Samsung Galaxy S6

Samsung Galaxy S6 Review (2015): The Redefined Android Flagship

Samsung did something bold. After years of sticking with plastic bodies and removable batteries, the company decided to reinvent its flagship line. The result is the Samsung Galaxy S6, a phone that marks a complete design overhaul, ditching plastic for premium glass and metal, boosting performance, and setting a new benchmark for Android smartphones.

The Galaxy S6 isn’t just an upgrade, it’s a rebirth. With its sleek design, lightning-fast processor, stunning display, and industry-leading camera, it reasserts Samsung’s dominance in the high-end smartphone market.

Let’s dive into what made the Samsung Galaxy S6 one of the most iconic flagships of 2015.

Design and Build Quality: Goodbye Plastic, Hello Premium

The Samsung Galaxy S6 design represents a massive leap forward. Gone is the plastic shell of older Galaxy models, in its place is a gorgeous metal frame sandwiched between Gorilla Glass 4 panels on the front and back.

• Dimensions: 143.4 × 70.5 × 6.8 mm
• Weight: 138 grams

The result? A phone that feels luxurious, refined, and sturdy. The curved metal edges give it a premium hand feel, while the glass finish gleams beautifully under light. Samsung finally addressed one of its biggest criticisms: build quality. The Galaxy S6 is not only stylish but also incredibly well-built, standing toe-to-toe with the iPhone 6 in terms of craftsmanship.

However, this premium design came with trade-offs: the removable battery and microSD slot, long-time Samsung favorites, are gone. For purists, this was controversial, but for Samsung, it was a necessary evolution. The S6 came in several stunning colors: White Pearl, Black Sapphire, Gold Platinum, and Blue Topaz, each catching light in its own unique way.

Display: Samsung’s Best Yet

Samsung’s display technology has always been top-notch, but the Galaxy S6 display takes it to a whole new level.

• Size: 5.1 inches
• Resolution: 2560 × 1440 pixels (Quad HD)
• Type: Super AMOLED
• Pixel Density: 577 ppi

This is one of the sharpest smartphone displays ever made. Everything from icons to videos looks ultra-clear, and colors burst with life thanks to Samsung’s improved AMOLED calibration. Brightness is excellent, and even under direct sunlight, the Galaxy S6 display remains readable and vibrant. Watching movies or playing games on this screen is a visual treat, Samsung set a new industry standard here.

Samsung Galaxy S6 Specifications

Let’s break down the Samsung Galaxy S6 specs that made it a powerhouse in 2015:

• Display: 5.1-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED
• Processor: Exynos 7420 Octa-core (64-bit, 14nm)
• RAM: 3 GB (LPDDR4)
• Storage: 32 GB / 64 GB / 128 GB (UFS 2.0, non-expandable)
• Rear Camera: 16 MP, f/1.9, OIS, 4K video recording
• Front Camera: 5 MP, f/1.9
• Battery: 2550 mAh (non-removable)
• Operating System: Android 5.0.2 Lollipop (upgradable to 6.0 Marshmallow)
• Connectivity: 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.1, NFC, IR Blaster
• Extras: Fingerprint scanner, Wireless charging, Fast charging, Samsung Pay support

The new Exynos 7420 processor, built on 14nm architecture, delivers unmatched speed and efficiency, outperforming even Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 810 at the time.

Performance: Blazing Fast and Smooth

Samsung’s shift to its own Exynos 7420 chipset was a game-changer. Combined with 3 GB of LPDDR4 RAM, the Galaxy S6 performance is incredibly fluid.

Apps open instantly, multitasking is effortless, and animations glide smoothly across the screen. The new UFS 2.0 storage technology makes file transfers and app loading lightning fast, similar to SSD performance in laptops.

The phone breezes through demanding games and heavy multitasking without stutter or lag. Samsung also streamlined TouchWiz UI, removing unnecessary bloatware, which makes the overall experience faster and more enjoyable. This phone didn’t just compete, it set the standard for Android performance.

Camera: Raising the Bar

The Samsung Galaxy S6 camera was hailed as one of the best smartphone cameras ever when it launched.

Camera Highlights

• Rear Camera: 16 MP, f/1.9 aperture, Optical Image Stabilization (OIS)
• Front Camera: 5 MP, f/1.9 aperture
• Video Recording: 4K @ 30fps, 1080p @ 60fps, Slow Motion 720p @ 120fps
• Features: Auto HDR, Real-time HDR, Fast launch (double tap Home), Pro Mode

Samsung not only improved image quality but also made the camera faster and smarter. The new double-tap-to-launch shortcut opens the camera in under a second, perfect for quick shots.

Photos are bright, detailed, and color-accurate, even in low light, thanks to the wide f/1.9 aperture and OIS. The front camera delivers excellent selfies and clear video calls, easily outperforming rivals. The Galaxy S6 camera was a clear leader, rivaled only by Apple’s iPhone 6 and the LG G4.

Software: Lighter TouchWiz, Better Experience

The Samsung Galaxy S6 software runs Android 5.0 Lollipop with a cleaner version of TouchWiz. Samsung finally listened to user feedback and trimmed unnecessary apps, making the interface lighter, faster, and more intuitive.

Notable Features

• Themes: Customizable look and feel with downloadable themes.
• Smart Manager: Controls battery, RAM, storage, and security.
• Samsung Pay: Samsung’s mobile payment system (NFC + Magnetic Secure Transmission).
• Private Mode & Fingerprint Security: Keeps personal data protected.
• S Health: Enhanced fitness tracking with better heart rate monitoring.

TouchWiz finally feels mature, no longer bloated, but sleek and user-friendly. Combined with Android Lollipop’s material design, the software looks modern and performs beautifully.

Battery Life and Charging

The Samsung Galaxy S6 battery has a 2550 mAh capacity, which might sound small, but the 14nm processor and software optimization deliver solid endurance.

• Moderate use: Full day on a single charge
• Heavy use: Around 12–14 hours
• Fast Charging: Up to 50% charge in 30 minutes
• Wireless Charging: Built-in Qi and PMA compatibility

The decision to remove the removable battery caused controversy, but Samsung compensated with fast and wireless charging, which were rare luxuries in 2015.

While not groundbreaking in capacity, the S6 battery life remains respectable and convenient thanks to Samsung’s charging technology.

Connectivity and Extras

Samsung packed the Galaxy S6 with modern connectivity options and thoughtful extras:

• 4G LTE for lightning-fast data speeds
• Wi-Fi 802.11ac with MIMO
• Bluetooth 4.1, NFC, and Infrared blaster for remote control functionality
• Fingerprint scanner for security and Samsung Pay
• Wireless charging support right out of the box

Samsung focused on convenience and practicality, making sure the S6 wasn’t just powerful, but smart and future-ready.

Galaxy S6 vs Galaxy S5: Evolution or Revolution?

The Galaxy S6 wasn’t just an upgrade, it was a complete redesign. Samsung sacrificed some flexibility (like expandable storage) for a leap in design, performance, and innovation.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Premium glass-and-metal design
• Stunning Quad HD Super AMOLED display
• Blazing-fast Exynos 7420 performance
• Outstanding 16 MP camera with OIS
• Wireless and fast charging support
• Lighter, cleaner TouchWiz UI

Cons:

• Non-removable battery
• No microSD expansion
• Fingerprint sensor occasionally inconsistent
• Glass back attracts fingerprints easily

Conclusion: Samsung’s Masterpiece

The Samsung Galaxy S6 redefined what a flagship smartphone could be in 2015. With its elegant design, top-tier hardware, and remarkable camera, it set a new standard for premium Android devices.

Samsung took a bold risk by changing direction, and it paid off. The S6 isn’t just beautiful; it’s powerful, innovative, and refined. It’s the phone that proved Samsung could compete head-to-head with Apple on design and quality while maintaining Android’s flexibility and power.

In 2015, the Galaxy S6 wasn’t just a great phone, it was a statement.

Specs