The iPhone 6 Plus Mini-Review: Apple's First Phablet
by Joshua Ho on September 30, 2014 8:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Smartphones
- Apple
- Mobile
- iOS
- iPhone 6 Plus
While we’ve also written about the iPhone 6, the iPhone 6 Plus needs its own review in order to really understand the various features of the device that would otherwise be buried in the context of the iPhone 6. Without question, this device represents a significant departure from the way Apple has competed in the smartphone space. Until now, Apple hasn't competed in the phablet space and has thus avoided competing with Galaxy Note line that has been established as the dominant phablet for the past 3-4 generations. As a result, Apple occupies a fast-follower position at best.
This brings us to the iPhone 6 Plus, which really is an extension of the iPhone 6. Both phones share the same SoC, NAND configurations, front and rear camera sensors, LED flash module, industrial/material design, TouchID home button, earpiece and speaker configuration, WiFi/BT chipset, modem, and button layout. At this point, I’m going to stop listing similarities because the iPhone 6 Plus is interesting for its differences. Unlike similarities, the differences are simple. The iPhone 6 Plus is bigger, the display has higher pixel density, the camera has optical image stabilization, and iOS 8 has new app designs to take advantage of the larger screen. The iPhone 6 Plus is also more expensive, with the 16GB version starting at the same price as the 64GB version of the iPhone 6.
While I’ve already discussed the design of the iPhone 6, it’s important to see whether the same design translates to the iPhone 6 Plus. To this end, the iPhone 6 Plus does well. While the angular design of the iPhone 5 line would have looked and felt enormous in the hand, the shape is quite similar to the iPad line and is similarly comfortable in the hand, although the rounded edge really differentiates it, as does the control scheme. The only real issue here is that the top bezel on the front becomes surprisingly large, and this seems to contribute to a sense that the phone is top-heavy even though the phone is evenly balanced.
| Apple iPhone 5s | Apple iPhone 6 | Apple iPhone 6 Plus | |
| SoC | Apple A7 | Apple A8 | Apple A8 |
| Display | 4-inch 1136 x 640 LCD | 4.7-inch 1334 x 750 LCD | 5.5-inch 1920 x 1080 LCD |
| WiFi | 2.4/5GHz 802.11a/b/g/n, BT 4.0 | 2.4/5GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, single stream, BT 4.0, NFC | |
| Storage | 16GB/32GB/64GB | 16GB/64GB/128GB | 16GB/64GB/128GB |
| I/O | Lightning connector, 3.5mm headset | ||
| Size / Mass |
123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6 mm, 112 grams |
138.1 x 67 x 6.9 mm, 129 grams |
158.1 x 77.8 x 7.1 mm, 172 grams |
| Camera |
8MP iSight with 1.5µm pixels Rear Facing + True Tone Flash 1.2MP f/2.4 Front Facing |
8MP iSight with 1.5µm pixels Rear Facing + True Tone Flash 1.2MP f/2.2 Front Facing |
8MP iSight with 1.5µm pixels Rear Facing + True Tone Flash + OIS 1.2MP f/2.2 Front Facing |
| Price |
$99 (16GB), $149 (32GB) on 2 year contract |
$199 (16GB), $299 (64GB), $399 (128GB) on 2 year contract |
$299 (16GB), $399 (64GB), $499 (128GB) on 2 year contract |
Overall, even though the iPhone 6 Plus is noticeably taller than the Galaxy Note 3 both feel similar in size. The iPhone 6 Plus is on the thinner side which makes a significant impression in the hand. At any rate, it’s physically impossible for me to use this device with one hand for most situations. It’s definitely a tablet in this sense, but in a much more compact and pocketable form factor.
"Bendgate"
Of course, drawing the comparison between the iPhone 6 Plus and Galaxy Note 3 inevitably raises the question of “bendgate”, which draws interesting parallels with “scuffgate” from the iPhone 5 generation. Unfortunately, I can’t destroy multiple review units in order to thoroughly investigate this issue. However, we can look at Consumer Reports’ data and come to a few conclusions about this problem. The first is that in the case of the iPhone 6 Plus, there appears to be an area near the bottom of the volume buttons that is a weak point as we see a clear failure of the casing in this area.
However, it seems that there is a significant amount of force needed in the first place in order to cause permanent deformation. Otherwise, everything that we’ve seen is primarily the result of fundamental differences between the two materials. It’s clear that in the case of the Galaxy Note 3 that a great deal of the structural rigidity is tied to the display itself, so the case doesn’t quite provide much in the way of protection as the polymer used is clearly in the elastic region all the way to failure. LG seems to have a different design though, as their polymer material has a clear case of brittle failure at the limit, which saved the display from shattering.
It's certainly possible to bend the iPhone 6 Plus (or really any phone or tablet), but the real issue here that hasn’t been addressed is the level of force needed to cause a certain level of elastic or plastic deformation in the material. This matters far more when discussing drop protection as the level of force in such a scenario is relatively small but applied over an extremely short period of time. There’s also no mention of force per unit area in any of these figures, so we can’t really have a serious discussion about this issue without the necessary data.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
191 Comments
View All Comments
KuyaMarkEduard - Friday, October 3, 2014 - link
you know what?, hmm I guess you don't anyway… to all passionate but very insecure Apple fan-boys out there pretending not to be?, I feel so pity on you… and I sympathized so very much with your utmost agonies and sorrows……… and even much difficulties justifying the shortcomings of your iPhones. just to inform the Apple employee who also happens to be the owner of this website, I am not, and surely not, a Samsung employee, nor even affiliated to them in anyways possible! the only reason why I prefer the two Galaxy Notes of Samsung is because, they are the latest, they have the greatest, AND, they have the most technologically innovative products, scientists and engineers this world has to offer right now! Isn't it that hard to understand?…, either you honestly don't know, or you just can't accept the truth. google it, so that you will know, who is the top 10 countries in the field of mathematics right now, if you want to know why Samsung is leading when it comes to technological innovations today…, the why behind the what! So don't call me a Samsung fanboy, for I only wanna have the best, the latest, and the greatest for myself, and nothing else!…pliablemoosethebanned - Saturday, October 11, 2014 - link
Except the Edge will only see limited production/never be produced, but you must have missed that... Oops.Hook Em14 - Tuesday, October 7, 2014 - link
Hahaha, this Kuya guy is a clown.KuyaMarkEduard - Monday, October 13, 2014 - link
@Hook Em14: me, a clown? Really… do you really insist? Well if so, OK… yes, I certainly am… and I am even more than happy, and very-much more than willing to give you, and to all other Apple fanboys like you, more things to enjoy, things that can ABSOLUTELY make you, Laugh, Out, LOWD! It's gonna be Fun Fun Fun…Oh, it's magic!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oggZZnaFiqg
Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrOegAjBOjg
The new and excitingly awesome Apple iPhone 6 Plus feature:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVO_aleen6E
iPhone 6 Bending in Pockets!
SourceFed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwg5ALCQc4k
News from Machinima
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJw_bb0U0EQ
Cheap Note 3 Clone Vs Iphone 6 Plus Bend Test. DroidModderX ROOT Master:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpaV39wM2cI
iPhone 6 Plus Bend Test - Real or Hoax? UNEDITED Livestream via Hangouts.
C4ETech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLMXVYDiRxM
Did you know that the iPhone 6 plus can bend, and bow?
TomoNews US
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJRvXl2Hyv4
Are you envy with Samsung? Cause if you are, this thing is absolutely not the right one to respond! If I may suggest, call Apple, and tell them to make a flexible display, instead of a bendable device! Are you now having fun?… did a "clown" make you, LOL?, or maybe, broke your heart into pieces.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLMWXBv5rY4
Golfmann - Friday, October 3, 2014 - link
Great review, as always! Anand was telling the truth! This is still a trustworthy website.I'm still waiting for my 6+ (coming 3-4 weeks). This is my transition from my old 4s. Around me, there are iphone users leaving for android as well as android users leaving for iphone. I guess it is about choice, task and maybe also brand loyalty.
Personally, I think I would not consider leave iPhone for Android this year. I need a lot of applications on my device and Apple is treating their application developers really well, then this results a lot of great apps on iOS. This, in my opinion, is the strongest motivation keeping me stay with iPhone.
Android is growing. But it still cannot provide me the great application experience as I get from iPhone.
KuyaMarkEduard - Friday, October 3, 2014 - link
"I guess it is about choice, task and maybe also brand loyalty."You are definitely right Sir Golfmann. But you know what triggered me to react and commented this way?, because of these remarks from a supposedly, fair WEBSITE!:
“The first is that in the case of the iPhone 6 plus, there appears to be an area near the bottom of the volume buttons that is a weak point as we see a clear failure of the casing in this area. However, it seems that there is a significant amount of force needed in the first place in order to cause permanent deformation."
REALLY?!? Just take a closer look and see how fair and unbiased this website is as they claim, at least when it comes to Apple of course:
Now they are:
#1. Accusing Unbox Therapy;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znK652H6yQM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwM4ypi3at0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJ3Ds6uf0Yg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IROcoJeVfSI
Jonathan Morrison;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUqyu2ZNo5o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaQsXJ5NtnA
Ssnapcase
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-58g-sMrkys
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_qCq1wVdco
TechRax
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyEgmParTUs
Reports from CNET
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSF62x5-O-o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTEKGPu5NoI
iPhone 6 Plus Bendgate; Fact or Conspiracy! REALLY? Bloomberg News
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKCkwROo090
RazorConcepts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9U-NmsgCO8
And many others!
“"Now kids are doubling iPhones in Apple Stores: boys age 15 put the stress test at 6 Plus - and break into the process
Video shows teens Norwich Apple store bending Phone
They use so much pressure that the phone display is out
The boys take a shop worker if an iPhone 6 plus can double
Apple employee denies the claim saying it is a "internet rumor’
Apple has acknowledged that there are problems with the new iPhones bending
Cupertino-based group says it has received nine formal complaints
To prove the claims, Consumer Reports (CR) used 'three-point bending discovered test'CR HTC One (M8) and iPhone 6 are the weakest phones
Rumors about Apple iPhone 6 Plus bending show no signs of dying down.
Now two teens have decided to defect reports of alleged phone in their hands.
In a five-minute video, two boys of 15 years old, walk into an Apple store to try to bend a gold iPhone 6 Plus.
They use so much pressure that the phone display is out, making teens who say they have to flee or “would have ended up paying for it."
The boys, who are considered to Norfolk, then ask a store worker whether or not it is an iPhone 6 plus could bend.
It is believed that the thinner pattern, and the use of aluminum metal in the design, makes the frame to deform.
But Apple employee denies the charge saying it is an "internet rumor."
One of the teens involved in the video says: "The reason why we were laughing because it was really fun.”
"We were at the Apple store bending and breaking your iPhone, which I guess is a criminal damage, but I do not care, to be honest.”
"It's not Apple's fault - they are false advertising, saying it's the best iPhone but clearly it is not whether you can fold in your hands or pocket is ridiculous.."
The duo are not the only ones who try to bend the iPhone 6 Plus, with reports suggesting damaged iPhone can be seen along the Apple stores.
Some customers have even tried to bend the supposedly less prone iPhone 6 Apple has not commented on the matter.
Apple has acknowledged that there are problems with the new iPhones bending in some circumstances, but added that he has only received nine formal complaints.
The experts at Consumer Reports recently suggested some of these claims may have been exaggerated.
During their own stress tests, they found the iPhone 6 plus can withstand more force than was previously claimed - and more robust than the HTC One (M8) and the smaller iPhone 6.
The first reports of iPhones bendy began on Wednesday last week when photos appeared online showing the top of the device out of shape.
YouTube user Hilsenteger Lewis then published a video showing the iPhone 6 Plus Flex using just your fingers, which has already been viewed over 45.3 million times.
To put these claims to the test, Consumer Reports used a so-called "test three point bending."
This involved telephone support at two points in each end before applying a force on the top of the device.
Besides the iPhone 6 Plus, the researchers tested the iPhone 6, HTC One (M8), G3 LG, Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and iPhone 5.
Despite the claims, the HTC One (M8) and iPhone 6 devices were the weakest.
They began to warp and bend when a total of 70 pounds (31.75kg) of force was applied.
The iPhone 6 Plus was third, at 90 pounds (40 kg), followed by LG and G3 iPhone 5 at 130 pounds (59kg) and the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 150 pounds (68kg).
The iPhone 6 Plus results show the phone can support 15 pounds (6.8 kg) more strongly than initial reports suggested.
Consumer Reports said that this is more than one fourth of force needed to break three pencils.
Apple to criticism and complaints last week about its iOS 8.0.1 update is also faced after it caused problems with sensors TouchID new phones and data services.
The update was withdrawn, and the problems that now must be resolved by updating to iOS 8.0.2.
Following the reports, and the controversy #bendgate Twitter, Apple spokeswoman Trudy Muller said: 'with normal use, a curve is extremely rare and iPhone through our first six days of sale, a total of nine customers have contacted Apple with a folded iPhone 6 Plus'
Apple shares closed almost 4 percent to $97.87 (£ 60.26) Thursday, ending nearly $23billion (£ 14.1billion) in market value."”
and then here is Marques Brownlee, trying at His utmost best, to somehow, possibly justify; as clever as He could (to not become sound obvious of course), by suggesting an alternative, to put it in a case, which will for (the) most obvious reasons, add another investment for guess what, A.P.P.L.E.'s GAIN!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3QcOSyD38M
#2. Still accusing… but this-time, excusing; and defending as-well!
Defence and Excuse #2-a. "It’s clear that in the case of the Galaxy Note 3 that a great deal of the structural rigidity is tied to the display itself, so the case doesn’t quite provide much in the way of protection as the polymer used is clearly in the elastic region all the way to failure. LG seems to have a different design though, as their polymer material has a clear case of brittle failure at the limit, which saved the display from shattering."
Excuse and Accuse #2-a/b. "It's certainly possible to bend the iPhone 6 Plus (or really any phone or tablet), but the real issue here that hasn’t been addressed is the level of force needed to cause a certain level of elastic or plastic deformation in the material." Really.
Defence and Excuse #2-b/c. "There’s also no mention of force per unit area in any of these figures, so we can’t really have a serious discussion about this issue without the necessary data."
Defence and Excuse #2-c/d. "Unfortunately, the included charger is the same 5W charger that we've seen for years now. As a result, the iPhone 6 Plus is constrained by the relatively low maximum power that it can put out. Those that wish for faster charging should look into getting an iPad A/C adapter as the iPhone 6 Plus will charge faster when connected to it."
#3. This time, not only Excusing and Defending; but also, Promoting and/or Advertising!!
Promoting and Advertising #3-a. "Those that wish for faster charging should look into getting an iPad A/C adapter as the iPhone 6 Plus will charge faster when connected to it." Ohs, you mean every iPhone 6 plus users must need to buy an iPad to possibly enjoy faster charging? Why are they just didn't include the necessary A/C adapter in the first place!
Promoting and Advertising #3-b. "While the software differences are definitely smaller than what we see on the Galaxy Note line, Apple has managed to do enough that most won't notice a significant difference one way or another." Sure?
Promoting and Advertising #3-c. "Even though this seems to be the only application of OIS, Apple has managed to make the overall camera experience better in a way that ("no other OEM has")."
Promoting and Advertising #3-d. "Once again, it's pretty easy to see the strength of Apple's integrated hardware and software approach as it's only a matter of time before most applications take advantage of the iPhone 6 Plus' additional screen size." Hmmm. As per Jonathan Morrison, and to others who know and have the inside knowledge about the Apple P.R. thing, to Anand and Joshua Ho: how-much are your commission on this review?, and for defending and promoting the iPhone 6 Plus in the most clever ways possible, in the name of (Fair), (Honest), and, (Unbiased Review)? Can I have some?, so that I can buy the Galaxy Note Edge and the Galaxy Note 4 on October 17? Heheheheh kidding aside; for I know you won't anyway…
Hmm but wait, there's more; actually, one more:
Promoting and Advertising #3-e. "If you have to buy a phablet now though, the iPhone 6 Plus is the best one available." Tremendously Perfect indeed!…
…Now, anyone still, call me a Samsung fanboy? Shame on you!
pliablemoosethebanned - Saturday, October 11, 2014 - link
You know, this website is well known for being fair and unbiased, you on the other hand...KuyaMarkEduard - Monday, October 13, 2014 - link
What is this? "This comment is apparently spam and we do not allow spam comments." Is this the beginning of comment censorship?KuyaMarkEduard - Monday, October 13, 2014 - link
I'll try again.KuyaMarkEduard - Monday, October 13, 2014 - link
@pliablemoosethebanned, are you stating facts, or just trying at your hardest, to defend iPhone 6 + no matter what. Can you boldly say and proclaim that you, are a proud Apple fanboy?, and claim that what we are reading here, is the fairest of the fair, and the most unbiased review? before you give to me the nastiest reply you, Apple fanboys can ever possibly do, out of your frustrations of course, you may wish to take a look at this, for your education:http://blog.gsmarena.com/apple-iphone-6-plus-batte...
and
http://blog.gsmarena.com/samsung-galaxy-note-4-bat...
if you dare to reply this comment with much, much fiction to defend iPhone 6 + no matter what, go ahead!…, for you maybe able to get a great job at Disneyland.