First release of Android Oreo for Samsung smartphones Galaxy has finally hit the market, and today we want to tell you everything we know, and think we know, about Samsung's plans for the Galaxy S6 and other Galaxy phones and tablets.

Despite the release of the update for the first Galaxy phones, Samsung is still not talking about its plans for the series of smartphones and tablets. However, we can fill in a few blanks about Galaxy smartphones and tablets.

In this review you will get acquainted with important things regarding the update from Samsung and the release of Oreo on popular smartphones and mid-range tablets.

We'll update this article as we continue to hear new information about Samsung's Android Oreo plans, so bookmark this page and check back often for updates.

UpdateOreo onSamsungGalaxyOreo: What's new?

Let's start with some things you should know about Android 8.0 Oreo and Samsung's new Experience 9.0 interface.

Samsung's version of Android Oreo isn't identical to Google's version running on Pixel and Nexus devices, but the two systems have a lot in common.

operating system Google Android 8.0 Oreo is packed to the brim with new features, tweaks, and all sorts of improvements. The system comes with over 60 new and redesigned emoji, updated notifications, improved loading speeds, deep colors, auto-fill, and several new security features.

Another notable change: Galaxy and Android Oreo users will no longer be able to store fingerprint, iris, or face data unless they have screen lock protection such as a pattern, PIN, or password.

On our website you will find a comparison guide between Android Oreo and Android Nougat. This is a useful article for those who want to study the changes before Samsung releases these updates.

As for Samsung's Android Oreo version, here's what we know so far.

The new Samsung Experience 9.0 user interface is full of new features, improvements and tweaks. Here are some of these features:

Updated home screen and quick settings panel;

Samsung keyboard update;

New Edge features;

Custom color folders;

Improved photo gallery privacy;

Clock improvement;

New emoji;

New and improved keyboardSamsung.

Fast and smart "Search".

New keyboards for fast typing;

New emoticons, emojis,GIFs and stickers;

Color filters;

Galaxy S7 Active

Galaxy A8 (2016)

Galaxy A8 (2018)

Galaxy A8+ (2018)

Galaxy A7 (2017)

Galaxy A5 (2017)

Galaxy A3 (2017)

Galaxy J7 (2017)

Galaxy J5 (2017)

These devices appear in the unofficial list of Android 8.0 updates for Galaxy on Chinese Weibo, supported by an unofficial list of updates from the XDA-Developer forum, and some of them have appeared in the update list software suppliers mobile communications USA.

T-Mobile has confirmed several other Android 8.0 Oreo updates ahead of Samsung's announcements.

The American service provider indicated an update Galaxy Note 8,Galaxy J7 Prime, Galaxy Tab E 8, Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge up to Android 8.0.

It also promises an Android Oreo update for the Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge and Galaxy Note 5. The information seems to confirm an update for these devices. The remaining smartphones and update status are in the “Manufacturer Development” phase.

Several reports claim that Samsung is focusing on developing the Android 8.0 Oreo update for the Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 Edge, Galaxy A5, Galaxy A3 and Galaxay Tab S3.

Actually, Oreo update for the Galaxy S7 was recently leaked online from Vietnam.

The US is also testing the Oreo update on the Galaxy S8 Active. Galaxy S8 Active - rugged Samsung version Galaxy S8. Unlike its predecessors, the smartphone model is less exclusive.

The following devicesGalaxy may not receiveAndroid 8.0Oreo

If you have a device that is two years old or a device that has already received two major Android updates, your chances of getting Android Oreo are extremely slim.

This means that popular devices such as the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy Note 5 are beyond the update age regardless.

Along with the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy Note 5, here are a few other devices that may be limited to Android Nougat:

Galaxy S6 Active

Galaxy A7 (2016)

Galaxy A5 (2016)

Galaxy A3 (2016)

Galaxy J3 (2016)

Galaxy J2 (2016)

This is not an official list, and we might see some models dropped and added to the list before all is said and done.

Unofficial device listGalaxy updated toAndroidOreo.

Recently, a Samsung customer service representative claimed that the Android Oreo update for the Galaxy S6 would arrive in January or February, but we wouldn't expect anything like that.

If these devices remain on Android Nougat, this does not mean that support for the software will end. Samsung and manufacturing partners support devices with security updates and various bug fixes well beyond the two-year support period.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge, two smartphones that remain on Marshmallow, however, recently received an update with the latest security patches from the company.

UpdateSamsung in February

And while your mind is stuck on Android 7.1.1 Nougat and Android 8.0, your next update will probably be neither.

Samsung continues to release monthly security updates that provide fixes (from Google and Samsung) for potential problem areas and, in some cases, bug fixes for Nougat.

The company recently released its latest January security update and provided fixes for several critical security flaws. The update applies to Galaxy S8, Galaxy Note 8, Galaxy S7, Galaxy S6 and others.

Google recently rolled out the February security patches, and we expect Samsung to release its own version of the February update soon. Android Oreo for the Galaxy S8 arrives with the February update.

The company is reportedly working on a February update for the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 without Android 8.0, so there's a chance the Note 8 will receive these fixes before it gets Oreo.

In his Galaxy time The S6 made a lot of noise, and to be honest, even though a lot of time has passed since its release, it is still considered by many as an option for purchase. The S6 implemented all the best that was in the manufacturer’s past developments and in the market as a whole mobile technologies. Finally, it was decided to abandon plastic in favor of more premium materials, which had a positive effect on the perception of the gadget and its design.

The body has become thinner and lighter, and has a non-removable battery. But not all the changes were beneficial - now there is no moisture protection, and besides, we were deprived of a slot for microSD card. But as soon as you start to get to know the gadget better, you simply forget about minor shortcomings against the backdrop of numerous advantages, which we will dwell on in more detail as part of our Samsung review Galaxy S6.

Galaxy S6 specifications:

• Screen: 5.1’’ Quad HD 1440x2560, Super AMOLED.577 ppi
• Processor: eight-core Exynos 7420, 2.1 GHz
• Graphics accelerator: Mali-T760MP8, 600 MHz
• Operating system: Android OS 5.0.2 Lollipop, TouchWiz UI
• RAM: 3 GB
• Built-in memory: 32 GB
• Memory card support: No
• Communication: GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz || UMTS 850/900/1900/2100 MHz || LTE: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26
• SIM: nano-SIM
• Wireless interfaces: Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (dual-band 2.4/5 GHz), Bluetooth 4.1, NFC, IrDA
• Navigation: GPS, GLONASS, Baidu, Galileo
• Cameras: main - 16 MP (OIS, autofocus, LED flash); front - 5 MP
• Sensors: accelerometer, G-Sensor, proximity, light, oxygen SpO2 and heart rate, compass, barometer, fingerprint scanner
• Battery: 2550 mAh, non-removable
• Dimensions: 143.4x70.5x6.8 mm
• Weight: 138 grams

Galaxy S6 equipment

The device is delivered in a white package, which does not greatly exceed its dimensions. On its back you can see the main characteristics, and by printing it we get access to the charger, microUSB cable, wired headphones with convenient control unit, paper clip and documentation.

Design

In terms of its design, the smartphone is practically no different from Edge versions. The only difference is that a standard flat display is used here, but otherwise the design is very reminiscent of the manufacturer’s past developments.

Even if you cover up the brand logo on the front panel, the device will still be recognizable. Key design points move from one flagship to another, including the mechanical “Home” button and the design of the speaker grille. It would seem that these are elements that do not attract much attention, but it is precisely such little things that make up the recognizable design of gadgets.

Compared to previous generations, the design has become neater. Materials Galaxy cases The S6 is completely the same as the Edge. Covers the front and back panels protective glass Gorilla Glass 4th generation. The structure is strengthened by a stylish and durable frame made of aircraft-grade aluminum.

The smartphone has a monolithic body, so you can forget about replacing the battery yourself. But this is rather a plus, because with such an assembly the possibility of backlash and squeezing of the lid is eliminated, each part fits perfectly in its place.

The case has rounded edges, which makes it fit well in the hand. When you first pick it up, it seems that the body is very slippery, because the main material of manufacture is glass. But thanks to good ergonomics, the likelihood of dropping it will be extremely small.

A standard set of sensors, a speaker and a front-facing camera were installed above the screen.

Below it is a mechanical home key and a pair of touch keys on either side of it.

On the left is the volume rocker.

On the right is the display power control button and the nanoSIM tray.

On the top edge there is a microphone and an infrared port for controlling household appliances.

At the bottom there is a 3.5 mm headset jack, a microUSB port and an external speaker.

On the back side we see a main camera module with a resolution of 16 megapixels. It protrudes above the body. which is a little impractical. To the right of it there is a flash and a saturation and heart rate sensor. Closer to the center is the company logo.

Display

The Galaxy S6 duos review moves on to the screen, which is built using Super AMOLED technology with a 5.1-inch diagonal and a resolution of 2560x1440 pixels. This combination gives 577 dpi, which sets the display apart from its competitors. Of course, with such high density You won't notice any individual pixels. The picture turns out rich, contrasty and well detailed; working with the screen is a pleasure.

Color reproduction varies greatly depending on user settings, with a total of four modes available:

• Adaptive;
• Movie;
• Photo;
• Base.

The last two produce the most realistic colors, but if you like them slightly oversaturated, then it's worth setting up any of the first two.

Galaxy S6 performance

Samsung Galaxy S6 specifications are based on the Exynos 7420 processor, developed at the manufacturer’s facilities. It is based on 8 cores with a frequency of 2.1 GHz, which is complemented by the Mali-T760MP8 graphics accelerator. Random access memory- 3 GB, built-in - 32 GB, of which 24 GB remains for the user’s needs. Galaxy S6 32gb specifications are relevant even now, it can easily handle even latest news games on high graphics. Not a single application has yet been able to fully load the device so that it fails.

Samsung Galaxy S6 in synthetic:

There are some drawbacks; now games, photos and video files are quite large, so 24 GB may not be enough, and there is no way to expand the volume with a memory card. This shortcoming is compensated at least a little by providing 100 free gigabytes in the cloud OneDrive storage, but still it’s not the same.

Samsung g920f Galaxy S6 32gb black review showed that the external speaker sounds clean and has a good volume headroom, perhaps a little lacking low frequencies. The headphones included with the device are perfect for everyday use; they are not only comfortable, but also sound good. With a high degree of probability they will come to replace your old headset.

Heart rate monitor Samsung Galaxy S6

Near the sensor from the main camera module there is a sensor designed to measure heart rate. To use it, the proprietary S Health application was preinstalled, where you can track your heart rate and stress level. It works quickly, but there are doubts about the accuracy of the measurements. In addition to tracking physical activity indicators, such as running or cycling, you can find out the level of oxygen in your blood and enter information on the amount of fluid you drink per day. The application will help you monitor your health and maintain an active lifestyle.

Autonomous operation

A review of the Galaxy S6 64gb active in Russian revealed that everything is bad with the battery capacity - 2550 mAh, despite the fact that the performance has increased noticeably. You can count on a day of autonomy if you turn on the Internet only when necessary, set the brightness to a low level, and unload resource-intensive applications from memory when you stop using them. Autonomy is the weak point of the device.

In an hour of playing Asphalt 8, the battery loses 22% of its charge, and when playing videos at 100% brightness and 70% volume, 16% is lost in an hour. In standby mode, with one active SIM card, only 1% of the charge is consumed in a few hours. In about a week, the gadget shrinks completely if you don’t touch it at all.

Samsung Galaxy S6 duos gold 64gb review showed that in difficult situations, when it is not possible to connect your smartphone to a power outlet in the near future, you can switch to one of two energy saving modes: standard or extreme. The first has a barely noticeable effect on autonomy, while the second improves it by approximately 150%, but in this case the screen goes into black and white mode.

A full charge from zero to one hundred takes 1 hour 35 minutes. Thus, in 10 minutes you can charge the battery for 4 hours of operation. This saves you in situations when it’s time for you to leave the house and there’s no time to wait. Charging time from a computer is an order of magnitude longer - about 5 hours. Wireless charging is supported.

Interface

Review Samsung phone The Galaxy S6 switches to an interface that is built on Android version 5.0 out of the box, but you can immediately update over the air to more recent versions. Everything is simple and convenient, as you can see in the screenshots below.

Cameras Samsung Galaxy S6

Samsung Galaxy S6 camera review is pleasantly surprising, because at the time of release the phone had one of the best cameras. The manufacturer managed to prove that the main thing is not the number of megapixels, because most competitors had 20 megapixel modules, but they were noticeably inferior in image quality.

If you wish, you can use the advanced mode, where you can set your own shooting parameters, but in most cases this is not necessary. At automatic settings The optimal algorithm is selected depending on the current shooting conditions. A real find was night photography, in which you can get pictures with decent quality and detail. Of course, noise is present; no manufacturer has yet managed to completely get rid of it in night shots, but its amount is minimal.

Samsung Galaxy S6 review in Russian showed that under simpler shooting conditions you can get excellent pictures. If you shoot without HDR, fine details will be difficult to see in deep shadows. When this option is activated, the detail and color saturation in the shadows improves.

The video quality is also good. You can save recordings in FullHD format at 60 fps, QHD, in accordance with the display resolution, and UHD (3840x2160). The last two formats are limited in time - up to 5 minutes of shooting, which was done in order to save user memory.

The front camera has a resolution of 5 megapixels and takes decent pictures, especially if you remember the year of manufacture. The module has a wide viewing angle and can be used both for taking selfies and for video communication.

Conclusion

So we have completed the review of the Samsung Galaxy S6, which has grown significantly compared to its predecessor. Improvement on all fronts - design, ergonomics, display and, of course, hardware, we've worked on everything except the battery. Although it is enough for a day of average use.

Where can I buy?

Your rating for the smartphone:

As you may already know, Samsung has begun testing the next version of Android by launching a public beta program. Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge users in the UK now have the chance to try out Android Marshmallow on their devices.

If you are the owner of one of these smartphones, you can install new version software. Follow the instructions below and you can start using Android 6.0 Marshmallow on your Galaxy S6 or Galaxy S6 Edge today.

Denial of responsibility: Everything you do, you do at your own peril and risk. Don't blame us (or Samsung) if something goes wrong!

Step 1: Make sure your smartphone model is SM-G920F or SM-G925F. You can check this by opening the Settings app > About device menu. Also make sure you have an unlocked version of your device.

Step 2: Now, check if it has Current version Firmware version product code BTU. To do this, download the SamMobile Device Info application from the Play Store, open it and look in the “Firmware” section for the “Product Code” line. The number must contain BTU at the end.

Step 3: If you have a BTU, which is a UK device, then proceed to download the Galaxy Care app from Galaxy Apps on your phone (or download the apk here and install manually).

If your gadget is from another country and you want to install Android 6.0, then proceed to the second instructions below, which will allow you to flash the necessary software. After this process you will be able to continue.

Step 4: Open Galaxy app Care, please accept license agreement on the welcome screen, and then click “Next” to go to the main program window.

Step 5: Find “Participate Galaxy Beta Program” at the top of the screen and click the “Join” button, as shown in the screenshot.

Step 6: Now, tap on the “REGISTRATION” button at the bottom. After that, agree to the license terms, and voila, the option to download Android 6.0 beta will appear on the screen.

For users from other countries

Fortunately, it is possible to install the latest version of the software even if you are in another country. There are also limitations here: only SM-G920F/SM-G925F Galaxy S6/S6 Edge smartphones are supported and must be unlocked.

You need to install the BTU region software. It's not difficult to do this. Download by

Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge users can now try the latest Android version on your devices by following these instructions. Samsung has started public beta testing of the build Android Marshmallow for Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge. If you have a Galaxy S6 or Galaxy S6 Edge, you can sign up for the beta and receive the Marshmallow build.
Testing has started for devices purchased in the UK and for those only with model number SM-G920F/SM-G925F. But users not only from the UK can register for testing, one condition is that you will need British firmware for this, and we will show you how to install it below.

What you will need:

• Galaxy S6 ( SM-G920F) or Galaxy S6 Edge ( SM-G925F)
• Odin v3.10.7 (Only if you don't use a UK/BTU device, and you probably don't because you don't live in the UK, which means you'll definitely need Odin)
• Firmware Galaxy S6 (G920F) BTU UK
• Firmware Galaxy S6 Edge (G925F) BTU UK

Denial of responsibility: Please be aware that what you do following the instructions below is at your own risk. Don't blame us (or Samsung) if anything goes wrong! Make sure you have done it completely backup copy your device, just in case.

Instructions

For those not from the UK or who do not have a BTU code

Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge users who have devices with model number SM-G920F/SM-G925F, but not living in this moment in the UK or with different firmware can also take part in the beta firmware test. All you need is to have a device model SM-G920F/SM-G925F. You will not be able to install beta firmware on another model. Once you are sure you have required device, you will need to install the BTU version of UK firmware on your Galaxy S6 or S6 Edge.

Here is the link to the Galaxy S6 BTU UK firmware and also the link to the Galaxy S6 Edge BTU UK firmware. To install the downloaded firmware on your phone, simply do the following:

• Unpack the archive with the firmware;
• Download Odin v.3.10.7, extract and open it;
• Restart your phone in Download mode Mode (press the Power/Home/Volume Down buttons simultaneously, and then press the Volume Up button once);
• Connect your phone with a cable to your PC or laptop;
• In the Odin program, a blue or yellow signal should appear indicating the successful connection of the phone;
• In the AP or PDA field, select the downloaded firmware, the one you want to install on your phone;
• Never check the re-partition box;
• Press the start button and wait a few minutes.

Installing this firmware should not destroy your data (nor should it void your warranty), but make a backup copy just in case. Once your device boots up, follow the instructions above starting from step 3 to join the beta test and get Android 6.0.