Apple Inc. launches its newest iPhone models to stores today with the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus available for sale at Apple stores and other retailers across Canada and around the world.
While Apple has been upfront about pre-orders selling out quickly and some customers needing to wait a full month before receiving their device, there are devices set aside to meet customers lining up early – or in some cases overnight – for a chance to own the new device first. But is the biggest iPhone ever going to mean the even bigger expectations of those buyers? Without getting your hands on the device to decide for yourself, probably the best way to figure out if this is a winner is to see the phone in action in some videos.
So we’ve rounded up a few of the best reviews on the web that took a look at both new models of the iPhone. One even takes it apart, piece by piece.
The Verge – iPhone 6 review
The Verge – iPhone 6 Plus review
The Verge quite likes the new design of the new iPhone and iPhone 6 and is a fan of the bigger screens on both models. It knocks the base model for offering 16 GB instead of 32 GB of storage. It says the camera remains the iPhone’s killer app, with a big upgrade that adds optical stabilization and a cool slow-motion video feature to record at 240 fps. Given the choice between the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, The Verge likes the smaller 4.7-inch model because the 6 Plus is just “too big” that doesn’t really offer anything more beyond the extra screen size. A premium device, but in the end this is just Apple playing catch up with a bigger version of the iPhone.
TechCrunch – iPhone 6 review
TechCrunch – iPhone 6 Plus review
The iPhone 6 is the biggest change to Apple’s hardware to date, the reviewer notes, and it feels great to hold in a one-hand grip. The video stabilization feature works surprisingly well to smooth over moving, handheld videos and snapping photos is so good that this is the only camera that most people will need. The smaller 4.7-inch model is going to be the best choice for most users and is overall likely the best smartphone available on the market, says TechCrunch. The iPhone 6 Plus is a two-handed phone because of its larger size, but that extra space makes some apps really nice to use in landscape mode and is perfect for watching movies.
New York Times – iPhone 6 and 6 Plus review
Both iPhones have rounded edges and are kind of slippery, says review Molly Wood. A new feature called Reachability allows easier one-handed use in theory by sliding the entire display down to the bottom half of the screen. But Wood points out you can’t access the keyboard in this mode or scroll down far enough in an email to reply. The Display Zoom feature does get higher marks from Wood, because “I am old” she says. The keyboard is also lacking a couple of keys that Android devices have in profile mode, such as a period and comma. Also Apple hasn’t taken advantage of the larger screen size by allowing you to resize windows on the screen, like Samsung has done. Overall, just having a bigger iPhone might not be enough to surpass Samsung’s devices in this reviewer’s view.
iFixit – iPhone 6 Plus teardown review
Talk about an in-depth review, the iFixit team literally takes you inside the iPhone 6 plus and takes it apart to examine the hardware in detail. In many cases the team seems to feel the device is now a bit easier to disassemble, which those brave enough to attempt their own battery replacements will appreciate. Replacing the screen still requires replacing the entire front display module because the glass is fused to the front plate. But the display assembly does come of the phone first, without need to take off other parts, so that is an improvement over past models. Apple still gets marked down for using proprietary screws and not sharing repair information with third-party shops.
