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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melgross - Saturday, October 3, 2015 - link
No, not true at all. As far as app sales go, iOS is about twice what Android sales are, in dollars. As far as profits for phone makers go, Apple made 91% of the profits in the cell manufacturing industry, and Samsung made 12%. Everyone else lost money.melgross - Saturday, October 3, 2015 - link
It's pretty well understood that it's meant that flagship phones, and near flagship phones are what are meant.But for cheap smartphones, cheap makers from China and India are crushing Samsung on the low end.
thedons1983 - Sunday, October 18, 2015 - link
When apple actually make a high end phone, then we could answer that, but seeing as everything they manufacture is saddled with their God awful software, we will never know!melgross - Saturday, October 3, 2015 - link
Yeah, when you include $80 smartphones, Samsung does better. But if you consider phones that we would use, Samsung is in trouble. Here, in the states, Apple's sales are 43% and Samsung's are 28%. A similar ratio exists with higher price phones everywhere.In fact, Samsung's sales have been down for at least two years.
thedons1983 - Sunday, October 18, 2015 - link
What a pathetic comment. Everyone in the developed world, knows that the average US consumer is an utter moron. You will buy literally anything, no matter how crap it really is. I guess it's something to do with the woeful education standards in America. Americans = dumb consumers, and we all know it... Well, apart from you, it seems!KoolAidMan1 - Saturday, October 3, 2015 - link
Yes, and most of Samsung's sales are low end devices, not flagships. There is no comparison between iPhone sales and the high end phones from any other OEM.beggerking@yahoo.com - Sunday, October 4, 2015 - link
What you said only applies in the states because American are more naive and uninformed than the rest of the world.For the rest of the world android rule
thedons1983 - Sunday, October 18, 2015 - link
I'm guessing you're not great with numbers then, as higher equals better when it comes to selling. Samsung sells more devices than apple, hence why their sales numbers are higher... Do you see how that works?? Idiot.melgross - Saturday, October 3, 2015 - link
Are you really that paranoid? What is with you guys?tempestglen - Friday, October 2, 2015 - link
I believe the SPEC2006 test on iPhone6S is a big gift for the public.