Android
10 Things to Know About the Sprint Galaxy S6 Release
The US Samsung Galaxy S6 release date is confirmed for April 10th and pre-orders are now live for some carriers ahead of its highly anticipated release date. With that in mind, we want to take a look at the most important things we think Sprint Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge buyers need to know ahead of the Sprint Galaxy S6 release.
In early March, Samsung announced the all new Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge. These two flagship smartphones replace the Samsung Galaxy S5 and join the Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge in the company’s fight against top Android rivals and Apple’s current iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus flagships. Samsung’s new devices are tempting propositions and as we creep closer to release, many buyers in the United States are beginning to take notice.
Most US carriers have confirmed the most important Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge release details including the release date, colors, storage, pre-orders, and price. Sprint is one of those carriers.
The Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge share many of the same specs.
The Now Network was quick to confirm both the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge and a few days ago, it confirmed many of the pertinent details that potential Galaxy S6 buyers need to know about. Thing is, there’s a whole lot of information out there and it can be a lot to digest, especially for those that haven’t been keeping tabs.
With that in mind, we want to take a look at the most important things to know about the Sprint Galaxy S6 release date and some of the smaller details that we think you need to be aware of as we march closer to the Sprint Galaxy S6 release date.
Sprint Galaxy S6 Pre-Orders Live
Consider this your final reminder ahead of the Sprint Galaxy S6 release date. Sprint is currently taking pre-orders at its stores and via its online portal. If you haven’t gone hands-on with the Sprint Galaxy S6 or Galaxy S6 Edge yet, you can waltz into a store right now, try them out, and put in a pre-order if you decide that’s the route you want to take.
It’s also worth mentioning that Amazon and Best Buy are both taking pre-orders for Sprint Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge models if you don’t want to buy directly from Sprint.
The Galaxy S6 Edge doesn’t do much more than the Galaxy S6.
We haven’t seen any Sprint Galaxy S6 or Galaxy S6 Edge models sell out and we’re not expecting these devices to go completely out of stock anytime soon so you’ll definitely want to take your time if you’re thinking about buying one or the other.
Those of you that do need more time shouldn’t have any trouble finding Sprint variants in stock on the Sprint Galaxy S6 release date so there’s no need to rush into a pre-order.
Galaxy S6 Pre-Orders Could Arrive Early
If you’ve already put in a pre-order or if you’ve already chosen one of these models as your next phone, note that we’ll probably see Sprint Galaxy S6 pre-orders arrive a day before the device’s street date.
While Sprint didn’t outright confirm early pre-order deliveries like T-Mobile did, the company has, in the past, delivered its pre-orders for its Android flagships a day or so ahead of the release date. With AT&T and T-Mobile set to deliver early, you’ll want to keep a close eye on your tracking if you’ve already put in a pre-order.
Don’t Buy Off-Contract at Amazon or Best Buy
If you are looking to buy the Sprint Galaxy S6 or Galaxy S6 Edge off-contract, you probably don’t want to buy through Best Buy or Amazon. Both retailers are charging exorbitant prices for both the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge. Sprint’s off-contract Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge price points are far more modest. Don’t believe us? Here’s the evidence.
For the 32GB Galaxy S6 off-contract, Sprint is charging $648. Amazon and Best Buy? $700 and $730 respectively. Best Buy’s price amounts to highway robbery. Same goes for the Galaxy S6 Edge. Sprint is charging $768 for the privilege of owning one. Amazon ($850) and Best Buy ($850) are charging an arm and a leg.
There are differences between the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge, but not as many as you’d expect.
Unless you have an Amazon gift card or a bunch of Best Buy points saved up, do not pre-order or buy off-contract from those two retailers. You’re going to overpay if you do.
Sprint Galaxy S6 Release Date
Another reminder. The Sprint Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge release date is confirmed for April 10th. That is the day that the device will go on sale at Sprint and other various other retailers for the first time.
Again, it’s worth noting that you can go hands-on, right now, at select Sprint locations. If you don’t have a Sprint store that’s close to you, it’s worth knowing that Best Buy is also hosting hands-on time in their Samsung Experience shops.
Galaxy S6 Edge Price
Sprint’s Galaxy S6 Edge is way more expensive than its regular Galaxy S6. That’s the case at Sprint and it will be the case at the retailers where the Sprint Galaxy S6 models are sold. There’s no getting around it now and probably not in the future either.
The Galaxy S 6 display is 5.1-inches and offers a curved edge option.
At Sprint, the Galaxy S6 Edge is $100 more expensive than the regular model. That includes on-contract pricing and that also includes off-contract pricing. What this means is that you absolutely need to make sure that you actually need the curved display. Most people are probably going to be fine with the cheaper, regular model but others will fall in love with the curves. Of this, we have no doubt.
Free Galaxy S6 vs. Two Year Contract
We’ve put together a Sprint comparison that looks at the pros and cons of free Galaxy S6 versus buying the Galaxy S6 or Galaxy S6 Edge on a two year contract. If you need help deciding between the two, we highly recommend taking a look at those details.
Best Buy One Plan
It’s also worth mentioning Sprint’s Best Buy One Plan. Sprint’s cheapest plan is the Best Buy One plan that offers a Galaxy S6 with unlimited service for $75 a month. We’re still waiting on confirmation of this price, but it is in line with the Galaxy S5.
Is the free Galaxy S6 from Sprint better than a contract?
This is a two-year plan that does not offer an early upgrade option. At the end of two years the total cost is $1,836 before taxes and fees. That’s $440 less than the contract option where you pay $249 up front and need to deal with a mail in rebate. Yes, Sprint’s price tags come with a mail-in rebate that you’ll need to send in to get $50 back on your purchase.
Three Color Options, For Now
Sprint will sell the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge in three color options: Black, white and gold. Amazon is currently listing an April 27th release date for the gold Sprint Galaxy S6 Edge (the gold Galaxy S6 is listed for April 10) and Best Buy doesn’t have its gold Sprint Galaxy S6 or Galaxy S6 Edge models in stock at the moment. It’s a bit odd and we could definitely see stock strains on April 10th.
No word yet on the green or blue Galaxy S6 variants and it’s possible that those will arrive much later in the year, if they arrive at all on Sprint’s network. Remember, Samsung is well known for offering exclusives to carriers and retailers so unless you’re dead set on blue or green, you’re probably not going to want to sit around and wait. It could be months before we see these.
Sprint Galaxy S6 Deals
We haven’t spotted a ton of early Sprint Galaxy S6 deals though there is one that you should be aware of ahead of the Sprint Galaxy S6 release.
Best Buy, the retailer that you should avoid if you’re going off-contract, is offering a free charging pad. The device normally costs $60. The Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge come with built-in wireless charging so this is definitely a deal worth looking at. There is one caveat that you need to know about though.The retailer’s deal only extends through April 11th, or, a day after the Sprint Galaxy S6 release date in the United States.
Tons of Galaxy S6 Accessories
Sprint should have a number of Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge accessories in stores on day one though it still hasn’t listed any ahead of the Galaxy S6 release date. Most US carriers tend to have a mix of official and third-party accessories available upon release though selection is usually a bit limited. Fortunately, retailers will pick up the slack.
Amazon has a ton of Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge accessories on sale right now and we’re expecting companies like Mophie and Lifeproof to release their wares in and around the Sprint Galaxy S6 release date as well. You’ll definitely want to shop around, especially if you’re looking for a deal on some brand new accessories.
