It's been a long time coming but Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow update is finally reaching most Galaxy S6 devices across the world. The Marshmallow update brings several UI and functionality changes at the system level for the Galaxy S6:
Core Marshmallow Changes
- App permissions
- WiFi hotspots can only be edited or deleted by the app that created it
- Copy and Paste now floats by the highlighted text
- Separate volume for Ringtone, Media, Notifications, and System
- Changed Android Update screens (flat white animated flat cogs or static Android mascot on a flat color instead of isolinear Android mascot on a black background)
- Overall system response is faster
UI Changes
- Updated notification pane quick toggles: support for full pull down and color changed to grey
- Application Tray icon changed from grey to white
- Clock time scrolling no longer scrolls in sets of 10 minutes but now varies 10-12 minutes
- Colored icons on lock screen (a simple theme can do the same)
- Home screen icons no longer have a shadow (a simple theme can do the same)
- Option to put rounded semi-transparent white squares behind every non-Samsung icon in Display settings called "Icon backgrounds"
- Download Updates Manually page updated to look better and include current software version (which you can find under Build Number in Software info)
- No longer able to view headphone or charge counters through "Phone INFO Samsung" unless you root
GPS
- Faster lock: Reduced time from cold boot
Fingerprint Scanner
- Accuracy improved: Fingers at an angle no longer confuse it as much. The Manage Fingerprints settings page even shows you which finger it matches when you lie your finger on the home key
- Faster match: Match time quicker by about 25%
Camera
- Saving to RAW added - only available in Pro mode
- Shutter Speed: 1/24000 to 10 seconds in Pro mode
Battery Life
- Idle Standby has improved to use about 50% less power
- Display with WiFi on has decreased to use about 20% more power. Battery life with my regular usage as dropped from a little over 4 days to 3 days
Samsung App Changes
If you've been avoiding the updates to Samsung apps then you'll notice the push of updates to you
- Dramatically improved RAM management - able to run 8+ apps without them reloading. Your experience may vary based on the app/game opened
- On the dual SIM variant (Duos), the default SIM in the notification pane and dialing page are no longer available
- Gallery App now automatically creates events
- Music now defaults to the playlists page rather than the active playlist
- Weather app now shows the hourly temperature in 4 hour blocks at the top and defaults to a minimized daily weather without the temperature when the current temperature is maximized. You can swipe up to minimize the current temperature and show the Daily temperature
Should you upgrade
The Galaxy S6 Marshmallow update brings noticeable improvements to speed and idle battery life. If you haven't already loaded up a different theme or switched the launcher, it gives the S6 a fresh coat of paint with flat icons and new notification pane (You can also do it with the [Kendi] TouchWiz 6.0 theme. Overall it's a very stable firmware that doesn't change the S6 much from it's latest Lollipop firmware. I upgraded and don't regret doing it.
