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Galaxy S6 Edge vs iPhone 6 Plus

Admire Moyo
By Admire Moyo, ITWeb's news editor.
Johannesburg, 15 Apr 2015
The Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge is the most expensive Galaxy S line smartphone yet built, says IHS.
The Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge is the most expensive Galaxy S line smartphone yet built, says IHS.

The recently released Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge is the most expensive Galaxy S line smartphone yet built, but has a lower retail price than a comparable iPhone 6 Plus, according to a preliminary estimate by analyst firm IHS.

The Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge smartphone with 64GB of NAND memory carries a bill of materials (BOM) of $284.85 with the cost rising to $290.45 when the $5.60 manufacturing cost is added, according to results from the IHS teardown of the smartphone.

A comparable Apple iPhone 6 Plus 64GB has a BOM of $236.04, which rises to $240.05 after $4.01 manufacturing cost is added, and a retail price from the Apple online store of $849, which is $50 higher than the S6 Edge.

Apple unveiled its iPhone 6 Plus smartphone in the South African market in October last year. Vodacom, the country's biggest mobile operator, sells the 64GB version of the smartphone for R14 799.

Samsung released the Galaxy S6 Edge in SA this month and it retails for R14 209 at Vodacom, R590 less than the iPhone 6 Plus.

"Overall, this is the priciest Samsung Galaxy S series bill of materials to date. In fact, Samsung seems to have consistently packed more features and cost into their flagship Galaxy S line of phones over the last three generations of product, now producing a BOM cost that is notably higher than comparable iPhones," says Andrew Rassweiler, senior director of research and analysis for IHS.

Large screen

World Wide Worx MD, Arthur Goldstuck, on the other hand, points out that it should be borne in mind that the S6 phones compete with the iPhone 6 rather than the 6 Plus, "as someone who wants a large screen will most likely compare the 6 Plus to the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 or Note Edge".

Nonetheless, he believes the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge will outsell the iPhone 6 Plus for three reasons.

"Firstly, the sheer marketing force of Samsung in South Africa, combined with the buzz around the Edge, will outgun Apple, which depends on a combination of the Core Group's efforts and the international buzz that always exists around the iPhone. That means it's not a foregone conclusion, but blanket advertising tends to outperform sharp marketing."

Secondly, Goldstuck says, the S6 Edge represents not only substantial innovation, but very visible innovation.

Apple unveiled its iPhone 6 Plus smartphone in the South African market in October last year.
Apple unveiled its iPhone 6 Plus smartphone in the South African market in October last year.

"That creates a major desirability factor. The iPhone 6 Plus is mostly about size and the innovation is hidden inside. The Edge display is sharp, bright and deeply satisfying, justifying the move to a slightly smaller 5.1-inch screen."

Thirdly, he notes, Android is the dominant platform in SA, and previous editions of the Samsung Galaxy S series have created strong platform and brand loyalty, which the S6 Edge will help retain.

"Even if many current Samsung users don't upgrade to the Edge, it restores the cutting-edge image that was tarnished by the S5, and will result in continued take-up lower down the range," Goldstuck says.

Finally, he points out that despite criticism of the pricing of a high-end bundle at over R16 000, it's possible to get a lower-spec 32GB version of the Edge for less than R10 500 at Takealot, for example.

iOS 8 versus Android Lollipop

On the other hand, Goldstuck adds, the iPhone 6 Plus is a magnificent phone for anyone who wants a larger screen for video and image purposes.

He notes the iOS 8 software is better integrated with the device than Android Lollipop is on any Android device, and the migration from earlier phones is more seamless and user-friendly.

"Samsung's Smart Switch technology doesn't work quite as advertised, has to be installed on each phone from which one wants to migrate, and only pulls across a listing of apps rather than the apps themselves, which still have to be installed one by one. Of course, those are issues only at set-up. It's a little early to say how effective the S6 is in longer-term use, while the iPhone 6 Plus has proved its effectiveness and stability in the field."

Meanwhile, Ovum analyst, Richard Hurst, believes the battle between the iPhone 6 Plus and the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge will all play out according to how each of the manufacturers tackle the local market.

"We know that Samsung has always expressed a keen interest in the Southern African region. However, both of these devices are at the high-end and are not typical entry-level smartphones or devices.

"I think success in the South African market for smartphones will be driven by the price points and the ecosystems for support that has been developed. In this instance, I think that the range and popularity of apps will be of some significance," Hurst says.

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