Skip to main content

Not all Samsung Galaxy S6 models have the same camera

LG G4 vs. Galaxy S6
Jeffery Van Camp/Digital Trends
We know that, although all people are, not every smartphone is created equal. When it comes to the Samsung’s latest flagship phone, however, not even every Galaxy S6 is created equal. The impressive 16-megapixel camera on the front of the S6 and S6 Edge is a big selling point for the devices, but it turns out different handsets of the same make may be equipped with different camera models.

Some of Samsung’s devices come equipped with the company’s own ISOCELL image sensor, while others have a Sony IMX240 sensor on board. It’s not a mistake, either; it’s by design. According to a statement the Korean manufacturer gave to The Verge in response to the potential controversy, Samsung simply sets a standard of quality that is expected in its device. As long as the parts meet those expectations, they can go in the phone.

“The Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge utilize camera sensors from several different vendors. Like all of the technology used in our products, they meet our strict global quality and performance standards,” Samsung told The Verge.

Why has Samsung opted to go this route? It’s unclear, though one could speculate that the reason is anything from cost to sheer volume. It may be cheaper to buy up sensors from Sony than produce more of their own, especially at launch when millions of units are moving off the shelves at once. Thus far, there appears to be no rhyme or reason to how the part is distributed, or if it’s only appearing in certain regions, or why there’s no apparent uniformity — with, say, the Sony sensor in the S6 Edge and the Samsung sensor in the S6. All we know is the sensors perform at a similar quality according to tests by SamMobile, which falls in line with Samsung’s statement on the matter.

Is it weird that Samsung has opted to go this route? Yes. But it doesn’t seem to have any real effect on any user’s experience and Samsung seems to be totally fine with it, so should we all be, too?

Editors' Recommendations

AJ Dellinger
AJ Dellinger is a freelance reporter from Madison, Wisconsin with an affinity for all things tech. He has been published by…
If the Galaxy Z Fold 6 Ultra is real, it needs these 7 features
A person holding the open Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, showing the screen.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is stupendously powerful and expensive — and I should know because I just bought one. It seems beyond the realms of possibility that Samsung would try to push out an even more expensive version of its already expensive phone, but the Korean company continues to surprise. Rumors abound that Samsung will announce not just the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 in the summer but an Ultra model as well.

It hardly seems conceivable that Samsung could cram any more into its ultra-premium foldable smartphone, but as ever, we have some ideas. If the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 Ultra is real, then it needs to pack in some seriously impressive tweaks and additions to make an undoubtedly even higher price worthwhile. Here are seven features it should have.
A slot for the S Pen
Galaxy S23 Ultra (left) and Galaxy S24 Ultra Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Read more
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6: news, rumored price, release date, and more
Renders of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, showing the front and back of the phone.

As we get deeper into 2024, it’s only a matter of time before we see Samsung reveal its next round of foldables. This should include the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and clamshell Galaxy Z Flip 6.

The rumors for these devices are starting, and we should expect to see the next generation of foldables hit sometime around summer. But what does Samsung have in store for the Galaxy Z Fold 6, specifically? From the rumored prices, specs, design, and more, here's everything we know.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6: release date
The Galaxy Z Fold 4 (left) and Galaxy Z Fold 5 Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Read more
A phone you haven’t heard of just beat the Galaxy S24 Ultra in a camera test
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and the Vivo X100 Pro phones, seen from the back.

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (left) and the Vivo X100 Pro Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra took the telephoto camera crown from the S23 Ultra and managed to take on and beat the Google Pixel 8 Pro, too. Does that make it the undisputed camera zoom champion? To quote Yoda, there is another. The Vivo X100 Pro has a camera and lens system tuned by Zeiss, and we’ve already seen how impressive its portrait photography ability is, but it also has a clever telephoto camera.

Read more