Samsung Galaxy S6

[IM469]

It looks like Apple and Samsung are so busy copying each others ideas, I figure soon you will have to look at the box to figure out which phone you are looking at. Samsung has put a lot of performance upgrades in their new S-6 but I am disappointed that they are now going to drop a few features that I found convenient.

Samsung Galaxy S-6 has a metal and glass case that is sealed. Very fancy but this means that they have dropped the memory card slot requiring you to order your additional memory at Apple -like insane pricing. I can buy 32 GB cards for ~ $20, for Samsung the cost would be < $ 5 but I would have to pay $100 and an additional $100 to go to $128 GB.

I also like swapping batteries. I went online and bought replacement batteries for ~ $3/ea. I've charged them and have extras in the car, at the office, etc, etc. I never have to worry about getting stuck without a charger or having a cable dangling from the phone half way through the day.

So what would I do if I had a shiny glass & metal design ... put it in a carrying case that would make the back material moot.

Or I'm answering the question ... you know when your getting old when ... you think everything should stay the same !

 

[xcyde]

Just get a note 4. The s6 copied its aesthetic from the note. Note is a better product with removable battery, micro sd and very similar specs.

 

[onthebottom]

There is a warehouse full of S5s....

 

[Piratos]

There is a warehouse full of S5s....

Hopefully they will start giving them away.

 

[TESLAMotors]

Get what you need and feels good.
Forget the latest greatest trend, you'll just keep spending every year or other year. I'm done with that shit personally.
Had an S2 for 3 years, took a beating like crazy, dropped, bumped, etc, lasted forever.
One night, all it took was an accidental bump of glass filled water over the screen and I can't swipe to unlock, but otherwise, it works fine. But I still had to get a new phone after 3 years, really wish I didn't have to.
Have to find a replacement for it to get it working again, hmmmm...

Fuck keeping up with the Jones'. The Jones' are the idiots.

 

[onthebottom]

An oddity in our subsidized smartphone market, I paid $300 for an iPhone 5 2 years ago and sold it this fall when I upgraded for $225..... Crazy.

 

[Intrepid416]

Last week's Economist had an intriguing story about the current state and potential future of the smartphone market, noting that smartphone (basic) already can be had for $40 in India and China. Essential conclusion that the days of Samsung and Apple to get close to a $1,000 per unit may be numbered as commodification of smartphones continue. I will confess though that I'm guilty of contributing to both companies' cash stockpiles......

 

[nottyboi]

Last week's Economist had an intriguing story about the current state and potential future of the smartphone market, noting that smartphone (basic) already can be had for $40 in India and China. Essential conclusion that the days of Samsung and Apple to get close to a $1,000 per unit may be numbered as commodification of smartphones continue. I will confess though that I'm guilty of contributing to both companies' cash stockpiles......

Asking people to pay 1K for a smartphone when a smart TV costs $500 is retarded. So many nice phones to be had for around $200

 

[bishop]

1k for a status symbol is not too much, I mean you can spend 1k on a versace shirt and it was made for the same price as a $5 shirt from old navy. Iphone does have a great eco system, once you start spending big money on loads of apps you are pretty much locked into apple or android or whatever platform. Samsung is pretty much like Sony now, trying to sucker consumers into their over priced junk when cheaper and better phones are out there. I can almost say the same about apple, but there is no alternative to an iphone if you want to be in the iOS eco system. The hot company to watch out for is xaoimi, they are on an absolute terror, and their margins are razor thin, we are talking about less than 10% margins, a reseller of their stuff probably makes more then the company that made the product.

 

[nottyboi]

Not everyone has a versace shirt. S5s and iphones are as common as bottled water

1k for a status symbol is not too much, I mean you can spend 1k on a versace shirt and it was made for the same price as a $5 shirt from old navy. Iphone does have a great eco system, once you start spending big money on loads of apps you are pretty much locked into apple or android or whatever platform. Samsung is pretty much like Sony now, trying to sucker consumers into their over priced junk when cheaper and better phones are out there. I can almost say the same about apple, but there is no alternative to an iphone if you want to be in the iOS eco system. The hot company to watch out for is xaoimi, they are on an absolute terror, and their margins are razor thin, we are talking about less than 10% margins, a reseller of their stuff probably makes more then the company that made the product.

 

[onthebottom]

Asking people to pay 1K for a smartphone when a smart TV costs $500 is retarded. So many nice phones to be had for around $200

This is an interesting point, smartphones, like the Internet, has become a significant part of people's lives. I think this will impact choices people make - as well as ecosystem (as Bishop said above). Ecosystem is easy to spot in camera equipment - you start down the Nikon and Cannon path and its very expensive to change....

 

[basketcase]

Last week's Economist had an intriguing story about the current state and potential future of the smartphone market, noting that smartphone (basic) already can be had for $40 in India and China. Essential conclusion that the days of Samsung and Apple to get close to a $1,000 per unit may be numbered as commodification of smartphones continue. I will confess though that I'm guilty of contributing to both companies' cash stockpiles......

Companies like oneplus are starting the trend. They don't have the production scale to directly compete but they're one of the first companies selling a high end phone for half the price of the competition. Google's nexus 5 was hinting at that trend but the 6 was back to full price.

 

[SplitSecond]

After the disaster of the Samsung S5, Samsung was counting on the Galaxy S6 to lead its way back to the top — with some people even throwing around terms like “iPhone killer” as a description of the new flagship handset.

According to a new report, however, the next-gen Samsung Galaxy device is faring even worse than its predecessor — boasting sales of just 10 million units so far, which is about what the iPhone 6 managed in its first weekend.

It all adds up to a massive strategy fail on Samsung’s part.

So far a Korean news source has pegged the S6’s sales as 1 million units fewer than the S5 managed during the same period last year.

According to a follow-up research note newly issued by investment bank Oppenheimer the result is down to Samsung failing to provide any convincing reason for customers to go with its latest offering — even with its bolder-designed S6 Edge:

 

[IM469]

According to a follow-up research note newly issued by investment bank Oppenheimer the result is down to Samsung failing to provide any convincing reason for customers to go with its latest offering — even with its bolder-designed S6 Edge:

The more economical smartphones are hitting the market. As I mentioned in a different thread - Asus has a fully featured smartphone (64 bit fast processor, GPS, NFC, auto focus good camera,etc) for $249 CDN. Why would I spend almost 3x that for another Samsung ?

 

[Intrepid416]

The more economical smartphones are hitting the market. As I mentioned in a different thread - Asus has a fully featured smartphone (64 bit fast processor, GPS, NFC, auto focus good camera,etc) for $249 CDN. Why would I spend almost 3x that for another Samsung ?

I am curious about this one. I have direct business phones and have always been with Bell and Telus for about $100 per line with all the fixings and 8 gigs data. I want to try this phone on Wind and use that, if it works, as a primary US travel phone. It is key though that calls don't get dropped or quality be affected when dealing with clients so shall start with hobby phone before big commitment, shall be strange to use a non IOS product for the first time! But no biggie at this price if it does not work out well.

 

[basketcase]

The nexus 5 2015 is also expected out at around the same price point as the original ($350).