Advertisement

Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge Vs iPhone 6: Which Is Best?

Samsung's S6 Edge is already a huge hit - but how does it stack up against iPhone 6?

The new Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge has a unique curved screen (PA)
The new Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge has a unique curved screen (PA)

The new Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge and S6 smartphones are already a hit, company insiders say - with company mobile chief JK Shin saying it may struggle to meet demand for the curved Edge version.

Samsung’s UK mobile head Conor Pierce said that the firm had aimed for ‘beauty’ with the new handset.

With response to last year’s S5 mixed, the company described the pre-order numbers for the devices as 'overwhelmingly healthy'.

But how does Samsung's glamorous S6 Edge stack up against its direct rival, Apple’s current iPhone 6?

We break it down below.

That curved edge

A hostess displays the new Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge smartphone during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona
A hostess displays the new Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge smartphone during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona

The unique selling point of the S6 Edge is a curved edge with a display running down the side.

Samsung freely admits that it’s a bit of a gimmick - but it is something no iPhone can do, with a bezel-less screen stretching to the edge.. and beyond.

The ‘edge’ part has two, largely pointless functions - you can put favourite contacts on there, and swipe inwards to call.

You can also put information such as the time on there, so you can gaze lovingly at your new favourite object on your bedside table.

The display

Samsung hopes its Galaxy S6 Edge smartphone will take on the mighty iPhone
Samsung hopes its Galaxy S6 Edge smartphone will take on the mighty iPhone

Samsung’s phone wins this hands down - offering an incredibly sharp 2,560 by 1,600 pixel resolution on its 5.1 inch screen.

That works out at 577 pixels per inch, comapred to the iPhone 6's 326ppi on its 1334 x 750 pixel display.

Clad in scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass 4, it’s almost slippery to the touch, and tough to boot.

The size

Visitors look at Samsung's new smartphone the Galaxy S6
Visitors look at Samsung's new smartphone the Galaxy S6

Samsung’s phone is very, very slightly fatter than iPhone 6 - but given the jump in screen size and resolution, it’s not MUCH bigger.

The S6 Edge is 7mm thick and weighs a sylph-like 132g.

Apple’s iPhone 6 is 6.9mm thick and weighs 129g - but has a much smaller screen.

The camera

Samsung’s phone has a 16-megapixel rear camera - and is selfie-friendly with a forward-facing 5 megapixel camera.

[ HTC One M9 review: Evolution, Rather Than Revolution ]

Users can also take photos simply by tapping the back.

Apple’s iSight camera lags behind at 6 megapixels - and there’s really no comparison with the forward-facing camera which is a mere 1.2 megapixels.

Speed

Most reviews of the S6 Edge have singled out the phone’s blazing speed when it comes to the internet and apps.

[ Apple Watch: Pre-orders Now Open - In Pictures ]

The phone’s 64-bit octa-core Exynos processor is widely thought to be faster than the A8 one in Apple’s iPhone 6 and 6 Plus - although with the phone’s different apps and OS, it’s difficult to test the two side by side.

Tech extras

Samsung’s phone boasts a few innovations barring its weird screen - such as wireless charging.

Many operators are throwing in a free wireless charger as part of early deals on the S6 and S6 Edge.

Samsung’s Conor Pierce says, ‘I think this is the future of smartphones going forward. We want to get this technology to the mass market.

The phone matches Apple with a fingerprint sensor (instead of PIN codes) to lock the device - which users place a finger on, rather than swiping as with previous Samsung phones.

Some Samsung die-hards have complained that users can no longer replace the battery - but Samsung claims to have improved capacity and speeded up charging to compensate.