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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kspirit - Friday, October 2, 2015 - link
Ya I've owned the Nexus 4 and 5 in the past, they were both A+! Currently on WP but really considering getting either the Z5 or the iP6S. Waiting for the reviews to come in :)sonny73n - Saturday, October 3, 2015 - link
Sony Z5? Hmm... If Anandtech ever do reviews on Xperia phones, it would break them Sony fanboys' hearts. And AT will probably save a lot of people from becoming victims of Sony marketing gimmicks. I have owned more than 20 smartphones (bought them all brand new) in the last 9 years. The 3 biggest mistakes I'd ever made were purchasing the Sony ZR, ZL and Z3C. Yup, 3 times. I can't believe I could be that stupid.AT please do a review on an Xperia phone, I'll happily donate $100 for it.
jbm - Sunday, October 4, 2015 - link
What was your problem with the Z3C? I had a Samsung S4 and it was horrible (I had barely any apps installed, disabled everything I did not need, power saving mode etc. and still randomly the phone decided to use 5-10% per hour). I managed to sell it and got a Sony Z3C. Best android phone I ever had. Got regularly 4 days battery life out of it without any issues at all. Right now, I have an iPhone 6s and it is great so far. Great camera, great build quality, uses about 20% battery per day so I only have to charge it every 3-4 days (I do not play any games on the phone and do not watch any videos, I just use it as a PHONE plus for email/occasional looking at a website/occasional music listening).sonny73n - Monday, October 5, 2015 - link
The Z3CHardware: The worst IPS display I've ever seen on a smartphone. DeltaE is way off. Digitizer grids are clearly visible whether the screen on or off. The back glass creaks when slightly squeezed. Cover flaps won't seal tightly anymore after a couple hundreds of openings and closings. Sony has retracted their claim as the phone is submersible which means it's no longer safe being submersed. Remember the commercial of the Z3C - A boy taking pictures with the phone under water? Back camera cover isn't glass, it's easily scratched. Front stereo speakers sound muffled.
Software: Bloatwares, junkwares and crapwares... Two ecosystems on one device (Google and Sony). Factory reset, nothing installed with everything turned off (wifi, data, location service...) and stamina mode turned on, wakelock still eats battery in sleep mode. It stays awake the whole time draining 10% in 4 hours in sleep mode. Camera app and phone app when in use would suck battery from 100% to 0% in about ~4.5 hours. Back camera takes terrible pictures compares to Samsungs which use the same Sony lens.
I have owned 1000s of Sony products since I was born - TV, AV system, headphone, laptop... You name it. But after the last 3 phones from them and 5 days on the phone with their terrible customer service refs about the Z3C, I swear that I will never buy another Sony product again. And if any of my relatives buy Sony, I'll cut them loose. Yes, I WILL divorce my wife if she buy anything with a Sony logo.
I have A+ and MCSE/MCSA since windows 2000 and been in IT since, just so you know.
mattscottshea - Sunday, October 4, 2015 - link
Z2 is a good phone, all models since have been incremental upgrades of it. Z5 Premium review would be interesting, especially since Sony already came out and said everything will not run in 4K. 4K videos will playback in 4K, but everything else, including the homescreen will run in 1080. Wonder if there will be a setting to change that.bigstrudel - Saturday, October 3, 2015 - link
Google Play services can be disabled and all apps can be downloaded through other means or over the web as .apk.thedons1983 - Sunday, October 18, 2015 - link
So take it back and exchange it, you fool. Or are you really such a retard that you're not aware that warranties exist??imaheadcase - Sunday, October 4, 2015 - link
You will find issues with both phones if you look for them. No one goes to reddit to scream how great something is.dsraa - Friday, October 2, 2015 - link
You little guys are soooo cute with your Apple vs Samsung bs......Go back to starbucks you yuppie geek hipster, and worry about some real world problems instead.hughlle - Friday, October 2, 2015 - link
Coming from someone getting involved in an argument he doesn't want to exist :D by your own post your are also one of these yuppie geek hipsters you so despise.