Galaxy S6

[Savor]

I remember when some teenage girl whipped out her HTC Evo at a restaurant during a time I was comfortable with my iPhone 4. I went WOW! Evo was quite large five years ago and it only had a 4.3 inch screen. Now I can't even go back under 5-inches since I feel more comfortable texting 5+ inch screens with two thumbs. And now that I use Lazy Swipe along with All In One Gestures, I might as well go for 6 inches. My limit is probably no bigger than Nexus 6 though.

I don't know about the S6. Reviewers might appreciate the design more but it might lose the removable battery and water-resist. I am looking forward to if Samsung revamps TouchWiz even more. It seems the S-line is more of a preview of the next Note. I much prefer Note anyway. That's Samsung's true flagship while S6 is like an iPhone 6 for people who aren't ready to go phablet just yet.

 

[Jibbajabba]

Wow that looks pretty similar to the chassis of the 6/6+.

Can't they just make something fresh by themselves for once?

How many different ways are there to design a square case. As many ways to skin a cat, surely.

At some point you'll run out of options and things start to look similar.

 

[epicrayban]

What about the edge variant of the galaxy s6? Rumored to be double sided. That could be interesting. It's pictured there on the right in both the 4th and 5th devices.

 

[jamezr]

What about the edge variant of the galaxy s6? Rumored to be double sided. That could be interesting.

Yes.... I really have my sights set on the M9. But the double sided S6 just might make me get one....

 

[SurferMan]

I never really had a major issue with the looks or plastic build of the Galaxy line. To me Touchwiz has been my major gripe. And Galaxy phones IMO need a full root with custom Recovery, to allow ROM's. Now a good ROM can really change a Galaxy phone from an ok device, to a really wicked awesome smartphone, with the tweaks to make it faster, and better battery life, and extra customizations.

My last Galaxy phone, was the S4 on ATT, and I HATED that phone, and Touchwiz felt so heavy and laggy on it. The ATT version I had didn't even have root, let alone Recovery for ROM's so that didn't help one bit. F off ATT + Samsung for locking it down so bad. Actually all Samsung phones on ATT are locked down tight now Thank God for HTC and being developer friendly lately.

But one of my all time fav smartphones, was the Galaxy Note 2 on ATT. Back then you could easily root it and install ROM's, and there were some AWESOME Touchwiz ROM's for the Note 2, even the ATT edition, which made the phone way better to me. Loved that phone, and it had amazing development for it. And the tweaked Touchwiz ROM's were so good.

Back on topic, I hope the S6 has a major revision to Touchwiz. And can i dream, that maybe Samsung and ATT will follow HTC, and allow development and unlocked bootloaders again ?

Agree, I'm running DynamicKat with the GPE theme (which for those that don't know its TW tweaked). This is how TW should look and operate, granted stock TW on the S5 was by far better then before, but it's so slick smooth and fast now. And with this rom battery life is even better then the already ridiculously good stock S5 life.

Don't know if I'll go Sammy again though, future looks to bleak for rooting and flashing at least with Sammy devices with devs like Geo leaving. Pry go Sony next time, especially with them being waterproof which for me living on the water, fishing/boating all the time, being in the pool and even working in the pool on the phone is important without having some bulk nuclear bomb proof case on it.

I don't know why the makers don't make an option for unlocked bootloader, I'd pay for it and plenty of others would = another revenue stream.

 

[jrswizzle]

What can be completely new and different though? Everything is copied to a certain extent. The iPhone was copied from something else, it wasn't completely new or different in the least, it was just put together and marketed masterfully. In the same vein Samsung took large screened phablets and stylus equipped phones and put them together masterfully. Although in thinking about it were there phablets before the Note series? I know there were stylus equipped phones before at least. But I would definitely disagree, the Note series is pretty darn "iconic" and quite unique in Today's smartphone market.

I'm talking about design language....that's all I'm talking about. I've stated as much multiple times....

This S6 chassis looks like the iPhone 6 chassis. That's all. Design-wise I wish Samsung would find their own identity with respect to the unibody design. It's possible - HTC has done a masterful job.

I also wish they'd be more cohesive with their software DESIGN.

If it's not clear yet....I'm talking about DESIGN LANGUAGE.

----------

Image

What about the edge variant of the galaxy s6? Rumored to be double sided. That could be interesting. It's pictured there on the right in both the 4th and 5th devices.

Yes.... I really have my sights set on the M9. But the double sided S6 just might make me get one....

What is the draw? I don't get it....interesting concept but there seem to be far too many drawbacks and really no plus in using a phone like that.

----------

How many different ways are there to design a square case. As many ways to skin a cat, surely.

At some point you'll run out of options and things start to look similar.

Again - HTC manages to do it....

You'd think Samsung, the largest OEM in the world with billions behind it, could come up with some that doesn't immediately resemble the iPhone.

Perhaps once the device is completely finished, it'll be different. But it always seems like they start with a chassis very similar to the iPhone (the Alpha was extremely similar to the iPhone 5/5S).

 

[MRU]

Yes.... I really have my sights set on the M9. But the double sided S6 just might make me get one....

After playing with the Note Edge and seeing how limited it actually is; after the initial 'ooo' novelty quickly wore off - unless they offer something new and compelling software wise - I wouldn't personally spend the extra on the edge variety.

 

[spinedoc77]

I'm talking about design language....that's all I'm talking about. I've stated as much multiple times....

This S6 chassis looks like the iPhone 6 chassis. That's all. Design-wise I wish Samsung would find their own identity with respect to the unibody design. It's possible - HTC has done a masterful job.

I also wish they'd be more cohesive with their software DESIGN.

If it's not clear yet....I'm talking about DESIGN LANGUAGE.

----------





What is the draw? I don't get it....interesting concept but there seem to be far too many drawbacks and really no plus in using a phone like that.

----------



Again - HTC manages to do it....

You'd think Samsung, the largest OEM in the world with billions behind it, could come up with some that doesn't immediately resemble the iPhone.

Perhaps once the device is completely finished, it'll be different. But it always seems like they start with a chassis very similar to the iPhone (the Alpha was extremely similar to the iPhone 5/5S).

I hear what you are saying but personally I don't find HTC's designs much different than Apple's. Maybe one edge is slightly more curved on one or something minor like that, but essentially they both look like unibody aluminum phones with antenna lines. Design language, Schmesign language I say, they look just as similar to me as the purported S6 design does.

From a software point of view I disagree even more, Samsung has done much to distinguish itself with touchwiz. Touchwiz is a pretty incredible overlay IMO, certainly thought it's marred by its lagginess at times. But if you load a custom touchwiz ROM you will see it's true power. Sometimes when complaining about the lag I wonder how people forget about such incredible touchwiz features like multi window, stylus support, one handed mode etc etc. Let's see what happens with the S6, if they truly streamline touchwiz IMO it will trounce all the other overlays out there, especially vanilla android which to me is kind of boring and loses a lot of functionality.

 

[jrswizzle]

I hear what you are saying but personally I don't find HTC's designs much different than Apple's. Maybe one edge is slightly more curved on one or something minor like that, but essentially they both look like unibody aluminum phones with antenna lines. Design language, Schmesign language I say, they look just as similar to me as the purported S6 design does.

From a software point of view I disagree even more, Samsung has done much to distinguish itself with touchwiz. Touchwiz is a pretty incredible overlay IMO, certainly thought it's marred by its lagginess at times. But if you load a custom touchwiz ROM you will see it's true power. Sometimes when complaining about the lag I wonder how people forget about such incredible touchwiz features like multi window, stylus support, one handed mode etc etc. Let's see what happens with the S6, if they truly streamline touchwiz IMO it will trounce all the other overlays out there, especially vanilla android which to me is kind of boring and loses a lot of functionality.

I disagree on the HTC front, but it's whatever.

As for the design, I wasn't clear. I don't think Samsung "copies" at all - I think their design language just sucks and the whole system is inconsistent. Maybe that's changed since I last had my GS4 (probably has to some degree with Lollipop helping bring a cohesive look/feel to Android), but that's where I was criticizing them design wise on the software front.

Again - I'm not talking about features with respect to the software. Still talking purely design. It's a big deal to me....I guess that's part of why I'm so entrenched in the Apple ecosystem. Some people don't care and that's cool.

 

[spinedoc77]

I disagree on the HTC front, but it's whatever.

As for the design, I wasn't clear. I don't think Samsung "copies" at all - I think their design language just sucks and the whole system is inconsistent. Maybe that's changed since I last had my GS4 (probably has to some degree with Lollipop helping bring a cohesive look/feel to Android), but that's where I was criticizing them design wise on the software front.

Again - I'm not talking about features with respect to the software. Still talking purely design. It's a big deal to me....I guess that's part of why I'm so entrenched in the Apple ecosystem. Some people don't care and that's cool.

I don't disagree, their design language does suck a little bit. My note 4 has a very nice metal frame, but then Samsung ruins it with those awful silver chamfered edges. The bezel has some weird moire design which calls attention to the bezel, instead of minimizing it like the iPhone does. Then there is the huge Samsung logo on the front face. Add to that the plastic removable back. Just not the greatest design decisions IMO, but of course that's subject to individual taste. The alpha kind of tells me what the S6 might be like, beautiful metal frame with a plastic backing, meh.

Software, I still gotta disagree but of course we are only bandying back and forth our personal aesthetic tastes. Touchwiz is very nicely put together and has a very nice design aesthetic IMO, I grow to appreciate it more and more. I switched to a vanilla Android lollipop build on my Note 4 for a while, and just couldn't deal with it, it felt quite disjointed and many aspects seemed like they pushed aesthetics over functionality, for example the notification pulldown sucks IMO. Now touchwiz versus iOS, no comparison IMO, iOS is just so primitive, it almost has no design language it's so simplified.

 

[jamezr]

After playing with the Note Edge and seeing how limited it actually is; after the initial 'ooo' novelty quickly wore off - unless they offer something new and compelling software wise - I wouldn't personally spend the extra on the edge variety.

I have not played with the N4 edge yet. But i would have to see the S6 dual edge in person before i would ever consider it. I am really looking forward to the M9 as my next phone.

 

[epicrayban]

After playing with the Note Edge and seeing how limited it actually is; after the initial 'ooo' novelty quickly wore off - unless they offer something new and compelling software wise - I wouldn't personally spend the extra on the edge variety.

Yeah, I think it'll depend heavily on whether they further that feature or not. If it's just to claim they can curve the screen on both sides, it'll feel gimmicky. If they are able to make it do more, then it could be interesting. Maybe there will once again be TouchWiz features that take advantage of the dual edge screens.

At least they're trying new things. Who knows what this could pave the way for. This is how technology develops.

 

[The Game 161]

After playing with the Note Edge and seeing how limited it actually is; after the initial 'ooo' novelty quickly wore off - unless they offer something new and compelling software wise - I wouldn't personally spend the extra on the edge variety.

How exactly is the edge limited?

 

[jamezr]

Yeah, I think it'll depend heavily on whether they further that feature or not. If it's just to claim they can curve the screen on both sides, it'll feel gimmicky. If they are able to make it do more, then it could be interesting. Maybe there will once again be TouchWiz features that take advantage of the dual edge screens.

At least they're trying new things. Who knows what this could pave the way for. This is how technology develops.

Those are my thoughts too. I think Samsung is the leader in this kind of technology. Have you seen some of their POC screen/display technology? Bendable foldable screens is coming at some point. But this is a step in that direction.

 

[hot spare]

New schematics leak. This seems to be the design that's leaking consistently.

Image

Fake..

Reason is simple, screen aspect ratio is not 16:9.

 

[epicrayban]

Those are my thoughts too. I think Samsung is the leader in this kind of technology. Have you seen some of their POC screen/display technology? Bendable foldable screens is coming at some point. But this is a step in that direction.

Agreed. Just like others are pushing wireless charging technology, or Samsung pushing curved display smartwatches. Someone's got to do it first, and it's nice that there are companies out there willing to experiment. I think the way Samsung is doing it is smart. Offer the S6 for those who just want the next flagship, and offer the Edge variant for those who want to dabble in cutting edge tech.

Similar to the Note 4 Note Edge release.

 

[MRU]

How exactly is the edge limited?

The edge part has limited functionality, offering nothing that really betters what we already have or making itself 'essential' in any way. It feels like it's there solely because it can be, not because it needs to be. They need to make that edge an essential part of the OS, at the moment it feels like the software is a poor afterthought. (Like the software team were going ok we have this edge, err what can we do with it? And the answer seems to be 'not much worthwhile'), and don't get me started on how the design really does not work for left handed users. It currently feels like a solution to a problem you were not having, and a solution that for 10% of the populace actually introduces problems that weren't there to start with.

 

[Savor]

Gut feeling tells me the S6 will be just a bigger Alpha A5 with better specs. Usually Samsung disappoints me every year with the S-line design. They usually follow it up with a better announcement in Berlin during IFA for the Note series. But I am glad Samsung is finally trimming some of the useless eye-tracking features. They need to refine on what works great already. I feel the S-line is like guinea pig for newer features only to get more refined in the next Note. The curved display that slopes down the edges is an interesting concept but I probably hope it doesn't give me accidental presses. Not really ideal for me as I use gesture swipes on the sides.

 

[jamezr]

Gut feeling tells me the S6 will be just a bigger Alpha A5 with better specs. Usually Samsung disappoints me every year with the S-line design. They usually follow it up with a better announcement in Berlin during IFA for the Note series. But I am glad Samsung is finally trimming some of the useless eye-tracking features. They need to refine on what works great already. I feel the S-line is like guinea pig for newer features only to get more refined in the next Note. The curved display that slopes down the edges is an interesting concept but I probably hope it doesn't give me accidental presses. Not really ideal for me as I use gesture swipes on the sides.

I am with you on the S line. I do hope the sloping curved screen is done right and will not lead to accidental touches as you pointed out. I really hope they redid TW and optimized it for Android L.

 

[The Game 161]

The edge part has limited functionality, offering nothing that really betters what we already have or making itself 'essential' in any way. It feels like it's there solely because it can be, not because it needs to be. They need to make that edge an essential part of the OS, at the moment it feels like the software is a poor afterthought. (Like the software team were going ok we have this edge, err what can we do with it? And the answer seems to be 'not much worthwhile'), and don't get me started on how the design really does not work for left handed users. It currently feels like a solution to a problem you were not having, and a solution that for 10% of the populace actually introduces problems that weren't there to start with.

Fair enough

BTW I wasn't bashing you I havnt seen one so wanted to know your opinion on it

 

[MRU]

Fair enough

BTW I wasn't bashing you I havnt seen one so wanted to know your opinion on it

I know matey never thought otherwise.

 

[epicrayban]

If anything the s6 is a good preview of what may come with the note 5, which I'm more interested in seeing.

 

[Zaft]

Wont be surprised if the S6 comes out looking like the iPhone 6. Samsung already made the alpha which is a 5/5S design rip off.

 

[jamezr]

Wont be surprised if the S6 comes out looking like the iPhone 6. Samsung already made the alpha which is a 5/5S design rip off.

This is so done and over with......this theme is so old now...the rest of us have moved on from the whole "everyone copies Apple". They ALL borrow from each other and we as consumers benefit from it.

 

[MRU]

This is so done and over with......this theme is so old now...the rest of us have moved on from the whole "everyone copies Apple". They ALL borrow from each other and we as consumers benefit from it.

Yep as long as my next device looks as good as or better than my current I don't give a hoot who copied who. Besides you will find in design world like fashion world there often is just a aesthetic trend that designers gravitate around and smooth, curvaceous metal is just in vogue right now. Likewise how iOS & Android have gravitated towards flat material designs albeit from and for different reasons - designers just often gravitate to similar things. As long as its good design and design that works 'for' the end user what does it matter who inspired who or what is inspiring. Leave that to the lawyers and let designers just bring us good stuff.