iPhone 6s and Galaxy Note 4: What We Know So Far

Apple still isn’t talking about its new iPhone, but that hasn’t stopped leaks and iPhone 6s rumors from surfacing as we enter the year. Today we want to compare the iPhone 6s rumors with Samsung’s current flagship, the Samsung Galaxy Note 4. This is our very early iPhone 6s and Galaxy Note 4 comparison.

Last year, after months of rumors and speculation, Samsung took the stage at IFA 2014 to announce the fourth-generation Galaxy Note. The company has launched two new Galaxy Note models on stage, a Galaxy Note 4 and a curved variant called the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge.

As expected, both devices came with a host of new features, including an upgraded design, improved displays, improved cameras, and new Android software with built-in TouchWiz. A few weeks after launch, Samsung and its carrier partners around the world have launched two devices, and the Galaxy Note 4 stands as one of the best smartphones available right now.

The Samsung Note 4 is a device that some people will want to buy. It’s also a device that some people might want to replace later this year. If you fall into one of these camps, you’re probably weighing your options, and one device that’s likely on your radar is Apple’s rumored iPhone 6s.

The iPhone 6s isn’t official, but iPhone 6s rumors keep heating up. As the year progressed, we started hearing whispers about iPhone 6s features, iPhone 6s design, and more. There are still many details that remain shrouded in mystery, but we know enough to make an early comparison with the Galaxy Note 4 to help those considering an upgrade.

This early iPhone 6s and Galaxy Note 4 comparison will examine the latest iPhone 6s rumors and show you how they currently compare to a device that many will consider replacing later this year. Here’s what you need to know as you enter May.

iPhone 6s Release Date

If you want to physically compare the Galaxy Note 4 to the iPhone 6s, you’ll probably have to wait a few months before you can do so. Apple has yet to confirm any plans, but all signs point to an iPhone 6s release date in the fall.

We haven’t seen a lot of chatter about the iPhone 6s launch, but the rumors we’ve seen put the release in a very familiar window.

Expect a fall iPhone 6s release.

a rumor incoming hit or miss digital times Who says Apple will release an iPhone 6s in the second half of the year? The other comes from very reliable KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. claims Production of the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus will begin mid to late August. This marks a release in September.

If the iPhone 6s doesn’t (and doesn’t) arrive at WWDC 2015, it will likely arrive in the fall with Apple’s brand new iOS 9 update.

Design

Samsung’s Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge designs feature a combination of plastic and metal. While beautiful, they’re not as pretty as the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge, both of which use Samsung’s new design language that uses both glass and metal.

Don’t expect major iPhone 6s design changes.

The latest Apple iPhone 6s design rumors don’t hint at a microSD card slot or a removable battery (Galaxy Note 4 designs both come with them), but they point to some changes from last year’s iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus designs.

According to the respected KGI Securities analyst Ming Chi KuoOne of the big changes could be in the iPhone’s Touch ID fingerprint sensor:

Expected to launch in 3Q15, we think the new iPhone will be equipped with an upgraded Touch ID module, which Apple (US) aims to offer a better and more secure Apple Pay user experience with fewer read errors. Therefore, in 2015, we increased our Touch ID module shipment by 12.4% to 262 million sets, supported by Apple Pay and new iPhone models.

The Galaxy Note 4’s fingerprint sensor is better than the Galaxy S5’s, but it’s still swipe-based rather than touch-based like Apple’s Touch ID. The changes to Touch ID may not be all the changes Apple has brought to iPhone design this year.

according to Taiwan Economic Daily NewsApple may use the same custom 7000 Series aluminum alloy it uses in the Apple Watch Sport. The alloy is designed to be 60% stronger than most aluminum without any added weight. Apple describes it as extremely lightweight.

While this post is generally unreliable, trusty Kuo claims that Apple will indeed fix the “Bendgate” issue with different case materials and some changes to the internal mechanical design. He also believes that Apple will add another microphone near the speaker grill for improved sound quality.

And finally, like The Wall Street GazetteKuo believes Apple is considering a brand new color for the iPhone 6s. In addition to the white, gray and gold color options that come standard with the iPhone 6, the iPhone 6s may also include a rose gold option. It’s unclear whether this will push the price tag into the territory occupied by the rose gold Apple Watch Edition.

view

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge have two of the best displays on the market. Both come with large Quad HD displays. This means they have a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels. Screens are simply stunning, and they should stay on top of the smartphone screen stack for the foreseeable future.

It is also worth noting that the Galaxy Note Edge comes with a curved screen that curves on the right side of the phone. It can work separately from the home screen, providing a handy space for notifications and other activities. For more on the display, see our Galaxy Note Edge summary.

Last year, the iPhone 6 Plus and its 5.5-inch display entered the Galaxy Note’s realm, and it looks like we’ll see more of the same this year as Apple takes over the Galaxy Note 4’s impressive 5.7-inch display.

We expect an iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus in 2015.

Apple is said to have two iPhone 6s models in development, an iPhone 6s and an iPhone 6s Plus. Unsurprisingly, Kuo believes screen sizes will remain at 4.7 inches and 5.5 inches, respectively. While the size remains the same, Kuo believes Apple will apply Force Touch technology to the new iPhone.

The company’s new Force Touch technology can determine the action the user wants to perform based on the strength of a touch. Apple has built this into the Apple Watch, the new MacBook, and the MacBook Pro Retina. One iPhone 6s rumor suggests it will appear on the iPhone 6s display and another suggests it will be exclusive to the iPhone 6s Plus.

The video above highlights the Force Touch actions within OS X and shows how the new hard press works. On the iPhone 6s, this technology can make it easier to use many apps where users want to see information with a hard tap instead of multiple taps.

Processor

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge have Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 805 quad-core processor in the US. The two devices are among the most powerful on the market, thanks to processing power and Samsung’s built-in 3GB of RAM. The iPhone 6s’ processor should be (obviously) comparable, though we can’t compare it.

Apple offers an improved chip every year, and this year should be no different. In a report outlining a special section within Samsung that will focus on display development for Apple, Bloomberg It says Samsung will deliver the new iPhone processor in 2015.

This will likely be the Apple A9 processor, which will contain more power than the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, both of which have A8 chips. Early reports also suggest that Apple will increase the RAM from 1GB to 2GB. Kuo also believes that Apple will add 2GB of RAM to the new iPhone.

Camera

Samsung’s Galaxy Note 4 models come with an upgraded 16MP sensor with Optical Image Stabilization and one of the best camera apps available on Android. For more on the Galaxy Note 4’s camera, check out our review.

Apple’s iPhone 6s camera may be one of its biggest selling points. Earlier this year, we heard about iPhone 6s camera upgrades, and now we may know more about what Apple can do to deliver better iPhone cameras.

Apple is investing in technology that could deliver a better iPhone 6s camera.

The Wall Street Gazette Apple reportedly acquired LinX, an Israeli Camera technology company that develops cameras for smartphones. While there are some great features that this technology can bring to the iPhone 6s camera, the really exciting part is that it can significantly improve the quality of iPhone photos.

LinX previously described its camera technology as providing better low-light performance, faster exposure. He also said that it can provide the same image quality as a large DSLR camera.

Kuo also believes that Apple will switch from an 8MP sensor to a larger 12MP camera sensor.

Software

The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 now runs Android 5.0 Lollipop, which you can read about in our software review. It is a solid operating system.

Verizon Galaxy Note 4 Lollipop update adds connectivity features.

As for the iPhone 6s, it will likely run Apple’s new iOS 9. The iOS 9 update is almost confirmed to arrive at WWDC 2015 and is expected to introduce new features, fixes, and more.

iOS 9 release rumors suggested that the update will focus on improving the stability of the operating system. Many iPhone users have been grappling with a slew of bugs since the arrival of iOS 8 in September.

according to a new leak, Apple is working on a new Siri skin that mirrors the colored skin found on the Apple Watch. The update is also expected to include a new background featuring blue and green, as well as a significant round of security enhancements.

Apple is known for adding proprietary software to its “S” iPhone models, so chances are very high that the iPhone 6s has something unique, something that Apple uses to promote the phone against its rivals like the Samsung Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge.