Samsung Galaxy S6 hype thread

[dawheat]

Then don't make the phone so thin? Who the hell is asking for ever thinner phones anyway besides anorexia obsessed designers? Making it even wider than the S5 adds insult to the injury.

Besides everyone complained about S4 plastic back not because it was plastic per se but rather they just grabbed some the cheapest looking plastic ever they could find for a phone sold at premium prices and called it a day.

You think Samsung having a disastrous 2014 year would teach them wisen up a little to what their shrinking fanbase would want. If there isn't a removable battery I'm just going to LOL so hard, because that will be the last straw to break the proverbial camel's spine.

If the schematics hold up, the S6 would be both narrower and thinner. Not sure if you meant to complain about it being taller, though I think it's pretty safe to say it'll be more comfortable to hold than the S5.

I also think that most high-end buyers in 2015 will trade a removable battery for a metal build, assuming battery life is good. What was true in 2013 isn't necessarily true today. Battery life got much better from the S4 -> S5, to the point I think most consumers can get through a day.

If the S6, due to a more power efficient SOC and screen (similar to Note 4) along with the usage improvements in Lollipop, has better than S5 battery life, I honestly think the vast majority of customers looking to buy a high end phone won't have an issue. It's not apples to apples, but the iPhone 6 gets decent battery life with a 4.7" screen and a 1810mAh battery. Hopefully the S6, with the 14nm SOC and all the other improvements in hardware and software, will close the efficiency gap with the iPhone.

I've owned the S3, Note 2, S4, Note 3 and Note 4. I bought additional batteries for the first 4 phones. I used it with the S3, Note 2, and S4 but never ended up using it in the Note 3. I haven't even bothered buying one for the Note 4.

 

[lopri]

@StrangerGuy: Please do not misquote my post. I said "Even the Note 4's plastic back was criticized" and you are brining up the S4? The S4 was one of the best selling phones of the year. You know, the phone you claim to have "cheap looking."

But on a second thought I think you might be onto something here. iPhone 6/6+ look quite cheap compared to previous iPhones. Maybe that is why they are selling well? Your theory seems to make sense. Apparently consumers love cheap looking phones.

 

[CakeMonster]

If they are prioritizing making the phone thinner and sacrificing a slim bezel and decreasing the screen size in the process, that would be a gigantic misstep. I have problem believing they would make that mistake. I wanted an S5 but dropped it over the increased bezel compared to S4.

 

[WelshBloke]

I'm not convinced about the metal back yet, I've a feeling that it'll be a metal frame and edge with the usual back.

It is (or one version is) different though.

 

[lopri]

"Six Appeal" along with hot pink is just.. Oh, I don't know.

It looks like Samsung simply curved both sides for aesthetics without the taskbar-like functions of Note Edge. They may also argue that there is ergonomic benefit to it (heh) but the primary "function" looks to be its novelty and appearance, and practically eliminated side bezels.

If that is the case, the curved sides have to be resistant to touch, I suppose. I will be curious to know how Samsung dealt with what is likely an unconventional screen resolution. My guess is that screen content won't extend to the curved areas will dynamically stretch depending on what is displayed. We shall see.

Edit: The home button looks quite a bit thicker, which gives credence to the rumor of revamped fingerprint reader.

Edit 2: Is it me or the whole front looks like glass? Including the home button?

 

[shabby]

Behold the galaxy s6... just imagine that edge on both sides.

 

[Anubis]

Behold the galaxy s6... just imagine that edge on both sides.

i forsee a huge loss in sales if that is the case

 

[lopri]

I Doubt the edges will have a utility like the Note Edge. If Samsung learned anything from the Edge experience, they should have the curved display serve strictly for cosmetics - i.e. reduced/non-existent side bezels. IMO, of course.

Even that seems easier said than done because the curved screen will have to show content without distortion. Text and design elements of around the corners of apps (e.g. menu overflow) are quite important in user interface, and I am curious to see how Samsung got around with those, assuming there is no taskbar-like columns reserved at all times like on the Note Edge.

 

[darkswordsman17]

"Six Appeal" along with hot pink is just.. Oh, I don't know.

It looks like Samsung simply curved both sides for aesthetics without the taskbar-like functions of Note Edge. They may also argue that there is ergonomic benefit to it (heh) but the primary "function" looks to be its novelty and appearance, and practically eliminated side bezels.

If that is the case, the curved sides have to be resistant to touch, I suppose. I will be curious to know how Samsung dealt with what is likely an unconventional screen resolution. My guess is that screen content won't extend to the curved areas will dynamically stretch depending on what is displayed. We shall see.

Edit: The home button looks quite a bit thicker, which gives credence to the rumor of revamped fingerprint reader.

Edit 2: Is it me or the whole front looks like glass? Including the home button?

Yeah I'm guessing they're doing it just so they can say that they're maximizing the width of the phone to eliminate the bezel although that's just marketing fluff if they make the phone wider to accommodate the curved edges like on the Note version. Now if the curve is really aggressive and basically makes a 90 degree bend effectively pushing the bezel over the side of the phone, it might be interesting (and I do think that's what Samsung is working towards, but until they actually do that this just seems like a waste). Also if that's the case then that little strip over the side(s) might be really good for LED notifications or you could even use it as an ambient light source.

Also really hate how the curved front pushed the side button to that placement, or they needed to change the button for that placement.

Home button looks a little thicker but not too much. Holding a Note 3, the earspeaker looks about the same size with the home button being like 10% wider. I just hope they can actually manage to achieve the non-swipe fingerprint sensor, but I'm guessing it'll still fall short of Apple's implementation.

Well most of it. I don't see anything that really shows one way or the other on the home button being glass too, just looks like the usual Samsung homebutton design (which from that angle you wouldn't be able to tell as it'd reflect stuff all the same).

 

[WelshBloke]

"Six Appeal" along with hot pink is just.. Oh, I don't know.

Yellow any better?

Aren't they just US carrier colours?

 

[bearxor]

Yellow any better?

Aren't they just US carrier colours?

Yes, they're just carrier colors.

And I really dig the cycle Samsung has going on. They usually try something on the Note series and then kind of roll it or a better version of it over to the S series. Gives people who like bleeding edge a chance to be on it and people who like more refined ideas to choose that path.

It looks like Samsung simply curved both sides for aesthetics without the taskbar-like functions of Note Edge. They may also argue that there is ergonomic benefit to it (heh) but the primary "function" looks to be its novelty and appearance, and practically eliminated side bezels.

I'm guessing they're just copying the iPhone 6 look of curving the glass down at the edges to make the phone look more seamless and help on edge gestures.

 

[Anubis]

Yes, they're just carrier colors.

And I really dig the cycle Samsung has going on. They usually try something on the Note series and then kind of roll it or a better version of it over to the S series. Gives people who like bleeding edge a chance to be on it and people who like more refined ideas to choose that path.



I'm guessing they're just copying the iPhone 6 look of curving the glass down at the edges to make the phone look more seamless and help on edge gestures.

apple was not the first to do it
one of the Nokia phones did it back in like 2010

 

[WelshBloke]

I'm guessing they're just copying the iPhone 6 look of curving the glass down at the edges to make the phone look more seamless and help on edge gestures.

They did that on the S3.

 

[Oyeve]

I'm guessing they're just copying the iPhone 6 look of curving the glass down at the edges to make the phone look more seamless and help on edge gestures.

Didnt sammy curve the glass a little on the S3, S4, S5, Note 3 and Note 4?

 

[bearxor]

apple was not the first to do it
one of the Nokia phones did it back in like 2010

They did that on the S3.

Didnt sammy curve the glass a little on the S3, S4, S5, Note 3 and Note 4?

Oh FFS guys I'm not trying to say that Apple innovated a curved edge screen or anything but we can all recognize the reality of the situation that if Apple does something it's considered "cool" and "recognizable" and so it would benefit other companies to make a point of it.

But for the record, no, Samsung has not featured a curved glass design similar to the iPhone 6 up until the Galaxy Note 4 Edge. The Galaxy Nexus would be the closest, I think.

For proof, here are links to side profiles of the Galaxy S3/4/5 and the Note 3/4:
http://androidheadlines.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Samsung-Galaxy-S3_7.png

http://www.geek.com/wp-content/uplo...axy-S-4-white-three-up-front-profile-back.jpg

http://cdn.pcworld.idg.com.au/dimg/700x700/dimg/Galaxy S5 Profile_3.jpg

http://www.aneesoft.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Galaxy-Note-3.png

http://global.samsungtomorrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Back-and-side-of-the-Galaxy-Note-4.jpg

In every case, the screen meets the case and creates a sharp edge.

As opposed to the iPhone 6 design:
http://www.imore.com/sites/imore.co...public/field/image/2014/09/iphone_6_press.jpg

Where the glass has been curved to wrap around the side of the face of the phone to meet the casing before it reaches the top of the glass.

What I think some of you are thinking about is how the edges of the glass on some Samsung phones has been curved down to meet the casing but the casing still borders glass as opposed to Apple's design where the glass and casing are "border-less".

 

[WelshBloke]

But for the record, no, Samsung has not featured a curved glass design similar to the iPhone 6 up until the Galaxy Note 4 Edge. The Galaxy Nexus would be the closest, I think.

For proof, here are links to side profiles of the Galaxy S3...

... In every case, the screen meets the case and creates a sharp edge.

For the record I have an S3 on the desk and the glass curves down at the edges, it's definitely not flat.

 

[WelshBloke]

Didnt sammy curve the glass a little on the S3, S4, S5, Note 3 and Note 4?

Not the S4 or S5. The S3 does, can't speak for the Notes.

 

[lopri]

I'm guessing they're just copying the iPhone 6 look of curving the glass down at the edges to make the phone look more seamless and help on edge gestures.

Oh FFS guys I'm not trying to say that Apple innovated a curved edge screen or anything but we can all recognize the reality of the situation that if Apple does something it's considered "cool" and "recognizable" and so it would benefit other companies to make a point of it.
..
But for the record, no, Samsung has not featured a curved glass design similar to the iPhone 6 up until the Galaxy Note 4 Edge. The Galaxy Nexus would be the closest, I think.

Incomprehensible. And the part you are comparing the Note Edge and the iPhone 6 is beyond comprehension, to be honest.

A preliminary observation - I believe these flagship phones are designed a year or so ahead. Then they have to line up contracts and what not, and prepare the launch. It is why I laugh at a notion that any flagship at this point copied the iPhone 6.

For instance, I think Samsung would have liked the rumored S6 design for the S5, after they received so much criticism for plastic bodies. But by the time they launched the S4, it is likely that the S5's design was already done and they could only make minor adjustments afterwards, leaving the switch to metal for later days. That also probably explains why I initially felt there was some hint of similarity between the leaked design of the S6 and iPhone 5's design, not the iPhone 6's design as many people seemed to believe. There just has not been enough time for Samsung (or anyone) to copy iPhone 6.

On to the glass - Curved glass has been around for a long time as you acknowledged. For example,

Saying that Apple is leading the trend with the curved glass is reaching out way too far to change the common sense in order to fit a preconceived narrative. And if you are talking about the so-called 2.5D glass, I would say it's more likely Corning's work which was adopted by both Samsung and Apple at the same time.

More fundamentally, the Note Edge's curved glass and the 2.5D glass found in the Note 4 and the iPhone 6 are qualitatively different in that the former is only secondary to the curved screen. Curved glass is everywhere. I am drinking water in a curved glass as I type; My car windows are curved; and some phones have curved/tapering-on-the-edge glass. What distinguishes the Note Edge is that the curved glass exists there to accommodate curved display. Calling it "similar to iPhone 6's glass" is not very a plausible account, let alone persuasive one.

Yellow any better?

Aren't they just US carrier colours?

Yah I've learned that they are carrier colors. And no, I shall stick with hot pink. ()

 

[WelshBloke]

And no, I shall stick with hot pink. ()

Nothing to be ashamed of there.

 

[lopri]

Here is another example. Look how strikingly similar the curvage of the Moto X is to you-know-what and think about who copied what.

apple was not the first to do it
one of the Nokia phones did it back in like 2010

Yah I realize that just about every other Nokia phone has similar front glass. (Geez. I did not know how much the iPhone 6 looks like the Lumia 820)

P.S. But I wish to discuss something other than who copies who. Everyone learns from everyone else - No one creates something out of nothing.

 

[dawheat]

Oh FFS guys I'm not trying to say that Apple innovated a curved edge screen or anything but we can all recognize the reality of the situation that if Apple does something it's considered "cool" and "recognizable" and so it would benefit other companies to make a point of it.

But for the record, no, Samsung has not featured a curved glass design similar to the iPhone 6 up until the Galaxy Note 4 Edge. The Galaxy Nexus would be the closest, I think.

The curved display on the Note 4 Edge is fundamentally different from curving a glass edge to meet a bezel smoothly.

The S6 Edge should be an interesting device - any "comparison" to the iPhone 6 glass is hilarious.

 

[darkswordsman17]

Yeah I don't know why people are talking about the iPhone 6 with the curved glass since hasn't Nokia had curved glass similar that for years? I'm sure there have been plenty of others as well. Samsung is actually curving both the glass and the display panel over the edge some.

 

[Oyeve]

Coca Cola invented curved glass.

 

[Dari]

Looks like Samsung has learned nothing

There's a reason why the Galaxy Note 4 Edge is not flying off store shelves. People do not want gimmick. They want cheap phones, except for iPhones.

According to a source at one of Samsung's mobile carrier partners in Europe who spoke to Ars Technica under the condition of anonymity, Samsung is launching both the curved and normal Galaxy S6 at rather exorbitant price points. Our source, who has seen Samsung's new devices in person, tells us that the mid-level 64GB curved Galaxy S6 will cost carriers €949 ($1,076), with the top-end 128GB model priced at €1,049 ($1,189)—around €50 more expensive than the comparable iPhone 6 Plus. Furthermore, the same source tells us that carriers are struggling to get their hands on enough stock of the curved Galaxy S6, suggesting that Samsung is having yield issues for the curved display.

Samsung is expected to announce the Galaxy S6 at Mobile World Congress next week. In line with the rumors that we've heard previously, our source says there will be two versions of the S6—a normal version that will look fairly similar to the S5 and a curved version that will have a curved edge on both the left and right sides of the device. In both cases, the devices are priced at the very high end, above the iPhone. For the non-curved Galaxy S6, European pricing is €749 ($849), €849 ($963), and €949 ($1,076) for the 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB models respectively. For the curved version, add €100 ($124) to each of those figures. These are the prices that will be paid by the carrier before any subsidies. Presumably unlocked, SIM-free devices will be be similarly priced.

US pricing is more complex than simply converting euros into dollars, but €849 for the entry-level curved Galaxy S6 is way, way above the launch price of the Galaxy S5, which was around €650 in Europe and $650 in the US.

Our source gave us one other interesting tidbit about the Galaxy S6: Stocks of the curved S6 appear to be constrained by supply due to manufacturing issues caused by the curved display. This isn't unusual when it comes to the first commercial outing for a new technology—but in this case it's awkward because Samsung's marketing push will focus almost entirely on the curved version. Our source says that only one third of the S6 devices being shipped by Samsung have a curved screen, which could be a problem if that's the version that's being marketed and which everyone wants to buy.

While Samsung's low yield on curved displays may be an issue initially, it's something that could be ironed out before it actually impacts consumers. The pricing of both the normal and curved versions of the Galaxy S6, however—if carriers pass the price hike onto consumers—could be problematic unless the hardware is truly sensational. Samsung is expected to unveil the Galaxy S6 at an Unpacked event in Barcelona on Sunday—and Ars Technica will be there to (hopefully) get some hands-on impressions of Samsung's new devices.

 

[WelshBloke]

They want cheap phones, except for iPhones.

Weren't you saying the other day that Sonys road to salvation was to concentrate on the high end?