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Friar's Lantern

The Student News Site of Malvern Preparatory School

Friar's Lantern

The Student News Site of Malvern Preparatory School

Friar's Lantern

    Samsung releases newest device

    kv-phonesAt a press conference in Barcelona on March 1, Samsung revealed the Galaxy S6, the successor to the Galaxy S5.

    Departing from the plastic build Samsung is known for, the Galaxy S6 has a metal rim and a glass back. While this design change raises questions on the durability of the phone, it is a welcome departure from the plastic construction seen on previous devices.

    The screen is also another point of improvement as well. Instead of making the screen size bigger, the screen size has stayed the same. However, the screen is much sharper, and contains more pixels than a conventional 1080p TV.

    Samsung is also looking to enter the mobile payments market. Right off the heels of Google Wallet and Apple Pay, Samsung has introduced Samsung Pay. While it does share similarities with the two aforementioned alternatives, Samsung Pay can be used in any store.

    Unlike Apple Pay and Google Wallet, Samsung Pay in the Galaxy S6 can replicate the magnetic charge found on conventional credit cards. Any store with a magnetic card reader can use Samsung Pay, eliminating the need for special card readers for stores.

    Despite all of these new changes, not all changes are welcome. Samsung has decided to have a non-removable battery and take out MicroSD card expansion. This means that users cannot add storage or take out the battery at a later time.

    The new Galaxy S6 is also not waterproof. This feature, which was present on the Galaxy S5, was quietly dropped. The size of the battery has decreased as well, but Samsung claims that the battery life will be the same, if not better.

    While the Galaxy S6 was expected at this event, Samsung also showcased another version of the S6. Called the S6 Edge, this phone is identical to the S6, but with a curved display.

    In true Samsung fashion, the S6 Edge utilizes this unique feature with some software additions. During the night, it can function like an alarm clock by displaying the time on the edge. Favorited contacts can be accessed by swiping in from the edge, and notifications will flash on the edge as well.

    Some critics, however, claim that the edge on the device is nothing more than a gimmick. The Galaxy S6 Edge is expected to carry a higher price tag as well.

    Both the S6 and the S6 Edge are expected to be released in Spring 2015. With a refreshed design and new features, the new Galaxy phones are sure to have “six appeal.”

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