iPhone 6+ Lag

[yezza]

Still about a week before mine arrives, but based on all comments I've read, my current belief is that there is some variation in performance. If everyone was getting the same lag as some of the worst case claims, it would be impossible for anyone not to notice.

I find it amusing that those with lag accuse those who claim they have none of being blind, or oblivious to the problem.

 

[AppleRobert]

Still about a week before mine arrives, but based on all comments I've read, my current belief is that there is some variation in performance. If everyone was getting the same lag as some of the worst case claims, it would be impossible for anyone not to notice.

I find it amusing that those with lag accuse those who claim they have none of being blind, or oblivious to the problem.

And Apple would have a boatload of returns.

Still awaiting videos, I don't have to provide one since I ain't the accuser!

I'm no fanboy either, I've owned a good part of the last 10 android flagship smartphones!

 

[2IS]

Still about a week before mine arrives, but based on all comments I've read, my current belief is that there is some variation in performance. If everyone was getting the same lag as some of the worst case claims, it would be impossible for anyone not to notice.

I find it amusing that those with lag accuse those who claim they have none of being blind, or oblivious to the problem.

Considering the lengths some people on here go to to defend Apple, it's far more likely than not likely that those that don't notice it or blind or oblivious.

 

[vito]

Considering the lengths some people on here go to to defend Apple, it's far more likely than not likely that those that don't notice it or blind or oblivious.

Or here's a thought - there is no lag, at least not on my 6+

Why is it so hard to believe that some users don't have an issue or in their opinion they don't "see" it. Guess we're all lying to defend Apple.

 

[cmanbrazil]

This is a good read. It's like watching a good tennis match.# I do notice some of the issues. I also noticed them on the Samsung note I played with at best buy. Hopefully the difference will be that Apple addresses the issue where Samsung hasn't.

 

[2IS]

Or here's a thought - there is no lag, at least not on my 6+

Doubtful considering I've yet to see a 6+ that doesn't have odd issues with jittering and stutter. Perhaps Apple made a select few Super 6 Plus phones and you were lucky enough to get one, but again... Doubtful

 

[vito]

Doubtful considering I've yet to see a 6+ that doesn't have odd issues with jittering and stutter. Perhaps Apple made a select few Super 6 Plus phones and you were lucky enough to get one, but again... Doubtful

Just reiterating my personal experience that on my device I don't see it and there are others who think likewise on this forum.

This is not to say that you personally don't have an issue or perceive there to be one.

Super 6 Plus is for next year

Some videos would go a long way in demonstrating the issue.

 

[Zinthar]

Or here's a thought - there is no lag, at least not on my 6+

Why is it so hard to believe that some users don't have an issue or in their opinion they don't "see" it. Guess we're all lying to defend Apple.

I'm a pretty big Apple fan, and am still considering switching to a 6 Plus (from the 6 that I picked up yesterday), but I find the stuttering in the 6 Plus during certain scenarios to be readily apparent.

I can easily believe that many, if not the majority, of consumers (and even people on MR) can't see much of the stuttering. It's one of those things that some people are more sensitive to than others. I've had friends who swore that their older Android devices never showed any lag, only to switch to iOS (or a newer and much more powerful Android device) and then they suddenly realized their prior phone was "laggy".

The latency and/or stuttering is most apparent when compared directly against the iPhone 6, which is the smoothest and best-performing mobile device I've yet encountered. It also doesn't appear everywhere, but is quite noticeable when scrolling through down a large website, changing wallpapers, switching to landscape mode, and occasionally when bringing up the app switcher and control center.

That said, the 6 Plus has numerous advantages over the 6, including the sharper display and 20-40% better battery life.

 

[madKIR]

Yesterday I realized that there is a difference between zoomed and standard views in terms of performance! If you're on the standard one opening new tabs in Safari doesn't show any lag while the other one experiences it all the time.
Might be the reason why some people see it and others don't.

 

[qnet]

I have my 6+ and really like it a lot. However, like many of you it does stutter and lag every once in a while but not all the time. It sort of reminds me of the way Android lags on occasion, although IMO Kit kat (Android 4.4) is not nearly as bad anymore.

It's weird, because sometimes it's just like the old IOS, buttery smooth, but then it stutters and catches back up. What I like is, when it's not lagging, which isn't a lot, it's smooth like no other mobile OS, just like previous Iphones.

It not enough to bother me but I really do hope they send out another update, and not leave it like this. Part of the reason I chose an Iphone 6+ was for the buttery smoothness of IOS.

What's funny about this thread is, you guys are reminding me of when I'm on the Android forums, the way you're going back and forth.

 

[ZBoater]

What lag?

 

[Zinthar]

Yesterday I realized that there is a difference between zoomed and standard views in terms of performance! If you're on the standard one opening new tabs in Safari doesn't show any lag while the other one experiences it all the time.
Might be the reason why some people see it and others don't.

The fact that zoomed performs better despite also requiring some downscaling (from 2001x1125 to 1080p) makes me hopeful that poor optimization by Apple for the standard point count of the 6 Plus (736x414) is much of the problem. When in zoomed mode, the 6 Plus simply uses the standard point count of the 4.7" 6 (667x375) and runs it @3x.

 

[madKIR]

The fact that zoomed performs better despite also requiring some downscaling (from 2001x1125 to 1080p) makes me hopeful that poor optimization by Apple for the standard point count of the 6 Plus (736x414) is much of the problem. When in zoomed mode, the 6 Plus simply uses the standard point count of the 4.7" 6 (667x375) and runs it @3x.

my point was that it does lag in zoomed mode while opening a new tab in Safari

 

[NIKKG]

I have and currently use the ATT Galaxy Note 3 since last year. The first 5 months my GPS didn't work right because the ATT version had messed up firmware that didn't work right with the GPS and they didn't fix it till many months later. Me and my friend had the same exact issue with the same phone. By the time the Kitkat upgrade came out, it fixed the GPS issue but I kept getting other problems with the phone like the camera taking a long time to save pictures to the sd card.

After switching it out at the ATT repair center for all these issues, they gave me another Note 3 and the same issues kept coming back a couple months later. I switched it again last week, it seems to be fine now, but I still don't trust it.

Basically, what I'm saying is, the iphone might be laggy now, but at least Apple works on fixing the issues quickly unlike Samsung or ATT where I had to wait till the Note 4 comes out by the time they get around fixing all the problems I had with the Note 3.

From now on I'll stick to either iPhone or Nexus. At least with Nexus you get timely updates and no bloatware from Samsung and ATT.

 

[cc999]

clock speed

the iphone 6 and 6+ have the same A8 SOC and yet the + powers a display with 2x the pixels. and then it would have downscale it to 1080p.

makes sense that it lags.

Even worse for the plus users the 6 is actually clocked at a slightly higher CPU speed. The 6 has absolutely no lag ever.

CC

 

[TommyA6]

Even worse for the plus users the 6 is actually clocked at a slightly higher CPU speed. The 6 has absolutely no lag ever.

CC

No...

 

[MatthewStorm]

It has nothing to do with impatience. It has to do with the worst performing new iPhone ever released in the history of iPhones. If you weren't an Apple apologist you'd recognize the nature of these complaints.

Now that gave me a good laugh. I'm not an Apple anything. I've been an Android user for the last couple of years. I had every iPhone up to and including the 5 which I had for 2 weeks before returning and switching. I was so tired of having a phone I couldn't use in a business setting. I came to understand why Verizon viewed the iPhone as a joke.

But having had every top tier Android made over the last 2 years and now switching to the iPhone 6 + it makes me laugh when someone talks about lag. This is the fastest phone I've used. Hands down. Nothing is perfect and sure it takes a second sometimes for the screen to rotate but jeez people. Get a frigging life. If you're not complaining about 1 thing you're complaining about something else.

So for you to say this is about the worst performing iPhone ever released well, that makes me question your intelligence level. Sure, Apple has made some serious SNAFU'S with regard to iOS 8. But to call the 6+ the worst iPhone ever?

For me, a switcher from Android to the Dark Side, this is the best iPhone I've ever seen.

But keep in mind I'm an adult in a business world and not a tweener. So what could I possibly know.

 

[ZBoater]

Apparently if you don't buy into the mindless Apple hate, you are an Apple apologist.

I'm sorry some think that.

Get it? Apologist? I'm sorry? That's funny right there.

 

[Zinthar]

my point was that it does lag in zoomed mode while opening a new tab in Safari

Oh, lol -- I completely misread your post.

----------

After spending some more time at the Apple Store this evening after work playing with the 6 Plus, I'm starting to lean more towards switching from my 6. The stutter is definitely still there, but I could get used to it and ignore it.

 

[cc999]

Clock speed

No...

Same exact chip slightly faster clock speed on the 6. (something like 1.38 vs 1.36)

Bottom line is the same chip has allot of more work to do with the larger
screen size and the higher resolution. I went to the Apple store and went through the steps of testing each the 6 and the 6 plus. The only thing I can see that would be better is the battery life (bigger battery). The 6 plus had a definite lag, those of you that do not see this are in denial period. The 6 was much snappier. Settled on the 6 and have had it for a week now. Battery life is unreal and the phone is the fastest I have ever seen (Had top of the line Androids last 2 years). There is absolutely no lag at all. The lag and phone size were my determining factor as I use for business and personal.

Hopefully its a software tweak that can be done to fix the problem.

CC

 

[BlueGoldAce]

Same exact chip slightly faster clock speed on the 6. (something like 1.38 vs 1.36)

Bottom line is the same chip has allot of more work to do with the larger
screen size and the higher resolution. I went to the Apple store and went through the steps of testing each the 6 and the 6 plus. The only thing I can see that would be better is the battery life (bigger battery). The 6 plus had a definite lag, those of you that do not see this are in denial period. The 6 was much snappier. Settled on the 6 and have had it for a week now. Battery life is unreal and the phone is the fastest I have ever seen (Had top of the line Androids last 2 years). There is absolutely no lag at all. The lag and phone size were my determining factor as I use for business and personal.

Hopefully its a software tweak that can be done to fix the problem.

CC

We all respect your decision.

That being said, simple logic dictates it is a software problem. You don't have to be a computer programer, or engineer to realize this. If the iPad air can handle iOS 8 flawlessly, yet the iPhone 6 has some lag, and the 6+ even more lag...what does that tell you?

I have both phones, and both have lag.

If the apple A7 chip can handle iOS 8 better, on the iPAD air, than the A8 in the new iPhones...its a software issue. Plain and simple.

 

[jetlitheone]

Notice some annoying animations. Literally like 4 or so I can thing of. This can be fixed imo with an update. As far as lag I don't see it.

I have a 6 as well and it doesn't hiccup on animations as much but it does have issues as well. iOS 8 as a whole is pretty buggy. Which makes sense since it's much more open now.

 

[Steviejobz]

Did fair amount of testing and only stutter I've seen was in one game - Asphalt. Have yet to be able to replicate any others at this time.

 

[itjw]

And there were very few people who actually returned their phones over "Antennagate" or "Scuffgate" too.

The number of returns is NOT indicative of a problem when you are talking about something OCD related like jittering and stuttering.

Look, even as someone who would never buy a Plus, I can say it's not THAT bad. I can also understand why a lot of folks might not think they notice it.

The lag problem is something unnacceptable to people who expect their $1000 gadget to not perform worse than it's stablemate (and it does...). It's a drawback of constant downscaling, and the result of Apple cheaping out on the screen. A 5.5" 1080 panel is much more available and less expensive than a 5.5" qHD.

Thanks to that decision, the Plus has permanent issues with downscaling.

It bugs me. It bugged my brother enough to return his, and it obviously isn't device specific because I can demonstrate it on any Plus.

It is PERSON specific however, and just because it "doesn't bother" some people or they "can't notice it" doesn't mean it's not there.

Again, if you can live with it, great. I wouldn't, and most other folks who care about the "smoothness" that has always been a hallmark of iOS wouldn't either, but it's your phone.

Your giant, laggy, jittery, phone. But your choice none the less.

 

[Imory]

Prior to the iPhone 4, all iPhone displays were 480x320 and that matched exactly the number of virtual "points" that developers designed around. When Apple doubled the vertical and horizontal pixel count of the iPhone 4 to 960x640, they kept the 480x320 points intact and simply had the iPhone 4 scale UI elements x2 so that a 1x1 point came out as exactly 2x2 pixels on the device and the device had 326ppi.

For the iPhone 5, Apple just increased the resolution to 1136x640 and the points to 568x320 -- this kept the scaling factor for the phone @ 2x again and maintained 326ppi. Legacy apps simply ran letterboxed until updated.

With iPhone 6 (4.7"), Apple increased the resolution to 1334x750 and increased the points to 667x375, and again kept the scaling factor @2x with 326ppi. Apps updated to take advantage of this point target will be able to display ~38% more content than 4" iPhones because of the point increase (667x375 vs. 568x320).

With the 6 Plus, the display resolution is 1920x1080, but the rendering resolution is actually 2208x1242. This came about because Apple wanted to be able to display more content on 6 Plus for obvious reasons, and thus needed a higher point count than 667x375. The number they settled on was 736x414, which ends up showing about 22% more content than the 4.7" iPhone 6 and 68% more than the 4" iPhones. With a 736x414 point count, Apple could have chosen @ 2x scaling, but it would have resulted in a 1472x828 display for a 5.5" phone -- far too low of a ppi. So they went up to @ 3x and had the phone render at 2208x1242.

Presumably 2208x1242 displays were too difficult for Apple's partners to make in sufficient quantity for the 6 Plus launch, so Apple used more readily available 1080p displays and has the phone render at 2208x1242 and then downscale by ~15% to hit 1080p.

Anyway, TL;DR -- because of the way iOS and its point system works, UI elements for the iPhone 6 Plus in standard mode *must* be 736x414. The only future alternative is for Apple to pick some other point target that scales evenly with 1080p, but that probably isn't feasible because it would result in UI elements that are either far too large or small depending on the point targets chosen. For instance, they could have chosen 960x540 and scaled @ 2x, but this would have made all of the UI elements tiny and unusable. 640x360 @ 3x is also an option, but this would have resulted in the 6 Plus displaying less content than the 4.7" phone, which obviously wouldn't work.

Edit: Apologies to any iOS developers if I misused the terminology (I'm an engineer, but in a different field) -- please correct me if there's an error with this explanation.

I might be off here, but I thought its actual resolution was 2208*1242, but then downscaling to 1080p? So the screen itself is actually a 2208*1242 screen?

"The use of the 2208x1242 resolution with downscaling should also have a similar effect to FSAA (Full Screen Anti-Aliasing), which will reduce the effects of aliasing on the display."

- Anandtechs 6 Plus Mini-Review.