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iPhone 6 Plus vs Galaxy Note Edge: 5 Things Buyers Need to Know

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With the iPhone 6 Plus release date here and the Galaxy Note Edge release confirmed for later this year, consumers are sizing up the two big screen smartphones ahead of their arrival. While we can’t make that decision for you, we can provide you with details that could help to make you come to a quicker and perhaps, a better decision. This iPhone 6 Plus vs Galaxy Note Edge comparison addresses the most important differences, and similarities, that buyers need to know.

Earlier this month, Samsung took to the stage in Berlin, Germany to announce several new products for the fall. First, we saw another intro for the Samsung Gear S, an Apple Watch competitor and a device that appears to be a solid alternative to current Android smartwatches. We also saw the Gear VR virtual reality headset make its first appearance.

The star of the show though was arguably the new Samsung Galaxy Note 4, Samsung’s Galaxy Note 3 successor and a device that’s poised to strike in the United States in October. As expected, the Galaxy Note 4 is a tantalizing new smartphone and one that should be tempting for those looking to grab a high-end, big-screen device.

Samsung also announced a brand new device called the Galaxy Note Edge, a high-end smartphone that shares some features with the Galaxy Note 4 but offers some unique ones of its own. With a release slated for later this year though, the Galaxy Note Edge is going to face some serious opposition, including a new iPhone 6 Plus that offers a massive screen.

On September 9th, Apple unveiled a large screen smartphone of its own dubbed iPhone 6 Plus. It, along with the iPhone 6, replaces the iPhone 5s as the company’s new flagship smartphone options. And like the Galaxy Note Edge, the iPhone 6 Plus sports some intriguing features that should help catapult it to stardom this fall.

Consumers that haven’t already made up their mind are likely weighing the iPhone 6 Plus against the Galaxy Note Edge. And while we can’t tell you what to do, we can push you in the right direction. Ahead of the Galaxy Note Edge release, we take a look at the five most important things buyers need to know about the iPhone 6 Plus vs. Galaxy Note Edge.

iPhone 6 Plus Release Date vs. Galaxy Note Edge Release Date

The iPhone 6 Plus release date is today. Today, Apple and its carrier and retail partners in the United States and select other regions released the iPhone 6 Plus to lines and enthusiasm from Apple customers. As expected, the iPhone 6 Plus is a little difficult to find. Stock is low and some stores only have a few options available.

Apple’s large screen iPhone 6 likely won’t see its shipping times and stock issues ease until October, closer to the holidays and Black Friday. Apple and its partners currently have a back log of orders to work through and they will be doled out on a first come, first serve basis. The important thing though is that you can now go hands on with Apple’s brand new iPhone, something that will be vital in your hunt for your next smartphone.

It's easier to find an iPhone 6 in stock now.

It’s easier to find an iPhone 6 in stock now.

The Galaxy Note Edge release date is still unclear. Samsung confirmed it for later this year though it made no elaboration. We have seen it make some progress behind the scenes and Samsung’s new sign up page says that it’s “coming soon” but exact details remain in the shadows as we approach the fall and move away from the iPhone 6 Plus release.

We do have a few clues though. The UK says that it will not have the Galaxy Note Edge in stock during the initial release. It’s not clear what kind of delay it will be dealing with. One retailer claims that the delay will impact other European countries as well, not just the United Kingdom.

galaxy note edge

Samsung Canada recently confirmed that it won’t be getting the Galaxy Note Edge until 2015. It says that its release will come after the U.S. though it made no distinction between dates. In other words, those looking into the iPhone 6 Plus vs Galaxy Note Edge are going to have to wait a little longer to compare these two physically.

From what it sounds like, the Galaxy Note Edge will hit the U.S. this year and perhaps, other countries next year.

iPhone 6 Plus Size vs. Galaxy Note Edge Size

The term “phablet” is being thrown around a lot when describing both the iPhone 6 Plus and the Galaxy Note Edge. If you’re not familiar with the term, it’s a cross between the words tablet and phone. It’s a terrible name but one that has stuck around as companies shift to larger smartphones with massive screens and tablet-like features.

Indeed, the Galaxy Note Edge and iPhone 6 Plus are large smartphones. Much larger than last year’s iPhone 5s and larger than many of the top Android smartphones that litter the landscape, Samsung Galaxy S5 included. Here is how the iPhone 6 Plus stacks up, size wise, with the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge’s design.

Galaxy Note Edge vs. iPhone 6 Plus size.

Galaxy Note Edge vs. iPhone 6 Plus size.

Here’s how the size difference breaks down from a numbers standpoint:

  • iPhone 6 Plus – 158.1 x 77.8 x 7.1mm – 172 grams
  • Galaxy Note Edge – 151.3 x 82.4 x 8.3 mm – 174 grams

The Galaxy Note Edge is shorter, a wider, and a whole lot thicker than the all-metal iPhone 6 Plus. It also weighs a tad bit more though we doubt that you’ll be able to feel the difference. Two grams isn’t a lot. In short, both of these phones are large and you should be very well aware of that before diving in with either of them.

iPhone 6 Plus Specs vs. Galaxy Note Edge Specs

Not all of you will want or need to compare specs, but if you do, you’re going to find that both of these phones offer some powerful features that will help to make your decision that much harder. We’ll point out some of the key differences and some things that you probably shouldn’t dwell on in the buildup to their release.

iPhone 6 Plus Specs

  • Apple A8 64-bit Processor
  • iOS 8
  • 5.5-inch display – 1920 x 1080  – 401 pixels per inch
  • 16GB / 64GB / 128GB storage options
  • 1.2MP front-facing camera
  • 8MP rear-facing camera with Optical Image Stabilization
  • 2915 mAh battery
  • 4G LTE
  • 802.11ac WiFi
  • Touch ID Fingerprint Sensor
  • NFC

Galaxy Note Edge Specs

  • 5.6-inch Quad HD display with bent side
  • Snapdragon 805 processor (U.S.)
  • 3GB RAM
  • 16MP camera with Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3.7MP front-facing camera
  • 32GB / 64GB storage with support for 128GB microSD cards
  • Android 4.4.4 KitKat
  • Fingerprint sensor
  • UV sensor
  • Heart rate sensor
  • NFC
  • Fast charging
  • 3000 mah battery
  • S Pen

As you can see, the screen size difference isn’t going to be much of a difference at all. Both provide tons of real estate for gaming, browsing the web, and more. There are two things to keep in mind though.

First, the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge sports a higher resolution. This doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s going to blow the iPhone 6 Plus display out of the water but it does mean that it will be able to keep pace with Apple’s new Retina HD display. DisplayMate, one of the leading voices on display technology, calls the Galaxy Note 4 display the best they’ve ever seen.

The other is the Galaxy Note Edge’s bent display. The Galaxy Note Edge comes with a screen that curves down over the edge of the device. Thus the name. The Galaxy Note Edge and its screen can be seen in the video below.

The Galaxy Note Edge screen isn’t going to be for everyone but it does come with some distinct advantages. The bent part of the Galaxy Note Edge’s display not only offers better viewing angles for content, it also provides users with an extremely quick way to access their most used applications, settings and more. All it takes is the swipe of a thumb.

Samsung’s Galaxy Note Edge bent display can also display notifications on the side without pausing or interrupting content that’s running on the main screen. So if you’re watching a movie and you get a text or an email, it will appear on the side as opposed to on the main screen. This is only the beginning as Samsung will deliver a Galaxy Note Edge SDK that will allow developers to take full advantage of the curved display.

Galaxy-Note-Edge-2

Both cameras will feature Optical Image Stabilization, technology that minimizes shakiness to deliver better looking photos and video. We should point out that Samsung has added a ton of new features to its popular camera application including new models for selfies. Apple has also improved its camera app with iOS 8 though it still doesn’t offer the same amount of choice.

While the iPhone 6 Plus comes in three sizes, the Galaxy Note Edge comes in two though we only expect one variant in the U.S., likely the 32GB model. What the Galaxy Note 4 lacks in internal storage, it makes up for with expanded storage. Users can pop in a microSD card that adds tons of storage. The iPhone 6 Plus does not come with expandable storage.

iPhone 6 Plus Features vs. Galaxy Note Edge Features

Apple’s new iPhone always comes with a ton of new features. So do Samsung’s Galaxy Notes. So it’s no surprise that both of these flagships are full of powerful features.

If you upgrade to the iPhone 6 Plus, you’ll get an assortment of features that aren’t found on the Galaxy Note Edge. Here, we take a look at a few of the iPhone 6 Plus features that standout from the bunch:

  • Apple Pay – NFC in the iPhone 6 will allow you to pay for things with the iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus. The Galaxy Note Edge has NFC on board as well though it will use different solutions for mobile payments.
  • Touch ID – The fingerprint sensor inside the home button provides added security and convenience. As we’ve noted, Apple’s Touch ID sensor is far better than the one that Samsung’s using in the Galaxy Note Edge. It uses the same sensor that’s found in the Galaxy S5.
  • ColorsThe iPhone 6 Plus comes in gold, white and gray. Samsung’s Galaxy Note Edge will only come in black or white.

Now, we want to take a look at a few of the more intriguing Galaxy Note 4 features:

  • UV Sensor – Allows you to measure UV radiation with your phone. This is something that could help to prevent health issues and it’s something that isn’t found on the iPhone 6 Plus.
  • Heart Rate Sensor – The Galaxy Note Edge comes with a heart rate sensor tucked away near the camera. The sensor can help track your pulse and ties into the company’s new S Health 3.5 application. The iPhone 6 Plus does not feature one.
  • S Pen – This is one of the biggest differences between the two. The Galaxy Note Edge comes with a bundled stylus called the S Pen that can take advantage of unique apps. It also allows you to write and draw on the screen. It can be seen in action in the video below. Needless to say, the iPhone 6 Plus does not come with an S Pen made by Samsung.

iPhone 6 Plus vs. Galaxy Note Edge Software & Updates

The iPhone 6 Plus comes stock with Apple’s iOS 8 software, seen in the video below. iOS 8 is much different than the software found on the Galaxy Note Edge and because of that, software is going to play a key role in your final decision.

Samsung’s Galaxy Note Edge runs Google’s Android 4.4.4 KitKat operating system as a base though the software has been modified with Samsung’s TouchWiz user interface. And not just any version of TouchWiz, a version that’s designed for the S Pen and mulitasking in mind.

Samsung’s made some significant improvements to this year’s S Pen including increased sensitivity on the Note Edge screen to make the note taking experience on the Galaxy Note Edge feel more like writing on paper. More sensitivity also leads to better looking text from handwriting. Samsung’s also made some significant improvements to the S Pen’s applications including, Air Command, S Note and Voice Memo, and more.

More importantly, the company has improved the Galaxy Note Edge’s multitasking, multitasking that the iPhone 6 Plus simply cannot match. One of the reasons why is a feature called Multi-Window View. It can be seen in action on the Galaxy Note 4 in the video below.

Multi-Window View, at its most basic level, allows users to run multiple applications on screen at the same time. With the Galaxy Note Edge, Samsung has made some admirable changes including the ability to access applications in full, split or pop-up screens. Galaxy Note Edge users will now also be able to reposition apps on the screen with just one swipe.

As we’ve pointed out, iOS 8 rumors point to split-screen multitasking for the iPad but those rumors have not pointed to a release for the iPhone or iPhone 6 Plus.

3 Comments

3 Comments

  1. Kev

    09/19/2014 at 3:01 pm

    Too many things hanging about over the page. I read this on a Surface Pro 2, and it’s difficult to see an entire para without the ends of lines obscured by your social media widget, then an ad for another article comes in bottom right. Add to this, a random selection of differently sized ads in the left placeholder and at the top, and I find the site wearing and irritating just on a single page.

  2. Jason

    09/19/2014 at 6:35 pm

    @kev: It may just be your browser. Chrome on a Galaxy S3 didn’t suffer from any of the issues you listed.

  3. Joe

    09/19/2014 at 8:36 pm

    Thank you for this article its nice to read something that doesnt try to say one is better then the other. I had a chance to play with a 6 plus today and I wasnt as impressed as I hoped to be it seemed just a larger version of my 5s. My son has a note 2 and im really curious to see what samsung really brings to the table and not just hype. Im due for an upgrade and I think ill wait another month to see what comes out of the bag…. by the way I viewed this on the note 2 on firefox mobile and it was perfect . Kev probably needs to upgrade

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