The wait is over, the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ are finally official.
The two devices bear similar specifications and features save for a few.
The Galaxy S6 Edge+’s most notable feature is its dual edge screen and users will be able to make special use of the extra screen real estate using the Apps Edge feature. Users will be able to quickly access their favourite contacts or apps or anything else they add on Apps Edge.
The Galaxy Note 5’s main feature as expected is the stylus, the S Pen. It’s been refined as expected and Note 5 users will be able to jot notes as soon as they’ve ejected the S Pen all from the device’s lock screen.
For the first time, the Galaxy Note line is going fully metal since the Galaxy Note 5 takes the design of the Galaxy S6. That means that the faux leather era is done with. While it may be good news for everyone who wanted such a design profile, it is bad news for everyone who has loved the Note line for what it has always been: the best specs on an Android device. This is because it lacks the two things that have so far distinguished the Note from other big smartphones like the iPhone 6 Plus: a removable battery and a microSD card slot.
Without support for expandable storage, it is curious that Samsung won’t be releasing a version of either device with 128 GB internal storage. While not explicitly mentioned during the just concluded Unpacked event in New York or indicated on the product pages on Samsung’s website, it is likely that the two devices will come bundled with some sort of cloud storage option to complement the 32 GB available on the base models or the 64 GB available on the others. Our best bet is a tie-in with Microsoft’s OneDrive since Samsung and Microsoft have a special partnership and with the Note being a productivity device, that means Office 365 as well.
Here’s what the two devices pack:
| Galaxy Note 5 | Galaxy S6 Edge+ | |
| Size and weight | 153.2 x 76.1 x 7.6mm, 171g | 154.4 x 75.8 x 6.9mm, 153g |
| Display | 5.7” Quad HD Super AMOLED 2560 x 1440 (518ppi) |
Same |
| Processor | Octa core 64 bit Exynos 7420 clocked at 2.1 GHz | Same |
| Memory | 32/64 GB internal memory, 4 GB RAM | Same |
| Camera | Rear : 16MP OIS (F1.9), Front : 5MP (F1.9) | Same |
| OS | Android 5.1 (Lollipop) | Same |
| Battery | 3000 mAh | Same |
| Network | 3G, LTE (Cat 9, Cat 6) | Same |
| Connectivity | WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, MIMO(2×2), Bluetooth v 4.2 LE, ANT+, USB 2.0, NFC |
Same |
| Others | NFC and MST (for mobile payments – Samsung Pay), Fast charging, Wireless Charging compatible with WPC and PMA | Same |
| Colours | Black Sapphire, Gold Platinum, Silver Titanium, White Pearl | Same |
Buyers of the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ and the Galaxy Note 5 will have several accessories available to them for purchase. Some like the flip covers will be available immediately the two devices hit the market while others like the brand new Bluetooth keyboard called Keyboard Cover that Samsung is introducing will come much later.
The two devices will also be the first Samsung devices to debut Samsung’s own mobile payments service, Samsung Pay.
It is interesting to note that unlike before when Samsung made the Galaxy Note available in just about every market, it won’t be the case this time round. The company is responding to the huge demand for the dual edge screen Galaxy S6 Edge with the Galaxy S6 Edge+. As a result, it is the Galaxy S6 Edge+ and not the Galaxy Note 5 that is at the centre of all attention.
The Galaxy S6 Edge+ and Galaxy Note 5 will go for $700 and $780 respectively for the base model (32 GB). We’ll update this article with details of the pricing of the 64 GB model. Pre-orders in the United States are open today and the two devices are expected to be available in the market as from August 21st.
