Samsung Galaxy S6 hype thread

[leilah]

Just in.. No doubt, S6 & S6 Edge are selling like hotcakes, and if you're planning to get one,screen protectors and cases are on sale at Amazon. I found one, Illumishield S6 & S6 Edge screen protectors $1.95 shipped free with Prime or save $5 or more for non-prime.

 

[Commodus]

See, it's crap like this:

http://www.wsj.com/articles/samsung-galaxy-s6-review-the-iphone-6-has-met-its-match-1427825674

So, because the shell of the phone is more visually appealing, it's better? What a shallow opinion. Everybody is tripping over themselves about this thing because it has a prettier outer shell. I would say "Who the hell cares!?" but I guess the answer to that is everybody.

Suddenly the S6 is better because it looks nicer? Because it gave into the same unibody nonsense as every other phone out there? Because they lost value adding features such as a removable battery, expanded storage, and inherent water proofing?

I'm just baffled at how everybody eats this up. But I guess I shouldn't be. Look at pop music. Radio vomit from Kelly Clarkson is clearly superior to something engaging like Nightwish. Peoples tastes suck.

Clearly it's time to release a curved glass phone as wide as a card. It breaks instantly if you look at it, but HEY GUYS ITS PRETTY!

/nerdrage

Here's the thing: a smartphone is a very personal device. You hold it in your hand to use it, it's always with you, and it says a little something about you. Why shouldn't it look and feel good?

That's one of the reasons why Apple is now selling as many phones as Samsung despite having far fewer (and more expensive, on average) models. Up until late 2014, Samsung seemed to treat design almost as a terrible chore... the GS3 was nice enough, but most other Galaxies had all the style of a commercial washing machine. You may think specs are the only things that should ever matter, but convincing a 'normal' person that they should buy a ho-hum design when there's something much more interesting in the same price class (that is, the iPhone) isn't easy. I'm honestly surprised Samsung managed to get away with it in the GS4 era.

The GS6 isn't giving up features because society is so vapid and oh woe is me. It's making a conscious tradeoff to produce a better-balanced phone that appeals to more than just people comparing feature checklists. That's a good thing!

 

[npaladin-2000]

Tmo has the 128 gb ones for 199 down, 32 a month. Im tempted.

No they don't. It's backordered.

 

[soccerballtux]

Here's the thing: a smartphone is a very personal device. You hold it in your hand to use it, it's always with you, and it says a little something about you. Why shouldn't it look and feel good?

That's one of the reasons why Apple is now selling as many phones as Samsung despite having far fewer (and more expensive, on average) models. Up until late 2014, Samsung seemed to treat design almost as a terrible chore... the GS3 was nice enough, but most other Galaxies had all the style of a commercial washing machine. You may think specs are the only things that should ever matter, but convincing a 'normal' person that they should buy a ho-hum design when there's something much more interesting in the same price class (that is, the iPhone) isn't easy. I'm honestly surprised Samsung managed to get away with it in the GS4 era.

The GS6 isn't giving up features because society is so vapid and oh woe is me. It's making a conscious tradeoff to produce a better-balanced phone that appeals to more than just people comparing feature checklists. That's a good thing!

GS4 was my favorite so far, better than the 5, obviously not better than the 6 though.

 

[ChronoReverse]

GS4 was my favorite so far, better than the 5, obviously not better than the 6 though.

My GS4 is still great. Touchwiz Lollipop is actually pretty pleasant and a lot less buggy than AOSP.

It helps that I got the faux leather Note 3 style back cover though. Instantly makes the phone too nice to put in a case.

 

[elitejp]

Wow Dannar! although I agree with you to a point you have to realize that we have constant benchmarks and scores showing how one smartphone is a millisecond faster than the other or that its a few grams lighter or a mm thinner and how that just makes it awesome and a must buy. So we all need to kinda calm down when reading reviews and forum chats.

Personally I dont think there is much of a reason to upgrade if you have a phone from the last 3-4 years unless you are looking for something more fashionable. As for these reviews, what do you expect? its nothing more than hype, but seeing how there really isnt much new to talk about you just get the same ol stuff spun a different way.

PS: I never understood these youtube unboxing videos. I mean how does that help someone choose a phone.

In any case I like what samsung did with the edge... i mean, why not? Its a good looking phone.

 

[Artdeco]

XDA members having problems: http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s6-edge/general/bad-experience-s6-edge-t3070278

 

[Anubis]

that sounds like a manuf issue TBH, something is happening during assembly and no one is noticing it

the dead pixel prob should have bee caught by QC. but they prob have a spec where 1 dead one wont make it fail

the scratches are interesting, as they seem to be a radial pattern, im not 100% sure how that would happen

 

[dawheat]

that sounds like a manuf issue TBH, something is happening during assembly and no one is noticing it

the dead pixel prob should have bee caught by QC. but they prob have a spec where 1 dead one wont make it fail

the scratches are interesting, as they seem to be a radial pattern, im not 100% sure how that would happen

Maybe - but so far everyone seems to be a T-mobile user. I don't think I saw any reports from SK or other international users who got the phones earlier.

I've always wondered about those plastic covers - they don't seem like they're from Samsung as they vary by carrier.

 

[Anubis]

Maybe - but so far everyone seems to be a T-mobile user. I don't think I saw any reports from SK or other international users who got the phones earlier.

I've always wondered about those plastic covers - they don't seem like they're from Samsung as they vary by carrier.

true. could just be specific packaging issues as well

 

[Achtung!]

XDA members having problems: http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s6-edge/general/bad-experience-s6-edge-t3070278

Meh. Seems like it's T-Mobile only as no other carriers have received the same complaint. All smartphones usually have QC problems, yes, including Apple.

People in Korea, Japan, some European countries have the Galaxy S6/S6 Edge already and so far no complaints from them.

If it was a widespread problem, it would be all over the Internet from different countries.

 

[pauldun170]

Here's the thing: a smartphone is a very personal device. You hold it in your hand to use it, it's always with you, and it says a little something about you. Why shouldn't it look and feel good?

That's one of the reasons why Apple is now selling as many phones as Samsung despite having far fewer (and more expensive, on average) models. Up until late 2014, Samsung seemed to treat design almost as a terrible chore... the GS3 was nice enough, but most other Galaxies had all the style of a commercial washing machine. You may think specs are the only things that should ever matter, but convincing a 'normal' person that they should buy a ho-hum design when there's something much more interesting in the same price class (that is, the iPhone) isn't easy. I'm honestly surprised Samsung managed to get away with it in the GS4 era.

The GS6 isn't giving up features because society is so vapid and oh woe is me. It's making a conscious tradeoff to produce a better-balanced phone that appeals to more than just people comparing feature checklists. That's a good thing!

I'm sure the following point has already been made but...
Based on several years of observation of living, working and commuting in New York\NYC.
A majority of these "very personal devices" whether they are iPhones or Androids are buried deep in whatever cheapo plastic case was on sale when they went to go pick up their phone. Occasionally you will see some nice leather cases.

I'm not even 100% certain what an iPhone really looks like. Pretty sure its half an inch thick piece of plastic with a hello kitty or leapard pattern on it.

Those who do not use cases are either buy insurance plans or walk around with broken screens.

I'm in an iPhone and Android household and have plenty of experience with both devices. In the end, once its out of it fancy wrapper and "life" starts accumulating on it, its just another chunk material you stare at while taking a crap in the bathroom. Its just a smart phone.

 

[nageov3t]

Verizon isn't shipping the 128gb's until April 17th, which kinda sucks.

It was a no-brainer upgrade for me, though. Using about 50gb in my phone now, including the OS, and I can easily see that increasing over 2+ years with a new phone.

 

[dawheat]

true. could just be specific packaging issues as well

Though at the end of the day it doesn't matter. Tmo or Samsung must exchange or refund these no questions asked. Want to sell a flagship phone? Support it like a flagship.

 

[ChronoReverse]

Though at the end of the day it doesn't matter. Tmo or Samsung must exchange or refund these no questions asked. Want to sell a flagship phone? Support it like a flagship.

And they will. Back with the GS4 launch, my GS4 was replaced when I showed them that the brightness was uneven. I don't see why it wouldn't be done now.

Besides, a million phones and less than five guys on a forum complaining? That's pretty good.

 

[GoodRevrnd]

Went to BB to look at these to decide which I wanted. Was not impressed by the Edge tbh. I don't think it really felt better in the hand, the edge lack of bezel meant holding it blocked your vision of the screen, and not being able to scroll along the edge made it kind of useless. I do think how swiping things off the screen causing them to fall off looks badass but everything else felt pretty meh to me.

Preordered a 64gb standard. BB wasn't taking preorders for the 128 which was super lame. I probably don't need it tbh but hopefully I don't regret it. Honestly I might just upgrade to the Active when it comes out though.

 

[Dannar26]

I can't tell if it's just all the hype beastin', but it sounds like the M9 is almost a step back from the M8. Dissapointing if true.

Meanwhile there's nonstop raving about the S6...you know, because "dat glass."

Seriously, is the snapdragon 810 a dud? Should we stick with the Samsung because their processor isn't horribad?

I'm not even 100% certain what an iPhone really looks like. Pretty sure its half an inch thick piece of plastic with a hello kitty or leapard pattern on it.

Sounds legit. Will have to steal wife's phone to find out. May not survive to report back.

 

[Achtung!]

I can't tell if it's just all the hype beastin', but it sounds like the M9 is almost a step back from the M8. Dissapointing if true.

Meanwhile there's nonstop raving about the S6...you know, because "dat glass."

Seriously, is the snapdragon 810 a dud? Should we stick with the Samsung because their processor isn't horribad?



Sounds legit. Will have to steal wife's phone to find out. May not survive to report back.

The biggest concern with the HTC One M9 is the Snapdragon 810.

http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_one_m9_found_to_overheat_in_benchmark_test-news-11571.php

The problem isn't just overheating. Overheating the CPU will decrease CPU performance due to throttling.

Overall, the HTC One M9 is a step back from the HTC One M8 in terms of hardware.

Worst of all, the display resolution is the same at 1080p and most display tests show it's actually worse than the HTC One M8 in terms of display contrast.

 

[mohit9206]

I'm perfectly happy with my Moto E with stock Android and no bloatware.Galaxy s6 would be a downgrade because of its size and typical Samsung bloat.

 

[Achtung!]

I'm perfectly happy with my Moto E with stock Android and no bloatware.Galaxy s6 would be a downgrade because of its size and typical Samsung bloat.

To call the Galaxy S6 a downgrade is really biased.

Just know that 99% of the world doesn't think like you.

 

[mohit9206]

To call the Galaxy S6 a downgrade is really biased.

Just know that 99% of the world doesn't think like you.

Yeah that's fine. Opinions are like you know what.. everybody has one..

 

[lopri]

Finally some concrete information on the guts.

Chipworks: Inside the new Samsung Galaxy S6

We’ve been able to identify multiple chips inside the Galaxy S6:

• Samsung Exynos 7420 SoC
  
• Samsung K3RG3G30MM-DGCH 3Gb LPDDR4 SDRAM and Samsung KLUBG4G1BD 32GB NAND Flash
  
• Samsung Shannon 333 Modem, Shannon 533 PMIC, Samsung S2MPS15 PMIC, Samsung Shannon 928 RF Transceiver and Samsung Shannon 710 Envelope Tracking IC
  
• Broadcom BCM4773 GNSS Location Hub
  
• InvenSense MPU-6500 Gyro + Accelerometer
  
• Skyworks SKY78042 Multimode Multiband (MMMB) Front-End Module (FEM)
  
• Avago AFEM-9020 PAM and Avago ACPM-7007 PAM
  
• Samsung C2N8B6 Image Processor
  
• Maxim MAX98505 Class DG Audio Amplifier and Maxim MAX77843 Companion PMIC
  
• Samsung Electro-Mechanics 3853B5 Wi-Fi Module
  
• N5DDPS2 (Likely Samsung NFC Controller (P/N needs to be confirmed)
  
• Wolfson WM1840 Audio CODEC
  
• Texas Instruments BQ51221 Single Chip Wireless Power Receiver
  
• Skyworks SKY13415 Antenna Switch
  
• STMicro FT6BH Touch Screen Controller

Exynos 7420 is only ~78mm² (!) and the chips are possibly manufactured by Global Foundries..?

The functional die size is ~78 mm2, which compares well with the 118.3 mm2 of the Snapdragon chip used in the Galaxy S5.

The whole package is freaking dense.

 

[lopri]

BTW, the model that Chipworks teared down seems to be 3G-only going by their wording. Although my understanding is that Shannon 333 modem supports quite a few LTE bands.

We got our hands on the 4G+ version, the SM-G920I, with what Samsung claims is the world’s first octa-core 64 bit operating system.

 

[Achtung!]

Finally some concrete information on the guts.

Chipworks: Inside the new Samsung Galaxy S6



Exynos 7420 is only ~78mm² (!) and the chips are possibly manufactured by Global Foundries..?

The whole package is freaking dense.

So it seems that the Galaxy S6 is a mix of Samsung and American companies. The Exynos 7420 is manufactured by Samsung and Global Foundries, a US company.

High sales of the Galaxy S6 is beneficial to Korean and US economies

High sales of the iPhone 6 is beneficial to the Chinese and US economies.

 

[dawheat]

So it seems that the Galaxy S6 is a mix of Samsung and American companies. The Exynos 7420 is manufactured by Samsung and Global Foundries, a US company.

High sales of the Galaxy S6 is beneficial to Korean and US economies

High sales of the iPhone 6 is beneficial to the Chinese and US economies.

Not even sure what point you're trying to make or imply. Apple components are made from multiple vendors, including Qualcomm, Samsung, and others and are fabbed by multiple vendors like TSMC and Samsung. They do tend to be assembled in China.

The S6 may have a higher proportion of components fabbed internally, but assembly AFAIK is still split among many locations including Korea, Malaysia, and China.