Android
Samsung Galaxy S6 Video Rumor & Release Roundup
On March 1st we will see the Samsung Galaxy S6 and learn about the features, software and the Galaxy S6 specs that will come together to form Samsung’s new iPhone 6 competitor.
We expect a drastically upgraded display, a premium metal design that still delivers access to the key features and Android Lollipop with a toned down version of TouchWiz. The Samsung Galaxy S6 rumors are flowing faster, but there are still questions that eager buyers want answers to. Our Samsung Galaxy S6 video rumor roundup aims to fill you in on the latest rumors and explain what to expect in areas where rumors are still coming together.
The Samsung Galaxy S6 event takes place in less than a month and rumors continue to share information, but at this stage in the game there are many things we can count on thanks to rumors and devices like the Galaxy S5, Galaxy Note 4 and the iPhone 6.
Watch our Samsung Galaxy S6 video rumor roundup for the latest details.
Even if you are considering buying the Galaxy S5, it makes sense to wait for the Galaxy S6 release to arrive and drive down the price of the older hardware by $100 or more.
The Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2015 event is already scheduled and we know that a new Galaxy smartphone is coming. Samsung did not come out and say that this is the Galaxy S6 event, but you can certainly count on it to be the main focus. We also expect a Galaxy S6 Edge and there are rumors of a new wearable from Samsung as well.
Samsung Galaxy S6 Video Rumor Roundup
Although you will need to wait until days before the event if you hope to see a leaked Galaxy S6 video, you can watch our 9-minute Galaxy S6 video rumor roundup to get caught up on the latest information about this device. This video uses the Galaxy Note 4, Galaxy S5 and iPhone 6 to highlight the potential features, rumors and other important details.
Galaxy S6 Launch
The Samsung Galaxy S6 launch takes place on March 1st in Barcelona, Spain. The event starts at 6:30 PM local time which translates into 12:30 PM Eastern and 9:30 AM Pacific. Samsung invited Gotta Be Mobile to the event and the invitation below reinforces speculation of a Galaxy S6 Edge model with the silhouette of a phone on a black background.
There is a Samsung event on March 1st.
Samsung confirmed that they will offer a Galaxy S6 live stream to showcase the new device for fans and potential buyers. You can watch the video on any device that supports live YouTube videos including a computer, iPad, Android, iPhone and other devices.
Samsung Galaxy S6 release date
The Samsung Galaxy S6 release date is likely in April or May. The March 1st announcement offers a timeline to start working from. Samsung typically leaves several weeks between the announcement and the release of a new phone.
You can count on a Galaxy S6 release date to arrive earliest in other countries, but that doesn’t mean you will need to wait forever for a U.S. Galaxy S6 release date. Samsung may only announce a month at the event, but carriers and other leaks will likely arrive soon after the announcement.
If the Galaxy S6 release follows the timeline of the Galaxy Note 4 expect to see some U.S. Galaxy S6 pre-orders by the week of March 16th and a possible Galaxy S6 release on a carrier like AT&T by April 13th.
Samsung Galaxy S6 Display
Expect a Quad-HD or 2K display on the Galaxy S6, like we saw on the LG G3.
The Samsung Galaxy S6 display rumors suggest a screen that is the same size or one that is 5.5-inches in size. It’s not clear which direction Samsung will go, but it is clear that there will be a big upgrade to the display. The display rumors come from benchmarks and user agents.
Count on a 2K or Quad-HD display on the Galaxy S6. This display offers a 2,560 x 1,440 resolution like we saw on the Galaxy Note 4 and is a massive jump from the Galaxy S5’s 1,920 x 1,080 display. Samsung talked about delivering a phone with a 4K display in 2015, but that will likely happen on the Galaxy Note 5, not the Galaxy S6.
Count on a Galaxy S6 edge with a curved display lie the Note Edge shown here.
Based on leaks and the invitation it looks like the Galaxy S6 Edge release could deliver at least one curved edge to a special Galaxy S6 model. If this model arrives you can count on a premium price and the potential for it to come to carriers later than the standard Galaxy S6.
Samsung Galaxy S6 Design
The Samsung Galaxy S6 design is another area where you can count on a major upgrade. Samsung does a great job of keeping the design under wraps, but multiple leaks show a metal design and that matches the upgrade that the Galaxy Note 4 received in 2014. A new leak shows what may be the metal frame of the Galaxy S6, from Nowhereelse.fr, which looks a lot like the iPhone 6 in this bare stage. You can expect other materials to wrap along the top and back of this, similar to the Note 4.
Note the metal design of the Note 4 that we expect to see show up on the Galaxy S6 in some fashion.
One downside to this new Galaxy S6 design is that it may no longer be waterproof. Even with a metal design we do expect to see the Galaxy S6 with Micro SD card support but we may no longer see a removable battery. Many Galaxy S6 cases leaked, showing a potential look for the device, but this far out the cases are often a guess designed to gain attention.
A report from SamMobile outlines the potential Galaxy S6 color options as dark-blue, blue-green, gold and white. We typically see a number of Galaxy S colors, but normally the U.S. release brings a smaller selection. The Galaxy S6 Edge will also use the same color options according to the leak.
Samsung Galaxy S6 Camera Rumors
Expect a Galaxy S6 camera upgrade from the S5.
You can certainly count on an upgraded camera, but rumors still don’t settle on the exact sensor and feature. Expect to see a 16MP or a 20MP sensor on the Galaxy S6 and a front-facing camera upgrade as well. We wouldn’t be surprised to see a wide-angle front-facing camera and the wide-selfie mode on the Galaxy S6.
For the main camera it looks like Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) is planned. This feature helps take better photos in low light, as long as your subject isn’t moving.
Galaxy S6 Specs & Features
The Qualcomm quarterly report confirms rumors that a big customer is not using a new Snapdragon processor in an upcoming phone, and it looks like that is the Samsung Galaxy S6. Instead look for a Samsung Exynos processor inside the device. This change is not a major concern for many users, and it is worth noting that Samsung uses the Exynos processor in versions of the Note 4 and Galaxy S5.
Other potential Samsung Galaxy S6 specs include
- 4GB RAM
- Android 5.0 Lollipop with TouchWiz
- 5.5-inch Quad HD display – 2560 x 1440 – 534 pixels per inch (or 5.1-inch display)
- 32GB/64GB/128GB storage with support for 128GB micro SD cards
- 5MP front-facing camera
- 16MP or 20MP camera with Optical Image Stabilization
- 4G LTE
- 802.11ac WiFi
- Touch fingerprint sensor
- NFC
Expect an upgraded fingerprint reader on the Galaxy S6.
We expect to see an improved fingerprint reader that works more like the one on the iPhone 6. Currently the Galaxy S5 and Note 4 require users swipe their finger along the home button, but on the Galaxy S6 it may only require pressing a finger on it. Samsung also traditionally includes new sensors that arrive on the Note, so we could see a UV sensor and the option to measure blood oxygen levels with the S6 heart rate sensor.
Another potential Galaxy S6 feature is fast charging that allows the Note 4 to charge 50% in about 30 minutes.
Samsung Galaxy S6 Software
Samsung will deliver Android Lollipop on the Galaxy S6, in fact we are already seeing Android Lollipop updates for some Galaxy S5 models in the U.S. Typically Samsung includes new features specifically for Samsung phones and even though rumors indicate Samsung will remove some of the bloat and added apps from TouchWiz there is information about one potential upgrade.
With Android 5.0 Lollipop on board you can still expect to see TouchWiz, but a more toned down version. Users may need to go to the Samsung App Store to download apps that previously arrived right on the Galaxy S device, but they will likely be free downloads.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bw1l149Rb1k
A report from DDaily claims Samsung will include a new payment method powered by LoopPay on the Galaxy S6. Android devices already support Google Wallet and carrier backed SoftCard, but LoopPay is a known player in mobile wallets. If Samsung uses LoopPay this technology would allow users to pay with their phone even to older swipe style payment services.
Samsung Galaxy S6 Price & Carriers
There are already Samsung Galaxy S6 price rumors that outline potential prices in other regions, but don’t worry about the high prices listed. We typically see a variety of high prices listed in regions that don’t translate directly to the U.S. carriers. The rumors from AndroidPit and TecMundo suggest starting prices of 749 euros andR $2,899 — but on carriers like Verizon or AT&T you can expect the following.
Look for an on contract price of $199 to $249 for the Galaxy S6 and a $299 on contract price for the Galaxy S6 Edge. With the newer Edge, Jump and Up plans on these carriers you can also count on options that offer $0 down and $20 to $35 a month depending on the final off-contract price.
Although no U.S. Galaxy S6 carriers are confirmed buyers can expect to find the phone on Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and U.S. Cellular at about the same time. Smaller regional carriers and pre-paid carriers will come later.
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