First iPhone 6 and 6 Plus Reviews: 'Thin and Sexy', 'Bigger and Better', Impressive Battery Life Up to 2 Days

[ecrispy]

IMO, the screen size isn't what's "revolutionary" about these phones (OK, phablets, LOL). I've pre-ordered the 6 and TBH I'm apprehensive that I'll find it to be larger than I want an always-with-me device to be.

No, to my way of thinking, the integration of Touch ID with the new payments will be the so-called killer feature, as well as Touch ID integration with third-party apps.

BTW, I'm dead right about the Techradar crew.

TouchID is 1 year old. NFC is years old tech which Apple could've added anytime in the last few years. And they still haven't opened it up.

Bottom line : the new iPhones are a big upgrade for people in Apple's ecosystem. Compared to the competition they are nothing special. Many people only buy Apple products, for whatever reason, and its fine. They just should stop insulting other ecosystems and claiming that Apple is better.

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Yet, actual testing, you know "scientific method" testing, shows that even now, the 5s is merely last 15% less than the Android phone that lasts the longest under heavy use. That's about 1h30 (only a few phones are around there). The other phones that exceed the Iphone are within 5% of it (about 30 minutes).

Soooo. Feeling, etc... Yes, feel the force Luke...

You do know that the more you use your phone, the less time your battery lasts hmmmmm. Iphone users notoriously use their phone much more than Android users, they have more apps, they browse more, they buy more, etc.

Spoken like a true Apple fanboy.

 

[John.B]

We will see how much use it gets , nobody puts such things on a phone and dont expect it to get used sorry but there is very little difference between apple and all the rest of the top companies they all try to make the best phone they can think of .

I expect Apple Pay will drive NFC adoption where Android, etc. never seemed to get any traction. Which, ironically, also benefits people who carry Android phones.

 

[pik.]

The monstrously large iPhone 6 Plus, which can't be used with one hand.

Edit: 6 PLUS, not 6.

I m taking the 6 after using One+1...

 

[Keirasplace]

TouchID is 1 year old. NFC is years old tech which

Spoken like a true Apple fanboy.

Find a me a reputed photography site that says the same and not that rag and maybe I'll think differently. Until then, I'll just assume you are a troll.

My only Apple equipment is a 3GS (though I've used my boyfriend's 5s extensively), so hey, Apple is sure getting a lot of money out of me in the last 5 years... Maybe I'll buy a 6 now, but maybe not. I'm pretty frugal. On the fanboy scale, I think I'm below someone who hates Apple so obviously yet spends so much time on an Apple fan site.

Got 23 years experience in building tech systems (computer engineer); so you can keep your condescension for someone else.

 

[John.B]

Very sad to see how much energy is being spent arguing the merits of a cell phone when there are just a few things in the world that are just slightly more important.

Perhaps that energy could be better invested in improving your local government, putting spare time to some exercise, volunteering, etc?

I'm sure the 6 and 6+ are good phones, but the hysteria around them on both sides shows a distinct lack of perspective.

Thanks for going to all the trouble of climbing down from your cross to set us all straight.

 

[AppleScruff1]

Note 4 = 102553 cubed mm
Iphone 6+ = 86778 cubed mm.

Care to revise your rant. Iphone 6+ is slightly taller (3.5mm) that's it. Smaller in all other ways.

Spin it anyway you like. Now we we measure phones by cubic mm. Priceless. Why do you keep bringing up the Note? The iPhone is also bigger than the G3.

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So we loose Touch ID, no thank you.

If you read any further you would have seen that I did not suggest getting rid of Touch ID.

 

[John.B]

So when do they allow Flash videos now that the battery life is no longer issue?

Name one current Android phone that supports Flash...

 

[John.B]

TouchID is 1 year old. NFC is years old tech which Apple could've added anytime in the last few years. And they still haven't opened it up.

Touch ID is just coming into it's own with payments and integration with App Store apps. Using Touch ID to quickly validate NFC payments is, frankly, brilliant.

I'm not seeing anything really like it in the Android or WP space, and both camps have had a year to catch up to a Touch ID-type feature.

I think Apple's implementation will spark the NFC/mobile payment market in a way that Android never could. For one thing, regular people are actually talking about it, not just a few tech junkies.

 

[ecrispy]

Find a me a reputed photography site that says the same and not that rag and maybe I'll think differently. Until then, I'll just assume you are a troll.

My only Apple equipment is a 3GS (though I've used my boyfriend's 5s extensively), so hey, Apple is sure getting a lot of money out of me in the last 5 years... Maybe I'll buy a 6 now, but maybe not. I'm pretty frugal. On the fanboy scale, I think I'm below someone who hates Apple so obviously yet spends so much time on an Apple fan site.

Got 23 years experience in building tech systems (computer engineer); so you can keep your condescension for someone else.

I'm typing this from my MBP and owned an iPad 3, I hardly hate Apple, but I am very critical of them (and Google, and others) when I think its deserved.

My comment to you was based on your statement that Apple users use their phone more, buy more etc. AFAIK that's not really true, and battery life on iPhone 5 has had many complaints from users. I didn't mean to come across negatively or offend you, so I'm sorry if I did.

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Touch ID is just coming into it's own with payments and integration with App Store apps. Using Touch ID to quickly validate NFC payments is, frankly, brilliant.

I'm not seeing anything really like it in the Android or WP space, and both camps have had a year to catch up to a Touch ID-type feature.

I think Apple's implementation will spark the NFC/mobile payment market in a way that Android never could. For one thing, regular people are actually talking about it, not just a few tech junkies.

Agreed. Apple's brand power allows them to do this, and in the end it will help everyone since it will use the same NFC payment standards.

 

[fishmd]

Name one current Android phone that supports Flash...

My Note 3. Dolphin browser with flash plug-in. Watched all the world cup games that way when I was at work and had a few minutes. Done. Lol.

Edit: and no I am not saying my Note 3 is better. Good grief. I could care less. It is a 1 year old phone. Just answering the question. May be getting an iphone 6+ myself, may go with the Note 4. Whatever works better for ME.

 

[nviz22]

Here's my review on the iPhone 6+:

Apple used make great smartphones. With the latest iterations of Apple's newest cell phone, there are people that will be pleased because it finally has the "features" that Android users have enjoyed for years: bigger vibrant screens, NFC, Wi-Fi Calling, etc. However, don't let the package fool you. Although Apple steps up its game to compete with its Android and Windows competitors, I don't feel that it lives up to other flagships. Sure, the iPhone may boast one of the best cameras on the market, but it doesn't make up for the lack of a complete package. First up, when devices are boasting QHD displays, the Retina display doesn't live up to its past reputation. When one looks at other displays, they cannot help but feel that it could've been better. The battery life is good for an Apple device though. Approximately 2 days on a 2915 mAh battery is fine. However, this reviewer cannot help but be scared that it may regress at quick rate as do Apple batteries depreciate over time. Results may vary. The new iOS 8 doesn't really feel that much different than iOS 7, but that is not bad. With some upgrades like Wi-Fi Calling and expanded iCloud support, users can feel comfortable with the moderate progress Apple displays. The new iWatch should expand its features down the road in 2015. The photos are great as stated before. I like the OIS but I feel like Apple needs to leave the 8 MP Camera and expand to more Pixels to produce a 4k display like some of the competition in the market. The device feels like an Apple built product because of the design. Apple doesn't fail when it comes towards making their products feel like a piece of workmanship. However, this reviewer cannot help but think that the iPhone has major progress. When Tim Cook says he is still behind, it hurts my confidence as a consumer because Apple keeps on releasing products with moderate improvements. For example, the RAM is not sufficient enough in the 6+'s sister model. I know that may sound picky, but it's a huge dent in people's wallets. Whether if it's $300 or full retail, people should get their money's worth. I feel like Apple's device is worth $450-$500, but not the full retail price. I feel like the Nexus 5 would be a better bet for those looking to pick up a phone with good specs, but not a huge sticker price. If you want a premium phone, the HTC One M8 or Galaxy Note 4 are better buys. Overall, I give the iPhone 6+ a 7/10. It doesn't deserve a fantastic score, but a 7 is not bad. It does have great improvements with OIS in the camera, increased battery life, and a better display. However, the negatives involve that iOS is still limited, it gradually improves, it lags behind the competition, and the price is too high for the device.

 

[Keirasplace]

Here's my review on the iPhone 6+:

Apple used make great smartphones. With the latest iterations of Apple's newest cell phone, there are people that will be pleased because it finally has the "features" that Android users have enjoyed for years: bigger vibrant screens, NFC, Wi-Fi Calling, etc. However, don't let the package fool you. Although Apple steps up its game to compete with its Android and Windows competitors, I don't feel that it lives up to other flagships. Sure, the iPhone may boast one of the best cameras on the market, but it doesn't make up for the lack of a complete package. First up, when devices are boasting QHD displays, the Retina display doesn't live up to its past reputation. When one looks at other displays, they cannot help but feel that it could've been better. The battery life is good for an Apple device though. Approximately 2 days on a 2915 mAh battery is fine. However, this reviewer cannot help but be scared that it may regress at quick rate as do Apple batteries depreciate over time. Results may vary. The new iOS 8 doesn't really feel that much different than iOS 7, but that is not bad. With some upgrades like Wi-Fi Calling and expanded iCloud support, users can feel comfortable with the moderate progress Apple displays. The new iWatch should expand its features down the road in 2015. The photos are great as stated before. I like the OIS but I feel like Apple needs to leave the 8 MP Camera and expand to more Pixels to produce a 4k display like some of the competition in the market. The device feels like an Apple built product because of the design. Apple doesn't fail when it comes towards making their products feel like a piece of workmanship. However, this reviewer cannot help but think that the iPhone has major progress. When Tim Cook says he is still behind, it hurts my confidence as a consumer because Apple keeps on releasing products with moderate improvements. For example, the RAM is not sufficient enough in the 6+'s sister model. I know that may sound picky, but it's a huge dent in people's wallets. Whether if it's $300 or full retail, people should get their money's worth. I feel like Apple's device is worth $450-$500, but not the full retail price. I feel like the Nexus 5 would be a better bet for those looking to pick up a phone with good specs, but not a huge sticker price. If you want a premium phone, the HTC One M8 or Galaxy Note 4 are better buys. Overall, I give the iPhone 6+ a 7/10. It doesn't deserve a fantastic score, but a 7 is not bad. It does have great improvements with OIS in the camera, increased battery life, and a better display. However, the negatives involve that iOS is still limited, it gradually improves, it lags behind the competition, and the price is too high for the device.

I'll be honest, this doesn't sound like a review of someone who actually handled any version of the phone; very weak writup, don't leave whatever day job you have now. Also, you know, "paragraphs" are your friend.

 

[Djentleman]

Here's my review on the iPhone 6+:

Apple used make great smartphones. With the latest iterations of Apple's newest cell phone, there are people that will be pleased because it finally has the "features" that Android users have enjoyed for years

All I needed was to read that to identity your bias.

It's gotten to the point where every time I see an android user, the image of that annoying pastime where someone being the first to comment on a post saying 'first!', pops into mind. We know Samsung have have had all these features for a while. But the fact is IPhone users havent. We have them now and we'll use them now. I sure as hell didn't even blink an eye not having those features. So that is why we're always happy when they pop up.

Also, like the user before me mentioned: it sounds like it's all just "feel". You haven't even touched the phones yet you've got this vague review voicing the same opinions ever single other opposing phone user has already said.

And paragraphs.

 

[John.B]

My Note 3. Dolphin browser with flash plug-in. Watched all the world cup games that way when I was at work and had a few minutes. Done. Lol.

Yeah, you can sideload Flash, but why is it that no Android phone comes with it installed out of the box? I'm guessing battery life?

Also, why is anyone still broadcasting with it in the first place?

 

[duffman9000]

I expect Apple Pay will drive NFC adoption where Android, etc. never seemed to get any traction. Which, ironically, also benefits people who carry Android phones.

I like to argue with my friends that own Android and Windows phone about NFC. I tell them I've yet to see anyone use NFC to pay for anything despite Android phones comprising a large portion of the market in the US. They tell me well it's because Apple hasn't joined yet. Android already has a large portion of the US market and it still has to wait for Apple to adopt NFC? Are you people fools? Blame Google's poor marketing or wanting to hoard user data for failing to push NFC into the mainstream. Nope, it's still somehow Apple's fault.

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Yeah, you can sideload Flash, but why is it that no Android phone comes with it installed out of the box? I'm guessing battery life?

Also, why is anyone still broadcasting with it in the first place?

Adobe stopped development of mobile Flash. It's over Johnny. It's over!

 

[Tumbleweed666]

My comment to you was based on your statement that Apple users use their phone more, buy more etc. AFAIK that's not really true.

Well, now you'll know better

Apple users (by a long way) use their phones more (as measured by internet access, not sure about phone calls) and spend more money on goods. This has always been the case. The discrepancy all the more surprising when there are several times more Android devices out there than iOS yet despite that iOS is much higher just as an overall total. On a pro-rata basis therefore its hugely higher, probably 4-5x.

Most likely, the segment of Android users using their phones heavily for browing and purchases ina similar way to iOS users is quite small as a proportion of overall Android users, rather than all Android users using it much less.

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/12/06/tech/mobile/ios-android-mobile-shopping/

 

[k995]

I expect Apple Pay will drive NFC adoption where Android, etc. never seemed to get any traction. Which, ironically, also benefits people who carry Android phones.

Lots of people with android phones use nfc .

And I doubt this apple pay is going to get traction besides some US cities .

 

[k995]

You're reading the wrong reviews cos I read that it is a big improvement. Just the fact that it can autofocus instantly and in real time when recording video is a huge leap over the 5s.

Not only is it sticking out (whats annoying a lot of people and apple is actually hiding in pictures)

And all the reviews I have seen are showing it to be an incremental upgrade. Can you show me one where they conclude its an incredible upgrade from the 5s?

 

[Nightarchaon]

What do you do with your phone during that time?

As a 4S user who is still happy with the battery life, I never realized that it was such a huge issue on the 5S. My wife has a 5S (granted, she doesn't use it heavily), and she has never complained.

I usually do nothing, this is my third 5s since launch, at around 1030 when i next use it after initally undocking and looking at over night emails im usually at 70% plus or minus 5%, by midday im hovering around 40% and by 2-4pm depending on how i spend my lunch hour its less than 10% or dead entierly

one thing i have noticed is that my phone get HOT, randomly during the day, sometimes i turn it on just see what the heck its doing.

Bluetooth is Off, WiFi is off and 4G is off (when these were on the phone would be dead before midday)

I live and work near manchester UK, dont listen to music or watch video on the phone...and i never had this problem when i had an android phone (the samsung Galaxy S2)...

Its not just me either, everyone in the office with iPhones , ranging from the 3gs through the 4 and 4s, 5 and 5s all have to start charging sometime in the afternnoon, at around 3pm there is always several emails going around that are requests to borrow apple charging cables so people can get an hour or twos charges before heading for the commute home.

My only guess is that apples test environment, and the people happy with the battery life of the iPhones, all happen to be in "Perfect" signal environments .

Sadly those of us in the real world need batteries that last in real world environments, not perfect apple utopias, which means doubling the battery size and making the phone a little heaver and a little thicker would have been a good thing (also that stupid camera lens bump would have been flush with the device )

 

[rGiskard]

Oh man, a spec counter. It seems you took intentional and conscious effort on seeing the negative, even where there isn't any to see.

Next...

Most of what I listed are not specs.

Curved ergonomic back? Removable battery?

Then there's the quad core CPU running over 2GHz - is that just a "spec"?

Apple's fixation on thin is crippling the competitiveness of their hardware. They could have built a faster A8 if not for the need of a thinner battery. They could make an iPhone that's easy to hold if not for their insistence on thin.

 

[rGiskard]

Do you actually know what the word 'ergonomics' actually means?

Based on that, I’m not sure you’re in position to making comment on what’s best!

Apparently you don't know what it means.

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1. Like you will be able to notice the difference between 1920x1080 and 2560x1440 at that screen size and viewing distance. You won't.
2. iPhone is also very ergonomic
3. 6+ battery is similar capacity (rumored)
4. Removable battery is a definite plus over the iPhone
5. Smoked by dual core 1.4 A8 on the iPhone. Don't believe in the Mhz myth.
6. Different OS's and RAM usage scenarios.

1. Of course you can. Set an iPhone 6 with 326 ppi down next to a 6+ with 401 ppi. The difference is palpable.

2. Ergonomic? Try looking up the definition. NO smart phone on the market is truely ergonomic, but a curved back fits remarkably well in the hand and allows for a lot more battery capacity.

3. Whatever. iPhone battery capacities suck next to Android devices because they're too thin.

5. Undobutedly the difference between the 2+GHz quad core Qualcomm CPU and the A8 is not as great as the MHz suggest. But the A8 is not magical, it cannot compete against a CPU with two extra cores running at a 1 GHz greater frequency.

6. Is that Magic Apple RAM? The fabled silicon that enables 1GB to operate as 3GB? Oh, I guess not. Hey, if iOS can make 1GB perform just like 3GB in an Android device, then imagine what iOS could do with 3GB RAM! iOS would be BETTER than Android, which is after all the goal, isn't it?

 

[rGiskard]

You do know the G3's reviews haven't been that stellar, most people have recommended the much cheaper G2 instead. The G2 for the price IS a great buy.

Anyway,

The Apple CPU will have the best benchmark single core, 100% sure, and probably even multicore (which way less useful past 2 cores) despite having a very low clock speed (its obviously underclocked), and since it seemingly doesn't trottle (because its underclocked), hugely better benchmarks for actual intense use. I'm waiting for Androidy to whine about that one.

I doubt the A8 will keep up on single thread performance, but we'll see. It definitely will be smoked on multi-thread performance, which puts iOS at a disadvantage for multitasking. Android is just getting into multitasking, and at its rate of development it will be rockin' in another year or two, just about the time everyone has powerful quad-core CPUs in their Android devices...

You seem to have little clue what ergonomic actually means. They're all flat slabs with minor differences in border shape and button placement and some slight dimensional differences. Main advantage is 6+'s thinness coupled with smouther edges makes it quite easy to hold, beyond that hey, comes down to personal preference.

Agree that no smart phone on the market has good ergonomics, but some of the one's with curved backs are definitely easier to hold, with the bonus of having greater battery capacity. I recommend you go hold them in your hand, you'll be amazed at the difference.

Since the 6+ seemingly has an incredibly stingy CPU tightly integrated with the OS, it could pass all other phones even with a smaller battery.

Android L is going to change that with the introduction of ART (Android Run Time). The performance gains are huge.


[QUOTE
I've never even slapped on a new battery even if feature phones (when I could). Having to open the phone because it killed its battery is basically a real crappy design. Better to make it last longer... Which apple seemingly has put a good effort doing this time.[/QUOTE]
After a year or so Li-Ion capacity suffers cycle decline, but whatever.

If you use your phone enough that your running your battery down every day, maybe carrying a 10000 battery pack that can recharge your phone when you're not using it, is the way to go. That way you could play tombaider all day long on your phone without changing the battery 3 or 4 times.

Nah, I'd rather be able to replace my old battery with a minium of fuss. If I'll be away from a charger, I can pack an extra battery. Far more elegant..

Android needs more Ram just to function decently. You know that, yet you put that in for well... Who knows what reason really. The Note 3 was sluggish (so says reviews) despite having gobs of Ram.

Agreed that Android is currently sluggish and in need of optimization. That doesn't mean Apple should gimp our iPhones. I want Apple to dominate the market, which means making hardware that CRUSHES Android devices in every respect.

I also believe the App Store tends to mask our view of iPhone performance. Since sluggish apps are not approved, we never notice hardware limitations. Instead of the normal developing process where new features are added and hardware must catch up, it's reversed, with new hardware enabling new software features. Thus if Apple actually did introduce a new iPhone with 4GB RAM and a 2GHz quad-core CPU, we would only notice it in the form of new app capabilities.

 

[John.B]

Lots of people with android phones use nfc .

And I doubt this apple pay is going to get traction besides some US cities .

There are dozens of major national retailers with NFC-capable terminals built into their card readers that haven't even bothered to turn it on. Best Buy as one obvious example. The list of major national retailers who support NFC payments fits on one keynote slide, fergodssakes!

Sure, technerds go out of their way to do this because, well... Technology! And yet it hasn't caught fire in the real world of retailing, Android phone support or no.

You want proof? When Subway just recently announced they were partnering with Softcard (formerly "Isis", how unfortunate was that name choice!) to roll out NFC payments to 26,000 restaurants in October it became the headline for every retail website and blog on the planet, in addition to the NFC blogs and tech websites. If NFC were ubiquitous, the Subway announcement wouldn't merit a blip on the radar.

 

[Moto G]

"My Intel processor has MMX and Hyperthreading"

"Well my computer has SATA ports"

"Yeah? Well my processor has 256K L2 cache"




These "points" never fail to rear their ugly heads, upon every new hardware release. People attempting to upstage one another in an eternal cycle of foolish irrelevancies and up-staging.

If you enjoy the whole experience, it matters not. I own a Moto G, and I also own iOS devices. I enjoy the experience of each for its' own individual merits, within the context of what I use it for.

Meh... think up some other way to "prove" what is "better" - these silly tactics are born from pride, and never succeed in swaying one's opinion.

Self-serving tripe. Enjoy your device, and let everyone else enjoy theirs, without squashing them and making them feel like an idiot for not aligning their views with your impossibly high, "always correct" opinions.

PS: When someone says "Here's proof" or "Want proof?" or when they DEMAND you "show me proof?" (usually suffixed with a thousand exclamation marks), you'd do well to politely decline their offer of "proof", and move on... as if you NEED to meet some random person's continually changing level of expectation and "approval".

 

[toke lahti]

If you read any further you would have seen that I did not suggest getting rid of Touch ID.

Yep, putting home button to backside would leave the whole front for screen. Why not?

I'm just sad that 6+ has even worse screen-on battery time than 5S.
Somebody should should make a exit poll when 6+ buyers come out of Apple store and ask, would they rather buy 1mm thicker phone, if they get 50% more battery capacity. I bet most of them would say yes.

Maybe Apple should understand that since there are "heavy users" that want bigger screen and 128GB of memory, they would also like to use the phone as long as those "not heavy users". 2mm more thickness to 128GB model and double the battery capacity!