Hello Nigerians, lovers of large screen phones otherwise called phablets will have some new gadgets to add to their collection as both fashion statements and technological archetypes, as Samsung unwraps two telltale devices – both high end smartphones – in one go: The Galaxy S6 Edge+ (or S6 Edge Plus) and the much anticipated Galaxy Note 5.
And, the official unveiling these eye-catching phones schedule for August 21 in Lagos, will leave lots of tongues wagging and minds wondering if there would be anything better than these pair again to be experienced in the country before the year runs out.
Take it or leave it, in the race for this year’s best smartphones, the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus is a worthy contender.
After all, it’s not just a big-screened refresh of this year’s Galaxy S6 Edge; but Samsung has craftily packed the new handset’s wider, thinner frame with a litany of improvements.
Besides the larger, 5.7-inch screen, almost everything about the S6 Edge Plus is familiar — the body’s still made of glass and metal, the rear camera still protrudes rather annoyingly, and the power, home, and volume rocker haven’t budged. But the big changes are internal — the S6 Edge Plus ups the amount of RAM to 4GB, up from 3GB in the predecessing model. The battery’s been bumped to 3,000mAh — a 400mAh increase. And the handset wirelessly recharges a tad faster — empty to full in 2 hours, Samsung says.
It’s not just the hardware that will grab your attention. “People Edge,” an app introduced with the original Edge which placed a list of contacts on the screen’s curved ends, now lets you designate VIPs. The eponymous “Apps Edge” provides quick access to app shortcuts. And the camera has built-in YouTube support for video streaming up to 1080p, 60 frames per second.
Those enhancements don’t come cheap, unfortunately. The Edge Plus, like the original Edge, is a $100 premium over the non-curved S6.
A larger screen, better battery, and streamlined software do help to justify it; yes, they do. Perhaps, but it’ll ultimately come down to how much value you place on a curved screen.
And for the Galaxy Note 5? There’s certainly more to it than the mere mention of the word Note or the S Pen that’s its signature identification.
Both devices share a number of core features though, including processor, memory, and camera options. Both also have 5.7-inch quad-HD (2560×1440 pixel) screens, although in the case of S6 Edge+ this comes with the wrap-around display that made its debut with the Galaxy S6.
The company has billed Galaxy S6 Edge+ as being “best for multimedia experience”. The curved screen offers an “apps edge”, which provides shortcuts to favourite apps, and “people edge”, to give easy access to contacts.
Galaxy Note 5, in contrast, is described as “perfect for multitaskers”, and supports a “much refined 5th generation S-Pen” stylus. It is also said to be “inspired by the design legacy of the Galaxy S6,” with a narrow bezel and curved back.
Both devices feature improved video capabilities, including digital image stabilisation on both the front and rear cameras, and support 4K video capture. Also on the roster is a “live broadcast” feature which lets users stream full-HD video from the device to individuals, groups of contacts, or even via YouTube.
Other common specifications include 64-bit octacore (2.1GHz quad and 1.5GHz quad) processors, 4GB of RAM, 16MP rear and 5MP front cameras.
The pair also feature embedded wireless charging technology, which is “compatible with virtually any wireless pad available today”.
Samsung is set to segment markets as to whether they get Galaxy S6 Edge+ or Galaxy Note 5.