At an event in NewYork, Samsung has launched two flagship smartphones – Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 edge+. Both the devices will start retailing in US and Canada from 21st August followed by other global markets. Samsung has not disclosed the prices of these two devices, which will be revealed close on the heels of its availability. These two devices will be available in 32GB or 64GB storage options and come in White Pearl, Black Sapphire, Gold Platinum and Silver Titanium color options. There is no provision to extend their internal storage.
To address the issues of repeated and frequent charging, Samsung has powered Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 edge+ with 3,000mAh battery with fast wired and wireless charging technology compatible with virtually any wireless pad available today. According to Samsung, with wired charging, both devices can be fully charged in approximately 90 minutes, and through Samsung’s latest wireless charger, they can be fully charged in approximately 120 minutes.
The Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 edge+ feature 5.7-inch QHD (1440×2560 pixels) Super-Amoled displays with a pixel density of 515ppi. These devices run on the latest Android 5.1 (Lollipop) OS. Both the devices are powered by an Octa core (2.1GHz Quad + 1.5GHz Quad), 64 bit architecture, processor, coupled with 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM.
These two smartphones are equipped with 16-megapixel rear cameras with an f/1.9 aperture and optical image stabilisation, and a 5-megapixel front-facing camera. Samsung’s advanced camera system on both the devices feature Quick Launch, which means that by double clicking the home button, the camera will be launched in less than one second. The camera also has improved video capabilities such as Steady Video, which provides Video Digital Image Stabilization on both the front and rear cameras for sharp, crisp video on-the-go, and Video Collage Mode, which allows users to record and edit short videos easily in various frames and effects.
The Galaxy S6 edge+ and Note5 also feature 4K(UHD) video filming and Live Broadcast, which lets users instantly live streams Full HD video straight from the phone to any individual, group of contacts, or even the public through YouTube Live. Anyone who receives the YouTube link from a Galaxy S6 edge+ or Note5 user is able to enjoy live stream video from his or her smartphone, tablet, PC or Smart TV with YouTube connectivity.
Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ borrows the design from Galaxy S6 edge and incorporates ‘Apps edge’ for easy access to favorite apps, and enhanced ‘People edge’ for easy communications with preferred contacts. ‘Apps edge’ allows users to access their favorite apps by just swiping the edge display. ‘People edge’ helps users to connect their close contacts easily. From the edge screen, users can quickly find their pre-set contacts and send message or give a call directly.
The Note 5 is also inspired by the design legacy of the Galaxy S6, and will easily fit in one hand with a narrower bezel and curved back, as demonstrated by Samsung during the presentation. The Note 5 has a flat screen and comes with advanced S Pen, which offers improved writing capabilities. It can be popped out easily from the device with just one quick click. Users can now quickly jot down on the screeen when the screen is even off without even unlocking the phone. It also comes with updated Air Command feature that shows a hovering icon for quick access to stylus tools from any screen at any time. Moreover, users can also annotate on PDF files and capture lengthy web articles or long images at once with the help of Scroll capture feature.
The Note 5 and Galaxy s6 edge+ also support SideSync, which offers both wireless and wired PC-smartphone integration for seamless connections across devices running even on the latest Windows 10 or Mac platforms.
The Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+ will support 4G LTE Cat. 9 or Cat. 6 modems depending upon the global markets. These phones also have other connectivity options of WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth v 4.2, USB 2.0, NFC etc.
The Galaxy Edge+ measures 154.4×75.8×6.9mm, and weighs 153 grams whereas the Galaxy Note 5 has dimensions of 153.2×76.1×7.6mm, and its weight is 171 grams because of S Pen.
Both these two devices will also support Samsung Pay, which will be launched in Korea on 20th August and in US on 28th September. Samsung has tied-up with Visa, Citibank and other leading financial institutions to make this facility successful on launch. Samsung Pay is protected by KNOX, fingerprint verification and digital tokenization. Samsung Pay works with both MST (Magnetic Secure Transmission) and NFC (Near Field Communication) technologies, bringing consumers closer than ever to a world without wallets.
“At Samsung, we believed in the promise that large screen smartphones could actively address some major consumers pain points by providing users with a better viewing experience and more productivity on-the-go,” said JK Shin, CEO and President of IT & Mobile Division, Samsung Electronics. “With the launch of the Galaxy S6 edge+ and Note5, we’re reemphasizing our ongoing commitment to bold, fearless innovation that meets the needs of our consumers.”
