iPhone 6 vs. iPhone 6s Buyer's Guide

[MacRumors]

Apple's smartphones have been released on a "tick-tock" cycle since 2008. The iPhone 6 lineup represented a "tick" year, which involved a complete design overhaul, while the iPhone 6s lineup was part of a "tock" year, which generally focused on camera and processor improvements, new features such as 3D Touch and Live Photos, and incremental refinements like faster Touch ID, LTE, and Wi-Fi.

From a distance, the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s lineups look and feel like virtually identical smartphones. It is true that both models share several attributes, but the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus have many features that are not included on the year-older iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. So, which one should you choose to purchase or upgrade to? What about the rumored iPhone SE and iPhone 7? Let's take a closer look.Click here to read more...

Article Link: iPhone 6 vs. iPhone 6s Buyer's Guide

 

[GreyOS]

Do people really see it that the S jump is better performance wise than the design jumps? 4S to 5 was hefty

 

[2457282]

Do people really see it that the S jump is better performance wise than the design jumps? 4S to 5 was hefty

I buy the iPhone every year since I am able to give my 1 year old phone to my wife who then gives her two year old phone to her mother. We are therefore able to give a "new" phone to everyone, every year, for the price of just one phone.

Having said that the S year is always interesting because the physical form does not change but so much else does. For example, in the 6S the faster Touch ID and the better camera were significant for me. The 3D touch thing and the live picture thing - dont really care for them yet. The number years are always fun because of the physical changes to the phone. Obviously there is a lot more going on each year, but it is my impression that number years seem to focus on the physical and the S year seem to focus on the feature. As far as performance goes, every year is a performance increase.

 

[err404]

Do people really see it that the S jump is better performance wise than the design jumps? 4S to 5 was hefty

When I jumped from 4 to 5, I felt that my 4 was really suffering in speed at the end. The same thing happened with my 3G after 2 years.
By comparison the "s" cycle has never felt the same sluggishness after only 2 years.
Personally I feel that the "s" cycle has been more reliable build, with fewer issues. But I'm still a sucker for a new design.

 

[stevemiller]

That cpu performance graph is kinda misleading in favour of the 6, it shows as much or greater of a step up in performance as previous generations, when I'm pretty sure it was only a modest improvement over the 5S.

 

[BMcCoy]

Do people really see it that the S jump is better performance wise than the design jumps? 4S to 5 was hefty

In the two previous 's' release, it WAS.

The 4s and 5s iPhones remain the best iPhone releases so far, when judged against timing, context and predecessor.

They both saw a bigger percentage leap in CPU and GPU than any other iPhone release.
They also fixed design 'flaws/quirks' as well as introducing supremely good new features (Siri/Touch ID).

The 6s has been somewhat poorer received, reflecting some antipathy towards the fairly agreed 6-series design mistakes (camera lens protrusion, antenna lines, poor ergonomic handling because of curved phone edges, etc etc) and very little in the way of innovation, especially at a time when competitors phones really are innovating, and arguably jumping ahead of Apple. 3D Touch is not a game-changing feature, no matter how much you wish it were.

The arguments of thinness vs. battery life will continue, despite us knowing where Apple have laid their vision.

The camera is clearly an area of interest for Apple, and I think innovations or developments in the camera will be a big part of future iPhone releases.

- But what really has become clear is that one size does not fit all. There are strong opinions about device size/screen size across the customer base, much like there would be about any consumer IT product. And features that some love, others have no use for. The absolute must for Apple is to recognise this, and balance their product design accordingly.
Oh, and bump the starting memory from 16 to 32GB. This is 2016 ffs.

 

[GreyOS]

In the two previous 's' release, it WAS.

The 4s and 5s iPhones remain the best iPhone releases so far, when judged against timing, context and predecessor.

They both saw a bigger percentage leap in CPU and GPU than any other iPhone release.
They also fixed design 'flaws/quirks' as well as introducing supremely good new features (Siri/Touch ID).

iPhone 5 was 2x CPU, 2x GPU, 2x RAM, bigger screen.

I think 4s to 5 was just as good a jump as 4 to 4s and 5 to 5s. 5s to 6 was lacklustre definitely.

iPhone 5 was the first iPhone to get a full 4 years of great performance imo (assuming it continues to run well for at least the rest of iOS 9's life). Let's not forget it!

Fingers crossed 7 is more like 5 than 6.

 

[nilk]

If you are trying to decide between the two and can afford either, just get the 6s, it's that much better of a phone.

I went from 6 to 6s. I didn't like the 6 -- performance felt like a regression for a model that was just released. I think 1GB of RAM was holding it back. I was using Touch ID for the first time (had a 4s before that) and it was slow enough to be annoying. I was getting used to the size change which took significant adjustment until I was comfortable, so that contributed to my dislike.

The 6s is a significantly better phone. Performance is great, Touch ID is nearly instantaneous, 3D Touch is very useful to me (YMMV), the camera is fantastic, cellular reception is better. And I guess I've learned the contortions necessary to use it one handed well enough that it's not too annoying anymore, though the weight increase from 6 -> 6s was noticeable and I like the lighter weight better (that's the only thing I can complain about with the 6s).

Despite my disappointment with the 6, I'm probably going to upgrade every year from now on. I used to hold on to my phones as long as I could stand to, but that just isn't worth it for me. For me, it's worth spending the money to have the fastest possible device. With the iPhone Upgrade Program, it's very convenient and trade-in costs difference vs selling it yourself are negligible (you're paying a little more to have no hassles), and you're not locked to a specific carrier which is nice.

 

[CostaMoses]

the pricing for the 6s+ is incorrect and listed as:

• iPhone 6s Plus (16GB): $749
• iPhone 6s Plus (16GB): $849
• iPhone 6s Plus (16GB): $949

 

[mpe]

In the article I miss two very important features of the 6S:

- much stronger metal frame glass and overall durability
- (undeclared) water resistance

 

[Slippery Gimp]

I really debated waiting for the 7 this time (I went 4, 4S, 5S and now 6S).

I like new designs, I stood in a queue for the 4...but I believe the S models get the better performance jump and some interesting features, as well as ironing out design issues (antenna-gate, bend-gate).

While the protruding camera and antenna lines are irksome (1st world problems), I've got it in the Apple saddle brown leather case which looks really nice and hides its sins.

I'm trying to remember to use 3D Touch where it helps speed things up, Live Photos I can do without really.

The 5S is still a good phone though.

 

[cerote]

I buy the iPhone every year since I am able to give my 1 year old phone to my wife who then gives her two year old phone to her mother. We are therefore able to give a "new" phone to everyone, every year, for the price of just one phone.

This is what I do. My wife and mother don't care about the tech or features upgrade at all. Did it different this year by giving my wife the 6S instead of my 6 because I have 6S for work so I have those features and such if I want to play with them. (Work phone doesn't get upgrades as often so it's nice to have new model.).

 

[CrzyP]

If you're a T-Mobile customer, you're better off with the 6s or the rumored SE. The 6s supports band 12 LTE, which is aggressively being deployed for better in-building and rural coverage. I assume the SE will be supporting band 12 as well.

 

[Benjamin Frost]

I think the original iPhone in 2007 had 10 hours wifi browsing.

If so, it's sad that nine years later, it has increased by just one hour. If you like to track steps and do a lot of travelling, 10 hours wifi can mean perhaps 3 hours with poor network coverage.

Oh for 6TB storage and 24 hours of battery life whatever you do with it. Perhaps if Steve Jobs were still with us, my wishes would have come true.

 

[akidd]

Agree that the 5s is still a good phone (if the battery is looked after). My new 6sPlus (network upgrade cycle meant I didn't want to wait until the Autumn) is great but slippery as hell. When I get the ordered case for it I'll use it properly and this 5s will go to swmbo.

 

[vmistery]

For me the S models are always worth it. The 3G was slow from day 1, the 4 didn't have enough extra graphics grunt for the retina screen, the 5 didn't have full 4g bands and the coating rubbed off, the 6 didn't improve enough over the 5s in any way and the 6s introduced 3D Touch, usable Touch ID, more ram, better camera and 3D Touch... Oh and a reinforced shell to boot! The 7 might change that and as I'm on only a 12 month contract I might upgrade if it's worth it, but history suggests to me it won't be

 

[strkx]

I think there's an important factor in making this decision if you're a T-Mobile subscriber. Band 12 LTE compatibility in the 6S should be highlighted since it makes a big difference in coverage in the US and many people may not be aware of this. This alone was enough to make me upgrade from a 6.

 

[star-affinity]

The 6s has been somewhat poorer received, reflecting some antipathy towards the fairly agreed 6-series design mistakes (camera lens protrusion, antenna lines, poor ergonomic handling because of curved phone edges, etc etc) and very little in the way of innovation, especially at a time when competitors phones really are innovating, and arguably jumping ahead of Apple. 3D Touch is not a game-changing feature, no matter how much you wish it were.

The 6s review over at Anandtech doesn't agree with you. They more or less say the opposite – that it is Apple that's moving and the Android phone makers has been standing more still (during 2015).

”To be perfectly honest, this past year has been remarkably boring in the mobile segment. For whatever reason, phones have either stood still or regressed when it comes to overall quality. There are a few stand-outs that have been worth talking about like the Galaxy S6 lineup and the Galaxy Note5 lineup, but for the most part every phone I’ve reviewed this year has been disappointing in some way. I carry an iPhone 6 to make sure I stay current on changes in iOS, but my primary phone continues to be an HTC One M7. I was hoping to get a new Android phone this year, but so far nothing has really piqued my interest.”

http://www.anandtech.com/show/9686/the-apple-iphone-6s-and-iphone-6s-plus-review

They gave the iPhone 6s ”Editors' Choice - Gold” by the way.

I went from 6 to 6s. I didn't like the 6 -- performance felt like a regression for a model that was just released. I think 1GB of RAM was holding it back.

Did you really think it was that bad? Compared to what, the 5s? To me felt fast, but I also compared to the 4s I moved up from…

 

[73b]

The 4s and 5s iPhones remain the best iPhone releases so far, when judged against timing, context and predecessor.

The iPhone 4 was definitely the greatest iPhone release. For 2010 it was incredible.

 

[Joe Rossignol]

In the article I miss two very important features of the 6S:

- much stronger metal frame glass and overall durability
- (undeclared) water resistance

The 6s's increased durability is mentioned in the article:

• 7000 Series Aluminum: Apple addressed iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus bending issues, colloquially known as Bendgate, by switching to 7000 series aluminum on the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus. iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus have 6000 series aluminum. Apple also strengthened weak points of the new iPhone shell for increased durability.

the pricing for the 6s+ is incorrect and listed as…

Thanks! I fixed that.

 

[B4U]

Could have swear when I read this article at work this afternoon, it says 32GB, 64GB and 128GB.
Thought to myself, did the sun just rise from the west side today...?

 

[3rdiguy]

I was going to buy the 7 Plus because I'd been buying new iPhones(paying full price) every solid number change but now I will wait for "s" versions instead. It's more about the availability of premium and tested cases like lifeproof and mophie. I think I can watch the new design come and just but the "s" variant instead and have the cases be available.

 

[Mac 128]

The iPhone 4 was definitely the greatest iPhone release. For 2010 it was incredible.

I would agree with that. The 5s likewise added 64bit support, as well as Touch ID, and that was pretty significant, though before I knew the processor upgrade happened I was disappointed, though I understood the advantage of Touch ID, but not fully until I actually owned the 5s. It also had an improved flash which looked different, as well as being the first phone sold in gold. These were things the customer could easily understand.

When this review looks at the features side-by-side, it's easy to see why the 6S didn't perform as well as the 5s did to the 5. The only truly distinguishing characteristics was the Rose Gold color (which I believe is the top seller), and 12mp camera. That's stuff a customer can immediately understand. But the rest are all under the hood improvements, with 3D Touch somewhat intangible for the potential customer to judge. It's like Touch ID was for me on the 5s, but at least that concept was pretty obvious. It's really hard to understand what 3D Touch is going to do for the typical customer. And Live photos just seems like a gimmick which for many is kind of pointless. Just shoot a movie instead if you want a moving photo! These were just not intuitive concepts that helped the phone stand out.

 

[tresmith]

Now if the iPhone SE comes with all the 6S goodies, minus 3D touch, all for about $500, I won't be able to throw my money at Apple fast enough.

 

[xDKP]

it's easy to see why the 6S didn't perform as well as the 5s did to the 5.

The 6S has sold way more than the 5S ever did in this point in the cycle