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Score: 8/10
Verdict: Bigger is certainly better, but not everyone will be enthused about the price or minor improvements.
So much can change in twelve months. This time last year, Samsung released the Note Edge, practically the Note 4 except one side of its screen was curved.
At the time, it felt more like a test to see what worked but it led to the S6 Edge which has (rightly) garnered the most praise and attention of Samsung’s two S6 devices.
Now it’s decided to release a bigger version of it called the Edge Plus as a way of making up for the Note 5′s absence (which hasn’t been released here). It comes with a few small tweaks but does it warrant a look?
Style over substance?
If there was at least one thing the Edge Plus (and the original S6 Edge) has going for it, it’s style.
While the curved display certainly makes it look appealing and have a practical function, side swipes are much easier to do and are almost fun, the important part is it doesn’t distort anything on screen. Everything continues to look normal no matter what you’re doing which is great.
Combine that with an aluminium frame and glass backing makes one of the most stylish devices out there.
The only problem is since it’s now has a 5.7-inch screen, it doesn’t lend itself as well to one-handed use.
If you’re uncomfortable with a larger screen size, there’s little here that will help convince you to change although the curved display means your thumb will be able to reach more of the screen than you would initially think.
Minor adjustments
While the outside is bigger than before, the inside is virtually the same as the S6 Edge apart from two changes. The display and two quad-core CPUs are the same, but it now has 4GB of RAM and a 3,000 mAh battery.
To be fair, you can never have too much RAM and 4GB is good to work with although it TouchWiz can suffer from the odd crash or freeze.
Unlike other phablet devices, the battery life will last you a day but no more. It does charge up quickly, but that is scant consolation for those who aren’t near a charger until late in the day.
The camera is unchanged as well, but it was already one of the best out there, prioritising more vibrant photos instead of more realistic ones, and performing well in low-light conditions.
It’s packed with enough features like selective focus and pro mode allowing you to be more creative with your snaps. Even without that, the auto mode is more than enough for most users to take some great photos.
Edge in name, same in nature
Much like the specs, the software is virtually untouched from the S6. In comparison to other Android versions, TouchWiz is still an interface that requires a bit of time to get to grips with due to the number of differences from stock Android, but like the S6, its decision to tone down the bloatware apps and features it usually offered is a wise one.
The curved screen only really comes into play for three different reasons. The first is calls, putting it face down and getting a call will see the sides flash a certain colour, letting you know if it someone you know well or an unknown number.
The second is quick info like time (which only comes into effect during certain times, usually nighttime) or ticker notifications while the final one is quick access.
Considering this was already in place last year with the Note Edge, it doesn’t feel like much advancement has been made. Swiping the side menu open brings up preselected apps or popular contacts but that’s about the height of it.
It does feel a bit like 3D Touch on the iPhone 6s at this point. A good idea with potential but you feel like more could be done with it. That may be a harsh assessment considering both have only two devices to work with, but you can only hope that Samsung will build upon this idea with future devices.
Should you buy one?
That answer boils down to the same problem faced by those deciding between an iPhone 6s or 6s Plus, or a Nexus 5X or 6P. Do you want a bigger screen than usual? If the answer is yes and you’re on the outlook for a premium Android device, there are few that can match it for specs and style.
If there’s a major criticism, it’s that very little has changed from when the S6 arrived back in April. It’s a refinement but only in a very specific sense and while it already had a great foundation to work with, this is a way to keep things ticking along until the next Galaxy S device arrives.
Pros
- Great design and screen.
- Specs are still high end.
- Fantastic camera.
Cons
- Very little has changed compared to the original S6 or Edge.
- Edge software under-utilised.
- Very expensive.
The Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge Plus costs €899 (PAYG or unlocked) and is available in Three, Meteor, Carphone Warehouse,
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Woooooo! Well done Scotland!
Fair play Scotland, showing other countries how it’s done!
Kinda proud to be Scottish today.
Suspended a/ “Anus”???
I have a feeling your one of our re-named Troll accounts.
Ignore him, Jeremy. He’s just an assho1e.
Scotland points the way. France has also permitted same sex marriage.
In time, Irish society will come to accept that horrible unfairness and the inherent discrimination involved in denying gay people the opportunity of same sex marriage.
Congrats Sean!
Ah has nowt to do with me, just happy for some people back home!
Still worth congratulating you. You come from a country that has made a great leap forward. Fair play to ya
To be fair, they were probably all pissed during the vote.
Ah, much like the dáil then is it? Feck it, they got the job done
See what can happen when a country refuses to let itself be dictated to by the church!
It’s fantastic isn’t it. People end up happier. Glad to see you’ve changed your tune Rodrigo
Good on ye Scotland!
?
Nice one Scotland
I’ll throw a party tonight to celebrate!
Congratulations, Scotland!
Now I wonder how long it will take for the “fabric of society” to fall asunder, or all the currently married people to feel that their own relationship is jeopardised!
I’m going for never.
Well, there is a storm coming.. And as we all know – gay people are responsible for the bad weather..
And autism. Oh and did you hear about the glass roof in RTE that collapsed. Apparently Shirley Temple Bar was there at the time. True story. Must have been Gods revenge
God’s revenge for the Iona payout!
The island Iona could def find a market in marrying Irish gay couples…
They could set up an Institute of Equal Marriage there.
How lovely would that be? The Iona Institute doing good, for a change.
Up your kilt!
Always the anonymous trolls who come out with the most homophobic comments….come on guys…..show your real profile and make the same comments!! Keyboard heroes!!!
What is it with all the gay stories today. Are we in the middle of some secret gayfest or something?
If you were in the middle of a gayfest I’m sure you’d know
“Back into the pile!!”
Clearly you don’t know what a gay festa is by that question, you should go to one just so you know.
Shame we can’t have the referendum a little sooner.
I was kinda hoping we would do it before our friends across the water
every one to there own. ..but dont need it rammed down our neck. ..for example and this is fact
protesting to have pictures of man and woman marriages taken down from register offices as they feel it’s bias and not equal. ..come on you got yer vote leave ua who believe in the marriage of a man and woman at peace
You do know, that tomorrow heterosexual people in Scotland WILL be able to get married in peace.
Nothing will be rammed down your throat.
You do realise that the vote was in Scotland right?
Patric – did I see you in Jurassic Park?
Patric…. How would you feel if you were not allowed marry the person you love because the law discriminates against you even tho you are a tax paying citizen involved in nothing more disturbing or illegal than being in love..?????…… gay people don’t want extra or special rights. .. Just The equal rights that the rest of our population have
How about you don’t ram hetrosexuality down our throats with all your different sexed marriages, mixed gender couples in the media and on the street. Even most of the politicians are ramming it down our throats by being blatantly married to someone of the opposite gender whilst holding office. Dreadful!
Upset you are losing your privilege? Well tough, losing privilege is not oppression.
Cyberspice, I wanted to high five you for that brilliant response.
As a matter of interest Patric – where is this supposed to be happening?
I’d say if we keep fighting for it, gay marriage in Ireland will be permitted within the next hundred years or so!
It’s a matter of the Government leading out the Referendum. It will be a very popular Referendum and it will pass easily. It’s a shoe in for the short to medium term.
Politicians can recognised a vote catcher.
I don’t care about the motives. I just want to see my gay brothers and sisters have the opportunity that straight people take for granted. Equality cannot come soon enough.
Dirt
I know you are but what about me?
I know now why them jocks like the kilt. they will be celebrating in suckyeall street.
Chris, nice avatar. Who is he?
Says the fella with the gay avatar.
Congrats to Scotland. #Revolutionof love
The logical outcome for a country that embraced Calvinism?
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