Mobile Technology

Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ vs. iPhone 6 Plus

Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ vs. iPhone 6 Plus
Gizmag compares the features and specs of the Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ (left) and iPhone 6 Plus
Gizmag compares the features and specs of the Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ (left) and iPhone 6 Plus
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Camera aperture (rear)
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Camera aperture (rear)
Battery
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Battery
Build (back)
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Build (back)
Build (frame)
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Build (frame)
Physical camera launch shortcut
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Physical camera launch shortcut
Color options
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Color options
Processor
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Processor
Curved display
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Curved display
Dimensions
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Dimensions
Display resolution
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Display resolution
Display size
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Display size
Display type
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Display type
Fast charging
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Fast charging
Fingerprint sensor
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Fingerprint sensor
Gizmag compares the features and specs of the Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ (left) and iPhone 6 Plus
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Gizmag compares the features and specs of the Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ (left) and iPhone 6 Plus
MicroSD
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MicroSD
Mobile payments
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Mobile payments
Starting price (full retail)
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Starting price (full retail)
Release
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Release
Software
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Software
Storage
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Storage
Weight
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Weight
Wireless charging
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Wireless charging
RAM
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RAM
Camera megapixels
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Camera megapixels
View gallery - 25 images

After reviewing the Galaxy S6 edge+, we've become fans of its gorgeous outside and cutting-edge hardware on the inside. Let's see how it compares to the (soon to be replaced) iPhone 6 Plus.

Size

Dimensions
Dimensions

Phablets are all big, but Samsung's gives you a smaller build with a bigger screen (more on that in a minute). Specifically, the Galaxy S6 edge+ is 3 percent shorter, 3 percent narrower and 3 percent thinner.

Build (back)

Build (back)
Build (back)

You won't find any cheap materials on either handset; both are full premium affairs.

Like Samsung's other 2015 flagships, the Galaxy S6 edge+ has a smooth Gorilla Glass 4 back.

Build (frame)

Build (frame)
Build (frame)

Both phones' sides are made of aluminum (and in the iPhone's case, there's no separation between back and frame).

Colors

Color options
Color options

Samsung will eventually offer four color options for the Galaxy S6 edge+ (somewhere), but so far US carriers are only stocking the gold (pictured) and black variants.

Display size

Display size
Display size

The Galaxy S6 edge+ has a 7 percent bigger screen. With the surface area of its face measuring about 5 percent smaller, it (again) gives you more screen-size for less phone-size.

Display resolution

Display resolution
Display resolution

We find the Galaxy S6 edge+'s Quad HD display to look noticeably sharper than the iPhone's. Incidentally, the Edge+'s screen is our pick for the best overall smartphone display at the moment.

Display type

Display type
Display type

The Edge+ has an AMOLED display, while the iPhone's is an IPS panel.

Curved display

Curved display
Curved display

The Edge+ gets its name from its curved display, which slopes off on either side.

Samsung is selling the dual-curved screen's supposed functional advantages, like quick-access shortcuts for favorite apps and contacts. But we find it to be primarily a cosmetic perk (albeit a significant one).

Fingerprint sensor

Fingerprint sensor
Fingerprint sensor

Both handsets have easy-to-use and reliable touch-based fingerprint sensors.

Storage

Storage
Storage

The entry-level Galaxy S6 edge+ gives you double the storage of the entry-level iPhone, though Apple's handset does max out on a higher (128 GB) tier.

MicroSD

MicroSD
MicroSD

iPhones have never supported microSD cards, but this is the first year Samsung has dropped them from its flagships.

Processor

Processor
Processor

Both phones have zippy performance, but just remember that we're looking at Apple's 2014 chip vs. Samsung's from this year.

RAM

RAM
RAM

The Edge+ quadruples the iPhone's 1 GB of RAM.

Battery

Battery
Battery

Based on our tests, battery life is similar on both handsets.

Fast charging (wired)

Fast charging
Fast charging

The Galaxy S6 edge+ has a nifty fast-charging feature, that can juice it up pretty quickly when using the stock cable.

Wireless charging

Weight
Weight

The Edge+ also has built-in wireless charging, including fast wireless charging – as long as you buy a US$70 Samsung-made charging pad.

Camera megapixels

Camera megapixels
Camera megapixels

Both phones have excellent cameras, with the edge going to the Edge. But again, we should be hearing about a new iPhone with improved cameras very soon.

Camera aperture (rear)

Camera aperture (rear)
Camera aperture (rear)

The Galaxy's rear camera has wider aperture.

Physical camera shortcut

Physical camera launch shortcut
Physical camera launch shortcut

One of Samsung's simplest changes to its 2015 flagships was one of its best: you can launch their cameras with a quick double-tap of the home button.

Mobile payments

Mobile payments
Mobile payments

Around a year after Apple Pay launched, Samsung will be launching its oh-so creatively titled Samsung Pay.

If all works as promised, though, Samsung Pay will have a huge advantage: it can work with standard credit card readers, making it nearly universally accepted from Day One.

Software

Software
Software

The S6 edge+ has Android Lollipop at its core, with Samsung TouchWiz layered on top. The iPhone will run iOS 8 for another week or so, soon to be replaced by iOS 9.

Release

Release
Release

This is a terrible time to buy the iPhone 6 Plus (at least at anything close to full price) as Apple will be telling us about new models on September 9. The real comparison to watch will be between the S6 edge+ and the new iPhone phablet (likely called the iPhone 6s Plus, with an identical exterior to this 2014 model).

Starting price (full retail)

Starting price (full retail)
Starting price (full retail)

It's worth repeating: don't buy the iPhone 6 Plus at this price (or close to it) right now.

For much more on these two, you can hit up Gizmag's full reviews of the Galaxy S6 edge+ and iPhone 6 Plus.

Correction: The article originally listed the wrong resolution for the iPhone's rear camera.

View gallery - 25 images
7 comments
7 comments
JeffKittredge
Great article. Nice to highlight wireless charging as a difference. Although, one need not buy the specific Samsung wireless charger. Any Qi wireless charging pad will work. Some Samsung pads though, can provide 15 watts.
Wozza60
So what was the point of this article if with every winning point the Samsung GS6 Edge+ has you simply dismiss it with "but I'm sure the new iPhone will be better"? This review is comparing two devices currently on the market (I thought).. not what MIGHT be coming..
equator180
Two mobiles on the table to compare, just do it...BUT WAIT!!! we should be hearing about a new iPhone with improved cameras very soon. BUT WAIT!! The edge is supposed to be upgraded to a transporter mode just like Kirk had! I agree with Wozza60...stick to the comparison not what is gonna be, just what is!
Marco Corona
9/1/15: For all the hype on the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+, it's discouraging to find out that not one Sprint Store in my entire community has yet to receive their first shipment. Wouldn't surprise me if the same issue goes for some of the other carriers.
VikasVickyKhare
nice samsung galaxy s6 edge plus
Greg Zeng
Thank you for an easy comparison on these products. I don't own either the s6 Edge, nor the iPhone 6+, yet. Only a Galaxy s6-128GB, which I bought locally (Australia) for $(US)700, so my old QI-powerbank (wireless charging) works ok. Because both phones are popular, there is a large variety of prices and accessories for both brands. In the retail store display, the iPhone was very slippery to hold, compared with the Samsung. Adding 3rd party cases to these gadgets will increase size & weight.
In your review, factors not mentioned: Awkwardness of increased size, weight for one-hand use. Octacore vs.Dual-core for true multitasking. Apple camera does not have manual control mode. Corning Gorilla Glass 4 vs. unknown-proprietary glass. One communist-GPS vs. two communist-GPS systems. Apple's proprietary version of NFC is not the standard version. Owners of older iPhone equipment will miss the exclusive Lightning connection. Owners of older USB equipment will not be easily use the very new USB-C connection of this new iPhone.
DanielKirby
Yeah the new iPhone when it comes out which will be iPhone 7...will probably be better then galaxy s6...but then the new galaxy s7 will be out..point blank...galaxy is better then iPhone...all iPhone has going for itself is status...because it's got the word Apple...more will buy it..that doesn't make it better...again that is only status....even though the galaxy s6+ is better then the iPhone 6+...from what I see on this article is partially everyway...it just proves my point of still..more people buy iPhone because they want that status...Apple has been around for ages...Apple fans do not need to get but hurt..because their critically acclaimed iPhone..does not match the GALAXY...it is what it is.....if you want the most popular phone AKA..status...then buy the iPhone...if you want the the more powerful and pretty much everything else better..buy the Galaxy...of course that's just between these 2 phones..