“Like last year, you have the choice of a 4.7-inch iPhone 6s or a 5.5-inch iPhone 6s Plus,” Rene Ritchie writes for iMore. “One offers more utility, the other is easier to use. Which one you get depends entirely on what you want to do with it. Is it maximum portability and pocket ability or pure size and photo prowess?”
“In landscape mode the iPhone 6s Plus is treated like a small iPad. Mail goes from one column to two columns. So does Messages, Notes, and a host of other apps. Safari gets tabs and the rest of the tablet treatment. It may not sound like much but it’s a huge boon for productivity,” Ritchie writes. “If you like the iPhone the way it is, you’ll like the iPhone 6s. If you like the idea of having an iPhone in portrait and an iPad in landscape, you’ll like the iPhone 6s Plus.”
“If you’re not a camera enthusiast and don’t need low-light photography, you’ll be thrilled with the iPhone 6s. If you’re a photographer and really want OIS, you’ll really want the iPhone 6s Plus,” Ritchie writes. “[iPhone 6s battery offers] up to 14 ours of talk, 10 days standby, 10 to 11 hours of web browsing and video playback, and 50 hours of audio. The iPhone 6s Plus gets crazy good battery life. Up to 24 hours of talk, 16 days of standby, 12 hours of web browsing, 14 hours of video, and 80 hours of audio.”
Much more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: After using our 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus units for a year, we’re not sure we could go back down to a 4.7-inch iPhone. They just seem too small now. Plus, (get it?) we’d certainly miss the ridiculous battery life, super smooth OIS (now for video, too!), landscape iPad-esque features, and all of that glorious display real estate.
With Apple Watches on our wrists every waking hour, we use our iPhones significantly less (they stay in our pockets), but when we do use our iPhones, we want to really use them to the fullest and the fullest iPhone you can get is the flagship iPhone 6s Plus.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Dan K.” for the heads up.]
MDN sizes it up correctly for many of us who own both Apple Watches and iPhone 6 Plus’s. 5.5″ iPhone 6 Plus hits the spot but wanna bet next year we see a 6.1″ (or thereabouts) model?
I seriously doubt Apple will go larger than 5.5″. It doesn’t serve any purpose, or offer added value. Apple doesn’t go larger or add extra cost that they don’t need to. I would LOVE a 6″ iPhone, but I just don’t see one in the cards. To many people still think 4.7″ is too large.
Your assertion makes no sense. If anything, the popularity of iPhone 6 and 6S, after years of smaller phones, shows that different people enjoy/need different sizes.
A continuum of sizes would be the optimal way to fulfill customer needs:
3.5″, 4″, 4.7″, 5.5″, 7.9″, 9.7″ 12.9″ is a nice sequence but I would love a 6″ iPhone and someday artists will unleash with 15″, 19″ and 24″ iPads.
The line between iPhones and iPads is purely marketing. The reality is that multitouch (and now 3D touch) is a continuum of different use cases. Why some people think the right size for them should be the right size for everyone else is beyond understanding. Every person has their own preference, and that is as it should be. The more sizes Apple offers, the more people can customize touch computing for their own lives.
Your reply makes no sense. There are people commenting in this post the 3.5 and 4″ are the optimal sizes. I’ve see a girl walk into a store, hold the 4.7″ iPhone in her hand and turn around and walk out of the store because it was too big! The iPhone 6 didn’t sell well because there was 4.7″ and 5.5″ variants. It sold well because it is an iPhone. Sure some people, like myself, finally got an iPhone because it finally got a larger screen, but there were people who didn’t upgrade or went elsewhere because they felt the phone was too big.
You also speak like someone who knows nothing of Apple and understands even less. Apple doesn’t go out and do things just because everyone else is doing it. The length of time it took them to get the iPhone to 4″ let alone 4.7″ and 5.5″ should be proof enough. If there is a an overwhelming use case, something that will elevate the iPhone experience that putting a 6.1″ screen will accomplish, then Apple may increase the size. However, remember this is the company that killed the 17″ MacBook and got everyone accustomed to using 11″ and 13″ screens for their laptops. This mainly is done to keep costs down and GP’s high! Apple did need to increase the screen size of their phones, but they don’t NEED to continue to make them larger. This isn’t Android.
6s Plus all the way!!! I’m currently loving my 6 Plus. Although I’ll probably be waiting for the 7 Plus as I’m in a contract and cannot see paying full price for a phone no matter what program Apple or the carriers have.
Hint: We pay for what we get, one way or the other.
6Plus + BT earpiece makes a lot of sense for calls. Whipping out a big phone isn’t efficient.
I have both but carry the Six over the Six Plus ….. Six Plus is used for browsing and photo sharing and work related stuff while the Six is used my main phone …..
If I could only have one it would be the Six as it is easy to carry in my Levi Pocket … The Plus I have to wear a case that holds the phone, not every day convenient!
Can’t get in through the web site at all. Took until 3:04 Eastern to get in using the Apple Store app. Confirmed 64 Gb space grey and rose gold for delivery Sept 25
I accidentally pre ordered the 5.5″ 6S Plus… Oops… How can that happen two years in a row? mmmm…
iPhone6s Plus, 64… Just gave up the iPhone 4 for the new one. Probably will feel like the USS Iowa at first- that is moving from a Corvette size iPhone 4.
Yep, it sure will. I went from a 4 to a 6 Plus last December, and the difference is huge. Awesome in every way, except the size. I like to carry mine in my shirt pocket and the Plus is just a bit awkward. Guess I should have went with the 6 like I bought my wife, but if that’s not an issue in your case, you will be thrilled, and especially with all the new features. Enjoy!
128, 5.5 space gray (up from 64 last year)
64 Rose Gold for M’lady 4.7
64 silver for squirt 4.7
It’s 2015…horrible buying experience.
What was horrible about it?
Apple Store App only gave me two options for purchasing – contract free or att next. What about 2-year renewal? Was not an option.
Had to order from att. It would not accept my discover card but it would not explain why. I use my discover for everything, every day!
Would not led me add a line and upgrade another line in one transaction. After I used AMEX for 6S+ the card was declined for fraud. Had to use MasterCard for new line upgrade.
Att originally told me I’d be able to add a new line at apple.com. False.
What am I mad about: Apple should be more organized and proactive about informing customers about the most convenient and quickest way to GIVE THEM OUR MONEY.
I should not have to be up until 3:30am MDT to order a few phones. I realize not everyone had that experience…but no one should.
Where did you buy that it was horrible? I used the Apple Store iPhone app and it was flawless, no lag, no issues, smooth and fast.
I got the iPhone 6s Plus 128 GB Space Gray AT&T (contract-free) and it ships 9/25! Much better than last year.
Any thoughts on what’s changed? Maybe better foresight into consumer demand, over-production, they already have the design mastered because it’s an S version, they optimized manufacturing, they didn’t experience issues with part providers, etc?
I bought mine but probably the orders aren’t as fierce for the “S”.
3.5″ would be perfect…
At last someone with taste and good sense. 3.5″ is the optimal phone or 4″ for big hands. These guys are obviously compensating for having something a bit too small in their hands.
I’m happy for everyone who was craving the larger phones. I understand why — just like I prefer a 24″ screen on my iMac.
However, there are a mix of needs out there in the mobile world and large is not necessarily the only way to go. There are those of us that would prefer a smaller phone. In fact, I would argue that even the iPhone 5 is still too large. I know those of you with an iPhone 6 or 6 Plus can’t fathom why anyone would want a small phone, but there are those of us who use our phone for only a few things, and I’ve been a user of the iPhone when it first arrived. When I need to use the vast array of apps I turn to my iPad.
I know there is a market out there for a small iPhone – a very small iPhone. And I’m sure Apple has done their market research and determined that producing a small phone is not worth the money and time it would take to create one. Nonetheless, I’m still holding out hope one day they decided to create one.
I can see where a small phone presents too many technical hurdles that can’t be overcome given all of the technology that needs to be packed into a small space. I get that. Still, if anyone can do it, Apple can.
But Apple, when the time comes, do many of us a BIG favor and create a small (nano)phone — 3.5″ — with all the bells and whistles of the latest and greatest, iPhone 6s.
I tried pre-ordering with a no contract option (i Have AT&T) but could not do it only gave T-Mobile option….wanted to do Apple’s new iPhone upgrade leasing plan? Is this not available on pre-order?
I get this message when I try to pre-order a contract free iPhone: Your current AT&T account is not supported on the Apple Online Store. To complete your iPhone purchase, please contact AT&T or, if this is a business account, your company’s telecom manager. We apologize for the inconvenience.
You have to pre-order for the iPhone Upgrade Program through the website. You can’t do it using the apple store app. Go to the iPhone page and click on Reserve iPhone 6S to buy in store >
Well I guess I’m keeping my iPhone 5S, this will be the first time that I have not upgraded at the end of my contract. When I got my 5S 64GB 2 years ago it cost me $250 with 2 year contract. Now a similar top of the line iPhone on 2 year contract is $658 who here has gotten almost 300% in raises I know I have had 2 x 1% raises, and it has been reported that the average has been 2.8% per year. Something stinks in Cell phone land.
None
My ATT new 2-yr contract 128GB Space Gray iPhone 6S Plus for $499 plus $83 sales tax and $45 upgrade tax completed at 12:21am Pacific says won’t ship til October 16-23.😰😨😩
Congrats to all you Apple direct buyers – especially all of you going to an Apple Retail Store today to get an iPhone Upgrade Program contract. That’s an awesome deal. My grandfathered unlimited data arrangement with AT&T made me buy another subsidized iPhone. Probably won’t be any more next year.👀💥😱
Turns out the only way you can get a new 2-year contract deal from AT&T is online – not in their stores, not at their phone order department. And all their orders are showing earliest delivery date as October 16-23.
nope…. trading in my 6 for a 5s.
Avg size dude, with avg hands. (OK, maybe on the small side… insert joke here.) I miss being able to work my Iphone 4s with 1 hand, safely. I can work the 6 with 1 hand, but I have to “balance” it to reach have the screen….. and I’m a spaz so that makes me nervous. I moved to a the 6 last year, and regretted it ever since. Hoping Apple would update the 5s form factor (still the coolest look and feel in my opinion). But, looks like I’m gonna order a 5s before I drop my 6.
Dude you must be tiny. I have no problem one-handing the iPhone 6 Plus. In fact I typed this whole respond on the 6 Plus one-handed.
But I do get that point on needing smaller devices. Another consumer you have to think about is people who buy phones for their kids. Maybe they’ll eventually introduce an iPhone mini.
iPhone 6s Plus 128 GB or go home.
I am shocked at what the new iPhone will cost me through my carrier in Canada (Rogers), not only have the cost of the iPhone more than doubled, but to get it I have to update my plan. I currently have a plan with 6GB of data Unlimited Text and a tone of talk time for $ 74.00. The new plan That most closely matches my plan is 6GB Data Unlimited Text and Unlimited Talk for $95.00 so in order to get the iPhone I need to pay more for the phone and $504 more over the life of the contract to use it. When I do get my new iPhone it will be an unlocked unit from Apple and I will save enough to have Apple Care basically free.