The iPhone 6 Plus, released in September 2014 alongside the iPhone 6, marked Apple’s entry into the phablet market. With its larger display and enhanced features, the iPhone 6 Plus catered to users who wanted a bigger screen without sacrificing performance or quality. It was the first iPhone to feature optical image stabilization (OIS) in its camera, making it a popular choice for photography enthusiasts.
Specifications
- Display: 5.5-inch Retina HD Display, 1080 x 1920 pixels (401 ppi)
- Dimensions: 158.1 x 77.8 x 7.1 mm (6.22 x 3.06 x 0.28 inches)
- Weight: 172 grams (6.07 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 OIS and True Tone flash, 1080p HD video recording, 1.2 MP front camera
- Battery: 2915 mAh, non-removable, up to 24 hours talk time on 3G, 384 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 Plus was the largest iPhone at the time of its release, featuring a 5.5-inch Retina HD Display with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels. This resulted in a higher pixel density of 401 ppi, offering sharper visuals and a more immersive viewing experience for videos, gaming, and reading. The display also featured a dual-domain pixel design to improve color accuracy and viewing angles.
The design of the iPhone 6 Plus was consistent with the iPhone 6, sporting a sleek, rounded aluminum body with a glass front. However, due to its size, it was thicker at 7.1 mm and heavier than the iPhone 6. The larger form factor made it ideal for users looking for a device that blurred the line between a phone and a tablet.
Performance and Processor
The iPhone 6 Plus was powered by the Apple A8 chip, a 64-bit dual-core processor clocked at 1.4 GHz. Paired with 1 GB of RAM, the A8 chip delivered a significant boost in performance compared to previous models. The iPhone 6 Plus handled multitasking, gaming, and demanding apps with ease, providing a smooth and responsive experience.
The addition of the M8 motion co-processor enhanced fitness tracking and data collection from the accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, and barometer, while conserving battery life.
Camera Features
The iPhone 6 Plus featured an 8 MP iSight camera with optical image stabilization (OIS), a first for any iPhone. OIS allowed for sharper photos and smoother videos by compensating for hand movements and vibrations. This was particularly useful in low-light conditions, where longer exposure times were needed.
The camera also included True Tone flash, Focus Pixels for faster and more accurate autofocus, and the ability to shoot 1080p HD video at 60 fps. It supported slow-motion video recording at 240 fps, offering creative options for users. The front-facing 1.2 MP FaceTime camera provided 720p HD video recording and better performance for selfies and video calls.
Battery Life
The iPhone 6 Plus housed a 2915 mAh battery, which offered:
- Up to 24 hours of talk time on 3G
- Up to 12 hours of internet use on LTE or Wi-Fi
- 14 hours of video playback
- 80 hours of audio playback
- 384 hours of standby time
The large battery, combined with the efficient A8 chip and iOS 8 optimizations, made the iPhone 6 Plus one of the longest-lasting iPhones at the time, especially suitable for power users.
iOS 8 and Software Features
The iPhone 6 Plus shipped with iOS 8, which introduced several new features and enhancements:
- HealthKit: A centralized hub for fitness and health tracking data.
- Family Sharing: A feature for sharing App Store purchases, calendars, and locations among family members.
- Interactive Notifications: Allowing users to respond to messages, accept invitations, or snooze reminders directly from the lock screen.
- Apple Pay: The introduction of Apple’s mobile payment system, enabled by the built-in NFC chip and Touch ID fingerprint sensor.
The larger screen of the iPhone 6 Plus also supported a landscape mode for several built-in apps, including Mail and Calendar, providing a tablet-like experience in some cases.
Connectivity
The iPhone 6 Plus supported 4G LTE for fast mobile internet speeds and came with Wi-Fi 802.11ac, which provided faster wireless connectivity. It also featured VoLTE (Voice over LTE) for better voice call quality and the inclusion of NFC for Apple Pay.
Reception and Legacy
The iPhone 6 Plus was a major success for Apple, contributing to record-breaking sales numbers. It was praised for its large, sharp display, improved camera with OIS, and extended battery life. The larger size attracted users who preferred phablet-style devices and cemented Apple’s position in the large-screen smartphone market.
However, the iPhone 6 Plus also faced some criticism, particularly due to reports of the device bending under pressure, which was referred to as “Bendgate.” Despite this, the iPhone 6 Plus remained highly popular and influential, encouraging Apple to continue offering larger models in subsequent years.
Conclusion
The iPhone 6 Plus was a groundbreaking device for Apple, introducing a larger display, improved camera capabilities, and longer battery life. It marked Apple’s entry into the phablet market, meeting the growing demand for bigger smartphones. With its sleek design, powerful performance, and new features like OIS and Apple Pay, the iPhone 6 Plus set a high bar for future iPhone models and solidified Apple’s presence in the large-screen smartphone segment.