GSMArena review

[Alex_NJ]

http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s6-review-1227.php

SPOILER:
Key test findings

• Excellent build quality, premium finish, very good grip, size easily pocketable.
• Best in-class Quad HD Super AMOLED display with the highest pixel-per-inch density to date. Its contrast ratio, viewing angles, and sunlight legibility are all chart-toppers.
• Battery life is above average but turned out noticeably worse than the S5.
• TouchWiz has gotten leaner and more customizable (theme downloads), less features, but also less clutter
• Excellent overall performance, probably the fastest Android smartphone around
• The loudspeaker is average in loudness and quieter than the Galaxy S5
• Excellent multimedia package out of the box
• Solid audio quality
• 16MP main camera is among the best in terms of resolved detail, noise and sharpness, as well as features, but our test charts show that the Galaxy Note 4 is still ever so slightly better
• Video quality is excellent both in 2160p and 1080p resolution, but again, the Galaxy Note 4 video feed is marginally sharper

 

[Hadron]

Another way of looking at the battery life is that they give it the same "overall score" as the S4, but with better talk time and web browsing scores. So my guess is that it will get most people through the day, even if it is a step backwards from the S5.

It's worth noting though that the S6 screen at 50% brightness setting is 25% less bright than the S5 (10% less at full brightness). Since GSMArena do battery life tests with the screen at the 50% setting, irrespective of what brightness that corresponds to, this does give the S6 a bit of an advantage over its predecessor in these tests. Brightness is comparable to the S4 at 50%, a bit better at 100%, so comparison with the S4 should be more reliable.

So we'll see what other tests, using different methodologies, find. That said, what matters is real world use, so looking forward to seeing how it works when people here start getting their hands on them.

 

[EarlyMon]

Setting everything to 50% brightness is relative and completely unfair for comparison or setting an expectation.

No one says, "I think I'll just pull my new phone out and set at 50%, that sounds fair. "

Two phones, side by side, same ambient lighting, need to be set to the same apparent brightness and then compared.

Or put up a test pattern and use a light meter - anything has to be better than the fictional 50%.

Also worth noting that the video test is done in airplane mode.

http://www.gsmarena.com/gsmarena_lab_tests-review-751p6.php

Not sure that there's a lot to love with their battery testing. (And that's without going into the obvious problem of testing prerelease devices.)

I was very surprised that the S6 doesn't have the same max brightness as others. Not sure why that is.

 

[rushmore]

Less bright display is probably to offset for the fast chipset and smallish battery with no spare battery option.