Bigger Retina HD Screens
Let’s face it: smaller screens are better for one-handed use. Perhaps that’s why Apple for years produced phones that offered smaller screens than their competitors. But what can consumers expect from the latest iPhones? Do their larger displays offer a better viewing experience?
The iPhone 6 sports a 4.7-inch Retina HD display with 1334×750 resolution – that’s 326 pixels per inch. This results in breathtakingly sharp images that are truly a treat to view. The 6 Plus offers an even sharper 5.5-inch Retina HD screen with 1920×1280 resolution resulting in 401 ppi.
Consumers who take note of the pixel density of both devices may wonder how well they fare against premium handsets like the LG G3 which sport Quad HD screens. Interestingly enough, it’s hard to even tell the difference when you place these devices side by side.
The latest Apple smartphones also come with enhanced screens due to various technologies which include photo alignment, dual-domain pixels and improved polarizer. These enable the iPhone 6 and the larger iPhone 6 Plus to display deeper contrast, better color accuracy and wider viewing angles so that users of these devices will be able to enjoy a better viewing experience whether they’re reading text, watching movies or exploring apps.
Better Processors and Batteries
In addition to shaper and larger screens, Apple also incorporated better processors in the iPhone 6 devices. Both smartphones feature a 64-bit A8 processor which enables faster performance as consumers use their iPhone to play graphic intensive games, browse sites and multitask.
In terms of battery life, consumers will also be pleased by the fact that both iPhone models offer improved energy efficiency, and therefore longer lasting batteries, than previous iPhones due to their 64-bit A8 chips. The iPhone 6 Plus for instance lasts for 14 hours during HD video playback while its smaller counterpart lasts about 11 hours during HD video.
Though the iPhone 6 devices failed to top the ranks as the longest lasting smartphone batteries of 2014, these phones offer improved battery performance when compared to previous iPhone models. Customers may be disappointed, however, by the fact that Apple did not roll out wireless charging for the latest iPhones. Users will need to use the regular Lighting cable to add more juice to their device.
The Best Smartphone Cameras of 2014
Though the latest generation of the iPhone failed to top rankings for the best smartphone battery, these phones didn’t disappoint when it comes to their cameras. The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus cameras were recently dubbed the world’s best smartphone cameras to date due to their impressive performance in terms of overall picture and video quality.
Though the devices feature the 8-MP iSight rear-facing camera found in the iPhone 5S, the latest iPhone cameras come equipped with new features like Focus Pixels. This feature improves the iSight camera’s auto focusing capabilities, enabling users to take more blur-free photos.
Bigger and ‘Bendier’?
Soon after Apple released its latest smartphones, several complaints began surfacing on the web from customers who claimed that their iPhone 6, particularly the 6 Plus, bent while in their pockets. This created a huge stir – from videos of individuals taking vengeance by bending iPhones in Apple stores, to companies sharing satirical posts – prompting tests by Consumer Reports that revealed the extent of the iPhone’s bend.
According to Consumer Reports, both iPhone 6 devices like so many other smartphones before it bend under extreme pressure. For instance the report revealed the following:
| Name of Smartphone | Pounds of Pressure that Result in Deformation | Pounds of Pressure that Result in Case Separation |
| Apple iPhone 6 | 70 pounds | 100 pounds |
| Apple iPhone 6 Plus | 90 pounds | 110 pounds |
| Apple iPhone 5 | 130 pounds | 150 pounds |
| HTC One (M8) | 70 pounds | 90 pounds |
| LG G3 | 130 pounds | 130 pounds |
| Samsung Galaxy Note 3 | 150 pounds | 150 pounds |
Though it’s not yet clear why the latest iPhones bend under less pressure than the iPhone 5, one thing is apparent: bigger seems to result in far more bendable devices after all, at least in Apple’s case.
The results from Consumer Reports’ tests suggest that the bend on the latest iPhones is far less serious than Internet complaints may have us think. After all, the devices would need to sustain extreme pressure (70 pounds or more) before bending or experiencing case separation.
If after reviewing these details from Consumer Reports, you still feel uncertain, I’d suggest the following precautionary measures:
- If you’ve already purchased and iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus, be careful about how you travel with the device; avoid placing it in the pockets of skin-hugging jeans.
- If you haven’t yet ordered an iPhone 6 device, take some time in upcoming months to see how Apple’s latest flagship handsets fare under pressure as consumers use the device.
- Otherwise, purchase a device that stands up to more pressure, for instance the Galaxy Note 3
Make Payments from Your iPhone via Apple Pay
Apple’s new payment feature, Apple Pay, is another intriguing aspect of the latest iPhones. Said to launch this month, this feature could revolutionize the way consumers make payments in retail stores as well as online.
Apple Pay enables customers to make payments via their iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus – a technology which isn’t exactly new if we consider the Google alternative dubbed Google Wallet. But what exactly can consumers expect from Apple Pay?
Since the latest Apple smartphones feature Near Field Communication (NFC) and Secure Element chips in addition to the TouchID fingerprint scanner, users will be able to use their device to make payments by simply tagging the device to a NFC reader and using their fingerprint to confirm payment.
Apple Pay could simplify the payment process as well due to the PassBook app available exclusively to iOS users. This app stores information from multiple forms of mobile payment which would otherwise clutter your wallet including credit cards, reward cards and coupons. By providing iPhone 6 users with the PassBook app and NFC capabilities, the company offers a payment solution which could result in slimmer wallets and increased convenience.
The Verdict
The latest iPhones are undoubtedly the most anticipated smartphones of 2014. Based on their recording-breaking sales, it’s easy to conclude that Apple execs have hit the sweet spot in the world of premium handsets. Both iPhone 6 devices come equipped with sharp HD displays and impressive cameras. But consumers may be a bit concerned due to the phones’ seeming likelihood of bending under pressure. Regardless of this flaw, however, die-hard Apple fans will clearly be enthused by Apple’s most intriguing handset yet. Whether it’s worth the price though will be for you to decide.
iPhone 6 & iPhone 6 Plus: Does Bigger Equal Better?
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