Samsung on Thursday unveiled the new new Galaxy Note 5 and S6 Edge Plus phablets, which will both start shipping Aug. 21. Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ succeeded the distinctive design of Galaxy S6 edge, and becomes even more elegant and finely crafted. The "plus" in its name refers to the fact that its screen is both 0.6in (1.5cm) larger than the earlier edition and more scratch-resistant. It features the new 'Apps edge' for easy access to apps, and enhanced 'People edge' for easy communications with preferred contacts. 'Apps edge' allows users to access their favorite apps by just swiping the edge display. 'People edge' helps users to connect their close contacts easily. From the edge screen, users can quickly find their pre-set contacts and send message or give a call directly.

The Galaxy Note5 is an upgrade to Samsung’s flagship Galaxy Note line. Like previous versions of the Note, the new version comes with a stylus - which Samsung says makes it suitable for productivity tasks. But the phone now has metal edges and a glass back. It ergonomically fits in one hand with a narrower bezel and curved back. The flat screen is great to write on and the curved shape makes it easier to use the phone with one hand.

The Galaxy Note5 includes all new S Pen that feels more solid and balanced in the user’s hand, offering improved writing capabilities and a variety of practical tools. A clicking mechanism is popping the S Pen out with just one quick click. Users can now quickly jot down ideas or information when the screen is off without even unlocking the phone. 'Air Command' feature gets more intuitive and practical as well; now the icon hovers for instant access to all of S Pen tools from any screen at any time. Users can also annotate on PDF files and capture lengthy web articles or long images at once via 'Scroll capture.'

Both the Galaxy S6 edge+ and Note5 feature 5.7-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED displays.

Other features include Steady Video, which provides Video Digital Image Stabilization on both the front and rear cameras, and Video Collage Mode, which allows users to record and edit short videos easily in various frames and effects. The Galaxy S6 edge+ and Note5 also feature 4K (UHD) video filming and Live Broadcast, which lets users instantly live streams Full HD video straight from the phone to any individual, group of contacts, or even the public through YouTube Live. Anyone who receives the YouTube link from a Galaxy S6 edge+ or Note5 user is able to enjoy live stream video from his or her smartphone, tablet, PC or Smart TV with YouTube connectivity.

Galaxy S6 edge+ and Galaxy Note5 users will also benefit from Samsung’s camera system, including Quick Launch (double click the home button to launch the camera in less than one second), Auto Real-time High Dynamic Range (HDR), and Smart Optical Image Stabilization(OIS) and brand-new filters.

The Galaxy S6 edge+ and Note5 feature Samsung’s fast wired and wireless charging technology and the embedded wireless charging technology is compatible with virtually any wireless pad available today. With wired charging, both devices can be fully charged in approximately 90 minutes, and through Samsung’s latest wireless charger, they can be fully charged in approximately 120 minutes.

Samsung’s newest devices are further upgraded to support SideSync, which offers both wireless and wired PC-smartphone integration for connections across devices. Thanks to auto-detection and a quick setup, users can instantly connect their Samsung device to their PC or tablet for easy access to files and data across all platforms and operating systems.

In addition, Samsung’s Galaxy S6 edge+ and Note5 features enhanced security features with KNOX Active Protection (built into devices / out of the box) and My KNOX (app with simple/fast setup) to further protect sensitive personal and work data.

The availability and launch timing of both products vary by markets and mobile carriers. Both devices are available globally starting from August, 2015. Both have 32GB or 64GB storage options available in White Pearl, Black Sapphire, Gold Platinum and Silver Titanium.

In a change of strategy, the South Korean firm has no plans at present to release the Note 5 in Europe - a decision it says is purely for marketing reasons.

Samsung's launch, however, has coincided with Xiaomi's surprise unveiling of a new phablet - the Redmi Note 2 - earlier in the day at a Beijing event.

Samsung Pay

Samsung also unveiled that Samsung Pay, a secure mobile payment service that can be used to make purchases nearly everywhere cards are accepted. It will launch in Korea on August 20 and in the U.S. on September 28. Samsung plans to roll out the service in the U.K., Spain and China, as well.

Speaking at a Samsung event in New York where it unveiled its newest flagship devices – the Galaxy S6 edge+ and Galaxy Note5, JK Shin, CEO and Head of IT & Mobile Communications Division at Samsung Electronics said, "With the launches of these exciting new smartphones, we will open a new era of mobile payment. This is Samsung’s brave step forward to enhance our mobile experience. It is easy, safe, and most importantly, available virtually anywhere you can swipe a card, in most cases without new costs for merchants, from day one."

Samsung Pay will be preloaded on select Galaxy S6 edge+ and Galaxy Note5 devices and a free software upgrade will be rolled out beginning mid-August, to enable Samsung Pay on Galaxy S6 and S6 edge devices in the U.S. and Korea. Select U.S. users of Galaxy S6, S6 edge, S6 edge+ and Note5 will be able to participate in a beta trial from August 25 ahead of the September 28 launch.

To make a payment on Samsung Pay, users can simply swipe up, scan their fingerprint and pay.

Samsung Pay uses tokenization, Samsung KNOX, and fingerprint authentication to provide secure payments and reduce the security risks inherent to plastic cards.

With Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST) and Near Field Communication (NFC) technologies, Samsung Pay works with most existing point-of-sale (POS) terminals. That means it’s the only mobile payment service that works virtually anywhere you can swipe your credit card or debit card.

Samsung anticipates working with payment networks such as, American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa, major banks including Bank of America, Chase, U.S. Bank and key financial partners including First Data, Synchrony Financial and TSYS to extend Samsung Pay to the U.S. Samsung anticipates working with all major Korean card companies including Samsung Card, Shinhan Card, KB Kookmin Card, Hyundai Card, Lotte Card, NH Nonghyup Card, BC Card, Hana Card, Woori Card and Citi Card.

Next smartwatch

Samsung also played a teaser video during the Samsung Unpacked event, which focused primarily on the Galaxy Note 5 phablet and Galaxy S6 Edge+ smartphone.

The video, shown at the end of the media event at New York's Lincoln Center, may have stolen the show. Samsung's new smartphones have been expected, but the company hasn't said much about its next smartwatch, the first that will hit the market since the Apple Watch launched in April.

The company will offer more details about the Gear S2 smartwatch on September 3 at the IFA trade show in Berlin.