Mobile Technology

Samsung Galaxy Note 5 vs. Galaxy S6 Edge+

Samsung Galaxy Note 5 vs. Galaxy S6 Edge+
Gizmag compares the features and specs of the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 (left) and its pen-less twin, the Galaxy S6 edge+
Gizmag compares the features and specs of the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 (left) and its pen-less twin, the Galaxy S6 edge+
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Gizmag compares the features and specs of the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 (left) and its pen-less twin, the Galaxy S6 edge+
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Gizmag compares the features and specs of the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 (left) and its pen-less twin, the Galaxy S6 edge+
Size
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Size
Weight
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Weight
Build (frame)
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Build (frame)
Build (back)
5/29
Build (back)
Colors
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Colors
Display size
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Display size
Display resolution
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Display resolution
Display type
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Display type
Curved display
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Curved display
People Edge
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People Edge
S Pen
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S Pen
Processor
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Processor
RAM
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RAM
Storage
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Storage
MicroSD
16/29
MicroSD
Camera megapixels
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Camera megapixels
Camera aperture
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Camera aperture
OIS
19/29
OIS
Battery
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Battery
Removable battery
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Removable battery
Fast charging
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Fast charging
Wireless charging
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Wireless charging
Samsung Pay
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Samsung Pay
Fingerprint sensor
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Fingerprint sensor
Keyboard cover
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Keyboard cover
Software
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Software
Release
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Release
Starting price (full retail)
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Starting price (full retail)
View gallery - 29 images

The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 edge+ are almost the same device ... but not quite. Let's break down their many similarities and few key differences.

Size

Size
Size

The two handsets have an almost identical footprint, but the Note 5 is 10 percent thicker than the edge+.

Weight

Weight
Weight

The Note 5 is also the heavier of the two, weighing in at 12 percent heavier.

Build (frame)

Build (frame)
Build (frame)

Both devices have premium metal frames, though you get a bit more aluminum on the Note, since it doesn't have those curved displays on the sides.

Build (back)

Build (back)
Build (back)

You'll find glass on the back cover of both handsets, though it's curved on the Note 5's to make the device easier to grip in one hand. In this way, the two devices are like mirror images: curved glass front on the Edge+, curved glass back on the Note 5.

Colors

Colors
Colors

You'll get the same choice of colors with either handset.

Display size

Display size
Display size

Both devices have 5.7-inch displays.

Display Resolution

Display resolution
Display resolution

No screen resolution differences either.

Display type

Display type
Display type

Ditto for the AMOLED panels you'll find on both flagships.

Curved Display

Curved display
Curved display

One of the Edge+'s biggest selling points is its curved screen, which slopes off on both sides.

In our review of its smaller sibling, we found the curves to be little more than a cosmetic perk (though that part was significant enough not to be taken lightly). But Samsung is also trying to frame the curves as an experience-enhancing innovation ...

"People Edge"

People Edge
People Edge

Swiping in from the side of the Edge+'s curved display brings up five favorite contacts. Tap on one and you'll get an interactions menu with options to call or message your top friends. You can also assign five apps to the edge of the screen, giving you quick app-launching access wherever you are in the OS.

Another aspect of People Edge is the ability to color-code contacts, so you can discern who's contacting you just by looking at which color is flashing on the Edge Display. Not a showstopper, and it probably looks cooler in commercials than it

S Pen

S Pen
S Pen

The Note line is famous for its active stylus, and Samsung made some improvements this year, adding a clickable end that makes it easier to pop the pen out of the handset. You can also now scribble notes on its black screen before you've even turned on the display.

Other advantages of the S Pen include the ability to take screenshots (now including long ones that span more than one screen length), clip only specific selections of your screen, annotate all your screenshots, jot notes on a virtual scratchpad and easily highlight text. Some people also prefer the precision that comes from using a stylus vs. a stubby finger.

Processor

Processor
Processor

Back to the categories that are identical (feel free to skip to the end if you don't want to see a lot of sameness), the smartphones make use of the exact same high-end Exynos processor.

RAM

RAM
RAM

It's top tier stuff here, with both devices packing 4 GB memory.

Storage

Storage
Storage

There's a choice of the same two different storage configurations with either handset.

MicroSD

MicroSD
MicroSD

Like other recent Samsung flagships, there's no microSD card slot here.

Camera megapixels

Camera megapixels
Camera megapixels

You'll find the same cameras on both the front and rear ends of both the Note 5 and S6 edge+.

Camera aperture

Camera aperture
Camera aperture

That naturally goes for aperture as well.

OIS

OIS
OIS

... and Optical Image Stabilization

Battery

Battery
Battery

The Galaxy S6 edge has a slightly larger battery capacity than the GS6, but with Samsung's phablets it's all even.

Removable battery

Removable battery
Removable battery

You also won't be able to switch out the battery on either handset.

Fast charging

Fast charging
Fast charging

There's fast charging technology included on both devices, allowing you to quickly juice them up when their batteries are close to dead.

Wireless charging

Wireless charging
Wireless charging

Both these handsets feature fast wireless charging, meaning you'll no longer need to choose between speedy and cable-free solutions. According to Samsung, you'll be able to get a full charge in just two hours.

Samsung Pay

Samsung Pay
Samsung Pay

The edge+ and Note 5 are compatible with Samsung's upcoming payment service.

Fingerprint sensor

Fingerprint sensor
Fingerprint sensor

There's a touch-based fingerprint sensor included on the front button of both handsets.

Keyboard cover

Keyboard cover
Keyboard cover

Either device will work with Samsung's Blackberry-like Keyboard Cover.

Software

Software
Software

The handsets run on the same Lollipop flavor of Android, complimented by Samsung's own augmentation.

Release

Release
Release

The devices are set to hit shelves this week.

Starting price (full retail)

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

Pricing varies from carrier to carrier, but on average we're looking at roughly a US$50 difference between the handsets. Based on our first impressions, we think the pen makes more sense than the curved screen anyway, so saving 50 bones only sweetens the pot.

Stay tuned, though, for our full reviews of both devices. And in the meantime you can check out our full reviews of the Galaxy S6 edge+ and Galaxy Note 5.

View gallery - 29 images
3 comments
3 comments
Fatman
Other useful parameters, especially for former Galaxy Sx/Note x owners:
IR Blaster: none on both USB-C: none on both Waterproof/dustproof: none on both Removable battery: none on both Cost to replace battery: unknown yet, but expected $50-$70 plus shipping
And the shocker -- Gear VR: rumored not to be supported on the Note 5 for a few good months, at least.
Jeff G
Does the curved screen on the Edge phones make them more likely to crack if dropped? It seems that if you keep your phone in a case, the case projects outward a little making a flat screen slightly recessed but on the Edge phones the screen projects outward a little.
SilentHightimes
What about Wacom's pressure screen that's on the note 5 which is probably not on the edge since it doesn't use the stylus. the pricing seems odd the edge seems cheaper to make.