All flagship smartphones released by Samsung over the last couple of years have had the IR blaster, the infrared sensor allows users to control TVs, set-top boxes and other remote controlled devices. Imagine how fans felt when they found out that the Galaxy Note 5 and the Galaxy S6 edge+ don't feature an IR blaster even though both the Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S6 edge have it. Earlier today we conducted a poll here on SamMobile and asked our readers if they use the IR blaster on their Samsung smartphone, 89% of readers who participated in that poll say that they do.
Our poll has caught Peel's attention, it has been a major partner of Samsung since its Smart Remote app comes pre-installed on the company's devices. The app is pre-installed on both the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge as well, it can use the IR blaster to allow users to control TVs, set-top boxes, DVD players and even air conditioners. Peel tweeted that 89% of the people who took our poll use the infrared blaster on their Samsung phones and it doesn't seem to happy about the fact that Samsung didn't include this component on the Galaxy Note 5 and the Galaxy S6 edge+ thereby depriving it of huge potential user base.
Many count the absence of the IR blaster as one of the reasons they won't purchase any of the two new handsets, aside from the obvious complaints that they have with no microSD card slot and no removable battery. The fact is that this will certainly be a factor that potential buyers will consider before they decide to spend their money on the new handsets and if they really can't live without the IR blaster perhaps they might even take their business elsewhere.
Poll by @SamMobiles reveals 89% use IR infrared blaster on #Samsung phones. Samsung skips IR on new Note 5, S6 Edge+ https://t.co/sMOOZF7AFU
— Peel (@peeltv) August 20, 2015
