iPhone 6S vs Samsung Galaxy S6, which is best

In a year of largely modest iPhone updates, Samsung has completely reimagined its smartphone line, transforming the Samsung Galaxy S6 into a true challenger to the iPhone 6S.

The cream of the iOS and Android crops, these two flagship phones have edged the battle for smartphone supremacy closer than ever before. Both will set you back considerable sums of money and neither will disappoint on the features front, but which is the best?

The iPhone 6S, like its predecessor, oozes style and sophistication despite being slightly plumper than its predecessor in a bid to avoid more Bendgate woes. At a streamlined 7.1mm thick, the elegant brushed metal body has added 0.2mm to its flowing, curvaceous waistline.

Yes, Samsung has certainly taken a few design pointers from Apple's past smartphone efforts – it's sort of an iPhone 4/iPhone 6 hybrid – but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. It's done away with cheap, flimsy plastic in favour of bestowing the Galaxy S6 with a metal-framed, glass-backed finish that finally puts the phone in the upper echelons of smartphone styling – and about time, too. The S6 holds its 6.8mm thick, 138g form well, and seriously looks the part.

The S6's fingerprint-loving surfaces are a drawback, though. Not only does the phone's screen quickly become a mixing pot for grubby finger marks – like any smartphone – but its back is plagued with smears, too.

Winner: iPhone 6S

Despite the improvements, Samsung is still the young pretender here. Apple just about edges the design stakes – with its new pink, sorry, rose gold colour scheme and all – but this is a close run thing. Like picking between a pair of models, neither is going to disappoint when at the end of your arm.

Having upped its screen size last year, Apple has decided to stay put with a 4.7-inch panel on the iPhone 6S. A 1334 x 750 pixel, 326ppi resolution has been carried across from the iPhone 6, too. This compares with the 5.1-inch, 2560 x 1440 pixel, 577ppi QHD display on the S6.

Numbers don't tell the whole story though. Yes, the Samsung handset's Super AMOLED display is arguably the best on any smartphone – with its deep, deep blacks and sharp, bright colours – but the iPhone's Retina panel can match its rival near enough step-for-step.

Neither handset is going to leave you grumbling about a poor Netflix session or grainy image viewing. Each will wow your HTC or Sony sporting mate, and neither is going to churn the battery too badly.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy S6

It is a close run thing, and Apple's new pressure sensitive 3D Touch panel is a boon, but one that will transform the user experience more than image quality.

Despite being vicious rivals, these two phones have a lot in common - and not just because of the design similarities.

Home button-hosted fingerprint scanner? Check. More 64-bit own-brand processing power than you could ever need? Check. Oodles of RAM, quick charge batteries, 4G connectivity and less than impressive integrated speakers? Checkity, check, check.

The iPhone 6S and Galaxy S6 are matched near enough step-for-step on the core specs front. The phones even have the same pitfalls. There's no SD storage expansion on either device – the metal-bodied designs see to that – and each will kick your wallet firmly in the teeth.

While the iPhone 6S comes in 16GB (£539), 64GB (£619) and 128GB (£699) forms, the Galaxy S6 is available in 32GB (£499), 64GB (£639) and 128GB (£719) guises.

Winner: Draw

Despite a number of subtle differences, neither the S6 or 6S is going to leave you wanting on any front. Both are rammed with all the latest features and functions and more power than you'll ever need.

The iPhone 6S vs Samsung Galaxy S6 battle isn't just about the tech industry's two biggest manufacturers going head-to-head. The rivalry personifies a deeper battle - iOS vs Android. The gulf between the two platforms has narrowed to a steady stream in recent years and the thought of jumping between them is no longer terrifying – both Apple and Google are even making it easier to switch.

While the iPhone 6S will help introduce iOS 9 to market – that's Siri improvements, battery boosts, security tweaks and enhanced multitasking handled – the Samsung Galaxy S6 will be gaining new features in the coming months thanks to the impending Android Marshmallow rollout.

There are still some major differences between the two platforms. Although Samsung's heavily refined its TouchWiz UI in recent years to do away with much of the confusing clutter and bloatware, it's still not as sharp and seamless as iOS. The arrival of the iPhone's 3D Touch panel is only going to further open this gap, with more fluid, intuitive user shortcuts and experience enhancing add-ons.

Winner: iPhone 6S

Android's open nature and heavy customisation options are a major draw, but the simplicity of iOS still gets our nod. 3D Touch is set to transform the smartphone experience once again, and it wouldn't be surprising to see similar tech on Android phones in the near future.

Imaging abilities of both Apple and Samsung's flagship phones have left much of the competition in their wake in recent years, and this year's no different. The iPhone 6S has seen Apple jump from an 8-megapixel primary camera to a new, 12-megapixel offering with an f/2.2 lens. In contrast, the Galaxy S6 plays host to a 16-megapixel lead snapper, but, as we all know, image quality isn't just down to the megapixel count.

Both handsets offer stunningly detailed shots, and each is packed with all manner of shooting modes and post-production add-ons. Selfie lovers are well catered for on both phones, too - the iPhone 6S's new 5-megapixel FaceTime camera is counteracted by Sammy's own 5-megapixel offering.

Again taking pointers from each others' past efforts, the Galaxy S6 has new slow-mo shooting modes similar to those that have been on the iPhone for years, while the iPhone 6S has seen Apple move into the world of 4K video recording.

Something Apple is making a big deal about is its GIF-aping Live Photos feature. This lets you capture a standard 12-megapixel snap, with 1.5 seconds of footage recorded either side of the image. When you tap the picture, it transforms into an animated image. Hardly revolutionary, but it's a fun addition all the same.

Winner: Draw

At this stage, it's too early to pass judgement on which integrated snapper is better - but stay tuned for a full verdict.

It's still a little too early to pick an out-and-out champion, but the iPhone 6S looks to be narrowly edging this fierce head-to-head. This is the closest Samsung has come to truly rivalling its illustrious rival, but there's still a little something missing.

Apple will always have the broader brand appeal, but with the Galaxy S6 Samsung has finally closed the biggest gulf between the two rivals' smartphone efforts – design.

Whichever of these phones you choose, though, you won't be disappointed. They highlight the best the smartphone space has to offer – assuming you've got the cash to spare. We'll continue to update this post as we spend more time with both devices.