Which 2015 Samsung flagship smartphone should you buy?

Samsung is a company who manufacturers a bunch of smartphones, so many smartphones that it’s hard to keep a track of them, but its true flagship series has always been the Galaxy S. However, that was only until the company introduced the Galaxy Note series to the world in 2011, now consumers had two flagship series to choose from, but decision making was relatively easy.
If you wanted a smartphone with a big display, a large battery, and a stylus, you would go for a Note; if you wanted compact design, fast software updates, and high-end specifications, you would go for an S.

Super easy, right? Yeah, that’s not how it works anymore.

This year, in 2015, the Korean giant launched five different flagship devices: Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge, Galaxy S6 edge+, Galaxy S6 Active and Galaxy Note5, and it could be a bit difficult to decide between them. Nonetheless, today, I’ll help you pick the perfect Samsung device for yourself.
Let’s start with the specification similarities, first.
SoC

• Samsung Exynos 7420 (8 Core, 64-Bit, 14nm) processor
• ARM Mali-T760 (8 Core) GPU

Display

• Quad HD (2560x1440) Super AMOLED display

Camera

• 16 Megapixel (2160p@30FPS, 1080p@60FPS, 720p@120FPS) — main camera sensor
• 5 Megapixel (1440p@30FPS, 1080p@30FPS, 720@FPS) — front camera sensor
• LED Flash
• Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS)
• Auto Real-time HDR (Front & Rear)
• Live Broadcast
• Virtual Shot
• Slow Motion
• Fast Motion
• Pro Mode
• Selective Focus
• Low Light Video (Front & Rear)
• High Clear Zoom
• IR Detect White Balance
• Quick Launch
• Tracking AF

Connectivity

• WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
• MIMO(2x2)
• Bluetooth v4.2 LE
• ANT+
• USB 2.0
• NFC
• Location

Sensors

• Accelerometer
• Proximity
• RGB Light
• Geo-magnetic

• Gyro
• Fingerprint (except S6 active)
• Barometer
• Hall
• Heart Rate Monitor (HRM)

Operating System

• Android 5.1.1 Lollipop
• TouchWiz UX

Power

• Fast Charging (Wired)
• Wireless Charging (WPC and PMA)

Payment

• Samsung Pay
• Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST)

Now, let’s see what the differences are between the five flagship devices.
Samsung Galaxy S6
Display Size: 5.1-inch (577ppi)
Internal Memory: 32GB/64GB/128GB (UFS 2.0)
RAM: 3GB
Battery Size: 2,550mAh
Sensors: IR Blaster
Colours: White Pearl, Black Sapphire, Gold Platinum, Blue Topaz
Samsung Galaxy S6 Active
Display Size: 5.1-inch (577ppi)
Internal Memory: 32GB (UFS 2.0)
RAM: 3GB
Battery Size: 3,500mAh
Colours: Camo White, Camo Blue, Gray
Additional Functionality: IP68 (Dust resistant and waterproof), Activity Zone, Active Key
Samsung Galaxy S6 edge
Display Size: 5.1-inch (577ppi), Dual edge display
Internal Memory: 32GB/64GB/128GB (UFS 2.0)
RAM: 3GB
Battery Size: 2,600mAh
Sensors: IR Blaster
Colours: White Pearl, Black Sapphire, Gold Platinum, Green Emerald
Additional Functionality: People Edge, App Edge, Edge Lighting, Information Stream, Night Clock
Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+
Display Size: 5.7-inch (518ppi), Dual edge display
Internal Memory: 32GB/64GB (UFS 2.0)
RAM: 4GB
Power: 3,000mAh, Fast Wireless Charging
Camera: RAW Support
Colours: White Pearl, Black Sapphire, Gold Platinum, Titanium Silver
Additional Functionality: People Edge, App Edge, Edge Lighting, Information Stream, Night Clock
Samsung Galaxy Note5
Display Size: 5.7-inch (518ppi), Dual edge display
Internal Memory: 32GB/64GB (UFS 2.0)
RAM: 4GB
Power: 3,000mAh, Fast Wireless Charging
Camera: RAW support
Colours: White Pearl, Black Sapphire, Gold Platinum, Titanium Silver
Additional Functionality: S Pen, Air Command, Scroll Capture

CONCLUSION

Internally, the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge are very similar devices with the only difference being the display type. The GS6 sports a flat display, while the GS6 edge boasts a curved, dual edge panel and edge-specific software features.
The Galaxy S6 Active is designed for people who require a long-lasting battery and an overall tough smartphone.
Treat the Galaxy S6 edge+ and Note5 as Galaxy S6 edge and Galaxy S6. Give the Galaxy S6 edge a large display, and you have the S6 edge+; give the Galaxy S6 a large display, an S Pen and it’s software features, and you have the Note5 right there.
So, let’s simplify a few things. Here are a few questions for you:

• Want a curved display or a flat display?
  Curved: Galaxy S6 edge+, Galaxy S6 edge
  Flat: Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Active, Galaxy Note5
• Want a 5.1-inch display or a 5.7-inch display?
  5.1-inch: Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge, Galaxy S6 Active
  5.7-inch: Galaxy S6 edge+, Galaxy Note5
• Want a large battery?
  3500mAh: Galaxy S6 Active
  3000mAh: Galaxy S6 edge+, Galaxy Note5
  2550/2600mAh: Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge
• Want the S Pen or not?
  S Pen: Galaxy Note5
  N/A: Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge, Galaxy S6 edge+, Galaxy Active

After reading this entire article, you probably have decided what 2015 Samsung flagship device you’re going to buy. Have fun with your brand new smartphone!