Quartz:
It didn’t take long for me to get used to Apple’s large new iPhone 6 Plus. After more than a month of everyday use, it has become even more of the pocket computer I’ve always wanted. A few thoughts.
The article hits a lot of the points I was curious about. Anyone else have similar or dissimilar stories about using their iPhone 6/6 Plus for the past month?
Battery life is the biggest advantage.
One curious incident: I picked up my 5S the other day and was checking messages and then dropped it. I have never dropped a phone before – but now the 5S feels so small that it slipped out of my hands! Has that happened to anyone else?
Well, at first I did not really want to give up my 5S at all, but the daughter unit was expecting the annual swap. I did not preorder, because I wanted to try the new sizes for myself. So I went to our Apple Store the Monday after the launch and spent an hour with both devices. Finally I figured that both are not 100% fit for one handed use (with my hands), so I went with the ‘Plus’ as the screen looked better to me, I liked the idea of more battery life and I found it easier to type on the bigger keyboard. And if I go big, then I can also go bigger. And as I do not do many phone calls (around 50 year to date) anymore… looking stupid while doing it wasn’t that much of a concern.
I absolutely love the 6 Plus, it fits in my back pocket (in an original Apple case), it does not bend, everything about it (except for this stupid relocated sleep/wake button) is perfect and I never had to recharge it more often than once in two days. And, IMHO, iOS 8 looks and works a lot better on a bigger screen. No regrets here.
I definitely got used to the 6 Plus size fairly quick, and also absolutely love it now. By far my favorite iPhone. I always laughed at the “phablet” moniker and claiming it could replace an iPad, but this truly does feel more like a pocket iPad than a giant iPhone. I guess that has more to do with what Apple did in landscape mode giving apps an iPad UI. It doesn’t replace my iPad at home, but its great to have a similar app experience away from home. I’ve quickly warmed up to it.
The only thing. I absolutely love how it feels, the rounded seamless transition feels wonderful. But it kind of needs more texturing on the back for grip. This is the first iPhone I’ve ever felt the finish was way too slippery. Its no different from the 5s, but due to its size it worsens the issue. Its not a big deal, I just put the leather case on it and problem solved. But I’m wondering if Apple could spice up their materials/finish selection one day. Anodized T6 Aluminum is no longer as unique in the tech industry as it was when Apple started doing it. Its been Apples signature for a while, but everyone else does it now in their “premium” line.
I love my 6+.
Overall I love this device. I’m often on the road and I don’t take my iPad anymore. I only take my Kindle if I’m going for more than a couple of days. I still love my iPad but it’s more of a TV/Gaming device replacement for me when I’m at home. I personally think that iPad devices are the TV/Console replacement at home.
I did a 1 hour talk recently using my 6+ and Keynote. Because I can see the notes easily I’m not tethered to the podium and can “walk and talk” which I prefer. I found the iPad too big for that for a number of reasons.
Useful additions:
– Silicone case makes it “unslippery”
– Glif for tripod mounts and watching video on the plane
– 128 gigs of storage (lots of media for a week long trip) and picture/video editing
“This is the first iPhone I’ve ever felt the finish was way too slippery.”
Agreed. First iPhone I’d definitely want to get a case for.
Going to keep saying this, but there is a big IF. The base 16GB model is absolute crap. My sister bought my mom the base model and within a few weeks of use, she’s already maxed the storage and keeps complaining she has to delete things to make anything work. Her backup is now 8GB, 3 gigs more than the free iCloud storage allows, so her phone no longer automatically backs up either. My sister has to move all her pictures and videos to her computer every now and then, but then she doesn’t have access to them on her phone, which is the whole reason she got a smartphone in the first place. Apple did a huge disservice to their customers by not keeping up with the times in terms of storage and they should be ashamed to claim they think of the user experience first and foremost. I’m not arguing that the base model should have unlimited storage, just that 16GB (minus 5GB for the actual OS) is nowhere near enough in this day and age.
Maybe the only downside I’ve found so far is that I don’t see Disqus comments at loopinsight.com. 🙁
That’s common of all iPhones (and probably most mobile devices in general). For whatever reason, Disqus is unable to play nice or chooses not to.
Samsung isn’t looking so stupid anymore for their “bandaid” finish on their last phone. OK, they are, that is one ugly design, but it probably helps with the grip problem. My 6 went shooting out of my pocket when I undressed the first night, I’ve been careful with it since, but it really could use a little friction help.
I’ve held an 6 Plus for a while, and while I love big screens, it’s just something I can’t adjust to. I think my problem is that I have big hands, and it’s weird for me to be unable to wrap them around a phone completely. I can’t shake the feeling that my grip on it is not secure.
I’m mostly pleased with the 6, as it feels like a good compromise between spacious and compact, but I also said that about the iPhone 5. We’ll see where my sentiments lie next year when I look into the new models.
incorrect. Discus works fine on many sites on an iphone — Jim, the owner of loopinsight.com, chooses to disable Discus when client is an iphone. that he views iphones as a second-class citizens is absolute fucking insane considering who he is.
strange at this is, it’s his loss — i dont view this site when on my iphone because i know i cant read the comments, which are half the value to me.
also, i find it odd that loopinsight.com is not compatible w/ iOS 8’s new ability to load the desktop version of a site.
The first week with the 6 plus I sort of was like, “what have I done? How do I hold this? What’s that thing in my pocket? Or am I just happy to see me?” and so on.
But after about a week it became natural and indispensable. I’m very happy with it.
I have the 6, and it’s awkwardly large but not quite intolerable. I handled a 6+ and wouldn’t be able to put up with it, it wouldn’t fit in my Levis or my hand. Using the 6 one-handed, being able to pull it out, flip to camera, and take a shot is essential. I can just barely curl my thumb up to the top corner while gripping the phone.
I think people using the 6+ aren’t using it as a phone, but an iPad micro.
For the first week I thought it’s too large until it wasn’t anymore. Right now I feel it’s by far the best iPhone I’ve ever owned.
I was specifically referring to this site’s Disqus, but I realize it was somewhat vague.
I got the 6 Plus fully expecting to return it within the 14 days. Got used to it in a day. Forgot about swapping it for a 6 after two days.
I’ve always been an iPhone nudist but the 6 Plus is the first iPhone that feels right in a case to me – in particular, the Apple leather case.
Does he still have the plastic wrap on the back of his iPhone?!
Please for the love of all things sacred and good tell me that that is an unboxing photo…