The Samsung Galaxy Note5 and Galaxy S6 edge+ Review
by Joshua Ho on October 2, 2015 8:00 AM ESTSystem Performance Cont'd
Now that we’ve covered some of the traditionally CPU-bound tests, we can start to look at tests that more strongly emphasize GPU performance. It’s worth noting here that while 3DMark is supposed to determine gaming and graphics performance, the overall score includes a CPU performance component in the form of a physics test that means it isn't much of a pure GPU test.
Overall, there's nothing really surprising about these results. The Exynos 7420 should continue to deliver great GPU performance for anyone interested in a high-end phablet or smartphone. There are some improvements in 3DMark in regards to graphics performance, but it's likely that we're just looking at newer drivers as the GPU doesn't heat up fast enough for throttling to be affecting these results.
NAND Performance
At this point, it’s probably not a surprise to know that NAND performance can have very real effects on user experience. If an OEM decides to skimp heavily on storage in order to drive the price down, it’s at least somewhat likely that the device will start to exhibit major IO pauses at some point in the device lifecycle. In order to test this, we rely on our standard storage tests which include Androbench with some custom settings to get more realistic test results along with StorageBench for iOS which is comparable to Androbench.
In the case of the Galaxy Note5 we’re still looking at a UFS storage solution similar to what was found in the Galaxy S6, but it looks like this is slightly newer as the storage is identified as a Toshiba THGLF2G8J4LBATDA chip rather than the Samsung variant that was found in the Galaxy S6. It’s unclear whether Samsung is now multi-sourcing UFS storage for their mobile devices or what distribution exists here.
Interestingly, the Note5 regresses a little bit in storage performance relative to the Galaxy S6, which is likely due to the shift to Toshiba's NAND. However, this difference is small enough that in everyday use it's unlikely that it will be noticed. Performance over time should be acceptable as well.
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theduckofdeath - Thursday, October 8, 2015 - link
There are issues for desktop sized high resolution displays. The biggest one is volume and production cost. Just look at what you have to pay for an LG OLED telly compared to a nano LED telly. Like Kamus said, look up what professional display calibration companies says about SAMOLED. It's not "on par", it's in a league of its own.thedons1983 - Sunday, October 18, 2015 - link
You are an idiot. The reason that top end monitor manufacturers don't use OLED, or AMOLED, is because they can't afford to. Eventually they will replace LCD, when they can afford to. LCD is crap technology and outdated, and will eventually be entirely replaced, when the costs make sense. Samsung can produce AMOLED screens, because they actually build them!! Apple builds nothing. At all. They buy their tech from others whom have the know how. Therefore, they pay through the nose for it, and aren't ever even offered the superior tech, because, why would you bother?! You'd maybe understand these issues, we're you not such an utter moron.sany - Monday, October 5, 2015 - link
HiI've been wondering, having the best chip to process still photos and good software - why still slow motion FPS rate is still kept too low compared to the slow motion fps for iPhone. Is this a limitation with hardware or can be fixed through an software update?
thedons1983 - Sunday, October 18, 2015 - link
Dude, seriously, smartphones take terrible pictures. The camera tech they employ is light years behind that used in actual cameras. Any photographer using their smartphone as there primary photographic device, is an utter moron!! Probably an unsuccessful one too!!Peichen - Monday, October 5, 2015 - link
As an iPhone user that also played with Samsung and LG flagships extensively, I feel Samsung Galaxy S and Note are the only phone that can be mentioned in the same sentence as iPhone. No other Android phones come close to S and Note's Apple-like hardware and refinements. Android + TouchWiz still lags and not as stable as iOS but where Samsung did their homework it is at Apple's level. I hope the upcoming V10 and Z5 Premium is as well made and tweaked as Note 5.thedons1983 - Sunday, October 18, 2015 - link
Your opinion is entirely meaningless, as you haven't used any flagship Android devices, other than Samsung. Sony make great phones, as do HTC, and Google and Motorola, and Huawei... Need I go on?? You might know this, if you weren't so entirely blinkered and pathetic.jrich7 - Monday, October 5, 2015 - link
Just picked up a Note 5 today, ugraded from the Nexus 6 and wow its way faster ! The batter drains a little faster but the fast charge feels just sweet and that see coming from another fast charge device. The screen is beautiful and the spen is going to come in handy. The only thing I really like better in the Nexus 6 was the two front facing speakers. I thought I would not like TouchWiz because I heard it's slow compared stock androld but the hardware on the phone makes up for it like 10 fold ! I'm very happy with this device :)coolhardware - Tuesday, October 6, 2015 - link
The Nexus 6 had splendid speakers! That was my biggest complaint switching from it to a smaller Galaxy S6.For another set of nice stereo phone speakers, check out the Moto X Pure Edition. My wife has one and the speakers sound good, better than any phone from Samsung or Apple IMHO. :-)
Speaking of Apple, I am excited to hear the speakers on the new iPad Pro. I'm *hoping* they really advance the tablet speaker situation to a new level!
thedons1983 - Sunday, October 18, 2015 - link
Thank you! The opinion of someone who has actually bought the device in question, is always going to be more legitimate, than the reams of idiots who have only ever used an iPhone. Good work, for bothering to add your two cents, it is appreciated.Thounee - Monday, October 12, 2015 - link
Hey staff @ Anand. I tried to look for any review of Xperia's (Z3, Z3+/Z4 or new Z5's) but came up empty. Since the sensors and image/video quality is considered as best by some benchmarks in the industry (look at dxomark), it would be nice to see your take on the latest versions.