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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Kepe - Tuesday, October 6, 2015 - link
Read the entire page, please. They're comparing the designs of Note 4 and Note5, and that sentence describes the back of Note 4. That part of the review IS a bit confusing, though, but understandable if you concentrate on what you're reading.thedons1983 - Sunday, October 18, 2015 - link
You do realise though, that the feature YOU so clearly desire, is not even slightly relevant to the vast majority of smartphone users? That puts YOU in a subset, and therfore, YOU need to look harder when buying a device. The rest of the world, literally, could not care less. You're in the minority dude, pure and simple.hero4hire - Sunday, October 4, 2015 - link
I have a new Note 5 in box and am still using my Note 4. Microsd is the reason why.If I'd paid I would have 100% bought the 128gb version. As it is I'm not sure if I can use it.
Best alternative is to use another device to Bluetooth to my vehicle. Lack of a microsd option will hurt Samsung. We're not all interested in Knox and corporate security.
At least make a "virus allowing hacked unsafe dangerous murder bot phone with a death slot" (microsd) as an option. Your 14 arbitrary nearly identicle model selections prove you could do it.
Kepe - Tuesday, October 6, 2015 - link
If you don't want it, send it to me :pthedons1983 - Sunday, October 18, 2015 - link
No it won't... No-one, apart from butt hurt retards like you, give a flying fook about microSD. It's 2015, not 2010, so get with the times grandad. You've obviously never heard of the Cloud for a start.thedons1983 - Sunday, October 18, 2015 - link
No-one need microSD these days, unless you are an idiot. The Cloud exists, and is way more useful than local storage on a slow as hell and completely outdated format like microSD. The world has moved on grandad, so maybe you should too!!10basetom - Saturday, October 3, 2015 - link
The ability to use the Note 5 as a yellow sticky pad (i.e., write memo from sleep state) is a killer feature that will attract a lot of people, especially past Note users who left. I bought a Note II thinking that it can act as my digital notepad, but I ended up rarely touching the stylus because it was a hassle to claw it out of the silo, unlock the phone, and hunt down the memo app to launch it. With the Note 5's new abilities, I can see myself using the stylus on a daily basis and finally attain that seemingly always out-of-reach goal of having a digital notepad.eeg1 - Saturday, October 3, 2015 - link
the issue with samsung is not the phone but the horrible customer service which is why i would never buy a phone from them. the power plug of my brand new GS6 did not work. when calling customer service they asked i return the broken one before sending a new one. fine but how am i supposed to work for 2 weeks as they sorted out the issue. and when i complained i was treated like c*ap So much better with Apple. you go in and they fix everything for you on the spot no major Qs asked. I am glad samsung is losing a ton of share in the US. it will teach them to take their customers' hard earned money and loyalty for granted. here is to samsung zero market share. i even changed everything at home (3 TVs) to LG...terrible servicetheduckofdeath - Monday, October 5, 2015 - link
Did you really but your phone directly from Samsung? Or are you just another one of those Apple trolls posting your useless scripted BS? Yeah, that was a rhetorical question as we both know the answer to that question.Peichen - Monday, October 5, 2015 - link
You do know the Apple have 24/7 Apple Store in big cities right? What do you think those stores are for? Just because you are not used to 24/7 face-to-face support doesn't mean it is a bad thing.Apple also does cross shipping in case you don't know. You'd have 30 days to ship the bad parts back with the included envelope.