It’s iPhone season once again and most of us are faced with a tough decision. Should you upgrade or wait around another year for a better device? That may be a tough decision, but it’s always easier to see the pros and cons of both sides with a good old-fashioned comparison.
We’re taking a look at Apple’s new iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, and last year’s iPhone 5s and going over the details and specifications for each device. Knowing the facts is half of the battle, but hopefully this will help you see the benefits from each side…
First off, because Apple annually releases an iPhone (or two), a lot of people on a normal 2 year contract with a carrier tend to be one model behind. If you upgraded when the iPhone 5 was released, there’s a good chance you have an upgrade available to use with the iPhone 6 or 6 Plus. But if you went with the iPhone 5s, chances are that you have one year left to be eligible or pay for the device at off-contract pricing.
Check out our iPhone 6 vs iPhone 6 Plus vs iPhone 5s comparison video below:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YTGMvdLqYU]
Starting out with specifications, the iPhone 6 features a 4.7-inch display with a resolution of 1,334 x 750 (326 ppi), a dual-core Apple A8 processor clocked at 1.4GHz, 1GB of RAM, an 1,810 mAh battery, and up to 128GB of storage. As for the iPhone 6 Plus, most of the internal specifications (processor/RAM) are the same, but you’ll get a 5.5-inch display (1,920 x 1,080 resolution), optical image stabilization with the rear camera, and a 2,915 mAh battery.
In comparison, the iPhone 5s features a 4-inch display with a resolution of 1,136 x 640 (326 ppi), a dual-core Apple A7 processor clocked at 1.3GHz, 1GB of RAM, a 1,570 mAh battery, and up to 64GB of storage. Based on internal specifications alone, there’s a magical difference between the iPhone 6 and iPhone 5s. Also, because the 6 Plus only provides a few benefits, most of this comparison will be based on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 5s. If you’re not a fan of large smartphones, it’s likely that you won’t appreciate the size of the 6 Plus. It’s huge.
All three devices run iOS 8 (iPhone 5s can be updated to it), which is filled with a good amount of new features to enhance the user experience. Just the update to iOS 8 may be enough to keep some people on the iPhone 5s, but if you’d like to know more about the new features it brings check out our overview article here.
iPhone 6 vs iPhone 5s design.
When it comes to design, Apple has taken a very different approach with the iPhone 6. Gone are the chamfered edges that lived on the iPhone 5s and now we’re left with a curved-edge design with a uniform look. The sleep/wake button has been moved from the top to the right side of the device for easy access and the volume buttons have been reshaped to closely resemble what’s found on the 5th generation iPod touch or iPad Air/mini. The iPhone 6 is significantly thinner at 6.9mm, when compared to the 7.6mm found with the iPhone 5s, but it does weigh slightly more at 129g (112g for iPhone 5s).
As mentioned above, the iPhone 6 features a 4.7-inch display which looks miles better than the iPhone 5s. Though for some people, the size may be a downside. It’s still a one-handed device in some hands, but when you get into the 4.7 or 5.5-inch region, things tend to get messy. If you’re having trouble using either of Apple’s larger iPhones, there’s a new feature called Reachability that will help you access the top half of the screen. This feature literally moves the user interface halfway down the screen with a double tap (not double press) of the home button.
One software feature that’s exclusive to the iPhone 6 Plus is landscape mode. With the 6 Plus, there are specific apps (home screen included) that can go into a landscape mode which functions similar to the iPad. Apps such as Settings, Messages, Notes, and Mail (along with others) have a specific layout that’s designed for the iPhone 6 Plus when in landscape mode. It’s nothing fancy, but a good way to take advantage of some of the extra screen real-estate.
Touch ID is also included on the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus as we saw first introduced with the iPhone 5s, but we gain some advantages. With iOS 8, third party apps can access Touch ID for authentication (works with iPhone 5s as well) and thanks to the built-in NFC with the iPhone 6/6 Plus you’ll be able to make purchases using Apple Pay. This feature will require Touch ID to authenticate.
Along the front side of these devices, you’ll find the same 1.2-megapixel camera with 720p video recording capabilities. The rear camera has been slightly upgraded on the iPhone 6/6 Plus, but still holds the same 8-megapixel quality as the iPhone 5s; though we are getting Apple’s Focus Pixel technology which makes it much easier to focus during video or photography. The new camera also shoots 1080p video at 30 or 60 frames per second and Slo-Mo 720p video up to 240 frames per second.
Speaking of the camera, many were disappointed to find that the iPhone 6/6 Plus has a protruding camera. Because this iPhone is so thin, the camera lens pops right out of the back side (much like the 5th generation iPod touch). It may be a big deal for some, but it won’t affect anything in terms of usability and the camera lens is made of sapphire keeping it safe from scratches. The other alternative is to purchase a case that will level out the back.
Goodbye, glass panels.
Apple has also done away with the glass panel design that was first introduced with the iPhone 5. Instead the iPhone 6/6 Plus uses thin plastic antenna lines that run along the top and bottom ends of the back. It’s definitely not a deal breaker, but if you’re not a fan of these new antenna breaks, the space gray model hides them the best.
As for overall performance, the iPhone 6/6 Plus is marginally better than the iPhone 5s. The benchmark results speak clearly. Sure, it’s a step up from the iPhone 5, but there’s not a giant performance difference between the A8 and A7 processor. Also, Apple decided to stick with the same 1GB of RAM. That’s not necessarily a bad thing though. These iPhones perform great and there are plenty of reason (mostly design and display size) to upgrade to the iPhone 6.
Did Apple bring enough to make it worth the upgrade? That’s obviously a subjective question, but hopefully having the facts will help you answer it. Ultimately, the choice is yours.
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I’m sorry I can’t watch iPhones laying face down on gravel. It makes want to reach through my screen and save it.
;)
lol, I kept telling the nat to shoo! it didn’t listen! dang nats!
Great review! I have a tangential question; which camera did you use to shoot this video?
I shoot with a Panasonic GH4. Using a Panasonic 12-35mm f2.8 lens and sometimes a Voigtlander 17.5mm f0.95 lens.
Using 5C(Blue) and love it,….. gets every work done…and is colorful…
I have an iPhone 5 and think I am going to upgrade to the 6. I appreciate the video. I thought you did really well.
HOW DO THEY MAKE THEM SO THIN !!!
I’m waiting a year or three. No issues with my 5. I’ll probably get a 6S when the 7S comes out!
Easy, the don’t stack the parts inside. It’s all spread out. I personally don’t think thin was the best choice. Thicker would have allow 1. more sturdy for less breakage, 2. hiding the camera so it doesn’t protrude and, 3. MORE BATTERY! If Apple had really done right with the battery they would have blown the competition away big time. If the 6 would have been as thick as the 5 it could have had almost 30% more battery. Imagine 3 weeks standby on the 6+!!!!
As someone who never cared much for the iPhone 5/5S design (even though I owned both phones), I was very happy when I got my iPhone 6. Its so much nicer to hold without the sharp edges. As far as performance, I’d agree that the 6 isn’t a whole lot faster than the 5S, but I am getting better battery life, despite the larger screen.
Great video.
iPhone 6 plus 64GB space gray, since buying iP6+ havent touched mac,ipad everything is done on iP6+ one tool for ALL!
I have the 5s and it still works great… have been using the iOS 8 betas since the initial release and the phone has had no issues with it. I am interested in the Apple Pay feature but knowing that Apple has locked it down (like they did with the touch ID), I think I can wait for the 6s… Maybe the leash will be removed from Pay by then and traction will have build around it. I just hope they continue to offer a 4.? display, 5.5 is a tablet that makes calls, not a phone.
After watching the drop test, and scratch test, then the comparisson with older versions of the iPhone in this video: http://youtu.be/1V6UovIqrqI I am not yet convinced if I want to buy it.
Don’t drop one…
Great review! Even though we all tend to want to upgrade to the 6 or 6 Plus, sometimes we forget that the 5s or even the 5, which I own this last one, can get the job done pretty well. Matter of fact, this iPhone 5 I have is my best iPhone yet: love the design and it’s got a serious power house in it. My only problem with it is battery life – I could totally use a longer battery time on this one. Not that great of a fan on large screens so a better battery would just do it for me.
But I just may get the iPhone 6 for battery purposes (my iPhone 5 is nearly 2 years old by now so battery is not the same anymore as it was when I first got it). Still thinking on the 6 or 6 Plus.
Did you know there was a recall on some iP5 batteries?
Yep, Rene. I tried my serial number on there but mine wasn’t included in that batch. Too bad! =/
But thanks for your question! It woulda been nice, lol!!
This is what I was waiting for!….Thanks 9t5m
Awesome review!
http://9to5mac.com/2014/09/22/iphone-6-vs-iphone-6-plus-vs-iphone-5s-full-comparison-video/comment-page-1/#comment-209723
I have a galaxy note 3 and I will probably convert BACK to iphone 5s. I wouldnt go with the 6 only because every new device always has kinks to work out. Like the 6 is now starting to bend!? Im good with the 5s once I can switch
Thank you for the review – well done. This pretty much ices it for me: I’m sticking with my 6 month old 5s – a near $900 investment back in April that I purchased when I managed to drown my 5 in a river. Had that not been the case I would’ve gone with a 6. But I have to say – battery life aside – I’m very pleased with the 5s. Lacking anything else to do I’ll look into the rumored new iPad Air.
I’m disappointed that Apple has left those of us who prefer a less wide phone, with the choice between, a phone that’s too wide (and thin) and a phone without the updates, that will be unable to load new operating systems at least a year before the six. They have also limited the five memory.
Two days ago I left my Iphone 5s in favor of a HTC ONE M8.
After one day I’m taking the M8 back to get my Iphone 5 or 6
The M8 Apps don’t work well on the android & the phone is user friendly.
The battery lasts no longer than my 5S & the Facebook App with the M8 you cant edit posts on Facebook.
The wonderful apps at Apple aren’t present with the android, example Camera+
I wont leave my Camera+ App and so I’m taking my M8 and throwing it in the trash-heaps of user history.
Also it was very hard to use WiFi calling on my M8 wouldn’t ever connect to wifi.
Seems there are a lot of bugs to work out of the M8
I’m switching back to my favorite Apple
Iphone 5s I missed you, Im sorry I left you, I will be right there to bring you back home.
I’m still using 4S and trying to decide between 5s and 6. Any thoughts? Also how much video can you record with 16MB vs 32MB? Thanks!
Will stay with the smaller more convenient 5S. Gee. my payments will stop!!! Any word on the follow on to the 6?