iPhone 6, is it worth 150-200% the price of Android high-end phones?

[Technarchy]

If the S5 is similar to the S4, then it's crap.

S4 is a complete turd. Worst phone I owned in years.

S5 is quite good. It replaced my iPhone 5S, and was such a good performer that it convinced me to return the iPhone 6 during the 14 day Window and stick with the S5.

My S5 was replaced by the Note 4 a few days ago.

 

[Bahroo]

Your Galaxy S4 was laggy not because of the Android OS per se but because of Samsung's Laggy Touchwiz skin, so you should just avoid the Galaxy devices on your list. My HTC phone doesn't lag and is a joy to use.

Since you care about one-handed use, you should go for the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact. It has fantastic reviews and is the only small Android phone with flagship performance. Its price in your country is right, too.

I actually had a Galaxy S4 that was tweaked (not even rooted), I disabled and uninstalled any applications i didnt use and any nonsense (I had about 50 applications disabled on my Galaxy S4) and used TouchWiz launcher, had developer options on with animations all set at 0.5x speed, and turned off nonsense Eye scroll and those gimmick Samsung features and my Galaxy S4 was actually really snappy and relatively smooth

out the box though the Galaxy S4 is a unoptimized stuttery mess

 

[zhenya]

I've read that the iPhone 6 battery is similar to the one in the iPhone 5s, perhaps slightly better, and that the iPhone 6 Plus has indeed a better battery life.

Having owned the 5/5S/and now 6, I can say that the 6 (not 6+) has considerably better battery life than previous phones. I am in no way a heavy user, so standby life is important to me, but on my 5S I typically got ~5 hours of usage and ~1.5 days of total off-charger time. The 6 gets ~8 hours of usage and 2-2.5 days off-charger time.

 

[takeshi74]

iPhone 6, is it worth 150-200% the price of Android high-end phones?

I just want to make sure that I am buying the best phone in the market

Worth, better, etc are all highly subjective regardless of topic. You can't just poll others. There are those with Android devices that are happy with them. There are those that can't stand the Android options out there. There are those that are unhappy no matter what they pick. There are those that also fall into other groups. We can't tell you what group you fall into.

You're best equipped to make this assessment on your own. You know your former experience. You know what you're expecting. Make your decision based on that.

Since you can't try the various options out for yourself you basically just have to decide which is more important to you: paying more for the experience you want or saving money and running the risk of not getting the experience you want.

 

[tdale]

One aspect that's changed rapidly in the last year is the collapse of iPhone resale value. Therefore its crucial that one chooses wisely. I used to be able to resell my excellent condition phone after the first six months for a price close to what I paid. Apple was known for their high resale prices.

Those days are over.

Now on the wholesale market my $1,035 iPhone is only worth a paltry $430, that's as of yesterday. Therefore if one is going to spend a vast amount of money on an iPhone, it's best to be aware that you'll take a massive loss if you attempt to get out of it. iPhone's have lost their value.

I have noticed that, BUT only now, and due to the much greater differences with the iPhone 6 and Plus, many are upgrading, more than usual, so you end up with a lot of 5S and 5 being dumped onto the second hand market.

I expect the high resale values will return.

I used to pay NZ$1300 for the iPhone 64 or iPad 64, sell $800 after one year. Sold 5S64 for NZ$550 this year

 

[teknikal90]

those prices are ridiculous.
if i was in brazil, with those prices, i wouldnt stick with iOS.

EDIT: having said that, based on your sig, you're used to spending that amount of money every year (iphone 5 and iphone 5s).
in which, case, go for it.
a $500 saving probably means nothing to you

 

[skaertus]

those prices are ridiculous.
if i was in brazil, with those prices, i wouldnt stick with iOS.

EDIT: having said that, based on your sig, you're used to spending that amount of money every year (iphone 5 and iphone 5s).
in which, case, go for it.
a $500 saving probably means nothing to you

Yes, I am spending a lot of money every year. In US dollars. This year, however, local currency is devaluated, and the prices are higher than ever. The iPhone 6 is about 30-40% more expensive than the iPhone 5 was at launch (even though the prices in US dollars are kept more or less the same).

 

[SMIDG3T]

Why the hell is it so much more expensive in Brazil? Here in the US I paid $650 for a 16GB iPhone 6. In Brazil it cost $1100? That's an insane jump.

You obviously didn't read the post. It's because of the high taxes in Brazil.

 

[iolinux333]

Well, it's not that expensive that it justifies the air ticket price...

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That is precisely my question.

I do own an iPhone 5 and I do not want to downgrade to a worse experience than I have now. However, smarphones that cost the same as the iPhone 6 in the US are selling for much less in Brazil. Do they provide a similar experience?

I tried the Samsung Galaxy S4 before and, despite many people saying it was better than the iPhone, I found the experience of using it mediocre.

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I use the smartphone to check e-mails, browse the Internet, maps, alarm clock, some office stuff and some other stuff. General use, but very heavy use.

I don't take too many photos, so the camera quality is not really an issue here. The camera in the iPhone 5 is good enough; of course a better camera would be welcome, but this is not a deal breaker.

The deal breaker here is the ergonomics and user experience. I tried a Samsung Galaxy S4 and it was not smooth. It was slow, the touch screen was crap and not precise enough, the user interface was crap, it was a nightmare to hold in the hands, not comfortable at all. I gave up and bought an iPhone 5.

I don't want the same experience to be replicated here. The new Droid Turbo, for instance, seems to beat the iPhone 6 in terms of specs. But the Galaxy S4 was also better than the iPhone 5 on paper; however, it was a mediocre phone in real usage.

I also want the best phone on the market. Last year the choice was obvious, it was the iPhone 5s, so I bought that. This year, the choice is not obvious. I think, probably, the best phone in existence, overall, right now, is the Xperia Z3. However I am waiting for the Z4, which hopefully will be announced soon. I am waiting for this reason: it is expected to have the new asymmetric USB 3.1 connector.

I always despised connecting mini/microUSB.

And I am so excited to have a waterproof phone with global graphic EQ AGAIN!!!!

No more awful sound! No more ziploc baggies to protect the phone!!!

 

[sunking101]

I also want the best phone on the market. Last year the choice was obvious, it was the iPhone 5s, so I bought that. This year, the choice is not obvious. I think, probably, the best phone in existence, overall, right now, is the Xperia Z3. However I am waiting for the Z4, which hopefully will be announced soon. I am waiting for this reason: it is expected to have the new asymmetric USB 3.1 connector.

I always despised connecting mini/microUSB.

And I am so excited to have a waterproof phone with global graphic EQ AGAIN!!!!

No more awful sound! No more ziploc baggies to protect the phone!!!

Those nasty port covers though...
I would pay $150 extra to have a non-waterproof Xperia.

 

[iososx]

I expect the high resale values will return.

I used to pay NZ$1300 for the iPhone 64 or iPad 64, sell $800 after one year. Sold 5S64 for NZ$550 this year

I doubt resale prices will increase now that it's Samsung and Google who are the primary innovators.

Apple is too busy putting the lions share of their profits into their cash hoard as opposed to R&D. It's understandable given Apple's high priority on bragging rights as the wealthiest company on earth.

They've spent the last few years convincing people it's not about the specs. It's about being cool, being seen with the coveted Apple logo and a very shiny metal phone...

 

[yjchua95]

I doubt resale prices will increase now that it's Samsung and Google who are the primary innovators.

Apple is too busy putting the lions share of their profits into their cash hoard as opposed to R&D. It's understandable given Apple's high priority on bragging rights as the wealthiest company on earth.

They've spent the last few years convincing people it's not about the specs. It's about being cool, being seen with the coveted Apple logo and a very shiny metal phone...

And it's also about what you're able to do with your iPhone, along with other devices in the ecosystem.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQBTd4xF6tU&spfreload=10

 

[skaertus]

I doubt resale prices will increase now that it's Samsung and Google who are the primary innovators.



Apple is too busy putting the lions share of their profits into their cash hoard as opposed to R&D. It's understandable given Apple's high priority on bragging rights as the wealthiest company on earth.



They've spent the last few years convincing people it's not about the specs. It's about being cool, being seen with the coveted Apple logo and a very shiny metal phone...

Apple is indeed putting a lot of effort in marketing and branding instead of development. The products are cool but not necessarily the best from a technological point of view. The iPhone 5c was the pinnacle of this strategy, and I hope it has embarassed Apple enough so it never does this kind of thing again.

As for Samsung, I see it beefing up the phone to market a better phone than Apple does, at least on paper. But the end result is a fiasco.

 

[daviddcmd]

I switched from the Iphone 5 two years ago to the HTC One. Since I was not used to Android I found it not to my liking. Last year I tried it again and this time I stuck with it longer. I will never go back to the Iphone now. I have a Sony Z3 and the build quality is outstanding. 3GB Ram, 20MP Camera, 128GB SD card, all the Apps I need and it's cheaper that the Iphone 6. YMMV but I like tinkering with my phone and you just can't do that without jailbreaking and Itunes is awful.

All I can say is if you do switch to Android give it some time before you give up on it.

 

[teknikal90]

And it's also about what you're able to do with your iPhone, along with other devices in the ecosystem.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQBTd4xF6tU&spfreload=10

here in canada, I can't get an iphone without having to pay $85/month for just a 1gb plan, in addition to paying $300-$400 of upfront downpayment.
Alternatively, I can get a 2gb plan for $70 if I instead opt for the HTC one M8, with a $250-$300 downpayment.

the technical differences between the two aren't that great. In fact, many argue the cheaper alternative is the better product.

If the price trend continues without any further differentiation, a lot of the things you see on that video/ecosystem will make the jump to the lower priced HTC & co., simply because it's getting more and more difficult to choose iPhone over the competition.

 

[skaertus]

I switched from the Iphone 5 two years ago to the HTC One. Since I was not used to Android I found it not to my liking. Last year I tried it again and this time I stuck with it longer. I will never go back to the Iphone now. I have a Sony Z3 and the build quality is outstanding. 3GB Ram, 20MP Camera, 128GB SD card, all the Apps I need and it's cheaper that the Iphone 6. YMMV but I like tinkering with my phone and you just can't do that without jailbreaking and Itunes is awful.



All I can say is if you do switch to Android give it some time before you give up on it.

You end up liking Android better than iOS then? I felt that Android was not polished enough, but perhaps it has improved.

 

[01silver4]

You end up liking Android better than iOS then? I felt that Android was not polished enough, but perhaps it has improved.

Don't know about improvement. Watch my buddy try to use is Touch ID on is note4 took him more than four try's for him to unlock is phone. My Touch ID on my 6+ works every time with one try no problem at all.

 

[mib1800]

Don't know about improvement. Watch my buddy try to use is Touch ID on is note4 took him more than four try's for him to unlock is phone. My Touch ID on my 6+ works every time with one try no problem at all.

The trick with note4 swipe finger print sensor is to register 2x for the same finger - once vertically and one at 45 degree angle. I have done this and now it gets it right the first time most of the time

 

[CEmajr]

Don't know about improvement. Watch my buddy try to use is Touch ID on is note4 took him more than four try's for him to unlock is phone. My Touch ID on my 6+ works every time with one try no problem at all.

Yeah the implementation used by Samsung is far inferior to Touch ID. Apple really nailed it home with that one and it seems difficult for Samsung to emulate.

 

[JoeG4]

No, $750 is a bit insane for a 16gb 6+. Then again, it's insane for all the other $750 phones too

 

[01silver4]

The trick with note4 swipe finger print sensor is to register 2x for the same finger - once vertically and one at 45 degree angle. I have done this and now it gets it right the first time most of the time

I will let him know your technique for getting the Touch ID to work on is note 4 for sure. The Touch ID on my 6+ I don't even have to think about it, I just place my finger on the sensor and my phone unlocks every time.

 

[mib1800]

I will let him know your technique for getting the Touch ID to work on is note 4 for sure. The Touch ID on my 6+ I don't even have to think about it, I just place my finger on the sensor and my phone unlocks every time.

I know. Iphone TouchID is definitely better than the swipe one on the note4.

 

[sunking101]

When I had my iPhone 5 people were telling me that the upgrade to the 5S was worth it for Touch ID alone.
Well, now I finally have Touch ID with the 6+ I just don't use it. I did store my prints and tried it out for a few days but since reinstalling iOS 8.1.2 I haven't bothered setting Touch ID up again. I find that regularly typing passwords is a good way to help remember them and besides, I set a blistering pace at unlocking my phone with a 4-digit PIN.

Touch ID did perform well though, and it recognised my prints straightaway a good 95% of the time.

 

[IHelpId10t5]

Yes, an iPhone is worth the cost!

Until you can install iOS on Android hardware there is no comparison. I like my phone to work reliably and securely every day with a consistent UI. Android can't provide any of that.

 

[Shanghaichica]

The trick with note4 swipe finger print sensor is to register 2x for the same finger - once vertically and one at 45 degree angle. I have done this and now it gets it right the first time most of the time

I've heard that the scanner on the note 4 is an improvement on the S5. The S5 one is definitely useable. However it often took more than one swipe to unlock my phone. Also on the S5 you could only register 3 prints (note 4?) so registering the same finger twice is a waste imo. I've used the finger print scanner on the 5S, 6 plus and iPad mini 3 and they run rings around the one on the S5. Now the one on the S5 is useable, I left it on and it didn't bother me but the iPhone one is infinitely better. Also Samsung need to give it more functions other than unlocking your phone and buying things from their App Store. I never got the PayPal thing to work, maybe it doesn't work in the UK?

Granted Apple pay doesn't work in the UK yet but being able to use it for App Store and iTunes purchases is really useful as I have a long password.