both Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ and Galaxy S6 edge performs the same functions.
Hardware
Galaxy S6 edge+ (along with Galaxy Note5) has the best Samsung has to offer in terms of hardware. Interestingly, it runs on the same processor that powers Galaxy S6 edge, the Exynos 7420 octa-core chip (1.5GHz quad-core + 2.1GHz quad-core). However, it has 4GB RAM, while the smaller model in the series has to make do with 'just' 3GB of system memory.
The 4G-enabled Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ comes in only 32GB storage variant in the country, with no support for storage expansion. The rear camera has 16MP resolution and is backed by LED flash, whereas the front camera is rated at 5MP. There's a fingerprint sensor below the screen as we mentioned earlier, and battery has 3,000mAh capacity.
Software
Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop), the latest version of Google's mobile OS, comes preloaded on Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+, with the newest version of the manufacturer's TouchWiz UI. The software has become a lot less uncluttered and lighter to use over the past year, which is a great improvement over Samsung smartphones of the past.
The latest version of TouchWiz does not have much new to offer, so you can head over to our Samsung Galaxy S6 edge review to check out the key feature. However, one notable change is in the design of the icons. Gone are the flat icons with sharp edges, replaced by slightly rounded icons that remind us of the themes used by the company sometime ago. In fact, Samsung has updated the Galaxy S6 edge to the same icon design with the latest software update as well.
In terms of usage, the Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ software is pretty great, delivering an experience quite similar to what the company introduced a few months ago with its smaller sibling. Everything is pretty easy to find in the app drawer and Settings menu, and there is not much clutter to speak of.
Like many Samsung devices, Galaxy S6 edge+ has the provision to use two apps at once. However, the option does not appear through a menu that you can slide out from the edge of the screen anymore (since that slider now houses the 'App edge' and 'People edge' menus). Instead, you need to tap the task switcher button and look for the multi-apps button on the app card, signified by the blue arrow in the image below.
However, using two apps at once becomes a little difficult with one-hand mode turned on.
Performance
Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ is easily among the most powerful devices that have come our way over the past year. The Exynos 7420 processor and 4GB of RAM, coupled with the Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop)-powered TouchWiz UI, deliver a performance that leaves nothing to be desired. The apps are super-fast to open and games are quick to load; even heavy games played without a hitch throughout the review period.
The multimedia experience of Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ is quite good too, what with its big, bright screen that delivers excellent colours. The default video player could handle all the file formats we threw its way with ease. Audio output of Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ is sufficiently loud and crisp, but it is noticeably lower than what HTC flagships deliver.
The big screen, though a big advantage for most users, may be a little too big to use for some of you. As with many big-screen smartphones nowadays, Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ comes with a one-hand mode that reduces the operating size of the display so that it becomes easier to use with one hand.
While testing 4G, we recorded maximum download speed of 26Mbps and average download speed of 23.5Mbps. The call quality delivered by the smartphone is also excellent, with dropped calls only in areas where connectivity is always weak.
Battery capacity of 3,000mAh has become pretty much standard in big-screen Android smartphones nowadays, and so is the case with Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+. The battery lasts over a day with moderate usage and slightly over a day with heavy usage, which is pretty good. You can leave the office without any worries about needing to charge the device before getting home. The smartphone comes with quick-charging functionality that takes the battery from zero to 50% in just 30 minutes.
The fingerprint sensor is extremely quick to unlock the handset and we encountered only a few cases when the device was not able to read the thumbprint. However, the functionality is still limited to just unlocking the phone, since it cannot authenticate Google Play Store payments or verifications in third-party apps. This is a problem that all Android smartphones with fingerprint sensors will have to deal with till they are upgraded to Android Marshmallow. Still, it is a good feature to have.
Samsung did away with the microSD card slot for storage expansion with Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge, and the trend continues here. This is rather unfortunate, since some may find 32GB of storage a little too less for their use and the 64GB variant has not been launched in the country.
Camera
Samsung has always strapped great cameras on its smartphones, and Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ has the same imaging setup as Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge. So, you get a powerful 16MP camera with f/1.9 aperture on the back and a 5MP wide-angle front camera with HDR.
In terms of Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+'s camera performance, the shots captured by the smartphone offer excellent levels of detail and true colours. Take a look at some of the photos we took with this smartphone.
And here's a photo taken with the 5MP front camera. Notice the large area covered in the image and the balanced colours, more than enough for selfies.
The Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ camera is app is equally remarkable as the camera hardware. The UI is pretty clean and similar to what we saw earlier, but seems a little bit faster in capturing shots than Galaxy S6 edge. Following are the shooting modes available on the smartphone.
Pro mode is for those who want to tweak the settings to change the scene, ISO, white balance etc, or if they want to capture in RAW (though the storage will fill up a little too quickly because of it). Otherwise the Auto mode delivers great photos. The Live Broadcast function allows you to stream videos on YouTube in real-time, a feature that has been on Sony phones for quite some time.
Verdict
Samsung seems to have gone all out with Galaxy S6 edge+, delivering the best Hardware it has to offering in hardware, software and performance in a single package. The smartphone is fast, delivers a great user experience, and a good buy for photographers as well. In fact, the biggest qualm you may have with it is the lack of provision for storage expansion.
However, delve deeper and you will find that its highlighting feature - the Edge screen on the sides - still does not have enough functionality to make it a deciding factor while making the purchase. This is rather disappointing since Samsung debuted the Edge panel a year ago, but has not been able to deliver enough functionality for it to become a gamechanger.
Nevertheless, Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ is easily among the best smartphones you can buy in the market today. If you don't mind spending Rs 57,900, then you should definitely go for this model. However, if the budget seems a little too much, then you can take a look at the new Moto X Style (great screen quality and fast processor), last year's Samsung Galaxy Note 4 or HTC One E9+ (smooth performance).
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