Samsung had announced the Galaxy S6 Edge+ and its large screen flagship, the Galaxy Note 5 , around the same time. While both these are large screen phones, the Galaxy S6 Edge+ is a higher end variant of the dual-edge display phone Samsung launched this year – the Galaxy S6 edge .

With more memory and excellent battery life the Galaxy S6 Edge+ is a powerful phone and a great choice if you want a large screen. However, it's expensive, unwieldy and Samsung has dropped the IR blaster and hardly added anything to the edge screen. With the regular S6 available for less than £340 it's a no brainer.

A year ago, the conversation about Samsung revolved around design. Or more specifically, the lack of it. Devices such as the Galaxy S5 were technically solid and performed well, but were just plain ugly.

It's gorgeous; Fast performance; Great camera

Shape is awkward; Shiny finish collects fingerprints; High price tag

The Galaxy S6 Edge+ shows some of Samsung's best, and worst, tendencies. It's a gorgeous phone with some of the finest hardware available right now, but its key feature is relatively useless, and still somewhat experimental.

Gorgeous; Feels like a premium phone; Fast performance; Great camera

Uncomfortable to hold; Curved display not very useful

Had the Galaxy S6 Edge+ been released simultaneously with the Galaxy S6 Edge, then it would have been easier to let pass some of its downsides. The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, for example, launched at the same time in most regions.

Attractive and unique edge display, High quality 2560 x 1440 resolution screen, Gorilla Glass 4 on front and back; Excellent build quality, Bright backlight for outdoor use, Wireless charging, Larger battery capacity; Long runtimes, Excellent SSD performance, Wi-Fi calling

No significant improvements from Galaxy S6 Edge; Display is not as bright or as accurate as the Galaxy Note 5; High surface temperatures; CPU and GPU throttling; No MicroSD; MHL; Miracast; USB Type-C; or dual-SIM; No removable battery

Editors' note (March 28, 2017): Samsung has unveiled the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus, the follow ups to 2016's excellent Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge. Priced at $750 (£689 and AU$1,199), the Galaxy S8 features a beautifully curved 5.8-inch screen with an ultra-narrow bezel; facial recognition as an alternative way to unlock the phone; and Samsung's nascent Bixby voice assistant. The S8 Plus costs a bit more -- $850, £779 or AU$1349 -- and comes equipped with a larger body and battery, but is otherwise identical.

Buy the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ if you love the idea of a wraparound screen; otherwise, you'll be able to find less expensive phones that do nearly as much.

Samsung's Galaxy S6 Edge+ has a compelling design, top-tier specs and excellent battery life; Its second menu for the curved display adds some useful shortcuts.

One of the most expensive handsets on the market, the Edge+'s usefulness doesn't live up to its sky-high price; Fans of removable batteries and microSD card slots will be disappointed that this has neither.

Editors' note (March 28, 2017): Samsung has unveiled the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus , the follow ups to 2016's excellent Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge . Priced at $750 (￡689 and AU$1,199), the Galaxy S8 features a beautifully curved 5.8-inch screen with an ultra-narrow bezel; facial recognition as an...

Samsung's Galaxy S6 Edge+ has a compelling design, top-tier specs and excellent battery life; Its second menu for the curved display adds some useful shortcuts

One of the most expensive handsets on the market, the Edge+'s usefulness doesn't live up to its sky-high price; Fans of removable batteries and microSD card slots will be disappointed that this has neither

The Galaxy S6 Edge+ is available now from all major US carriers, priced at $299.99, with a two-year contractual commitment, for the 32 GB version, with the 64 GB option setting you back an additional $100. Off-contract, the device can be found for an expensive $815 and $915 respectively.

Premium metal/glass build Large vibrant display Fast and responsive performance Excellent camera reliable fingerprint scanner Fast charging Fast WIRELESS charging Good battery life

Non removable battery (subjective) No microSD (subjective) Edge software provide little value No IR blaster

Samsung has always favored function over fashion. Even as some of its closest competitors were churning out exciting new designs, the Korean company stubbornly remained unchanged, almost ignoring the evolving market around it.

Samsung's next big thing is bigger, as the S6 Edge arrives with a plus-sized sibling, but is it more than just a big brother?

Samsung's curved screen is still a pretty special design to see in public; Built with premium materials; One of the best and brightest screens on the planet; Very speedy performance; Surprisingly comfortable to hold; An absolutely stellar camera; Fingerprint sensor is one of the better...

Literally just a big Galaxy S6 Edge; Occasional performance hiccup; No infrared port; Doesn't come in storage sizes higher than 64GB; No microSD slot