The iPhone 6s and 6s Plus are very similar devices, which makes it very difficult to choose. They have a very similar set of specs and share the same cool features, like a rocking camera and 3D Touch. The biggest difference between the two phones is screen size, which doesn’t seem that important until you start using the device. As you move between the smaller and larger iPhone models you begin to recognize the subtle difference that make each one unique.
We’ve compiled these differences so you get an appreciation for both the strengths and the weaknesses of the iPhone 6s and the 6s Plus. Hopefully, these insights will help you decide the best model for your needs.,
A Hardware Comparison
Both the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus share many of the same features such as the powerful A9 chip, the innovative 3D Touch interface, the ultrafast LTE-Advanced connectivity, and a jaw-dropping 12MP iSight camera. They both are available in the same capacities and colors with the iPhone 6 Plus slight more expensive ($100) than the 6s. Rather than continue to highlight all the ways they are the same, we’ve used this handy table to show how the two models differ is areas such as battery life, camera features and display size.
|
Specs |
iPhone 6s |
iPhone 6s Plus |
|
Display |
4.7-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit widescreen next-generation Multi‑Touch display with IPS technology and Taptic Engine
1334-by-750-pixel resolution at 326 ppi 1400:1 contrast ratio (typical) |
5.5-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit widescreen next-generation Multi‑Touch display with IPS technology and Taptic Engine
1920-by-1080-pixel resolution at 401 ppi 1300:1 contrast ratio (typical) |
|
Dimensions |
5.44 inches (138.3 mm)
Width: 2.64 inches (67.1 mm) Depth: 0.28 inch (7.1 mm) Weight: 5.04 ounces (143 grams) |
Height: 6.23 inches (158.2 mm)
Width: 3.07 inches (77.9 mm) Depth: 0.29 inch (7.3 mm) Weight: 6.77 ounces (192 grams) |
|
iSight Camera |
No Optical image stabilization | Optical image stabilization |
|
Video Recording |
No Optical image stabilization | Optical image stabilization |
|
Battery Life |
Talk time: Up to 14 hours on 3G
Internet use: Up to 10 hours on 3G, up to 10 hours on LTE, up to 11 hours on Wi‑Fi HD video playback: Up to 11 hours Audio playback: Up to 50 hours Standby time: Up to 10 days |
Talk time: Up to 24 hours on 3G
Internet use: Up to 12 hours on 3G, up to 12 hours on LTE, up to 12 hours on Wi‑Fi HD video playback: Up to 14 hours Audio playback: Up to 80 hours Standby time: Up to 16 days |
Who should choose the iPhone 6s Plus?
Because it has a bigger screen, the iPhone 6s Plus lends itself well to applications that are more enjoyable with a larger screen. iPhone owners who watch a lot of movies or use their phone for navigation would benefit from the larger screen. It’s also great for photographers and videographers who want a large screen for framing a shot and then editing when they are done. If you poor or declining eyesight, then you will appreciate the big screen and the phone’s ability to zoom text. Texting is easier as well thanks to the larger keys on the big screen. Also appreciated is the landscape home screen view and other minor UI tweaks that take advantage of the large screen. Battery life might be slightly better due to the larger battery inside the phone, but some of the advantages of a higher capacity battery is offset by the energy drain due to the larger screen.
The biggest advantage to the 6s Plus is also is the greatest detractor. The large size id great when you are using, but a royal pain when you go to store the device. Unless you wear cargo pants with large pockets, you just can’t shove the iPhone 6s Plus into your pocket and go. You need a bag or case to hold it. If you try to wear it on your belt, be careful as you might poke yourself every time you sit. And watch out if you mount it on your dashboard as it might block your view. It’s also hard to hold and use with one hand.
Who should choose the iPhone 6s?
The iPhone 6s packs the same power as the iPhone 6s Plus but bundles it into a smaller package. If you prefer a smaller phone, then you will love the iPhone 6s. It achieves the perfect balance of size and usability — the phone big enough to enjoy using but not so big that it is hard to hold and carry around.
The iPhone 6s is great for one-hand usage when you are walking or carrying something in your other hand. The keyboard is roomy enough to peck at the keys with minimal error, even with one hand. It also fits nicely in a pocket and can be mounted almost anywhere with minimal issue. Don’t underestimate this last point as it is very convenient to have a phone you can just shove comfortably in a pocket at a moment’s notice.
There are two drawbacks to the iPhone 6s, one of which may be significant to a lot of people. As spotted in a promo video for 3D Touch, the iPhone 6s apparently includes a 1715 mAh battery, which is smaller even than the 1810 mAh battery in the iPhone 6. If you get an getting an iPhone 6s, you’ll likely get about 14 hours of talking and 10 hours of surfing. This usage is appreciably less than the 24 hours of talk time and 12 hours of internet delivered by the 6s Plus. Secondly, the iPhone 6s also lacks the optical image stabilization found in the iPhone 6s Plus, making the phone less attractive to shutterbugs.
Conclusion
In summary, the iPhone 6 s perfect for people who prefer a smaller phone and don’t mind comprising some their battery life to keep the pocketable form factor. The iPhone 6s Plus is for users who like a bigger screen and don’t mind a larger phone that sometimes is unwieldy to carry around. Which model iPhone are your going to choose? Let us know in the comments.
iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus Buyer’s Guide
➤ How to pay for iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus: Full Retail price, Subsidies or Monthly payments?
➤ iPhone 6s carriers compared based on coverage: AT&T vs. Verizon vs. Sprint vs. T-Mobile
➤ Which iPhone 6s carrier to choose based on cost — AT&T vs. Verizon vs. Sprint vs. T-Mobile?
➤ 16GB, 64GB or 128GB — Which iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus storage capacity should you buy?
➤ Which color iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus should you buy — Space Gray, Gold, Rose Gold or Silver?
➤ iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus insurance: AppleCare+ vs Other warranties
