What can I say about the iPhone 6 that you don’t know or haven’t already assumed? Not much, actually. It’s running iOS 8, has a great camera, thinner design, and a handful of features that make it different from last year’s iPhone.
This year, Apple has bumped up the display size and released two models. We have the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 and 5.5-Inch iPhone 6 Plus, but if you were paying attention to the rumor mill leading up to the launch, these two models probably weren’t a surprise. That being said, there are still some points I’d like to make about both devices, but instead of creating two reviews, I think it’s safe to combine them so that you can find out which one is right for you…
Obviously, Apple has aimed at two very different personalities with these sizes. The iPhone 6 Plus is considered a phablet in my eyes, while the iPhone 6 is probably a strong candidate for the average consumer. One is bigger and the other is “bigger than bigger.” Though it’s not necessarily the 5.5-inch display on the iPhone 6 Plus that makes it so big. Because of its design, the iPhone 6 Plus is larger than most other 5.5-inch Android devices. If you’d like to check out our iPhone 6 unboxing video click here, or you can find the iPhone 6 Plus unboxing video here.
Let’s take a look at specifications
The iPhone 6 is packing a 4.7-inch display with a resolution of 1,334 x 750 (326 ppi), a dual-core Apple A8 chip clocked at 1.4GHz, 1GB of RAM, 1,810 mAh battery, and as far as internal storage Apple is offering 16, 64, and 128GB configurations. When it comes to the iPhone 6 Plus, it features the same internal specifications along with a larger battery 2,915 mAh battery, optical image stabilization on the rear camera, and a 5.5-inch 1,920 x 1,080 display (401 ppi).
Check out our video review of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus below:
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOE2ygK_tYc]
Design
While there may only be a few hardware variations between these two models, there’s one obvious difference about this year’s iPhone. It has a completely different design. The lock button has been relocated to the right side of the device which will make it easier to access due to the larger sizes involved here, but the other buttons/switches are basically the same. The volume buttons and mute switch are on the left side and you’ll find the microphone, speaker, lightning port, and 3.5mm headphone jack on the bottom.
Apple has slimmed down the design and went with something that closely resembles the fifth generation iPod touch. I’m a big fan of the thinner design, but sometimes we must sacrifice certain things to get there. Because of the slim design, we now have a protruding camera. I know most people cringed at the thought of this, but it’s really not that big of deal. You’ll quickly get over it. If you can’t stand it, there are plenty of cases available to fix this problem. As far as the antenna bands go, I’m not totally in love with them yet, but in my opinion they look the best on Space Gray models.
The iPhone 6’s protruding camera.
Also, I’m not going to make this a review about durability, because honestly, I haven’t used these devices long enough. I haven’t had any issues with scratches or drops yet. However, it does appear that the aluminum finish on the iPhone 6/Plus is more scratch resistant than the iPhone 5/5s. And just in case you’ve been wondering about the iPhone 6 Plus’ bending issue, I’ve put together a lengthy opinion article based on the matter that I highly suggest giving a look. I haven’t experienced any bending with the iPhone 6 Plus, but it has been affecting many other consumers.
Overall, I’m a big fan of the design happening here. It’s thin and sleek. The display panel is covered by “ION-strengthened” glass that has a very elegant curve along the edges and it gives the entire device a seamless look. I dig it. Though as you may notice from the video above, this curved edge is going to be problematic if you prefer to have a screen protectors that extends to the edge of the glass, because technically there is no edge. Not a deal breaker in my opinion.
The iPhone 6 Plus’ display is bright and colorful. It’s very crisp. The iPhone 6’s 4.7-inch display is great as well and the difference in pixels-per-inch when compared to the Plus didn’t seem like a downgrade. The iPhone 6 display is just as pixel-packed as the iPhone 5s, but on a larger scale. All of that said, I’m a fan of the display quality on both models and the overall design. In addition to that, I’m always a fan of buying an iPhone that doesn’t look exactly like its predecessor.
Camera performance
I gotta be straight up here. Even though we’re dealing with an 8-megapixel camera, it’s possibly one of the best cameras on a smartphone. For some reason, Apple always excels in this department miles beyond the competition. It’s one of the main reasons I will never leave the house without my iPhone. (I usually also carry an Android device as well.) Pictures are crisp and vivid, though low-light performance isn’t all that great. In acceptable lighting, this is the best smartphone camera in my opinion.
The iPhone 6 Plus comes along with optical image stabilization which definitely helps when it comes to photography and video. For comparison’s sake, I’ve put together a stabilization demo that you can see in the video above. The iPhone 6 Plus has far better stability over the iPhone 6. This is one of the main benefits you’ll get with optical image stabilization. I’m a fan, but I wish it was also a standard with the iPhone 6. Well, maybe it’ll come on the iPhone 6s. Scratch that, it probably will.
As far as video recording goes, the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus kill it again. Though some may be disappointed that you’re only getting up to 1080p video recording capabilities at either 30 or 60 frames per second. UHD may not matter to everyone, but once again Apple is trailing behind most other smartphones in this department. Probably another feature in the works for the iPhone 6s. The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus also bring 720p Slo-Mo video up to 240 frames per second. See the above video for a Slo-Mo demonstration.
If you’d like to see maximum potential of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus camera, I’ve put together a cinematic video test that you can check out here. It’s shocking what this camera is capable of capturing. Though as I mentioned, Apple has a thing for camera quality.
Call quality
Since this is a phone, we’re going to briefly discuss call quality. No surprises here though. It works. Thankfully we finally have simultaneous voice and data on Verizon iPhones. I realize that many other carriers don’t have this issue, but seriously thank you, Cellular Gods. Otherwise, call quality is crisp and clear, but if you have the option with certain contacts, FaceTime Audio is even better. It’s miles better than calling out using the carrier network. As Wi-Fi calling becomes available with more carriers, that will also be a great solution.
Software
As most iOS users have grown to expect, iOS 8 is snappy and smooth. In fact, performance is going to be identical between the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Honestly, it’s also very similar to how iOS 8 runs on an iPhone 5s. Apple’s lack of beefy internals does not affect the software experience. I’m not trying to discount the internal specifications on these new models, but it seems that overall there’s not a huge gap in real-world performance between the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus.
iPhone 6 Plus vs iPhone 6 vs iPhone 5s Geekbench 3 scores.
Launch bugs aside, iOS 8 is pretty much always a star performer. If you’d like to know more about iOS 8 or its new features, check out our Top 20 iOS 8 Features article. But this isn’t an iOS 8 review, we’re talking about the overall experience with the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.
Apple has fine-tuned iOS 8 to work better with these larger devices by adding a few of software enhancements to make them easier to navigate. On both devices, we have the addition of Reachability. This new feature allows you to double tap (not double press) on the home button to move down the user interface. This will put nearly everything at a finger’s or thumb’s reach with one hand. It’s a nice feature, but in my opinion it was just easier to use my other hand. It’s not that Reachability is bad, I just don’t care to use it.
There are also a couple of zoom options available that will take advantage of the screen’s resolution. Initially these are configured when the iPhone is first setup, but they can be accessed later through the Settings app.
iPhone 6 Plus landscape mode.
On the iPhone 6 Plus we have new landscape orientation abilities. The home screen and other specific apps can be rotated into landscape mode to bring more of an iPad-like experience to this larger 5.5-inch display. It’s definitely a nice feature, but it’s not ground-breaking. Though it is nice that you can pick up the device and be able to use it regardless of its orientation.
NFC is also present on both the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. Unfortunately, it’s only there for a feature that you can’t take advantage of yet. Apple Pay is a new mobile payment platform that will be rolling out soon, but until that happens, NFC doesn’t really matter. Though I am excited to see what happens with Apple Pay. Will it catch on? Let us know what you think in the comments.
Battery life
Normally I don’t get too in-depth with battery life because it varies so much between users, but it’s important to point out a couple of things about these two devices. Battery life is fantastic on the iPhone 6 Plus. Because of its larger size, there’s a larger battery inside and it definitely shows. I’ve had usage times up to 5-6 hours of total on-screen time with pretty heavy activity. It’s amazing in comparison to previous models. I can’t say the same about the iPhone 6. With heavy use I always felt like its clock was ticking, but it was still a slight improvement and it was definitely better than my iPhone 5s.
These numbers will obviously vary based on your specific usage, but Apple has finally managed to make an iPhone with all-day battery life. I can finally make it through my entire day with worrying about charging. Keep in mind, my usage is based on the fresh batteries that are inside of my iPhone 6 & 6 Plus and I’m sure the battery life will slightly decrease over time. I’m not running scientific battery tests here, I’m just using these as I would with any other smartphone.
Which one is right for you?
Well, that’s going to depend on a lot of different factors. I’ve laid out most of this information in our official comparison between the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus so if you’d like to check that out, you can find it here. Without making this too much of a comparison, if you’re a fan of larger displays, I’d go with the iPhone 6 Plus, if not then the iPhone 6 is for you. If you can’t stand the over-sized look of the iPhone 6 Plus, you probably won’t miss optical image stabilization too much, though the extra battery life is a nice thing to have. The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are good smartphones, but there’s not much that’s life changing or innovative happening here.
iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus.
For myself, I’ll have to side with the iPhone 6. Don’t get me wrong, the iPhone 6 Plus is great with its display and battery life, but I just need a device that’s a bit more pocketable and I’m willing to sacrifice a few features for that. If you’re coming from a previous iOS device or an Android device, you’ll be happy with either one. If you currently have an iPhone 5s, you might just want to wait for next year’s release. Issues aside, it looks like (unsurprisingly) this is the best iPhone yet, though durability may tell a different story.
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Many customers = 9.
Uh huh. More than nine people have made videos about it, let alone compained. If you know Apple, you know they don’t acknowledge a problem exists if enough people don’t complain about it.
And the real battery Life ?
http://www.valuewalk.com/2014/10/iphone-6-plus-vs-galaxy-s5-lg-g3-battery/
How Sony can put 2500mAh in a telephone finer than iPhones 6?
And how have a better autonomy than the iPhone 6 +?
http://blog.gsmarena.com/sony-xperia-t3-battery-life-test/
That’s OK because at least Apple admitted to the issue. Samsung calls their issue with the Note 4 a “feature” yet also admits it can lead to the display separating from the casing. What a terrific feature.
I’ve just discovered a bug on my 6+ (8.0.2): After a FaceTime call I returned to the homescreen, but it was turned upside down and the rotation lock was turned off. There was no way to fix it, rotating the phone didn’t produce any effect. Enabling the rotation lock flipped the homescreen to the correct position, but after re-disabling it, it flipped once again returning to the original (bugged) upside down way.
Only a reboot restored the homescreen correct behaviour. Video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pi6vwvPyHUY
I have heard that 8.1 beta fixes the rotation bug (but I am not a developer so I can not confirm)
I missed the cinematic video test post. Good job.
After reading this review I don’t get the sense that you actually have one.
Just about every comment is info from other sources or obtainable from other sources.
What is YOUR battery-life like? What experiences have YOU had with the camera?
Seriously, do you even have this device? There are people who write reviews on products they don’t own.
While I get this is an Apple fanboy site, all consumers have a choice.
Many of the new features on these phones don’t work as advertised or they aren’t new. There are about a dozen features I’ve user for months on my Samsung Galaxy S5.
Seriously, Dom, what’s your battery – life experience? You say “fantastic.” Does that mean 24 hours? Or 48, like my phone? Or do you consider 6 hours to be fantastic?
Or are you afraid to say that it’s lousy because you want to stay on Apple’s good side?
How did you get your phone? Was it free to you or did you have to pay like real customers?
Clearly you have am interest in promoting Apple products, since you work for a company that advertises Apple products.
This isn’t Consumer Reports.
Anyone reading this review should take it with a grain of salt and consider other reviews and other phones.
“Many of the new features on these phones don’t work as advertised or they aren’t new.” You’re talking about the features on your S5?
“Seriously, Dom, what’s your battery – life experience? You say “fantastic.” Does that mean 24 hours? Or 48, like my phone?”
That’s some quality evidence. My phone has got 72 hours.
“Clearly you have am interest in promoting Apple products, since you work for a company that advertises Apple products.”
I guess this means you’re indeed working for Samsung.
Mock- just joining the conversation and trying to encourage you to think.
(In reality, I don’t give a crap about you or how you spend your mom’s money. I just hate to see mindless, sheeplike purchasing get in the way of innovation.
Yes, Apple will sell millions of phones. But that doesn’t mean they are good or innovative.)
To be fair Herb, Apple does make great phones. Not so much innovative anymore, but still great phones.
To be fair, no one innovates anymore. Smart phones have reached its maturity. All they can do is to add features from software to improve user’s experience.
Name one phone that have better innovations than iPhone 6/6+? Don’t ever give me the gimmick “water proof” which 9 out of 10 users don’t care. At least, I feel more secured with ApplePay-TouchID integration, not so much with Google Wallet.
Who the fuck pays you post here? You are a whack job loser, and your pool of IPs should be banned.
He’s the same one, always coming here to post BS about Apple, he’s your basic frothing at the mouth anti-Apple Fandroid, got all crazy after seeing how the iPhone’s destroy the competition in nearly every single possible benchmark now that those are out. But it’s his job so he just keeps on spinning the stories. I never go to Android fan sites to tell them their shit sucks, ever. I bet most of us here don’t. Fandroids are sad…
PM:
Please don’t let your rage cause you to lose control of your bladder.
Why does the 6+ need to suck in order for you to enjoy your SGS5?
IMO they are both great mobile devices, with the edge going to the iPhone due to iOS’s superior stability and the more balanced camera performance (SGS5 night photos are a tad behind the iPhone’s). If not for he ability to sync my iPhone with my Mac, I’d probably get the SGS5 since it’s less bendy and a better value.
Here’s the deal: fierce competition between Apple and Android benefits all of us.
I agree that competition benefits consumers.
But if sheep will buy whatever product they are programmed to, that allows the company to be lazy and have software that needs to be in installed and phones that bend. They know their customers will buy whatever they put out as “new”.
My S5 is the best phone I’ve used. I don’t GAS about your enjoyment of whatever phone you choose.
I have used Apple and Samsung. The Samsung experience has been well beyond the Apple issue. Battery life is great, and a ton of features iphone still doesn’t have.
S5 is POS when it comes to finger print scanning…You have to use the finger from the other hand to enter the biometrics…LOL…dumbest feature implementation in the mobile devices. At least HTC put it in the back to accommodate one hand use.
He’s butt hurt because deep down he knows Samsung phones are garbage, but he comes here to self affirm his delusion that they are the best because he is stuck with one. He could have waited for the new Moto X or gotten an HTC M8 if he hates Apple, but he made a mistake and is stuck with the worst flagship of this generation. I feel sorry for the chap actually.
http://youtu.be/nCln9_mgZJo
I have a Samsung galaxy S5 and a lot of its features are useless!
Maybe you just need to learn how to use them.
If you can’t understand it maybe you should stick to an iPhone.
48 hours of talk time? yup, i certainly believe that
Herb get a life you are pathetic
Here’s a review for you: “The iPhone 6 (plus) topped the Galaxy Note 4 in Sunspider, Geekbench 3.2 single-core, GFXBench T-Rex and 3D Mark Ice Storm Unlimited graphics tests, almost matching Samsung’s handset in Geekbench 3.2 multi-core tests (even though the iPhone 6 only has a dual-core processor) and in 3D Mark Ice Storm Unlimited Ice Storm (though 3D Mark has not been updated for iOS 8 yet).”
“Meanwhile, the Galaxy Note 4 beat the iPhone 6 in Browsermark and in 3D Mark Physics tests.”
Via BGR
Time to change your diaper Herb. The crap is streaming down your chin, again.
Mate can you shut up please on all the comments. He is an a trolling idiot and you’re the one feeding him, my god you even said the same thing on two different comments and then resorted to calling him gay and poor please shut up I think Herb is a fucking moron but your not helping your own case by acting like a child.
Dom writes about bending phones and Apple’s mishandling of crisis = he’s awful.
Dom praises new products = he’s great.
What a fickle flock.
And what about you?
Every time he writes something bad about Apple = he’s great.
Every time he praises Apple = he’s awful.
The review sucked.
No way to spin that.
I have no financial stake in Apple or its competitors.
I used an iPhone for 5 years.
I’ve used Apple computers exclusively. The company makes some good products. In some areas the competition is better.
The fact that I have not use any other computer than Apple us why I don’t comment on the computers.
I have used Apple and Samsung phones, unlike most people that post here. I ditched Apple and it’s been a much better experience for me.
I don’t like to see crap, in technology or “journalism” promoted as gold.
But if you’re happy with paying too much for last year’s technology in a shiny case, that’s your choice. It’s your parents money, not mine.
Sorry if I made you think.
I like you, herb. but I think his review is great. I like all the links he has in the article too.
Herbs an idiot
Dom – how do you define “all-day battery life.”? An 8-hour work day? From when you wake up until you go to bed? Or a full 24 hours?
Was that YOUR experience or what you’ve read?
We get that you think it’s “fantastic” and “amazing” but that’s hardly useful information.
If I was your instructor I’d give this an F.
http://images.anandtech.com/graphs/graph8560/67844.png
Where’s the S5 on this chart? Even the HTC One (M8), with a smaller battery, does it better. You’re butthurt.
Hell my 2 year old iPhone 5 does better than his S5.. What a joke… HA
When it comes to Samsung’s “wall huggers” commercials, the phrase “takes one to know one” comes to mind. :)
Thanks for making my point.
That chart does not show Dom ‘ s use.
@Herb: it’s a benchmark. Dom likely did not continuously browse the web until his battery was dry.
The point is that the iPhone 6+ CRUSHES your SGS5 on battery life. Deal with it, fanboy.
Poor Herb can’t take the facts when they’re shoved in his moron face. Full of shit and rhetoric, but very scant on any facts Herb. Typical fandroid sheep.
Pauly- glad to hear you are happy with your old phone.
Just so some real research before getting a new one.
Herb I’m going to help you-9to5google. Com
Now you don’t have to be among us. So fuck off and eat six dicks and choke on your Daddy’s nuts. Edison is right. Your a miserable person. U only come here for hating.
Herb’s father’s pubes and old lube got stuck in herbs shirt collar. The kids on the school bus laughed at him and call him papa-pube-lube-dude. The experience makes him lash out.
Gis: you made my point.
You are assuming what Dom did or didn’t do. You simply don’t know.
My point is that he should have said what he did and not regurgitate Apple talking points or bench tests. We’ve already seem those.
It’s supposed to be about his experience.
It’s like me writing about my trip to New York simply by looking at travel brochures.
His “review” is just continuation of the circle jerk. Why don’t people want to hear real information?
Holy f*ck what an irritating troll you are! Only trolls go to sites about things they don’t like so they can bitch and whine. You serve NO other purpose here and that is sad. I loathe and detest Android and Samsung…both from ownership and experience…yet I don’t waste my time going to sites about either topic. Perhaps it is YOU who lives in your mom’s basement since it is so blatantly obvious that you have NO friends and WAY too much free time on your hands. You sound just like MrElectrifier on IDB. Uberdouche should be your UN. Find a hobby that doesn’t require you to look like a complete fool.
No come back Herb? Ouch, you got burned. I think he nailed you mate. Basement dweller. Ha ha ha.
I will be getting the Six for it’s pocket-ability. I wish they added to optical image stabilization to the Six.
Oddly enough, my 6 Plus is in my pocket. I wear normal clothes. Perhaps you go check one out, instead of reading canned reviews.
By all means, get whatever works best for YOU. Just don’t allege things that aren’t true, like the 6 Plus isn’t pocketable. It most certainly is.
I tried it out, and while it was pocketable, I didn’t find it to be comfortably so. Heck, at times my iPhone 5 isn’t comfortable in my pocket.
All that I know is that when I tried both the 6 and the 6+ the 6 felt like a phone. The 6+ felt like I was holding an iPad to my face. It juts felt wrong.
Then again, opinions will differ. If we all wanted the same thing then there would only be one size of screen ever made and sold.
I suppose someone has to counteract your efforts Herb. You’re a one man samescum anti Apple brigade.
Agreed.
Yea, I wonder if there were technical reasons or only to encourage 6 + purchases.
I suppose someone has to counteract your efforts Herb. You’re a one man samescum anti Apple brigade.
What a lousy boring article. I agree with Herby. Here is a much better article from someone who actually owned one for a couple weeks, more interesting….
http://www.businessinsider.com/iphone-6-plus-review-2014-10
Did your boyfriend pay you to write this, or does Herb let you speak for yourself these days?
“I haven’t experienced any bending with the iPhone 6 Plus, but it has been affecting many other consumers”
LOL, and how many is that exactly? If we’re going to make statements like this, we should have actual data.
My gut tells me 99.99% of iPhone 6 owners would use this same exact statement, meaning, no one is really having this problem, but thanks to the internet and a minuscule fraction of irresponsible owners, people think it’s “affecting many other consumers”. I’m calling BS.
oneofthenine.com
And this website proves what? You realize there would have to be 10,000 bent iphones in order for a mere 0.1% to have been affected? That’s a staggeringly large number of bent phones to barely be a drop in the bucket of the entire sold amount. All products have some small percentage of defects, but BendGate is nothing more than the very common cognitive bias called Availability Bias. Look it up. It basically means that because humans are very bad at understanding statistics (unless trained), they think something which is actually exceedingly rare is common because of what they see constantly in the media.
BendGate = Availability Bias
Here’s A Suggestion:
Let’s all just ignore Herb – He’s a Troll and the best way to dispose of a Troll is to just ignore him.
Ignore Him – He’ll find some other outlet for his Samesung Shit – Don’t Feed The TROLL!
Too bad. I will miss reading your crappy comments.
Enjoy your shiny overpriced toys.
Can we ban a troll on this website? It is not about opinion, it is about trolling. Staff should ban him.
“Shiny overpriced” LOL
Your so funny, keep the hilarity coming I’m making popcorn.
Your GS5 is the one with the fake plastic chrome frame which is super shiny, and also costs the same or nearly the same off contract as an iPhone.
But saying random nonsense is your thing and it’s awesome, I’m cracking up. Don’t stop please, every village needs an entertaining idiot!
We will, just like you enjoy your cheap iPhone wannabe clones. Must be too poor to be be able to afford nice things, ay herb? Is that why you come here to hate? Envious of real people with money who can afford quality products? How sad for you.
Your right. Don’t respond to him guys. But we can continue to talk About Him because he’s a douche nozzle.
Hi Edison. What, no threats of violence today?
“I LOVE IPHONE SIX.
I WANT TO HAVE ITS CHILDREN. IT DOESN’T BEND AT ALL AND THE BATTERY LASTS A WEEK.
(like me, like me, like me. I need the validation in this circle jerk because my parents didn’t spend enough time with me).
Dear Herb,
I understand the concept that you are only trying to help us, by making us see the truth, and buying something else than the “horrible device of hell” as it seems you conceive it.
And it’s great, honestly. You, spending you’re precious time reading about the company you despise, and trying to make us realise that this product is not as good as the almighty Samsung Galaxy S5. That you are not encouraging “mindless, sheeplike purchasing getting in the way of innovation”. I appreciate it.
That said, I’m afraid it’s not working. I don’t know why, and I am deeply sorry.
It might be our individual minds not choosing to believe you, especially in your rage.
It’s brave and very thoughtful of you but you’re just not convincing anyone.
The only thing you’re doing is making a fool of yourself, just leave us be.
If you ever need to let of steam, then punch into your pillow.
If Apple would ever conquer the earth, and enslave humans through iPhones, I personally give you permission the laugh at me, until then, take a break, enjoy your life, and let superman be the hero, you’re just not meant for it.
That one big chip you have on your shoulder there. Would you like me to knock it off for you? Or won’t your mommy let you out of the basement?
Nothing on the 6 Plus’s gorgeous display?
Odd that you feel low light camera performance is not so good, yet rave about daytime performance. According to every other knowledgable photography review, low-light performance is where the iPhones excel. The low MPs result in less sharpness for daytime photos, but color accuracy saves it from being a complete bust. Since most interesting photos happen in low light (“magic hour”), Apple made the right choice to focus on low light performance.
Also, it appears that iOS 8 image processing introduces a serious contrast problem:
http://improvephotography.com/30019/iphone-6-camera-depth-review/
Apple can fix the contrast bug if they want, but they’ve got a lot of iOS 8 bugs on their plate, so to speak. I’d wager we must wait for iOS 9 for a fix.
This is a very valuable article.
Great depth and some great comments on the S5 phone. I wasn’t aware it already had optical image stabilization!
Not a fan of Apple giving priority to IS O over shutter time.
Fortunately iOS 8 allows third party apps to access all camera controls; allowing for manual control of both ISO and shutter speed.
“After reading this review I don’t get the sense that you actually have one.
Just about every comment is info from other sources or obtainable from other sources.
What is YOUR battery-life like?”
Hey he states HIS battery life experience in the section above labeled “Battery Life”. You know, right after the phrase you whined about?
Glad to help.
You think words like “amazing” and “fantastic” are concrete terms that we all can translate to something useful?
My Samsung phone is amazing and fantastic. Based on that information you should go get one right now!
Nah, samescum are just knockoff clones. Plenty in storage for you and your boyfriends buddy.
I feel like apple should not have made the 6 that thin, the designers should have left its original shape but changed its internal features because now it looks too much like the android
… but shinier!
Actually not shiny at all, your Samsung is though.
I’m glad they made it as thin as they did. It feels different than any other piece of tech I’ve held. Very futuristic.
Reading the title I was really optimistic that this was going to be a review that I was looking for, but here we are with another feature run-down just like every other review that I’ve found to date. Hrmph…..
I’m personally on the fence about the 6+ and I already know the feature list very well. I’m currently on a 5s and I’m not jumping to the 6 — it just isn’t enough of an upgrade, whereas the 6+ *is* a big enough upgrade to get me to move. But I’m nervous about the screen size, usability, hand fatigue from managing a device that size, etc.
What I really *really* was looking for (and hoping for from the title) is someone to share the day-to-day experiences with the 6+. Do you get annoyed at needing two hands to use it more often? Do you ever feel like you’re going to fumble it? Is the large form factor as usable (from a practicality perspective) as the more compact / hand-sized 5s? Has it changed anything for your day-to-day workflow? THESE are the questions that I would expect to have answered in a review that touts 2 weeks with a device.
Unless I’m missing something with this review, the title should actually read:
“iPhone 6 / 6+ roundup, 2 weeks after release.”
I’m in the same boat…..much better article here
http://www.businessinsider.com/iphone-6-plus-review-2014-10
This is what I’m saying!
Would you and your boyfriend like a room? Or you can use the local toilet cubical at the railway station.
Someone has a prototype device for sale!!!!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/171483815097?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649
Yeah, sure that guy was sent one by mistake.
I got the 6 Plus, it was huge when I got it, now its a great size. I use my phone like data device anyway, so its more like an iPad mini-mini with a phone!
I love it, got a slim case, and Its the best phone they’ve made so far.
Do you use the feature to minimize the screen size, for one-handed use?
I thought YOU were the champion of “one-handed use” herb?
Dom linked to his opinion piece, “Why the iPhone bends”.
I am pretty angry about that tirade against other tech journalists and Consumer Reports.
1. Dom complained about people using inappropriate language towards his friend, Hilsenteger.
Then Dom used the term “BendGate”.
Any professional journalist that uses the term “BendGate” has lowered themselves to the level of an internet troll imo.
2. More from Dom’s hit opinion piece;
“Consumer Reports also published its own stress test article/video…
There’s one problem though, you’re testing it wrong…”
Based on what? As Dom also wrote;
“I’m not a product engineer and I don’t claim to know everything involved with the iPhone design and manufacturing departments”
So, Dom admits to lack knowledge in this area but at the same time he claims to have more expertise than Consumer Reports?
3. From Dom’s opinion piece;
“My beef is with the people intentionally being disrespectful towards Hilsenteger and avoiding the issue without actually performing any tests themselves.”
So, everyone who comments about Hilsenteger’s video should do their own test.
Then where are the posted results of Dom’s test?
* And I don’t mean Dom bending a phone which is not objective.
Where is Dom’s posted test that is better than the one done by Consumer Reports?
I don’t see it.
– To demand that others do a test but not provide one imo is hypocritical.
4. Dom making unfair attacks;
“The Verge followed up with supporting evidence (from Apple and Consumer Reports) that the iPhone 6 Plus does not have an issue.
Obviously, it’s not about traffic for these major publications. They don’t want to present Apple in a negative light. Doing so would possibly result in being put on Apple’s blacklist.”
What evidence does Dom have that posting objective tests by Consumer Reports is an effort to not be put on “Apple’s blacklist”?
(Is Dom saying that Consumer Reports is corrupt? That would definitely be absurd.)
This is a smear by Dom.
*** I came to 9to5 Mac hoping to avoid the massive amounts of troll comments which flood many sites.
And what do I see here? Uninformed and hypocritical comments in Dom’s “opinion” piece.
– What I think Dom has produced is garbage journalism and it is just as bad as the unfair attacks that have been directed to his friend Hilsenteger.
PS. to my above comment.
Another quote from Dom’s attack opinion piece;
“Things will bend if you bend them. Consumer Reports wasn’t attempting to debunk the fact that Apple’s iPhone 6 Plus bends, but that it’s not as easy as Hilsenteger made it seem.”
Dom’s comments do not analyze the CR test results correctly.
The title from CR “not as bendy as believed” does not = the actual results.
The results of the Consumer Reports tests state that an iPhone 6 Plus deforms with 90 pounds of pressure.
Hilsenteger was using his hands to apply pressure to the iPhone 6 Plus.
How many pounds of pressure can a man’s grip apply?
That is known.
“Hand strength generally peaks in the early 30s — the average dominant grip strength is 121.8 pounds for men and 78.7 pounds for women”
http://www.columbiatribune.com/arts_life/pulse/hand-strength-can-be-an-indicator-of-your-health/article_18f87f8d-db70-5d76-9ed4-a914b86573f7.html
Considering those FACTS, Hilsenteger could probably apply 90 lbs of pressure to those phones.
But with a Galaxy Note 3 which requires 150 lbs of pressure to deform, it seems he could not do that.
Bottom line; Hilsenteger’s videos are consistent with the test results of the Consumer Reports test.
(It could be argued that the interpretation of the CR results such as this title; “not as bendy as believed” are not accurate.)
But the websites that reported the CR test results were responsible in doing so.
The battery life on my 6+ and the crisp display is what blows me away. I did a 2 hour phone call after unplugging the phone and it still had 94% charge! I guess it depends on how you use it, but I consider it save to say, that apple has gone from disappointing battery life on my 5s to what is probably the best battery on a smartphone right now. I also use a galaxy S4 and honestly, people always used to scrutinize apple for its lousy batteries, but the S4 for example, does not really last longer than the 5s.
About the bending- I agree this is something Apple really messed up and it should not be the case on a product in this price range. However, many people just don’t even take the most minimal care of their expensive gadgets… I am not concerned though, I’ll just make sure mine won’t bend.
What Apple failed to address in iOS 8 is the handy feature samsung has, which switches automatically between wifi and cellular data to achieve the best possible connection at all times.
The battery life on my 6 is great as well. I get two days at least between charges, and I use the thing all the time.
Was hoping to get a more in depth look at day to day uses between the 2 phones for those of us who are trying to decide between the two. This sort of just points out what you can find elsewhere via stats. And for Herb… Perhaps you could work on your delivery if this is all you meant as well. You lose your message when all you do is piss people off
On the bending issue, it appears that the majority of cases is caused by people’s stupidity.. If you sit on the phone whilst it’s in your back pocket, why are you surprised when it breaks? It s not a “tough book” device. It’s a technologically advanced, ultra thin mobile computer. It’s called common sense no?
Herb is not the only person who comes here to troll. There are quite a few. To them I say your comments are all taken with a grain of salt, as most of the perusers of this site use Apple products. Your opinions are usually hate-filled rants against a product you know little about. The statistics and benchmarks are indicative of how good Apple products, and your trolling and bitching will not sway the masses. You’re wasting your time as well as ours.
Nice review :)
Yeh.. it’s a good review, but still I don’t trust the product. Can somebody help me here? Somebody neutral? I still hesitate if waiting or just buying a Samsung galaxy note 4. If somebody in this blog has used it , do u recommend it ? Regarding the specs it looks better than the iphone http://versus.com/en/apple-iphone-6-plus-vs-samsung-galaxy-note-4 . The design is not bad. Well, thanks in advance
It depends entirely what you are after Natalia.
I was an android user but have been an iPhone user since the 5 and can say both have their advantages although I haven’t used the note 4 I assume it will be very similar to the note 3.
As always Android will provide you with a much larger range of customisation options and a more open system where as iPhone has iOS a closed but much more efficient/streamlined system.
If you are a power phone user the Note is probably where you want to go but if you are looking for a phone that makes calls, messages, browses the internet and social media then iPhone is your best choice.
Stats on paper rarely translate into real usage benefits, iOS is built to work with the levels of hardware Apple can provide and you will find both phones almost exactly the same when it comes to everyday usage. A lot of it comes down to what I mentioned earlier and what it is you want to use your phone for, if you use a note 3 I am sure you will have a very accurate representation of how the 4 will handle.
Cheers
I think it’s more if you want to be in an Apple iOS environment or a Google iOS environment. Every time I pick up a Google iOS Phone I just don’t find the operating system easy to get around in (yeah, I know I don’t use it enough to make it easier). BUT MAY I SUGGEST… why not just use your friends phones to find out which operating system you like. I am sure your friends are not all one operating system over the other. In the end, Hands On will determine what you like. NOT asking others opinions who you don’t know if they aline with your own likes or dislikes.
I’ve been playing with the camera on the 6plus for a few weeks now and I have to say it’s still as bad as the others in low light.
My husband got the 6+ / I myself am still on contract and have the 5s. I am happy with what I have. Having held the 6+ it hurts my hand to hold it for long periods and I already have an iPad Mini. So unless the 6+ becomes very much like the iPad Mini I don’t need an Minier Version of the iPad Mini. So come next year I will go for the iPhone 6. Nice review. Thanks
Please don’t laugh to loud but I’m a former Blackberry Z10 user and have resisted using iPhones as they had a small / lousy keyboard. I’ve been using the 6+ for a week know. Here is my 2c worth :
1. Awesome battery life – easily 2 days with heavy phone/web/email/sms usage
2. Easy to use and hold with one hand when talking – get yourself a slim case for extra grip
3. Quality build and the display – no plastic here
4. Camera options are amazing – leave the DSLR at home for family / kid shots
Personally the transition has been an amazing experience for me and would recommend the 6+ to anyone.
I nearly bought the Note 3 a few month’s ago after playing with one for the weekend but personally prefer the iOS and the build quality of the iPhone
Thank you, Dom, for your informative articles (I read the Bendgate one originally, having heard about the issue, then found this one). I am not a tech geek (“fangirl,” “fandroid,” or anything like that), but am just a regular, semi-technical user. I am hoping to get an opinion from you on which way to go as I plan to upgrade, and was originally planning to go with the 5s until the 6 came out–now I’m not sure what to do. It may, in fact, come down to simple ergonomics.
I have had a 3gs for 5 years (yup, you read that right), no cracks in my screen, and only a couple small scratches from a month when I got lazy about putting on my new screen protector. (Unfortunately, the mute switch stopped working about 1-2 years ago, but I have just lived with the assistance blob on screen so I can easily mute/unmute–a minor annoyance I will be happy to do away with soon!) this was the first phone I’ve had since the old clamshell style (first “real” smartphone), and despite initial worries about dimensions, I have mostly been happy with the size of this phone. But now I am running out of storage space with the data required these days after app updates, and that can cause the phone to jam up, not open quickly to take photos, crash apps, etc. So–It’s TIME. I also like the reverse direction camera capability and some of the other features that have appeared since the 5 came out, but have just been putting off the purchase for a while. Now there is another option with the 6.
I am probably a typical female user, sometimes putting my phone in a coat pocket or purse, where it can rub up against other things like keys, but also putting it in my somewhat-snug front pocket (which is going to be smaller than any non-hipster man’s pocket) quite often to go out on warm days unencumbered by a purse. (I am one of those rare women who doesn’t try to carry the kitchen sink with her everywhere she goes!) So bendability may be an issue, but we’ll just have to see if I go that route…
Based on your review, if shape & size weren’t an issue, it sounds like the 6 is the best way to go at this point (assuming money isn’t an issue–but I can always put off my purchase a bit until price comes down, as I have for the last several years). But 5 is closest in dimensions aside from thickness to my 3gs (I passed on the 4 partly due to thickness, which was greater than the 5). The 6 is quite a bit wider and longer, but of course much thinner–though given the small size of female pockets, I don’t think this is going to be an easy issue to get around–I will of course go to a store to test it out, but still need your opinion…
So, essence of the question is–if I feel it might be pushing things dimension-wise to get a 6, what am I losing by getting a 5s? I would like to be able to do more with taking photos (I have no flash on my phone now!) and video conferencing, but other than that, I’m not sure.
Thank you for your help! “Regular” users like me really appreciate the objective stance & thorough coverage! (Though I am surely a rare user, who hasn’t replaced my phone in 5 years!)