Samsung Galaxy S6 deals and reviews

Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy S6?

The Samsung Galaxy S6 is the sixth generation of Samsung's flagship handset. It packs in a huge array of features and some top-of-the-range specifications, setting these alongside a design which seems to have almost nothing wrong with it. The metal and Gorilla Glass mix in the casing makes it strong, but it's still slim. Samsung's decision to equip its flagship smartphone with a 5.1 inch screen makes it a little smaller than some, but the extremely high resolution earns it universal plaudits. And indeed, this is a handset which seems to garner praise almost all round.

If you always have your eye on the best of the best, then the Samsung Galaxy S6 will undoubtedly be an attractive contender. As CNET says, the "Samsung Galaxy S6 is the Android phone to beat for 2015."

Octa core show of speed

Samsung has chosen the very latest Exynos 7420 SoC octa core processor for the Galaxy S6. With 3GB of RAM on board the performance is stunning, but as PC Pro points out, the chipset is not just a fast mover, it "should mean greater efficiency and better battery life."

Whilst many reviewers praised the strong processor performance of the phone, they were more critical about the lack of expandable memory. With 32GB, 64GB and 128GB versions available you do have some choice, but as Stuff notes, Samsung "has presumably noticed that Apple makes more than a few quid upselling people to 128GB iPhones and want a piece of the action. Why would you do otherwise when a 64GB microSD card cost about £20 these days?"

Casing

Previously, Samsung has been criticized for using too much plastic in the build of its flagship handsets. That has gone now, with Gorilla Glass on the front and back and the side casing formed from strong metal. However, the International Business Times noted that the super-tough glass back, whilst feeling good in the user's hand, tended to slip off surfaces when placed down – even including Samsung's own wireless charger which has a rubber contact area to prevent this.

If you are looking for where Samsung got its inspiration, V3 has some thoughts – "Visually the design borrows heavily from Sony and Apple and makes the Galaxy S6 look like a hybrid of the iPhone 6 and Xperia Z3."

While the design is reportedly 50 percent stronger than other high end phones, fingerprints could be an issue. TechRadar points out "The rear of the phone will just become marked and smudged within seconds of handling it."

Screen

The 5.1-inch screen of the Samsung Galaxy S6 is not as large as some, but reviewers generally agree it is stunning. The Super AMOLED display crams in 2560x1440 pixels to give a very impressive – and iPhone beating – 577ppi (pixels per inch). This record-breaking resolution gives sharpest possible image quality and definition, though this comes at a cost to the battery life. Reviewers report sharp text and great colour levels.

While most reviewers agree that the screen is a real highlight, some ask whether there is a need to keep upping the pixel count. TechRadar, for example, comments: "The screen on the Samsung Galaxy S6 look[s] brilliant - but I'm not sure the QHD resolution really adds that much, especially given the higher power drain it commands. Watching some optimized video does look nicer, and held side by side the screen is clearly sharper than a normal Full HD display. But … even 720p resolutions don't look terrible."

Camera

While the 16 megapixel, 4k video main camera gets some negative comments for the lens protruding from the 6.8mm deep case, when it comes to photographs themselves it gets plenty of praise. Fast shutter speed and autofocus are commended, as is low light performance. A good macro mode and HDR help with everyday usefulness. V3 sums it up by saying "Shooting in regular light the Galaxy S6 camera proved to be one of the best currently available in the Android ecosystem."

Battery

Samsung has been given a slapped wrist by some reviewers for not making the battery removable. But on the other hand, as noted earlier, the processor is designed to help prolong battery life. With a 2,600mAh non-removable battery, that's very important indeed to the overall performance of this handset. Stuff reports that "the phone should last a good day and a half without much effort."

When you are in low power situations it is good to know that the battery charges quickly – Samsung says ten minutes of charging provides up to four hours of life. V3's assessment was: "With the right charge cable, the Galaxy S6 nearly reached a full charge within an hour of being connected to the mains."

Fingerprint reader and heart rate sensor

There was widespread praise for the fingerprint reader which adds a layer of security to the Samsung Galaxy S6. V3 notes "The success rate is excellent and it managed to accurately detect our thumb 99.9 percent of the time." You can also use a finger on a sensor on the back of the case to take your heart rate, and this is stored in Samsung's S Health app. This app, now revised with a cleaner look and handy dashboard, uses the heartrate to monitor your fitness and daily activity goals, including workouts, stress monitoring, and encouraging more exercise if needed.

Android OS and Apps

The latest version of Android (Lollipop, 5.0)…is overlaid with Samsung's TouchWiz interface. Samsung has made things less complex than in the Galaxy S5 and reviewers generally found this a more attractive handset as a result, though many still feel there is some software overload going on.

Not every reviewer appreciated the inclusion of so many extras. The Gadget Show says "There are also so many extra software bits and bobs packed into the Galaxy S6 that it's hard to find the gems among the bits you can leave untouched. Nothing new there for Samsung, though."

What the critics say (scores are out of 100)

100	AndroidPit | Camilla Rinaldi The Galaxy S6 may well be an expensive smartphone, but with such a terrific design, best-in-class camera, and beautiful display, we think it's the best smartphone on the market today. Read full review
100	The Mirror | Jeff Parsons Samsung has finally answered its critics with a phone that manages to pack all the features we want into a desirable package. It's the smartphone to beat in 2015. Read full review
100	Know Your Mobile | RIchard Goodwin The Best Android Phone On Market Right Now –– Bar None... Impressed. Very, very impressed... The Galaxy S6 does EVERYTHING and, best of all, it feels like it has plenty more in the tank should you need it... The only thing it's missing is microSD and the ability to remove its battery –– that's literally it. Read full review
100	Expert Reviews | Katharine Byrne If you're not bothered about the curve and want to save money, the Galaxy S6 is still one of the best Android phones you can buy today Read full review
100	Alphr | Jonathan Bray The design is simply superb. The build is excellent. It's fast, slick, and its camera captures great pictures and superlative video... You could criticise it for lacking a microSD slot and removable battery, and we're sure those omissions will put plenty of people off... The Samsung Galaxy S6 is the best smartphone on the market. Read full review
100	IT PRO | Andrew Williams, Rene Millman A great fingerprint scanner, construction that is leagues ahead of any previous Samsung flagship and a very reliable, high-quality camera make it a very compelling phone. Only its battery life could be better. Read full review
100	S21 The Samsung Galaxy S6 brings premium metal-and-glass looks to Samsung's winning formula of a high-spec Android smartphone. ... The only things holding it back are the lack of expandable memory, and the rather average battery life. Read full review
100	What Hi-Fi? Although the phone has restrictions on memory and battery that doesn't stop the Galaxy S6 from being a great achievement. Its sophistication and extraordinary multimedia capabilities make it a seriously tempting proposition for anyone wanting top-quality picture and sound on the go. Read full review
100	T3 The design and the power of the 'normal' S6 are the real winners here, and offer a phone that really appeals to the masses and tech-fiends alike. The battery could definitely do with a bit of a boost - but for 2015 the S6 is a phone that's set the bar, and set it high. Read full review
100	Digital Versus | Romain Thuret The Galaxy S6 immediately takes the crown among Android handsets, offering the best smartphone camera to date, user-friendliness and the exceptional performance we were led to expect. Read full review
100	SlashGear | Chris Davies On that basis, though the Galaxy S6 edge is a stunning example of technological proficiency - and its painful under-utilization - it's the Galaxy S6 which provides ample retort to Apple's iPhone, and which is certainly the best Android phone around today. Read full review
100	Digital Spy | Ian Morris The Samsung Galaxy S6 is everything it should be. It's small, light and powerful. It's a new design that looks and feels great, and there's loads of power to run even the most challenging Android apps. Read full review
100	V3 | Alastair Stevenson Featuring a reworked design that houses a wealth of innovative hardware and software features, the Galaxy S6 is the best Android smartphone currently available. Read full review
100	The Gadget Show The Samsung Galaxy S6 is a stellar Android handset that is easily one of the best phones ever made. It's the most expensive-feeling Samsung phone we've used, and it doesn't throw away any of the elements we've come to love - aside from the card slot, which we'll be mourning for a while. Read full review
100	Ubergizmo | Herbert Nguyen Samsung has delivered on the most important points that make a smartphone great. I wasn't too sure how the Galaxy S series would evolve, but what a successful and meaningful step forward. Read full review
100	Stuff | Andrew Williams If you're feeling really flush and want to show off, the S6 Edge is that bit snazzier, but otherwise the 'flat' Galaxy S6 is the best phone in the world right now - and it's hard to imagine a rival matching it any time soon. Read full review
100	PC Pro | Jonathan Bray If only the best will do, look no further. The Samsung Galaxy S6 is the best smartphone on the market. Read full review
95	Australian PC World | Tony Ibrahim Samsung has gone from making the least desirable flagship to the 'must have' phone. How hard it must have been to concede the company's older tricks were not working and that it was time for change. The design needed change, and now it is at the forefront of the smartphone market. The hardware remains as innovative as ever, but it now works better with software that is easier to use. Read full review
95	ZDNet | Steve Ranger For the S6, less is absolutely more. Upgrading to metal and glass, pairing a great screen with an excellent camera while streamlining the look and feel of the software means that Samsung has come up with the best Android smartphone of the year to date. Those in need of extra cool may wish to pay out for the S6 Edge, but for many the S6 will be more than smart enough Read full review
93	phoneArena | John V. Even though its design receives much acclaim, it should be noted that it no longer offers some of its predecessor's unique features. In all fairness, the good outweighs the bad with the Samsung Galaxy S6 – we'll gladly forgo some of those previous offerings in favor of its new, premium design. Read full review
91	NotebookCheck | Manuel Masiero The Samsung Galaxy S6 is a big step ahead in many ways. First of all, you get a classy chassis made of metal and glass, which has an almost perfect build quality and can impress with its light weight and compact dimensions. Read full review
90	Techdissected | Matt Adams The Samsung Galaxy S6 isn't a perfect phone, but it is the best phone on the market. Samsung took a chance with the Galaxy S6 and you should too. Read full review
90	Eurogamer | Damien McFerran Samsung is still yet to make the perfect Android phone. However, the fact remains that the premium quality and processing performance really are very impressive. A galaxy of difference. Read full review
90	Digital Trends | Ted Kritsonis The Galaxy S6 is the best-designed phone Samsung has ever created, and its interface is a true step ahead of the Android pack.... This is an elegant handset, in many ways, and it helps that the methodically understated software approach doesn't distract from that. An improved fingerprint scanner and effective quick draw for the camera are the kind of sensible usability features Samsung needs to do more of. Read full review
90	TechRadar | Gareth Beavis So close to perfect, but a high price and iffy battery really let it down. Read full review
90	Brighthand | Dragan Petric The Galaxy S6 is a stunning leap forward for Samsung's mobile juggernaut. Its marked design improvements combine with a top-notch chipset, display, and camera to create a smartphone that is supremely well-rounded in its quality. Read full review
90	Android Authority | Joshua Vergara With much needed changes inside and out, Samsung finally brings to the table what you'd expect from a high-end flagship with the Galaxy S6... Whether forward or backward, Samsung has finally shifted in a number of key areas, and the Galaxy S6 is the change we've been waiting for. The end result is one of the best devices Samsung has ever put out, and one that won't fade into obscurity as easily as its predecessor. Read full review
90	news.com.au | Harry Tucker ...the Galaxy S6 is the best phone Samsung has ever made, possibly the best phone ever made. Its camera is one of the best on the market, its display is gorgeous and it feels absolutely fantastic in the hand' Read full review
90	Trusted Reviews | Jon Devo Battery life is the only chink in this awesome phone's armour, but it can be managed and isn't a deal breaker for us. If you want the best smartphone money that can buy right now and don't care about fancy pants curved edges, the Galaxy S6 is a top phone that shouldn't disappoint. Read full review
90	PC Advisor | Marie Brewis It's fast, it's well built, it has a gorgeous screen and the software isn't overly intrusive. The fingerprint scanner is vastly improved, the heart-rate scanner a potential draw for some users, and the wireless- and fast charging welcome inclusions. We'd like to see the price come down (which we are sure it will) and it's a shame we've lost the removable battery, waterproofing and microSD support, but these are all things we can live with. Read full review
90	ITProPortal | Brian Fagioli Samsung has crafted a phone that is not only a piece of art, but is a comfortable size and has superior security with biometrics. The fingerprint reader is more important than having the ability to run custom ROMS. In 2015, there is no excuse for any flagship smartphone to ship without a fingerprint scanner. Read full review
90	Coolsmartphone | Leigh Geary The phone operated quickly and slickly. The design was crafted and premium. It's another class act from Samsung. Premium feel, a premium experience and a premium design. Another stunning handset from Samsung. Read full review
90	Mashable | Pete Pachal The Samsung Galaxy S6 is exquisitely designed, packed with helpful features and perfectly sized. It's simply the best smartphone Samsung has ever made. Read full review
90	TechnoBuffalo | Brandon Russell Samsung is making a big statement with the Galaxy S6. What this device ultimately shows is that Samsung is preparing for a fight. It got knocked down last year, but it has picked itself back up, dusted itself off, and come back stronger and sharper than ever before. Read full review
90	The Inquirer | Alastair Stevenson Featuring a host of top-end components and a robust set of personal and enterprise security services, the Galaxy S6 is the best Android smartphone currently available. Key positives include Samsung's Knox security services, a top-end rear camera, super fast octa-core processor and razor sharp Super Amoled display. Read full review
90	NDTV Gadgets | Jamshed Avari If you're in the market for a top-end Android phone with a reasonably sized screen and cost is not a limiting factor, there's really nothing to beat the Galaxy S6 at this moment. If you can hold on for a little while, we'd suggest waiting till HTC, LG and possibly Sony launch their own competitors. If style is more important than anything else, the Galaxy S6 Edge has all the same features and advantages. Read full review
90	Mobile Syrup | Daniel Bader It wasn't the aluminum frame or high-resolution screen that sold me on the S6, but the camera, which has been a thorn in Android's side for years now. Samsung has made a great smartphone, irrespective of platform: It just happens that Android is now at the point where it is both powerful and simple, beautiful and developer-friendly. Read full review
89	pocketnow | Michael Fisher Like any smartphone, the Galaxy S6 isn't without compromise: its battery life is seriously disappointing, and it's an open question how well the sometimes-shaky software will age over time. But the Galaxy S6 remains one of the best Android phones you can buy today … and with one possible exception, it's probably the best Samsung smartphone in history. If ever you were tempted by a Samsung, now's the time. Read full review
89	CNET UK | Jessica Dolcourt Like its forebears, the S6 brims with high-performance hardware, but it does so with a newfound style that also corrects buyers' most glaring complaints about plastic build materials, a bum fingerprint reader and too many preloaded apps and confusing software features. Read full review
89	Engadget | Chris Velazco With its super-fast, homebrew processor, a pair of great cameras and a surprisingly clean version of TouchWiz, the S6 is the finest Galaxy Samsung has ever made. Now, if only it were waterproof. Read full review
88	The Verge | Dieter Bohn The Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge [have] become phones that are more than the collection of their parts. Read full review
87	The Street | Gary Krakow Overall, the Galaxy S6 is quite impressive. It is fast, thin, lightweight, feels great to hold and use and is one of the best (if not THE best) performing smartphone used to date. It takes great pictures and videos and sounds great even though there are only 10 tiny holes on the bottom for the sound to come out. Read full review
86	YourTechExplained | Ben Schoon While it's not perfect, this is not only the best Samsung smartphone to date, it's the first one I'd actually consider buying as my own daily driver. With a great camera, gorgeous design, and solid software performance, I can say you will almost certainly be happy with the Galaxy S6. Read full review
80	VentureBeat | Mark Sullivan As you will hear many reviewers say, the S6 phones (deservedly) get some points taken away for having no removable battery and for not offering an SD card port for additional storage. Read full review
80	TechDissected | Matt Adams Samsung Galaxy S6 isn't a perfect phone, but it is the best phone on the market. Samsung took a chance with the Galaxy S6 and you should too. Read full review
80	Phone Scoop | Eric M. Zeman Samsung simply killed it with the Galaxy S6. It may not have the raw sex appeal of its curvy brother, but the S6 offers an experience that is almost entirely the same. The Galaxy S6 is well designed and well made, with quality materials. The phone is a winner in most respects. Read full review
80	Register Hardware | Andrew Orlowski Samsung has pulled its act together impressively with the Galaxy S6, and pulls clear from the chasing pack of (profitless) Android manufacturers. Only the absence of expandable microSD storage and the seriously iffy reception spoil the story. Read full review
80	Tom's Guide | Avram Piltch The Galaxy S6 combines an eye-popping display, sexy new design and the top smartphone camera, making it the best Android phone. Read full review
80	Forbes | Gordon Kelly So yes, Samsung has created a smartphone I believe will go down as a classic, but it will also be remembered for killing everything which made the Galaxy S range stand out. Read full review
80	Wired UK | Katie Collins The Galaxy S6 may be the the more traditional of Samsung's latest flagships in terms of design, but that doesn't make it boring. It's slightly bigger, more robust and definitely more comfortable to hold. Think of it as the Mercedes to the Edge's Maserati. Read full review

Compare Samsung Galaxy S6 specs side-by-side with other phones COMPARE SPECS

Dimensions & Form	Form factor: Touchscreen bar Dimensions 143.4 x 70.5 x 6.8 mm (5.65 x 2.78 x 0.27 in) Weight: 134 g (4.73 oz)
Screen	Size: 5.1 inches diagonal Resolution: 2560 x 1440 pixels Screen Density: 576 ppi Screen-to-Body Ratio: 70.9 % Display Type: Super AMOLED
Runs
Performance	Chipset: Exynos 7420 Octa CPU: Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & Quad-core 2.1 GHz Cortex-A57 GPU: Mali-T760MP8 RAM: 3GB
Camera	Main Camera: 16 megapixels with dual LED flash, 4K video recording Secondary Camera: 5 megapixels
Storage	Built-in Storage: 32GB, 64GB, 128GB Expandable Storage: Not Available
Battery & Charging	Capacity: 2600 mAh Removable Battery: No Wireless Charging: Yes Quick Charge: Yes (v2)
SIM standard	Nano SIM Compare SIM Only deals
Water & Dust Resistance	Not Available
Fingerprint Reader	Front
References & More info	Official website GSMArena specs page

Photos taken with the Samsung Galaxy S6

We've used Flickr to find a selection of pictures taken by the Samsung Galaxy S6 camera. Here is a selection of photos taken by users from around the world so you can see what kind of picture quality you can expect from real-world use of the Samsung Galaxy S6.

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All images shown are used under the rights and terms specified by the Creative Commons.