Comparing Samsung’s Galaxy S6 Edge With Apple’s iPhone 6 Plus

by Don Reisinger

One of the nice things about choosing between the iPhone and the Galaxy S6 is that customers can choose the screen size they want. The iPhone 6 has a 4.7-inch screen size, while the iPhone 6 Plus has a 5.5-inch screen. The Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge has a 5.1-inch display, splitting the difference between the two.

Screen size is just one of the factors in picking the proper display. Resolution also matters. The Galaxy S6 has a resolution of 2,560 by 1,440, delivering 577 pixels per inch, compared with the iPhone 6 Plus’ resolution of 1,920 by 1,080 pixels and 401 pixels per inch. Those who want the best screen resolution should pick the Galaxy S6.

There is a big difference in the processors built into the Galaxy S6 Edge and the iPhone 6 Plus. The iPhone 6 Plus has a quad-core A8 processor, along with an M8 motion coprocessor for those who are on the go. The Galaxy S6 Edge has a 64-bit octa-core Exynos processor. According to most reviews, the Galaxy S6 Edge is faster than the iPhone 6 Plus.

Apple tends to be a little lax when it comes to cameras. The company’s iPhone 6 Plus has an 8-megapixel rear-facing camera, and its front-facing camera can offer up 1.2-megapixel photos. The Galaxy S6 Edge, meanwhile, has a 16-megapixel rear-facing camera, along with a 5-megapixel front-facing camera. Whether selfies or high-quality photos, both products can deliver solid snapshots.

The Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge has a fingerprint scanner built in that enhances security features. The feature can be used to unlock the screen, log into apps and sites, and more. The same can be said for Apple’s Touch ID, which is built into the smartphone’s home button.

If wireless charging matters to you, go with the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge. The device will allow customers to charge their products without ever plugging the handset into an electrical socket. The iPhone 6 Plus, on the other hand, has a tethered charging feature. Hopefully, wireless charging will come to future iPhones, but it hasn’t yet.

The design differences between the iPhone 6 Plus and Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge are stark. The Samsung model has a tapered screen that adds some extra software functionality to the device. The iPhone 6 Plus has a refined look and thin design. Both products, though, have metal designs. Either way, the Galaxy S6 Edge and iPhone 6 Plus come with solid designs that folks will like.

There’s no winner when it comes to carrier availability. The Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge is slated to be available on all major U.S. carriers, including Verizon and AT&T. The iPhone 6 Plus supports all of the same major wireless carriers. So, if carrier options are an issue, don’t expect either device to be a winner.

Both the Galaxy S6 Edge and the iPhone 6 Plus come with mobile payment apps built into the products. The iPhone 6 Plus comes with Apple Pay, which is already a working service. The Samsung Pay service will launch later this year and work only on the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge. Still, Samsung says that Pay will have strong support across retailers and banks. Time will tell.

Comparing devices cannot only be about hardware. The vast majority of the experience will rely on software. Apple’s iPhone 6 Plus comes with the company’s iOS 8 platform, complete with a Notification Center, Apple Pay support, Apple’s bundled apps and more. The Galaxy S6 Edge, meanwhile, runs the TouchWiz user interface on top of Android. If you don’t have a preference already, check out both operating systems before making your buying decision.