The iPhone 6 Review
by Joshua Ho, Brandon Chester, Chris Heinonen & Ryan Smith on September 30, 2014 8:01 AM EST- Posted in
- Smartphones
- Apple
- Mobile
- iPhone 6
Video Quality
At a high level, video recording seems to be mostly similar. Both the iPhone 5s and iPhone 6 continue to rely on EIS for video stabilization, both seem to use somewhat similar optics and sensors, and both can only shoot 1080p video. However, the details are really where we see improvements in the iPhone 6. For starters, the iPhone 6 now has 1080p60 video support, which is definitely helpful for improving spatial resolution and general performance. There's also 720p240 slow motion video, which is an addition to the 720p120 video that we saw in the iPhone 5s.
| Video Encode Settings (Approx.) | ||||||
| iPhone 5s | iPhone 6 | |||||
| 1080p30 | 17 Mbps High Profile H.264 | 17 Mbps High Profile H.264 | ||||
| 1080p60 | - | 27 Mbps High Profile H.264 | ||||
| 720p120 | 27 Mbps High Profile H.264 | 31 Mbps High Profile H.264 | ||||
| 720p240 | - | 42 Mbps High Profile H.264 | ||||
As you can see, there's really not a massive difference in encoding bitrate, at least for the standard video record settings. However, even casual examination shows just how big a difference there is when comparing video from the iPhone 5s to video from the iPhone 6.
While the YouTube compression is likely to make it hard to see whether the iPhone 6 really has better video quality, when viewed at full resolution with Quicktime it seems that there is some level of improvement, but this could be due to the smaller field of view that is used when compared to the iPhone 5s. This tighter FOV also seems to be part of the reason why the stabilization is more effective than before. At various points in the video, it's quite obvious that the iPhone 6 is also benefiting greatly from PDAF as we see seamless transitions throughout the video and consistently better focus while the iPhone 5s is locked from the start and would require multiple taps to refocus the video.
1080p60 brings significant improvements to temporal quality, as capturing fast motion is noticeably more fluid when compared to 1080p30. Video stabilization is also retained, which makes 1080p60 an easy choice when capturing fast-moving objects.
As with the iPhone 5s, the original video on NAND is saved to play back at either 120 or 240 fps, but on the phone and when uploaded to social media the slow motion versions play back certain parts at 30 fps. As far as I can tell, there's relatively little difference in the image quality between the two modes, but this advantage is unlikely to hold when in lower light situations as the frame rate inherently caps the exposure time.
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JumpingJack - Tuesday, September 30, 2014 - link
Son, you need serious help.rimshaker - Tuesday, September 30, 2014 - link
You're probably just mad that the year-old 5S is still running circles around your brand new android gadget. That's right, the 5S! The 6 and 6 Plus don't even need to be mentioned here lol.Oyeve - Tuesday, September 30, 2014 - link
My sentiments exactly.paul4na - Wednesday, October 1, 2014 - link
Indeed, and I think Anandtech is also a bit blinded by its US bias given the lack of comparison to any competitiors.The Sony Z3 Compact has double the battery life and available at half the price in the UK. A similar sized screen yet in a noticeably smaller body, waterproofing, stereo speakers, double the RAM, 20MP 1/2.3" cam, SD storage expansion, FM Radio, better non-proprietary OS.
Vinski - Wednesday, October 1, 2014 - link
It's hilarious how Android zealots are actively searching Apple related news/reviews and have to come to vomit some shit out of their mouth to bolster their own choice.It just shows how immature and insecure they are.
djdurban - Wednesday, October 1, 2014 - link
So, i have had many phones in my life. One every six months for the past 6 years. The only iphones have had are the 4S and now the Plus, all the rest of been flagship, just released Android phones. My last one was the M8, the G2 before that. I love Android for many reasons, but i also hate for many others. I have a similar relationship with iOS. They both have their strengths and weaknesses.I can go in to many details, but i can give you one big example of one of the things i love about iOS. Notice the benchmarks in this article. There is nothing 2012 about any of the iphone benchmarks. Even the 5S still holds its own against the current competition. Apple has done this with a dual core 1.4ghz processor while facing "innovative android phones" with quad core 2.5 ghz processors. In this aspect, iOS is FAR MORE INNOVATIVE than android.
Perhaps you should stop worrying so much about specs and start using an iPhone. Incidentally the spec war became a thing basically because Android was so bad when it first came out. I had an OG Droid and it was AWFUL, i mean just awful performance. Thats where it all began, Android was so inefficient that manufacturers had to just keep throwing more and more specs at it.
Like i started with, i have owned many androids, and i loved several of them, the G2 probably my favorite todate, but this iPhone is my new favorite, without question.
Plogpower - Wednesday, October 1, 2014 - link
AppleCrappleHater2 is another perfect example of a crapDroid idiot. Before iPhone, you and the rest of your Walmart crapDroid idiots were still using flip phones. Also anything over $1.00 for a phone is expensive to you and your family. I get it that you are pissed, hearing and reading news of people lining up for Apple phones years after years. But with a little education and 2nd job, just maybe you will be able to afford an iPhone next year.The numbers again: 6 Millions phones pre-ordered in 24 hours. 10 million iPhone 6 and Plus were sold in opening weekend.
Some of the examples that the whole industry is trying to copy Apple but still could not:
iPod, iPhone, iPad, MacBook Air, MacBook Pros, Mac Pro 2013.
Ever heard of a BMW? yeah! Apple products are like that in term of quality. I bet you drive a beat up Ford truck and live in a trailer park near a Walmart 24 hours and supporting Obama correct?
Complete idiot.
GruntboyX - Wednesday, October 1, 2014 - link
to think there is already someone named Applecrapplehater.I am sorry that due to the popularity of the iphone you are not feeling the affirmation of your life choices. Please find some therapy.
endinyal - Wednesday, October 1, 2014 - link
*yawn* I stopped reading after the first sentence. Did anyone make the effort to summarize the iHating whining this basement-occupant was spewing? I didn't want to take away quality bathroom reading time.dmacfour - Wednesday, October 1, 2014 - link
This... is truly pathetic.