Samsung's 'next big thing' is here with the Galaxy S6, another device in the endless march of ever-improving devices that are unleashed upon us each year. Manufacturers have to make the jump worth it to those with last year's model, and need to provide a reason for those looking for an upgrade from any device to choose their own.
The Galaxy line has iterated successfully over the past few tears, but you wouldn't be wrong to argue the leaps have been getting smaller and less profound. Has Samsung made a phone worthy of your purchase this time around? Here are some reviews of the Galaxy S6 from around the web:
The Verge, 8.8/10: "The Galaxy S6 is what happens when Samsung doesn't try to copy Apple's phones, but instead finally tries to copy Apple's product philosophy....The first thing to know about the S6 is that it doesn't feel much like other Samsung phones. Instead of a plastic or faux-leather back, it's glass on the front and the back with metal around the rim. We've seen other phones do this, but none have done it so well. The Galaxy S6 looks great and feels even better."
TechRadar, 4.5/5: "This was the phone that I'd wanted Samsung to make for years, and it was finally here: a perfect blend of design and extreme power. The only worries I had back then were the battery life and price, and sadly these are the big reasons why it can't get a perfect score.
"Nobody has convinced me that we need QHD screens yet, and it seems that could be one of the real problems with the S6 and it running out of power so easily. But don't let the above take away from the utterly brilliant bits of this phone: the camera is SUPERB, the build quality excellent and the speed under the finger second to none at times.
"This is the best Android phone on the market right now, and well worth thinking about if you're after a really cutting edge device (and can afford it)."
CNET, 8.9/10: "The Galaxy S6 is the most competitive Android phone right now, capped only by the S6 Edge. Its Exynos processor seems to be at least comparable to Qualcomm's Snapdragon 810 chip performance in top-notch phones, with the S6 faring well (but not dominating) diagnostic performance tests and battery life doing at least as well as contemporary competitors (but not as good as last year's model.)
"Like its forebears, the S6 brims with high-performance hardware, but it does so with a newfound style that also corrects buyers' most glaring complaints about plastic build materials, a bum fingerprint reader and too many preloaded apps and confusing software features.
"True, the S6 does introduce new raised fists over the embedded battery and sealed-up storage slot, but for me, the benefits outweigh the faults, with features like Samsung Pay and the camera shortcut launch earning extra credit. Attention LG, Sony, Xiaomi: The gauntlet has been thrown. It's your turn now."
BGR, No Score: "The absence of a removable battery, a memory card slot and waterproofing certainly doesn't seem to be slowing Apple's iPhone lineup down.
"The beauty of the Android smartphone market is that there is something for everyone. If the absence of any of the aforementioned features is a deal-breaker for a shopper, he or she has plenty more phones to choose from. But there is one thing I can guarantee: Whichever Android phone one might choose over the Galaxy S6, it won't be as powerful, the display won't be as stunning, and the design won't be as sleek."