iPhone 6 Plus review
Introducing the iPhone 6 Plus – a symphony of sophistication and performance meticulously crafted by the tech virtuosos at Apple. When it debuted in 2014, this device wasn’t just a larger version of its sibling; it was a bold statement that Apple was finally entering the burgeoning “phablet” market. It represented a fundamental shift in design philosophy, moving away from the smaller, more industrial look of its predecessors. This review takes a deep dive into what made the iPhone 6 Plus an icon, examining its features, impact, and lasting legacy in the ever-evolving world of mobile technology. We’ll explore how this device, with its groundbreaking features and beautiful design, redefined what users expected from a premium smartphone and set a new standard for the industry. This device proved that a larger display could be seamlessly integrated into the iOS ecosystem, providing a richer, more immersive experience than ever before.
A New Era of Apple Design: The Form Factor of the iPhone 6 Plus
Behold the epitome of elegance. The iPhone 6 Plus stands tall with its sleek, seamless design, boasting a larger-than-life 5.5-inch Retina HD display that captivates the senses. Crafted with precision and finesse, its aluminum body exudes premium craftsmanship, while its slim profile fits snugly into your palm. This design marked a dramatic departure from the flat-sided, sharp-edged aesthetic of the iPhone 5s, ushering in a new era of curved, ergonomic form factors. The unibody construction from 6000-series aluminum alloy gave the device a premium feel, though it also became the subject of intense scrutiny following reports of the phone bending under pressure, a phenomenon dubbed “Bendgate.” Despite the controversy, the phone’s fit and finish were widely praised as an example of Apple’s meticulous engineering. Its rounded edges and smooth glass front seamlessly flowed into the aluminum back, creating a device that felt incredibly comfortable in hand, a crucial factor for a phone of its size.
Key Design Innovations and Features
The iPhone 6 Plus was more than just a big phone; its design introduced several key features and changes that would influence future generations of iPhones. From the placement of its buttons to the materials used, every element was carefully considered to support the new, larger form factor. For more on the design philosophy behind this era of iPhone, you can read this article from CNN on the initial love and hate for the iPhone 6’s design. The shift from a smaller device to a phablet-sized one required a complete rethink of usability. Here are some of the most impactful design elements:
- Rounded Aluminum Unibody: The curved edges and smooth, matte aluminum finish provided a more ergonomic and tactile feel than the previous, boxier designs.
- Side-Mounted Power Button: For the first time, the power/sleep button was moved from the top of the device to the right side, making it easier to reach with one hand.
- Slightly Protruding Camera Lens: The need for a slimmer profile meant that the camera lens now protruded slightly from the back, a design choice that would continue in subsequent models. This detail, while minor, was a new aesthetic for the iPhone line.
- Integrated Antenna Bands: The plastic antenna lines on the back of the phone, while somewhat controversial for their visual impact, were essential for ensuring cellular reception in the all-metal body.
- “Reachability” Feature: To address the challenges of one-handed use on a large screen, Apple introduced “Reachability,” which allowed users to double-tap the Home button to slide the top of the screen down. This design element was a direct response to the new dimensions of the device. For a comprehensive look at how these features were received, check out this review from CNET at the time of release.
The Visual Experience: Display and Usability on a Larger Canvas
Prepare to be mesmerized by the brilliance of the iPhone 6 Plus display. With its Retina HD technology, every pixel comes alive with stunning clarity and vibrant color. Whether you’re immersed in a cinematic masterpiece or scrolling through your social feed, the expansive 5.5-inch screen delivers an unparalleled visual experience that leaves a lasting impression. Dive into a world of rich detail and immersive content like never before. This was Apple’s first Full HD display on a smartphone, boasting a 1920×1080 pixel resolution at a density of 401 pixels per inch (ppi), a significant upgrade from the 326 ppi of the standard iPhone 6 and previous models. The screen also featured a new technology called dual-domain pixels, which improved color accuracy and viewing angles, making it ideal for sharing content with others.
The Impact of a 5.5-inch Screen
The large display of the iPhone 6 Plus was not just a bigger screen; it fundamentally changed how users interacted with their device. This was the first iPhone to offer a landscape mode for the home screen, allowing the user interface to rotate horizontally to make better use of the expansive real estate. This feature was a game-changer for productivity and media consumption, transforming the phone into a mini-tablet. The larger display also made activities like reading, web browsing, and playing games significantly more comfortable. The vivid colors and high contrast ratio of 1300:1 (typical) made photos and videos truly pop off the screen. This USA Today review of the iPhone 6 Plus’s display highlights how it was a major selling point for the device. The crisp visuals and rich detail were a clear step up for Apple’s mobile devices. The increased screen size was a deliberate move by Apple to compete with the growing popularity of larger-screen Android phones, especially those from Samsung. For many, this was the feature that finally convinced them to switch to the larger iPhone.
Powerhouse Performance: The A8 Chip and M8 Coprocessor
Unleash the full potential of the iPhone 6 Plus with its powerhouse performance. Equipped with the groundbreaking A8 chip and M8 motion coprocessor, this device was engineered to handle the most demanding tasks with ease. From seamless multitasking to lightning-fast app launches, every interaction was fluid and responsive. Experience unparalleled speed and efficiency that keeps up with your dynamic lifestyle, ensuring you stay one step ahead at all times. The A8 chip was a marvel of engineering at the time, featuring a dual-core 1.4 GHz “Typhoon” CPU and a quad-core PowerVR GX6450 GPU, all built on a 20nm process. While the specifications might seem modest compared to today’s standards, the tight integration between the hardware and iOS ensured that the performance was stellar, often outperforming Android devices with higher-spec components.
A Closer Look at the Performance Engine
The A8 chip was 25% faster in CPU performance and 50% faster in graphics performance than its predecessor, the A7. This was especially noticeable in graphically intensive games and applications. The M8 motion coprocessor was another crucial component, which continuously measured data from the accelerometer, gyroscope, and compass without draining the main battery. This allowed for more efficient fitness tracking and location-based services. This advanced chip, combined with the 1GB of LPDDR3 RAM, provided a user experience that was not only fast but also incredibly stable. The seamless execution of apps and the fluid animations of iOS 8 were a testament to Apple’s focus on optimization. This article from BBC News explores the announcement of the A8 chip and its significance for the future of mobile computing. The raw power of the A8 chip was a major differentiator, proving that Apple could deliver a class-leading performance without relying on a spec-sheet war.
Capturing the Moment: The Revolutionary Camera of the iPhone 6 Plus
Capture life’s moments in breathtaking detail with the iPhone 6 Plus camera. Featuring an 8-megapixel iSight camera with advanced optics, every shot is a masterpiece waiting to happen. With optical image stabilization and enhanced low-light performance, you can say goodbye to blurry photos and hello to stunning clarity, day or night. Unleash your creativity with a suite of innovative features, including slow-motion video and time-lapse photography, and elevate your photography game to new heights. The camera on the iPhone 6 Plus was a significant leap forward, particularly due to one exclusive feature: Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). This technology physically shifted the camera’s lens to compensate for hand movements, resulting in sharper photos and more stable videos, especially in challenging low-light conditions. This was a feature that was not available on the smaller iPhone 6, making the Plus a clear choice for photography enthusiasts.
Advanced Camera Features and Capabilities
The 8-megapixel camera with its f/2.2 aperture, 1.5µ pixels, and advanced image signal processing was a testament to Apple’s philosophy of prioritizing quality over raw megapixel count. The camera also introduced several new software features that expanded its creative potential. These included Phase Detection Autofocus (branded as “Focus Pixels”), which allowed for incredibly fast and accurate focusing. This feature, combined with the new cinematic video stabilization, made the iPhone 6 Plus a formidable tool for both photography and videography. The dual-LED “True Tone” flash, first seen on the iPhone 5s, was also present, ensuring more natural-looking colors in flash photography. For an in-depth look at the technology behind this camera, you can refer to this review from The Guardian. The camera’s performance was a key selling point, solidifying the iPhone’s reputation as one of the best smartphone cameras on the market.
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): Exclusive to the iPhone 6 Plus, this hardware feature reduced blur from hand shake, especially in low light.
- “Focus Pixels” (PDAF): A new technology that enabled faster and more accurate autofocus by using phase detection.
- 1080p HD Video at 60fps: The ability to shoot full high-definition video at a buttery-smooth 60 frames per second.
- Slow-Motion Video at 240fps: A dramatic upgrade that allowed for stunningly detailed slow-motion footage at 720p resolution.
- Time-Lapse Video with Stabilization: A new feature that made it easy to capture beautiful time-lapse sequences.
- Improved Face Detection: The camera was better at detecting faces in group shots, ensuring everyone was in focus.
- Photo Geotagging: The phone automatically tagged photos with location data, a useful feature for organizing memories.
- Panorama Mode: The panorama mode was enhanced, allowing for high-resolution panoramic shots up to 43 megapixels.
Endurance and Efficiency: The Battery Life of the iPhone 6 Plus
Stay powered up and connected throughout the day with the iPhone 6 Plus robust battery life. Designed to go the distance, this device keeps pace with your busy schedule, delivering hours of uninterrupted usage on a single charge. Whether you’re streaming your favorite content or tackling productivity tasks, you can rely on the iPhone 6 Plus to keep you powered up and ready for whatever the day brings. The larger form factor allowed Apple to fit a substantially bigger battery inside, a 2915 mAh lithium-ion cell, which was a massive improvement over the 1810 mAh battery in the standard iPhone 6. This capacity translated into real-world benefits, with many users reporting that the phone could easily last a full day, and often well into a second, on a single charge. It was, for many, the first iPhone that eliminated “battery anxiety.”
Comparing the Battery Performance
The battery life of the iPhone 6 Plus was one of its most celebrated features at launch. While the iPhone 6 had a respectable battery, the Plus model was a different class entirely. The larger battery, combined with the efficiency of the A8 chip and iOS 8, provided an endurance that was unprecedented in an iPhone. Apple’s official ratings for the device were impressive: up to 24 hours of talk time on 3G, up to 12 hours of internet use on 3G, LTE, or Wi-Fi, and up to 80 hours of audio playback. This performance made the phone a reliable companion for a wide range of activities, from long commutes to international travel. This Macworld battery test from 2014 confirms the superior performance of the iPhone 6 Plus battery compared to its contemporaries. The phone’s ability to last longer on a single charge was a major reason for its popularity, especially among power users and media consumers.
The iOS Ecosystem and a New Mobile Experience
Experience the seamless integration of hardware and software with iOS on the iPhone 6 Plus. From intuitive navigation to intelligent features, every aspect of the operating system was designed to enhance your user experience. With access to a vast ecosystem of apps and services, you can personalize your device to suit your unique needs and preferences. Stay connected, organized, and entertained with the power of iOS at your fingertips. The iPhone 6 Plus was the launch vehicle for iOS 8, and the operating system was tailored to take full advantage of the larger screen. This included the aforementioned landscape mode for the home screen and other key apps, as well as a more information-dense layout for certain applications like Mail and Calendar. This unique UI, which felt more like an iPad than a phone, was a primary differentiator for the 6 Plus, creating a powerful, tablet-like experience in a handheld form factor.
iOS 8 and the New Mobile Paradigm
iOS 8 was a major update that brought a host of new features to the iPhone, including interactive notifications, third-party keyboard support, and the Health app. The operating system was a perfect match for the powerful A8 chip, ensuring that the user experience was consistently fast and fluid. The seamless integration of hardware and software was, and continues to be, one of Apple’s greatest strengths. This synergy ensured that the iPhone 6 Plus remained a fast and reliable device for years after its release, a testament to the longevity of Apple’s ecosystem. The introduction of Apple Pay, a secure and convenient mobile payment system, was also a significant part of the iPhone 6 Plus’s launch. For a look at how iOS 8 was received, you can check out this article from Wired magazine which highlights its key features. The software was just as important as the hardware in making the iPhone 6 Plus a groundbreaking device. This combination of a larger screen and a refined operating system created a mobile experience that was hard to beat.
Comparative Analysis: iPhone 6 Plus vs. Samsung Galaxy Note 4
In the fiercely competitive smartphone market of 2014, the iPhone 6 Plus’s primary rival was the Samsung Galaxy Note 4. This head-to-head battle was a clash of two very different philosophies: Apple’s refined, minimalist approach versus Samsung’s feature-rich, power-user-focused Android device. Understanding the differences between these two titans of the mobile world is key to appreciating the context in which the iPhone 6 Plus was released. While the iPhone 6 Plus was Apple’s first foray into the phablet space, the Galaxy Note series was already a mature product line, known for its S Pen stylus and a plethora of software features. This comparison table highlights the key differences that defined this epic showdown.
| Feature | iPhone 6 Plus | Samsung Galaxy Note 4 | Key Differences |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 5.5-inch Retina HD (1920×1080) | 5.7-inch Super AMOLED (2560×1440) | Note 4 had a larger, higher-resolution screen with more vibrant colors. |
| Processor | Apple A8 (Dual-core 1.4 GHz) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 (Quad-core 2.7 GHz) | Note 4 had higher clock speeds and more cores, but the A8 was highly optimized for iOS. |
| RAM | 1 GB LPDDR3 | 3 GB LPDDR3 | Samsung offered more RAM, which was beneficial for heavy multitasking on Android. |
| Camera | 8 MP with OIS, 1.2 MP front | 16 MP with OIS, 3.7 MP front | Note 4 had a higher megapixel count, but iPhone 6 Plus was praised for its consistent photo quality and ease of use. |
| Battery | 2915 mAh (non-removable) | 3220 mAh (removable) | Note 4 had a slightly larger, user-replaceable battery, a feature that has since disappeared from most flagship phones. |
A Battle of Ecosystems
The comparison between these two devices was more than just a spec sheet rivalry; it was a battle between two dominant operating systems. The iPhone 6 Plus offered the simplicity and reliability of iOS, with a curated App Store and a seamless user experience. The Galaxy Note 4, running Android with Samsung’s TouchWiz UI, offered more customization, multitasking features like multi-window, and the unique functionality of the S Pen. While the iPhone 6 Plus introduced a bigger screen, Samsung had been perfecting the phablet experience for years. The Note 4 included a heart rate sensor and an infrared blaster, features that the iPhone lacked. This a href=”https://www.phonearena.com/phones/Apple-iPhone-6-Plus_id8908″ target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>detailed specifications page from PhoneArena provides a great side-by-side view. Ultimately, the choice between the two often came down to personal preference for either the iOS or Android ecosystem, with the iPhone 6 Plus appealing to those who valued a streamlined experience and the Note 4 attracting power users who craved customization and advanced features.
The Lasting Legacy and Market Impact of the iPhone 6 Plus
In conclusion, the iPhone 6 Plus is more than just a smartphone – it’s a testament to Apple’s commitment to innovation and excellence. With its exquisite design, stunning display, powerhouse performance, and advanced features, it sets the standard for what a premium smartphone should be. The phone’s initial sales success was monumental, with Apple announcing that the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus sold over 10 million units in their first weekend, a new record at the time. The larger screen proved to be a massive hit with consumers, signaling a major shift in consumer demand. The iPhone 6 Plus didn’t just compete in the phablet market; it helped to legitimize it for mainstream consumers, paving the way for larger phones to become the standard. The device’s legacy, however, is not without its complexities. The “Bendgate” controversy, while ultimately having a limited impact on the phone’s overall durability for most users, became a major cultural moment and a lesson in material science. Years later, the iPhone 6 Plus was also one of the devices affected by the “Batterygate” scandal, in which Apple was found to have been slowing down older iPhones to prevent unexpected shutdowns. This event led to a public apology and a program to offer discounted battery replacements.
A Device That Changed the Industry
Despite these controversies, the iPhone 6 Plus’s impact on the smartphone market is undeniable. It was a massive commercial success that proved Apple could adapt to market trends without sacrificing its core design principles. It laid the groundwork for all future “Plus” and “Pro Max” iPhones, establishing the large-screen iPhone as a permanent fixture in Apple’s lineup. This device was a milestone for Apple, representing a major step forward in both design and functionality, and it remains a key chapter in the story of the smartphone. The market demand for the 6 Plus demonstrated that users were willing to embrace a larger form factor for the benefits of a bigger display and improved battery life. This shift helped Apple to achieve its highest earnings ever in early 2015, cementing the success of the new product line. The iPhone 6 Plus was not just a bigger phone; it was a phone that made the world of mobile technology bigger, too. Unlock the power of elegance today and consider the legacy of this groundbreaking device.
