Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S6 is highly anticipated not just after the success of the Galaxy S5, but also because it aims to redefine Samsung's vision for the next generation of smartphone.
While the new device hasn't technically been announced by Samsung just yet. the hints are getting more and more frequent. Case in point, a new video released by the Korean company today shows off a tiny glimpse of what is thought to be the S6, including some teased info on what the "next Galaxy" will include.
"I am crafted from the beautiful things I see around me," the video's voiceover says. "They shape who I am. I am the next Galaxy."
Despite the brevity of the 21-second teaser video, many are already speculating on what it could mean. Since the video shows off glass surfaces and rippling water, an incorporation of these materials seems logical, but not much else is known.
So why are we getting these teases right now? It's believed that Samsung will be announcing and releasing the Galaxy S6 during this year's Mobile World Congress in less than two weeks. The March 1st event will be an important milestone for several of 2015's new tech announcements, and it's believed that Samsung will use this opportunity to announce the successor to the Galaxy S5.
As GottaBeMobile points out, there are a few reasons that March 1st is almost certainly going to be the Galaxy S6's launch. Aside from the insider rumors and the fact that Samsung usually saves the biggest smartphone announcements and launches for the Unpacked event, there's also the simple fact that Samsung has stated itself in a recent tweet that "The Next Galaxy" will be announced at Unpacked. Whether that's the S6 or an "Edge" version of the Galaxy (or both!) is the only real question.
Last week, Bloomberg quoted anonymous sources who said that there will be two versions of the Galaxy S6, including that Edge version with a beveled screen. Other rumored specs that are most probably include an all-metal construction with a glass back, 4 GB of RAM, a non-removable battery, and superior dust/water proofing.
After some overheating issues caused Samsung to scrap the Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, Samsung said they're going with their own 64-bit Exynos chip in future phones. This may actually give Samsung the advantage as most other high-end flagship phones will be using the Snapdragon 810 in 2015, and this type of difference could mean a big win for Samsung if the Qualcomm chip ends up causes the overheating problems in other devices.
A 5-inch screen and a 2-megapixel camera round out the rumored impressive specs, but we'll need to wait until March 1st to find out for sure what will be under the S6's hood.
Samsung officials have already stated that they're looking to the S6 to be an important redesign of the Galaxy S series that was falling short of sales expectations with last year's S5, but many are uncertain if more outlandish rumors like an ergonomic curved body or a curved display on both sides are realistic.
U.S. carriers aren't expected to make any announcements during the event, but the week following will most likely have confirmations from current S5 carriers like Verizon, Sprint, U.S. Cellular, T-Mobile, and MetroPCS.
So how much can we expect to pay for the Galaxy 6? Although nothing has been confirmed, many believe that we can look forward to a price very similar to that of the Galaxy S5. At this point -- especially when trying to reinvigorate the Galaxy S series -- it would be in Samsung's best interest to keep the S6 right in that $200-range for a contracted phone. But it's the Galaxy S6 Edge version that may see prices a bit higher, possible in the $250-$300 range.
Off-contract, expect to pay around $600 for the Galaxy S6 and upwards of $750-$800 for the Galaxy S6 Edge.
