Iphone 6s Plus Vs Galaxy S6 Edge Plus Was The Curved Screen Worth Switching

In 2015, smartphone users faced a pivotal decision: stick with Apple’s proven reliability or leap into Samsung’s bold new design language with the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus. The iPhone 6s Plus represented refinement—stronger materials, improved internals, and a mature ecosystem. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus offered something visually striking: a dual-curved display that bent dramatically at both sides. But beyond aesthetics, did this innovation deliver meaningful benefits? For many considering a switch, the central question became whether the curved screen justified leaving iOS for Android.

This article breaks down the key differences between these two flagship devices, focusing on real-world usability, design trade-offs, software experience, and long-term satisfaction. Whether you’re nostalgic for mid-2010s smartphones or evaluating past tech decisions, understanding this crossroads reveals how form and function intersect in mobile design.

Design and Build: Form Meets Function

The physical contrast between the iPhone 6s Plus and Galaxy S6 Edge Plus couldn’t have been starker. Apple’s device maintained its signature aluminum unibody with softly rounded edges and a clean, minimalist front. It felt solid, slightly heavy, but balanced in hand. The glass back, while prone to fingerprints, contributed to better wireless signal transmission and gave it an elegant finish.

Samsung took a bolder route. The S6 Edge Plus combined a metal frame with glass on both front and back, curving dramatically along the right edge (and left, depending on settings). This wasn’t just cosmetic—the curvature enabled features like Edge Panels, which displayed contacts, notifications, or music controls when the phone was lying flat or held sideways. However, the glass made it more fragile and slippery, especially without a case.

Tip: If you prioritized durability over novelty, the iPhone 6s Plus’s build offered better drop resistance in everyday use.

One overlooked aspect was ergonomics. The iPhone’s straight edges allowed for consistent grip, while the S6 Edge Plus could feel uneven during prolonged one-handed use. Some users reported accidental touches on the curved side, particularly when resting the phone against their cheek during calls.

Display and Usability: Curves That Captivate—But Do They Help?

The Galaxy S6 Edge Plus featured a 5.7-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1440 x 2560 pixels. Its colors were vibrant, blacks deep, and brightness excellent—even under sunlight. The curve added a futuristic shimmer, catching light uniquely from different angles.

Apple’s 5.5-inch Retina HD display, by comparison, used LCD technology with a lower resolution (1080 x 1920), but it delivered accurate color reproduction and wide viewing angles. While not as flashy, it was highly functional and calibrated for consistency across apps and media.

But the real test was usability. Samsung marketed the curved edge as a productivity tool. You could assign up to five favorite contacts to appear when tilting the phone; swipe through news feeds on the edge panel; or control music playback without unlocking the device. These features sounded innovative, but in practice, they were inconsistently used. Many users found them gimmicky—novel for the first week, then ignored.

“Curved screens were less about utility and more about brand differentiation. They looked incredible in stores, but daily value was limited.” — David Kim, Mobile UX Analyst at TechInsight Group

Additionally, the curve introduced practical drawbacks: glare from ambient light, difficulty applying screen protectors, and higher repair costs after drops. For most users, a flat, reliable screen proved more practical than a fragile spectacle.

Performance and Software Experience

Under the hood, both phones packed high-end specs for their time. The iPhone 6s Plus ran Apple’s A9 chip with 2GB of RAM, delivering smooth performance even with demanding apps and games. iOS 9 (later upgradable to iOS 13) ensured long-term support—Apple provided updates for nearly five years, a significant advantage for security and app compatibility.

The Galaxy S6 Edge Plus used either Samsung’s Exynos 7420 or Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 (depending on region), paired with 4GB of RAM. On paper, this outclassed the iPhone, but real-world performance told a different story. Early models suffered from overheating due to the Snapdragon 810, leading to throttling during extended use. Samsung’s TouchWiz interface, though improved, still felt bloated compared to iOS’s streamlined design.

iOS offered tighter integration with other Apple devices, seamless iCloud syncing, and a more curated App Store. Android provided greater customization and multitasking capabilities—such as split-screen mode, which the iPhone didn’t adopt until much later—but came with inconsistent update policies. The S6 Edge Plus received only two major OS updates, leaving it vulnerable to newer security threats within a few years.

Camera and Battery Life Comparison

Both phones delivered strong camera performance for their era, but with distinct strengths. The iPhone 6s Plus featured a 12MP rear sensor with optical image stabilization, producing natural color tones and excellent dynamic range. Its video recording stood out—capable of 4K capture starting with iOS 9.1, a feature absent on the S6 Edge Plus.

The Galaxy S6 Edge Plus had a 16MP shooter with larger pixels and faster autofocus. In low-light conditions, it often captured brighter images, though sometimes at the expense of detail and noise control. Samsung’s processing leaned toward oversaturation, which appealed to some but frustrated purists.

Feature	iPhone 6s Plus	Galaxy S6 Edge Plus
Display Size	5.5 inches (LCD)	5.7 inches (Curved AMOLED)
Resolution	1080 x 1920	1440 x 2560
Rear Camera	12MP, OIS, 4K video	16MP, no OIS, 1080p video
Battery Capacity	2915 mAh	3000 mAh
Charging	No fast charging (adapter sold separately)	Fast charging supported
Software Updates	~5 years	~2 years
Water Resistance	No	No

Battery life was comparable, with both lasting around a full day under moderate use. However, the S6 Edge Plus supported fast charging out of the box, giving it an edge for users constantly on the move. The iPhone required purchasing a separate adapter and cable for similar speeds—a frustrating omission at the time.

Real-World Switching Experience: A Mini Case Study

Consider Mark, a longtime iPhone user who switched to the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus in late 2015. He was drawn by the sleek design and the allure of the curved screen. Initially, he loved showing off the edge lighting effects and using quick contacts. But within weeks, he noticed issues: the screen picked up smudges constantly, his screen protector bubbled near the edges, and he accidentally triggered actions while holding the phone.

More critically, he missed iMessage and FaceTime integration. His group chats fragmented, and photo sharing with family members became clunkier. After 18 months, when Samsung stopped sending major updates, his phone began lagging. He reverted to an iPhone—and hasn’t looked back.

Mark’s experience reflects a broader trend: while the S6 Edge Plus dazzled at launch, long-term ecosystem loyalty and consistent software support tipped the balance back toward Apple for many users.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus waterproof?

No, neither the S6 Edge Plus nor the iPhone 6s Plus had official IP ratings for water resistance. Both could be damaged by liquid exposure, though Samsung later introduced such protection in the S7 series.

Did the curved screen affect battery life?

Not significantly. The always-on Edge Panel could drain battery if overused, but disabling those features brought consumption in line with standard models.

Can you replace the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus screen easily?

Technically yes, but due to the curved glass, replacements were expensive and often required full front assembly swaps. Third-party repairs risked touch sensitivity issues along the edges.

Conclusion: Was the Curve Worth the Switch?

The Galaxy S6 Edge Plus was a technological showpiece—a statement of what smartphones could become. Its curved display turned heads, inspired future designs, and pushed competitors to innovate. Yet, for most users, it remained more spectacle than substance. The novelty faded quickly, while practical downsides lingered: fragility, inconsistent software support, and a lack of compelling long-term advantages.

In contrast, the iPhone 6s Plus offered steady performance, superior software longevity, and seamless integration within Apple’s ecosystem. It didn’t wow in retail displays, but it delivered reliably every day.

If you valued cutting-edge design and were willing to accept trade-offs in durability and updates, the switch might have felt worthwhile—for a while. But for users seeking consistency, security, and long-term usability, staying with the iPhone 6s Plus was the smarter choice.

🚀 Still debating old flagship choices? Share your experience switching between iPhone and Android in 2015–2016—we’d love to hear what influenced your decision and whether you stayed or went back!