The existence of the Galaxy S6 Edge has been confirmed by our source at Samsung, but the other rumors are still worth looking at, as an Edge variant of the Galaxy S6 is enough to get us all hot and bothered just thinking about it. Read on for our roundup of everything you need to know about the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge.
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge design
We've seen a metallic chassis floating around which our source at Samsung has assured us is indeed the build material for the Galaxy S6. However, we also have information that says the Galaxy S6 Edge will be mostly metallic but with a removable rear cover made of plastic, kind of like the existing Galaxy Note 4.
Samsung has been promising big things in terms of design for quite some time now, but whether that new design language will appear in the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge or in an altogether different series, we don't yet know. We're crossing our fingers for a three-sided Galaxy S6 Edge.
- Everything we know about the Samsung Galaxy S6
At the very least we expect to see an increased presence of metal in the Galaxy S6 Edge design. The Galaxy S6 may well be waterproof, but the S6 Edge will likely only be water-resistant. However, with a removable rear panel, the S6 Edge could have a removable battery and expandable storage.
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge release date
The Galaxy S6 Edge looks to have been developed right alongside the Galaxy S6, meaning there's no reason both devices won't be announced side by side at MWC 2015 at the start of March. Like the current Galaxy Note Edge, the Galaxy S6 Edge release date might be a little later than the Galaxy S6 release date, but it shouldn't be far behind in key markets.
Galaxy S6 Edge price
The Galaxy S6 Edge price will of course be higher than the Galaxy S6. Whereas the Galaxy Note Edge was understood by Samsung itself as a niche device with limited sales appeal to the masses, it seems as though two- or three-sided displays are more appealing than even Samsung initially expected. But this comes at a price.
A lot of the final shelf price comes down to volume. If Samsung make as many S6 Edge's as they do Galaxy S6's, then the price won't be anywhere near as high as if they only make a limited run (which is much more likely), but both devices are going to cost more than the Galaxy S5.
Additional internal storage and a QHD display means we're looking at a significant price hike compared to the old Galaxy S5. Not to mention the S6 Edge might have a removable battery and expandable storage.
We expect the Galaxy S6 Edge price to be around 150 USD more than the Galaxy S6, in keeping with the pricing of the Galaxy Note Edge, and that the 128 GB version will cost an additional 100 USD or so on top of that. Without being too specific, the Galaxy S6 Edge may well be around the 900 USD mark. This projected price is for an unlocked version: carrier-branded versions will be a little bit cheaper off-contract.
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge display
Of course, the Galaxy S6 Edge will feature QHD resolution with a two-or three-sided display. We're not yet sure if Samsung will add some simple but useful tools like auto-rotation and a dimmer switch, but we hope that with additional developer support that the Edge display will have additional functionality.
- Android 5.0 Lollipop update: when will I get it?
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge software
The Galaxy S6 Edge will be running a fully Lollipop version of TouchWiz with Android 5.0 or 5.0.1 out of the box. We've heard sufficient rumors that the TouchWiz interface on the next Samsung flagships will be refined even more, making updates faster, the interface more responsive and the bloat even more minimal than ever before. We're not holding our breath for an iris scanner, but you never know...
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge hardware
We're positive the Galaxy S6 Edge will come in two versions powered by a 64-bit Snapdragon 810 and Exynos 7420, depending on your particular market. Qualcomm assured me that production of the 810 is exactly where it needs to be, meaning there should be no issues fulfilling whatever orders Samsung may have placed for the next-gen chip.
As far as camera hardware goes, we're expecting the Galaxy S6 Edge to feature a primary shooter with somewhere around 16-20 MP and a beefy front-facing camera 5 MP, with possibly both featuring OIS. Internal storage looks to be set at 64 and 128 GB for the S6, but if the S6 Edge has a removable back panel, we may see a 32 GB version as well. Both variants should be powered by at least 3 GB of RAM.
We have no clues about battery size, but considering the impressive power-sipping chipsets to be used and awesome battery management and screen throttling that we have come to expect from Samsung, we're thinking all-day battery life will be a shoo-in. Fast-charging and Qi look likely too.
What do you think about a Galaxy S6 Edge? What is the one feature you're still dreaming of?
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