The iPhone 6 Review
by Joshua Ho, Brandon Chester, Chris Heinonen & Ryan Smith on September 30, 2014 8:01 AM EST- Posted in
- Smartphones
- Apple
- Mobile
- iPhone 6
With every launch of the iPhone, Apple seems to have everything to lose and not much to gain. Apple’s iPhone line accounts for the majority of profits in the smartphone space, and as the smartphone market marches towards maturity it seems inevitable that companies like Xiaomi will be able to deliver largely similar experiences at much lower prices. The same once happened with Apple in the days of the PC industry where Apple approached irrelevance. Yet generation after generation, Apple seems to be able to hold on to a majority of profit share, and they’ve managed to tenaciously hold on to their first-mover advantage.
This brings us to the iPhone 6. This is now the eighth generation of the iPhone, and the fifth generation of the iPhone’s industrial and material design. We should note right now that this review is specifically for the iPhone 6; for the iPhone 6 Plus, please see our iPhone 6 Plus companion review. At this point, it’s not really possible to revolutionize the smartphone, and on the surface, the iPhone 6 seems to be directly inspired by the iPod Touch. However, instead of the chamfered edge where the display meets the metal unibody we see a continuous curve from the sloping glass to the metal unibody that looks and feels great. While the M8 was one of the best phones for in-hand feel, the iPhone 6 goes a step further due to the reduced weight and rounded side. I've always felt like the HTC 8X had one of the most compelling shapes for a phone, and the incredibly thin feel of the iPhone 6 definitely reminds me of that.
Along the left side, we see the standard volume buttons and mute switch that continue to have the same solid feel and clean clicking action. As I discuss in the iPhone 6 Plus review, going by Consumer Reports' data it seems that there is a weak point near the bottom of the volume rocker, although it's far less likely to be an issue on the iPhone 6 due to its smaller size. Along the top, there isn’t a power button because it’s been moved to the right side of the phone so there’s nothing notable on the top.
On the right side, we see the previously mentioned power button and also the SIM tray, which is ejected by inserting a pin into the eject hole. Similarly to the volume buttons, the power button has a solid feel that gives a distinct click when triggered and continues to be quite unique when compared to phones other than recent iPhones.
The bottom has the Lightning connector, speaker, a microphone, and 3.5mm headset jack. The placement and design of all these elements are largely similar if not shared directly with the iPod Touch.
The back of the phone continues to share elements from the iPod Touch. The camera, microphone, and LED flash are almost identical in their appearance, even down to the camera hump’s design. The LED flash does look different to accommodate the second amber flash, but the shape is identical. The only real difference is that the antennas of the iPhone 6 are the metal pieces on the top and bottom, with the associated plastic lines instead of a plastic RF window.
The front of the phone is decidedly more similar to the iPhone 5s though, with the Touch ID home button. While the earpiece hasn’t moved, it seems that the front facing camera has been moved back to the left side of the earpiece, and the sensors for light and proximity are now above the earpiece. For the most part, there’s not much to comment on here but after using the iPhone 6 for an extended amount of time I’m definitely sure that the home button is relatively closer to the surface of the display glass than before. In addition, the home button has a dramatically improved feel, with short travel, clean actuation, and a reassuring click in most cases.
Overall, while I was undecided at the launch of the iPhone 6 I definitely think the look of the new iPhone has grown on me. The camera hump’s accent serves as an interesting design touch, and the feel of the design is definitely much more comfortable and ergonomic than before. I’m not really sure that the extra reduction in thickness was necessary, but it does make for a better first impression. In the launch article I was a bit surprised that Apple chose to have a camera hump but given the fact that the iPod Touch has the same design it seems that there is precedent for such a move. I personally feel that the design wouldn’t be worse by increasing thickness to eliminate the hump and improve battery life as a result.
Apple has also introduced a new silicone case, which brings a lower price point than the leather cases. Surprisingly, this is a rather high quality case, and as far as I can tell it doesn’t carry any of the issues that silicone cases traditionally have. There’s a nice lip to make sure that the display glass doesn’t touch a surface if the phone is put face down, and the material doesn’t seem to stretch or attract pocket lint the way most silicone cases do.
There’s definitely a lot more to talk about though, and to get a sense of the major differences I’ve put together our usual spec table below.
| Apple iPhone 5s | Apple iPhone 6 | Apple iPhone 6 Plus | |
| SoC | Apple A7 | Apple A8 | Apple A8 |
| Display | 4-inch 1136 x 640 LCD | 4.7-inch 1334 x 750 LCD | 5.5-inch 1920 x 1080 LCD |
| WiFi | 2.4/5GHz 802.11a/b/g/n, BT 4.0 | 2.4/5GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, single stream, BT 4.0, NFC | |
| Storage | 16GB/32GB/64GB | 16GB/64GB/128GB | 16GB/64GB/128GB |
| I/O | Lightning connector, 3.5mm headset | ||
| Size / Mass | 123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6 mm, 112 grams | 138.1 x 67 x 6.9 mm, 129 grams | 158.1 x 77.8 x 7.1 mm, 172 grams |
| Camera |
8MP iSight with 1.5µm pixels Rear Facing + True Tone Flash 1.2MP f/2.4 Front Facing |
8MP iSight with 1.5µm pixels Rear Facing + True Tone Flash 1.2MP f/2.2 Front Facing |
8MP iSight with 1.5µm pixels Rear Facing + True Tone Flash + OIS 1.2MP f/2.2 Front Facing |
| Price | $99 (16GB), $149 (32GB) on 2 year contract | $199 (16GB), $299 (64GB), $399 (128GB) on 2 year contract | $299 (16GB), $399 (64GB), $499 (128GB) on 2 year contract |
As you can see, this is a major release even at a high level. While the design might take some inspiration from the iPod Touch, the hardware is a completely different beast. There’s a new SoC, the A8; the iPhone 6 also includes a bigger and better display, newer WiFi module, bigger battery, and a better camera. Of course, there’s a lot more to the story of the iPhone 6 than a spec sheet. The first major difference that we’ll talk about is the SoC.
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ninjaroll - Tuesday, September 30, 2014 - link
You have to tell yourself that not everyone commenting is around your age range. I feel like a lot of the haters are about 12-18 years of age. If they're older...well.. I feel bad for them.akdj - Saturday, October 4, 2014 - link
I think you nailed it ninjaThe 'age & ambiguity' question. As well as age, the differences between generations and what 'we‘ had available (I'm 44) when growing up vs the 'gen Y' mid 20s-mid 30s (I think the higher end still appreciates both or the 'big three' for what they are ..not crapping on what 'they're not'). Then weve got the 'kids'. I'd even go so far as to say 12-21/22 year olds. As the 22 year old SAW the impact the Iphone had in 2007, the 'actual' Android fight 'start' in 2008 at 15 & 16. They were graduating and going into college or vocational training when the iPad broke and the Xoom filled (tablet computing). They've seen in their 'formative' years the evolution of HiDPI displays and developed personal opinions about their extremely 'personal' devices (I've got teenagers! Yikes, believe you me when I say their 'personal' devices:))
Baby boomers, X & late Y didn't have cell phones growing up. Drug dealers and executives had pagers and computers were computers. They weren't 'connected' with the Internet (mainstream) and we paid a LOT of money for our Apple or Microsoft software and OS Updates. The incredible sea change Apple and Google have brought to the consumers and the masses regardless of income levels, location in the world and/or from developing countries ...they're penetration is significant. Obviously there are countries with their own restrictions, etc... But maybe they're the 'smart' ones for now...look at what the NSA/Patriot Act has done for the USA and her relationships even with our closest allies!
We're still at the infancy of 'mobile' comms/computers and connectivity. These iPhones ARE computers. The G3, Z3, S5 or 5s/6/6+!!! All of them. I think as we age, we remember. It's easier not to take for granted the way technology has empowered our lives, folded the world in half, and the incredible benefits and convenience we enjoy OR despise with 'cellular' phones, phabs n tabs! At times they feel more like a leash than freedom. When you're working and paying a mortgage or two, car payments and student loans (from two decades ago or current kids going into post Ed), groceries and 'energy' (from gasoline to heating gas, cooling electricity or your battery in your fell phone of choice), groceries and your kids' entry fees, new 'cleats' and mitts, pads and summer camps....THEN you'll get it. I'd bet dollars to donuts (such a dumbass saying, very unhip I know;))
As you age, technology will continue to evolve. Much of what we enjoy today is a direct and absolutely traceable line to developments during the 'Cold War'. Whether Russian or American, Chinese (anyone see their Olympics in Beijing? The opening and closing cereminies, etc? Kind of brings a new meaning to 'made in China' than it had when I was younger. IMHO they blew London completely outta the water ymmv as always)
Point being there isn't 35+ folks on this board waging this ridiculous Holy War between OEMs or OS's. There ARE paid folks from both sides as again, social media in the last decade (another 'new') has become JUST as important as their thirty and sixty second TV spots, sponsorships or product placement in movies! It's HUGE. & IMHO a VERY important and crucial element in a free internet society to have sites like Anand's ...that he's passed along to Brian and Ryan and the rest of the crew. I've been here for years and have ALWAYS found what I've come for. Objective measurements and subjective reviews. We're all human. If we're reviewing a product its in our nature to 'add' our opinions now and then
To me, as a user of OS X and Windows, UNIX, Android and iOS ...I feel like ANYone limiting themselves so blindly to what the 'enemy' is doing is ignorant, young and/or unemployed (if the latter, I feel for you if you're looking...but if you're lurking on forums like these zealots are they're NOT looking for employment. If you're out of work, you can spend 40-50 hours a week 'Looking' and in most developed nations...in other words ANYone that would criticize the other camp and not appreciate what they've already got)
At the end of the day, it Samsung making Apple work harder. Cupertino making MtView work harder and ALL of them starting to reap the awards Microsoft seemed to 'leak' off over the past 10-15 years. We're no longer in an X86, workstation at your desk on the 'intranet' to collaborate with a fax machine to send the final product. If you don't remember those days, it's tough to take these complaints seriously as my 5s and from the time I've spent with the 6/6+, my Air and retina mini all have a 'place' in my life. And every ONE of them is faster with quicker connectivity and MORE software available than at ANY point in my life and I'm only, hopefully half way to the finish line. As you age, you'll understand what I'm saying
That said ...If you're 44 & @ (mom's) home, in the basement, without a gig, and feeding your spiders backing these DBags arguing 'physical, objective, and factual' measurements of performance in the review....it's YOU that needs to reexamine your life and priorities.
Love is family, kids, coaching and watching them grow, through good times and bad. It's the iPhone, the S5 or Note 3 you're carrying that's capturing those memories. Ten years from NOW, there won't be a 'lightning' connector. An iPhone 6+ or Note7/G7 or Z8! USB will be dead and history is indicative of the evolving future, only us 'old folk' will be using Facebook ...but giving it our BEST shot to 'learn' to new and HIP MySpace, Netscape, AOL or today's Twitter and Facebooks
Remember kids, it's US, and my parents (your grandparents) that built this shit for you. Not YOU! You're reaping the benefits of the fruits of our labor. If you don't get out from behind the 600 dpi display you're so passionate about ...or get out of the house, learn how to ride a bike like Tony Hawk, snowboard like the 'Tomato' or innovate like Gates, Jobs and that snot nose kid from Stanford....young 'Zuke', you're futures are going to suck
Don't be a slave to your tools. Let them work for you, choose what best fits your idea and vision and occupation and you'll find out soon there's a helluva lot more to life than MHz, GB of RAM, and PPI determining what you can and can't see. As your ears fail you so, too, will your eyes and damned if I can't tell the difference between the '6' &6+, the new HTC or my Note 3/5s, Air or mini! All different, ALL a helluva lot better than my green/orange monochrome displays I was 'working' on in the early 90s, how incredible '16 color displays' were and the transition from cathode ray tube 'monitors' to LCD and LED/AMOLED/Plasma displays showed us the difference between our VHS tapes, 480p DVD collection and the BluRay, 1080p displays. Now packaging those pixels into the palm of your hand is absolutely, and genuinely AMAZING. Nothing short of true miracles in engineering
My dad graduated in 1972 with his bachelors in electrical engineering. Did it with a slide ruler and drafting kit he's still got today and the same kit myself and two of my three younger brothers took through engineering school with our TI calcs that did it all (early 90s), and my first 286 after my Apple IIe & IIc run. As a baby with the 8086 processor perhaps those of us born in the early to mid 70s and earlier are more 'appreciative' today than the younger generation. We're more patient, we've gained wisdom and most importantly we 'lived' without the Internet, with corded 'dial' phones (when I was a kid we had a party line...and only had to dial FOUR digits locally lol! Small town in northwest Montana). To me, I really HOPE there's youngsters as intrigued by ALL forms of operation systems and is the new 'Edison, Tesla, Carnegie or Jobs/Zuke/Gates' of a future era. Redesigning in his or her 13 year old mind an OS that's a 'learning OS'. Through the millions of lines of code to boot to the desk, half can be elimated as it learns YOUR usage and 'needs' ..that conforms to the individual and their needs ...regardless of how basic or how 'tough'.
We run and have for over 20 years an audio and video production business. My wife and I are both experienced, high performance rated pilots and live in Alaska. It's paramount we fly with the business as we're living in an area nearly the physical size of the entire lower 48 with over 3 million lakes (sorry Minnesota, but we do only have just over 10,000 rivers;))---& more coastline that the ENTIRE CONUSA. With a pair of roads. No access without a plane or boat, or big balls and a four wheeler or snow 'machine' (it's Alaskan for snowmobile;)). We've been lucky enough to work with plenty of the largest cable and network broadcasters on documentaries and 'real TV' (not reality). Whether following the Troopers, fishing for crabbing on the ocean, flying into single resident 'zip codes' in the dead of winter with 2400 pounds of heating fuel in the plane with ya, it can be a kick in the ass and iOS has changed our operations in the last half decade for the better. Filing my FP, deciding how much fuel, traffic and weather conditions as well as updated Jep charts, plates and diversions ...it's becime my kneeboard, fifty LB flight bag, manuals and checklists, as well as maintenance and troubleshoot instructions ...ADSB and TCAS, 3D terrain mapping and tradfic following, it's a BIG change. While the Note 3 works GREAT for sketching rigging points with structural engineers, etc. The rMBP has been an absolute Home Run for us as has the new Mac Pro at the studios. We use several HP and Dell workstations as well, both systems are awesome and I think I'm one of the few enjoying Win 8.1 ...bought an HP 2in1 for about $750 and I've got a 13" core i5 slate with an SSD.
Way TL/DR; youngsters don't be afraid to open your eyes and think for yourself. Try everything. Use what your need and stay away from the internet when you've made your chouce for a couple of weeks:). Something better is ALWAYS around the corner but each and every choice available today is better than yesterday's. Guaranteed
timbo24 - Tuesday, September 30, 2014 - link
Great review, thanks for the hard work.gevorg - Tuesday, September 30, 2014 - link
Very nice to see audio tests, just another thing that makes Anandtech reviews unique.paul4na - Wednesday, October 1, 2014 - link
Unique? If you want proper phone reviews with detailed benchmarks then go to GSMArena.doobydoo - Wednesday, October 1, 2014 - link
LOL. You made a funny.slatanek - Tuesday, September 30, 2014 - link
still no sign of Windows 10 event...Chaser - Tuesday, September 30, 2014 - link
As objectively as I could I took up Costco on their 14 day return policy and tried the iPhone 6. I owned the first iPhone and had been Android flagship type ever since.Bottom line: compared to Android the iPhone does less. After 5+ years the interface is STILL the same square blobs that float on the screen. No shortcuts. No app widgets. Install a new app and it is placed in the next open spot with all the other square blobs. I liek how I can use shortcuts for my higher use app but hide others in the application folder with Android.
No notification LED. My new G3 I can color code that notification to know just by sight what type of alert has popped up on my phone. Text, email, Facebook, more. With Apple you get a flash of the camera, if its upside down. What a joke.
Despite Apple "allowing" Swiftkey's new keypad its a paltry joke compared to Android's version. Chrome can also be installed but make no mistake, any links through email or text will open the default browser Safari. iMessage is still the default text client with no alternatives that provide the same functionality.
It's simple. While the Apple faithful will buy their new tech darling phones the boring, long on the tooth Apple interface does less. Android offers far more customization and openness. Back my gold iPhone 6 went to Costco and now I love my new G3. Sigh...maybe another 5 years.
Parhel - Tuesday, September 30, 2014 - link
The customization and openness is exactly what turns me off of Android. It's not the only thing, but it's the main thing. I don't want that in a phone. I spend 10 hours a day coding and troubleshooting at work. For a phone, I want something that's already set up for me. Something that I barely need to even look at to use. I don't want to tinker with it.Chaser - Tuesday, September 30, 2014 - link
I tinker with nothing if I chose. However I'd rather have those choices than Apple's divine vision of how my phone should operate.