Iphone 6 Plus Vs Galaxy Note 5 Looking Back Was The Note 5 Really That Much Better 6

In 2015, the smartphone market saw a fierce battle between Apple’s iPhone 6 Plus and Samsung’s Galaxy Note 5. Both devices represented the peak of their respective ecosystems—Apple’s polished iOS experience and Samsung’s feature-rich Android powerhouse. At launch, many tech reviewers declared the Galaxy Note 5 the superior device on paper. But nearly a decade later, with the benefit of hindsight, was it really that much better? Or did the iPhone 6 Plus hold its own in ways that specs alone couldn’t capture?

This retrospective examines both phones across key categories: hardware, software, camera performance, longevity, and user experience. The goal isn’t just to compare numbers—it’s to understand how these devices aged, who they served best, and whether raw power translated into lasting value.

Hardware & Design: Two Philosophies Collide

The iPhone 6 Plus introduced Apple’s first truly large-screen phone, measuring 5.5 inches with rounded edges and a minimalist aluminum unibody. It marked a departure from the compact designs of earlier iPhones and signaled Apple’s shift toward phablets. While praised for its sleekness, it also faced criticism for “bendgate” and slippery handling.

The Galaxy Note 5, meanwhile, embraced premium materials with a glass-and-metal sandwich design and an elegant curved edge that subtly echoed the Note Edge. It featured a 5.7-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED display—a significant upgrade over the iPhone’s 750p screen. On resolution and color vibrancy, Samsung won decisively.

Tip: When comparing older flagship phones, consider not just initial build quality but long-term durability—especially around ports, buttons, and battery degradation.

But design is more than materials. The Note 5 included the S Pen, which offered unique functionality like quick notes, screen-off memos, and precise drawing. For creatives or productivity-focused users, this was a game-changer. The iPhone had no stylus support at all, limiting its appeal in niche professional workflows.

Performance & Software Experience

Under the hood, the Galaxy Note 5 launched with Samsung’s Exynos 7420 (in most regions) or Snapdragon 808 (in select markets), paired with 4GB of RAM—a massive amount for 2015. The iPhone 6 Plus used Apple’s A8 chip with only 1GB of RAM. On paper, the Note 5 looked like a beast by comparison.

Yet real-world performance told a different story. iOS optimized every ounce of the A8 chip. Apps launched quickly, animations stayed smooth, and multitasking—even on limited RAM—felt fluid due to iOS’s memory management. Meanwhile, TouchWiz, despite improvements, still carried bloat and occasional lag, especially as the OS aged.

“Raw specs don’t always translate to better user experience. Apple’s tight integration of hardware and software gave them an edge in consistency.” — David Kim, Mobile Systems Analyst, 2016 TechInsight Report

iOS 8 and 9 brought stability and new features like QuickType, HealthKit, and improved notifications. Samsung’s Android 5.1 Lollipop added split-screen multitasking and S Pen enhancements, but updates were slow and inconsistent across carriers.

Crucially, Apple provided five years of iOS updates for the iPhone 6 series, supporting it up to iOS 12. The Note 5 received only two major Android updates (up to Nougat), leaving it behind in security patches and modern app compatibility by 2018.

Camera Comparison: Daylight vs Low Light

Both phones featured 12MP rear cameras, but their approaches differed significantly.

Feature	iPhone 6 Plus	Galaxy Note 5
Primary Sensor	12MP, f/2.2, 1.22µm pixels	16MP, f/1.9, 1.12µm pixels
Front Camera	1.2MP, f/2.2	5MP, f/1.9
Video Recording	1080p@60fps, 720p@240fps slo-mo	1440p@30fps, 1080p@60fps
Optical Image Stabilization	Yes	No

The iPhone 6 Plus excelled in consistent color science, dynamic range, and video stabilization. Its OIS made handheld footage far more usable. While the Note 5’s higher megapixel count produced sharper images in daylight, it struggled in low light due to smaller pixel size and lack of stabilization.

Selfies were another battleground. The Note 5’s 5MP front camera with wide aperture outperformed the iPhone’s basic 1.2MP shooter, making it a favorite among social media users at the time.

Tip: In low-light photography, sensor size and software processing often matter more than megapixels. Don’t be fooled by high numbers alone.

Longevity & Real-World Use: Who Lasted Longer?

A critical factor when judging which phone was “better” is longevity—not just hardware lifespan, but usability over time.

The iPhone 6 Plus remained functional well into the late 2010s for basic tasks. Even without cutting-edge features, its access to modern apps via iOS updates meant users could safely browse, message, and use banking apps years after release. Battery replacements extended life further.

The Note 5, however, began showing its age faster. By 2017, Android apps increasingly required newer APIs unsupported by Nougat. Security vulnerabilities mounted without patches. Many users reported overheating issues and rapid battery drain, particularly as the non-removable battery degraded.

One notable limitation of the Note 5: Samsung removed the microSD slot and made the battery non-replaceable—a controversial move even then. The iPhone 6 Plus also lacked expandable storage and easy repairability, but Apple’s ecosystem support offset some of these drawbacks.

Mini Case Study: Business User Perspective

Mark T., a freelance consultant in 2015, bought the Galaxy Note 5 primarily for the S Pen. He used it to annotate PDFs, sketch meeting ideas, and take handwritten notes during client calls. For two years, it was indispensable. But by 2017, the phone slowed down with newer versions of Outlook and Zoom. The lack of ongoing security updates made him hesitant to use it for sensitive work. He switched to an iPhone SE, citing reliability and update consistency as deciding factors.

“I loved the Note 5’s features,” he said, “but I couldn’t trust it professionally after year three.”

Battery, Charging, and Daily Usability

The iPhone 6 Plus came with a 2,915mAh battery; the Note 5 had a slightly larger 3,000mAh unit. In practice, both lasted about a day under moderate use. However, the Note 5 supported fast charging and wireless charging—features absent on the iPhone 6 Plus, which relied on standard 5W charging.

This gave Samsung a tangible daily advantage. Users could top up quickly or toss the phone on a charging pad. Apple wouldn’t introduce fast charging until the iPhone 8.

• Note 5 Advantages: Fast charging, wireless charging, higher-resolution screen, S Pen
• iPhone 6 Plus Advantages: Better long-term software support, smoother UI, superior video recording, stronger app optimization

Checklist: What to Consider When Evaluating Older Flagships

1. How many years of OS updates did the device receive?
2. Is the processor still capable of running essential apps smoothly?
3. Was the battery replaceable or user-serviceable?
4. Did the manufacturer provide timely security patches?
5. Are accessories and replacement parts still available?
6. Does the phone support modern connectivity standards (e.g., Bluetooth versions, Wi-Fi bands)?

Frequently Asked Questions

Could the Galaxy Note 5 run modern apps in 2024?

No. The Note 5 runs Android 7.0 Nougat, which lacks support for current APIs required by apps like WhatsApp, Google Maps, and banking platforms. Most services either won’t install or will crash frequently.

Which phone held resale value better?

The iPhone 6 Plus generally retained higher resale value, especially in international markets where iOS devices are preferred for longer lifespans and brand perception.

Was the S Pen worth it in 2015?

For students, artists, and professionals needing note-taking tools, absolutely. The ability to jot down ideas without unlocking the phone was revolutionary at the time. For casual users, it was underutilized.

Conclusion: Was the Note 5 Really That Much Better?

In 2015, the Galaxy Note 5 appeared to be the more advanced phone—superior screen, faster charging, more RAM, and the innovative S Pen. On spec sheets, it dominated.

But looking back, the iPhone 6 Plus delivered a more cohesive, durable, and future-proof experience. Its software support lasted years longer. Its ecosystem integration—from iCloud to iTunes to app updates—provided peace of mind that Samsung couldn’t match at the time.

So, was the Note 5 really that much better? For power users and early adopters craving innovation, yes. But for the average consumer seeking reliability, longevity, and consistent performance, the iPhone 6 Plus holds up surprisingly well—even today.

💬 Do you still have your iPhone 6 Plus or Galaxy Note 5? Share your experience—what kept you loyal, or what made you switch? Join the conversation below.