The Samsung Galaxy S6 series offered compelling options back in 2015, but how do the Active and Edge+ models stack up against each other today? Both phones boast the powerful Exynos 7420 chipset, but cater to different user needs. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one might be right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The S6 Active prioritizes durability and battery life, making it ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. The S6 Edge+ offers a more premium design with its curved display and slightly better camera features. Ultimately, the choice depends on your priorities: ruggedness or aesthetics.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - G9287 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 29, 40 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - G9287 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE-A Cat6 300/50 Mbps/ LTE-A (3CA) Cat9 450/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 26, 28, 40, 41 - G9287C |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, June. Released 2015, June | 2015, August. Released 2015, August |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), glass back (Gorilla Glass 4), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 146.8 x 73.4 x 8.6 mm (5.78 x 2.89 x 0.34 in) | 154.4 x 75.8 x 6.9 mm (6.08 x 2.98 x 0.27 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 170 g (6.00 oz) | 153 g (5.40 oz) |
| | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
MIL-STD-810G compliant salt, dust, humidity, rain, vibration, solar radiation, transport and thermal shock resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 |
| Resolution | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~576 ppi density) | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~515 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.1 inches, 71.7 cm2 (~66.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.7 inches, 89.6 cm2 (~76.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A57 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A57 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Exynos 7420 Octa (14 nm) | Exynos 7420 Octa (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T760MP8 | Mali-T760MP8 |
| OS | Android 5.0.2 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), TouchWiz UI | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), TouchWiz UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.0 | UFS 2.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama | LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/1.9, 28mm (wide), 1/2.6", 1.12µm, AF | 16 MP, f/1.9, 28mm (wide), 1/2.6", 1.12µm, AF, OIS |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@120fps, HDR, stereo sound rec., OIS, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 1080p@60fps, 720p@120fps, HDR, stereo sound rec., OIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Dual video call, Auto-HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/1.9, 22mm (wide) | 5 MP, f/1.9, 22mm (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1440p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | - |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio
|
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, LE, aptX | 4.2, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | 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, barometer, heart rate | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2 |
| | ANT+
S-Voice natural language commands and dictation
| ANT+
S-Voice natural language commands and dictation
Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired
Wireless (Qi) (market dependent) | 15W wired
Wireless (Qi/PMA) (market dependent) |
| Music play | Up to 57 h | Up to 66 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 504 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 24 h (3G) | Up to 20 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Gray | Black Sapphire, Gold Platinum, Silver Titan, White Pearl |
| Models | SM-G890A | SM-G9287C, SM-G9287, SM-G928A, SM-G928F |
| Price | About 350 EUR | About 450 EUR |
| SAR | 1.19 W/kg (head) 1.58 W/kg (body) | 1.22 W/kg (head) 1.44 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.48 W/kg (head) 0.42 W/kg (body) | 0.29 W/kg (head) 0.66 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 109h
| - |
Samsung Galaxy S6 active
- Exceptional battery life
- Rugged and durable design
- Water and dust resistant (IP68)
- Removable battery (rare these days)
- Less premium design
- Smaller display
- Camera not as refined as Edge+
- Fewer software updates
Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ Duos
- Curved edge display for a unique look
- Larger display
- Slightly better camera
- Dual SIM support (Duos model)
- Less durable build
- Shorter battery life
- Non-removable battery
- More prone to damage
Display Comparison
The S6 Edge+ boasts a 5.7-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED display with a curved edge, offering a more immersive and visually appealing experience. The S6 Active has a 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display, which is smaller and lacks the curved edge, but is more durable due to the reinforced glass. The Edge+ wins on screen real estate and aesthetics.
Camera Comparison
The S6 Edge+ generally has a slight edge in camera performance, thanks to potentially better image processing algorithms and slightly improved optics. Both feature a 16MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera. Low-light performance is a key differentiator, with the Edge+ likely capturing slightly brighter and clearer images. The Active's camera is still capable, but not as refined.
Performance
Both phones share the same Exynos 7420 Octa chipset and CPU, so performance is largely comparable. Expect smooth multitasking and responsive app loading. However, software updates have likely impacted performance over time, and the Active's more efficient power management might lead to slightly better sustained performance under heavy load.
Battery Life
The S6 Active's endurance rating of 109h is significantly higher than the S6 Edge+'s (estimated around 60-70h based on reviews). This is due to the Active's larger battery capacity and optimized power management. The Active is the clear winner in battery life.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy S6 Active is perfect for those who need a rugged, dependable phone for outdoor adventures or work in demanding environments. The S6 Edge+ Duos is a better fit for users who value a stylish design, a larger screen, and a slightly improved camera experience, and don't mind a less durable build.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the S6 Active still worth buying in 2024?
If you prioritize durability and long battery life, the S6 Active can still be a viable option, especially for outdoor activities. However, be aware of its age and limited software support.
❓ What is the difference between the S6 and S6 Active?
The S6 Active is a ruggedized version of the S6, featuring a more durable design, water and dust resistance, and a larger battery. It sacrifices some of the S6's premium features for increased durability.
