Expert’s Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
It ’s clean that the most important alteration with the iPhone 6 is its size . Yes , the processor is a second faster and the camera is slightly improved , but it ’s the 4.7 in show that hit the giving difference . It means a better experience when watching TV or picture on your iPhone , it display photograph better , and it take into account more information to be shown on the screen at once . If you ’ve suffer an iPhone 5 or one-time , the iPhone 6 is a sell upgrade that you ’ll get used to after just a few days of alteration , but iPhone 5s owners might desire to seriously look at waiting another year for the iPhone 6s as they ’ve already got a brainy smartphone and aside from that openhanded display , the iPhone 6 does n’t bring many other Modern features to the mesa .
With a 4.7 in display , new intention , improved glasses and new features , the iPhone 6 was bigger and better than any iPhone we ’d ensure back in 2014 . We ’ve now been using the iPhone 6 for almost two years , so we fetch you our updated iPhone 6 inspection . See also : iPhone purchasing advice
When it establish in September 2014 , the iPhone 6 was joined by a bigger sibling , the iPhone 6 Plus , which has a 5.5 in screen and a few extra specs to the smaller iPhone . you may determine out more about theiPhone 6 Plus here . We ’ve also got aniPhone 6 Plus review .
iPhone history
This iPhone has been replaced with a newer model . notice links below to our review of all iPhone models , including the late generation.iPhone 16is anticipate to set in motion in September 2024 ( seewhen is the good meter to buy a novel iPhone ) , whileiPhone SE ( 4th generation)andiPhone 17are potential to seem in 2025 . Find out aboutApple ’s September upshot detailsandhow to check the Apple September event springy stream ; or for other Apple product , learn more about all thenew Apple product coming this yearandwhen is the next Apple issue . You might also wish ouriPhone purchasing guide , best iPhone dealsandcomparison of every iPhone that is available to bribe today .
Things we like about the iPhone 6
There are a lot of benefit to have a bigger screen . Websites with pocket-sized fount are easier to read and you could see more point in ikon .
I find myself reading Word on the iPhone 6 ( I never utilise my iPad miniskirt now , in fact I ’ve contribute it to a friend ) . Reading Koran on the older iPhones seemed featherbrained because you would be flick through the Sir Frederick Handley Page almost a paragraph at a time , but there is a well-to-do amount of school text on each Sir Frederick Handley Page . [ scan ouriPhone 6 versus iPad mini equivalence . ]
This screen size is also much well for drafting documents on , on the sr. iPhones it can often find like the keyboard is taking up half the screen in Notes or Pages . Now you could read a good chunk of what you have written above the keyboard .
Now when I borrow a admirer ’s iPhone 5s I ca n’t get over how little it is . It ’s like the move from the iPhone 4S to the iPhone 5 all over again , and I ca n’t ideate I ’d go back to anything small after using the 4.7 in iPhone 6 .
you could also read ourreview of the Apple Watch , and ourComplete scout to Apple Watch .
Things about the iPhone 6 that aren’t as bad as we thought
The one matter I was convinced that I would never get used to is the heavy size . The iPhone 6 is bigger , and it has forced me to change the way of life I withstand it , but I have adapted over time .
The benefits of the swelled screenland go along style to make up for the inconvenience of the clumsiness test to use the iPhone 6 with one hand ( as a commuter this happens a lot , for those who employ their headphone with both hands because they have a luxury of a seat on the agency to work this will be less of a concern ) .
I ’ve adapted to holding the iPhone in such a way that I can hold it with my finger and softly move it around in and let it slip into a different place so as to make the corners . I do n’t ever find myself using Apple ’s Reachability organization ( where you’re able to replicate hydrant to work the top to the screen down ) probably because it just feel like an extra step , and additional steps take meter .
Things about the iPhone 6 that annoy us
I allow in , I was initially annoy by the fact that the power push had been proceed forthwith opposite the loudness manipulate because whenever I pressed the power release , I would end up turn the intensity up or down and cancelling the action . Over two days later , I ’ve got used to the placement and even though I still once in a while stumble the volume button , it ’s much less of an issue . Besides , it ’s a lineament of many smartphones with large displays as it ’d be more impractical to essay and reach the top of the display with one hand !
What is still frustrating is that there is only 1 GB of RAM . I make out all the arguments for why it does n’t matter that there is only 1 GB RAM in the iPhone ( Io is practiced at utilizing and clearing the tup than those Android phones that have tons of RAM ) but I utilize an app to clear my RAM because in a normal days apply the iPhone turn sulky and the only way of life to step on it it up is to empty the RAM . [ Read about how to do this here : How to pelt along up an iPhone ]
Two years on , there are many iPhone competitors that boast 2/3/4 GB of RAM , and the difference in carrying into action is starting to become more noticable as time goes on and iOS becomes more demanding of the hardware . However , the iPhone 6 can be beak up for much gaudy than it once was and even though it still costs £ 459 from Apple , carriers and online stores ( eBay , etc ) sell them for less . If you ’re looking to upgrade to an iPhone from an sure-enough iPhone or Android but do n’t require to devote the premium for feature film like 3D Touch and enhanced photographic camera , the iPhone 6 may be the ideal alternative , even now after nearly two old age .
Below is our our original review of the iPhone 6
iPhone 6 review: Price & availability UK
The iPhone 6 hit UK shelves on 19 September . The price of the iPhone 6 get-go at £ 539 , which is in reality £ 10 small than the original starting Leontyne Price of the iPhone 5S. That ’s still costly for a smartphone , though , and is much high than many of its Android and Windows Phone rivals .
If you want more than 16 GB capacity , you ’ll call for to cough up £ 619 for the 64 GB model or £ 699 for the 128 GB modeling . There ’s no 32 GB model this time .
We really would n’t recommend the 16 GB , though . It will be more like 12 GB in reality , and that will fulfil fast with apps , videos , photos and music . hear for the 64 GB if possible .
Here are the full mountain range of pricing options :
16 GB iPhone 6 : £ 539
64 GB iPhone 6 : £ 619
128 GB iPhone 6 : £ 699
Each of these phone costs £ 80-£90 less than the same - capacity iPhone 6 Plus .
As we say previously , we ’d advise against buying the 16 GB variant , you are likely to find it frustrating staying within those 16 GB – especially next time Apple update it ’s operating scheme ( which in 2014 required as much as 5 GB of space on some iPhones ) . The 64 GB iPhone 6 costs just £ 80 more and you get 300 % more storage .
See : How to buy an iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus in the UKandWhy you should n’t buy a US iPhone for use in the UK
Thanks to Three for our iPhone 6 review whole
iPhone 6 review: Design
With the increase popularity of larger smartphones from the likes of Samsung and other Apple rival , it seems that the iPhone 6 and the even bigger iPhone 6 Plus are a reply to that success . Both example will doubtlessly help Apple reach new hearing that were n’t being served by its 4 in iPhone models , but it comes at the risk of losing those customers who preferred that smaller screen .
iPhone 6 floater the same curvaceous purpose as the iPhone 6 Plus , all - be - it slightly smaller dimensions . It measure 138.1 mm grandiloquent by 67.0 mm panoptic , just 6.9 mm thick , and librate just 129 grams ( it ’s one of the lightest smartphones out there ) . It is available in silver , amber or place grey .
Although smaller than the iPhone 6 Plus , the iPhone 6 is still very large , and only the most mammoth workforce would be able to well reach to the edges . As a result Apple also offers Reachability on the iPhone 6 , which allows you to double tap on the home button to pull out the top of the screen down so you may reach the controls .
One glance at the iPhone 6 and you ’ll see that it is perceptibly larger than the iPhone 5S , with a 4.7 in screenland rather than the aged phone ’s 4 in screen . blame it up and you ’ll find that it ’s a lot dissimilar to Apple ’s previous iPhones , with rounded edges more like those find on the iPod tinge and iPad . It also brings to mind the original iPhone , which also had trend edges and an all - metallic element back .
Without get that softening design alteration , the iPhone 6 would be monstrous . It is somewhat grave than the iPhone 5s , but it ’s so thin at 6.9 mm and amazingly easy to hold in your hand . Even the display ’s edges are slightly curved , a tinge that we really like . It help make hold the iPhone 6 super comfortable , which is clearly something Apple had at the forefront of its mind when designing this smartphone .
We get it on the sizing of the iPhone 6 . It ’s the gross medium , ride between the now too - little CRT screen of the iPhone 5s and the too - braggy screen on the iPhone 6 Plus . It still fits in your air pocket ( and no , ours did n’t flex ) , it ’s fantastically light and it provides the ideal amount of screen space to well determine video recording contentedness , spiel games and take in image slideshows .
As you ’d expect from an iPhone , the iPhone 6 ’s physical body quality is first-class . Some of the buttons and switches have been moved and/or redesign , but they ’re still firm and responsive . The iPhone 5s ’s round volume clit have been replaced with long metallic element ovals coiffe into a somewhat recessed indent .
One major intent change for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus was the relocation of the on - off clitoris , which was found at the top of the phone in old generations . Now this button has moved to the side of the phone so that it is easier to reach when held one turn over ( the new home plate for this button does make taking silver screen shots harder though ) .
The newfangled position of the sleep / aftermath button will definitely take some getting used to for anyone already using one of Apple ’s older iPhones , though . I find that I was used to it after just a solar day of use , but I ’ve used several Android gadget with the curl release in that position in the past .
Nonetheless , it does make it easier to run into the push button without adjust your grip or resorting to a second hand . Yes , Apple is still keen on its one - handed use motto for the iPhone , despite the bigger screen door sizes , and it ’s doing everything it can to make you believe it .
Apple has even introduce a fresh feature to speak the issuance of the giving screen for one - handed use . It name this unexampled feature Reachability . A double - strike on the Home button but slide down the entire port to about a third of the CRT screen , letting you rapidly enter the user interface without having to strain . The port is full operational – you’re able to even exploit the iPhone ’s position streak to jump-start back to the top of a web page , for example .
This feature is not something we ’d normally have a bun in the oven to see from Apple . It makes sensory faculty , but it ’s not very graceful . Intitially , we found it to be a bit discrepant , but Apple has updated iOS 8 to Io 8.0.2 and that seems to have solved some of the Reachability bug . It ’s quick to get used to and it work for one - handed consumption with the iPhone 6 , but we rarly bump ourselves using it . The world is that we ’ve switched to a two - handed approach , holding the telephone set in one hand and controlling whatever is on screen with the other .
It seems that Apple did n’t quite handle to squeeze in the rear - face iSight camera when it decided to slim down its iPhone . The camera lens project slightly from the back of the iPhone 6 and it ’s by all odds detectable . you’re able to still put the iPhone flat on its back , but it does n’t quite sit around evenly , which is another un - Apple - like move in our eyes . We ’ll be doing some further digging to find out exactly why Apple made this conclusion . Read : iPhone 6 Plus rivals
interpret next : Apple Watch mitt - on review
Read : Is it possible to get a free iPhone ? The the true about complimentary iPhone scams
iPhone 6 review: Display
The iPhone 6 boast a lead - backlit IPS LCD , capacitive touchscreen with shatter proof - chalk and an oleophobic coating ( so it ’s not cover in fingerbreadth prints ) . The 4.7 in display of the iPhone 6 has a resolution of 1334×750 pixels , which in reality have in mind the same 326ppi pixel denseness as the iPhone 5s , but Apple has dubbed the new screen ‘ Retina HD ’ .
( It appears that the condition Retina HD refers to the phone number of pixels across the cover rather than the pixel compactness : apparently there are more pixels on these enceinte screens , but they are stretch over a broad area . But it also comprehend some slight modification in the silver screen ’ design , such as dual - world pel – which Apple read increases take in Angle , and we hash out below – and an better polariser which makes the screen clearer when viewed through sunglasses in shining cheerfulness . We talk about the various factor of Retina HD – and plain Retina , for that matter – inWhat are Retina and Retina HD displays , and are they worth the money ? )
That ’s a bit disappointing compare with some competition , which have in excess of 400ppi displays . Apple has , however , made the iPhone 6 Plus 401ppi , so you ’ll have to grease one’s palms the 5.5 in iPhone if you want that better screen .
Despite the similar sounding pixel count between the iPhone 6 and iPhone 5s , the pixel are n’t packed any tighter on the iPhone 6 than on the iPhone 5 , there are just more of them because the projection screen is 110 pixels wider and 198 pixels taller . The screenland on the iPhone 6 is upright though – Apple has made alteration to the newer screens ’ design , adding two-fold - domain pixel that allow for increased viewing angles , and other feature that improve visibility on the show and a undecomposed contrast ratio ( the demarcation ratio on the iPhone 6 is actually better than on the iPhone 6 Plus ) . Also ,
Nonetheless , we loved using the iPhone 6 ’s showing . It ’s hopeful , crisp and the contentedness appears almost stuck on top of the glass rather than beneath it . Apple has made some alteration to the showing to meliorate viewing angles and the contrast ratio , and it seems to have made a significant difference to the overall presentation timbre .
Thanks to the use of scaling , iOS apps will still work on the iPhone 6 even if they have n’t been updated for the larger display , because it ’ll simply surmount up to fit the new size . If you appear really closely you might observe the deviation but the apps will still sour in the same way .
For those that struggle with the size of the text on the iPhone 6 ’s bigger screen , Apple has introduce a new feature called Display Zoom , which actually emulates the video display of a minor sound but scales it up to fill the iPhone ’s display .
But if you become on Display Zoom , you ’ll miss out on some of the tweaks Apple has made thanks to the extra filmdom real estate . There are new column of buttons on the iOS keyboard when used in landscape painting orientation , which on the iPhone 6 insert an undo button and a comma on the left , and cursor keys and a full stop on the right . Of course , with iOS 8 come newfangled support for third - party keyboards and also a new optional QuickType suggestion bar .
front for more info on the next contemporaries of iPhones ? See ouriPhone 6c rumours , iPhone half a dozen rumoursandiPhone 7 rumours .
iPhone 6 review: Processor and benchmarks
Like the iPhone 6 Plus , the iPhone 6 features Apple ’s A8 cow chip and the M8 motion coprocessor . The A8 chip has PowerVR GX6650 hexa - core graphics , and is mate with 1 GB RAM . It is 50 per cent more power effective than the A7 , harmonize to Apple .
As Apple continues to improve its C.P.U. it ’s becoming increasingly hard to match the percentage growth in speed each year . Apple has managed to make the A8 even faster than the already speedy A7 , but the improvement is more small than the leap from the A6 to the A7 .
Apple has managed to make the A8 processor 13 per cent lowly than the A7 , though , and it ’s designed to be 50 per cent more power efficient so should provide more or less better battery living .
The A8 processor in the iPhone 6 is running at 1.2GHz , accord to GeekBench , which is similar to the A7 ’s clock speed . The iPhone 6 Plus , on the other hand , has a clock speed of 1.39GHz . Both iPhone 6 example have the same 1 GB of memory as older iPhones .
GeekBench tests of the iPhone 6 found that it can reach a undivided - marrow score of 1569 , mellow ( and therefore good ) than the 1409 of the iPhone 5s . In the multi - core mental testing , the iPhone 6 achieve 2794 compared with 2549 of the iPhone 5s .
When compare with some of the proficient Android smartphones , the iPhone 6 competes solidly . The Galaxy S5 rack up 926 point in the undivided - core trial run ( much lower than the iPhone 6 ’s 1569 ) and 2869 in the multi - core test . The HTC One M8 make 962 compass point in the single - substance trial run , and 2761 head in the multi - core test .
So the iPhone 6 is a superfast phone that can just about compete with the best Androids , in general use .
We also tested the iPhone 6 ’s graphic performance in the updated GFXbench , and were very impressed by the results . The iPhone 6 accomplish 26fps in Manhattan and 49fps in T - Rex , which suggests that the iPhone 6 is capable of handle very challenging game and apps .
In the Sunspider Javascript test , the iPhone 6 accomplish an incredibly good norm of 351ms .
See also : EE WiFi calling – What is it and how do I set it up on my iPhone ?
iPhone 6 review: Specs & hardware
A new version of Apple ’s move co - C.P.U. has been premise with the iPhone 6 , too . Unsurprisingly , it ’s call the M8 ( replacing the M7 ) , and it works with the iPhone 6 to determine when you ’re walk , cycling and run . This chip pick up sensor data as you employ your iPhone , even if the A8 processor is resting .
Using the new iOS 8 Health app you could marvel at graphs show your daily steps , but you require to either hold your earpiece on your person at all clip or use a freestanding activity tracker and a change of other apps to get a pure pic . It can also estimate distance and elevation , so it ’ll recognise when you ’re running up the step , for example . That ’s in part thanks to a new barometer sensor in the M8 .
The barometer is also included for mensurate air travel pressure to see your raising ( it can basically state if you have been climbing stair ) . This is one of the fitness and health features uncommitted to iPhone users . All iPhones also declare oneself an accelerometer and gyro for the same purpose .
All of the sensor , and also the Touch ID fingermark sensor , will be available to third - company developers for next iOS apps .
The iPhone 6 also offers pinch ID , and along with the iPhone 6 Plus , NFC , which is a necessary ingredient for using Apple Pay ( not yet launched in the UK ) . NFC works together with Apple ’s new Apple Pay nomadic payment service . We have n’t been able-bodied to test Apple Pay in the UK yet because it is only available in the US . It ’s require to arrive in Europe this class . It ’s also deserving mark that Apple has affirm that NFC will not yet be spread up to third - parties so willonlywork with Apple Pay to begin with . We expect Apple will hold off until the next genesis of iPhone or beyond to spread the technical school up to developers . notice out more about the unexampled servicing in ourApple Pay FAQ .
In term of connectivity , the iPhone 6 has better LTE capabilities than previous Apple handsets . You will also rule 802.11ac Wi - Fi in the iPhone 6 , while the old manakin only go as high as 802.11n .
translate about why it ’s not a good idea to buy the 16 GB version : The problem with Apple ’s 16 GB iPhones and iPads
iPhone 6 review: Camera
The camera has been improved in the iPhone 6 , though you might not realise it if you only depend at the specs . The rearward camera is still 8Mp , it still has a True Tone double - lead flash , its aperture is still f/2.2 and the picture element are still large , at 1.5 microns .
Apple say that the sensing element is all - new , though , and that new autofocus , advance face detection and digital icon stabilisation features will entail improved pic .
Apple has also added dedicated “ focus pixels ” to the camera , which intend speedy and better autofocus for both photos and picture . The principal area of improvement we detect was the video autofocus , which was clear and suave instead of robotic and jarring as we ’ve seen in previous iPhones .
The iPhone 6 shares some photographic camera features with the iPhone 6 Plus . These include 43 megapixel Panoramas , the option of commemorate HD video at 60 fps and Slo - mo video at 120 Federal Protective Service or 240 fps .
This even dim slo - bit feature can shoot at 240 shape per second , so when scarper that clip at one - eighth of the speed of normal video you ’ll get some telling slow apparent movement results , improved even more so by the better TV stabilisation .
There is also cinematic video stabilization and uninterrupted autofocus video .
Our only literary criticism is that the iPhone 6 tops out at 1080p , which will be fine for the absolute majority of hoi polloi for the life of the French telephone , but it does mean there is no support for 4 K television .
The front - facing FaceTime HD photographic camera has a new sensor , a honorable aperture and better low - brightness photo . It ’s also capable to utilise the Burst musical mode and HDR .
Here ’s a video where we demonstrate how to create a timelapse movie :
iPhone 6 review: Battery life
When it comes to battery life , Apple claims that iPhone 6 offers up to 14 minute of talk metre on 3 G ; up to 10 hours of internet use on 3 G , up to 10 hours on LTE , and up to 11 60 minutes on Wi - Fi ; up to 11 hours of video recording playback ; and up to 50 60 minutes of audio playback . You ’ll get more barrage life from the iPhone 6 Plus , but the iPhone 6 assault and battery is still better than those in the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c , which both had identical battery life-time , consort to Apple . Those handset offer up to 10 hours of talk time on 3 thou ; up to 8 hour of internet use on 3 chiliad , up to 10 hours on LTE , and up to 10 hours on Wi - Fi ; up to 10 hour of television playback and up to 40 minute of audio playback .
In literal world examination , we usually manage a days ’ constant use before needing a recharge , or two days at a push . And we ’re not light users : we send email and graze the web via 4 g-force on our commute , for illustration . Obviously your mileage will vary : if you ’re an intensive gamer , you ’ll need to recharge every day . If you ’re the cautious eccentric that does n’t like to give the home with less than 50 percent stay , you might get yourself recharging every night .
iPhone 6 review: Software
The iPhone 6 run iOS 8 , which was released on 17 September , two days ahead of the release of the phone itself . you could encounter out more about Io 8 and its new features in ouriOS 8 review .
iPhone comparison reviews
If you ’ve delight this article , perhaps you ’d be concerned in more iPhone buying advice ? We ’ve spell a serial of comparison reviews , which set various combinations of iPhone against one another , nous to head :
These may be useful if you ’re test to machine between two specific iPhone models .
iPhone buying guide, autumn/winter 2015
And for a broader look at Apple ’s current iPhone range , take a look at our iPhone buying guide video for autumn / wintertime 2015 :
