Smartphone Supremacy: Avant-edge Samsung

Samsung puts on stellar show with a pair of cutting edge phones.

For many fans, it seems like Samsung has finally delivered THE phones they’ve long waited for. With its pristine, well-crafted metal bezels, the new flagship Galaxy phones are a now cut above the rest. In case you didn’t get the memo, any jokes about its cheap, plastic build are now irrelevant.

Over the years Samsung has been accused, not unfairly at times, of introducing features or gimmicks into their phones. These came in the form of software, hardware and design ideas that while interesting, weren’t quite cohesive with the design language, or didn’t quite work as well in practice.

Samsung is positioning its phone as a fashion piece. It might work this time.

Perhaps it’s down to the increased competition from the Chinese contingent like Xiaomi, Huawei, and Oppo, that we’re able to see an extensive overhaul of its most iconic smartphone. Hong Yeo, the lead designer for the project (Project Zero), essentially says that it is a complete rethink of how its users will experience the phone. Prior to Samsung, he was the lead designer for the Mclaren X-1 hypercar project.

In the Galaxy S6 edge, Samsung has arguably its finest moment. The curved edges may seem gimmicky, but ultimately it feels right, and the phone finally looks like a fashion forward luxury phone deserving of its price tag. Despite the ostentatious curved edges, it is surprisingly ergonomic, with the weight resting on its edges and the phone resting comfortably against the palm of your hand. While the Galaxy S6 is in itself, an excellent phone – sporting the same build quality and performance but sans the curved edges – its thunder has unfortunately been stolen by the S6 edge. Its slightly lower price may even things up though. However, the point remains: the flagship Samsung phones are finally on the same playing field with the iPhone in terms of build quality.

The new Samsung Galaxy S6 edge is a real stunner.

But it’s not just aesthetics that defines the new generation of Galaxy phones. Like most top-of-the-line phones, both the S6 and the S6 edge get an octo-core  (dual quad-core) processor to give you the best of both worlds in terms of processing power and battery life. The phones feature a new 16-megapixel rear camera with Smart Optical Image Stabilisation, and quick access to it from any screen by double tapping on the home button. In addition, the phones now support most wireless charging pad standards and boast fast wired charging, claiming to provide up to four hours of use with only 10 minutes on a charger that supports the feature.

The difference in hardware is minimal, but the S6 edge does have a slightly bigger battery (2,600mAh vs 2,550mAh) and the curved edge display. It all comes down to the price you are comfortable paying, as well as the fact that one phone is by design, arguably more robust than the other. No prizes for guessing which one.

The Galaxy S6 and S6 edge will go on sale on April 11, with prices starting from S$998 at all three telco operators, major consumer electronics stores, authorised retailers and Samsung Experience Stores.

From left: White Pearl, Gold Platinum, Blue Topaz, Black Sapphire

Galaxy S6 4G+

Available in White Pearl, Black Sapphire, Gold Platinum at launch. Blue Topaz will be released at a later date. Prices from 32GB: S$998, 64GB: S$1,148, 128GB: S$1,288

From left: White Pearl, Gold Platinum, Green Emerald, Black Sapphire

Galaxy S6 edge 4G+

Available in White Pearl, Black Sapphire, Gold Platinum at launch. Green Emerald will be released at a later date. Prices from 32GB: S$1,168, 64GB: S$1,298, 128GB: S$1,448

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