Samsung Electronics has announced the global launch of the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ and Galaxy Note 5. Both devices will capture big screen smartphone market.
Where Galaxy S6 Edge+ is larger than original S6 edge and comes with the curved screen edges, the Note 5 is a blend of Galaxy S6 and Note 4 with extended hardware inside. Both of the new smartphones share almost everything in the hardware and software. What differs them includes only a few elements such as the S Pen in Note 5 or the curved edge screen on the Galaxy S6 Edge+
Hardware Features
Both the Galaxy S6 Edge+ and Galaxy Note 5 come with 5.7 inch Quad HD Super AMOLED display with resolution of 2560 x 1440 serving with the pixel density of 518ppi differing Galaxy S6 Edge+ with a dual edge curved screen. Supporting 4G/LTE, both the phones will come loaded up with Android 5.1 (Lollipop).
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ (left) – Samsung Galaxy Note 5 (right)
64 bit Octa-core CPU (2.1GHz Quad + 1.5GHz Quad) is powering up both the flagship phones with even extended memory, 4GB of RAM – It’s LPDDR4. Both phones will have 32GB or 64GB storage options available.
Photo and Video
Both the devices come with 16 megapixels rear camera and wider f/1.9 lens with smart OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) and VDIS (Video Digital Image Stabilization) features combined with auto real-time HDR.
The Galaxy S6 Edge+ and Note 5 also feature 4K (UHD) video filming and Live Broadcast, which lets users live streams Full HD video straight from the phone to any individual, group of contacts, or even the public through YouTube Live. Anyone who receives the YouTube link from a Galaxy S6 Edge+ or Note 5 user is able watch live stream video from his or her smartphone, tablet, PC or Smart TV with YouTube connectivity.
On both of the devices, front camera features a 5 megapixels sensor with f/1.9 lens capable of taking selfies at 120˚ wider which also supports auto real-time HDR as well as VDIS.
Other Features
These newest devices from Samsung will also support SideSync, featuring both wireless and wired PC smartphone integration for seamless connections across devices. Thanks to auto-detection and an ultra quick setup, users can instantly connect their Samsung device to their PC or tablet for easy access to files and data across all platforms and operating systems.
Both the Galaxy S6 Edge+ and Note 5 feature enhanced security features with KNOX Active Protection (built into devices / out of the box) and My KNOX (app with simple/fast setup) to protect sensitive personal and work data.
Keyboard Cover
Now, in an uninteresting way (to me at least), Samsung brings back the old hardware QWERTY keyboard to its latest touch screen flagship devices.
These are the hardware keyboard covers, come as separate accessories, Samsung also unveiled for both the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+ smartphones. The keyboard snaps on top of the screen covering bottom half of the display. It adjusts the user interface according by shrinking the interface to the top half of the display.
Pricing and Availability
The availability and launch timing of both products vary by markets while they will be available globally starting from August 21st, 2015. Both the devices will be available in White Pearl, Black Sapphire, Gold Platinum and Silver Titanium.
Samsung Pakistan, like always, will held a dedicated launch event for local market and the pricing will be disclosed later. However in US, the off-contract prices from AT&T are as follows with estimated prices in Pakistan.
Galaxy Note 5
- 32GB variant: $739.99 (or PKR/Rs. ~75,400/-)
- 64GB variant: $839.99 (or PKR/Rs. ~85,600/-)
Galaxy S6 Edge+
- 32GB variant: $814.99 (or PKR/Rs. ~82,900/-)
- 64GB variant: $914.99 (or PKR/Rs. ~93,000/-)
While Samsung Pakistan usually hold local launch events, we are not sure if both of the devices will make it to local market in Pakistan officially but we hope they will.
Full Specifications Side by Side
| Category | Galaxy S6 edge+ | Galaxy Note 5 |
|---|---|---|
| OS / Software | Android 5.1 (Lollipop), TouchWiz | Android 5.1 (Lollipop), TouchWiz |
| Display | 5.7” Quad HD Super AMOLED 2560 x 1440 (518ppi) Dual edge screen |
5.7” Quad HD Super AMOLED 2560 x 1440 (518ppi) |
| Chipset(SoC) / Processor | Exynos 7420 Octa core (2.1GHz Quad + 1.5GHz Quad), 64 bit, 14 nm process | Exynos Octa core (2.1GHz Quad + 1.5GHz Quad), 64 bit, 14 nm process |
| Storage | 32/64GB (UFS 2.0) Non-expandable |
32/64GB (UFS 2.0) Non-expandable |
| RAM | 4GB RAM (LPDDR4) | 4GB RAM (LPDDR4) |
| Rear Camera | 16MP, f/1.9, OIS, phase detection auto focus, 4K video, slow motion video | 16MP, f/1.9, OIS, phase detection auto focus, 4K video, slow motion video |
| Front Camera | 5MP, f/1.9 | 5MP, f/1.9 |
| Network | LTE Cat.9 / LTE Cat.6 * May differ by markets and mobile operators | LTE Cat.9 / LTE Cat.6 * May differ by markets and mobile operators |
| Connectivity | WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, MIMO(2×2), Bluetooth® v 4.2 LE, ANT+, USB 2.0, NFC, Location |
WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, MIMO(2×2), Bluetooth® v 4.2 LE, ANT+, USB 2.0, NFC, Location |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Proximity, RGB Light, Geo-magnetic, Gyro, Fingerprint, Barometer, Hall, HRM | Accelerometer, Proximity, RGB Light, Geo-magnetic, Gyro, Fingerprint, Barometer, Hall, HRM |
| Battery | 3,000mAh, Fast Charging both on wired and wireless (WPC and PMA) Non-removable |
3,000mAh, Fast Charging both on wired and wireless (WPC and PMA) Non-removable |
| Dimensions | 154.4 x 75.8 x 6.9mm | 153.2 x 76.1 x 7.6mm |
| Weight | 153 grams | 171 grams |
| Colors | White Pearl, Black Sapphire, Gold Platinum and Silver Titanium (colors will vary by market) |
White Pearl, Black Sapphire, Gold Platinum and Silver Titanium (colors will vary by market) |
| Payment | NFC, MST | NFC, MST |
