Apple iPhone 6
- Display 4.70-inch (750x1334)
- ProcessorApple A8
- Front Camera1.2MP
- Rear Camera8MP
- RAM1GB
- Storage16GB
- Battery Capacity1810mAh
- OSiOS 8.0
Apple has given the iPhone a much-needed makeover, and the result is a device that is more competitive than ever before while simultaneously standing out just as well, if not better, in a crowded market. The big talking point is its screen size - months of leaks taught us almost everything we needed to know about it long before it was released - but there's plenty more to discover. Apple has managed to deliver more power, better aesthetics, improved cameras, and all-new software, as it has done in the past.
The iPhone 6 has a lot in common with its bigger brother, the iPhone 6 Plus (Review | Photos), which we recently reviewed. They're obviously designed to appear alike, but Apple has also ensured that they operate in the same way. The iPhone 6 is still a premium device; it's not a budget-friendly version of a new flagship. Much of everything we mentioned about the iPhone 6 Plus in that lengthy review will also apply to the iPhone 6.
Apple's unique position allows it to have complete control over and integration of its products' hardware and software experiences. All of this and more can be found in this year's iPhones.
The iPhone 5s' flat edges and crisp angles are no longer present. The iPhone 6 has a gorgeous dark glass front that looks like a pool of ink, and it feels smooth and sleek. The glass is raised above its rim and curled at the edges to form a smooth curve with the metal. If this phone is dropped and lands on a corner, it appears that the glass may break easily, which is only one of many reasons to invest in a case.
Another reason is that the iPhone 6's back is one of the most unappealing designs we've ever seen from Apple. The plastic antenna lines that cross the metal body are simply too noticeable. There's a lot of regulatory text and branding that we think could have been smaller, and then there's the dreaded camera bulge. The small nubbin truly stands out, and we couldn't stop playing with it while holding the iPhone 6.
Because the power button has been relocated to the upper right side, immediately above the Nano-SIM card slot, the top is now blank. Long-time iPhone users will be disturbed by this. Given this phone's still-manageable size, the change was probably unnecessary, but it does keep things consistent with the design of the iPhone 6 Plus. The volume controls and ringer mute switch are on the left edge, as is the Lightning port, while the headset jack is on the bottom. The quality of Apple's construction and machining techniques cannot be overstated; all of the buttons have the perfect click, and the charger's Lightning connector glides into its port with a pleasing thunk.
It's a pleasure to handle and operate this phone. We didn't think Apple needed to slim down its iPhones any further, but the iPhone 6 feels great in our hands. We're delighted Apple finally accepted the notion of making a larger phone because the weight and balance are perfect.
Specifications
Apple's new A8 processor built in-house but based on industry-standard ARM architecture, powers the iPhone 6. The sensor input is handled by a separate co-processor called the M8, which helps save battery life by allowing the A8 to sleep while physical activity is continuously recognized and processed in the background.
Although the screen is larger than that of the iPhone 5 generation phones, it is still considerably smaller than that of the iPhone 6 Plus. The resolution isn't significantly higher than that of the iPhone 5 series, and the pixel density is identical. While the display of the iPhone 6 is just as impressive in terms of quality as the one on the iPhone 6 Plus, it doesn't seem as thrilling. In terms of resolution, competitors have long overtaken Apple, and the gap between some of the latest Android flagships and the iPhone 6 is evident, albeit ultimately inconsequential.
There are only 1GB of RAM, which seems sparse in comparison to today's Android handsets, but we didn't find this to be an issue on the iPhone 6 Plus when we reviewed it. The lack of expandable capacity is a constant source of annoyance for us; iPhones are already costly and having to pay a crazy amount over and above the beginning price merely to have enough room to use these devices to their full potential is infuriating.
Bluetooth 4.0 and the relatively recent high-speed Wi-Fi ac technology are both supported. LTE is enabled on the Indian 2300MHz band, and NFC is new to this iPhone generation, however, it only works with Apple Pay, which is now only accessible in the United States.
Software
The iPhone 6's attractiveness is largely due to iOS - specifically, iOS 8. Because some functions on earlier iPhones don't perform as well as they do on newer models, software alone isn't a compelling incentive to upgrade from a device that's less than three years old.
There are numerous new features in iOS 8, both large and minor. Little improvements like enhanced picture editing capabilities, Notification Center widgets, Safari modifications, and voice communications via iMessage all help to make the iPhone 6 a joy to use. App extensions are normally unobtrusive, but this functionality is one of iOS's nicest new features, and developers will undoubtedly take advantage of it as time goes on. Custom keyboards will be a game-changer for Apple, and some very clever applications that enable you to do all sorts of things with messages have sprung up. Improvements to the mail handling system and the iTunes content management system are also welcome.
The Health app is one of the most noticeable new iOS 8 features. You can see an activity dashboard and entries for hundreds of trackable indicators, but things really take off after you download other apps that use the Healthkit framework and populate all of that information. The combination of Healthkit and the M8 coprocessor enables the collection of extremely detailed and remarkable data. There's still a lot that could be done to make it better.
It's un-Apple to have so many things to measure - things like Molybdenum, Peripheral Perfusion Index, and Selenium aren't on the ordinary user's radar, yet there are still ways to track them all, so it seems senseless to offer them all right away.
The Reachability shortcut, which involves double-tapping the Home button to let the screen's contents glide down towards your fingertips, is really useful, but you must get into the habit of using it or you'll forget about it. Apps that have been optimized for the correct screen resolution and scaling factor will take a long time to be updated, but those that have already been done look fantastic.
Owners of an iPhone who also possess a Mac and/or an iPad may wish to experiment with the new Continuity capabilities. Some are restricted in their appeal, such as the capacity to make voice conversations from a Mac via an iPhone, whereas the ability to start composing an email on one device and then continue from any location on another might drastically alter how people operate.
Camera
Although the rear camera remains at 8 megapixels, the lens and sensor have been upgraded to boost low-light photography and color fidelity. Continuous focusing and better stabilization are now available for video. 120fps slow-motion, which debuted with the iPhone 5s, now coexists with 240fps slow-motion, and iOS 8 introduces a new time-lapse option that can be used on previous phones.
There aren't any elaborate special effects or multi-page menus of options in Apple's camera app. The iPhone 6 and iOS 8 have a lot of new features, but it's starting to feel like Apple can't decide whether to give users more options or keep the UI simple.
The iPhone 6 lacks 4K video capture, putting it behind its competition in this area. Even if you don't intend to film all of your videos at such a high resolution, having the option is wonderful. The storage space limit would make storing 4K videos extremely challenging.
The camera on the iPhone 6 was excellent. During the day, the images were crisp, with realistic colors and high levels of detail. Closeups were stunning, and even distant items were beautifully portrayed. The iPhone 6's low-light performance is also impressive, since it works well both indoors and outdoors, even with minimal artificial or ambient lighting. We were always astounded by how beautifully the images turned out; there was noise, but details remained clearly defined even when seen at a reduced size on a screen. The photos turned out to appear like they were taken in much better lighting.
Performance
We're reminded yet again that numbers and acronyms on a specification sheet aren't necessarily reliable indicators of a device's quality. The dual-core Apple A8 processor and integrated graphics are more than capable of competing with quad- and octa-core processors from the leading competition.
We encountered no issues with the iPhone 6 when playing demanding games, recording high-definition video, multitasking, or simply resting while surfing the Internet. The phone is incredibly responsive, and unique features like Apple's Touch ID sensor make the entire iPhone experience silky smooth. Of course, some features aren't as versatile or functional as they are on Android, but overall, the iOS platform is a delight to use.
The benchmark results were excellent. We were able to achieve some excellent results in graphics-intensive testing, thanks to the powerful A8 processor not having to push itself to drive a very high-resolution screen. 3DMark Ice Storm was maxed out in the standard and Extreme modes, but posted a score of 17,302 in the Unlimited mode, while GFXBench hit a new high of 50.1fps. HD videos played without a hitch as well.
AnTuTu for iOS gave us a fantastic score of 49,319 points, which is nearly identical to the 49,353 points achieved by the iPhone 6 Plus. The test still detects a resolution of 640x1136 pixels, which explains the comparable results and implies that neither device's native resolution is represented.
The battery life was adequate, although we had hoped for more. The duration of our video loop test was 7 hours and 40 minutes. This is a clear advantage for the iPhone 6 Plus, which is substantially larger. The call quality was excellent, but we believe Apple should improve its iPhone speakers - the single mono speaker on the bottom isn't very loud or rich, and competitors do a better job.
Verdict
Apple's two new devices, as we noted in our review of the iPhone 6 Plus, are remarkably similar in terms of the experience they provide, with only the screen size separating them. As a result, users can select the screen size (and physical size) that best meets their needs, without feeling as though they've made a compromise by choosing a smaller device. Larger phones in the Android world tend to have all of the best features, and "small" versions are usually always trimmed down.
However, because of the iPhone 6's smaller body, the battery is smaller, and the camera does not have optical image stabilization. Each iPhone 6 model, on the other hand, costs Rs. 9,000 less than the equivalent iPhone 6 Plus. At the same price, we believe most individuals would be better off with a 64GB iPhone 6 than a 16GB iPhone 6 Plus.
The specifications of this phone should not lead you to believe it is less powerful than an Android flagship. If you've been looking for a reason to replace your old phone with an iPhone, the iPhone 6 is one of the best reasons to do so. If you're thinking about upgrading from an iPhone 4S or earlier, the iPhone 6 is a fantastic choice. Owners with an iPhone 5 or 5s running iOS 8 will see a smaller change, and they can easily continue with their current phones for another year unless they truly want to upgrade.
There are plenty of options if you're undecided about whether to go with an Android or an iPhone. The Sony Xperia Z3 (Review | Photos) is the generation's flagship smartphone. Samsung Galaxy S5 (Photos | Review) Although the HTC One (M8) (Review | Photos) and LG G3 (Review | Photos) are both larger, they are all significantly less expensive and offer value in the form of features like expandable storage and 4K video capture.
Last but not least, when we examine new flagship phones, we always consider if their predecessors are good value for money, given how prices tend to plummet. Surprisingly, the iPhone 5s (16GB) is still available for Rs. 53,500, the same price as the iPhone 6. It's still a good value if you can get a 5s in retail for less than Rs. 40,000 today. An official price decrease for the iPhone 5s is long overdue, at which point the 32GB device will be less expensive than the 16GB iPhone 6 - a very tempting alternative indeed.
Apple iPhone 6 Summary
We had high hopes for the iPhone 6, and it exceeded them in almost every way. The much-debated shift to larger screens has paid off, and while long-time users may feel a little odd at first, there are clear advantages. Apple has also managed to achieve significant speed increases while retaining an acceptable battery life and lowering the device's thickness. The camera performs admirably, particularly in low light. On the flipside, storage space remains limited, making the entry-level 16GB device less appealing than the more expensive 64GB and 128GB models.
Apple iPhone 6 Full Specifications
General
| Brand | Apple |
| Model | iPhone 6 |
| Price in India | ₹9,099 |
| Release date | September 2014 |
| Launched in India | Yes |
| Form factor | Touchscreen |
| Body type | Metal |
| Dimensions (mm) | 138.10 x 67.00 x 6.90 |
| Weight (g) | 129.00 |
| Battery capacity (mAh) | 1810 |
| Removable battery | No |
| Colors | Gold, Silver, Space Grey |
Display
| Screen size (inches) | 4.70 |
| Touchscreen | Yes |
| Resolution | 750x1334 pixels |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 |
| Pixels per inch (PPI) | 326 |
Hardware
| Processor | 1.4GHz dual-core |
| Processor make | Apple A8 |
| RAM | 1GB |
| Internal storage | 16GB |
| Expandable storage | No |
Camera
| Rear camera | 8-megapixel (f/2.2, 1.5-micron) |
| Rear autofocus | Phase detection autofocus |
| Rear flash | Dual LED |
| Front camera | 1.2-megapixel (f/2.2) |
Software
| Operating system | iOS 8.0 |
Connectivity
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Wi-Fi standards supported | 802.11 a/b/g/n |
| GPS | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes, v 4.20 |
| NFC | Yes |
| Infrared | No |
| USB OTG | No |
| Lightning | Yes |
| Headphones | 3.5mm |
| FM | No |
| Number of SIMs | 1 |
| Wi-Fi Direct | No |
| Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) | No |
| SIM Type | Nano-SIM |
| GSM/CDMA | GSM |
| 3G | Yes |
| 4G/ LTE | Yes |
| Supports 4G in India (Band 40) | Yes |
Sensors
| Fingerprint sensor | Yes |
| Compass/ Magnetometer | Yes |
| Proximity sensor | Yes |
| Accelerometer | Yes |
| Ambient light sensor | Yes |
| Gyroscope | Yes |
| Barometer | Yes |
| Temperature sensor | No |
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