Consumer Reports: Galaxy S5 Beats Out S6

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Consumer Reports has put Samsung's new flagship smartphone through extensive testing. The test results are in and the Galaxy S6 landed below Samsung's older S5 in Consumer Reports' ratings.

Samsung gave the S6 an all-new design of metal and glass instead of plastic.

They also got rid of the removable battery and the card slot for extra storage. The loss of those features and a shorter battery life are some of the reasons the S6 fell behind its predecessor in the ratings.

The new design also isn't water-resistant like the S5, although it does offer wireless charging that works with both major standards, Qi and Powermat.

Samsung's Galaxy phones have typically beaten iPhones in Consumer Reports' Ratings, but not this time. The S6 and iPhone 6 are essentially tied when it comes to ease of use, messaging, and web browsing.

The S5 remains Consumer Reports top-rated phone. And its base price is less — $500 without a contract (16GB), compared with $600 for the S6 (32 GB) and $650 for the iPhone 6 (16GB).

Consumer Reports has rated one other phone ahead of the Galaxy S6 and the iPhone 6—LG's G3 (32GB), which costs $450.

Consumer Reports will be testing LG's new G4 as soon as it's on the market.

Complete Ratings and recommendations on all kinds of products, including appliances, cars and trucks, and electronic gear, are available on Consumer Reports' website. Subscribe to ConsumerReports.org.