Sony Xperia Z4 specs review

The Sony Xperia Z4 has arrived! Or wait, isn’t this the Sony Xperia Z3? They seem to look practically the same. 
You can’t argue that while there are some subtle differences, the Xperia Z4 is for the most part a look-alike, a copy of last year’s Z3. Then, the Z3 was a copy of the Sony Xperia Z2, which was a bolder, but still very gradual evolution over the original Xperia Z.

And if those of you who found it disappointing that HTC is not evolving the looks of its One series quick enough with a third consecutive phone retaining largely the same design, then you probably won’t be too inspired by this fourth consecutive Xperia flagship with unchanged design.

Under the hood, though, the Xperia Z4 is a brand new monster, packing the latest system chip and a nifty improvement to the cameras. It also runs on Android 5.0 Lollipop, skinned with Sony’s light custom user interface. With all this in mind, let’s take a closer look at the detailed specs.

Design: same old, but thinner and lighter

The design approach in the Xperia Z4 as a whole has not changed: the overall rectangular form of the phone with rounded edges remains, and so do the materials (glass on the back and front, sandwiched between a sturdy, metal frame). The dreamy rumors about a fingerprint scanner embedded in the side positioned lock screen have turned out to be nothing more than a false alarm.

THE XPERIA Z4 IS SLIMMER AND LIGHTER THAN THE Z3

Some slight improvements have been introduced, though: the Z4 is thinner and lighter. Sony has trimmed down the device to merely 6.9mm in thickness (on par with the iPhone 6, and 0.4mm less than the 7.3mm Xperia Z3), and weight is reduced to 5.08 oz (144 grams), down from 5.36 oz (152 grams) on the Z3. The new Xperia Z4 will be available in four colors: white, black, copper, and aqua green.

It’s also interesting to notice that the matte aluminum frame on the Xperia Z3 is replaced by a glossy-looking, much more reflective side on the Z4. Also, gone is the magnetic port used to dock the phone into stands, and the SIM card and microSD card slot are housed behind a single protective flap. All the rest remains the same, and we’re also happy to see the dedicated two-way camera shutter key on the Z4.

Good news is that this conservative approach to design means that the Xperia Z4 remains water-proof with IP68 certification. Given that Samsung has dropped the water protection in its Galaxy S6, the Z4 remains the only flagship phone with protection from the elements. While in earlier Xperia Z flagship phones, Sony has always used a flap to protect the microUSB port from water damage, in the Xperia Z4 the company has now moved to a fully protected port without a flap, which is a nice little touch.

Display: 5.2" with a 1080 x 1920-pixel resolution

We don't have a lot of details about the screen used in the Xperia Z4 except for the very basic ones: it will be a 5.2-inch display with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels. We've examined the difference between a Quad HD and 1080p panel in depth in a separate article, where we conclude that at regular viewing distances, that differences is practically impossible to notice, so we are not hugely disappointed by the fact that Sony has not adopted the trendy new Quad HD resolution.

What's more important is the actual color representation. The Xperia Z2 and Xperia Z3 made some progress towards a better display (the Xperia Z3 even allows for control over the R/G/B channels, so that you can calibrate your screen), but none were perfect, so we hope that Sony made good use of that room for improvement in the Z4.

Under the hood: Snapdragon 810

What’s ticking under the hood of the Xperia Z4 is the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 system chip, an octa-core solution with four high-performance Cortex A57 cores running at up to 2GHz, and four Cortex A53 battery-savvy cores clocked at up to 1.5GHz.

This is effectively the same setup used on flagships like the HTC One M9, but we’re yet to see how Sony has managed to do with the excessive heat that the Snapdragon 810 system chip seems to radiate, especially given the thinner dimensions of the phone.

The RAM memory is 3GB, and good news is that we now have 32GB of internal storage in the base model, with an option to expand on that via microSD cards of up to 128GB.

In terms of connectivity, the handset features a Category 6 4G LTE modem with support for local, Japanese carriers, where it can reach a maximum of 225Mbps download speeds (using carrier aggregation).

Cameras: 20-megapixel main shooter, 5-megapixel selfie cam with optical stabilization

The main camera on the Xperia Z4 is a 20-megapixel Exmor RS one and the phone uses a large, 1/2.3” camera sensor, the biggest on Android phones so far.

What’s particularly interesting is that there’s also a 5-megapixel selfie cam that features optical image stabilization (OIS). This should allow for sharper photos in low light. Additionally, the 25mm wide-angle lens on top of the sensor allows for more people to fit in one frame, which is nice when there’s a whole group of you trying to take a selfie (usie?).

Battery life

Going for a slimmer design, Sony was obviously forced to use a lower-capacity battery in the Xperia Z4, which features a 2930mAh cell, while its predecessor sported a slightly larger, 3100mAh battery. We’re yet to see how this translates on the actual battery longevity of the phone, but one thing to keep in mind is that the Xperia Z3 was a great starting point: it scored at the very top of our battery life test, so even if we see slightly degraded battery life on the Z4, we can still expect it to outlast the competition.

Conclusion: price, availability and release date

Sony has not announced an official price for the Xperia Z4, but we can safely bet that it will be priced right in the $650 off-contract ($200 on a 2-year contract) industry tradition. Availability will be limited to Japan for the initial launch, while a very similar model is expected to get unveiled later on for the rest of the world.

The release date is again not set in stone, but chances are that we will see the Z4 on store shelves in early summer, around the end of May/beginning of June.

http://www.phonearena.com/news/Sony-Xperia-Z4-specs-review_id68428

Source: Phonearena

HTC One M9 hands-on

Design
Evolutionary or revolutionary, it’s tough for us to validate what HTC is going for with the M9. To the company, they claim it to be even more luxurious than before, which we agree to an extent, but for the most part, there are some minor design changes that make it subtly different from the M8 before it. The footprint, for the most part, remains unchanged, which is a good thing in this age of super big smartphones. For a flagship smartphone, it’s undeniably one of the more compact models out there – allowing us to comfortably grasp it in our hand without the need to excruciatingly stretch our hand.

Remarked by HTC as the first in the industry to offer a “dual finish” design, one that’s consists of the same premium feeling metal cladded body with a new anodized finished trim accent, the One M9 retains the same lovable design that radiates premium from head-to-toe. Technically, it sheds the unibody design of its predecessor in favor of this new dual finish one. However, the phone loses its clean and uniform finish due to that second choice of material. For starters, the new metal trim adds a lip to the sides of the phone – where it leaves this sharp feel.

The new metal body finish is slightly grippier, which doesn’t make it feel as slippery as its predecessor – so it’s less prone for us to accidentally drop it. For the most part, there’s nothing too radical with the design, especially when it employs the same distinct design traits as before – like its dual front-firing BoomSound speakers, separating lines on its back, and the plastic cover over the top edge. Other small, but minor changes that we appreciate include the placement of the power button to the right edge of the phone and its textured finish.

Indeed, flagships like the Samsung Galaxy S5 and Sony Xperia Z3 benefit from water-resistant constructions, but the HTC One M9 doesn’t see anything different from before. Essentially, it’s still the same IPX3 rating, which safeguards it from minor run-ins with splashes, but it’s not something that’s meant to be submerged.

Display
Some won’t be too bothered or annoyed by this decision, while some might be irked by it, but the HTC One M9 doesn’t make the move to quad-HD resolution. Rather, it’s the same 5.0-inch 1080 x 1920 LCD display that we’re all familiar with. To be fair, the size keeps this flagship far more form-fitting in the hand – unlike some of its more sizable competitors. For what it’s worth, 1080p resolution for it is more than effective, allowing all the details to be easily distinguishable to the eye. And of course, all of the qualities from before continue to exist in this panel as well – like its decent viewing angles, neutral color reproduction, and acceptable outdoor visibility.

What keeps on coming back is the decision to stick with 1080p resolution, more so when all of its main competitors are leaping ahead into quad-HD realm. Like we said, there isn’t a whole lot to complain about 1080p resolution, since looking at stuff on a 5-inch screen is more than detailed enough. Regardless, it still would’ve been nice on a higher level to also make the jump to quad-HD – giving it that true modern flagship quality.

Interface
A new flagship phone from HTC means an updated new Sense experience, that’s the expected evolution. In this case, we’re now up to HTC Sense 7.0, which carries the software legacy that HTC is known for, but it’s been evolved to give users more control in how the interface is presented. Honestly speaking, the visual changes on the surface are subtle – like how the weather-clock widget from HTC now sports a clean, italicized font. For the most part, the same modern design language we’ve seen in previous incarnations are present here. In typical Sense fashion, usual staples like HTC BlinkFeed, Zoe, and various Motion Launch gestures are all present once again.

After spending a day with a pre-production unit, the lock screen’s new enhanced functionality becomes more apparent, seeing that contextual suggestions are delivered. For example, restaurant suggestions are dished up in the homescreen, but in our short time of using the phone, it’s unable to provide enough relevant ones to us – albeit, we imagine it’ll be more useful over prolonged usage. In the same premise, HTC has added a new widget in the homescreen that they call the Smart Launcher. This widget is comprised out of apps that dynamically change depending on what apps you commonly use. At the same time, we’re asked to select if we’re using the phone at home or work – to better provide us with meaningful apps for the occasion. It’s useful in some cases, but if it’s not your cup of tea, it can always be removed entirely.

The absolute best part about Sense 7 is the unprecedented level of personalization that’s available. Don’t get us wrong, Sense is already one stylish and elegant looking thing, making it one of the more likable customized Android experiences out there, but HTC has gone deeper to give users control in how it looks. Specifically, we can select various themes to spiffy the standard look of Sense, which by itself is already one slick looking thing. However, with this new feature, we’re able to even modify the color scheme of the UI, the way the icons look, and even rearrange the standard set of Android menu buttons.

Not surprisingly, Sense 7 is running on top of Android 5.0 Lollipop. Strangely, though, HTC Sense 7.0 doesn’t offer true multi-user support. Instead, there’s a Kid Mode that’s available, but there’s no way to add different user accounts to the phone. It’s odd, but hopefully they’ll somehow add it in with a future update of some kind. At the core of it all, HTC continues to refine its interface, which is already one of the more visually pleasing ones in the space. Functionally, it’s nice that they’ve kept true in making it a straightforward experience – one that’s not overcomplicating things.

Processor and Memory
HTC’s flagships have never been slow with their performances, so it’s no surprise that the same fact is present here with its most latest and prized model. Ticking underneath the hood of this one is the latest and greatest from Qualcomm, a blazingly fast 64-bit based octa-core Snapdragon SoC with 3GB of RAM – where four of its cores are clocked in at 2GHz, while the other four are at 1.5GHz. Just moving around the interface and doing some basic stuff, there’s that constant presence of swiftness and tight response with its operation. Don’t worry, it also helps that there are also all of those software optimizations with Android 5.0 Lollipop that help to propel this one on a consistent level.

From the sound of it, HTC will only be selling the One M9 with 32GB of internal storage out of the gates. It might change, but for the near term, that’s the tally you can expect to find. Luckily, as always, there’s a microSD card slot that there and ready to supplement its capacity. Therefore, there’s no need for panic if you’re one of those multimedia heavy junkies.

Camera
Alas, HTC has finally listened to the critics and decided to bring the phone’s rear camera to a respectable level. With last year’s model in the M8, HTC opted to pursue its “UltraPixel” camera, which to the dismay of many, just couldn’t compete in the details department that many of its rivals prided themselves on – so the results were rather disappointing. This time around, however, the HTC One M9 is blessed with a formidable 20-megapixel rear camera, which features an f/2.2 aperture lens, BSI sensor, sapphire cover lens, and up to 4K video recording.

Now, in the short of time of using this pre-production model, we managed to snap several photos. From outdoor shots, macro ones, and situations where lighting was insufficient, we were sure to shoot several samples for your enjoyment. From what we can gather, HTC has finally solved the details problem, as outdoor shots are filled with plenty of sharp visuals and details – allowing us to do some minor cropping, without significant loss of quality. However, its low lighting performance is a bit scary, seeing that they’re riddled with heavy noise, softer tones, and even some color fringing. Quite honestly, it’s not pretty, but there’s hope that tweaks to the processing will be accomplished to weed out this issue with the final product.

Interestingly enough, the “UltraPixel” camera isn’t totally removed from this phone, since the front-facing camera is an “UltraPixel” one. The main benefits here include its wide angle lens and attention to low lighting situations – so it’s the kind of thing that’s perfect if you want to include several people in your shots.

On the software and experience side, there’s just an obnoxious level of editing tools that are available. Some are really fun, where they add some nifty and artsy effects to photos, but HTC continues to go beyond by delivering customized themes that are taken directly from photos snapped by the smartphone’s camera. Frankly, the results are pretty interesting, as the software intelligently analyzes a snapshot, and then proceeds to procure color themes from it.

Since this is technically a pre-production unit, we won’t be too worried at the camera’s quality. However, knowing what’s out there in the space, one can only hope that HTC is able to recognize the opportunities present here and deliver results that can win over shutterbugs.

Expectations
Looking at the big picture, it’s tough to say what’s on the horizon for HTC now that its latest flagship model has been announced. In the space, we have several noteworthy flagship smartphones that push the boundaries – such as the case with these phones with quad-HD screens, impressively long battery lives, and cameras that take outstanding photos in all sorts of situations. Personally, we feel as though there was more of a significant evolution from the M7 to the M8 – while here with the M8 to the M9, it’s more of a subtle, incremental step.

Some folks might be disappointed about its close resemblance to its predecessor, but we have to remember that it’s quite common for companies to recycle designs (look at Apple for example). Visually speaking, though, HTC executes on what it does well – and that’s designing a smartphone. Sure, there are some good and bad things with the new design, but we can’t escape the fact that it’s still one premium looking thing. That alone shows dedication and attention to detail, which is tough for some other companies to deliver on.

In addition, HTC has addressed the main concern of the M8’s “UltraPixel” camera by blessing the M9 is a beefier sized 20-megapixl sensor. However, the results from what we can see are still a bit disappointing, but that can obviously change between now and when the smartphone is official released. On the software side, though, we have to applaud HTC for enhancing the Sense experience to a higher level. It’s still one of the best looking out there, but the new software features in tow, like the various photo effects tool and customizable themes, help to offer enough pleasantries in the experience – and they’re not really distracting or redundant.

Source: Phonearena

Samsung Galaxy S6 edge hands-on

Design
We suggest checking out our hands-on article of the Samsung Galaxy S6 if you haven’t done so already, mainly because the Samsung Galaxy S6 edge shares the same design language – though, the added word to the name implies something more profound. First and foremost, we’re in utter amazement in the complete redirection Samsung has opted to go in for its latest smartphone. For many years now, Samsung has been known to heavily rely on plastic for its phones, but things slowly started to change with the release of the Samsung Galaxy Alpha.

From then on, Samsung has sprinkled a subtle premium quality to its smartphones in the form of a metal trim bezel. We’ve seen it in the high-end category with the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, as well as in the mid-rangers like the Samsung Galaxy A5 and A3. However, there’s an evolutionary design leap with the Samsung Galaxy S6 edge! Gone is the plastic chassis of previous flagships, replaced instead by a body that’s constructed from finer materials that give the phone a premium quality. To be exact, the Galaxy S6 edge pays meticulous attention to everything – evident by its aluminum trim bezel and Gorilla Glass 4 front and back surfaces.

This is one gorgeous looking smartphone! Not only is it remarkably attractive, but it’s compact, lightweight, and offers one comfortable feel in the hand. And there’s that sense of substance a durability with its design, one that can’t be forgotten just because of its more premium materials. Honestly, though, the curved sides of the display are there for aesthetics – more so than function. As we grip the phone in our hand, our fingers naturally contour the sides of the phone, giving it a slightly more comfortable feel than the standard Galaxy S6.

Every way we look at the Galaxy S6 edge’s design, we can’t help but to come to the realization that this is actually a Samsung-made thing. It’s quite shocking to tell you the truth, but they deserve recognition for listening and delivering one of the more memorable designed smartphones in recent memory. However, there are a couple of shortcoming with the new design – like the fact that it’s a magnet for smudges and fingerprints. In addition, it sheds the water-resistant construction of the Samsung Galaxy S5 before it, but in all fairness, it’s a compromise we’re happy they decided to make because this one is just too utterly beautiful.

Display
Nope, Samsung isn’t settling on sitting still. Many folks argue that 1080p resolution is more than sufficient for today’s smartphone, but Samsung pushes forward by gracing the Galaxy edge with a defying 5.1-inch quad-HD 1440 x 2560 Super AMOLED display. Talk about impressive details! This one undoubtedly proves that point because it’s one of the most detailed around with its pixel density count of 576 ppi. Sticking with the same display technology that the company has popularized, its Super AMOLED screen continues to be vibrant – though, if it’s following after recent things like the Note 4, we can expect its color temperature and reproduction to be top-notch.

Obviously, the biggest thing separating this model over the standard Galaxy S6 is the curved edges of the display. Whereas the curved edge of the Note 4 is more for function, the edges present here are actually meant to accentuate the aesthetics. In particular, it gives the phone a uniform and seamless look, as the sides wrap around and meet together in the back. As for function, it’s not on the same level as what we get with the Note 4. Instead, the only functionality it has to offer relates to being able to access some quick contacts, notifications, and information from certain apps (think Yahoo’s services). On top of that, when a phone call is received, one side will shine and light up in a specific color that’s associated with a contact.

Beyond that, there’s nothing more in terms of functionality with the dual edge display of the smartphone. Like we said, it’s mainly there for the aesthetics to accentuate the already good looks of the smartphone.

Interface
Samsung claims that this is the best TouchWiz experience yet! That’s a little bit tough to say after spending just a short time with the phone, but we can certainly agree that it’s vying for a cleaner looking interface – one that also goes back to a simpler set of software features. Visually, the DNA of TouchWiz continues to be present, as the app panel and notifications panel for the most part remain unchanged. However, they added several new animations and a cleaner looking font type for its various widgets, which help to soften the tone of the user interface.

Running on top of Android 5.0 Lollipop, we’re a bit sad to find multiple user support nixed with the experience. Samsung claims that it’s not a feature that most smartphone users would use, as it’s mostly relevant to tablets instead. Despite that, some of Sammy’s classic TouchWiz features are present – like multi-window to give us a true multi-tasking experience. With this latest incarnation, however, it’s quite apparent that they’re trying to tone things down, as some of TouchWiz’s previous features, are not activated from the get-go. For example, we’re told that Air View isn’t some that’s enabled – so it merely goes to show that they’re trying to streamline and minimize any complications with the experience.

All told, it’s tough to say how this new TouchWiz experience can separate itself in a positive direction, seeing that TouchWiz in the past has sometimes proven itself to be too features filled and cartoony looking.

Processor and Memory
As it currently stands, when the Samsung Galaxy S6 edge launches as an international model, it’ll be powered under the hood by a brand new 14nm 64-bit based Samsung Exynos octacore chip – coupled with 3GB of LPDDR4 RAM. The result, based on our quick experience checking out the phone, is a far more responsive TouchWiz-running device than ever before. For example, Samsung was especially insistent on how fast the camera can quickly launch thanks in part to this new hardware. To tell you the truth, we find it more fluid than previous Galaxy devices, but it’s really tough to say if the consistent performance will be retained the more apps and usage the phone receives in the long term.

In coming up with the new design, Samsung had to make some compromises. One of them is found in the reality that there’s no longer expandable storage with the smartphone via microSD card slot. At the bare minimum, prospective owners will have their choice on storage options, which include 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB capacities.

Camera
There’s no denying it, Samsung’s high-end smartphones are remarkably equipped for taking photos and videos – so you won’t be disappointed by what new camera gear in the Galaxy S6 edge is capable of producing. Slapped onto the back is a 16-megapixel camera, which features an f/1.9 lens, optical image stabilization, and an IR Detect White Balance to neutralize shots for a more neutral exposure. Around the front, selfie-snapping purists will be delighted to know that there’s a wide-angle 5-megapixel camera.

Having a proven track record already, we can only suspect that the results with the new camera hardware are going to be impressive, but we’ll save our reservations until we can actually snap our own, real-world shots with the smartphone. Then again, it’s tough for us to not believe that, as both the Samsung Galaxy S5 and Galaxy Note 4 before it have constantly done well in our various camera comparison tests.

Although it’s not something necessarily new, especially with Sammy’s line of smartphones, the camera lens of the phone is more pronounced than ever before. If you thought that the lens stuck out a lot with last year’s Galaxy S5, you’ll be shocked to find out that it protrudes outwards even more with the Galaxy S6 edge.

Expectations
In the very short time of checking out the Samsung Galaxy S6 edge, we’re blown away by how drastically different it is from all the other smartphones Samsung has manufactured thus far. The Galaxy S6 edge is a darling in the space with its unique dual edge screen, one that positively affects the aesthetics of the phone more than its functionality. In the same manner, Samsung doesn’t skimp out on the specs of the phone either, since it’s one beast of a thing that won’t disappoint.

Even though they’ve toned down the software features of TouchWiz, it still lays claim to an abundant set of hardware features – like its IR blaster, finger print sensor, and heart rate sensor. Ultimately, though, it’s the stark change to the phone’s design that makes it so impressive and surprising at the same time. In terms of pricing and availability, Samsung only mentions a global roll out beginning April 10th – where it’ll be offered in white pearl, black sapphire, gold platinum, and green emerald paint jobs. We're just hoping that its price point isn't going to be obnoxiously high!

Indeed, we’re still early in the year, but Samsung isn’t afraid to take the lead and set the bar high for everyone else.

Source: Phonearena

Samsung Galaxy S6 hands-on

Design
One of the huge improvement that have taken place with the Galaxy S6 can be found in the design department. The Galaxy S6 is the first phone from the series that doesn't utilize materials of questionable quality. You heard that right - this is the end of cheap plastics and colored parts that lose their brilliance after a while (and after a few accidental hits). The new phone's exterior comprises two tempered glass pieces, courtesy of Gorilla Glass 4, fused into a whole with a solid metal frame. The glass panels, as you can imagine, pick up fingerprints really easily, but they do make the phone non-slippery and premium-feeling. The frame itself has been carefully shaped, so that there are no sharp edges to create discomfort while holding the phone.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S6 feels like a solid, well-made piece of machinery, unlike any other Galaxy smartphone so far. It's has a pretty normal size too - by sticking to a reasonable 5.1" screen, and by shedding water resistance, Samsung has managed to create an impressively sleek device that doesn't take too much space in your pocket, and most importantly, makes for possible (and enjoyable) one-handed usage experience. From design standpoint, this is easily the best Galaxy smartphone yet.

Display
As we mentioned, the screen size has been kept the same - the panel measures 5.1 inches in diagonal, resulting in a spacious, yet perfectly reasonable canvass. The resolution, however, has been pumped all the way up to QHD, or 1440 x 2560 pixels. You can imagine that this leads to a staggering pixel density - in the Galaxy S6's case, we're talking about the mind-blowing 577 pixels per inch. Yes, the display is unbelievably sharp. It's very nice, although we can't really say that the difference from 1080 x 1920 is that big, but you know, if the hardware can take the additional load without significant compromise with regards to battery life and performance, we guess it doesn't hurt having those extra pixels packed in there.

Of course, the Galaxy S6 is going to rely on Samsung's traditional screen tech of choice: Super AMOLED. It took a while for the manufacturer to reach a good level of color accuracy with its AMOLED displays, but now that the Galaxy S6 is here, it looks like the company is looking to solidify the good impressions that it made with the Note 4 and Note Edge. We can't fully confirm this yet, but the new display is definitely quite impressive, both in terms of color intensity and truthfulness. The company has also worked on the maximum brightness level of the Galaxy S6's screen, which should be able of reaching the 600-nit mark. It's not certain yet if it's going to be capable of reaching that figure in each and every scenario, like a quality LCD screen, but hopefully it won't be too dependent on the content that's being displayed.

Interface and Functionality
Armed with Android 5 Lollipop, Samsung's Galaxy S6 is going to be well-positioned to showcase the progress of Google's operating system. After all, it's shaping up as a state of the art device - packed with all kinds of features, yet showing care for things like refinement and stability. Having said that, Samsung has once again promised to take the path of 'more is less' with this latest version of TouchWiz UI, and while we can definitely see some of the simplifications and enhancements made by the company, the bulk of the software's previous versions is mostly still going to be present. Don't think that you'll be tapping and swiping your way happily without the phantom presence of air gestures, dual window mode, or some of the other 'extra features' that the manufacturer has generated over the years. Most of those things are going to still be available with the Galaxy S6, but at least the company has tried to hide them even deeper, under a bunch of settings and menu screens.

Enabling one-handed usage has been among the main priorities for Samsung while refining TouchWiz, and we can say that the Galaxy S6 is a top performer in that department. Its compact size, mixed with sizable icons and other user interface elements, make for an experience that facilitates easy and quick usage with just one thumb. Of course, more advanced tasks will still require you to use two hands, but when it comes to simple stuff like checking your email, checking the weather, or calling a contact, using one hand should be sufficient.

Samsung Pay
The Samsung Galaxy S6 will be the first phone to feature Samsung's new Pay service, which, as you might guess, is an alternative to Apple Pay. Right now, Samsung has completed deals with Visa and MasterCard, but it's yet to expand that partnership to other major players, such as American Express, Bank of America, or Chase. However, the company reassures that it's working on it. Easily the most interesting thing about Samsung Pay is the new Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST) proprietary technology, which is said to widen Samsung Pay's compatibility with shopping terminals significantly. In addition to NFC for making contactless payments through terminals that support near field communications, Samsung Pay will also be able to communicate with traditional magnetic stripe terminal, thanks to MST.

Users will be able to use Samsung Pay to buy various goods in a quick and secure way, plus the whole process is promised to happen rather quickly. For example, should you wish to pay for something using Samsung Pay, you'd simply need to swipe of from the bottom bezel in order to bring up the Samsung Pay app (or just tap the icon, we guess), choose the desired card for the payment, authenticate using the fingerprint sensor, and from there, everything should be done in a matter of seconds. Unfortunately, the bad news is that Samsung Pay will not be available to use with the Samsung Galaxy S6's launch, as the service will be enabled sometime during the summer, first in the Unites States and South Korea, followed by Europe and China a bit later.

Processor and Memory
Quite some effort has been put into the Galaxy S6's chips, too. It's not certain if there's going to be a Snapdragon version yet, but Samsung does talk up its new Exynos SoC pretty heavily. And looking at the specs sheet, there sure is a reason for Samsung to be proud of it. Powered by a total of eight cores, and made using a cutting-edge 14 nm process, the new Exynos is expected to blow most other mobile SoCs out of the water. Did we mention that it's a 64-bit chip, too? Yep, it seems like Samsung isn't willing to make compromises with regards to the internals of its upcoming flagship. However, things get even better, when you factor in stuff like faster internal memory and faster system memory. In terms of capacity, storage space variants will be a bit beefier than before: 32 GB, 64 GB, and 128 GB. That's good, seeing that there's not going to be a microSD card slot present on the device. Meanwhile, the 3 GB of RAM should prove to be just enough to allow for the smooth operation of the system, even when using some of the more demanding features, such as the multi window mode.

So, just how fast is the Galaxy S6? While we can't really make any conclusive claims about the phone's overall system performance, we can say that it feels quite snappy and lag free. There's still some weird jerkiness present with TouchWiz and its movement, but overall it's a very speedy phone that promises to carry out pretty much any kind of task you throw at it with ease.

Camera
Samsung is traditionally very strong in the mobile camera department, and by the looks of it, the Galaxy S6 will attempt to further solidify Samsung's leading position in this regard. Same as before, the camera resolution is 16 MP, but there is a respectable host of new features involved. One of the more intriguing ones is optical image stabilization, in addition to reat-time HDR, infrared white balance (should work more efficiently than standard white balance), and tracking auto-focus for the video camera. Besides the mandatory cleanup work in the camera application, Samsung has made sure to upgrade its camera module a bit - the 16 MP resolution will be accompanied by a wide, F1.9 aperture now, promising to deliver better low-light image quality than that of the Galaxy S5 (its aperture was F2.2). The camera app itself is also extremely fast to launch - you can even call it by double-pressing the home button now. The reason why the camera app is so quick to start is because it never gets cleaned up from the system memory - it's always running in the background. Thankfully, Samsung promises that this isn't supposed to introduce any battery or performance issues, thanks to its software optimizations. One thing we feel is certain - once the Samsung Galaxy S6 launches on the market, it's going to be one of the best, if not the best camera phone around, judging by how easily the Note 4 has managed to win our blind comparison about the iPhone 6 Plus and... a dedicated DSLR camera.

Expectations
Truly impressive and decidedly streamlined - the Galaxy S6 looks to be an attractive phone, but there are still a few things that need to be made clear, like the pricing, for example, in order for us to have the complete picture. However, when it comes to release date, Samsung is willing to share that its current plan is to launch the Galaxy S6 in April, or in just about a month and something from now, which sounds like soon enough to us.

We have to admit, the Galaxy S6 shapes up as a truly impressive handset, just like its predecessors. We can't know yet if it's going to be efficient enough in battling all the Androids and iPhones of the world in its quest for stabilization of a slightly shaken up Samsung, but it does seem like the company has now put some serious effort into improving its top proposition... which had kind of adapted to living in the shadow of its larger sibling, the Note line, for the last couple of generations. The Galaxy S6 may be what it takes for Samsung to restore its influence in the mainstream smartphone market, but as of right now, we can't be perfectly sure. One thing we know for sure? This is going to be the best Galaxy phone ever.

Source: Phonearena