The iPhone 6 has been released to the joyful delight of millions. The eighth generation device comes in two sizes, big (4.7 inches) and bigger (5.5 inches). The larger model, called the iPhone 6 Plus, ushers Apple into the fast-growing phablet market where it joins devices like the Samsung Galaxy S5 and the Galaxy Note. But has going big meant going generic? What differentiates the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus from the rest of the big-screen pack?
Thinner
The iPhone 6 is just as large as its rivals but Apple have trimmed the thickness down to 6.9mm making it lighter – 16g lighter than the Galaxy S5 – and more portable.
Single-handed operation
Big screen phones are great for watching movies and surfing the net but a pain to use with one hand. Apple has addressed the problem by introducing ‘reachability’. You activate the feature with a double-touch (not click) of your home button and the whole screen moves down so you can reach it with your thumb. The power button has also been relocated from the top of the phone to a convenient spot on the side, much like the Galaxy S5.
Pictures
The iPhone 6 camera offers only 8MP compared to Galaxy S5’s 16MP but the iPhone has packed in features like phase detection autofocus, low light functioning, continuous autofocus, cinematic stabilisation and slo-mo recording for video. Apple has also expanded the editing features and added a photo search option. Combined with a bump in screen resolution the iPhone 6 is comparable to dedicated cameras.
Power
Battery length has long been the iPhone’s weakest link. The situation has improved slightly on the iPhone 6 which will now give 14 hours of talk time up from 10, paltry compared to the Galaxy S5’s 21 hours of talk time. However, the iPhone 6 Plus will last well into the second day.
Speed
The Galaxy S5 is very robust thanks to damage resistant glass, dust-proof and water resistant parts. iPhone users on the other hand will have to continue cradling their iPhones and protecting them from sharp bumps, the iPhone 6 is no less delicate than before. But to compensate. the iPhone 6 has been loaded with even faster processors than the iPhone 5 which should off-set any irritation.
The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are easily the best Apple phones so far. They don’t match up to their rivals on every score, but they are distinguished by their speed and remarkable cameras. Long-term iPhone users will be pleased, newbies could yet be tempted over.
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