Nostalgia for older Samsung flagships? The Galaxy S5 Neo and S6 Plus offer a glimpse into a different era of Android. But which one holds up better today? We're diving deep into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy S6 Plus wins decisively thanks to its significantly faster processor, improved camera, and more modern design. While the S5 Neo offers a more durable build, the S6 Plus's performance and features make it the superior choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - G903F | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - G903F | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 17, 20, 29 - G903W | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, August. Released 2015, August | Exp. announcement 2015, Q3 |
| Status | Discontinued | Cancelled |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 142 x 72.5 x 8.1 mm (5.59 x 2.85 x 0.32 in) | - |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 145 g (5.11 oz) | - |
| | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | To be confirmed |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~432 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.1 inches, 71.7 cm2 (~69.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A57 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Exynos 7580 Octa (28 nm) | Exynos 7420 Octa (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T720MP2 | Mali-T760MP8 |
| OS | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 7.0 (Nougat) | Android 5.0.2 (Lollipop), TouchWiz UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | To be confirmed |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.0 | UFS 2.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/1.9, 31mm (standard), AF | 16 MP, f/1.9, 28mm (wide), 1/2.6", 1.12µm, AF, OIS |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@120fps, HDR, stereo sound rec., OIS, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide) | 5 MP, f/1.9, 22mm (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1440p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio
|
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, EDR, LE | 4.1, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, heart rate | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| | ANT+
S-Voice | ANT+
S-Voice natural language commands and dictation
Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired
Wireless (Qi) (market dependent) |
| Music play | Up to 73 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 15 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 2800 mAh, removable | Li-Po 3000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Gray, Gold | White Pearl, Black Sapphire |
| Models | SM-G903F, SM-G903W, SM-G903M, SM-S903VL | - |
| Price | About 300 EUR | - |
| SAR | 1.03 W/kg (head) 1.27 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.46 W/kg (head) 0.58 W/kg (body) | - |
Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo
- Durable build quality
- Water and dust resistance (IP67)
- Familiar Android experience
- Expandable storage via microSD
- Slower performance
- Lower resolution display
- Less impressive camera
- Older design
Samsung Galaxy S6 Plus
- Faster processor and better performance
- Higher resolution display
- Improved camera with OIS
- Premium design and materials
- Wireless charging (market dependent)
- Non-removable battery
- No expandable storage
- Older software support
Display Comparison
The Galaxy S6 Plus boasts a larger 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display with QHD resolution (2560 x 1440), offering sharper visuals and vibrant colors compared to the S5 Neo's 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display with Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080). The S6 Plus's higher pixel density results in a noticeably clearer image.
Camera Comparison
The S6 Plus features a 16MP main camera with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and a faster aperture, resulting in better low-light performance and sharper images. It also has a 5MP front-facing camera. The S5 Neo has a 16MP main camera, but lacks OIS and has a slower aperture, leading to less impressive results, especially in challenging lighting conditions. Its front camera is 2MP.
Performance
Here's where the S6 Plus truly shines. Its Exynos 7420 chipset with a big.LITTLE architecture (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A57 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) significantly outperforms the S5 Neo's Exynos 7580 Octa (28 nm, 8x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53). Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance on the S6 Plus.
Battery Life
The S6 Plus has a 3000mAh battery, while the S5 Neo has a 2800mAh battery. While the S6 Plus has a slightly larger battery, the more efficient 14nm manufacturing process of its chipset helps it achieve comparable or even slightly better battery life than the S5 Neo, despite the higher resolution display.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo? Budget-conscious users prioritizing durability and a familiar, simpler Android experience. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy S6 Plus? Users seeking a faster phone with a better camera and a more premium feel, even if it's an older model.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the S6 Plus worth buying in 2024?
If you're looking for a capable older flagship with a good screen and camera, the S6 Plus can still be a decent option, especially at a low price. However, be aware of its age and limited software support.
❓ Can I still find software updates for either of these phones?
Official software updates have ceased for both devices. You might find custom ROMs available for the S6 Plus, but installing them carries risks.
