The Samsung Galaxy S6 series offered a range of options, including the rugged Active and the larger Plus models. But which one truly shines? We're diving deep into a comparison of the S6 Active and S6 Plus to help you decide which vintage flagship might be right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The S6 Active takes the crown for battery life and durability, thanks to its reinforced design and larger battery. However, the S6 Plus boasts a larger display, making it better for media consumption. Ultimately, it depends on your priorities: ruggedness or screen real estate.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 29, 40 | 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 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, June. Released 2015, June | Exp. announcement 2015, Q3 |
| Status | Discontinued | Cancelled |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 146.8 x 73.4 x 8.6 mm (5.78 x 2.89 x 0.34 in) | - |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 170 g (6.00 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 | To be confirmed |
| Resolution | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~576 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.1 inches, 71.7 cm2 (~66.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 |
| 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 5.0.2 (Lollipop), TouchWiz UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | To be confirmed |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 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@30/60fps, 720p@120fps, HDR, stereo sound rec., OIS, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | 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 | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio
|
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, LE, aptX | 4.1, 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 |
| | 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) (market dependent) |
| Music play | Up to 57 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 504 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 24 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 3500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Gray | White Pearl, Black Sapphire |
| Models | SM-G890A | - |
| Price | About 350 EUR | - |
| SAR | 1.19 W/kg (head) 1.58 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.48 W/kg (head) 0.42 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)
- Glove mode for easy use
- Less premium design compared to the Plus
- Smaller screen
- Potentially higher operating temperatures
Samsung Galaxy S6 Plus
- Larger, more immersive display
- Slightly more premium design
- Easier to handle for some due to screen size
- Shorter battery life
- Less durable than the Active
- No glove mode
Display Comparison
The S6 Plus features a 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display, significantly larger than the S6 Active's 5.1-inch screen. Both offer vibrant colors and excellent contrast, but the Plus provides a more immersive viewing experience. Resolution is the same at 2560 x 1440 pixels.
Camera Comparison
Both phones have a 16MP rear camera with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). Image quality is generally good, but the S6 Active's camera software might have slightly different processing. The front-facing cameras are both 5MP.
Performance
Both devices share the same Exynos 7420 Octa chipset and CPU, meaning performance should be very similar in everyday tasks and most games. However, the Active's more rugged build might lead to slightly higher operating temperatures under sustained load.
Battery Life
This is where the S6 Active truly stands out. It boasts a significantly larger 4000mAh battery (reported endurance rating of 109h) compared to the S6 Plus's 3000mAh battery. This translates to noticeably longer battery life for the Active.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy S6 Active is ideal for those needing a durable phone for outdoor activities or demanding work environments. The S6 Plus is a better choice for users prioritizing a larger screen for watching videos, browsing, and gaming, and who don't need the Active's ruggedness.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the S6 Active worth buying in 2024?
If you prioritize battery life and durability, the S6 Active can still be a viable option, especially if you find it at a low price. However, be aware of its age and potential software limitations.
❓ What is the difference between the S6, S6 Active, and S6 Plus?
The S6 is the standard model, the S6 Active is a ruggedized version with a larger battery and glove mode, and the S6 Plus features a larger display.
