OT: Samsung S6

essex-commuter
essex-commuter Posts: 2,188
edited October 2015 in Commuting chat
Want to treat myself to a new phone. Colleague has just bought a Samsung S5 Neo, I really like it.

I buy my phones SIM free. I can get an S6 for just £70 more than the Neo.

Battery life seems to be a concern with the S6 compared to the S5 which is excellent.

Does anyone have any day to day experience with an S6?

Comments

  • timothyw
    timothyw Posts: 2,482
    This isn't particularly helpful to you, but as a Galaxy S5 owner I think the s6 is a bit rubbish, and an unfortunate break from some of the line's best features:

    -not waterproof anymore
    -can't replace the battery
    -no micro sd slot - I have an 128gb card in mine with all my music, it cost me about £50.

    Still, it is apparently quite shiny. If you can get the S5 instead, that would be my recommendation - it's a great phone. First android phone i've had where I haven't bothered to root it and install custom rom - it just hasn't been necessary.
  • As a previous iPhone 4, 5s and LG G4 owner I can say that the S6 and particularly the Edge, are lovely lovely phones. Wonderful cameras. Fast processors. I wouldn't go back now.

    Battery life? Put a wireless charging dock on your desk at work.
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  • Wrath Rob
    Wrath Rob Posts: 2,918
    I got my S6 last week, upgrading from an S4. Waterproofing is fixed by a phone case. Yes a memory card would have been nice but I've got the 64gb version so I don't think it should be a major issue. I've never replaced the battery in a phone so for me this is a non issue.

    The camera is great and the Pro mode fixes one of my gripes with most phone cameras, the finger print sensor works, battery life lasts a day for me, the wireless charging is a bit of a gimmick but I now charge my phone at my desk which I didn't before, even though I had the cable. Without the top up charging I get a days charge from it so its on a par with 90% of other smart phones out there.

    In short, I think its great.
    FCN3: Titanium Qoroz.
  • Bear in mind, with any S6 purchase you get 130GB of MS Drive storage. As long as you keep moving stuff of your phone, great.

    And, if you're a music consumer, the 64GB isn't much more than the 32.
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.
  • Storage isn't really a problem for me.

    My only concern was the battery life really, but I can charge at work and at home....would just have to be mindful I suppose.

    For £70 extra I suppose the S6 seems worth it.
  • drlodge
    drlodge Posts: 4,826
    I've just upgraded from the Galaxy Note II to the S6 Edge+ 64GB :-) I really wanted a removable battery and microSD card slot, but not having them actually isn't an issue.
    - phone is easily rechargeable using a wireless base or fast charge cable
    - main reason for SD card was music, but I've got everything on google play music which means I can stream my collection without having it on the phone, and there's enough memory to download my favorite music for off line use.

    The edge functionality is a bit naff, I don't actually use it. Cost me £680 sim free, + £20/month for an unlimited data package from three. That equates to just over £48/month over 2 years all in.
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    Find me on Strava
  • chris_bass
    chris_bass Posts: 4,913
    I think the best value for money at the moment is the Moto X Style, can be had for £350:

    https://www.clove.co.uk/motorola-moto-x-style

    I'm toying with the idea of getting it, if the nexus 6p was a bit cheaper I might go for that.
    www.conjunctivitis.com - a site for sore eyes
  • Yeah, that reminds me, Google play music also free on the Samsung for 6 months. Very tidy. Great if you have unlimited 4g etc. And works with Sonos if you have one
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.
  • This isn't particularly helpful to you, but as a Galaxy S5 owner I think the s6 is a bit rubbish, and an unfortunate break from some of the line's best features:

    -not waterproof anymore
    -can't replace the battery
    -no micro sd slot - I have an 128gb card in mine with all my music, it cost me about £50.

    Still, it is apparently quite shiny. If you can get the S5 instead, that would be my recommendation - it's a great phone. First android phone i've had where I haven't bothered to root it and install custom rom - it just hasn't been necessary.

    Agree with the above. That and the fact it was 15 quid cheaper a month I very recently chose an S5. I love it.
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    I have an S5 as my work phone which has been fine since i disabled all the samsung guff they install and upgraded without root to a more pure Android experience, the trouble now is my own Nexus 5 which is frankly the best phone i've ever owned just sits on top of the fridge unused next to my previous nexus 4 which imo was good but lacking grunt.

    I'd say the Nexus 5 beats the S5 on all but a couple of points, not waterproof and no ant+ now i have those features i wouldnt buy another phone without them.
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • secretsam
    secretsam Posts: 5,120
    Well, I'm totally baffled by phones now. I have an S3 mini which is fine, but a bit slow and battered. Am thinking of handing it on to the kids as I've finished my contract. My missus has an S2 which is on its last legs.

    So: what should I get instead? It used to be easy, but now there's Galaxy S models and Galaxy A models, and all sorts of others???? Please someone explain!

    It's just a hill. Get over it.
  • dhope
    dhope Posts: 6,699
    Well, I'm totally baffled by phones now. I have an S3 mini which is fine, but a bit slow and battered. Am thinking of handing it on to the kids as I've finished my contract. My missus has an S2 which is on its last legs.

    So: what should I get instead? It used to be easy, but now there's Galaxy S models and Galaxy A models, and all sorts of others???? Please someone explain!
    S series = top end
    A series = mid range
    Note series = big
    other names = dunno, random stuff, probably entry level

    Get the second latest S series if you're not sure. It'll be fast enough and you'll probably find a decent deal
    Rose Xeon CW Disc
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  • chris_bass
    chris_bass Posts: 4,913
    Well, I'm totally baffled by phones now. I have an S3 mini which is fine, but a bit slow and battered. Am thinking of handing it on to the kids as I've finished my contract. My missus has an S2 which is on its last legs.

    So: what should I get instead? It used to be easy, but now there's Galaxy S models and Galaxy A models, and all sorts of others???? Please someone explain!

    save your money and get a moto g:

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Motorola-Moto-Generation-SIM-Free-Smartphone/dp/B014KT0KWE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1444826088&sr=8-1&keywords=moto+g+3rd+generation

    great spec for the price and will be a marked improvement on what you have been using
    www.conjunctivitis.com - a site for sore eyes
  • Went and looked at the S6 and just didn't like the look of it, I am in the minority there I think.

    I ended up going with the Moto Style. Waiting for it to arrive.

    Thanks for all the help / suggestions.
  • chris_bass
    chris_bass Posts: 4,913
    let me know what you think of it, i'm considering getting it too. looks a great phone for the price.
    www.conjunctivitis.com - a site for sore eyes
  • bigmat
    bigmat Posts: 5,134
    Which is the better phone, S5 or S5 Neo? I think the Neo is the more recent version, RRP seems to be higher although I can source one slightly cheaper than the standard S5. Any thoughts?
  • I bought one of these last week & picked up an unlock code off the bay of dreams for £3.

    For £100 it's pretty incredible

    http://www.trustedreviews.com/vodafone-smart-ultra-6-review
    First love - Genesis Equilibrium 20
    Dirty - Forme Calver CX Sport
    Quickie - Scott CR1 SL HMX
    Notable ex's - Kinesis Crosslight, Specialized Tricross
  • Or if you need a cheap alternative you can try the new OnePlus2: got a full HD screen and 64GB storage, 4gb ram and cost under £300. It worked/still works for me great when I looked at no-contract phones.
  • drlodge
    drlodge Posts: 4,826
    S3 neo is £130, pretty good bang for the buck. I use it as my "cycling phone" as I don't want to carry around my S6 edge+
    WyndyMilla Massive Attack | Rourke 953 | Condor Italia 531 Pro | Boardman CX Pro | DT Swiss RR440 Tubeless Wheels
    Find me on Strava
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    I bought one of these last week & picked up an unlock code off the bay of dreams for £3.

    For £100 it's pretty incredible

    http://www.trustedreviews.com/vodafone-smart-ultra-6-review

    Yeah those zte Vodafone's branded are very good value esp if you're able to root them, my daughter has the power 4 version
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • bigmat
    bigmat Posts: 5,134
    I bought one of these last week & picked up an unlock code off the bay of dreams for £3.

    For £100 it's pretty incredible

    http://www.trustedreviews.com/vodafone-smart-ultra-6-review

    Where can you get this for £100? Also, if you have a link for a reliable unlock deal then that would be great!
  • keyser__soze
    keyser__soze Posts: 2,067
    LG G4 is also hovering just under the £300 mark sim-free. Excellent phone, having a better camera than the S6/iPhone 6 plus removable battery and SD card slot, and likely to get an upgrade to Android M very soon. Loses out a bit to the S6 in raw processor grunt. Wouldn't hesitate in getting another should anything ever happen to mine.
    "Mummy Mummy, when will I grow up?"
    "Don't be silly son, you're a bloke, you'll never grow up"
  • It was on offer a few weeks ago but has gone back up to £125 now. Still a bargain at that price

    http://shop.vodafone.co.uk/shop/pay-as-you-go/vodafone-smart-6-ultra-payg

    Unlock code was £2.49, item below, paid around 7pm and it turned up the next day.

    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252106469826
    First love - Genesis Equilibrium 20
    Dirty - Forme Calver CX Sport
    Quickie - Scott CR1 SL HMX
    Notable ex's - Kinesis Crosslight, Specialized Tricross
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    Latest android update v6 just installed on my nexus 5 I'd say its a bit faster but doesn't look that different to lollipop

    Time will tell
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • Wheelspinner
    Wheelspinner Posts: 6,672
    ZTE stuff is sold here branded as Telstra. It's cr@p. 3 out of 3 failed within a few months, just dead. Never again.
    Open One+ BMC TE29 Seven 622SL On One Scandal Cervelo RS