Remember when Apple finally embraced bigger screens? The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, released in 2014, felt like a significant shift. They weren't just incremental updates; they were Apple's answer to a growing demand for larger displays, moving from the more compact 4-inch iPhones of yesteryear to a more media-friendly 4.7-inch and a 'phablet'-sized 5.5-inch model.
The iPhone 6, with its 4.7-inch Retina HD display, was the more 'classic' of the two. It offered a sharp visual experience for its time, and its slimmer, more rounded design felt good in the hand, especially for one-handed use. It came in familiar colors like Silver, Gold, and Space Gray, with storage options that, while non-expandable, were pretty standard back then: 16GB, 64GB, and 128GB. The main drawbacks? Well, the 'bendgate' issue was certainly a talking point, and it lacked some of the fancier features that would soon become standard, like 3D Touch or Live Photos. Plus, its camera was capable, but it couldn't shoot 4K video, and it ran on the A8 chip, which was solid but not groundbreaking.
Then came the iPhone 6 Plus. This was Apple's first real foray into the larger-screen territory, boasting a 5.5-inch Full HD display. For anyone who loved watching videos, playing games, or just wanted more screen real estate for productivity, the 6 Plus was a compelling option. It also packed optical image stabilization (OIS) for its camera, which was a nice touch for sharper photos, and its larger body naturally meant better battery life. However, it was definitely less pocket-friendly and heavier than its smaller sibling.
Fast forward to 2015, and Apple introduced the 's' generation: the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus. The 's' stood for speed, and boy, did they deliver. The most immediate upgrade was the construction. They used a stronger Series 7000 aluminum, which significantly reduced the worry about bending. Internally, the A9 chip was a powerhouse compared to the A8, making everything feel snappier. The cameras also got a serious boost – a 12MP rear sensor capable of shooting 4K video, and the introduction of Live Photos, which added a touch of magic to still images by capturing a few seconds of motion.
But perhaps the most talked-about new feature was 3D Touch. This allowed the screen to recognize different levels of pressure, opening up new ways to interact with apps and the iOS interface. The 6s retained the 4.7-inch display, while the 6s Plus kept the 5.5-inch Full HD screen, both benefiting from the internal upgrades. Interestingly, despite all the advancements, the battery life on the 6s models was pretty much on par with their predecessors, which was a bit of a surprise.
So, when you look back, the iPhone 6 series was about Apple finally committing to larger screens and a sleeker design. The 6s series, on the other hand, was about refining that experience with significantly more power, a much-improved camera, and innovative new features like 3D Touch, all wrapped in a more durable package. If you were choosing between them today, the 6s models would undoubtedly offer a more robust and future-proof experience, especially considering software support and app compatibility. It's fascinating to see how quickly things evolve, isn't it?
