iPhone 6 vs 6s: What’s the difference?

iPhone 6 vs 6s: What’s the difference?

At first glance, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s look almost identical. In fact, if you were to put each model side-by-side, there’s a good chance you wouldn’t be able to tell which is which. Aside from the “S” logo on the back of the iPhone 6s, there are very minimal external differences between the 6 and 6s. Under the surface is where most of the improvements are.

In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the features that distinguish the two models, and you can see for yourself if there’s enough of a difference to call it a dealbreaker.

So what is the difference between iPhone 6 and 6s?

What’s already been established is that the two models look relatively similar. But what about what’s inside? A few major features that mark the difference between iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s are:

• Camera
• 3D Touch
• Speed and performance

Let’s talk about these in more detail.

iPhone 6 vs iPhone 6s: The camera

Apple has always touted improved Camera specs with each new model of iPhone. And there was nothing different about the release of the iPhone 6s. In iPhone 6, the rear-facing camera was 8 megapixels and was able to record videos at a resolution of 1080p. And with the iPhone 6s, the rear-facing camera was boosted to 12 megapixels and was now able to film 4K videos.

A 40-minute 4K video takes up about 16 GB of storage! So before you go crazy with that camera, get an app like Gemini Photos. It helps you free up space by clearing similar photos, blurred shots, and other clutter.

iPhone 6 and 6s: 3D Touch

While the displays on both iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s look virtually the same and have the same resolution, another key difference between the two models lies in the iPhone 6s’ screen. It was with the 6s release that Apple introduced the new feature, 3D Touch. It’s a new way to interact with your phone by applying pressure to the screen instead of simply tapping. With 3D Touch, you get previews by pressing on links or notifications, and open entirely new app menus with a full click-through.

iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s: Speed and performance

Even though the exterior of both iPhone 6 and 6s are fairly similar, it’s what’s under the hood that makes the biggest difference. Apple bumped up the iPhone 6s with their A9 processor, making it considerably faster than the iPhone 6. And with double the RAM, the speed tests performed by Apple have registered a 70% performance increase over the iPhone 6.

Are iPhone 6 and 6s the same size?

iPhone 6 and 6s have very minor differences in their casing. The iPhone 6 is slightly smaller at 5.44 x 2.64 x 0.27 inches, while the iPhone 6s comes at 5.44 x 2.64 x 0.28 inches. The weight of the iPhone 6s has increased from 4.55 ounces to 5.04 ounces.

While the iPhone 6s is a tiny bit bigger than its predecessor, it’s not the enlarged casing that makes the phone heavier — it’s actually the display. Because of the improved graphical performance and the new parts needed for 3D Touch, the display is adding more weight to the iPhone 6s, bumping it up an extra half an ounce.

Is my iPhone an iPhone 6 or 6s?

If you’re wondering whether your phone is an iPhone 6 or 6s, the easiest way to tell is to look at the back of the phone and see if it has the “S” logo at the bottom of the casing. If you don’t see it, then you’re probably using an iPhone 6.

If for some reason you’re still unsure which model of iPhone you have, you can always check in Settings > General > About > Model Name.

When you compare the iPhone 6 and 6s side by side, the differences are minimal in contrast to other models. Hopefully, this article has sorted them out for you. At the end of the day, if you’re looking for a phone that will take better pictures, run faster, and has a few extra features, then the iPhone 6s should be your phone of choice. And once you’ve made up your mind and gotten a new iPhone, here’s how to seamlessly switch iPhones. Happy shopping!

IPhone 6 vs 6s: What’s the difference?

Update Published October 4, 2019

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What are all the differences between the iPhone 6/iPhone 6 Plus and iPhone 6s/iPhone 6s Plus? How much better are the newer models than their predecessors?

Please note that the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s, and iPhone 6s Plus all have been discontinued. However, this Q&A has been updated with the latest iOS support details and more and is quite useful for anyone buying or selling one of these models on the used market.

With even a fairly detailed look at an iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus and a newer iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus side-by-side it would be easy to mistake them for one another, as the general designs practically look identical, although the small “S” on the backside of the iPhone 6s models (and the lack of FCC iconography) is a dead giveaway.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPhone 6s – Back & Front, Rose Gold Option)

There actually are four iPhone 6 models, four iPhone 6 Plus models, three iPhone 6s models, and three iPhone 6s Plus models, but this Q&A mostly covers collective differences for relative simplicity.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPhone 6 – Front, Back, & Side — Space Gray Option)

At the time of introduction, the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus were available in black and space gray, white and silver, or white and gold, but Apple discontinued the gold color option on September 9, 2015 upon introducing the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus (but re-introduced it in China and Taiwan with a 32 GB variant in February and March 2017 only to discontinue the model entirely again in September 2018). The final models were offered in black and space gray, white and silver, and white and gold, as well as a new white and pink-tinted “Rose Gold” option (pictured above).

The overall design of both lines is quite similar — with aluminum cases dominated by the display and softly rounded sides — but the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus have a slightly less slippery finish, are slightly thicker and heavier, and made from aerospace-grade 7000 series aluminum, which is much less likely to bend than the aluminum used by its predecessors. The iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus also have a new rubber gasket around the display to reduce the risk of internal water damage.

Although the specific parts are different, the “Retina HD” display in the smaller iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s devices both are are 4.7″ (1334×750) with a 1400:1 contrast ratio, and 326 ppi pixel density and the the larger iPhone 6 Plus and iPhone 6s Plus devices are 5.4″ (1920×1080) with a 1300:1 contrast ratio and 401 ppi pixel density.

However, the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus displays are covered by an ion-strengthened glass cover that Apple boasts is the “strongest glass on any smartphone.” Furthermore, these displays incorporate new pressure-sensitive “3D Touch” capability with support for gestures that Apple refers to as “Peek and Pop” to “dip in and out of content without losing your place” for quicker access to a variety of functions within the iOS and third-party software.

The iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus also have an advanced “Tapic Engine” in lieu of a simpler vibration sensor and a faster “second generation” Touch ID fingerprint sensor in the home button for biometric authentication. Both lines have a bottom mounted headphone jack, microphone, Lightning connector, and a single speaker. Each ships, or shipped, with “EarPod” headphones that include the integrated Remote and Mic, as well.

The iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus have much more advanced cameras than their predecessors. The front cameras have a “FaceTime HD” camera with a 5 megapixel sensor compared to a 1.2 megapixel camera on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.

The rear-mounted “iSight” cameras have even more significant differences:

iPhone 6s vs iPhone 6 comparison

Wondering if you should buy the iPhone 6s or the iPhone 6? They are both old phones now but you might be able to get some good deals on them. The question is: are the features offered good enough? Find out what the difference is between the iPhone 6 and 6s (and the Plus versions).

by Karen Haslam, Editor | 10 Mar 20

• iOS 9
• 4.7in Retina HD display wth 3D Touch
• A9 processor with M9 motion co-processor
• 16/64/128GB storage
• 12Mp iSight rear camera
• 5Mp FaceTime HD front camera
• Touch ID
• 7.1mm
• 143g

Should I buy the iPhone 6 or iPhone 6s?

The 6s was a significant update compared to the iPhone 6, bringing 3D Touch, a much better camera, Live Photos, more RAM and a much faster processor, but should you buy one? With five years having passed since the launch probably not, but it does still have some things going for it.

Price when reviewed

Best prices today: iPhone 6s

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iPhone 6 vs iPhone 6s full review

It’s been a few years since Apple stopped selling the iPhone 6 and 6s, but you might be thinking about buying one of these handsets second hand, or perhaps a family member is passing their old handset onto you. In that case you will want to know how the two phones compare, and perhaps whether buying an iPhone 6 or 6s is a good or bad idea, and if an iPhone 6 or 6s will be any better than the iPhone or other phone you have right now.

Alternatively you might not be sure whether the phone in your hand is the iPhone 6 or the iPhone 6s as the two look remarkably similar.

Whatever your reason to want to know the difference between the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s we are here to explain everything you need to know.

What is the difference between the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6?

You might think that being an s-update there wouldn’t be a big difference between the two phones, but when Apple introduced the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus in September 2015 there were some significant updates and changes including:

• 3D Touch
• Better camera
• Live Photos
• Faster processor
• More RAM
• New aluminium (presumably to combat bend-gate – a tendency for iPhone 6 Plus phones to bend in the pocket!)

As for how to tell the difference between the different devices, if you have one in your hand you could test for 3D Touch by pressing on an icon or two to see if the second level menu appears. Or you could open the camera and see if Live Photos is an option. But the most obvious way to tell is to look in Settings > General > About and find Model Name. If it’s not listed there then look for the Model Number. You can tap on the Model Number to reveal the code starting with an A.

• A1549, A1586 or A1589: iPhone 6
• A1522, A1524 or A1593: iPhone 6 Plus
• A1633 or A1688: iPhone 6s
• A1634 or A1687: iPhone 6s Plus.

You should also find this A number listed on the back of the phone if it’s a 6 or 6s generation and an [s] if it’s a 6s or 6s Plus.

How much do/did the iPhone 6s and 6 cost?

If you are considering buying an iPhone 6 or 6s you are probably looking at second-hand or refurbished prices although you can still buy the handset new from some places.

At CeX you could pick up a 32GB iPhone 6s for £130, while on eBay an 128GB iPhone 6s costs about £159.99 new or around £99 used. Amazon has a renewed iPhone 6s for £102.95 right now.

You don’t have to settle for second-hand though. You can still get your hands on a new iPhone 6s and 6s Plus today. For example, Littlewoods is selling the iPhone 6s with 128GB storage for £479.99, while Argos is selling the 32GB version of the 6s for £299.

Wondering the price you’ve been quoted is a good price? Back in 2015 these iPhones cost the following:

To put things in perspective, here’s how those prices compare to the prices of the iPhones Apple sells new right now:

• iPhone 8, from £479/$499
• iPhone 8 Plus, from £579/$549
• iPhone XR, from £629/$599
• iPhone 11, from £729/$699
• iPhone 11 Pro, from £1,049/$999
• iPhone 11 Pro Max, from £1,149/$1,099

So, if you can’t find an iPhone 6 or 6s for less than the iPhone 8 right now (£479/$499) we’d suggest that you buy the iPhone 8. The iPhone 8 launched in 2017 which is three years after the iPhone 6s.

How the iPhone 6s design compares to the iPhone 6

At first glance, you might think that the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s are the same phone, but actually there are a number of design differences between the two handsets.

First of all the iPhone 6s introduced a new colour option called Rose Gold. Otherwise both handsets are available in Gold, Silver and Space Grey.

The iPhone 6s is also made out of a more durable Series 7000 aluminium. This is presumably to prevent a repeat of the Bendgate debacle that happened when some iPhone 6 Plus owners found that their iPhones had bent after prolonged periods of time spent in their pocket. The problem was probably exaggerated with only a few very vocal customers affected, but it’s a problem none-the-less and certainly a good reason to consider the 6s Plus over the 6 Plus.

Aside from that, the design and build of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s is essentially the same. There is a tiny increase in height, width, depth and weight for the 6s, but you’re unlikely to notice.

The dimensions are as follows:

138.3 x 67.1 x 7.1 mm

158 x 77.8 x 7mm

138.1 x 67 x 6.9 mm

158.2 x 77.9 x 7.3 mm

There is not a significant difference in the dimensions of the iPhone 6 compared to the 6s, or the iPhone 6 Plus compared to the 6s Plus, but there is a significant difference between the standard and the Plus models, so if you are considering moving from a 4.7in screen to a 5.5in screen it’s worth bearing in mind that there are pros and cons about the bigger screen. The bigger phone weighs more (obviously) and is a bit more awkward to hold, especially if you have small hands, in which case you’ll probably find that you can’t reach the entire screen with a single thumb. But there is a real benefit to be had from the extended screen space. Once you go Plus you probably won’t go back.

iPhone 6 vs iPhone 6s comparison: Display

The iPhone 6 and 6s both have a 4.7in display with a resolution of 1334 x 750 at 326ppi (pixels per inch), while the iPhone 6 Plus and iPhone 6s Plus have 1920 x 1080 pixel displays at 401ppi.

The big difference is the inclusion of 3D Touch on the 6s models. 3D Touch means that the display on the iPhone 6s can distinguish between a tap, a light press and a hard press, and that opens up a whole host of new navigation, interaction and gesture possibilities. There is haptic feedback (a gentle buzz) so you know you have trigged the hard press functions.

In terms of what 3D Touch actually does, here are a few examples. Hard press on an icon on your Home screen and you’ll see more options. In the case of the Camera icon you’ll get shortcuts to Take Sefie, Record Video, and so on. When the iPhone XR launched Apple was able to create the same ‘hard press’ effect without 3D Touch.

The irony with 3D Touch is that as useful as it is many iPhone users don’t even realise that the feature is there.

You can find out more about 3D Touch and how it works here. Or take a look in this video:

How does the camera in the iPhone 6 vs iPhone 6s compare

The iPhone 6s was the first time Apple improved the camera specs since the iPhone 4s launched in 2011.

Where the iPhone 6 has an 8Mp rear-facing camera, the iPhone 6s has a 12Mp rear-facing camera.

Video recording improved from 1080p in the iPhone 6 to 4K video recording on the iPhone 6s. The iPhone 6s Plus also gained optical image stabilisation for video.

The front-facing camera also got some improvements. It can capture 5Mp photos rather than 1.2Mp, and the display became a front-facing flash to make selfies even better.

Some of the tech behind the camera was improved and the iPhone 6s gained some camera related software features. For example, Live Photos arrived with the 6s. With Live Photos turned on your phone takes short videos clips rather than still photos. You can get some fun effects and it’s a good way to get photos of kids who are moving all the time anyway. Later versions of the iOS software made it possible to create GIFs from Live Photos. Live Photos can be fun so they are probably a good reason to get the 6s over the 6.

iPhone 6 vs iPhone 6s specs and hardware comparison

Inside the iPhone 6s is the A9 64-bit processor and M9 motion coprocessor. At the time Apple said the iPhone 6s’s processor was 70 percent faster and had 90 percent better graphics performance than the A8 and M8 chipset used in the iPhone 6.

Here’s how the benchmarks compared at the time the iPhone 6s launched:

Modern iPhones are considerably faster of course, but this does demonstrate that there was s significant difference between the 6 and 6s.

Another significant difference was the RAM. The iPhone 6s was the first iPhone to shop with 2GB RAM. The iPhone 6 has just 1GB RAM. The extra RAM can make a big difference.

As for storage, Apple stuck with the same 16GB, 64GB and 128GB models when the iPhone 6s launch 2015, but in 2016 the company introduced a 32GB version of the iPhone 8s, to replace the 16GB and 64GB options.

There has never been a big difference between the price of the lower capacity and the larger capacity models so we would always advise you to spend a little more to get more storage (although now that we can also rely on iCloud for storage the on-phone storage matters less).

Another change to the iPhone 8s was the arrival of the second-generation Touch ID. This fingerprint sensor is faster and more accurate than Touch ID on the iPhone 6.

Connectivity for the four handsets are the same – they all offer 4G LTE Advanced, 802.11ac WiFi, Bluetooth 4.2, and NFC.

Finally, battery life is estimated to be the same on all these handsets at up to 10 hours of internet browsing or 11 hours of video playback. However, if you are buying second-hand you can expect the battery life to be less.

Note that there was a problem with the batteries in the iPhone 6 and 6s models with Apple criticised for slowing down older phones to prevent shutdowns and maximise battery life. There was a program in place whereby Apple would replace the batteries but that is now finished (Apple ran a free replacement program from 2016 to the end of 2017 and a paid for program until the end of 2018). Read more about the battery problems here.

You can now tell if your iPhone is being slowed down due to battery degradation by checking the status in Settings > Battery > Battery Health.

For more buying advice head over to our iPhone buying guide article.

Verdict: Should you get the iPhone 6 or 6s

Back in 2015 when the iPhone 8s launched it was a significant update, despite the fact that critics usually look upon s-updates as minor updates. The update bought some significant changes though, including 3D Touch, a much better camera, Live Photos, more RAM and a much faster processor.

If you were deciding between the 6 and 6s right now then we would say go for the 6s (Plus or standard) as it’s a much better phone.

But before you buy, if you are thinking about updating to the 6s from the iPhone 6 or even the 5s, then we’d recommend that you find a way to afford a newer phone. There are so many handsets that have launched since that you could consider, from the iPhone 7, 7s, 8, 8s, and the iPhone X and beyond. A lot has changed in the past five years.

Note: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence. Learn more.

Author: Karen Haslam, Editor

An ex-Apple PR, Karen’s career highlights include interviewing Apple’s Steve Wozniak and discussing Steve Jobs’ legacy on the BBC. Her focus is Mac, but she lives and breathes Apple.

Apple iPhone 7 vs iPhone 6S vs iPhone 6: What’s the difference?

Apple announced the next generation of its iPhones at an event in San Francisco on 7 September.

Despite some rumours suggesting otherwise, the two new handsets are being called the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, following the traditional naming cycle.

Plenty of rumours did the rounds over the few months prior to launch, but we now have all the official details. Here is how the iPhone 7 compares to the iPhone 6S and the iPhone 6. Is it worth the upgrade?

Apple iPhone 7 vs iPhone 6S vs iPhone 6: Design

The Apple iPhone 7 features a similar design to the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6, though there are a couple of changes to note. The antenna strips on the rear have seen a move to the top for a cleaner look, while the 3.5mm headphone jack has been removed altogether in favour of a Lightning port only and stereo speakers.

The iPhone 7 also introduces offers IP67 waterproofing, while the home button has also been redesigned and the camera bump on the rear is a little larger and more refined. Two new colours have also been introduced for the new devices in the form of Black and Jet Black, with Apple saying bye bye to Space Grey for the iPhone 7. It will still come in Silver, Gold and Rose Gold.

The iPhone 7 measures 138.3 x 67.1 x 7.1mm and hits the scales at 138g. That means it is the same size as the iPhone 6S but lighter, with the older device measuring 138.3 x 67.1 x 7.1mm and weighing 143g. The iPhone 6 is thinner and lighter than both at 138.1 x 67 x 6.9mm and 129g.

Both the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6 look the same in terms of physical design but the iPhone 6S adds the Rose Gold colour option to the Space Grey, Silver and Gold models and it is made from a different aluminium. Neither are officially waterproof and they both have a physical Home button sporting Touch ID.

Apple iPhone 7 vs iPhone 6S vs iPhone 6: Display

The iPhone 7 sticks with a Retina HD display and the 4.7-inch size. That means a resolution of 1334 x 750 pixels for a pixel density of 326ppi. Apple claims the new display is 25 per cent brighter however, and it also has a P3 colour gamut, meaning colours should be richer.

Both the iPhone 6S and the iPhone 6 offer a 4.7-inch LED-backlit display with a resolution of 1334 x 750 pixels. That puts both of their pixel densities at 326ppi, making them the same as the iPhone 7 in terms of sharpness.

The iPhone 7 and iPhone 6S feature 3D Touch, while the iPhone 6 doesn’t so more features are available on the later models, though the iPhone 6S and 7 should have the same functionality here.

Apple iPhone 7 vs iPhone 6S vs iPhone 6: Cameras

The iPhone 7 arrives with a new 12-megapixel sensor that sports an aperture of f/1.8 and a new six-element lens. Apple has added optical image stabilisation to the new device, along with a Quad-LED True Tone flash, body detection and wide colour capture.

The front camera has also upped its resolution to 7-megapixels, while also offering body detection, wide colour capture and auto image stabilisation. The Retina Flash is onboard and the front-facing camera will record in 1080p, while the rear is capable of 4K.

The iPhone 6S features a 12-megapixel rear camera, coupled with a 5-megapixel front-facing camera, both offering an f/2.2 aperture. It was this model Apple first introduced a Retina Flash to the front, along with a feature called Live Photos sp it isn’t surprising to see them on the iPhone 7. It is also capable of 4K video recording.

The iPhone 6 has an 8-megapixel rear camera, along with a 1.2-megapixel front facing camera, again both with an aperture of f/2.2. The older iPhone doesn’t feature a front flash, nor is it capable of Live Photos or 4K video recording. Neither the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6 offer optical image stabilisation and both have a dual-LED True Tone flash rather than Quad-LED.

Apple iPhone 7 vs iPhone 6S vs iPhone 6: Hardware

The Apple iPhone 7 arrives with a new processor – the A10 Fusion. It has an embedded M10 motion coprocessor and it is said to be 40 per cent faster than the A9 and two-times faster than the A8. The GPU in the new iPhone 7 is claimed to add to the performance enhancement, with Apple saying it is 50 per cent better than the A9 and three-times better than the A8.

The battery life of the iPhone 7 is also said to be two-hours longer than the iPhone 6S. The iPhone 7 will be available in 32GB, 128GB and 256GB storage models.

The iPhone 6S features the A9 processor and an embedded M9 motion co-processor, along with 2GB of RAM. It was originally available in storage options of 16GB, 64GB and 128GB, but Apple has ditched the 16GB option and introduced a 32GB model here too. It has a 14-hour battery life.

The iPhone 6 has the A8 processor with a separate M8 motion co-processor, along with 1GB of RAM. Storage options available were 16GB and 64GB, but this iPhone has now been discontinued from Apple. The battery capacity was again 14-hours.

Apple iPhone 7 vs iPhone 6S vs iPhone 6: Software

The Apple iPhone 7 debuts with iOS 10, which was announced at WWDC in June. The company presented a few of the new features back then, including a revamp of messages.

It used the September event to announce real-time collaboration for iWork users, allowing users to work together with other iWork users on documents. Mario will also be coming to the App Store before Christmas and there will also be some special Mario stickers in iMessages. You can read our iOS 10 feature for everything you need to know on the new software.

The iPhone 6S and the iPhone 6 have both been updated to iOS 10 now so the bulk of the user experience will be the same. There will probably be a few things the iPhone 7 will be capable of that the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6 won’t, but most of the user experience between these three devices will be identical.

Apple iPhone 7 vs iPhone 6S vs iPhone 6: Conclusion

As with all succeeding smartphones, the iPhone 7 improves on its predecessors in several areas.

Although it looks similar, the iPhone 7 removes the headphone jack and antenna bands for a more seamless design, while it also adds waterproofing to the mix. Hardware also sees an improvement and there have been enhancements in the camera and battery departments too.

The change in the iPhone 7 isn’t as dramatic as it was when the iPhone 6 launched a couple of years ago, but there are some good additions to the new device that will see a few wanting to upgrade, especially those with the iPhone 6.

iPhone 6S vs iPhone SE: What’s different and which should you choose?

In addition to the brand new iPhone 7, Apple still offers the previous-generation iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, and iPhone SE. That way, if you don’t want the latest and the greatest, you have less-expensive alternatives. In terms of specs, many of them are similar — Touch ID, Apple Pay, Hey Siri, Live Photos. There are some major differences though, including 3D Touch, FaceTime camera, and size. Understanding those differences and figuring out which ones matter to you the most will help you decide between them. Here’s what you need to know!

iPhone SE has a 4-inch screen with 1136×640 pixels at 326 ppi. That’s the same size as the old iPhone 5 and iPhone 5s. It means everything from apps to games to the web will look smaller, including text and pictures.

iPhone 6s has a 4.7-inch screen with 1336×750 pixels at 326 ppi, and the iPhone 6s Plus has a 5.5-inch screen with a 1920×1080-pixel screen at 401 ppi. That means, with iPhone 6s, you get more of everything, and with iPhone 6s Plus you get much more, including the ability to run iPad-style (two column) apps in landscape mode.

Here’s how they compare:

Conversely, iPhone SE will more easily fit in your hand, your pocket, and your bag. It’s 4.87 inches (123.8 mm) high, 2.31 inches (58.6 mm) wide, 0.30 inch (7.6 mm) deep, and weighs 3.95 ounces (112 grams).

iPhone 6s, by contrast, is 5.44 inches (138.3 mm) high, 2.64 inches (67.1 mm) wide, 0.28 inch (7.1 mm) deep, and weighs 4.87 ounces (138 grams). And iPhone 6s Plus is 6.23 inches (158.2 mm) high, 3.07 inches (77.9 mm) wide, 0.29 inch (7.3 mm) deep, and weighs 6.77 ounces (192 grams)

• If you want a bigger screen so you can see and do more, go for iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus.
• If you want a smaller phone you can more easily hold and carry, go for iPhone SE.

Reachability

The 4-inch iPhone SE is small enough the most people can reach every corner of the display, even with a single hand and thumb. The 4.7-inch iPhone 6s and 5.5-inch iPhone 6s Plus, not so much.

To make up for the more expansive displays, Apple introduced Reachability mode. Simply tap — not press! — the Home button twice and the entire interface shifts halfway down so you can more easily access the controls at the top.

• If you want constant one-handed ease of use, get an iPhone SE.
• If you can manage the big or bigger sizes, Reachability mode can help with iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus.

Visual accessibility

If you don’t want more pixels but just want bigger pixels, iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus can do that too. Thanks to Display Zoom, you can tell an iPhone 6s to use the iPhone SE interface and magnify it up, or tell an iPhone 6s Plus to use the iPhone 6s interface and magnify it up.

• If a bigger interface is necessary for you to see and interact with your iPhone, get an iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus and use Display Zoom.
• If physical accessibility is more important to — being able to comfortably hold the phone — get the iPhone SE if that fits you better.

Productivity

The iPhone 6s Plus has so many pixels that, in landscape mode, it acts like an 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.

• If you like the idea of having a big iPhone in portrait and a tiny iPad in landscape, get the iPhone 6s Plus.

Camera

iPhone SE and iPhone 6s have the same rear-facing iSight camera. It’s 12 megapixels and can shoot 4K video. They also share Apple’s A9 image signal processor (ISP), focus pixels for faster image acquisition, and Live Photos, which lets you capture movement and sound along with the moment. iPhone 6s Plus adds optical image stabilization (OIS) to reduce motion blur, especially in low-light.

The front-mounted FaceTime camera, though, is a different story. iPhone 6s has 5 megapixels. iPhone SE, only 1.2.

• If you want the best camera of the bunch, that’s iPhone 6s Plus.
• If selfies are important to you, you’ll want iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus,
• If you just want a tiny pocket phone, iPhone SE will do you fine.

3D Touch + Taptic Engine

iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus have 3D Touch, which is the name Apple uses for pressure sensitivity on the iPhone. It’s a shortcut system or “warp tunnel” through iOS that lets you do everything faster. You can press an app to go right to an action. You can press a message or link and peek at a preview. If it interests you, you can press deeper and pop into it. It uses the Taptic Engine, a form of haptics, to provide tactile feedback for the presses.

iPhone SE, despite all its other upgrades, didn’t get 3D Touch.

• If you like the idea of 3D Touch, you’ll need to go for iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus.
• If you don’t care about 3D Touch, get any of them, including iPhone SE.

Battery life

iPhone SE gets tremendously great battery life. Up to 14 hours of talk, 10 days standby, 13 hours of web browsing and video playback, and 50 hours of audio.

iPhone 6s gets just as tremendous battery life. Up to 14 hours of talk, 10 days standby, 11 hours of web browsing and wireless video playback, and 40 hours of wireless audio.

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 wireless video, and 80 hours of wireless audio.

• If battery life matter most to you, and you don’t want to use an external battery case or power bank, get the iPhone 6s Plus.

Who should get iPhone SE?

If you want the smallest iPhone available, one that’ll fit into the smallest pocket or pouch, but still has a fairly recent processor and camera, you want iPhone SE.

Who should get iPhone 6s?

If you want an iPhone that’s still a phone, with all the power but not all of the bulk, then you want iPhone 6s.

Who should get the iPhone 6s Plus?

If you want the biggest screen possible, the longest battery life available, and a camera with optical image stabilization, get iPhone 6s Plus.

Still undecided?

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iPhone 6 vs iPhone 6 Plus: What’s The Difference?

There’s a lot of similarities between Apple’s iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus. Both come in silver, gold, and space grey; both feature Touch ID; both have the A8 and M8 processors; both come in 16, 64, or 128 GB sizes; and both come with NFC, which supports Apple’s new Apple Pay mobile payments system. Yet both phones have a ton of differences.

The biggest of which is the display size; the iPhone 6s Plus’ display is 5.5in and significantly larger than the iPhone 6’s. And because the iPhone 6s Plus is an S update, you get a better processor, a larger battery, and an improved camera.

Still, both of these phones are now pretty much ancient – they’re almost six years old.

For this reason, you’re 100% better off going with a newer model – (the iPhone 7 Plus, maybe) or something like the iPhone X and iPhone XR can be picked up for less than $500. And these phones will get iOS updates for years to come, unlike the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s Plus which are both approaching their end-of-life cycle.

Still, if you’re interested in the difference between the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6s Plus, read on for our full, detailed comparison of the two iPhones…

iPhone 6 vs iPhone 6s Plus – The Major Differences

iPhone 6 vs iPhone 6 Plus: Specs & Features Compared In Full

Here are the specs for the iPhone 6:

• Display: 4.7-inch display with a 1334×750-pixel resolution at 326ppi
• Dimensions: 138.1mm x 67mm x 6.9mm
• Weight: 129 grams
• Storage: 16, 64, or 128GB
• Processors: A8 chip with 64-bit architecture and M8 motion coprocessor
• Front camera: FaceTime HD camera. 1.2 MP photos and 720p HD video.
• Rear camera: iSight camera. 8 MP photos. ƒ/2.2 aperture. 1080p video. True Tone flash.
• Battery life: Up to 12 hours mixed usage
• Touch ID: yes
• NFC: yes

And here are the specs for the iPhone 6 Plus:

• Display: 5.5-inch Retina HD display with 1920×1080 resolution at 401 pixels per inch (ppi)
• Dimensions: 158.1mm x 77.8 mm x 7.1 mm
• Weight: 172 grams
• Storage: 16, 64, or 128GB
• Processors: A8 chip with 64-bit architecture and M8 motion coprocessor
• Front camera: FaceTime HD camera. 1.2 MP photos and 720p HD video.
• Rear camera: iSight camera. 8 MP photos. ƒ/2.2 aperture. 1080p video. True Tone flash. Optical image stabilization.
• Battery life: Up to 12 hours mixed usage
• Touch ID: yes
• NFC: yes

iPhone 6 vs iPhone 6 Plus: Display & Design

The biggest difference between the two new iPhones are in the display department. The iPhone 6 features a 4.7-inch display with a 1334×750-pixel resolution at 326 ppi and the iPhone 6 Plus features a 5.5-inch display with a 1920×1080-pixel resolution at 401 ppi.

Without a doubt, the iPhone 6 Plus screen is the technically better one in most departments. It’s got a much higher resolution screen with more pixels crammed into each square inch. But interestingly, the smaller iPhone 6 has a slightly better contrast ratio of 1400:1 compared to the iPhone 6 Plus’ 1300:1.

As for the design, both feature aluminum bodies with rounded corners and while their physical length and height dimensions are of course different (due to screen size) the smaller iPhone 6 wins on thinness being just 6.9mm thick versus the iPhone 6 Plus’s 7.1mm thickness.

The iPhone 6 is also noticeably lighter than the iPhone 6 Plus. The iPhone 6 weighs just 129 grams versus the iPhone 6 Plus’ 172 grams.

iPhone 6 vs iPhone 6 Plus: Battery

The other major difference between the two new iPhones is in battery life. s can be expected, the iPhone 6 Plus packs a much larger battery because it needs it to power its larger screen. Yet Apple has also managed to eke out some of that bigger battery’s power to give the iPhone 6 Plus slightly longer battery life in some tasks. Here’s their metrics in specific areas:

• Talk time: iPhone 6 – 14 hours on 3G. iPhone 6 Plus – 24 hours on 3G.
• Standby time: iPhone 6 – Up to 10 days (250 hours). iPhone 6 Plus – Up to 16 days (384 hours).
• Internet use: iPhone 6 – Up to 10 hours on 3G, up to 10 hours on 4G LTE, and up to 11 hours on Wi‑Fi. iPhone 6 Plus – Up to 12 hours on 3G, up to 12 hours on 4G LTE, and up to 12 hours on Wi‑Fi.
• Video playback: iPhone 6 – Up to 11 hours. iPhone 6 Plus – Up to 14 hours.
• Audio playback: iPhone 6 – Up to 50 hours. iPhone 6 Plus – Up to 80 hours.

iPhone 6 vs iPhone 6 Plus: Camera

The new iPhones both have the exact same cameras (a disappointing 8MP sensor is still the camera of choice for some reason). But the iPhone 6 Plus wins in the camera department because it also has optical image stabilization, which the iPhone 6 does not. Optical image stabilization can make your pics look a lot better–so if your iPhone is your only camera, getting the 6 Plus could be worth it.

iPhone 6 vs iPhone 6 Plus: Cost & Verdict

And then there is the cost. As I mentioned earlier, both the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus come in silver, gold, and space grey and in 16 GB, 64 GB, and 128 GB storage capacities. Unlocked the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 will cost £539 (16GB), £619 (64GB) and £699 (128GB). The iPhone 6 Plus will cost £619 (16GB), £699 (64GB) and £789 (128GB).