The Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge are now on sale in shops in Mumbai. This is the perfect time, therefore, to see how the Galaxy S6 compares to its nearest and dearest rival - Apple's iPhone 6.
How times change. When the iPhone 6 launched in September it felt like Apple was the one playing catch-up to Samsung as it jumped on the big screen bandwagon.
Now the roles have reversed. Samsung has tweaked the Galaxy S6 to effectively mirror the design queues of Apple.
The Galaxy S6 range has got thinner and lighter while the iPhone 6 has got larger and heavier (though also thinner).
But more than that, they are also now similarly styled.
Variety is the spice of life and Samsung seems to be taking a risk alienating its own die-hard fans to go after iPhone customers.
I'm still a big fan of the sleek, unibody iPhone 6 design, but I have to call this one a tie. Arguably the greatest new feature in the Galaxy S6 is its build quality.
The Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 EDGE are two of the best looking handsets we’ve seen in a good long while. Everything has been evolved with regards to design and the result is a slimmer, lightweight and altogether more premium handset that not only sits beautifully in the hand, but also feels suitably precious –– just like Apple’s iPhones do.
Not only that, Samsung is right up with Apple with no removable back, no removable battery and no expandable storage. And to hardcore Samsung owners the loss of these features is cringe worthy.
Samsung is clearly desperate to win new iPhone customers, possibly at the expense of some of its existing users.
Design is now taking centre stage within Samsung, and this is definitely a good thing because the hardware and specs have always been great –– we just wanted something that looked nice.
With the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge, Samsung has seemingly done the unthinkable and ditched its trademark plastic finish for the same aluminium unibody appearance as the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. They also now feature glass backs.
The unique selling point of the S6 Edge is a curved edge with a display running down the side. 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.
Samsung S6 series has some compelling features the iPhone lacks: mainly a much better camera and a more beautiful display.
Ultimately though the end result is I think Apple and Samsung have simultaneously produced their most exciting phones in years and that’s great.
Battery concerns aside, I can’t see owners of the iPhone 6, Galaxy S6 or Galaxy S6 Edge regretting their purchase.
Apple will likely still sell more phones, but Samsung is most definitely back in the game.
Simply put, the Galaxy S6 is Samsung's first flagship phone that actually looks like it can go toe-to-toe with Apple based on build.
I'm an iPhone user. But this is the first Galaxy device that's made me reconsider. What do you think? Will you be making the jump?
How times change. When the iPhone 6 launched in September it felt like Apple was the one playing catch-up to Samsung as it jumped on the big screen bandwagon.
Now the roles have reversed. Samsung has tweaked the Galaxy S6 to effectively mirror the design queues of Apple.
The Galaxy S6 range has got thinner and lighter while the iPhone 6 has got larger and heavier (though also thinner).
But more than that, they are also now similarly styled.
Variety is the spice of life and Samsung seems to be taking a risk alienating its own die-hard fans to go after iPhone customers.
I'm still a big fan of the sleek, unibody iPhone 6 design, but I have to call this one a tie. Arguably the greatest new feature in the Galaxy S6 is its build quality.
The Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 EDGE are two of the best looking handsets we’ve seen in a good long while. Everything has been evolved with regards to design and the result is a slimmer, lightweight and altogether more premium handset that not only sits beautifully in the hand, but also feels suitably precious –– just like Apple’s iPhones do.
Not only that, Samsung is right up with Apple with no removable back, no removable battery and no expandable storage. And to hardcore Samsung owners the loss of these features is cringe worthy.
Samsung is clearly desperate to win new iPhone customers, possibly at the expense of some of its existing users.
Design is now taking centre stage within Samsung, and this is definitely a good thing because the hardware and specs have always been great –– we just wanted something that looked nice.
With the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge, Samsung has seemingly done the unthinkable and ditched its trademark plastic finish for the same aluminium unibody appearance as the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. They also now feature glass backs.
The unique selling point of the S6 Edge is a curved edge with a display running down the side. 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.
Samsung S6 series has some compelling features the iPhone lacks: mainly a much better camera and a more beautiful display.
Ultimately though the end result is I think Apple and Samsung have simultaneously produced their most exciting phones in years and that’s great.
Battery concerns aside, I can’t see owners of the iPhone 6, Galaxy S6 or Galaxy S6 Edge regretting their purchase.
Apple will likely still sell more phones, but Samsung is most definitely back in the game.
Simply put, the Galaxy S6 is Samsung's first flagship phone that actually looks like it can go toe-to-toe with Apple based on build.
I'm an iPhone user. But this is the first Galaxy device that's made me reconsider. What do you think? Will you be making the jump?