Samsung Galaxy S6's missing features and split-personality problem
In its latest smartphone, Samsung removed two features that fans loved.
I'm Bridget Carey, and this is your CNET Update.
[MUSIC]
The Mobile World Congress trade show is going on now in Barcelona, where the world's tech giants are showing off their prized products of the year.
Samsung took the wraps off the Galaxy S6 and it comes in two flavors.
A flat S6 and a curvy S6 edge, which has a screen that folds over slightly on the sides of the phone.
No there's no reason Samsung made two versions other than the fact must lack confidence into committing to the Curve design.
Because everything beside the curve is the same on both of these phones.
They both use metal instead of plastic, The screens are 5.1 inches, they can wirelessly charge, there's improved finger print readers, and better cameras, and they both have new pass to pay feature.
They're called Samsung Pay.
It works with old card swiping machines as well as NFC.
But the big new isn't what Samsung added, it's what Samsung took away.
The new Galaxy S6 models have no option for a removable SD memory card and no removable battery.
And unlike the S5, this also isn't waterproof.
The option to replace a battery or memory card is what helped the Galaxy stand apart from an iPhone.
Samsung is bumping up the internal memory starting at 32 gigs to make up for it and, if you're wondering what's the point of the edge?
Well, it just looks nice and, of course, that curve screen is gonna likely cost you more but the price and release date were not revealed.
HTC also showed off a new top of the line smartphone called the HTC One M9.
It's also decked out in a metal design with a five-inch screen.
But it looks almost identical to last year's model.
HTC chose to beef up the specs inside with better cameras and processors rather than redesign the look.
The more interesting news from HTC isn't a phone, it's the accessories.
HTC partnered with fitness brand Under Armour.
To create the grip fitness tracker.
This rubbery wristband comes in three sizes and has onboard GPS to measure your runs.
It can also alert you to missed messages and incoming calls.
It connects to IoS and Android phones and it arrives this spring in the US for $200.
HTC also has its own virtual reality headset called The Vive.
Made in partnership with the video game company Valve.
Yes, there is yet another virtual reality headset in the world, because apparently every tech company needs to prove they're cool by making something for your face.
The Vive is a bit different from others because it has a built-in screen and processor.
You don't have to slip your phone into the front to make it work like you do with Samsung's Gear VR.
And speaking of which, there's also a new version of the Gear VR.
That works with new Galaxy S smartphones.That's your tech news update, and there's always more at CNET.com.
From our studios in New York, I'm Bridget Carey.
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