The first Samsung Galaxy S smartphone was launched in
2010; about the same time as the iPhone 4. Since then, the Galaxy S series has
been about one thing and one thing only -- making a product that's
"better" than the iPhone at a lower price tag. Each iteration of the
Galaxy S series; namely the S2, S3, S4 kept adding to the list of features. But
this tried-and-tested formula was pushed too far with last year's Galaxy S5.
The uninspiring plastic design and initial asking price of Rs. 53,500
overshadowed what otherwise seemed like a full-fledged package. Which is
probably why in 2015, Samsung started with a clean slate for the Galaxy S6.
Many bold moves were made into creating this product,
like dropping support for micro SD cards and removable batteries that Samsung
flagships were known for. Also dropped were a few features from the Galaxy S5
-- like water-dust resistance, USB 3.0 support and a comparatively larger
battery. "What has gotten into Samsung?", many would have
asked. The answer seems to be largely obvious -- they got back to competing
with the iPhone. And this time, it's a head-on battle. Samsung
wants to sell you an iPhone that's made by them.
Comparisons between an iPhone and an Android phone may be
futile, much like the Apples vs Oranges debate. But those comparisons are made
by many potential buyers anyway. So when iPhone users want to try their hand at
Android, amongst the choices they have, the Galaxy S6 seems to be their best
bet. Here's why:
It looks and feels familiar
An iPhone is a universally identifiable status symbol
that you can carry today. The Galaxy S6 matches that by fixing the one thing
that was so wrong with its predecessor - it finally looks and feels like a
device of premium stature. It is about the same size and thickness as an iPhone
6. It even feels equally slippery thanks to the curvy metal bezels and the
glass back. It is hard to distinguish the bottom of the two at a quick glance.
It
takes great point-and-shoot photos
People love the iPhone's camera because it's easy to just
point and capture great quality pictures. The Galaxy S6's rear camera takes
photos in twice the resolution as the iPhone
6, has a larger F1.9 aperture, Optical Image Stabilization, 4K video
recording, a wide-angle front-facing camera with some neat selfie-taking
features.
But that is not the point. The point
is that it's a fast camera that takes good pictures by just pointing and
clicking. Sure, there are manual controls that you can fidget
with, but the Galaxy S6 is designed to give most iPhone users what they really
want.
It's software is iOS-esque
It's no secret that Samsung's Touch Wiz takes inspiration
from Apple's iOS, you probably know about the lawsuit. Still, Android
operates differently from iOS, and iPhone users will take some time to get used
to any phone maker's Android implementation. But there are elements in TouchWiz
that should make these new converts a little more comfortable.
For example, there are app badges that show unread items
above an app icon, just like iOS. There's a built-in dictionary feature on any
word you highlight, just like iOS. You can take a screenshot by pressing the
home and power button together, just like iOS. Even the share sheet in the
Gallery app has this 'Simple Sharing' option that's conveniently at the same
position as Apple's Airdrop.
There's a minus (-) symbol in the app drawer to uninstall
an app, just like iOS. There's a Samsung Kies phone management software just
like iTunes.
Finally, it is also fast. Fast enough to satisfy an
iPhone user.
It's got a fingerprint scanner
Apple's Touch ID is that one feature every Android user
can be jealous of. The Galaxy S5 aped it rather badly, the Note 4 made it a
little more usable. But you still had to swipe over the home button, which
wasn't as simple as placing your finger over the sensor, like Touch ID. In the
Galaxy S6, you finally don't have to swipe over the sensor, making it genuinely
usable now.
Android as an operating
system is yet to support fingerprint scanners. This means that the scanner in
the Galaxy S6 is mainly used for unlocking the phone. Since last year, Apple
has even allowed third party apps to use Touch ID for authentication in their
apps. You can even authenticate payments using Apple Pay (provided you're in a
country where it works).
So the way it looks right now, there's a ray of hope for
the biometric verification on the Galaxy S6 to be used more effectively if Google flicks the switch. But till then, you can at
least enjoy the convenient unlocking facility that no other Android phone has
today.
It's still "value for
money"
Reiterating that point I made in the beginning, the
Galaxy S series wasn't just about creating an iPhone clone. It was about that
and a lot more. The Galaxy S6 ticks many right boxes in this respect by
offering 32GB of internal storage on the base model. The screen is wildly more
crisper than the iPhone. There's an Infrared blaster to control your TV and
other electronics. There's a ton of other features like multi-window to use two
apps simultaneously, Smart Stay to keep the screen on while you're looking at
it, to mention a few.
So is Samsung's Galaxy S6 the ultimate smartphone to
purchase? Nope. Its battery life is mediocre, although it does come with
hacks like fast charging, wireless charging and an ultra-power saving mode to
mitigate that. The phone sometimes tends to get uncomfortably hot at the edges
and back. It also feels more delicate, a price you have to pay for that premium
feel. And finally, TouchWiz is still not the prettiest-looking skin to please
the elite iPhone users.
But in my humble opinion, if you're an iPhone user
interested in getting a taste of Android, the Galaxy S6 is probably the best
thing you
can buy today.
Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.in/rohan-naravane/the-galaxy-s6-is-the-best_b_7312594.html?utm_hp_ref=in-tech
Thursday, May 21, 2015
The Galaxy S6 Is the Best Choice For iPhone Users Today
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Great resource
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