Exploring the Premium Features of Samsung Galaxy S6/S6 Edge

Samsung Galaxy S6 / S6 Edge (SM-G920F / SM-G925F)

Definition: The Samsung Galaxy S6 (model SM-G920F) and Galaxy S6 Edge (model SM-G925F) are premium flagship Android smartphones unveiled by Samsung Electronics on March 1, 2015, at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona. Positioned as the successors to the Galaxy S5, these devices marked a radical design overhaul for Samsung’s flagship lineup—trading the plastic unibody for a premium glass-and-metal construction. The SM-G920F is the standard global variant of the S6, while the SM-G925F is the Edge variant, distinguished by its dual curved Super AMOLED display. Targeted at power users, photography enthusiasts, and style-conscious consumers, the S6/S6 Edge introduced cutting-edge hardware, including a 16 MP rear camera with optical image stabilization (OIS), a lightning-fast octa-core processor, and wireless charging, cementing Samsung’s position in the high-end smartphone market in 2015.

Core Technical Specifications (SM-G920F / SM-G925F)

Component	Galaxy S6 (SM-G920F)	Galaxy S6 Edge (SM-G925F)
Display	5.1-inch Super AMOLED Quad HD (2560×1440, 577 PPI), Corning Gorilla Glass 4, 16M colors, 16:9 aspect ratio	5.1-inch dual curved Super AMOLED Quad HD (2560×1440, 577 PPI), Corning Gorilla Glass 4, curved edges for edge panels/quick shortcuts
Processor & Chipset	Exynos 7420 octa-core processor (4×2.1 GHz Cortex-A57 + 4×1.5 GHz Cortex-A53), Mali-T760 MP8 GPU (global variant; US models use Snapdragon 808)	Same as SM-G920F
Memory & Storage	3 GB LPDDR4 RAM; 32 GB/64 GB/128 GB non-expandable UFS 2.0 storage (no microSD slot)	Same as SM-G920F
Camera System	Rear Camera: 16 MP CMOS sensor, f/1.9 aperture, OIS, phase-detection autofocus (PDAF, 0.1s fast focus), LED flash, 4K video (30 fps), 1080p (60 fps), slow-motion (720p 120 fps)Front Camera: 5 MP sensor, f/1.9 aperture, 1080p video (30 fps), auto-HDR	Same as SM-G920F
Battery	Non-removable 2550 mAh Li-ion battery; Quick Charge 2.0 (50% charge in 30 mins); wireless charging (Qi and PMA standards)	Non-removable 2600 mAh Li-ion battery; same charging features as SM-G920F
Connectivity	LTE Cat 6 (300 Mbps down/50 Mbps up), 3G HSPA+, GSM/GPRS/EDGE, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (dual-band, MIMO), Bluetooth 4.1, NFC, GPS/GLONASS/Beidou, USB 2.0 (Micro-USB port), IR blaster	Same as SM-G920F
Operating System	Initially shipped with Android 5.0.2 Lollipop; upgradable up to Android 7.0 Nougat; Samsung TouchWiz Grace UX (streamlined, less bloatware)	Same as SM-G920F
Design & Dimensions	Glass front/back (Gorilla Glass 4) + aluminum frame; dimensions: 143.4 × 70.5 × 6.8 mm; weight: 138 g; IP67 water/dust resistance (note: some regional variants lack official IP rating)	Same glass-and-metal construction; curved side edges; dimensions: 142.1 × 70.1 × 7.0 mm; weight: 132 g; same IP rating as SM-G920F
Sensors & Biometrics	Accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, barometer, fingerprint scanner (integrated into home button, improved accuracy over S5), heart rate monitor (rear-mounted)	Same as SM-G920F + edge touch sensors for curved display interactions
Other Features	Samsung Pay (supports both NFC and MST for magnetic stripe terminals), Ultra Power Saving Mode, Smart Stay, Air Gesture	All S6 features + Edge Panels (customizable shortcuts, news feeds, contacts), Edge Lighting (notifications on curved edges), Night Clock

Key Selling Points & Innovations

Premium Glass-and-Metal Design OverhaulThe most transformative upgrade for the S6/S6 Edge was the replacement of Samsung’s signature plastic body with a Gorilla Glass 4 front/back and aluminum frame. This gave the devices a sleek, premium feel that rivaled the iPhone 6, addressing long-standing criticisms of the Galaxy S series’ cheap plastic construction. The glass panels were available in glossy colors (white, black, gold, blue), while the aluminum frame added rigidity and durability.
Dual Curved Display (S6 Edge Exclusive, SM-G925F)The SM-G925F’s dual curved edges were a defining innovation, introducing Edge Panels—customizable side shortcuts for contacts, apps, news, and weather. It also featured Edge Lighting, which illuminated the curved edges with colored light for incoming calls/notifications (even when the screen was off), and a Night Clock that displayed time/date on the curved edge in low-light conditions. The curved display was not just aesthetic; it added functional, one-handed usability for quick access to key features.
Flagship-Grade Camera PerformanceThe 16 MP rear camera with f/1.9 aperture and OIS was a leap forward for Samsung’s mobile photography. The wide aperture allowed more light into the sensor, improving low-light photos, while OIS reduced blur from hand shake. The 0.1-second PDAF made it one of the fastest autofocus cameras on the market in 2015, and 4K video recording delivered cinema-quality footage. The 5 MP front camera with f/1.9 aperture also took sharp selfies and supported auto-HDR for balanced lighting.
Exynos 7420: Industry-Leading 14 nm ProcessorThe Exynos 7420 was the first smartphone chip built on a 14 nm FinFET fabrication process, delivering 20% faster CPU performance and 30% lower power consumption than the S5’s Snapdragon 801. The octa-core design balanced high-performance Cortex-A57 cores (for gaming/editing) and energy-efficient Cortex-A53 cores (for daily tasks), ensuring smooth multitasking and lag-free gaming without excessive battery drain.
Samsung Pay & Dual Wireless ChargingThe S6/S6 Edge launched with Samsung Pay, a mobile payment service that supported both NFC (for contactless terminals) and MST (Magnetic Secure Transmission) for traditional magnetic stripe terminals—making it compatible with 90% of global payment terminals at the time (a major advantage over Apple Pay’s NFC-only support). The devices also supported dual wireless charging standards (Qi and PMA), allowing users to charge wirelessly with most third-party charging pads without needing a Samsung-specific accessory.

Limitations & Criticisms

Non-Expandable Storage & Non-Removable BatterySamsung removed the microSD card slot and removable battery—two fan-favorite features from the S5—to achieve the slim glass-and-metal design. This was heavily criticized by power users who relied on expandable storage for photos/videos and spare batteries for all-day use. The 2550/2600 mAh batteries also struggled with heavy usage (e.g., 4K video, gaming), despite the efficient Exynos chip.
Limited Software SupportThe S6/S6 Edge only received two major Android updates (from Lollipop to Nougat), with Samsung discontinuing support in 2017. This left the devices vulnerable to security flaws and incompatible with newer apps, a common frustration for users who expected longer support for a premium flagship.
Curved Display Fragility (S6 Edge Only)The SM-G925F’s curved glass edges were prone to accidental cracks and scratches, even with Gorilla Glass 4. Replacement screens were expensive, and many users opted for bulky protective cases that negated the device’s sleek design.
Overheating Under Sustained LoadThe Exynos 7420 chip, while powerful, tended to overheat during prolonged high-performance tasks (e.g., 4K video recording, gaming). This led to thermal throttling, which reduced performance to prevent damage—a issue that affected many flagship smartphones in 2015.

Release & Market Performance (SM-G920F / SM-G925F)

Launch Date: April 10, 2015 (available globally; SM-G920F was the primary variant for Europe, Middle East, and Africa; SM-G925F had limited initial stock due to curved display manufacturing complexity).
Pricing: SM-G920F (32 GB) started at €699 unlocked; SM-G925F (32 GB) started at €799 unlocked—positioning the Edge as a premium “halo” device.
Sales: The S6/S6 Edge sold over 10 million units in the first month, with the SM-G925F being a surprise hit despite its higher price. The devices helped Samsung recover from the S5’s mixed reception and compete with the iPhone 6/6 Plus.
Variants: Additional variants included the SM-G920I (Asia-Pacific) and SM-G920T (T-Mobile US, Snapdragon 808). A ruggedized variant, the Galaxy S6 Active, was also released for outdoor users.
Discontinuation: Phased out in 2016 with the launch of the Galaxy S7/S7 Edge, which reintroduced microSD support and IP68 water resistance while retaining the glass-and-metal design.

Legacy

The Galaxy S6 (SM-G920F) and S6 Edge (SM-G925F) are remembered as Samsung’s design revolution flagships, marking the end of the plastic era and the start of premium materials for the Galaxy S series. The curved display of the SM-G925F laid the groundwork for future Edge/Note models (e.g., S7 Edge, Note 7) and popularized curved screens in the smartphone industry. The Exynos 7420 chip set a benchmark for mobile processor performance, while Samsung Pay redefined mobile payments with its MST technology. Even in 2025, the S6/S6 Edge remain sought-after collector’s items for Android enthusiasts, prized for their iconic design and historical role in Samsung’s flagship evolution.