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
Display
While the iPhone 6 Plus’ display is largely similar to the iPhone 6’s display, there are still a few areas worth talking about. The first area is resolution, which is noticeably better on the iPhone 6 Plus on close examination. In general, there’s less aliasing that is visible on the display. While text rendering in general is even better, the improved resolution is most obvious in the rotation lock symbol, which is noticeably smoother and rounder. The use of the 2208x1242 resolution with downscaling should also have a similar effect to FSAA (Full Screen Anti-Aliasing), which will reduce the effects of aliasing on the display.
Outside of simple resolution testing, we also need to test all other aspects of the display. In order to do this, we turn to SpectraCal’s CalMAN 5 with a custom workflow. As always, we use a spectrophotometer to measure color to ensure accurate results. For this review, I won’t go over viewing angles as that’s covered in the iPhone 6 review.
Our first test is of peak luminance and contrast. At maximum, the contrast difference between the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus is relatively small, and the difference in peak luminance is relatively small as well. I suspect that this means that Apple isn’t quite at the point where backlight luminous efficiency is rapidly falling off the way it seems to at 500+ PPI RGB LCD displays.
While I normally walk through each type of calibration test, there’s relatively little need in this case as the iPhone 6 Plus is close to the iPhone 6. There are some differences and the iPhone 6 is nearly perfect while the 6 Plus ends up being better than the 5s but not quite at the same level as the 6. I suspect this could be due to production variance, but these are different panels so without additional test units we can't say for certain. The iPhone 6 Plus display is quite close to the iPhone 6’s display in most regards, only larger; this is effectively as good as it gets for an LCD display.
Camera
Ultimately the change to the camera is the one difference that really sets the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus apart outside of the change in size. This one difference is optical image stabilization, or OIS. However, at first it's almost impossible to tell whether OIS is active. As someone who has used multiple cameras with OIS, this is a very odd sensation. Normally, OIS means that it's possible to see the effect of reverse accommodation in either the camera preview or while recording video, but I never saw these effects while recording video, whether in daytime or at night. In fact, I'm not even sure that video is ever optically stabilized, as seen in the videos below. I'm not sure why Apple chose to do this, as video recording is already cropped and would hide most of the odd effects that occur at the edges of the field of view when using OIS.
Putting aside OIS in video, it's obvious that the one area where OIS would be put to use is low light photography. Examining the EXIF data of low light photos, I was rather surprised to discover that in single shot mode (burst mode caps shutter speed to 1/15s) that the iPhone 6 Plus never exceeds 500 ISO. However, in order to keep pace with the iPhone 6's maximum of 2000 ISO and 1/15s exposure time, the iPhone 6 Plus drives exposure time as far as a quarter of a second, which is four times as long.
I really can't emphasize how incredible it is that Apple has pulled this off as it felt like something was wrong when I was testing low light photos as seen below. Normally, such a long exposure time entails noticeable trade-offs, but as far as I can tell motion blur is close to what I see on the iPhone 6 in low light. This seems to be the product of the multiple exposure combination that was mentioned in the keynote, and it really does work as advertised. While some benefit can be seen in the lightbox shot above, it's really in low light conditions like the photo below where we see significant benefits.
As you might expect, there's not much difference in daytime photos. I'm guessing that OIS is disabled above a certain shutter speed in order to reduce the distortion and blurriness that can come from OIS.
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KuyaMarkEduard - Monday, October 13, 2014 - link
Hello Sir Golfmann. before you conclude that this site is, and will still offer the fairest, and the most unbiased review when it comes to Apple, you may want to take a look at this, and then, decide, if you can still, make this a trustworthy website, if it pertains to Apple's product:AnandTech founder Anand Shimpi joins Apple:
The founder of one of the most in-depth mobile and computer tech sites, Anand Shimpi, is hanging up the tech journalism gloves as he joins Apple.
Founded in 1997, AnandTech is widely renowned for its technical analysis of personal computers and, more recently, mobile phones.
Shimpi posted his retirement from tech writing on a post on his site over the weekend, but did not mention joining Apple at that time. Since then, the Cupertino company has confirmed that the he will be joining the Apple fold. Specifics as to what his actual position will be are still unclear, but it is known that he will be joining former AnandTech senior smartphone reviewer Brian Klug, who also left for Apple back in February.
Anand Shimpi has built gradually a reputation as one of mobile tech’s most authoritative figures, and has even consulted with manufacturers to improve hardware products like solid state drives. It’s expected that his extensive knowledge of device engineering and industry connections are what made him an attractive hire for Apple, where he will likely contribute to the improvement of iPhone and, potentially, wearables.
Now what do you think? Can you still, boldly say that this, is a "Great review, as always! Anand was telling the truth! This is still a trustworthy website."?
krbrownin - Friday, October 3, 2014 - link
Geeze after an Apple review the haters sure come out in force. I have a iPhone 5s, and a Samsung Galaxy S4. I think the 6+ is gonna be awesome.Both my S4 and 5s are great phones- just different. The S4 is my work phone and was issued to me by my employer. It has higher resolution, and a faster proc. But you know what? You cant tell. Side by side screen comparisons of the same app or website or photo (and I've done it many times at work during just such arguments like all these posts here) you really cant tell a difference. OK maybe a slight difference sometimes, but not that much. In fact sometimes the 5s even looks crisper or sharper. Its hard to explain but it does. On a 24" IPS monitor, the difference in resolution would be much more noticeable, but on a device that you hold in the palm of your hand...not so much. Come on, the 5s's display is freaking awesome so the 6 and 6+ are going to look great. Don't focus so much on "oh the + is only 1920x1080" - who cares. Also I've never had any crashes or problems on my iPhone 5s. Ever. I carry it all the time everyday even if I probably use my S4 a little more for calls. The 5s is my personal phone so family/friends call me on it. The S4 however, has locked up on me, crashed, and I've had several other issues. But I still love it mind you, and it looks like I will be getting an S5 shortly here at work.
But everyone should stop being such a fanboy. Get the phone you want. Don't try and slam the iPhone as being buggy and not as good as Android based phones. It just simply isn't true. And you cant hardly call me an Apple fanboy either, I'm using my S4 right now.
KuyaMarkEduard - Friday, October 3, 2014 - link
Yeah sure! @krbrownin: the real battle here is not between iPhone and Android, but for sure, it is only between the American Apple, and the South Korean Samsung! All others are excluded!KuyaMarkEduard - Monday, October 13, 2014 - link
want to see and read the fairest, and the most unbiased reviews? Click:http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_iphone_6_plus-review...
and
http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_note_4-revi...
at least there, what you are getting is just the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the TRUTH!, whether it is gonna be Apple or Samsung!
Yaru - Wednesday, October 8, 2014 - link
Just registered to say that I love Gundam Dynames too. I was surprised to see a Gunpla it in the review of the 6 Plus.JimmiG - Wednesday, October 8, 2014 - link
Bezel like it's 2007!I thought huge bezels were a sign of a cheap phone.
Seriously if it had the bezels from the G3 they could probably squeeze a 6.2" display in there, maybe larger.
mpfjelsted - Thursday, October 16, 2014 - link
Em, check your math.kopuschen - Sunday, October 12, 2014 - link
It's amazing to see so many Apple vs Android again.I think one just need to be aware the business model of each and everything follows that.
Android profits from ads, that's it. Which means your personal information is collected by Google for its giant network of search and ads. Their CEO once publicly said when asked about concerns that Google gives away Android for free, he said "we swamped the market with so many devices and you think we can't think of a way make money out of it?"
If you are comfortable with that (Google scan every piece of your personal information), then Google platform is a great choice. It's nothing to do with security, your phone can be really secure for others but Google is still reading it.
In comparison, Apple has no motivation to read your email scan your typed keywords etc. because it's profit model is simply selling devices.
In this world business model follows where money follows. For Apple users are consumers, for Android users are products. Think about it, all we are debating to death are result of that root cause.
ccd1 - Thursday, October 16, 2014 - link
Here is my take on it.1) Arguing over specs is a waste of time. In terms of performance, both get the job done for the vast majority of users.
2) The Plus is one of the best phablets out there. If we were talking about any company other than Apple, this would be considered a great achievement for a first try. However, the Plus is an Apple product where we expect Apple to come late into the game, but totally change the market. Thus viewed the Plus is a fail because it is a very good phone, but not a game changer as past Apple products have been.
3) The choice comes down to two things: the operating system and the stylus. IOW, do you prefer the integration and user friendly interface of iOS or the customization of android? Do you need the stylus or not. Answer these two questions and you probably know which device is best for you.
ccd1 - Thursday, October 16, 2014 - link
Forgot to add that the fight between Android/Note 4 and the Plus overlooks the other announcement this week that Google will be introducing the Nexus 6 which will be a premium phone this time around. It could be a game changer, though I doubt it. More likely, it will be a platform to show off Android L and will be a good or very good phone. The smartphone market may now be so mature that there are no big surprises left.