Any good comparisons of the iPhone 6 Plus and Galaxy S5?

[cmdrdredd]

My sister needs a new phone. She has an android phone now but it's some LG low end model. I was thinking of buying a new phone for her, but she can't decide if she wants the S5 which I have or an iPhone. There are no apps that she is tied to and the sd card slot etc isn't necessary. I was trying to find a good comparison but everything I can find only compares specs side by side. I'm looking for something that compares them more in depth. Battery life, screen quality, video/camera etc. I can find individual reviews but nothing that has both together. Anyone know of a site that has something like this?

Or alternatively maybe someone here has/had/used both enough to give a rundown of the pros and cons.

 

[rcpratt]

Your comparison makes little sense. Either compare the 6 to the S5 or the 6 Plus to the Note 4.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Your comparison makes little sense. Either compare the 6 to the 5S or the 6 Plus to the Note 4.

How about answering the question or just not posting?

There is nothing wrong with the comparison. The iPhone 6 is lower resolution, the Plus is 1080p.

 

[blankslate]

For screen size comparing the the 6plus directly to the Note 4 makes perfect sense. Likewise with the S5 and regular 6.

The prices between the note 4 and 6plus are probably in a similar category unsubsidized.
And the s5 probably is closer to the regular 6 for price.


As far as overall screen quality goes...The Note 4 is arguably better than the 6 plus.
http://www.techradar.com/us/news/ph...-but-still-loses-out-to-galaxy-note-4-1266447
However, either phone will probably satisfy most people when it comes to screen quality.


Personally I'd go for the Note 4, because of the removable battery, expandable memory plus the customization options as far as the UI goes (specifically talking about different launchers you can use which change the UI from Samsung's touchwiz modifications to the UI).
Apex Launcher and Nova Launcher are two particularly good choices for launchers and found in the google play store for apps.

Although the iphone 6 probably has a better out of the box experience if your sister doesn't tinker with her electronics.


Here is a head to head comparison of the Note 4 vs the 6 plus.

http://www.trustedreviews.com/opinions/iphone-6-plus-vs-galaxy-note-4


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[ImDonly1]

Your comparison makes little sense. Either compare the 6 to the 5S or the 6 Plus to the Note 4.

Pretty much this.
The 6 plus is in a different league from the S5. There is a reason no one is comparing them side by side.
Ignoring ios vs android stuff, I would go 6 plus. Better camera, larger screen (if you are OK with the size), battery life, pretty much everything.

If you are comparing Note 4 to 6 Plus, then we have a debate.

 

[rcpratt]

How about answering the question or just not posting?

There is nothing wrong with the comparison. The iPhone 6 is lower resolution, the Plus is 1080p.

Well that was rather rude.

Look, you can try to compare whatever you want. But you asked why nobody had already compared those phones, and I told you. Just like there's nobody out there comparing sub-compacts to midsize sedans.

Do you even know if she wants a 5.5+" phone? The Note 4 and 6 Plus are large phones, especially for women. I recommend you figure out how big you want to go first.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Well that was rather rude.

Look, you can try to compare whatever you want. But you asked why nobody had already compared those phones, and I told you. Just like there's nobody out there comparing sub-compacts to midsize sedans.

Do you even know if she wants a 5.5+" phone? The Note 4 and 6 Plus are large phones, especially for women. I recommend you figure out how big you want to go first.

The note 4 isn't on the table here. The plus is a better comparison to the s5 IMO than the standard iPhone because of the screen.

I didn't pick these choices either. I am just trying to help with the decision process.

 

[rcpratt]

Okey dokey. Whatever you say. I have no idea why you're not considering an iPhone 6.

Then I'd say the S5 since I think the 6 Plus will likely be too large for her.

S5 - 5.59" x 2.85" x 0.31"
6 Plus - 6.22" x 3.06" x 0.28"

 

[cbrunny]

Agree that Note 4 is a better comparison to the 6+, even if it isn't on the table.

For the sake of your question, I'd suggest looking for a few different things.

1. Android vs. iOS, probably a lollipop vs. whatever iOS version number is now since the S5 is getting lollipop now and the note 4 probably will soon. As in depth as you can find.
2. In depth reviews of each phone individually, and "compare" as best you can yourself. Looking at touchwiz will be important, but Note 4 and S5 have slightly different versions of touchwiz. Almost the same though.
3. Go to a store and put them all in hand, play with each of them.
4. Decision.

I have a note 4. There is no beating this screen, period. Rare lag from touchwiz but if you disable all the dumb stuff it runs very well. Size is awesome, and feel in hand is quite good too. Highly recommend.

 

[Zivic]

I'd have a hard time choosing between those two....
I absolutely hate IOS and based on my experience with an S4 I most likely won't ever get another sammy phone again.

If she has no aversion to IOS, I'd probably get the iphone.

if she wants android:
MOTO X (2014)
Nexus 6
LG G3
HTC One M8

^^^ all would be better choices IMHO

 

[poofyhairguy]

The note 4 isn't on the table here.

It should be. It is the best phone on the planet right now.

And why isn't the iPhone 6 regular on the table? I would pick it over the 6 plus.

Seems like whoever made this consideration set went to the Samsung and Apple lineups and picked in each case the weaker flagship offering. Maybe they just need a Moto X or HTC M8 or something lol.

 

[blankslate]

The note 4 isn't on the table here.

Why not? As others have mentioned the Note 4 is closer to the 6 Plus in terms of compelling hardware and actual phone size which is why it is easier to find Note 4 vs. 6 Plus comparison reviews (and s5 vs 6 (regular 4.7 inch screen reviews) than it is to find a galaxy s5 vs 6 Plus review.

The only reason I can think of someone comparing the s5 to the 6 plus is if for some reason there exists compelling deal available with those 2 phones to that individual.

I second Poofy's assertion based on handling one briefly and every review I've read that the Note 4 should be on the list for an Android phone if the iOS option is the 6 Plus. Baring other considerations besides form factor and hardware it makes sense.

The plus is a better comparison to the s5 IMO than the standard iPhone because of the screen

Are you sure?
The Note 4 is a 5.7 inch screen as does the iPhone 6 Plus although the 6 plus has a less wide and more tall screen from what I have seen.

While the S5 has a 5.1 inch display and the 6 regular has a 4.7 display.

The S5 is just as close to the 6 as it it to the 6 plus while the Note 4 is closest to the 6 plus as far as the screen goes based on size.

Rare lag from touchwiz

Have you tried a different launcher for the Note 4 like Apex Launcher or Nova Launcher from the Play Store? They are very quick feeling launchers on the s4 and would only be quicker afaik on the Note 4's better hardware.

I absolutely hate IOS and based on my experience with an S4 I most likely won't ever get another sammy phone again.

As far as Samsung's customization of the Android OS interface you can improve that with an alternate launcher as mentions above.

Also Samsung has been reducing the interface bloat in Touchwiz (if not the actual amount of bloatware on their phones, but many of those can be turned off or disabled in the options as well).

Some reviewers have mentioned that the Note 4 is has more streamlined versions of Touchwiz than earlier phones.


...

 

[GrumpyMan]

Looks like the Note 4 is now on the table....lol. Thanks, think I'll get one compared to the 6 Plus. As for your sis, if she has small hands a good vision, get the smallest one.

 

[blairharrington]

The note 4 isn't on the table here. The plus is a better comparison to the s5 IMO than the standard iPhone because of the screen.

No it isn't. Your sister won't really notice the difference between the Note 4, iPhone 6, 6 Plus, or S5 screen. All are excellent.

S5 and 6 Plus are two wildly different experiences for the size difference alone. If you want to make comparisons put the S5 and iPhone 6 head to head, and the Note 4 and 6 Plus against each other.

If you insist on comparing the S5 and 6 Plus the differences are enormous. The S5 will excel in one handed use and be easier to carry around if she ever places her phone in a front pocket. The 6 Plus should have better battery life but is a two handed device and is much heavier and larger than the S5.

 

[Harry_Wild]

It hard to compare the iPhone 6 Plus to that of the Samsung Galaxy S5! The iPhone 6 Plus is much more in every way to that of a Galaxy level S5. I would compare the Plus to that of the Note 4! Better off with comparing it to the iPhone 6!

Depending if she wants to have the best quality apps, solid performance with limited to no crashes and the Apple connectivity - go with the iPhone 6 since it probably the best general phone you can buy at the moment. It has solid resale value as iPhone has always had and has the top of the line in terms of "status" appeal.

If your sister wants a much bigger screen size; then I go with the Note 4, the iPhone 6 Plus has a slightly better camera and much better quality apps library then Google Play Store has however. Note 4 has the vivid color in the screen and stylus and more productivity software then iOS. Note 4 is sort of a mini business computer too! Note 4 is a better value too! Cost slightly less then the Plus.

Based on status appeal; iPhone 6 all the way. If she is someone who what to customized their smartphone with new launchers, widgets, etc... then go with the Note 4! If she just wants to have a straight dependable smartphone then go with the iPhone 6.

If believe in the theory of the public knows what is best; then look at the sales numbers in the U.S. smartphone market; the iPhone 6 is killing every thing out there. It has about 65-70% of the high end sales $600+! That is just crazy! Worldwide the iPhone 6 accounts for about 55% of the high end market!

iPhone 6 for a dependable no customizing best app quality smartphone.
Note 4 for a bigger screen size, use in business situations like note taking and is customizable smartphone.

 

[blankslate]

The above may be true about Apple having better quality apps... that may change for the Note 4 when it gets Lollipop (android v5.x.x) because at least one app developer has noticed a better experience with their app on Lollipop than on KitKat without any changes in the app.

A person who develops the tumblr app noted that it scrolled much more smoothly on Lollipop than on KitKat and was enthusiastic because he put it on a preview version of Lollipop just to see how much work would be required to update the app.

http://twit.cachefly.net/video/aaa/aaa0184/aaa0184_h264b_640x368_256.mp4

at about 24 minutes and 15 seconds he starts talking about his experience, testing the app on a lollipop preview.

He said it felt like using an iPhone as far as the app experience... without any change in the code of the app.


*e2a*

Also the ability to add a micro SD card to the Note 4, is I think a very good argument for it. For a price point noticeably less than $100 to much up 48gb (from 16 to 64) in storage one can expand the storage available for the phone. The Note 4 comes with 32gb of internal storage already which should be fine for installing a few dozen apps. If you need to carry large media files then you can get around double the storage the Note 4 comes with for less than $30 if you shop around.

As an example, I was lucky to find a Samsung 32gb Pro microSD card with very fast read and write speeds on sale at Frys for $23 dollars. When playing video stored on the SD card it's the same as if I was playing it from the phones internal storage.


....

 

[Mopetar]

Okey dokey. Whatever you say. I have no idea why you're not considering an iPhone 6.

Then I'd say the S5 since I think the 6 Plus will likely be too large for her.

S5 - 5.59" x 2.85" x 0.31"
6 Plus - 6.22" x 3.06" x 0.28"

Even the iPhone 6 or Galaxy S5 is likely too large for the average woman to use with a single hand, unless she has above average hand size. If you're going to be using two-hands all the time anyways, the extra size isn't going to matter much at all.

Most women keep their phones in their purses so size in pocket isn't much of an issue either.

at about 24 minutes and 15 seconds he starts talking about his experience, testing the app on a lollipop preview.

He said it felt like using an iPhone as far as the app experience... without any change in the code of the app.

That's the stock experience though. Once Samsung adds their own bloat and cruft, it might not be as good.

Judging by some of the complaints from users on this form about Touchwiz performance compared to vanilla Android right now, there's a reasonable chance that this will hold true in the future as well.

 

[blankslate]

That's the stock experience though. Once Samsung adds their own bloat and cruft, it might not be as good.

Samsung very recently has been more thoughtful about how they are changing the stock Android.

In a recent review of the note 4, the review noted that the Touchwiz UI has been more carefully crafted to be less bloated while still being distinct from the pure Android stock ui.

http://twit.cachefly.net/video/byb/byb0145/byb0145_h264b_640x368_256.mp4

at about 40 minutes 00 seconds into the video the Touchwiz UI changes made for the Note 4 in regards to streamlining it are covered by the revewer.

Also the speed of the apps has more to do with ART the new runtime available in Lollipop.

Yes the bloat could weigh down responsiveness for apps. However, you don't have to keep Touchwiz. In a preview post in this thread I noted two exceptional launchers

Apex Launcher

Nova Launcher

which are noticeably snappier than Touchwiz. I've used both on my Galaxy s4 and they have makae experience of using the phone nicer than it would be with Touchwiz.

As for apps which you can scroll through there are micro stutters when scrolling, but they aren't intrusive enough to frustrate me. Of course it may bother the hell out of others.

Due to the new runtime and better specs that the Note 4 has over the s4 and the conscious effort to streamline Touchwiz I'm leaning toward the differences in app performance for the Note 4 and a phone running stock Android will be minor if noticeable at all by most people.



....

 

[poofyhairguy]

In a recent review of the note 4, the review noted that the Touchwiz UI has been more carefully crafted to be less bloated while still being distinct from the pure Android stock ui.

One thing Samsung did with the Note 4 is make Touchwiz very Lollipop ish. It uses Lollipop colors and it uses the Lollipop task switcher among other things.

When my wife got hers on launch day I thought it was crazy different than any Android I had seen including Samsung's. Then I got Lollipop on my N7 and M8 and I realized that Samsung made that KitKat Touchwiz ROM kinda a mutt.

My theory is they knew this huge material design leap was coming, so in order to mitigate the issue of a second learning curve after an update they simply merged a lot of ideas learned from early access to Lollipop code.

Made it was all part of their deal together earlier this year. Oh well, doesn't change the fact the Note 4 is the best phone on the planet period.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

According to this guy, the iPhone 6+ suxorzzzzzz.

And this is why a large thin aluminum phone is a really terrible idea - *Bend-Gate*

Note 4 wins blind camera comparison test - Phone Arena

Accuracy in answering questions fully: Google Now 88%, Siri 53%, Cortana 40%

Note 4 vs Iphone 6+ Camera Shootout

The S5 camera and Note 4 should be pretty similar (slightly faster lens on the Note 4, but same sensor overall?)

 

[dawheat]

According to this guy, the iPhone 6+ suxorzzzzzz.

And this is why a large thin aluminum phone is a really terrible idea - *Bend-Gate*

Note 4 wins blind camera comparison test - Phone Arena

Accuracy in answering questions fully: Google Now 88%, Siri 53%, Cortana 40%

Note 4 vs Iphone 6+ Camera Shootout

The S5 camera and Note 4 should be pretty similar (slightly faster lens on the Note 4, but same sensor overall?)

No the Note 4 camera is substantially better than the S5, especially in low light. Samsung went with a Sony sensor + OIS vs. the in-house ISOCELL sensor in the S5.

The Note 4 is the first Samsung phone I've owned that is actually decent in low light. Bright conditions have been a strength for a while now.

 

[Commodus]

According to this guy, the iPhone 6+ suxorzzzzzz.

The S5 camera and Note 4 should be pretty similar (slightly faster lens on the Note 4, but same sensor overall?)

The Note 4's hardware image stabilization makes a huge, huge difference. The Galaxy S5 is still as overly twitchy as other Samsung phones (i.e. it's easy to blur the shot if you're not careful) and is still behind the curve in low light performance. The Note 4 still isn't perfect, but it's much more competent.

Also, that voice command test got debunked a while back. Not that it's completely illegitimate, but it's not a very scientific test. Also, different systems have different priorities. Google Now is better at web searches and basic info, but I still find Siri nicer when you're trying to accomplish a specific task ("remind me to do X," "what movies are playing near me").

 

[Midwayman]

Non techy user who isn't tied to an ecosystem. Can put phone in a purse- 6+ no doubt. Unless you have a specific need to address, apple devices are still better for most folks. Main reason to go android for people who don't care one way or another is cost. Cheaper to get high capacity by far. Of course if you're the sort to dial your phone in, android all the way.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Google Now is better at web searches and basic info, but I still find Siri nicer when you're trying to accomplish a specific task ("remind me to do X," "what movies are playing near me").

My experience is the exactly the opposite- I prefer Google Now for task creation while Siri is better at handling questions. Some of that might be the fact I will happily play ball with Now to get better results, while Siri doesn't really improve from the same tricks

What I mean by that is I feel Siri is the best voice option for someone like my mom who puts whole questions into Google when she wants to search for something like its Ask Jeeves. I feel Siri is the option closer to the Sci-Fi future of being able to talk VERY colloquially to a computer and have it understand you (like the drones in Interstellar or a fake person on a TNG holodeck). Problem is that the extra algorithms that can sort through common dialects also make things less accurate IMHO.

Meanwhile I feel Now is the old style of voice command on steroids- when I use it I change my tone, use very clear diction, and use the exact words I know it is looking for like its a voice dialer on a 2002 cell phone. I prefer it this way because I can get a consistent result out of Now like 99% of the time, which is huge in an era where Android Wear is so Now dependant. But for all those people in my life who think I am a wizard because I put a boolean searches into Google Siri is obviously the better solution for them.

 

[sweenish]

If those are the two choices, someone's being set up for failure.

For all the reasons outline above.

Pick a size first. Then make a comparison. Or better yet, pick an OS first, then a size.

Just asking about the S5 and 6+ highly implies a scattershot approach which means that some viable options are being ignored or not presented.