Samsung has finally launched its next flagship phablets and as expected, the company not only has got one device, but has got two devices to show off – Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+. Both devices are essentially the same, but as the names suggests, the Galaxy Note 5 is part of the Galaxy Note series, featuring a stylus called the S Pen, while the Galaxy S6 edge+ is a phablet-sized Galaxy S6 edge.
So, how do these two new devices stack up against the many 2015 flagship smartphones in the market right now like the OnePlus 2, the newly announced Motorola Moto X Style, Mi Note Pro and such? Check out our comparison table below.
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When it comes to hardware, there’s no doubt that Samsung will put all the latest and greatest hardware into the new devices. On the Galaxy Note 5, the display remains at 5.7” with QHD resolution, but Samsung has managed to fit it into an even smaller frame. Additionally, while both the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 edge+ may use the same Exynos 7420 quad-core processor, Samsung has bumped up the RAM to 4GB for a snappier performance.
Improved S Pen features on the Galaxy Note 5
But there are more to these devices than just the hardware. Take the Galaxy Note 5 for example, it is not just a phablet, it comes equipped with the S Pen that gives users a bunch of features that are not found on other devices. Samsung has improved its S Pen features like enhanced Air Command that lets you add your frequently used apps instead of default S Pen apps, the ability to screenshot beyond what you see on the screen simply by scrolling (Scroll Capture), a new Screen Off Memo feature that lets users scribble on the screen while the phone is locked and save when the user unlocks the phone, and the ability to edit directly on a PDF file and safe it as a PDF file.
As for the Galaxy S6 edge+, Samsung has combined the best of the original Galaxy Note Edge with the existing Galaxy S6 edge. One of the feature that I miss most on the Galaxy S6 edge is the shortcut menu on the edge display, and Samsung is bringing it back on the Galaxy S6 edge+. The Edge screen can now be accessed from any screen, instead of just on Home and Lock Screen.
Samsung has finally brought back the apps shortcut for the Edge
Specifications wise, the new Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 edge+ definitely does not disappoint – they are as good, if not better than all the above listed device. At the end of the day, it all boils down to the price, and this is where the Chinese manufacturers are hitting Samsung where it hurts most.
If Samsung is to follow the trend, the Galaxy Note 5 will not cost any lower than RM2,599 while the Galaxy S6 edge+ might cross the RM3,000 line again. Will they stand against the other competitors out there, especially the $329 (RM1,325) OnePlus 2?
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