When I first set eyes on the Samsung Galaxy S6 Egde, I was forced to do a mental throwback. From what the Galaxy S series looked like from back in the day to what I was now holding in my hands. (See Video review) Things had definitely taken a new turn. No more plastic, faux leather anything. All glass and metal everything. I was given a brief tutorial on the features and I wouldn’t let go of the phone. It was a cross between little me and my first Barbie doll and grown up me with my Mercedes Benz G wagon.
Staring longingly at it all day was enough satisfaction for me. It reminded me of the joke where a guy bought a new cooker but didn’t want to stain it so he would go outside and cook on his old stove and bring the pot of food inside and place on the new cooker. After taking a personal tour of the device, I can’t wait to tell you about the cutting edge innovation the s6 edge boasts of. It’s a luxurious piece of technology that screams art and class.
Design: The design of the S6 Edge is a tasteful metal and glass finish on the 5 inch, light reflective 2d gorilla-glass 4 screen on the front and back. We see that Samsung has said good bye to the premium plastic back cover in previous Galaxy S devices. Speaking of which, the back cover of the S6 edge which houses the 2600mAh battery is irremovable and as such, the sim card tray is now at the top of the device. The base of the device houses the headphone jack (whereas in the past, the headphone jack was at the top) and the usb port. There is still just one button on the front of the s6 edge and it doubles as the finger print scanner and camera launcher.
Finger Print Scanner: The technology on the scanner in the s6 edge is amazing. After a hundred percent fulfilment of recording all sides of your finger in the setup of the scanner, when you need to unlock your device, all you need do is place your finger on the home button and it unlocks immediately, instead of swiping ones finger like in previous galaxy devices.
Camera: The camera is one feature that Samsung paid very maximum attention to this time and they did not only push the boundaries, they unlocked a new level. The camera on the s6 edge can be launched by pressing the home button twice, whether the phone is on idle mode or you are using another application but need to capture a moment, and it launches in 0.7 seconds. This means you can take pictures without unlocking your device or exiting applications one after the other. The back facing camera is 16mp with led flash and the selfie camera is 5mp. Both cameras come with F1.9 lenses for twice the brightness in dark conditions. The pictures I took with this phone are so clear! And the selfies I love particularly, because even in beauty face mode, I don’t look unreal. The camera has a lot of fun features and modes that I find useful (All my Instagram, Snapchat and Keek Mob) These modes include but are not limited to:
Auto focus tracking: This mode allows you focus on a subject and track the movement of the subject such that even when the subject is not stable, when you take the picture, there are no blurs or the likes.
Slow motion: This simply allows you record videos in slow motion for as long as you want and you can edit them right away and share to your social media.
Fast motion: Just the opposite of the slow motion mode on the s6 edge camera where you can capture moving objects in fast motion. We tried this with cars on a slow traffic day and it looked fantastic!
Virtual shot: The best way to describe this feature is, live panorama. With this mode, you can take the 360 view of an object and view it in motion unlike the panorama mode which is still.
Heart rate monitor: This is located right where the LED flash of the camera on the s6 edge is. It checks you heart rate and is setup to improve a healthy lifestyle for the user. However, it also doubles as a call reject function
OS/User Interface: The s6 edge runs on the Android 5.1 Lollipop OS. The user interface equally delivers a new experience. From the call log to the app tray and drop down menu on the device, it is brighter, more fluid and nothing short of an eye candy.
Edge Technology: This has got to be the juice that makes the s6 edge a well rounded meal. The way your apps slide from one edge of the device onto the screen; back and forth, is beautiful! We also see that Samsung have improved on ways to interact with frequently used contacts by way of color coding five favorite contacts such that the right edge illuminates the color assigned to each contact when they call or text; even when your phone is face down. Now, when your phone is face down and you can’t take a call, you can place a finger on the heart rate monitor and it will illuminate a red light and that would send a message to the caller that you are unavailable (a message you would have to setup first yourself). Also, checking emails, social media, weather updates can be done by gently sliding your finger horizontally on the right edge of the screen.
Battery: The battery technology on the s6 edge is one that many would love and be impressed with simply because constant electricity is not a barrier. Charging the s6 edge for just 10 minutes will give 4hours of usage time! So, whether you’re gonna be stuck in traffic till you get home or to work, if your phone has charged for just 10 minutes, you are good to go! To charge the phone from 0-100% will take 85 minutes.
Accessories (Sold separately):
Wireless charger: Simply place it on a wireless charge without connecting a cable. Fully compatible with PMA and WPC certified chargers.
Innovative smart cases: The s6 edge will charge wirelessly even when it is placed in a case.
Wireless headphones: You can watch videos and listen to music wirelessly with these controlling it with your device.
Here is the video review of the Galaxy S6 Edge:
Conclusion
The s6 edge comes with almost all the other features in previous Galaxy devices; the Air features, etcetra but it’s flagship features, it’s USP’s are not gimmicks. They are actually useful elements and functions that I am confident users will find very beneficial. It caters to both your entertainment and corporate needs/lifestyle and at the same time, put into consideration factors that usually make people enjoy their smartphones less, like power, top that with a totally amazingly beautiful design. You are bound to show this thing off. Like literally wear it on your neck.
Editor’s note:
I’ll keep this sweet and short. Samsung electronics put a lot of work into this device and it is so glaring. I am particularly surprised that it is not being sold at the price devices of this caliber usually go for, but typical Samsung, everyone is invited to the table. Sometimes you are tempted to say, don’t be so accommodating, but isn’t that what life is about anyway? Loving your neighbor, regardless. 6 Gbosa for una!
