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Another Phablet Review: Apple’s iPhone 6S Plus vs. Samsung’s Galaxy Note 5

Two super smartphones have entered the phablet market, and today we compare the most important features and specifications to help you decide.

Design

Both devices are very similar in size and both are scaled-up versions of their predecessors. Very similar to the 6 Plus, the iPhone 6S Plus sticks to its sleek aluminum design with curved edges and an improved, stronger glass cover. This model fits well in the hand, but is significantly heavier than the iPhone 6 as a result of its size (the 6S weighs 192g).

The Note 5 is considered even more comfortable than the Note 4, shaving inches off its design and putting curved edges on the back of the phone. This makes it easier to hold, and the aluminum frame provides strength and a sleeker look. Lighter than the iPhone 6S Plus, this model weighs 171g. While the 6S Plus is actually larger in size, the Note 5 has a better screen-to-body ratio, with a larger 5.7-inch screen (compared to Apple’s 5.5-inch). This brings us to the next feature comparison.

screen

It’s nice to have competition between a very important feature, with both models using different display technologies. Apple sticks to an IPS LCD screen and Samsung uses its famous AMOLED screen. As a result, the Note 5 offers a higher resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels, making it much sharper with more vibrant colors that are great for viewing images and videos. However, the iPhone 6S Plus comes with Apple’s new 3D Touch technology. This is a pressure sensitive feature of the screen that reacts depending on the user’s finger pressure. For those who don’t care about 3D touch, Samsung is the clear display winner this time around.

Performance

Regardless of how many apps you have open, be it gaming, media recording, browsing, and other intensive apps, these two powerhouses can handle it.

Inside Samsung’s Note 5 is a 64-bit Exynos 7420 chipset, backed by 4GB of RAM and a Mali T760 GPU. It’s a clear high-quality performance setup. In the iPhone 6S Plus, you get Apple’s latest 64-bit A9 chip and 2GB of RAM. It’s great to know that Apple finally upgraded the internal RAM this time as a means to compete. This means smoother performance and fewer crashes.

It is important to understand that these numbers only have meaning when put to the test. Various performance tests show that the iPhone 6S Plus often outperforms the Note 5 when performing common tasks, such as opening email attachments or powerful apps with others running in the background.

cameras

The iPhone 6S Plus offers a new 12-megapixel camera sensor, while the Note 5 features the same 16-megapixel camera offered by the Galaxy S6. With both devices, the results are sharp, with accurate colors and fantastic contrast. Low-light situations are where smartphone cameras fail to impress us, but this time both manufacturers have emerged victorious.

The actual camera app offers more customization through the Samsung device, such as HDR mode. Apple tends to keep things fast and simple, which is why it lacks the more professional camera options seen with the Note 5.

However, Apple has also introduced Live Photos, which allows the user to capture images of a couple of seconds on each side of their snapshot. You can then 3D Touch the image and it will play the scene for you.

Both devices, of course, support 4K video recording and editing, so there’s no clear winner here. Google search photo comparisons for these devices and the results can speak for themselves depending on what you’re looking for.

Battery duration

It is important to take care of this function. Going for a powerful device makes sense in theory, but if your power supply can’t support your system well, then you’ll be next to a mains socket more often than you think.

As for the specifications, the Note 5 has a larger capacity battery of 3,000 mAh, while the 6S Plus has a smaller capacity of 2,750 mAh than its predecessor. However, Apple’s new chip and improved efficiency make the device last as long as the 6 Plus.

Both phones can last all day and, if used wisely, into the next. The Note 5 offers a more useful power saving mode, allowing you to save those extra hours just when you need them. It also outperforms the iPhone with a wireless charging option and support for fast charging. Both useful if you need a quick turn on.

Price

Both devices sit at the higher end of the price scale, so you won’t be interested if you’re looking for a “budget” smartphone. The Note 5 is a little cheaper in price when comparing storage capacities, but your decision should be based on trying both and seeing which operating system suits you best since their specifications are very similar. Always compare the latest contracts from all networks and retailers to help you save money and find the perfect allocation package.

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