Azernews.Az

By Bloomberg

Samsung Electronics Co. won early praise for its new high-end Galaxy S6 smartphones, with reviewers saying the devices featured premium materials and innovative design. Shares surged.

The Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge, with a screen stretching from the front across both sides, were unveiled Sunday in Barcelona, with Forbes saying the use of glass and metal represents “great gains in terms of style.” The BGR website called the S6 and the S6 Edge “truly fantastic smartphones.”

Samsung’s Galaxy S range has been criticized for using plastic instead of the metal frames featured in Apple Inc.’s iPhone and high-end devices by rivals running Google Inc.’s Android software. The new phones use an aluminum casing, the South Korean company’s own processor chips, as well as payment software and a fingerprint reader for added security.

“The Galaxy S6 accomplishes something important for Samsung: It’s a flagship phone that finally feels like a flagship,” the New York Times said. “Samsung is moving in a beautiful and powerful new direction, and has indeed created something that looks and feels new and different.”

Shares of Samsung rose to an eight-month high in Seoul. The stock rose 3.5 percent to 1,405,000 won as of 1:24 p.m., headed for the highest close since June 12.

Wireless Charging

Both phones will be available in gold, white and black. The S6 also comes in blue, while the S6 Edge has a green version. The phones, which go on sale April 10, have high-speed and wireless charging capabilities. Samsung hasn’t disclosed the prices.

While Samsung’s new phones were praised by Techradar for their design and upgraded camera, it notes that the smaller battery, which can’t be removed, may be a drawback.

Re/Code said the new devices feature high-quality design and materials with a high-end feel that should have been part of the premium S range since its inception.

Samsung has unveiled its most beautiful phone, said the Wall Street Journal. That has required some sacrifices, with Samsung getting rid of its removable battery and a slot for a memory card, it said.

“In a time where Samsung is struggling to keep up with competitors, losing those very things that set it apart from the iPhone and others could hurt more than it helps. But beauty always has its price,” the Journal reported.

Chosun Ilbo, a daily newspaper in South Korea, said dropping the removable battery and memory slot put the new Galaxy devices into more direct competition with Apple. Still, the changes have resulted in a more sophisticated phone, it said.