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.

Camera: Still Image Performance Audio Quality
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  • CalaverasGrande - Wednesday, October 1, 2014 - link

    there is more than one iphone competitor with no micro SD.
    That is just a silly argument. But you are just arguing silly specs. Apple has always lagged behind the bleeding edge. Both on computers and IOS devices. They throw a few nice flourishes on top such as retina or touch ID, but the underlying tech has almost always lagged behind the bleed edge. As the author calls out.
  • dmacfour - Wednesday, October 1, 2014 - link

    And it's only bad for people that have some sort of instinctual need to be on the bleeding edge.
  • kidsafe - Thursday, October 2, 2014 - link

    Are you done?
  • TruthLoader - Thursday, October 2, 2014 - link

    Did you really forget to mention one of Apple's new key features, introduced the first time with this new iPhone iteration, a capability prominently displayed by the new
    iPhone 6+ and best described by the words of Apple's CEO:

    Dear iSheeps,

    I am delighted you guys already noticed our brand-new "iBend" feature. We have intentionally kept quiet to preserve the big surprise now unveiled on behalf of our beloved
    iSheep. Let me share the following core principles, which were of particular importance throughout the design and development process:

    1) Enhance our iSheep's ability to enjoy a panoramic perspective, to be able to make "Panoramas" without moving the iPhone or needing any third party software.

    2) We wanted to compete with curved screen models form LG, Motorola and Samsung, mainly offered in their domestic markets.

    3) This is our answer to the curved screen displays offered by LG and Samsung, especially the new Samsung Galaxy Note Edge and the LG G Flex:
    http://www.theverge.com/2014/9/3/6097297/samsung-g...
    http://www.theverge.com/2013/10/27/5036288/lg-g-fl...

    4) It is our firm belief and intention to surprise Samsung and LG by showing that we are capable of having an edged display in our phones without actually having one, all for
    the purpose of trashing their new curved display phones and offering you a new, well hidden, feature.

    5) Last but not the least, we want to sell more replacement screens (remember, screen replacement prices were already provided before our new iPhone launch event took place
    (in anticipation of it:), of course that's a feature, feel free to exchange displays now:)).

    I am sure some of you iTards might be aware of some articles stating that although our new phones cost about 200$ to 250$ to manufacture (now the old ones cost even less),
    http://recode.net/2014/09/23/teardown-shows-apples...
    http://news.investors.com/technology-click/092314-...
    http://www.techtimes.com/articles/16347/20140926/i...

    we are selling them at a huge premium, which means we make a lot of money and I get to enjoy a lot of additional bonifications (indeed, my 15th luxury home has an indoor pool filled
    with 100$ bills, hence I'm able to take a bath without suffocating).

    More money leads to more attractive innovations like this special iBend (Registered Trademark, Patend Pending) feature you guys will be blessed with, as usual.
    Soon we will launch a new iDevice with an additional "S" in its name, it will offer a whole plethora of new features you will be able to make use of, like the possibility to to bend it back and forth to form an S shape. ("iS", Patend Pending)

    I sincerely believe you iSheeps are happy with our new iBend 6 Plus, however please let me take the opportunity to thank you all for being such a giant hoard of ignorant,
    blind and mindless suckers whose whole purpose in life consists of buying our new iDevice/iCrap (Registered Trademark, Patend Pending) for a very high premium while wasting
    their valueless time waiting in the iQueue just to brag about which poor soul enriched me first.
    Always remember and never forget, the only thing premium about apple is price, everything else pales in comparison.

    We Own you.

    Yours Sincerely
    Tim Crook.
  • TruthLoader - Thursday, October 2, 2014 - link

    I'm terribly sorry I did forget to correct some typos, nonetheless, here we go (corrected version):

    Did you really forget to mention one of Apple's new key features, introduced the first time with this new iPhone iteration, a capability prominently displayed by the new
    iPhone 6+ and best described by the words of Apple's CEO:

    Dear iSheep,

    I am delighted you guys already noticed our brand-new "iBend" feature. We have intentionally kept quiet to preserve the big surprise now unveiled on behalf of our beloved
    iSheep. Let me share the following core principles, which were of particular importance throughout the design and development process:

    1) Enhance our iSheep's ability to enjoy a panoramic perspective, to be able to make "Panoramas" without moving the iPhone or needing any third party software.

    2) We wanted to compete with curved screen models form LG, Motorola and Samsung, mainly offered in their domestic markets.

    3) This is our answer to the curved screen displays offered by LG and Samsung, especially the new Samsung Galaxy Note Edge and the LG G Flex:
    http://www.theverge.com/2014/9/3/6097297/samsung-g...
    http://www.theverge.com/2013/10/27/5036288/lg-g-fl...

    4) It is our firm belief and intention to surprise Samsung and LG by showing that we are capable of having an edged display in our phones without actually having one, all for
    the purpose of trashing their new curved display phones and offering you a new, well hidden, feature.

    5) Last but not the least, we want to sell more replacement screens (remember, screen replacement prices were already provided before our new iPhone launch event took place
    (in anticipation of it:), of course that's a feature, feel free to exchange displays now:)).

    I am sure some of you iTards might be aware of some articles stating that although our new phones cost about 200$ to 250$ to manufacture (now the old ones cost even less),
    http://recode.net/2014/09/23/teardown-shows-apples...
    http://news.investors.com/technology-click/092314-...
    http://www.techtimes.com/articles/16347/20140926/i...

    we are selling them at a huge premium, which means we make a lot of money and I get to enjoy a lot of additional bonifications (indeed, my 15th luxury home has an indoor pool filled
    with 100$ bills, hence I'm able to take a bath without suffocating).

    More money leads to more attractive innovations like this special iBend (Registered Trademark, Patent Pending) feature you guys will be blessed with, as usual.
    Soon we will launch a new iDevice with an additional "S" in its name, it will offer a whole plethora of new features you will be able to make use of, like the possibility to to bend it back and forth to form an S shape. ("iS", Patent Pending)

    I sincerely believe you iSheep are happy with our new iBend 6 Plus, however please let me take the opportunity to thank you all for being such a giant hoard of ignorant,
    blind and mindless suckers whose whole purpose in life consists of buying our new iDevice/iCrap (Registered Trademark, Patent Pending) for a very high premium while wasting
    their valueless time waiting in the iQueue just to brag about which poor soul enriched me first.
    Always remember and never forget, the only thing premium about apple is price, everything else pales in comparison.

    We Own you.

    Yours Sincerely
    Tim Crook
  • Kidster3001 - Thursday, October 2, 2014 - link

    Wow, just wow. I agree with most of what you say but you are just going to start fights the way you put it all down. You're not helping.

    BTW, you mention iPhone Galaxy. I agree, the new iPhone resembles recent Galaxy phones very much in physical form. You should take a look at the Galaxy Alpha though. It looks almost identical to an iPhone 5 with the chamfered edges. pretty sad imo.
  • DudeDoe - Monday, October 13, 2014 - link

    Not that everyone else have already call it.... But, plain and simple: No one is forced to buy A or B. If you don´t like it, or don´t have the means, don´t.
    Respect the decision and opinion of the others.
    Or as someone else had pointed: A) The ones that have the means, they truly have the choice, they can either buy it (because they like the style, the tech, or simply because of the ´status factor´), or they can buy a ´dumb phone´ instead (because they don´t care, or don´t have the need).
    B) The ones that don´t have the means. Well those don´t have much of a choice and have to live with what is possible... and accept that, and not coming after the others because "he/she can´t have what he/she really want"
  • Musikus - Monday, October 13, 2014 - link

    Lots of words to say lots of lies. How much döes Samsung pay for these lies? Shame on you, you have no honour and no guts!
  • Pandian - Tuesday, October 14, 2014 - link

    Apple's hardware division - so well integrated with its software division that we do not distinguish the two as we would with most others - makes a strong profit on its devices. Starting with iPhones, iPads, iPods, etc., their profit margin on the hardware seems beyond reason, yet the plastic phones with equivalent or inferior build make MORE profit.

    None of these companies can make such quality devices without the WTO allowing slave labour in China, India, African nations, etc.,to compete at level terms with the labour force of the "developed" nations; the same WTO contract that USA, China, UK, Germany, India, Brazil, Australia and other nations from every dimension of the social or economic space signed!

    That made the 19 year old, 16 hour/day worker from China/India/rest of Asia/Africa AT PAR with highly educated and qualified workers from Germany, UK, USA, India, China, Western European nations, etc., workers who work in less enslaving conditions! If the iPhone 4,5 & 6 series, as well as the HTC, Samsung and such companies' products, were made in Japan, Germany, USA, UK, France, etc., they will cost more than $9000 to $25000 to make! So, the going prices for the hardware, not just from Apple, but the entire spectrum, is a great deal for the consumer.

    Apple's software make huge profit - brain power is tough to quantify!

    The people who steal our money most are the service providing "middlemen"! That includes the companies that allow us to USE these toys! The phone plans, the billing of both parties for the same call - minutes are erased from the caller and the receiver in the USA for the same call! Not one PAC has been formed to fight this.

    These non-producing middlemen include the telephone, cellphone and the CABLE companies! Add the satellite companies if their plans go thru'.

    People drill liquid 1m or 2000m from the surface, refine and sell them for great profits, because the fluid powers ours locomotives. The same companies prevent alternate sources of fuel for the same use! We are so used to it that when the new set of companies do the same, we are numb to the stabs!

    I pay $250 to $800 upfront for a device in the USA, and use it as long as possible, years! Much more of my money is taken from me in much smaller installments every month, adding up to $240+ per family per month, just for phones! Cable and broadband adds another $200+ in most households! THAT is a car payment!

    While the newer smartphones allow me to do more - play more games, be entertained with video of various forms such as games, stupid cats, etc. (paying more there), enjoy the social behaviour of human collective without being social by just staring into a 4-6 inch screen, the phones are much smaller and better than the first simple cellphones! Their primary function is still to be able to make quality phone calls! And, texts, when important. Their super-smart powers are seen when used at trade (stocks), hospitals, and now 24/7 health monitoring! Same device - simple or complex use, still cheap at the physical level; buy it cheaper with a plan that does not suit you, you are shredding your cash.

    So, Apple or Samsung can gouge me for 100% profit on their quality hardware! I am bleeding into a shock state from the "nickel and dime" hemorrhaging of my other services - the phone plans, the contracts, the over the limits, etc.! The cable companies lay down the hardware still poorly to supply broadband, and channel programs that they do not create! There goes my money!
  • MacDaddy100 - Saturday, October 18, 2014 - link

    It's obvious you don't have much experience in technology, you can tell you've been sucked into the Android/ Samsung marketing telling you what you need in a phone.

    It seems you sold on specs and specs only, It's sad that Android phone have to put such large specs, faster GHZ, More RAM just to keep up with the iPhone, depending on which benchmarks you read, at times the iPhone is faster, at times Android is faster, but overall pretty even, that just shows how inefficient Android is, Needs double the specs to keep up.

    You obviously like car analogies, Its like you think a 1000hp Ford Focus will out race a 500hp Porsche 911 on a race track, just cramming horsepower doesn't make it a all-around better.

    Its amazing how much Android keeps copying iPhone features every single year, And Android profits keep sinking FAST, just look at Samsung's recent quarter, complete backslide.

    Why is Android flagship phones still using 20 year old 32 bit technology?

    Its amusing to watch Fandroids brag about their pretty dancing wallpapers, can't you see that Googles precious Green Robot and Samsung marketing machine has you sucked in.

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