Upgrade to S6?

[Epos7]

I would wait at least until 6.0 rolls out on the S6.

My experience with the S6 is that it's a very buggy device and has a lot of battery life issues. I've been an Android user since the Nexus One, and the S6 Edge is my first Samsung device. Honestly it has me eying the iPhone a little jealously. The S6 (AT&T version at least) packs a ton of bloatware. The battery drains incredibly fast - sometimes so fast that even when the phone is charging on my wireless charger, the battery level is still decreasing. Sometimes it randomly gets really hot when I'm not using it. Sometimes the alarm goes off but without any sound.

From a build quality perspective it's a lovely device and easily on par with the iPhone. From a software perspective, all the bugs and little issues are eroding my appreciation for Android.

 

[scrondar]

I would wait at least until 6.0 rolls out on the S6.

My experience with the S6 is that it's a very buggy device and has a lot of battery life issues. I've been an Android user since the Nexus One, and the S6 Edge is my first Samsung device. Honestly it has me eying the iPhone a little jealously. The S6 (AT&T version at least) packs a ton of bloatware. The battery drains incredibly fast - sometimes so fast that even when the phone is charging on my wireless charger, the battery level is still decreasing. Sometimes it randomly gets really hot when I'm not using it. Sometimes the alarm goes off but without any sound.

From a build quality perspective it's a lovely device and easily on par with the iPhone. From a software perspective, all the bugs and little issues are eroding my appreciation for Android.

As a recovering AT&T customer, I can tell you no other provider loads as much crap on Android phones as they do. My T-Mo S5 has (count 'em) 2 apps from them, both quite handy. Hence, the battery life on the phone is exceptional. All day is not uncommon, although I rarely let it get below 30%. I am curious to see how much cruft Verizon puts on their devices. I can live with the newer (and fewer) Samsung apps, as they stay out of my way. Not interested in anything Apple has to offer. Interesting—the longer this thread goes on, the better my current phone appears. If I did a pro/con list on it, the pro column would be waaay longer. About the only thing I can find that is "wrong" with the S5 is that it's not the S6, and from what I'm hearing here, that may be a good thing. ;>)

 

[Epos7]

As a recovering AT&T customer, I can tell you no other provider loads as much crap on Android phones as they do. My T-Mo S5 has (count 'em) 2 apps from them, both quite handy. Hence, the battery life on the phone is exceptional. All day is not uncommon, although I rarely let it get below 30%. I am curious to see how much cruft Verizon puts on their devices. I can live with the newer (and fewer) Samsung apps, as they stay out of my way. Not interested in anything Apple has to offer. Interesting—the longer this thread goes on, the better my current phone appears. If I did a pro/con list on it, the pro column would be waaay longer. About the only thing I can find that is "wrong" with the S5 is that it's not the S6, and from what I'm hearing here, that may be a good thing. ;>)

Only two? That sounds blissful. The Samsung apps bug me a little bit, but it's the AT&T ones that are the worst. After my current contract expires, if I decide to stick with Android, I'll probably check out Project Fi and the Nexus phones. Having owned two Nexus devices, I think they are the pinnacle of the Android experience from a software perspective.

It sounds like sticking with your S5 is the wise decision. There will probably be a bunch of new phone announcements in the next couple of months and then you can decide which direction you want to go in.

 

[scrondar]

I have a coworker friend who just sold his S6 for a 6P on Project Fi. He loves it, although he will lose a signal for brief periods, but not to the point of frustration. Monthly bill? $35. Too big a device for me, but I like the approach Google is taking. We've been held hostage far too long by the likes of AT&T, and now that T-Mo & Sprint are bringing up the rear, the big boys should feel the heat. And yes, the next crop of devices should just about top out the phone market. No more features to add (except an AI for the friendless?), and they can't get much bigger than the 6P without becoming tablets. Kinda fun to watch the makers beat up on each other trying to get to or hold the top spot. We get to just sit back and wait til we're ready.

 

[RogMoore]

Does S6 got the Marshmallow update? I would like to know about it.

 

[ab304945]

Losing your SD card will be something you'll sorely regret. Don't upgrade! Wait for the S7.

Posted via the Android Central App

I have the s6, I don't miss the SD card at all.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Patrick Taz]

I just got a 64GB S6 on Verizon, and while it's a really good looking device with great performance, it's a step backwards from my S4 in some important areas..
- battery life is 30-50% less..I've tried all kinds of tricks, and there may be something yet that helps, but this is a common complaint of the S6
- the slippery surface..it's crazy slick to hold and IMO, MUST be covered with a case, which negates any "beauty" points
- the size..it's longer and thinner and to me, less comfortable to hold. A case helps, but never used one with my S4
- the speaker is in a bad spot for me..right where I rest my thumb when browsing/scrolling, muting anything I'm listening to
- the stock email client dropped the 'select all' function..I really like the S4 email app better
..probably more minor niggles

Of course there's significant pluses to the S6, but after reading about the S7 checking all the right boxes on improvements, I'm leaning towards returning the S6 and sticking with my S4 until there's deals on the S7..or the g5 ;-)

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[scrondar]

Does S6 got the Marshmallow update? I would like to know about it.

Good question, no idea. I do know that Verizon is advertising it with Lollipop, but it seems like if any device were to get it, Samsung's flagship would. I would be genuinely surprises to seem my S5 get it from T-Mobile. Again, Lollipop is running very nicely on my current phone, so that is no biggie for me.

 

[scrondar]

I just got a 64GB S6 on Verizon, and while it's a really good looking device with great performance, it's a step backwards from my S4 in some important areas..
- battery life is 30-50% less..I've tried all kinds of tricks, and there may be something yet that helps, but this is a common complaint of the S6
- the slippery surface..it's crazy slick to hold and IMO, MUST be covered with a case, which negates any "beauty" points
- the size..it's longer and thinner and to me, less comfortable to hold. A case helps, but never used one with my S4
- the speaker is in a bad spot for me..right where I rest my thumb when browsing/scrolling, muting anything I'm listening to
- the stock email client dropped the 'select all' function..I really like the S4 email app better
..probably more minor niggles

Of course there's significant pluses to the S6, but after reading about the S7 checking all the right boxes on improvements, I'm leaning towards returning the S6 and sticking with my S4 until there's deals on the S7..or the g5 ;-)

Posted via the Android Central App

All good feedback, thanks. You are right about the need for a case negating any design advances re: thinness, grippyness, etc. My wife also has an S5 and because she broke the glass on her S3, she immediately put her new phone in a blocky, thick case. She didn't like it, but it gave her peace of mind. Now she has it in a much thinner Spigen case, which complements the phone nicely. Also, I hear you on the "select all" feature in the mail app (are you listening Google?); this should be compulsory on any mail app. Like you, I'll wait for the S7, if for no other reason than to make good use of my 64GB SDXC card, and to enjoy and pay down my S5. Let's hope Samsung gets this one dead right.

Thanks to all who replied.

 

[mmcclure0453]

Does S6 got the Marshmallow update? I would like to know about it.

My understanding is that the S6 will get Marshmallow. I also read that it was supposed to be made available to the S6 sometime this month. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[scrondar]

I expect, as usual, that it depends on your provider. Google has made Marshmallow available to all its newer devices (I have it on my 2nd gen. Nexus 7), but providers take their time rolling it out. T-Mobile has a site that shows the update "progress" in stages, but who can say when it will actually become available?

 

[jerrycutshaw]

S6 is a REALLY great phone. Great camera, screen, speedy, TouchWiz is now nice. Samsung Pay is something I use everyday. But it has one HUGE flaw. Battery life SUCKS compared to my son's S5 or my old Sony Z3. I have to have mine on power saving mode all day long and still run out of my battery by 8 PM. Both my Son and I could get 1/2 way through the next day. I got a s6 only because I had upgrade it's and T-Mobile/Samsung threw out $350 in incentives. When the s7 comes out I will ditch the s6. IF I were you I'd wait until the s7 comes out. If you do get the s6 get a good Quick charge charger and plan on plugging it in for 30 minutes to get through the day.

 

[scrondar]

No, this thread (and some judicious reading) has me convinced to wait on the S7. I'd go for Google's 6P if it weren't so big; on the whole, it is a really nice device, but the 5.1-5.3" screen is as big as I'm going. BTW, you're right about the battery life on the S5; with Lollipop (5.1.1) I'm getting all-day power.

 

[drone3]

3 of my friends that had S6 sold them for the 6p, and are much happier. 6p is to big for me so I'm riding out the S6 until something better that's not too big gets released.

dreaming of electric sheep

 

[Sergiusz Jasper]

S6 is a REALLY great phone. Great camera, screen, speedy, TouchWiz is now nice. Samsung Pay is something I use everyday. But it has one HUGE flaw. Battery life SUCKS compared to my son's S5 or my old Sony Z3. I have to have mine on power saving mode all day long and still run out of my battery by 8 PM. Both my Son and I could get 1/2 way through the next day. I got a s6 only because I had upgrade it's and T-Mobile/Samsung threw out $350 in incentives. When the s7 comes out I will ditch the s6. IF I were you I'd wait until the s7 comes out. If you do get the s6 get a good Quick charge charger and plan on plugging it in for 30 minutes to get through the day.

I don't get it how ppl run out of battery.. I get a full day from 6 30 am till 11 30 pm with 15% left and that is with on average 4 hrs on screen and at worse if I need a boost it has quick charge.

 

[chezm]

I have a clear case on my S6, not because it's too slippery but because of the damn camera lens hump. Every single phone I pick up these days is definitely slick and harder to hold, from my wife's 6S to my buddies 6P...to an M9. I do think the phone is actually too thin, the form factor of say a Moto backing is much more comfortable to hold the phone.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[danyzfr6]

How do people not run out of battery on the S6? I charge until 6:30am and by 3 pm, I have about 15% left. The 4 others I know with an S6 have similar battery life. Only saving grace is the quick charge. Still annoying, though.

 

[Sergiusz Jasper]

How do people not run out of battery on the S6? I charge until 6:30am and by 3 pm, I have about 15% left. The 4 others I know with an S6 have similar battery life. Only saving grace is the quick charge. Still annoying, though.

It's all about setup, one main battery killer is sync like email, Facebook etc also run dark backgrounds helps and don't forget to disable app u never use plus in battery settings you will find optimization.
I do agree it's not a note 4 with battery life but can be very close if one just optimize the phone.

 

[LightaDroid]

My understanding is that the S6 will get Marshmallow. I also read that it was supposed to be made available to the S6 sometime this month. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

Posted via the Android Central App

I read the same thing somewhere.
Also read that S7 will be Marshmallow
and that the S6 will get it around the same time of release.
but I could be totally wrong and shouldn't read to much into things lol

I would wait for the S7, if you waited this long without upgrading then I would just hold out for the S7.

 

[scrondar]

That's the plan. Of course, I'll wait to see how it fares with users here and how it feels in hand. My sense is that Samsung has succeeded and failed enough now to know to get this one right. The last thing they want to do is drive more would be customers into Apple's waiting arms.

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