My first impression? My goodness, this is the small one?
The iPhone 6 is a big step up. It makes older iPhones look small. Ridiculously small. Even after a few days, my old iPhone 5s feels positively Lilliputian. The 6 dwarfs the 5s, which felt big and expansive at the time. Now it looks like a little dolls’ phone.
I’ve been really digging the 6. It’s a big bright slab of glass and metal. It feels impossibly thin, almost like an oversize credit card in your hand. But it’s solid and stiff — it’s not going to snap in my back pocket if I sit on it.
The 6 is not a gob-smacker like the 6 Plus, which stops people in the street. But it’s more manageable, especially with one hand.
I’m a big fan. I like it a lot, except for one design flaw that’s been driving me crazy.
Available in gold, silver and space gray, the iPhone 6 features a speedy A8 chip, a much-improved Touch ID fingerprint sensor, and faster LTE wireless with theoretical download speeds topping 150 Mbps.
There are new fitness-tracking capabilities, an improved camera with faster focusing and stunning slo-mo video, and, of course, secure mobile payments via Apple Pay.
It runs iOS 8 — a truly great mobile operating system that just gets better and better — and then there’s that big bright screen where all the magic happens.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Design and feel
- Display
- Performance
- Camera
- Touch ID and Apple Pay
- Conclusion
Leander Kahney is the editor and publisher of Cult of Mac.
Leander is a longtime technology reporter and the author of six acclaimed books about Apple, including two New York Times bestsellers: Jony Ive: The Genius Behind Apple’s Greatest Products and Inside Steve’s Brain, a biography of Steve Jobs.
He’s also written a top-selling biography of Apple CEO Tim Cook and authored Cult of Mac and Cult of iPod, which both won prestigious design awards. Most recently, he was co-author of Cult of Mac, 2nd Edition.
Leander has been reporting about Apple and technology for nearly 30 years.
Before founding Cult of Mac as an independent publication, Leander was news editor at Wired.com, where he was responsible for the day-to-day running of the Wired.com website. He headed up a team of six section editors, a dozen reporters and a large pool of freelancers. Together the team produced a daily digest of stories about the impact of science and technology, and won several awards, including several Webby Awards, 2X Knight-Batten Awards for Innovation in Journalism and the 2010 MIN (Magazine Industry Newsletter) award for best blog, among others.
Before being promoted to news editor, Leander was Wired.com’s senior reporter, primarily covering Apple. During that time, Leander published a ton of scoops, including the first in-depth report about the development of the iPod. Leander attended almost every keynote speech and special product launch presented by Steve Jobs, including the historic launches of the iPhone and iPad. He also reported from almost every Macworld Expo in the late ’90s and early ‘2000s, including, sadly, the last shows in Boston, San Francisco and Tokyo. His reporting for Wired.com formed the basis of the first Cult of Mac book, and subsequently this website.
Before joining Wired, Leander was a senior reporter at the legendary MacWeek, the storied and long-running weekly that documented Apple and its community in the 1980s and ’90s.
Leander has written for Wired magazine (including the Issue 16.04 cover story about Steve Jobs’ leadership at Apple, entitled Evil/Genius), Scientific American, The Guardian, The Observer, The San Francisco Chronicle and many other publications.
Leander is an expert on:
Apple and Apple history
Steve Jobs, Jony Ive, Tim Cook and Apple leadership
Apple community
iPhone and iOS
iPad and iPadOS
Mac and macOS
Apple Watch and watchOS
Apple TV and tvOS
AirPods
Leander has a postgrad diploma in artificial intelligence from the University of Aberdeen, and a BSc (Hons) in experimental psychology from the University of Sussex.
He has a diploma in journalism from the UK’s National Council for the Training of Journalists.
Leander lives in San Francisco, California, and is married with four children. He’s an avid biker and has ridden in many long-distance bike events, including California’s legendary Death Ride.
You can find out more about Leander on LinkedIn and Facebook. You can follow him on X at @lkahney or Instagram.
58 responses to “Review: Smaller iPhone 6 proves bigger isn’t always better”
I have the same observations regarding the Power Button placement. Always hitting volume buttons on the other side. It is kind of annoying as there is no comfortable way of locking and unlocking this iPhone. Apart from that 10/10 :)
Yes, I have found that too.
You must be delusional. I went to may favorite electronics store and compared my iPhone 5 to the new iPhone 6 and yes, it is bigger but not by that much. The screen is bigger, no doubt, but the dimensions are similar except for the length and about 1/4″ on the sides. They did not have a 6+ in stock, but the lady showed me the Galaxy 5 and she said it is very similar, now that is big!
sure it was a galaxy 5? the galaxy 5 is only 4 mm taller and 5.5mm wider. the 6+ is bigger than the Note 3, which has a 5.7″ display.
Agreed. I had the note 3 before going with the iPhone 6 and the plus was a bit taller than the note 3, but not as wide and a lot thinner
I’m relaying what the sales guy said. I have not idea of the size. She showed me the Galaxy 5, that I do know.
I think you must be the delusional, the Galaxy S5 isn’t that large. And apart from that, the iPhone 6 makes the iPhone 5S look like an ant.
I never thought .7″ would be that significant but after less than 24-hours with my shiny new iPhone 6 I’m surprised I went this long with such a small screen. I realized how I justified the smaller screen but that’s only because I’m a sucker for iOS and Apple’s ecosystem. The size never bothered me… until now. And I shouldn’t say it “bothers me” but it would be incredibly hard to go back to a smaller screen after the 6.
Everything feels just-Goldilocks-right; there’s just more room to stretch out. Similar to the difference of a first-class seat versus coach. The seats in first-class aren’t demonstrably bigger (well, that depends on the airline) but there’s a definite sense of space and freedom you get using the 6 versus a 5/5s.
Watching movies, playing games, browsing the web; everything just feels better, brighter and fuller.
My only complaint is that many apps, like YouTube and Spotify, haven’t been optimized for the larger screen so everything is overtly magnified. It’s clear an app hasn’t been modified for the 6/6+ when you see the top bar — that displays your carrier, time and battery — overly magnified.
I know this’ll get solved soon but for the moment it’s a distraction from an overall perfect experience of Apple’s best phone yet.
@marklangston:disqus Well put Mark. The small size of previous iPhones was never a bother for me either, but like you, I could never go back to a smaller phone. The 5 seems comically, almost implausibly small now,
You’d probably be surprised then to know that the iPhone 6 is physically 13% larger than the iPhone 5 yet the screen is 38% bigger.
@sanfordandsons said:
“iPhone 6 is bigger than the iPhone 5s but not by that much.”
The iPhone 6’s display is almost 40% larger than that of the iPhone 5s.
Nice article, Leander. I too have been having the same problem hitting the volume up button when trying to turn the screen off. My experience has been that when hitting both those buttons simultaneously the screen does not turn off and the volume increases.
Yeah. It’s been getting a bit better since I now consciously slide my hand lower down to stop doing it. Still annoying though….
Noticed the same issue with placement of the power button but it only took me a few days to get used to it and now I don’t do it anymore. So really not a big issue past the first few days.
@RichardWindsor:disqus Good to know!
This article cracks me the hell up! Mattress-swallowing Boas and misaligned goobledgook. Love it.
Put it down. And the camera doesn’t allow it to sit flat. WTF!!!
Definitely made the right choice going with the 6 over the 6+. It feels significantly bigger than the 5S, but still really comfortable to hold.
One small correction in the article, the camera can only shoot the 120 and 240fps slow motion at 720p, not 1080p.
@drewbernard:disqus Yeah, the 6 is the way to go. Same benefits of the bigger screen, but it’s not unwieldy.
And thanks for correction — amended.
I am partway through your latest iPhone review. It is full of information.
But you said something that needs correction:
“The 6 has an improved LTE radio that can pull data down at up to 150 Mbps, which is more than three times faster than your typical 45Mbps broadband connection to most home”
150 Mb per second is not more than three times faster than 45 Mb per second. It is more than two times faster than 45 Mb per second.
If you believe that you are correct, please tell me how fast two times faster, and one time faster than 45 Mb per second are.
150 Mb per second is, however, more than three times the speed of 45 Mb per second. But these two ways of saying it are different, and mean two different things.
You also made a similar error as shown below:
“The Wi-Fi radio has also been updated, adding support for 802.11ac, which is up to 3 times faster than with 802.11n.”
It’s Mathematics vs English.
Consider this:
1x faster = twice AS fast.
2x faster = thrice AS fast.
3x faster = … you get the picture.
Stupid word problems!
I have not had this problem, with the power button placement. It seems to be perfectly placed, so that when the phone is in my right hand, my thumb is in a good position, and fingers aren’t in a place to hit the volume. I almost have to think you ARE holding it wrong.
Anyways, I have no complaints thus far. Its been 10 times better than the 5/5S. The larger screen was sorely needed. Its hard to express how much.
One thing I find odd, is that the iPhone 6, at 4.7 inches, is compared to the larger Galaxy S5, at 5.1 inches, and LG G3, at 5.5 inches. These are 1080p or above displays. Almost all Android phones at the 4.7 inch size have a 720p display. All of a sudden, most bloggers forget these facts. I guess to pump up their favorite Android phone?
These 1080p or above Android phones should only be compared to the 5.5 inch Plus.
Ah, the power button. My first comment when I saw the placement in the prototypes was that it’s a design flaw, for the reasons you mentioned. I was ridiculed back then, I was told that Apple properly test their devices, I was even told who am I to question Jony Ive’s perfect designs. But, there you have it.
the power button is in a great spot
small is beautiful!
I was torn between the 6 and 6 Plus. Went with 6 – Love it. While I wish I could get both under one contract and switch out the SIM card, since I have both Nexus 7’s, and an IPad Air, I choose the 6 because I can always use something bigger, but want to be able to carry a smaller device for daily use. As for the power switch, I am glad Apple moved it from the top. I love the reachability function – I have smaller hands and use this feature all the time. That said, I, too, keep hitting the volume buttons. I don’t think Apple has / had many alternatives at this point (yes, I am sure there are several options, I just don’t see them as easy or inexpensive to do). I don’t think it will be hard to get accustomed to the power button’s location. What I do think is that Apple focused on placing the iPhone 6 in the right hand while in use – and using it this way, I have no issues with the volume button being impacted by hitting the power button. I tend to use the iPhone in my left hand, and as such, I do have issues. If Apple moved the power button lower, I am sure other issues would have popped up. That said, I love the iPhone 6. And, I am looking forward to the 6s next year. Apple owns me – while I use PCs and Android devices, I like them. With my Apple products, I love them!
A note on the Touch ID – Touch ID never worked for the first 6 months I had the iPhone 5S (it kept needing re-training), to the point where I gave up on it as a half-baked solution. Then Apple fixed it via an IOS update and I’ve been using it with no issues since then.
@pascalbrunet:disqus I remember the update but it was never any better for me. I think there’s better hardware in the 6/6 Plus. I remember seeing reports that the Touch ID hardware’s been improved.
I had the iPhone 5 before I got the iPhone 6, and I have to say this is my favorite phone by far. The bigger screen needed to happen, and all I can can is THANK GOD! It’s beautiful to see and touch. I love the overall design. The weight distribution is perfect and the smoothness of the phone is unmatched and feels so nice. I don’t know how Apple can improve on this design.
Overall, best phone of 2014 in my opinion. Way to go Apple!
The smoothness is indeed matched and outmatched by some android phones.
I’m glad I’m not the only one having an issue with the power button. It’s even worse for us those of us left handed, and your thumb is on the volume buttons. But I still love the phone (Of course I was upgrading from an 8GB iPhone 4 a friend gave me when I lost my 3GS, and I never could never delete enough memory to upgrade to iOS7, so this iPhone is a big change for me.)
@andrewpfau:disqus Wow, yeah, it will be a big change. Almost like coming out of the Dark Ages ;-)
Eat some chocolate and be happy with your Samsung SGH-C275L GPRS Quad Band.
‘…your typical 45Mbps broadband connection to most homes’
Small point Leander, but to those of us in rural Gloucestershire, 45Mbps isn’t ‘typical’, it’s damn near mythological. We’re lucky to get 2Mbps down and 0.2 up !
Interesting article.
I moved from rural Suffolk last year where 2mbps was something to boast about, get 106mbps in Ipswich now. Best reason for moving.
Please tell me it was a typo when you said 45mbps was typical for a household…
Good call(s) there bud. I also don’t care for the power button placement. Camera lens is a little puzzling, as to how it made it out the door like that.. As soon as some quality cases come out we’ll be in good shape. Hopefully the bending issue isn’t widespread
Bending issue has always been around: http://t.co/HEur16B3kG
Guess all these new articles and reports about it have always been around huh? http://www.cultofmac.com/297548/bendgate-iphone-6-malleability-problem-internets-joke-du-jour/
My biggest issue with the 6 is the rounded edges.
The flat edges of the iPhone 5 were great for standing the phone on it’s side to watch videos, YouTube, or take photos on timer. Now, none of this can be done. A huge oversight in my opinion – one which will keep my using my iPhone5
http://www.macrumors.com/2014/09/23/iphone-6-plus-bending-pockets/?utm_source=osx&utm_medium=push&utm_campaign=front
“it’s not going to snap in my back pocket if I sit on it.”
No, but it will bend
The iPhone 6 may not bend or break in your back pocket, however, the iPhone 6+ will bend or break in your front pocket. The 6+ is a fail for Apple. The G3 has the same size screen in a much smaller form than the Plus and Note 4 has a larger screen in a slightly smaller form than the Plus. It might be time Apple’s design department starts taking a few tips from a few android’s hardware. Get over the symmetrical bullshit already; the Plus should have been easily 2mm narrower and 2mm shorter while still having the 5.5″ screen. Heck, even the S5 is the same size as the iPhone 6, yet has a screen that’s 0.4″ larger… Unfortunately, 2014 is the year we learned that Apple has no clue how to make a well designed AND larger (average size) phone. I’m not a hater, I was just hoping the iPhone 6 was going to be enticing enough to make Android devices become secondary gadgets for me.
This article shows how people are obsessed with a product! the iPhone 5 and the iPhone 6 are almost identical in size. You gain 4 more apps in a single view? Wow…. There no hope for the human race.
I’ve found the Power Button really gets in the way when taking Landscape orientation photos. The button is now exactly where my thumb needs to be when I’m framing the shot. Every time I go to steady the phone, I turn it off instead. And since the lens is also right there, I have to place my fingers just so–which is an incredible distraction. Have tried going lefty but that doesn’t work either. Any suggestions?
I have the hands of a man and I like my 6 Plus.
Hey ya’ll :-)
I almost ordered an iPhone last week but I hesitated on pre-ordering. I had to check them in person before choosing a size. Damn glad I waited. The 6plus is way too big for me! And I don’t mean my hands. I can palm a basketball – I mean too big for my lifestyle.
In the end the size of your hand (alone) shouldn’t justify the size of your phone. It’s how you use it :-)
CHOICES ARE AS GOOD AS GOLD. And Apple has finally offered.
Are you sure it won’t break in your pocket?
Love the new iPhones! The 6 Plus is great! Just wondering how much the 6 Plus will eat into iPad Mini sales.
Also just took a good look at the iPods at the Apple Store in Ginza. These new iPhones look so much like them! Volume controls, speaker grill, etc.
Also great to see the hundreds of new cases available at the electronic stores for the 6 and 6 Plus on opening sales day. The Apple Stores only stock their branded cases. Many manufacturers took the gamble based on rumors and interesting to see that they’re naming them the 2014 iPhones, although some of the packaging have labels that cover up the iPhone 6 Air name… Hah!
The largest electronic retailers here in Tokyo have a healthy inventory of all the iPhone models including the iPhone 6 Plus Gold 128GB model! In and out with a new contract and new iPhone 6 Plus in 40 minutes! Ironic since you walk five minutes to the Ginza Apple Store and the lines there were 50 people deep for those WITH reservations…
Some of the carrier shops like AU and Softbank are quoting close to a month for delivery of the iPhone 6 Pluses even for those pre-ordered on the first day.
The photo is from Monday, the 22nd, and the circles indicate “Have stock”.
Great article Leander, just wondering, what colour did you get for your personal 6 Plus?
Was going to go with the smaller 6, plus the 6Plus won me over for the larger battery and optical image stabilization. Stills and video in low level light never looked so damn good. Still fits in my front pocket, and a week later I’m loving it. Very happy I went for the 6Plus.
The larger size and placement of the power button are so reminiscent of the S3 that it almost feels like a Samsung (with a much better user interface). While I have no doubt that many people with longer fingers or larger hands are loving the new size, having a phone I could text on with one hand was one of the driving factors of jumping to iPhone.*sigh* I was really looking forward to this one… will hope they bring back a smaller option for the 7 next year.
I initially ordered the 6 and have already received it and love it. I also ordered the 6 Plus two days later, and have not received it yet (order confirmation says Oct 2-13. I get the feeling it’ll be closer to the 2, maybe sooner). So, when I have the two together I’ll compare them and use the 6 Plus exclusively for a few days and make my decision.
I have big hands and am a taller than average guy, so I’m thinking there’s a good chance the 6 Plus can work for me. As for the bending issues, smartphones of all stripes (and much smaller than the 6 Plus) have been bending for as long as dumb users have exerted enough force in appropriate enough circumstances to spur it. No worries on that front.
What I don’t get is why do I have to use a passcode to unlock my phone just because I want to use TouchID to pay for apps and login to sites??? I don’t want to use touch or passcode to unlock my phone but if you turn all that off, it automatically turns off TouchID for iTunes & App Store. :-/
Why isn’t the image stabilizing lens in the 6 also? I can’t imagine that Apple couldn’t find the space for it and making the 6 the same thickness as the 6+ would have made a small volume more available for battery capacity.
When is someone, Tim, going to tell Ive to get over his fixation on anorexia? What’s the point in making devices so slippery and fragile that the first thing a customer does is buy a case to put it in to reduce the frequency of it slipping out of their hand and being broken when it hits the ground?
Whats that game?? anyone??