Samsung Galaxy S6: 10 Things You Need to Know Right Now

As we drift further away from the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 release date, we’re starting to hear and see Samsung Galaxy S6 rumors tease consumers around the world. We’ve already heard a number of potential details about the Galaxy S6 release and today, we take a look at the 10 most important thing to know, right now, about the Galaxy S6 release date, specs and more.

Over the past year, Samsung has released a number of big time smartphones including the Galaxy S5, Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge. All three of these devices serve as the company’s top flagship options and they’ll serve as the company’s best smartphone offerings for the foreseeable future. That said, all good things typically come to an end.

Next year, Samsung will almost certainly release a Galaxy Note 5 to replace the Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy S6 rumors suggest that we’ll see a replacement for the Galaxy S5. Not that this comes as a surprise. Samsung will almost certainly look to keep pace with the likes of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus and a new Galaxy S release likely fits into those plans.

While it’s still early, a flurry of early Galaxy S6 rumors have pinpointed a number of potential Galaxy S6 specs ahead of Samsung’s announcement.  These specifications have many consumers excited about the future of the Samsung Galaxy S series and Samsung’s plans for the new year.

With those in Galaxy S6 details mind, we want to take a look at the most important things prospective Galaxy S6 buyers need to know, right now, about the Galaxy S6 release, the Galaxy S6 specs, and some of the smaller details that prospective buyers would be wise to consider in the buildup to the inevitable Samsung Galaxy S6 release.

Don’t Get Too Hung Up on Samsung Galaxy S6 Rumors Yet

The first thing that you need to know is that while these early Galaxy S6 leaks are great, and credible, you should continue to keep your expectations low. Companies like Samsung test several different prototypes before deciding on a final model. This testing is what sprouts the numerous spec rumors that typically accompany a Galaxy S launch.

Historically, we’ve seen Galaxy S and Galaxy Note rumors start to firm up towards the end, likely because Samsung’s decided on a version for public release. So while these Galaxy S6 specs and details might sound great, there’s no telling what will make the final version. Everything is dependent on testing and production and sometimes, features don’t meet the company’s standards.

Samsung Galaxy S6 rumors suggest that the device will be built from the ground up and will offer sweeping changes. That might be the case but just remember. A lot can change between now and the day that Samsung takes the stage to announce its brand new product.

There Are, However, Some Logical Galaxy S6 Specs

That said, there are some specifications that are easy to predict. The Galaxy S series never features the same design twice. We also typically see Samsung make tweaks to the display, processor and camera. It’s safe to assume that we’ll see these tweaks applied to the Galaxy S6 as well. Keep these two things in mind as we detail what we know, so far, about the Samsung Galaxy S6.

Galaxy S6 Launch Date

We still haven’t heard anything about the Samsung Galaxy S6 launch date itself though we would not expect any movement in 2014. With the holidays and Black Friday right around the corner and the Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge leading the way, there’s a very good chance that the Galaxy S6 will arrive in 2015.

Samsung typically gets its Galaxy S out within a six month window that stretches from January to June. The past two Samsung Galaxy S models, the Galaxy S5 and Galaxy S4, were launched in February and March respectively. Last year, Samsung returned to Mobile World Congress to announce the Samsung Galaxy S5, a surprising move given its shift away from trade shows.

Mobile World Congress 2015 spans across March 2nd, March 3rd, March 4th, and March 5th. March 1st and March 2nd are worth circling on the calendar though you’d be wise to circle them in pencil. At this point, nothing is set in stone though we’d be shocked if Samsung waited beyond the 1H 2015 to announce the Galaxy S6.

Galaxy S6 Release Date

We haven’t heard anything about the Samsung Galaxy S6 release date and we don’t expect to hear anything concrete until next year. Galaxy S launch and release rumors typically start to firm up a few weeks ahead of time, not a few months ahead of time. We could see some vague details leak in 2014 but don’t expect them to pinpoint an exact date. Details about its launch date, also known as the announcement date, will almost certainly come first.

Galaxy S6 Display

The Samsung Galaxy S6 specs are expected to include an upgraded display. Again, this isn’t surprising given the Quad HD quality display found on the Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge. Unsurprisingly, the Galaxy S6 is expected to come with the same Quad HD resolution found on Samsung’s two brand new Galaxy Note models.

At least one analyst believes that the Galaxy S6 could come with a dual-edged display that offers curves on both sides of the display. Samsung’s Galaxy Note Edge, a 5.6-inch flagship, only offers one. The analyst believes that the Galaxy Note Edge was originally supposed to include a dual-edged display but that Samsung decided on just one curved edge in the end.

The Galaxy S6 display size is unknown at the moment though consumers should expect it to include a large, high-resolution display. Small smartphones are out and large screen smartphones are in. There’s a reason why Apple, a company that stuck with 4-inch and 3.5-inch displays, recently shifted to much larger displays. Both the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are selling well.

Galaxy S6 Design

Samsung’s Galaxy S6, codenamed Project Zero, will reportedly be built from scratch as the company looks to get back on track in 2015. While the Samsung Galaxy S5 is widely considered to be one of the year’s best smartphones, the device has not been able to pull up Samsung’s fledgeling mobile division which has seen dismal results in 2014.

Specific Galaxy S6 design rumors remain absent though that’s not surprising. One, Samsung is usually able to clamp down on Galaxy S design leaks ahead of launch and two, it’s still very early and it’s probably still testing several different models. The inclusion of metal and a fingerprint sensor in the Galaxy Note 4’s design might offer us an early glimpse at Samsung’s plans for the Galaxy S6 design but for now, the Galaxy S6 is just a moving part in a lab.

Galaxy S6 Specs

According to SamMobile, the Galaxy S6 specs will include a 16MP or 20MP camera with Optical Image Stabilization, a 5MP rear-facing camera, 32GB, 64GB and 128GB of storage, Exynos 7420 and Snapdragon 810 processors (both of which are 64-bit), and Broadcom’s new BCM4773 chip. SamMobile has been accurate with early information in the past and all of these features make sense. That said, keep what we said about testing in mind. Specs and features can change in a heartbeat.

It’s also safe to assume that the Galaxy S6 will come with Android 5.0 Lollipop, an update that’s expected to hit the Galaxy S5 and Galaxy Note 4 in the weeks ahead. Samsung continues to improve its TouchWiz software and the version on the Galaxy Note 4 might just be the company’s most tolerable version yet. Look for the Galaxy S6 to build on the Galaxy Note 4’s success.

Galaxy S6 Carriers

The Galaxy S6 release date is unknown but rumors suggest that the device will be released on all five major U.S. carriers including AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, and Verizon. This isn’t surprising at all. All five carriers have served as Galaxy S partners in the past and all five carry the Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge.

Galaxy Note 4 & Galaxy Note Edge

Speaking of those two devices, you’ll want to know that the Galaxy Note 4 is already out on shelves in the United States and a number of other countries around the world. The Samsung Galaxy Note Edge, Samsung’s curved smartphone, is currently available on AT&T and is set to land on a number of other carriers in the near future.

We’re pointing this out because prospective Galaxy S6 buyers would be wise to check them out. Not only will they probably share some things in common with the Samsung Galaxy S6, the Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge should also serve as two of the Galaxy S6’s biggest competitors. Get acquainted with them sooner rather than later.

Galaxy S5 Deals

Finally, it’s worth pointing out that Samsung Galaxy S5 deals have begun to emerge as we push into the fall and closer to Black Friday. We’ve seen the flagship drop down well below $100 on-contract and we wouldn’t be surprised if retailers and carriers offered some blow out deals for the Galaxy S5 this holiday shopping season.

Those of you interested in the Galaxy S6 would be wise to check out the Galaxy S5 and its shrinking price tag as well. It’s a solid smartphone and with an Android 5.0 Lollipop update on the way, it’s a device that’s going to remain very relevant for months and years to come. Take a look and who knows, maybe you’ll wind up with a Galaxy S5 instead of a Galaxy S6. After all, we’re probably still months away from a release.