Price and specifications of Samsung Galaxy S6 (USA) advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Introduction to Samsung Galaxy S6

The Samsung Galaxy S6 is a landmark smartphone released in 2015, marking a significant shift in design philosophy and feature sets for Samsung's flagship series. This device aimed to compete aggressively in the high-end smartphone market, offering cutting-edge technology and premium materials, making it a notable representative of Samsung's capabilities at the time.

Design and Build

The Galaxy S6 was a design departure from its predecessors with its all-metal and glass construction, using Corning Gorilla Glass 4 on both the front and the back. This was supported by an aluminum frame, resulting in a sleek and modern aesthetic. Measuring 143.5 x 70.6 x 6.9 mm and weighing 140 grams, the phone was compact and relatively lightweight for its class, contributing to its comfortable grip and premium feel.

Display

The device features a 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1440 x 2560 pixels. This leads to a pixel density of approximately 576 ppi, providing vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent viewing angles. The inclusion of Gorilla Glass 4 protection further enhanced its durability against scratches and minor drops, adding a layer of reassurance for users concerned about screen damage.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the Galaxy S6 is powered by the Exynos 7420 Octa chipset, built on a 14nm process. It includes an octa-core processor with four Cortex-A57 cores clocked at 2.1 GHz and four Cortex-A53 cores at 1.5 GHz, paired with a Mali-T760MP8 GPU. This combination offered excellent multitasking capabilities and robust graphic performance, making the S6 adept at handling intensive applications and games.

Memory and Storage

The Galaxy S6 comes with 3GB of RAM, which was ample at its release, facilitating smooth operation and efficient application switching. Available in 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB storage variants, the device unfortunately does not support expandable storage, which was a significant point of contention for power users accustomed to the microSD expansion of previous models.

Camera Innovations

Main Camera

The Samsung Galaxy S6 sports a 16 MP rear camera with an f/1.9 aperture, featuring autofocus, optical image stabilization, LED flash, and capabilities like auto-HDR and panorama. It can shoot videos in 4K at 30fps, 1080p at 30/60fps, and 720p at 120fps, providing a versatile and high-quality shooting experience.

Selfie Camera

The front-facing camera is 5 MP with an f/1.9 aperture, capable of shooting 1440p videos at 30fps, featuring Auto-HDR for better image quality in various lighting conditions. This setup facilitated clear and vibrant selfies as well as high-quality video calls.

Battery Life and Charging

Equipped with a 2550 mAh non-removable Li-Ion battery, the Galaxy S6 can sustain up to 23 hours of talk time on 3G and provides up to 57 hours of music playback. It supports 15W wired charging and offers wireless charging capabilities, though it demands a separately sold charging pad. The combination of wired and wireless charging options presented users with flexibility, catering to varying lifestyle needs.

Software Experience

The Galaxy S6 initially launched with Android 5.0.2 (Lollipop) layered with Samsung's TouchWiz UI. This interface was known for its extensive customization options and unique features catering to Samsung's user base. The device was later upgradeable to Android 5.1, ensuring improvements in usability and security.

Connectivity and Sensors

The device supports a wide array of network technologies, including GSM, CDMA, HSPA, EVDO, and LTE, making it highly compatible with various carriers in the USA. Connectivity options such as Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.1, GPS, GLONASS, NFC, and an infrared port provide a comprehensive communication suite. Additionally, the Galaxy S6 includes various sensors like a fingerprint scanner, accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, compass, barometer, heart rate monitor, and SpO2 sensor.

Sound and Multimedia Features

Featuring a built-in loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, the Galaxy S6 provides excellent sound output quality, suitable for media consumption and telephony. It supports a range of audio enhancements and can play high-resolution audio files for an enriched listening experience.

Conclusion

The Samsung Galaxy S6 stands as a pivotal device in Samsung's lineup, recognized for its innovative design and premium features. While it does have limitations such as a non-removable battery and lack of expandable storage, the S6 offers a refined user experience and impressive performance, encapsulating Samsung's ambition to lead the smartphone market. The phone's diverse capabilities and elegant design continue to appeal to users who prioritize quality and style in their mobile devices.