Galaxy versus Galaxy
Samsung’s mobile chief and co-CEO Shin Jong-kyun presents the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge during the Mobile World Congress 2015 in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday. The convention, which runs from Monday to Thursday, is the world biggest event in the mobile sector. This year's edition focuses on wearable devices and the so-called Internet of Things. / EPA-Yonhap
Wireless rechargeable battery gives S6 new life
By Kim Yoo-chul
BARCELONA, Spain — Samsung Electronics unveiled the Galaxy S6 (GS6) at an unpacked event on the sidelines of this year’s Mobile World Congress exhibition, Monday (KST).
With improved design and upgraded specifications, such as wireless recharging and improved camera functions, the new phone is drawing positive reviews from the media and bloggers.
They said the new Samsung flagship smartphone will provide fresh momentum for the company to win back customers lost to Apple’s iPhone 6.
Samsung’s mobile chief and co-CEO Shin Jong-kyun said, “Our goal is simple — the most advanced smartphone in the world no others can beat.”
He said the GS6 is a device that sets new standards for the mobile industry.
“Samsung will never stop making life better with new technology and ideas,” Shin said during a somewhat emotional presentation.
The event, held in the Barcelona International Convention Center, brought more than 5,500 reporters, as well as executives from the company’s major business clients.
Samsung drastically improved the battery life and performance. The GS6 comes with a wireless charging, built-in battery.
Samsung claims it is the fastest charging smartphone — taking 10 minutes of charging to get four hours of use. It says it will take only half the time it takes the iPhone 6 to charge a phone from zero to 100 percent.
Users will be able to charge the new handset wherever a charging pad is available, such as at restaurants or offices.
The company ditched Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chips and used its own Exynos brand 64-bit chip-set for the GS6 and Galaxy S6 Edge, which has a 5.1-inch AMOLED display.
It adoped its own KNOX mobile security platform.
For the Samsung Pay mobile payment feature, it has teamed with Master Card and Visa Card, First Data, Citibank, Chase, Bank of America, American Express and Synchrony Financial.
“More banks and financial institutions are joining forces to provide customers with better mobile payment services with greater flexibility,” Shin said.
Samsung upgraded the device’s design and improved features to offer more reason for consumers to purchase the GS6 ahead of new iPhone launches by Apple sometime in the latter half of this year.
“Design is critical. The GS6 is a result of craftsmanship that only Samsung can achieve. Its built-in battery makes it much slimmer and stylish,” Lee Young-hee, head of marketing for the company’s mobile division, said.
The GS6 has a metal frame and glass screen. The build of the phone is tall and slim, just like iPhone 6.
Lee said the GS6 has enhanced camera functions — 16 megapixels in front and five megapixels on the back.
“You will see a big difference in picture quality when you capture images,” he said.
The GS6, which comes with storages of 32GB, 64GB and 128GB, will go on sale from April 10.
Samsung says the GS6 is 20 percent faster than the Galaxy Note 4, and 30 percent more energy efficient with no removable battery.
The phone is 6.8 mm thin and weighs 138 grams.
Samsung Electronics is betting the GS6 will help boost its bottom line.