The iPhone 6, released in September 2014, was a landmark device for Apple, introducing larger screens, a sleeker design, and significant hardware upgrades. It became one of the most popular iPhones, thanks to its modern aesthetics, improved performance, and better battery life. Alongside the iPhone 6 Plus, it marked Apple’s entry into the phablet market.
Specifications
- Display: 4.7-inch Retina HD Display, 750 x 1334 pixels (326 ppi)
- Dimensions: 138.1 x 67 x 6.9 mm (5.44 x 2.64 x 0.27 inches)
- Weight: 129 grams (4.55 ounces)
- Storage Options: 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 128GB (no external storage)
- Processor: Dual-core Apple A8, 1.4 GHz
- RAM: 1 GB
- Operating System: iOS 8 (upgradable to iOS 12.5.6)
- Camera: 8 MP rear camera with True Tone flash, 1080p HD video recording, 1.2 MP front camera
- Battery: 1810 mAh, non-removable, up to 14 hours talk time on 3G, 250 hours standby
- Connectivity: 4G LTE, 3G (HSDPA), Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n/ac), Bluetooth 4.0, GPS
- Sensors: Accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, compass, barometer, fingerprint sensor (Touch ID)
Design and Display
The iPhone 6 brought a major redesign, moving away from the angular design of the iPhone 5 and 5S. The new rounded edges and curved glass provided a more ergonomic feel. At 6.9 mm thickness, it was one of the slimmest iPhones yet. The larger 4.7-inch Retina HD Display marked the first time Apple expanded beyond its traditional 4-inch screens, offering a more immersive experience for media consumption and gaming.
The display resolution of 750 x 1334 pixels provided sharp visuals with a pixel density of 326 ppi, maintaining Apple’s Retina standard. The contrast ratio was improved, offering deeper blacks and more vibrant colors, and the new ion-strengthened glass made the display more durable.
A8 Chip and M8 Co-Processor
At the heart of the iPhone 6 was the Apple A8 chip, a 64-bit dual-core processor clocked at 1.4 GHz. This was a significant upgrade from the A7 chip in the iPhone 5S, offering around 25% faster CPU performance and 50% better graphics. This made the device more capable of handling high-performance apps and gaming.
In addition to the A8 chip, Apple introduced the M8 motion co-processor, which worked alongside the main processor to efficiently manage data from sensors like the accelerometer, gyroscope, and compass. The M8 also introduced a barometer, which allowed the iPhone to measure elevation changes, making it more useful for fitness tracking apps.
Camera Enhancements
The iPhone 6 featured an 8 MP rear camera with True Tone flash, autofocus, and f/2.2 aperture. The improvements in sensor technology allowed for faster autofocus and better low-light performance. While the resolution remained the same as the iPhone 5S, the Focus Pixels feature provided better focus accuracy and speed, enhancing image quality.
The camera also introduced 1080p HD video recording at 60 fps, and it was capable of shooting slow-motion videos at 240 fps, improving the camera’s versatility for video recording.
On the front, the 1.2 MP FaceTime camera supported 720p HD video and enhanced low-light performance, making video calls clearer.
Touch ID and Apple Pay
The Touch ID fingerprint sensor, first introduced in the iPhone 5S, was further improved in the iPhone 6. It allowed users to unlock their device and authorize iTunes and App Store purchases more securely.
The iPhone 6 was also the first iPhone to support Apple Pay, Apple’s mobile payment system. Thanks to the built-in NFC (Near Field Communication) chip and Touch ID, users could make secure contactless payments at participating retailers.
Battery Life
The iPhone 6 featured a 1810 mAh battery, providing improved battery life over the iPhone 5S. Apple claimed up to:
- 14 hours of talk time on 3G
- 10 hours of internet browsing on LTE or Wi-Fi
- 11 hours of video playback
- 50 hours of audio playback
- 250 hours of standby time
This marked a noticeable improvement, allowing most users to comfortably get through a full day of regular use without needing to recharge.
iOS 8 and Software Features
The iPhone 6 launched with iOS 8, which introduced several new features and improvements, including:
- HealthKit: A health-tracking platform that integrates with fitness apps and accessories.
- Handoff: A feature that allowed seamless interaction between the iPhone and other Apple devices like the Mac or iPad.
- Family Sharing: A new way to share purchases, photos, and calendars among family members.
- QuickType Keyboard: Predictive text suggestions to speed up typing.
iOS 8 also improved notifications, offering more interactive options directly from the lock screen.
The iPhone 6 continued to receive software updates until iOS 12.5.6, ensuring that users could benefit from new features and security patches for several years.
Connectivity
The iPhone 6 came with 4G LTE support, offering faster mobile data speeds, and Wi-Fi 802.11ac, which provided faster wireless internet connectivity. It also retained Bluetooth 4.0 and GPS for location-based services.
Apple introduced VoLTE (Voice over LTE) for higher-quality voice calls and better performance when using cellular data. The inclusion of NFC for Apple Pay marked the beginning of mobile payment integration for iPhone users.
Reception and Legacy
The iPhone 6 was a major success, with over 10 million units sold in its first weekend of availability. It was praised for its larger screen, sleek design, improved performance, and Apple Pay integration. However, some users raised concerns over the device’s durability, particularly with reports of the phone bending under pressure, which was dubbed “Bendgate.”
Despite this minor controversy, the iPhone 6 went on to become one of the best-selling iPhones ever, cementing its place as a pivotal model in Apple’s history.
Conclusion
The iPhone 6 was a game-changing device for Apple, bringing a larger display, faster performance, improved camera technology, and mobile payments with Apple Pay. Its modern design and cutting-edge features made it a highly popular choice among consumers and set the stage for future iPhone models. Despite some durability concerns, the iPhone 6 remains one of Apple’s most successful smartphones.