Samsung’s recent introduction of the Samsung Galaxy S6 is a very formidable answer to the Apple iPhone 6. It’s roughly the same physical size as the Samsung Galaxy S5 as well as the Apple iPhone 6. There are two models of the S6 which include the Samsung Galaxy S6 and the S6 Edge. The S6 Edge has a slightly curved rounded sides to the display versus the S6 which resembles a traditional smartphone’s display. Both feature a display using the new Gorilla Glass 4 which is extremely scratch resistant (and hopefully less resistant to breaking with an accidental drop).
The size of the new Samsung Galaxy S6 is very similar to the previous generation. With a 5.1 inch diagonal screen this phone is 5.64 inches tall by 2.79 inches wide by .27 inches deep. The Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge is a little different. Also sporting a 5.1 inch diagonal screen, the S6 Edge is 5.60 inches tall, 2.80 inches wide and .28 inches deep. These are important measurements to keep in mind when selecting your mount. For those with any custom mount which features a cradle specifically made for a previous generation, they aren’t going to fit and you will need to purchase a new mount, or at least a new cradle. For those that have purchased a universal mount to hold your older phone, hopefully it opens wide enough to hold your new device without a problem. Most universal mounts offer options to upgrade your cradle to a larger one.
I was looking at the prices of these phones, especially the Edge and they aren’t cheap. Buy a case for it. I have always liked the Otterbox Defender series which we reviewed here, but there are lots of others. Invest about $25 or so. A single drop on ceramic tile that results in a broken lens will cost way more than the case. If you think insurance will cover you, think again. Insurance policies purchased from your carrier have a deductible and for newer more expensive phones that can be $169 on up. So to add insult to injury, you will not only be paying the monthly insurance premium, but you will then pay the deductible. I need to write an article on this topic in the near future. Bottom line is buy a case.
OK, let’s talk about some mounts. Readers of our site know that we favor well made mounts with expandable cradles to sit protective cases. With expandable cradles, you also have the opportunity to reuse your mount when you upgrade your phone.
For the car, give the location of your mount some thought. There are lots of places to mount your Samsung Galaxy S6 or S6 Edge. The windshield is the most popular location to mount especially if you plan to use it as a GPS with my favorite application which is Waze. An excellent entry-level selection is Arkon’s Megagrip Travel Mount. This mount features an expandable cradle which expands to 3.4 inches by pressing the button at the lower left corner of the cradle. This will fit your phone with or without a thick case. The mount comes with an adhesive dash plate so that you can attach to the mount to your dash as well as your windshield. A photo of this mount in the dashboard configuration accompanies this article.
Another interesting location for your phone is the car air vent. The Spigen Magnetic Car Mount Holder for SmartPhones is an excellent choice for the vent. This mount features grippers that can be used on horizontal and vertical vents. Right around eye level and out of the way of potential thieves, the vent is a good location for mounting a lightweight device. Check your vent to make sure it’s well made enough to hang a lightweight device. A recent innovation is mounts is the use of a small magnet coupled with a very think adhesive metal disk which sticks to the back of your phone. The great thing about magnetic mounts is the simple process for install and removal. It’s a simple matter of simply matching up where the metal strip is to the magnet.
For motorcycle use, it’s important that you select a mount that has a well constructed cradle that is going to hold your Galaxy S6 very tightly so that it stays put through the vibration of a ride. We continue to be big fans of the RAM X-Grip line. These are heavy duty mounts that are mostly constructed of metal. The mount has gone through some rigorous shake tests and holds up well on a motorcycle. We wrote about X-Grips extensively on this site and you can view that article here. Most motorcycles can use the X-Grip handlebar mount or the X-Grip clutch mount. Both of these mounts feature the expandable X-Grip cradle which can open to 3.25 inches which is large enough for most cases. We always recommend tethering your device for added security.