{"id":3302,"date":"2015-05-04T00:10:21","date_gmt":"2015-05-04T07:10:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mcclanahoochie.com\/blog\/?p=3302"},"modified":"2015-05-29T23:52:53","modified_gmt":"2015-05-30T06:52:53","slug":"samsung-galaxy-s5-vs-galaxy-s6","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mcclanahoochie.com\/blog\/2015\/05\/samsung-galaxy-s5-vs-galaxy-s6\/","title":{"rendered":"Samsung Galaxy S5 vs Galaxy S6"},"content":{"rendered":"

In this post, I compare the\u00a0Samsung Galaxy S6 SM-G920<\/strong>\u00a0(Release date: April 2015) against the\u00a0Samsung Galaxy S5 SM-G900<\/strong>\u00a0(Release date: April 2014).<\/p>\n

Notes:<\/h3>\n

I’m not trying to compete with dedicated phone review websites, rather I just
\nwanted to share my two cents on how these two phones compare.\u00a0Also, I currently own an S5 since it was released last year, and the S6 device I\u00a0refer to in this post is one I snagged from work to test out.<\/p>\n

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S6 (left, from work, stock android) – – S5 (right, mine, cyanogenmod)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

First Impressions of the Galaxy S6<\/h2>\n

My initial reaction to unboxing this phone at work was, “wow, this is\u00a0a nice phone!” I was surprised yet saddened at how much it\u00a0resembles an iPhone. The S6 feels more solid (build wise) in my hand,\u00a0yet the glass casing gives the phone seemingly less gripping power than the\u00a0perforated material on the back of the S5.<\/p>\n

Form Factor \/ Phone Features<\/h2>\n

The lack of user replaceable external storage is a concern, as you are\u00a0forced to by the larger GB version “just in case”. I’m sad to see Samsung try\u00a0to be more like Apple in this way. The main selling points on my S5\u00a0was the removable battery and SDcard, which are no longer available\u00a0in the S6.<\/p>\n

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The bottom of the S6 looks remarkably like an iPhone 6<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Several things moved around on the outside of the phone.\u00a0The headphone jack is moved to the bottom of the phone (from the top), enabling the\u00a0potential to create better stands and docks for the phone.\u00a0The speaker is moved to the bottom as well.\u00a0The power button is moved farther down the side of the phone compared\u00a0to the S5, initially confusing the muscle memory I had made from using\u00a0my phone, but it does feel better with one hand.<\/p>\n

Also, I’m not sure why Samsung decided to revert back to a micro usb 2.0 over the
\nmicro usb 3.0 connector, maybe cost. I also notice the USB connection\u00a0setting (connect as: Media, Camera, Installer)\u00a0keeps getting reset everytime I plug and unplug the phone\u00a0to my macbook.<\/p>\n

Weight \/ Size<\/h2>\n

The S6 is noticeably lighter than the S5, even though it has more glass\u00a0and metal on the case, and it’s also a tad thinner and smaller. The difference is\u00a0slight, but still noticeable. I was\u00a0expecting a larger phone for a successor. This is probably\u00a0due to the way they could design the phone without the need for\u00a0removing the battery or SDcard, and it increases the likeliness you\u00a0will not try and extend the life of your phone, and just upgrade to the Galaxy\u00a0S7 sooner \ud83d\ude09 .<\/p>\n

Screen<\/h2>\n

Both phones have a 5.1-inch Super AMOLED touchscreen, but of course,\u00a0the S6 has upgraded specs:
\nS5 = 1920×1080 (~432 ppi pixel density) Gorilla Glass 3<\/em>
\nS6 = 2560×1440 (~577 ppi pixel density) Gorilla Glass 4<\/em>
\nThe extra resolution is useful for virtual reality applications like\u00a0the Gear VR, but probably not beneficial for\u00a0everyday use.\u00a0Side by side (with the same apps open) the screen real estate seems\u00a0about the same on both phones (you see about the same amount of
\ncontent), even though they are at different resolutions. This could be\u00a0due to a different virtual resolution (ro.sf.lcd_density = 480 vs\u00a0640).<\/p>\n

The brightness and contrast is a bit improved, and that\u00a0can improve daily use. Just a few minutes using the phone and you will\u00a0notice it has a nice vivid screen. The amazing screen and the upgraded camera alone are the main reasons why I personally would consider an upgrade.<\/p>\n

Camera<\/h2>\n

Both phones sport a\u00a016 MP, 5312 x 2988 \u00a0rear camera.\u00a0The S6 has gotten an aperture increase to f1.9, from the S5’s f\/2.2.\u00a0The new shortcut to launch the camera (double tapping home button) is nice and extremely\u00a0quick. The S6’s camera launches super fast, and also takes pictures near instantly\u00a0(low shutter lag).\u00a0Here are a few test pics of the rear (normal) camera:<\/p>\n

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S6<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
S5<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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S6<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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S5<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The front facing camera on the S6 has a tad wider-angle than the S5.\u00a0Here are a few test pics of the front facing camera:<\/p>\n

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S6<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
S5<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There are several modes built into the Samsung camera app, including:
\nAuto, Pro (manual), Selective focus, Panorama, Slow motion, Fast motion, Virtual shot.\u00a0Here is a sample of the Virtual shot mode:<\/p>\n