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Galaxy S6 vs Galaxy S6 Edge comparison: is the best saved for the edge?

samsung galaxy s6 s6 edge
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Samsung has just released unto the world two of the finest devices it has ever produced. The Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge are at the top of the Android pile in terms of technology, but which is better? With much the same innards, the big difference comes down to the screen. Is the S6 Edge worth the additional cost for its curvy display? Find out in our Galaxy S6 vs Galaxy S6 Edge comparison.

samsung galaxy s6 s6 edge
The Galaxy S6 Edge (left) and the Galaxy S6 (right). / © ANDROIDPIT

Galaxy S6 Edge vs Galaxy S6: price and release date

The release date of both devices is April 10, and the Galaxy S6 can be found at 599 USD (off-contract) for the 32 GB (base) model and the Galaxy S6 Edge for 699 USD (32 GB model). In the UK, you will find the S6 for 549 GBP and S6 Edge for 649 GBP for the 32 GB versions.

samsung galaxy s6 hands on 23
The Galaxy S6 looks a lot like the Galaxy S5 from the front. / © ANDROIDPIT

Galaxy S6 Edge vs Galaxy S6: Design and build quality

From a build quality standpoint, there's nothing to distinguish between these two devices: both are solidly put together and feel great to hold. The difference is in the design details, which amount to more than you might possibly think.

The Galaxy S6 has rounded corners with split volume buttons located on the left-hand side and power button and SIM tray on the right. These buttons are located around middle Galaxy S6 body and it's an ergonomic placement.

samsung galaxy s6 hands on 11
The buttons on the Galaxy S6 sit in the middle of the aluminum sides. / © ANDROIDPIT

The Galaxy S6 Edge on the other hand has a bit more of a pie-like cross-section, with the sloped screen occupying the top half of the edges and the buttons squished on the bottom half where the aluminum chassis begins. This creates a surprisingly comfortable ridge around the edge which aids the grip, but it can take a little getting used to (it's a feeling that isn't present on any other device currently).

samsung galaxy s6 edge mwc 04
You can see the curve of the Galaxy S6 Edge screen along with the little ''lip''. / © ANDROIDPIT

The SIM tray is at the top of the Galaxy S6 Edge because the space for it on the side is not wide enough. The top and bottom of both devices are otherwise identical: speaker grill, micro USB and headphone port on the bottom, IR blaster and pinhole mic up top.

samsung galaxy s6 edge mwc 05
You can see how the Galaxy S6 Edge's buttons get shifted further towards the back. / © ANDROIDPIT

Gorilla Glass 4 covers the front and back, and if recent drop test videos are to be believed, it's an incredibly durable layer of protection. 

Both devices have the same Home button and capacitive ''back'' and ''recent app'' buttons. On the rear, a square 16 MP camera lens with OIS and a single LED with heart rate monitor and ambient light meter sit side-by-side. 

samsung galaxy s6 software 2
Watching video on the Galaxy S6 Edge gives a sense of it being bezel-less. / © ANDROIDPIT

Galaxy S6 Edge vs Galaxy S6: Display

Both the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge have a 5.1-inch QHD Super AMOLED display with 2,560 x 1,440 pixel resolution and 577 pixels ppi. The difference is on the sides: where the S6 display comes to a flat halt, the S6 Edge has a dual curved display that creeps down either side of the device.

The S6 Edge, while housing a curved screen, is not exactly like the Galaxy Note Edge ( Samsung's first foray into sloping displays). The Note Edge had an additional strip screen on the side, whereas the S6 Edge is really more like a flat screen with slightly rounded edges; looking at the S6 Edge from the side shows just how little a curve there really is in the display itself.

That being said, the curved display creates a wonderful effect when viewing videos and media that makes content feel more "alive" than ever before. It's not like 3D, but it feels more involving than traditional displays, and you'll notice how incredibly thin the bezels actually are, especially when playing back video.

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This is the People Edge quick access screen. / © ANDROIDPIT

Software​

The software on both devices is equally identical except for the few Edge-specific features the S6 misses out on.The Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge run Android 5.0.2 Lollipop with the refreshed version of TouchWiz: a leaner, flatter and faster edition of Samsung's proprietary UI than ever before.

The specific features gifted to the Galaxy S6 Edge alone include People Edge, Edge Lighting and Information Stream. It's important to note that only one Edge screen can be activated at any given time, but that some Edge features work simultaneously.

AndroidPIT Galaxy S6 Edge People Edge
People Edge on the Galaxy S6 Edge lets you deal directly with your favorite people. / © ANDROIDPIT

People Edge

People Edge lets you assign different colors to up to five different contacts. Whenever notifications from these contacts arrive, a correlating colored strip will appear on the edge of the display. You can swipe out the strips to view more details and respond directly, or tap a shortcut at the top to access your five saved contacts.

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Edge Lighting on the Galaxy S6 Edge displays color-coded alerts when friends call. / © ANDROIDPIT

Edge Lighting

Edge Lighting works best when the S6 Edge is lying face down on a table. If a contact calls, messages or otherwise gets in touch with you, the edge of the screen will light up in the corresponding color which you will be able to see reflected on the surface.

You can dismiss the call or send a default message simply by touching the heart rate sensor on the back. Edge Lighting and People Edge work in parallel.

AndroidPIT Galaxy S6 Edge Information Stream widgets
Information Stream gives you all your favorite streaming widgets. / © ANDROIDPIT

Information Stream

Information Stream comes straight from the Note Edge and allows you to choose from a selection of feeds that will steadily scroll along the edge display. From RSS feeds, to stock reports, sports scores and notifications, the S6 Edge Information Stream has you covered.

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Useful in case you actually have thrown your alarm clock out the window. / © ANDROIDPIT

Night Clock

This mode simply turns your S6 Edge into a bedside clock without consuming too much battery power. It saves you having to pick up your phone and turn it on (momentarily blinding yourself in the process) simply to see what time it is. Or, you know, from actually having an alarm clock on your bedside.

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With a curved display, your palms are going to be all over the S6 Edge screen. / © ANDROIDPIT

Palm touches

One thing that did worry me was the likelihood of palm touches being registered. Because of the shape of the curved screen, you will almost always have a finger touching the screen somewhere. Samsung has done a nice job of eliminating palm touches, to the point that even when I tried to cause touch responsiveness quirks, I couldn't.

Galaxy S6 Edge vs Galaxy S6: performance

Performance difference between the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge have thus far been intangible. Internally they are identical and the changes in software are so minor that there has been no perceptible difference in performance in any of our tests.

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The Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge cameras are identical. / © ANDROIDPIT

Galaxy S6 Edge vs Galaxy S6: camera

The camera performance on both the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge is identical due to the same camera hardware and software being used on both devices. Take a look at our full Galaxy S6 camera test to get a feel for just how good the camera quality truly is.

Galaxy S6 Edge vs Galaxy S6: battery

The Galaxy S6 Edge has a marginally larger battery than the Galaxy S6 for reasons unknown. Both devices support Qi wireless charging and wired turbo charging, pumping up your battery with four hours extra standby time from just ten minutes of charge time. It's an impressive set of charging features to support the pretty average (non-removable) battery capacities.

samsung galaxy s6 software
Both Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge support Qi wireless charging. / © ANDROIDPIT

Galaxy S6 Edge vs Galaxy S6: Specs

  Samsung Galaxy S6 Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge
System Android 5.0.2 Lollipop, TouchWiz Android 5.0.2 Lollipop, TouchWiz
Screen 5.1 inches, Super AMOLED, QHD (2,560 x 1,440 pixels), 577 ppi 5.1 inches, Super AMOLED, QHD (2,560 x 1,440 pixels), 577 ppi. Dual Edge
Processor Exynos 7420, 64 bit octa-core (4 x 2.1 GHz, 4 x 1.5 GHz) Exynos 7420, 64 bit octa-core (4 x 2.1 GHz, 4 x 1.5 GHz)

RAM

3 GB 3 GB

Internal Memory

32 / 64 / 128 GB 32 / 64 / 128 GB
Battery 2,550 mAh 2,600 mAh
Camera 16 MP (main) with OIS / 5 MP (front-facing) 16 MP (main) with OIS / 5 MP (front-facing)
Connectivity HSPA, LTE, NFC, Bluetooth 4.1 HSPA, LTE, NFC, Bluetooth 4.1
Dimensions 143.4 x 70.5 x 6.8 mm 142.1 x 70.1 x 7 mm
Weight 138 g

132 g

Price Approx 699 USD (TBC) Approx 849 USD (TBC)

Final verdict

These are two of the highest quality handsets you will currently find on Android. Samsung has taken all that was good about its previous Galaxy designs and produced the best iterations yet. Whichever device you choose you'll receive great charging features, an amazing camera and a stunning display.

If you want a decision on which is better, I'll go with the S6 Edge. It's more than just a gimmick, it's an innovation that truly has the potential to influence the way all smartphones are made. Samsung has made simply looking and controlling your phone feel better. Curved screens are no longer that far-off technology that may be worth a look some day in the distant future. They've arrived, and thanks to the Galaxy S6 Edge, they're really good.   

Which device would you prefer?
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Let us know if you think the edge features are worth the extra money and why you prefer one over the other.

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Kris Carlon

Kris Carlon
Senior Editor

Kris is a former AndroidPIT Editor who came to the team via a lengthy period spent traveling and relying on technology to keep him in touch with the outside world. He can usually be found juggling three phones at once and poring over G+ posts, Reddit and RSS feeds.

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  • Katie Cahoon 1
    Katie Cahoon Dec 29, 2015 Link to comment

    My friend has the S5 I love how with his alarm he can pick what part of the song he wants to wake him up? Can this feature be done of S6 edge? Also a lock screen also they have water ripple effect is there a way to get it on S6 edge? Also does each cell provider company have a different layout of how the icons look on S6 edge?


  • 3
    Angie Jones Nov 18, 2015 Link to comment

    I upgraded from an s5 16gb to a s6 edge. I absolutely love my s6 edge! I have the 32gb version. At first I missed the expandable storage and the removable battery on my s5, but I don't notice it now!


  • 2
    Keefe Harold Oct 6, 2015 Link to comment

    When you get a new Galaxy S6 Edge+, follow this video and transfer all important data from old Android smartphones to galaxy s6 edge+. Also works with Galaxy S6, S6 Edge and Note 5

    fb.com/KSOFT.CC/videos/725841427521172/


  • 2
    Albert Perez Mar 9, 2015 Link to comment

    If there is going to be a S6 Active (water proof), how long til it's release?


  • Mark G. 28
    Mark G. Jan 22, 2015 Link to comment

    I understand that cloud storage is the way forward and I have a couple of cloud accounts but I prefer having my music collection on a sd card, I've gradually upgraded to 64gb. I don't have high speed Internet so streaming music is not practical. Even if I had 4g then I'd have to pay more for data allowance. Until there is universal cheap high speed Internet then On Device storage is a must. As for the battery, I've never had to remove it or replace it.

    Moni MihailovBojan M.


  • 6
    Mark Rgs Jan 19, 2015 Link to comment

    I've never had to change my battery and they're talking about 64gb storage as the lowest value. At present I'm using my s4 with a 16gb memory card all my storage is on Dropbox, Google drive and One drive. I would have no problem with the s6.


  • 12
    Russell Wilson Jan 18, 2015 Link to comment

    @kevin, gimmicks are what samsung is good at. give it a few years and the curved edge may be standard; but for now i do feel it needs some time so more people can write compatible apps for it. however, with the removable battery and the memory expansion, I would take the edge over the 6.

    Moni Mihailov


  • 19
    Moni Mihailov Jan 18, 2015 Link to comment

    S6 Edge will be the flagship, S6 will be the epic fail. I prefer horrible looking devices with options over a good looking brick, which lacks something every phone should have!

    kaye albe


    • 9
      Yusuf Fishir Mar 8, 2015 Link to comment

      Well, to be completely honest, I prefer the look of the Edgr over the regular S6. Lol and Im sure many others do too.

      Moni Mihailov


  • 5
    Kevin Stagg Jan 18, 2015 Link to comment

    Have never had to remove my battery nor have I had to expand my storage (there's this thing called the cloud). The S6 will work just fine for me. The curved edges are a gimmick. Samsung should go the LG route and curve the screen as a whole.


    • My1 37
      My1 Apr 12, 2015 Link to comment

      yeah but with a really expensive Highspeed data and someone who ALWAYS listens to music or watches videos this is not going to be fun. also by uploading you ripped DVDs in the cloud you do borderline illegal things, depending on the ToS of the cloud and how much they "want" your files"...

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