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Samsung and HTC unveil 2015 flagships, events ripe with Apple jokes and comparisons

From 9to5Google: 

htc-one-m9

As Mobile World Congress kicks off in Barcelona, Samsung and HTC have both unveiled their respective 2015 flagship devices. First off, HTC this morning unveiled the One M9. The device features a Snapdragon 810 processor under-the-hood with a 2,840mAh battery to go with it. HTC infamously ditched Megapixels with its One M8 flagship, but this time around, the company is touting that the One M9 feature a 20MP rear-facing shooter with a f/2.2, 27.8mm sapphire lens and 4k video recording.

Visually, the One M9 looks almost identical to its predecessor…

Samsung today unveiled two new flagships, the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge.The devices are both powered by a 64-bit octa-core Exynos processor built off a 14nm process. The processor is coupled with 3GM and a 2550mAh battery (increases to 2600 on the S6 edge). The device will be available in either 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB variants. Samsung has ditched the microSD card slot and removable battery as well, in favor of a sleeker design. The design, instead of plastic, is now a combination of metal frames and an all-glass back. (Sounds familiar, right?)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnYtWWDor2s

Both the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge feature an all-new 16MP camera with optical image stabilization and new IR white balance. Samsung touts that you’ll be able to launch the camera in less than a second with only two press of the home button. Both phones also feature a 5.1-inch 2560×1440 display. There’s also a new finger print scanner within the home button that requires just a slight tap for activation, similar to TouchID on the iPhone.

Samsung’s event was ripe with sharp comparisons between its latest devices and the iPhone 6. Samsung, when talking about the new design of the Galaxy S6 took a stab at the iPhone 6 Plus and promised that its new devices would not bend.

Then while talking about battery life, Samsung presented a side by side chart of how long it takes the iPhone 6 to charge compared to the Galaxy S6. Samsung promises that its device is the “fastest charging phone” on the market, going from 0 to 100 percent in half the time of the iPhone 6.

Samsung also compared the lowlight performance of the Galaxy S6 vs the iPhone 6 in another side-by-side image. Finally, Samsung also touted that its new Samsung Pay mobile payment solution is available in 30 million merchant locations, while Apple Pay is available in 200,000.

Much more coverage of Samsung and HTC’s Mobile World Congress announcements at 9to5Google

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Comments

  1. WOW Samsung you did it and nailed it, i can’t wait 10th April is too far away, i want my hands one the Galaxy S6 Edge, i love the design how the back can glow definitely i will pick the gold version 128Gb OMG Samsung you’re gonna ruin my pocket this 2 months, i love the new UI so simple and seems faster with ssuch a powerful chips and processors it’s like a dream coming true lol! the camera great now i will start taking picture like never before i have to change my twitter pic profile anyway xD, very good move Sam and with wireless charging and Samsung pay, touch based fingerprint you just prove that you’re the best phone maker in the world… #next_is_now

    • mytawalbeh - 9 years ago

      Good luck with Samsung 6 and 6 plus ..
      But it still missing a lot of things that only Apple can do !!

      • calisparkz - 9 years ago

        Bend? Lol

      • mytawalbeh - 9 years ago

        It finally settled that no serious bending issue !!! Otherwise Samsung would do it in their phone !!
        LOL !!

      • aww @calisparks gave you the right answer, my first could not be engineering but i know that the galaxy S6 won’t bend… peace and love Bro ;)

    • tickles888 - 9 years ago

      nice sponsored post, mr. shill. what is smashing paying for this crap?

      • unfortunately i don’t get paid like you fanboys for following something blindly, that’s why everyone calls you “iSheep” ;)

    • ericisking - 9 years ago

      You are the saddest man in the world.

      • Aww so sad you’re so desperate man, don’t worry happiness is for everyone just stop being a Apple toy that Apple can summon everytime it wants and telling you to buy the iphone ;)

    • resistor003 - 9 years ago

      Bwahaha… Sounds like you need to go change your underwear now after saying all that.

      • Aww man you look like someone who has only a life on the cyberspace, leave your computer and go live a real life, that sad for you if you can’t have a girl in your life, don’t blame me maybe you should blame your blindly obsession to Apple lingerie and panties, then maybe a girl could be attracted by you… don’t give up bro ;)

    • iphonenick (@iphonenick) - 9 years ago

      How much does Samsung pay you per post?

      • unfortunately i don’t get paid like you fanboys for following something blindly, that’s why everyone calls you “iSheep” ;)

      • mytawalbeh - 9 years ago

        He got paid by Samsung Pay LOL !!!
        Ridiculous how do they keep copying apple in everything!

      • haha yeah i got paid like you got paid by Apple Pay LOL … it’s ridiculous how apple fanboys are narrow minded xD!

    • Named Name - 9 years ago

      Well, I heard some people in S.Korea and Taiwan get paid for posting positive comments about Samsung to control the media (Samsung even got caught in Taiwan for hiring people and making them post positive comments about Samsung and negative ones about HTC)… I guess there are some people who get paid by Samsung on this site as well.

      • Aww sounds interesting like those Apple hires in Greenland for giving good feedback about the iphone, good luck with that

        Ps. I don’t live in those countries :P , try to guess better next time ;)

      • To show you how crazy that comment is, Chris Gabriel could quite easily ask you how much Apple are paying you to deflect his bias. Your not getting paid – neither is he. It’s his opinion.

    • Yes (@AMillah) - 9 years ago

      No one is calling you a fanboy. And certainly not because you simply like Samsung products. Competition and choice is a fact of life, and it benefits everybody. People are calling you out because your post reads exactly like a Samsung PR statement, complete with Samsungs hashtag at the end. And you’re immediately calling everyone else derogatory things like “mindless sheep” at first sign of any disagreement?

      Good lord. THAT is the true definition of a fanboy. Immature, derogatory, juvenile, devoid of any rational reasoning.

      • Aww you got it wrong, i didn’t using a hashtag gives a statement more credit or reveal some hidden secret OOOOhhhhh sounds scary lol, as i was telling the others i’m an open guy, i’m not stupid to believe that the perfect phone exist because it will never exist in this world for the simple reason that perfection is out of reach for human beings that’s why no matter how appealing or innovative can a product be there will always be some haters just to point the fact there will never be a phone which will make everyone happy at least there will be one guy who thinks the opposite

        There is something you don’t realize i’m not blind android fanboy, for example i know that the bottom and the top of the S6 and S6 edge look like the iphone but they are not the only one who copies stuff from other it’s business, even HTC, LG and Apple copy stuff and idea from others but it’s something an Apple fanboy will never admit why because they think Apple is god and everything it does come from nowhere and it’s perfect that’s why people like to call them “mindless sheep”

        in my case i like some apple products, i usually use the latest apple earbuds with my galaxy S5 why? because i like it, it’s cool but an apple fanboy even though there is samsung product that he likes he will never admit that and always start to criticize that

      • Robert Vega - 9 years ago

        just phones guys

    • varera (@real_varera) - 9 years ago

      It looks like you need to refill your pills, my friend. Get to a pharmacy quickly, please

  2. mytawalbeh - 9 years ago

    LMAO
    What is that ??! Are you kidding me ?! Directly comparing to the iPhone 6 !!! With wrong info!!
    Hey shamesung it is simple just introduce you device like ,,, welcome to the samsung 6 and 6 plus !!!
    and Waite !! Samsung Pay !!? Seriously!!?

    • They have no shame, so no. I wish all people knew all the info and could see how bad behaved Samsung is.

    • Dean Har - 9 years ago

      Although Samsung completely ripped the iPhone’s design and tons of features, they’ve done a really good job at giving consumers the best value for their money – 32 GB minimum storage, wireless charging, excellent rear and front-facing cameras (if similar to the Note 4’s camera), 2K resolution screen, etc etc…. all at the same price as the entry level 16GB iPhone 6.

      If the next iPhone doesn’t have a 2K screen and 4K video recording (the Note 4’s 4K video quality is so damn good), it’s an automatic no buy for me. And if Apple tries to con me by saving those features only for the 6S Plus / 7 Plus, I’m out. I don’t think I can put up with the world’s filthiest rich company putting out hardware inferior to freaking Samsung (of all companies!), and then on top of that tiering that inferior hardware among its user base. No thanks!

      I love iOS and think it’s is much better than Android…. but damn it’s not THAT much better!

      • Andy Grimm - 9 years ago

        couple of questions for ya-
        Why do you need a higher resolution screen when your eyes wont be able to tell the difference and all it will do is reduce battery life because it needs a more powerful GPU to run it?
        Is 4K really that important to you at this point? I wonder how many people actually do something with these huge 4K home videos. Are you really playing them back on your 4K tv? Performance wise we all know the iPhone 6 is one of the top few and always is so specs aside it performs at the top of the class.

        I just dont get people the want crazy specs for no real reason other than they can say they have the best.

      • 2K, what, why? Why would I want that? 4K video? Maybe, if phones had 512GB+ memory as standard ;)

      • Dean Har - 9 years ago

        Haha, yeah I use to say the exact same thing but the video quality is vastly superior. You won’t be able to shoot 2hr movies, but 32GB is plenty for a couple minutes of 4K video. It’s so good. Plus you can always just stick to 1080p as the default.

        As for 2K screen, there’s a reason why everyone says the Note 4’s screen is hands down the best. Apple is suppose to be the best, so why did they give the 6 Plus 1080p and the iPhone 6 750p?

        As much as I’m annoyed with all the blatant copying, I still can’t help wondering how Apple let Samsung pack in all that hardware and still achieve the same exact thickness. As much as it hurts to say, it looks like the S6 has significantly better hardware at all fronts. Hopefully Apple responds well with BOTH the 6S and 6S Plus.

      • Rich Davis (@RichDavis9) - 9 years ago

        Do you even NEED 4K video on a smartphone? NO. It’s a dumb use of resources. Most people don’t have a 4K TV at home. These lens suck for 4K video capture. They aren’t going to do high fps because there isn’t enough memory or fast enough memory. Plus, when you go into 4K video mode, it eats up the battery.

        1080p for a smartphone is PLENTY good enough. God, what’s wrong with people? They have nothing else to do with their lives but want some stupid spec they’ll probably never or rarely use so they have something to brag about?

        I bought my iPhone 6 last year and it does just fine, there isn’t much else that I really NEED. I’ll keep it for a few years and upgrade when it makes sense to do so.

        But this focus on these high resolutions on such a small screen makes ZERO sense other than bragging rights.

        Have you read up on the human eye and what it can detect when it comes to ppi, screen size and distance from your eyes? On a 6 inch screen, you can’t detect any difference with ppi unless it’s within only a few inches away. At the normal distances people use smartphones, it’s not close enough to see any difference once you get past about 320ppi. It’s just fact.

        Anyone that wants to pay for and watch 4K movies on a 6 inch screen has got to have way too much and obviously, is just doing it so they can brag. I wouldn’t even watch 4K movies on a tablet, I’d want to watch them on a big TV set. If I want to take 4K video, I’ll buy a higher quality camera that can capture at 60fps, SSD storage and have interchangeable and really high quality lens. But since i don’t currently capture 4K video, then I have no use for it.

        Samsung’s lost their minds and so have their customers.

      • Dean Har - 9 years ago

        @Andy, let me put it simply. Ignoring all stats and specs, The Note 4’s display is by far the best I’ve seen. Whatever technology Samsung used to make it look that good, I want it on iPhone. The Note’s video camera can record amazing detail that looks great even on a 2K screen. I’ve seen plenty of videos online and in person and the Note 4’s camera destroys the iPhone 6/Plus.

        Apple is the most innovative company in the world (supposedly), and they had absolutely no problem releasing a 5K iMac (which got amazing reviews by the way), so why not continue pushing the envelope and help make 2K displays/video recording standard?

        Soon you’ll be telling me Apple didn’t put 1080p on the iPhone 6 because 750p for a 4.7inch screen is best for the eyes…. Apple is only holding back on the hardware improvements because unlike the Mac, the iPhone is their money maker and they’re gonna try to reap as much profit as possible. Good on them for finding a successful business strategy, but with almost $1000 after tax, I’m going to hold onto what I think is a very reasonable wish list. I understand not everyone is going to have the same requests, that’s completely fine :)

      • Dean Har - 9 years ago

        @Rich Davis, try not to get so emotional. No one “NEEDS” 4K. No one “NEEDS” 1080p, a thinner phone, Touch ID, Apple Pay, Continuity, iOS 8, a 2K Macbook, 5K iMac, the Galaxy S6, or even the iPhone 6/Plus. But for those that “WANT” it and have use for it, they’re all great!

        And you’re absolutely right, 1080p is “PLENTY” good. But the 4-inch iPhone 5 was also “PLENTY” good. So was the 3.5-inch iPhone 4. Yet here we are.

        If you have no need for 2K screen or UHD video capture, that’s totally fine. But I’ve seen it, I really really liked it, I would definitely use it, and I ‘WANT’ it. Sorry not sorry

      • drhalftone - 9 years ago

        I’m confused. The camera was just announced today, and you’re saying you’ve seen it first hand and can competently tell us how good the display is against the iPhone 6? If that’s the case, why don’t you post some selfies with it so you can convince all of us that you’re not making this up?

    • Have you heard of the Samsung Ativ S? It came out in 2012 has exactly the same rounded frame design as the iphone 6. So Who is copying Who?

      Samsung is just doing what Apple did with Apple Pay copying Google Wallet which is exactly the same except you use your fingerprint instead of a Pin.

      Also would you like me to bring up Apple Health? Because Samsung had S health before them. How about the features in ios 7 and ios 8 that are from android? Should I call Apple copy Cats for that too?

      Apple and every other Tech Company Barrow Ideas in both hardware and software just like Car Companies do. Except for the Metal Frame it looks nothing like an iphone.

      • drhalftone - 9 years ago

        You mean the lack of a memory card slot and no replaceable battery makes the Galaxy look less like an iPhone?

      • mytawalbeh - 9 years ago

        Then why did not now, they redesigned the Galaxy to match Ative ?!
        It’s very simple because the new iPhone looks like this design!! That’s applicable to the other features as well. But I think they missed one thing, what about the continuity feature!!? LOL
        put on your “to do list”.
        So It is very very very very very clear, ( copying !!! ) then simply I don’t care what are they copying!! I just want the original!!
        I’m not concerned about the cheap industry

  3. ‘Samsung has ditched the microSD card slot and removable battery as well, in favor of a sleeker design.’ and ’64-bit octa-core Exynos processor’ well well well. How unexpected. Little bit late to the game.

  4. Mustafa Gerçek - 9 years ago

    what is with their video. Youtube has deleted it, because of over length?!?!?!?

  5. David Kaplan - 9 years ago

    I take an attack on Apple Inc. extremely personally.

  6. myke2241 - 9 years ago

    Good effort sammy but not too impressed. there were no really new features besides the edges and anodized plates? a lot of Android people will find it nice but it is just not my style and. BTW those images from the camera look a little misleading. almost like they didn’t allow for the iPhone the adjust its ISO and shutter for the low light. and they seems to be a key light from the righthand side that is not present in the iPhones image.

  7. Same-sung CEO Oh-Hyun Kwon says, “Me too, me too!”

  8. That Samsung Galaxy S6 edge is impressive. I’m so Apple Biased and have been for years and years. Being there on release dates on the iPhone 4 5 and 6, iPad retina display, iPad air 2. I Am somewhat qualified to call myself an apple fan boy. But that S6 Edge is very nice. Wireless charging. QHD display, curved edges, great processor, Ram, Camera.

    I’m sorry but if you look passed the apple tinted spectacles this is a fantastic phone. I’m disappointed I’m saying this. But look at it! Seriously look passed the Samsung badge. If Apple had done this it would be off the scale.

    • drhalftone - 9 years ago

      What is it about the processor that you like so much. I’ve had the Octa-core for some time thanks to the Odroid XU3. So I have can competently say something about it. So what do you like about it?

    • drhalftone - 9 years ago

      What do you think about the Xiaomi phones?

  9. Toro Volt (@torovolt) - 9 years ago

    Samsung is not going anywhere chasing Apple and also stuffing all that bullshit willie-wow specs.
    And then what are they thinking eliminating two of the key things why people might prefer their phones to an iPhone, SD card and Battery access.?!
    Their Phones could be even better than Apple but theychose this retarded “my Penis is bigger than yours” approach.
    And lets not get started with that 20MP sensor lol. Give me a break.
    Currently I have a love/hate relationship with Apple but I guess is the lesser of two evils.

    • Laughing_Boy48 - 9 years ago

      I think Android smartphone manufacturers have no choice but to measure penis size with specs. There isn’t really that much to set all those various Android smartphones apart except higher specs. Apple doesn’t have that problem because only Apple makes the iPhone and iOS. There can’t be any direct comparisons. A 20MP sensor seems like quite a bit of overkill for a smartphone but like anything else over time, specs usually improve. However, it must really eat up a lot of memory space with that much resolution.

  10. rettun1 - 9 years ago

    The edge looks really slick, I’ll say that. The functionality of the curve has yet to be proven, but I think it looks awesome and is probably comfortable to hold. Probably the best phone Samsung has ever made, I think. I’m interested in seeing what apple will do with the iphone come fall, hopefully force touch makes it into it.

  11. braytonak - 9 years ago

    If it can really charge faster than the iPhone, how do they preserve total lifespan of the battery? I thought fast charging was harder on the battery.

    The Edge looks annoying, as in the slight edge distortion and the fact that it will shine light toward people next to you. (Think passenger using the Edge in a car at night, or in bed while someone else is trying to sleep.)

    And I see no reason why they had to ditch the SD card. There’s already a SIM tray. They could have had the SD card ride in the same tray.

  12. kiranmedarapu - 9 years ago

    I wonder what Samsung fans argument’s going to be since they ditched SD slot and Removable battery…

    • Laughing_Boy48 - 9 years ago

      I’ve already heard Droidlovers say those two omissions are definitely dealbreakers and wouldn’t consider buying the S6 or S6E. I think once a person gets used to swapping SD cards it’s hard to not have them. Of course if you have a 128GB smartphone it might not be that much of a loss.

  13. lkernan - 9 years ago

    Samsung will regret saying it will not bend, you just know someone will make it happen now.

  14. Gary Crowther - 9 years ago

    Looking at that side by side photo comparison of the Galaxy S6 and iPhone 6, it’s obvious to me that Samsung have not used fill lighting for the iPhone 6 photo but have used it for the S6 photo. The shadows on the couples faces are non existent in the Samsung photo and much more brightly lit compared to the background. This is clearly misrepresentation of a product for marketing purposes.

  15. Laughing_Boy48 - 9 years ago

    Samsung promised their smartphones will not bend? That’s quite a reckless promise. That’s practically asking for trouble with consumers.

  16. Really nice phones, but they run Android, and I will only ever BUY the product, I refuse to BE the product.

    • When you bought your iPhone and had to create an AppleID to use it – can you remember supplying your details, including home address, telephone number & email address? You are aware then that a developer can place targeted adverts in their applications, thereby technically having indirect access to the details Apple holds on you, but only if they pay Apple for the privilege? You are a product, just like Google users are – the thing is though Google are even WORSE.

  17. Bad JuJu (@brijo00) - 9 years ago

    Shamsung at it again….

  18. NerdShouts - 9 years ago

    Haters gonna hate. No matter what Samsung tries to unveil, it always try to spun the devices with old features and discussions.

    No doubts, Galaxy S6 Edge is looking awesome and I am excited to get my hands on it. I hope it won’t be a serious disappointment like Galaxy S5.

  19. monty72 - 9 years ago

    Both of those low light photos look pants, but at least the iPhone one looks more natural.

  20. Gareth Edwards - 9 years ago

    all these posts and not a mention of the HTC – says it all really.

    • patstar5 - 9 years ago

      I had an htc one m8, good screen and speakers but camera was horrible. I didn’t like the htc black bar either, I sold it and got a oneplus one. I love this phone! Also have bamboo back, I get so many questions about it. Never going back to iPhone.

  21. Paťo Bujna - 9 years ago

    Able to launch the camera in less than a second with only two press of the home button? LOL, already used on iPhone 3G

  22. Oh please! Presentation by those Chinese and Koreans were so hilarious… i never appreciated so well how perfect Apple’s presentations are until i saw HTC and Samsung’s hilarious ones LOL they had no presentation format or structure. And all they said was ‘Relentless’ and ‘Exciting’. They were begging for claps. And that Korean lady was over-enthusiastic with her funny presentation. both presentations were so laughable! :D

  23. patstar5 - 9 years ago

    Google wallet was first, 2 years before apple pay, now since they are rebranding as google pay they will think they copied apple. But apple copied them

  24. arslion - 9 years ago

    They compare because they have nothing new :v they copy Apple.

  25. mytawalbeh - 9 years ago

    And not only that!!! guess what ?!
    SHAMEsung RIPPED OFF the design of EARPHONES !!
    So the package is complete now !! LMAO

  26. varera (@real_varera) - 9 years ago

    I am sorry. Is it 9to5Samsung now?

Author

Avatar for Chance Miller Chance Miller

Chance is an editor for the entire 9to5 network and covers the latest Apple news for 9to5Mac.

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