Apple finally gave the iPhone a much-needed rethink, and the result is a product that is more like its competition than ever before, but also stands out just as well, if not better, in a seriously overcrowded market. The big talking point is its screen size - months of leaks told us nearly everything we needed to know long before the actual launch happened - but there’s also plenty more to explore. As always, Apple has managed to deliver more power, better aesthetics, improved cameras, and all-new software.
The iPhone 6 shares a lot with its larger sibling, the iPhone 6 Plus(Review| Photos), which we reviewed a little while ago. They’re obviously designed to look similar, but Apple has also made sure they’re very similar to use. The iPhone 6 is still just as much of a premium device as ever; not a lower-end version of a new flagship. A lot of what we’ve said in that exhaustive review of the 6 Plus will apply to the iPhone 6 as well.
Apple’s unique position lets it control and tightly integrate the hardware and software experiences of its products. We see all of this and more in this year’s new iPhones.
Look and feel
Gone are the flat edges and sharp angles of the iPhone 5s. The iPhone 6 feels smooth and slick, with a lovely dark glass front that looks like a pool of ink. The glass is raised above its rim and is curved at the edges so that it meets the metal in a smooth curve. It seems as though the glass could shatter very easily if this phone is dropped and lands on a corner, which is just one of many reasons to invest in a case of some sort
Specifications
The iPhone 6 uses Apple’s new A8 processor, designed in-house but based on the industry-standard ARM architecture. There’s a separate co-processor called the M8 for sensor input, which helps save battery life by allowing the A8 to go to sleep while physical activity is constantly detected and processed in the background.
Software
A large part of the iPhone 6’s appeal lies in iOS - more specifically, iOS 8. Not all features work as well on older iPhones, so software alone is not a strong enough reason to upgrade from a device that’s less than three years old.
Camera
The rear camera is still 8 megapixels, but the lens and sensor have been improved to allow for better low-light shots and colour accuracy. Videos can now be taken with continuous autofocus and improved stabilisation. 120fps slow-motion, which was introduced with the iPhone 5s now coexists with 240fps slow-motion, and there’s a new time-lapse mode in iOS 8 that older phones can also use.
Performance
Once again, we’re reminded that numbers and acronyms on a specifications sheet can’t always be used to judge a device. The dual-core Apple A8 processor and its integrated graphics capabilities are more than capable of holding their own against quad- and octa-core products from leading competitors.
We had no problems with the iPhone 6, whether we were playing heavy games, recording high-speed video, multitasking, or just relaxing while browsing the Web. The phone is super-responsive, and unique features such as Apple’s Touch ID sensor just make the whole experience of using an iPhone butter-smooth. There are of course things that aren’t as flexible or functional as they are in Android, but overall, the iOS platform is a joy to use.