Following months of rumors and speculation, Apple took the wraps off its highly-anticipated iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus at its product event on Tuesday afternoon. Advertised as “bigger than bigger,” the iPhone 6 models received a design overhaul, improved hardware specifications under the hood, an entirely new mobile payments platform and several new features. 

The refresh was not as groundbreaking as, say, the jump between the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4, but less incremental than the iPhone 5 compared to the iPhone 5s. Ahead, we take a comprehensive look at the two new smartphones based on several categories: design, display, camera, battery, connectivity, payments, software, storage, colors, specifications and onwards.

Design

In a nutshell, the iPhone 6 is larger than its predecessor featuring an all-new design. The standard iPhone 6 has a 4.7-inch display, while the iPhone 6 Plus packs a 5.5-inch screen. In terms of screen size, the iPhone can now compete head to head with Android-based smartphones that long ago eclipsed the 3.5-inch to 4-inch mark of the iPhone 5s and below. For those that have considered the iPhone to be too small, that is no longer a valid excuse.

The new smartphones are also noticeably thinner, with the iPhone 6 measuring in at 6.9 mm and the iPhone 6 Plus a hairline bulkier at 7.1 mm. To achieve this design, which looks along the lines of a fifth-generation iPod touch, the iPhone 6 has a seamless transition between glass and metal like newer iPads, iMacs and other Apple products. The handset is made with a combination of anodized aluminum, stainless steel and glass.

Apple wants to ensure one-handed use of the iPhone 6, so it has repositioned the Sleep / Wake button — otherwise known as the power button — to the right side of the device. On the left, there are pill-shaped volume buttons and a mute switch for silencing the smartphone. On the back is a slightly protruding iSight camera next to thick antenna bands at the top and bottom, a shiny Apple logo in the center and typical iPhone tagline underneath.

In terms of keeping your iPhone 6 looking new, the smartphone still has an anodized aluminum finish that could lead to normal wear and tear or scratches over time. Gone are chamfered edges, however, replaced with a smooth, seamless bond of metal and glass that could be less prone to cracking or shattering if you drop your iPhone. The use of ion-strengthened glass should also make the iPhone 6 more resilient at surviving the impact of a drop.

Overall, if you have used an iPhone before, the design will still feel familiar for the most part. In fact, Apple continues to make one of the most well designed smartphones on the market. In a sense, it is like a hybrid between a rounder iPhone 3GS and a more sleek, modern iPhone 5s. I imagine it will take a bit of time for users to get used to the larger screens and rounder edges, but there was a similar adjustment period between the iPhone 4S and iPhone 5 a few years ago.

Retina HD Display

When Apple introduced the iPhone 4 in 2010, it was the first smartphone to feature a Retina display. That is the company’s fancy marketing term to describe any device with a high-resolution screen. Four years later, the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus have become the first smartphones to feature Retina HD displays. The difference: even higher resolutions.

The standard 4.7-inch model has a resolution of 1,334 × 750 pixels, which is density of 326 PPI. Meanwhile, the larger 5.5-inch model becomes the first iPhone to be 1080p with a full 1,920 × 1,080 pixels resolution and 401 PPI. Both resolutions definitely raise the bar over the iPhone 5s, which measures at 1,136 × 640 pixels, but only catch up to the numerous 1080p screens that are available on Android-based smartphones and other competing devices.

The all-new Retina HD Display packs a lot of innovation, including a full sRGB color standard, higher contrast and so-called incredible brightness and white balance. To achieve higher contrast, Apple developed an advanced process of photo alignment that involves using UV light to precisely position the display’s liquid crystals so they lay exactly where they should. The end result is a better viewing experience, with deeper blacks and sharper text.

A wider viewing angle is the result of dual-domain pixels that enable color accuracy from corner to corner, and an improved polarizer provides you with a clearer view of your iPhone’s display when you’re wearing sunglasses. The four main components of a Retina HD Display, pictured from top to bottom in the image above, are the glass, polarizer, IPS display and backlight. Together, the hardware promises to provide the best viewing experience on iPhone to date.

The Retina HD Display also has an innovative new feature called Display Zoom lets you choose between a standard view or zoom view depending on what you want to see. With a higher resolution screen, the ability to scale the Home screen or apps makes a lot of sense. Last, there is a Landscape view on iPhone 6 Plus that allows you to view the Home screen and several stock apps in a new dimension — just like an iPad in landscape orientation.

A8 Chip

A larger screen calls for a more powerful processor. The new Apple A8 chip features second-generation 64-bit desktop-class architecture and an advanced 20-nanometer process to deliver performance up to 50 times faster, and with up to 50 percent more energy efficiency, than the original iPhone. Accompanied by a new M8 motion coprocessor, graphics performance is also up to 84 times faster than the original iPhone.

The A8 chip uses an advanced 20-nanometer process. It is 13% smaller, but delivers 25 percent improved performance with up to 50 percent more energy efficiency than the A7 chip, which powers iPhone 5s.

Apple details the following about the M8 Motion Coprocessor:

“When you’re in motion, the M8 motion coprocessor continuously measures data from the accelerometer, compass, gyroscope, and a new barometer. This offloads work from the A8 chip for improved power efficiency. And now those sensors do even more, measuring your steps, distance, and elevation changes.”

The new iSight camera on iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, which is elaborated on in more detail in the next section, features an Apple-designed video encoder and image signal processor built into the A8 chip. This bring support for advanced camera and video features, like new Focus Pixels, better face detection, continuous autofocus, and enhanced noise reduction. Capturing and shooting higher-quality photos and videos should be easier.

For an improved graphics performance, Apple has introduced a new technology called Metal that allows developers to create immersive, console-style games on iPhone. Metal is optimized to allow the CPU and GPU to work in unison to deliver graphics and complex visual effects, making the feeling of most games you play much more realistic. Based on the demo of Vainglory from Super Evil Games earlier this week, I am excited to see what else is possible.

Cameras

The world’s most popular camera is now even better with the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, both of which feature an improved 8-megapixel iSight rear-facing camera that packs a long list of new features: focus pixels, face detection, exposure control, 1080p HD at 60 FPS and slo-mo video at 240 FPS, time-lapse videos, continuous autofocus, cinematic video stabilization and, exclusive to the iPhone 6 Plus, optical image stabilization.

• Focus Pixels: Focus pixels are enabled through Apple’s new image signal processor. These pixels provide the sensor with more information about your image, leading to better and faster autofocus that can even be seen in preview.
• Optical Image Stabilization: Apple has added optical image stabilization exclusively to the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus that the company describes as working with the Apple A8 processor, gyroscope and M8 motion coprocessor to measure motion data and provide precise lens movement to compensate for hand shake in lower light. The fusion of long- and short-exposure images helps to reduce the subject motion, and a unique integration of hardware and software promises to deliver beautiful low-light photos.
• Face Detection: The new iSight camera has the ability to recognize faces faster and more accurately, including those far away in the distance or in a crowd. The result is better portrait and group shots, with improved blink and smile detection and a selection of faces in burst mode for capturing your best shots.
• Exposure Control: This feature enables you to lighten or darken a photo or video in the preview pane with a simple slide. You can go up to four f-stops in either direction.

• 1080p HD at 60 FPS and Slo-Mo Video at 240 FPS: When you shoot HD video on the iPhone 6, there is an option of recording at 60 frames per second. With faster frame rates, you can capture more action in each second and create sharper images that translate to more true-to-life video. Likewise, there is an option to shoot HD video at 120 fps or 240 fps in 720p in slow motion — full videos or parts.
• Time-Lapse Videos: iOS 8 enables iPhone users to create time-lapse videos that will snap photos at dynamically selected intervals. When they are stitched together, they create these still videos that have a very cool effect. Just set your iPhone where you want to shoot, and swipe to select the time-lapse mode. Tap the record button and film for 30 minutes or even 30 hours.
• Continuous Autofocus: The new iPhone 6 includes continuous autofocus in video, which is described as an advanced optical feature that makes use of Apple’s new Focus Pixels technology to ensure that shots remain sharp and stay that way while you’re recording — even if subjects or objects move. Faster autofocus means fewer inadvertent focus changes as well.
• Cinematic Video Stabilization: You are running down the street with your iPhone in your right hand, trying to record a video of something while you’re on the go. When you play it back later, the entire video is shaky because you were moving. That’s what cinematic video stabilization aims to fix, by keeping your shots steady and as smooth as gliding through the scene on a rig.

Apple has also improved the front-facing FaceTime HD camera on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus with a larger aperture and all-new sensor technology for capturing 81 percent more light. The front-facing camera also has improved face detection and an all-new burst mode for taking up to 10 photos per second. Additionally, the FaceTime HD camera features exposure control, improved HDR photos and video and a timer mode.

➤ Read More: iPhone 6 Camera Features

Battery

While the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus have larger screens than their predecessors, battery life on the smartphones has not been impacted. In fact, Apple claims that battery life on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus either matches or outperforms that of the iPhone 5s and below based on several categories: audio, HD video, Wi-Fi browsing, LTE browsing, 3G browsing, 3G talk and standby time.

The chart below provides a side-by-side comparison of battery life on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. On a single charge, the iPhone 6 gets up to 50 hours of audio playback, up to 11 hours of HD video playback, up to 11 hours of Wi-Fi browsing, up to 10 hours of LTE browsing, up to 10 hours of 3G browsing, up to 14 hours of 3G talk and up to 10 days or 250 hours of standby time.

Meanwhile, the iPhone 6 Plus has a larger battery capacity and, therefore, gets up to 80 hours of audio playback, up to 14 hours of HD video playback, up to 12 hours of Wi-Fi browsing, up to 12 hours of LTE browsing, up to 12 hours of 3G browsing, up to 24 hours of 3G talk and up to 16 days or 384 hours of standby time. The actual capacity of the lithium-ion batteries has not yet been confirmed.

Early reports suggest that the iPhone 6 has a 1,810 mAh battery capacity and the iPhone 6 Plus has a 2,915 mAh battery capacity, although proper device teardowns will still have to be carried out before those numbers can be confirmed. Comparatively, the iPhone 5s has a 1,560 mAh battery that gets up to 40 hours of audio playback, up to 10 hours of video playback, up to 10 hours of Wi-Fi browsing, up to 10 hours of LTE browsing, up to 8 hours of 3G browsing and up to 250 hours standby time.

➤ Read More: iPhone 6 Plus vs. iPhone 6 vs. iPhone 5s vs. iPhone 5 vs. iPhone 4S: Battery life compared

Connectivity

iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus have improved wireless connectivity for faster LTE download speeds of up to 150 Mbps. Apple claims that iPhone 6 users can experience faster download and upload speeds for browsing the web, streaming music, making video calls and more. The smartphones also support Voice over LTE, or VoLTE, enabling wideband high-quality calls that are crisp and clear sounding.

iPhone 6 has up to 20 LTE bands, more than any other smartphone and seven more than the iPhone 5s specifically. This allows the iPhone 6 to connect to more high-speed LTE networks in more areas, convenient for travelers that are data roaming or those that live in international countries. Plus, with simultaneous voice and LTE data, you can keep browsing on iPhone 6 while you are talking.

With new support for 802.11ac, there is also up to three times faster Wi-Fi on the iPhone 6 over the 802.11n technologies used on previous iPhones. A new feature allows you to initiate calls over Wi-Fi using your own phone number, and your call can seamlessly transition to VoLTE once you go out of range of your Wi-Fi connection. When you’re traveling between your house, car, work, airport or so forth, this feature is ideal.

• Model A1549 (GSM) and Model A1522 (GSM): UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz), GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz), LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29)
• Model A1549 (CDMA) and Model A1522 (CDMA): CDMA EV-DO Rev. A and Rev. B (800, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz), UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz), GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz), LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29)
• Model A1586 and Model A1524: CDMA EV-DO Rev. A and Rev. B (800, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz), UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz), TD-SCDMA 1900 (F), 2000 (A), GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz), FDD-LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29), TD-LTE (Bands 38, 39, 40, 41)

Apple Pay

Apple Pay, the new mobile payments platform, is powered by the NFC chip on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. When you want to make a payment, simply hold your iPhone near the point-of-sale system and verify you are the card holder by scanning your thumb with Touch ID.  The system stores your credit card info in an encrypted and secure fashion, with the help of Touch ID and the new A8 chip. Apple Pay also supports the iPhone 5, iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s when paired with an Apple Watch.

The service is deeply integrated with Passbook, enabling one-touch checkout with no card number entry, typing an address or signing a receipt required. Forget about carrying credit and debit cards in your wallet and simply use your iPhone for payments at over 220,000 participating stores in the United States. Apple Pay partners include Macy’s, McDonald’s, Bloomingdale’s, Whole Food Markets, Petco, Staples, Target and more, but notably absent are Best Buy and Walmart. Apple is expected to Apple Pay in October.

• Apple unveils Apple Pay, its new NFC powered payments system
• Apple Pay First Impressions and Hands-on Videos
• Apple to receive cut of bank fees from Apple Pay mobile payment system
• Apple Pay support for UnionPay hints at arrival in China
• Walmart and Best Buy do not plan to support Apple Pay
• Apple earns 0.15% commission on every Apple Pay transaction

iOS 8

iOS 8 is the latest version of Apple’s mobile operating system for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. The software will come pre-installed on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, while it is available as a free update for other compatible devices beginning September 17th. iOS 8 has several new features that make the software platform much more open, including functionality like third-party keyboards and widgets. Learn more about the major features:

Storage and Colors

iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are available in 16 GB, 64 GB and 128 GB storage capacities, with three colors to choose from: space gray, silver and gold.

➤ Read More: Space Gray, Gold or Silver — Which color iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus should you buy?

Apps

iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus come with several built-in apps right out of the box, and Apple also offers a selection of free apps that can be downloaded through the App Store.

• Built-in Apps: Camera, Photos, Health, Messages, Phone, FaceTime, Mail, Music, Passbook, Safari, Maps, Siri, Calendar, iTunes Store, App Store, Notes, Contacts, iBooks, Game Center, Weather, Reminders, Voice Memos, Clock, Videos, Stocks, Calculator, Newsstand, Compass, Podcasts
• Free Apps from Apple: iMovie, Pages, Keynote, Numbers, iTunes U, GarageBand, Apple Store, Trailers, Remote, Find My iPhone, Find My Friends

Tech Specifications

• iPhone 6 measures 5.44 inches x 2.64 inches x 0.27 inches (138.1mm x 67.0 mm x 6.9 mm) and the iPhone 6 Plus measures 6.22 inches x 3.06 inches x 0.28 inches (158.1 mm x 77.8 mm x 7.1 mm)
• iPhone 6 weighs 4.55 ounces (129 grams) and iPhone 6 Plus weighs 6.07 ounces (172 grams)
• iPhone 6 has Retina HD Display with 1334-by-750 pixel resolution at 326 PPI and 1400:1 contrast ratio, while the iPhone 6 Plus has Retina HD Display with 1920-by-1080 pixel resolution at 401 PPI and 1300:1 contrast ratio
• iPhone 6 screens have 500 cd/m2 max brightness and full sRGB standard
• Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating on the screen
• New 8-megapixel iSight camera with 1.5µ pixels and ƒ/2.2 aperture
• Assisted GPS and GLONASS, digital compass and iBeacon microlocation
• Audio formats supported: AAC (8 to 320 Kbps), Protected AAC (from iTunes Store), HE-AAC, MP3 (8 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, 4, Audible Enhanced Audio, AAX, and AAX+), Apple Lossless, AIFF, and WAV
• Video formats supported: H.264 video up to 1080p, 60 frames per second, High Profile level 4.2 with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; MPEG-4 video up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps per channel, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; Motion JPEG (M-JPEG) up to 35 Mbps, 1280 by 720 pixels, 30 frames per second, audio in ulaw, PCM stereo audio in .avi file format
• 3.5-mm headphone jack
• Barometer, three-axis gyro and accelerometer
• Proximity sensor and ambient light sensor

Related:

• iPhone 6 Hardware Specifications
• iPhone 6 Plus vs. iPhone 6 vs. iPhone 5s: Specs shootout
• iPhone 6 Plus vs. iPhone 6 vs. iPhone 5: Specs shootout
• iPhone 6 Plus vs. iPhone 6 vs. iPhone 5c: Specs shootout

Other Noteworthy Points

• Apple moved the Sleep/Wake button — also known as the Power button — to the right side of the device so that it’s easily reachable
• Apple discontinued the 32 GB model iPhone, making the mid-tier 64 GB option a much more attractive option for $100 more
• iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are the thinnest iPhones ever at 6.9 mm and 7.1 mm respectively
• Reachability is a new feature that shifts the content of the screen down closer to your thumb for one-handed usage
• In the box: Apple EarPods with Remote and Mic, Wall Charger and Lightning Cable
• Requires Nano-SIM Card

Pricing

iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are available starting at $199 and $299 based on a new two-year contract. The smartphones are also offered unlocked for a full retail price starting at $749 and $849 respectively, which can be paid upfront or in monthly payments through carrier financing programs like AT&T Next, Verizon Edge and T-Mobile Jump. The complete pricing breakdown is as follows, based on iPhone model and storage capacity.

All prices are based on US dollars, subject to change and may not reflect promotional offers available through Apple or authorized resellers.

Availability

iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus pre-orders began on September 12th ahead of a public release on September 19th in the the United States, France, Hong Kong, Canada, Germany, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Australia and Japan. Apple plans to launch the smartphones in 115 countries by the end of this year.

iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus will launch in a second wave of countries on September 26th, including Switzerland, Italy, New Zealand, Sweden, Netherlands, Spain, Denmark, Ireland, Norway, Luxembourg, Russia, Austria, Turkey, Finland, Taiwan, Belgium, Portugal. The United Arab Emirates will begin selling the iPhone 6 on September 27th.

Accessories

Apple is selling both Leather Cases and Silicone Cases for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. In addition to these two cases, Apple also highlighted various Beats headphones and products and other accessories that are or will be available for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus when the smartphones hit the market on September 19th. All of the cases and accessories are available for purchase at the Apple Store both online and in store.

The all-new Leather Case is made from premium, hand-crafted leather treated with high-quality aniline dye, designed to fit perfectly over the curved form of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus with color-matched microfiber interior to keep the smartphones protected. As the case is designed to be form-fitting on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, it is also very slim. Leather Cases are available in brown, black, beige, navy blue and red for $45 to $49.

Meanwhile, the Silicone Case is a new custom-fit case that covers the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus while maintaining an incredibly slim form factor. The rear-facing camera remains protected beneath the case and, like the Leather Case, it has a soft microfiber lining that cushions the entire iPhone. The case has a smooth finish on the outside, and is available in the colors black, sky blue, pink, green, white and red for $35.

➤ Read More: Apple to sell Leather Cases and Silicone Cases for iPhone 6

Introduction Videos

Watch Apple introduce the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FglqN1jd1tM

Take a closer look at the seamless design of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RS5mzvqWM-c

Check out our iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus Buyer’s guide to find out if you should upgrade to the new iPhone along with recommendations on which model to get.

➤ iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus Buyer’s Guide

Is there anything about the iPhone 6 that you are still curious about?