Samsung Electronics updated its premium Galaxy smartphone line with the S6 and S6 Edge, featuring a three-sided screen, as the South Korean company tries to reverse profit declines and market-share losses to Apple. Crafted from metal and glass, the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge blend design with powerful features. The Galaxy S6 edge, particularly, is the world's first curved display on both sides. Its glass body, made from the toughest glass to date, Corning Gorilla Glass 4, is available in an array of colorful jewel tones, including White Pearl, Black Sapphire, Gold Platinum, Blue Topaz and Green Emerald.

The Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge are equipped with a bright and fast front and rear camera. The F1.9 lenses and high resolution sensors on both front (5MP) and rear (16MP) cameras promise to provide high image quality, even in the dark. In addition, Auto Real-time High Dynamic Range (HDR), Smart Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and IR Detect White Balance provide advanced light sensitivities and crisp camera solutions. Furthermore, a new "Quick Launch" feature give users fastaccess to the camera from any screen in just 0.7 seconds by simply double clicking the home key button.

Both new devices come with fully embedded WPC and PMA certified wireless charging. This means that they work with any wireless pad available in the market that supports WPC and PMA standards. They also sport fast wired charging, 1.5 times faster than the Galaxy S5, providing about 4 hours of usage after only 10 minutes of charging.

The thin (6.8 mm/7.0mm edge) and lightweight (138g /132g edge) Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge integrate the most advanced Samsung core technology available today. The world's first 14nm mobile processor with 64-bit platform, new LPDDR4 memory system and UFS 2.0 flash memory provides higher performance and enhanced memory speed with lower power consumption. Moreover, the world's first 1440P/VP9 hardware based codec enables users to enjoy high resolution streaming video while also using less power. In addition, the 5.1-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED screen offers users the highest pixel density of 577ppi. Enhanced outdoor visibility with a brighter display (600cd/mm) lets consumers experience content without compromise anywhere.

Samsung is also touting the Galaxy S6's compatibility with a new mobile payments system it is preparing to launch in the United States and South Korea in the second half of this year, using the technology of recently acquired startup LoopPay.

Protected by Samsung KNOX, fingerprint scanning, and advanced tokenization, Samsung Pay works with both Near Field Communication (NFC) and Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST) technology to make it device, merchant and card issuer agnostic.

The system, in partnership with banks and credit card companies including MasterCard and Visa, will allow users to make mobile payments through magnetic strip-card readers without the additional accessory needed for other models.

The rival Apple Pay system, launched in the United States in September and rapidly winning retailer support, requires the installation of in-store near-field communication technology.

Adding a card requires a few simple steps. Once added, the user swipes up from the bezel to invoke the Samsung Pay app, chooses the desired payment card, and authenticates with the fingerprint sensor. Tapping the device to the point-of-sale (POS) terminals allows for a fast purchase.

The Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge are built on the upgraded Samsung KNOX, end-to-end secure mobile platform, offering features for real-time protection from potential malicious attacks. Both of these new devices are also ready for immediate enterprise adoption, with market leading MDMs and KNOX enhancements enabled at launch to simplify and improve mobile device management. Additionally, the Find My Mobile feature secures lost devices and protects personal information through a number of services, including the all new remotely controlled "Reactivation lock." With an enhanced touch-type fingerprint scanner, it also provides quick authentication and saves encrypted data in secure device storage.

The new Samsung flagships will also come with free two-year, 115-gigabyte cloud storage through Microsoft's OneDrive, suggesting improved relations between the firms after they settled a patent dispute last month.

The Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge will be available globally starting from April 10, 2015 with 32/64/128GB storage options available in White Pearl, Black Sapphire, Gold Platinum, Blue Topaz (Galaxy S6 only) and Green Emerald (Galaxy S6 edge only).

Gear VR Innovator Edition for Galaxy S6 and S6 edge

Samsung also announced its latest Samsung Gear VR Innovator Edition, optimized and compatible with Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 edge smartphones. Optimized for both the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge, and its 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display, the Gear VR Innovator Edition lets users engage with high resolution movies, TV shows, VOD services and photos.

The updated Samsung Gear VR Innovator Edition is also 15% smaller in size than before, making it more comfortable to wear. Redesigned straps also give better weight balance, while mechanical ventilation supports an extended VR experience.

The new VR headset also packs more computing power and improved graphics quality. In addition, it can be powered with its USB port for extended usage time.