iPhone 6s Plus - page 4

The 7 biggest takeaways from Apple’s Q4 earnings call

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The iPhone 6s is selling like hotcakes.
The iPhone 6s is selling like hotcakes.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

The iPhone 6s is a huge hit, China is still doing great, and Android users absolutely love switching to iPhone.

Those are just some of the details Tim Cook and Apple CFO Luca Maestri revealed during this afternoon’s earnings call with investors that revealed Apple managed to top Wall Street’s expectations thanks to the iPhone 6s.

Here are the top takeaways from Apple’s latest record-setting quarter:

What to expect from Apple’s Q4 2015 earnings call

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LOVELOUD
Apple CEO Tim Cook will introduce the band Imagine Dragons Satuday at the LOVELOUD Festival in Utah.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Apple is scheduled to reveal its earnings for the final fiscal quarter of 2015 on Tuesday, October 27, and investors are expecting monstrous results.

Sales of the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus should boost revenues to new heights after Apple announced that it sold a record 13 million units of the new devices during launch weekend alone. Exactly how many iPhones Apple sold won’t be revealed until the bell closes, but Tim Cook seemed pretty optimistic in a recent interview.

Cook told The Wall Street Journal that Apple Watch shipped even more watches last quarter than in the first quarter. It’s unlikely Apple will give us the actual Apple Watch sales figures during the earnings call, but there should be a lot of juicy Apple bits.

Here’s everything to expect from Apple’s Q4 2015 earnings:

How to fix the iPhone 6s Plus’ frame rate problem

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The iPhone 6s has more junk in the trunk.
Some iPhone 6s Plus animations look surprisingly jerky.
Photo: Apple

The iPhone 6s Plus has a frame rate problem, and the only solution is more cowbell right here!

Although it’s not necessarily something your average user is going to get too concerned about, a number of people have noticed that the iOS transition animations on the phablet-sized iPhone 6s Plus look considerably slower and more jerky than those on the smaller iPhone 6s.

Fortunately there’s a way to fix it.

No rush in India to buy the iPhone 6s

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India
Apple wants to dramatically improve its 2 percent share on the smartphone market in India.
Photo: Tim Cook/Twitter

The iPhone 6s hit shelves in India over the weekend – and on the shelves are where most of them stayed.

According to reports in that country, Apple saw lukewarm sales of the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus during launch there. With the cost on the entry level 16 GB iPhone 6 at $925, many analysts say Indian consumers may be waiting for prices to drop before upgrading.

Samsung’s been working on its own 3D Touch display for a while

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Samsung wants Galaxy users to enjoy 3D Touch, too. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Android
Samsung wants Galaxy users to enjoy 3D Touch, too. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Android

Samsung is expected to follow Apple’s footsteps and build a pressure-sensitive display into next year’s Galaxy S7, according to recent reports — and now a new patent backs up those claims with proof that the South Korean company has been hard at work on a similar technology for over a year.

Chipgate debunked: All iPhone 6s models are created equal

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The A9X chip puts iPhone 6s graphics to shame.
Don't discriminate between iPhone models. Chipgate doesn't exist.
Photo: Apple

A test to pit the two different iPhone 6s models against each other — one with a TSMC chip and the other with a Samsung chip — has officially debunked Chipgate. It turns out there are no discernible differences in battery life between the two.

Consumer Reports acquired an iPhone 6s with an A9 chip made from TSMC and another from Samsung. They made sure all settings were equal on both devices including the carrier, brightness settings, wireless connections, iOS version, running apps and more. Then they got to work.

iPhone 6s can’t topple the latest Androids in expert camera tests

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Apple brings carrier billing for app purchases to Germany.
Apple brings carrier billing for app purchases to Germany.
Photo: Cult of Mac
iPhone no longer offers the best smartphoe camera. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Android
iPhone no longer offers the best smartphoe camera. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Android

Apple’s new iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus may be packing its best iSight camera yet, but it’s not good enough to topple the latest Android devices.

In DxOMark’s expert camera tests, Apple’s latest smartphones achieve a score of 82, which is five points less than the current mobile leader, Sony’s Xperia Z5.

iPhone 6s Plus somehow batters Galaxy Note 5 in real-world speed test

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On your marks, get set, go! Photo: PhoneBuff
On your marks, get set, go! Photo: PhoneBuff

When it comes to specifications, Apple’s latest iPhones look like they’re lagging far behind their Android-powered rivals. But thanks to super-efficient software, they’re not as slow and as outdated as they might look on paper.

This is demonstrated in the real-world speed test below, in which the iPhone 6s Plus somehow batters a Galaxy Note 5.

Chipgate FAQ: Everything you need to know about iPhone 6s controversy

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battery
"Variable performance depending on who made your processor" was maybe not high on Apple's feature list.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

If you’re confused about the so-called ‘Chipgate’ controversy swirling around the Internet today, we’re here to help.

It just wouldn’t be an iPhone launch without something going awry, and the latest outcry concerns the relative performances of the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus’ A9 processors, especially their effects on the phones’ battery lives. And if that all sounds a bit technical and boring, it is. But it’s not too hard to understand.

Cult of Mac Magazine: iPhone 6s is one sexy beast

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It's all in here.
It's all in here.
Cover Design: Stephen Smith/Cult of Mac

The iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus came out last week, and it’s been a fun ride getting to know what makes these sexy beasts tick.

Check out this week’s Cult of Mac Magazine for all the tips, tricks, reviews, news, and just plain great content with yet another digital issue of your favorite magazine.

Download the brand new Cult of Mac Magazine app from iTunes right now, and you’ll get all this, and more, absolutely free.

iPhone 6s payment plans: the best way to finance your new iPhone

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iPhone 6s
Where should you buy that fancy new iPhone 6s or 6s Plus from? We've got the skinny.
Photo: Buster Hein/Cult of Mac

There’s never been a more confusing time to buy an iPhone.

If you’re looking for the best deal on a new iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus, you have tons of options. From Apple to AT&T, Verizon to T-Mobile, carriers and retailers have expanded their options for buying a new iPhone. That, plus an upheaval in traditional cellphone pricing and plans led by T-Mobile, has us all rather confused.

Where can you find a comparison of all the major US options? Right here, of course. We spent the time with our spreadsheets and the websites of AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, Apple, T-Mobile, Cricket Wireless, Boost Mobile, and (yes) Consumer Cellular to help you cut through the confusion and find the best iPhone purchase plan for you.

This is a comparison of buying your iPhone 6s, not the coverage or monthly cost of phone calls, text or data on any specific carriers, though that will factor in to your choice, of course.

iPhone 6s availability map shows some interesting gaps

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iphone-6s-rose-gold

Photo: Apple

Apple’s new iPhone 6s is poised to take most of the world by storm — and the rest by mail.

The company claims that its latest gadget, which had its initial launch on Friday, should be available in 130 countries by the end of the year, and our survey of regional Apple home pages gives us a pretty good idea of what the big board in Cupertino’s war room might look like. Check it out below.

Apple rakes in $513 for each iPhone 6s Plus it sells

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iPhone-6s-logo
Apple makes some impressive margins on the iPhone 6s.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

According to analysis from research firm IHS Technology, the iPhone 6s Plus costs Apple an estimated $236 to make — but nets the company an impressive $749 when it goes on sale.

That’s $513 markup per handset, if you’re keeping track at home.

4 iPhone 6s cases to show off your love for rose gold

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iphone-6s-rose-gold
Can't get enough rose gold? Check out these iPhone 6s cases.
Photo: Apple

It seems iPhone 6s customers are having a love affair with the new rose gold color option. Numerous reports indicate that it’s the most popular color choice for this year’s iPhone release. It’s all shiny and new as soon as you get it, but ten minutes later you realize you’re probably in the market for a new case. And yes, it’s about to completely shield the rose gold goodness.

You sit back in your chair, sigh and begin to question if there’s even hope left in this universe. The good news is there are more than a few cases that will let you show off that new rose gold iPhone, or even just your deep passion for rose gold as a color and fashion statement. Take a look at a few of your best options.

As a bonus, all of these cases are less than 25 bucks each.

Handy map shows how iPhone 6s will conquer the world

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iPhone 6s 3d
The iPhone 6s is ready to spread across the globe.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Apple is already looking ahead to how the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus will take over the world, according to our survey of individual countries’ region-specific Apple sites.

If you don’t live in one of the first 11 countries that received the new phones on Friday, you may not have long to wait, as our findings reveal the next 105 or so places Apple plans to sell the 6s. Check out the map below to see when it’s coming to your neighborhood if it hasn’t already.

How Google’s new Nexus phones stack up against the competition

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Should the Nexus 6P be your next smartphone? Photo: Google
Should the Nexus 6P be your next smartphone? Photo: Google

Following their big unveiling in San Francisco this morning, Google’s new Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P are now available for pre-order. But should you buy one, or is your hard-earned cash better spent elsewhere?

To help you decide, here’s a handy comparison that shows you how Google’s latest devices stack up against the competition from Apple, Samsung, LG, Motorola, and more.

5 apps that showcase 3D Touch’s true potential

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iphone-6s-3d-touch
Third-party apps are already jumping on board with 3D Touch and so should you.
Photo: Apple

So, you’re one of 13 million people to get a brand new iPhone 6S over the launch weekend. Congratulations, you now have access to a faster phone — potentially a rose gold one, better cameras, stronger aluminum and of course, 3D Touch. The latter is actually extremely useful, but it’s only as useful as developers allow.

Since the feature is brand new, 3D Touch mostly works with Apple’s stock iOS apps for quick application shortcuts on the Home screen, plus Peek and Pop inside apps to preview different types of content. A few productive developers saw the light and quickly updated their apps to support this drastically new way to use an iPhone.

You can tell that the future is very bright for 3D Touch as developers are just getting started figuring out how to unlock all of its potential. Until we reach that 3D utopia, here are five terrific apps that already do Apple’s latest innovation plenty of justice.

H2-Woah! iPhone 6s may be secretly waterproof

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Screen Shot 2015-09-28 at 10.43.33
Water way to put your new iPhone 6s through its paces.
Photo: Zach Straley

Apple hasn’t advertised the iPhone 6s as being waterproof, but it seems that the new handset (unofficially) isn’t totally adverse to taking a dip.

In a new video test, YouTuber Zach Straley submerged both the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus in a bowl of water and let them sit there for an hour, powered up.

While the test certainly isn’t comprehensive — and we recommend all Cult of Mac readers leave their new handsets on dry land — it certainly bodes well if you happen to accidentally drop your iPhone 6s in the bath or down the toilet sometime in the next year.

Cult of Mac Magazine Special Edition: iPhone 6s Super Guide

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All that you need to know about Apple's greatest iPhone yet.
All that you need to know about Apple's greatest iPhone yet.
Cover Deign: Stephen Smith/Cult of Mac

We’re excited! This week marks the launch of our brand-new Cult of Mac Magazine app, version 2.0!

We’ve redesigned it to make it even easier to get all of the best Cult of Mac content in a version that’s optimized for touchscreen displays. Just zoom in with your finger and thumb to pull up a story. When you get to the end, it will automatically bring up the next one.

We’ve created a special issue for you this week, as well, as we bring you our iPhone 6s Super Guide, chock-full of handy info on setting up that brand new shiny iPhone 6s or 6s Plus, along with a ton of great tips on using Apple’s latest iOS 9 like a crazy bossman.

Download the brand new Cult of Mac Magazine app from iTunes right now, and you’ll get all this, and more, absolutely free.

Here’s the rundown of our top stories this week:

Pro Tip: How to fine-tune 3D Touch sensitivity

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Try not to bust that thing, ok? You just got it.
Try not to bust that thing, ok? You just got it.
Photo: Buster Hein/Cult of Mac

Pro Tip Cult of Mac bug You don’t have to press so hard on your expensive new iPhone 6s or 6s Plus to get the groundbreaking 3D Touch working easily.

We’ve all been looking forward to this killer UI upgrade, but some users say they’re worried about breaking their new iPhone screens because they’re pushing so hard to get the “pop” level of 3D Touch.

Here’s how to make this a little easier to use.

11 killer iPhone 6s tips everyone needs to know

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3D Touch is just... awesome!
3D Touch is just... awesome!
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Even though the iPhone 6s look identical to its predecessor, using the new smartphone is actually way different thanks to 3D Touch and the new Peek and Pop gestures that essentially provide wormholes to other apps. Getting up to speed with the new input method can take some time, so we’ve compiled a list of all the sweet little features you probably didn’t know about.

Here are 11 killer iPhone 6s tips to help you master your new device: