I was having lunch with a friend the other day and we were comparing phones. I have an iPhone 6, he an iPhone 6 Plus. We both agonized over the buying decision, worried about things like extra size vs pocket convenience. Bottom line, we went in opposite directions. I’m now rethinking that decision, considering moving to the iPhone 6 Plus.
My friend passed along the linked article, a blog post from Marco Arment detailing his thoughts on making that same move. If you are wrestling with this issue, either considering a move from one to the other or considering which upgrade path to take from a smaller phone or an Android device, Marco’s post is well worth the read.
As to me, I’m going to make the move. Just waiting for my wife to get sick of her iPhone 5 so we can play the trading game. New iPhone 6 Plus for me, my slightly used iPhone 6 for her.
Have to admit; after two weeks of using the 6 and the 6+ I found myself much more fond of the Plus over the 6. The battery life alone was a major selling point as I like to use my Laptop on the train in to and out of London so tethering becomes a big requirement. The extra battery life means I can go to work, come back, use it all day, and then charge it at night IF I need too. It’s easily got 24hours of usage for me everyday, with tethering! The plus is also, I feel, the better camera. The Image stabilisation is awesome when getting shots of London at its best as well as trying to capture the crazy things my niece and nephew do during the weekends when I’m babysitting. Yes, it’s bigger, but it really is better, in my opinion,
Even with all that, he’d rather use an iPhone 6 than any non-iPhone. That says it all. And Apple better pay attention. People love the 6, but only because it’s better than the rest. Not because it’s the best phone they can design.
Ooo sorry honey looks like I dropped your iPhone 5 in the sink. Here to help.
It’s worth stating that this is only Marco’s opinion, and he doesn’t speak for everyone (despite his post almost seemingly to imply this).
To me, the biggest benefit of the 6+ (which I upgraded to, from a 5) is the screen size; I thought I wouldn’t like it, but it turns out I use my phone for reading much more nowadays than I used to, and that bigger screen enables better reading and processing of data. I do love the battery life, but it’s a rare day when I have less than 50% at night, so I suspect the iPhone 6’s battery would survive for me (as did the 5’s).
I’ve played with a 6 quite a bit, and don’t doubt that the slippery texture is unwanted on the 6, but I do think the thinness makes it easier to reach more of the display. A thicker device might make that more difficult.
I suspect Apple went through many prototypes before deciding on this design. It’s not just like they said “thin!!!1” and ignored everything else.
It’s interesting to see how so many of the “Apple elite”, for lack of a better term from my brain for now, are gravitating towards the 6+, especially after the pessimism about larger-screened phones in the early days.
I’m a 6 user, and haven’t probably have had the same amount of time to mess around with the 6+, but I’m happy with my choice, and if anything I think I’d still be debating whether to get a 4″ or a 4.7″ iPhone 6 if the chance had been given to me. The boost in battery life and larger screen are nice, but I’d also be the guy who prefers a smaller package that doesn’t deform and decolor my jeans pockets 🙂
Why not wait till September to get iPhone 6s+? Marco’s quote of someone else’s indictment of iP6 seems a bit harsh – “iPhone 6 is the phone for nobody.” I personally prefer it over iP6+. The bigger issue for me is iP6 does not seem to work well with the Lightning cable. I have gone thru 4 already since last September. I am seeing the same problem amongst my family and friends. And the Apple Store staff seems to agree – the cables fail faster with iP6.
I’ll be getting the iPhone6s+ (or whatever) but one thing to think about for you apple watch owners, is how often you’ll need to pull out that iPhone. Either you can get away with the smaller screen, because you’ll use the watch more, thus not worrying about pocket size or you can stick your big ass phone in a backpack or purse and not need to pull it out as often.
How do you detach the Lightning cable? If you yank the cord, failures might be more common — perhaps the iPhone 6 holds onto the connection tighter. Try to pull it out via the plastic end of the connector. FWIW, I’ve never had a Lightning cable fail on me.
I absolutely love my 6 plus but am keenly aware that it is not for everyone.
I’m still using an iPhone 5, but based on reviews I thought I’d prefer an iPhone 6. I used my coworker’s for a few minutes, though, and realized it’s already too big to use as easily as the iPhone. So given that it’s already too big, the iPhone 6 Plus is still too big and is bigger. I dunno if that makes sense, but…
Still, if there’s an iPhone 6c (or iPhone 6cs, iPhone 7c) I’ll probably get that instead.
I was probably going to pick an iPhone 6 no matter what, but the fact that iPhone 6 Plus stock was still nonexistent when I bought mine made it sort of an easy decision. However, I do find myself going and holding a demo 6 Plus and sighing wistfully whenever I’m in an Apple Store, so I’ll probably move over to the bigger model with this year’s refresh. No sense trying to switch over to a 6 Plus now when we’re already halfway through the cycle.
It’s about acclimation. I was in the same category, except I then bought and got used to the 6+. Now I find the 5 too small to be useful, and the 4 looks like a microscopic child’s toy. It’s uncanny how quickly one’s perspective can change over time.
That said, YMMV as to whether you want to acclimate. I’d suggest it’s best determined by your use cases. In my case, I don’t really use it as a phone very much, but rather as a reading/data processing device, and in that capacity the 6+ is far superior.
I completely agree with @janakj:disqus. It took a day or two to get used to, but now I can’t live without the bigger screen of the 6, and I’m even contemplating the + as my next phone. I was actually most concerned over how slippery it was, but I don’t even think about that anymore. I’m going to guess you will love at least the 6 @tewha:disqus. If not, there’s always gazelle 🙂
Oh, an iPhone 6c is what I’m hoping for:
–Same materials and overall design as the 5c
–Touch ID, ApplePay
–Ideally the 4″ size, but if it has to be 4.7″, I’d have to adjust.
–No camera bulge! I often put my phone on the desk next to me, and I don’t like using a case.
I’d even be happy with 5S internals and camera, if that’s what it took. I still feel the 4/4S design was the best-looking of all the generations of iPhone, but the 5c has been the one with which I’ve been the most happy.
Oh, I just think I’d probably go all the way to the 6 Plus. The 6 already has the inconvenience; I might as well get the full benefit of the 6 Plus. 🙂
Yes, exactly. I love my iPhone 5, but I feel an odd nostalgia for the 3GS’s case.
“best” is subjective. clearly some people at apple feel thinner, lighter devices is worth aiming for, and thats what they’re doing. and there really is no “best they can design”, nothing is ever perfect. one of the things Jobs told Ive was the beauty of their work was they can always change things.
uh, no. my 6 hasn’t damaged my cables. the only thing that can physically damage your cables is you.
the camera “bulge” is a misnomer that has little physically effect in Real Life. it’s very, very small, so even when naked on a flat surface it barely rocks if (and only if) you tap in the very top left where the “back” arrow is. however, since iOS 7 you can now edge-swipe from the entire left side and dont even need to tap there very often.
its a non-issue. really.
the 3G/S was the best case design for me. the hand-feel was superior to all the rest.
That’s going to depend on the personality of the user. I get irked just thinking about it. Only a little bit…but a little bit multiplied by every single time I place the phone down…
It’s a tiny thing to worry about. But I’m afraid that in order to get the things I would like (TouchID, Apple Pay, 5S-or-better camera, 64-bit architecture), I’m going to have to give up the things that have made my 5c the favorite phone I’ve ever had.
I’ve still got my 3GS at home, my backup phone. It’s weathered a few storms, but it works. The moment I chose the 5c over the 5S, I knew I would be wanting Touch ID eventually. To my way of thinking, if I can make it the first year without any buyer’s remorse, the second year is no problem. I more than made it past the first year…now let’s hope for a 6c!
Totally agree there. If Apple ships a 4″ model this year that’s comparable to the 6/6+ (not 6s/6s+ or 7/7+) I’ll probably get it.
Marco has become quite the whiner and sensationalist recently. The iPhone 6 is the best selling phone in the world, is universally highly reviewed, and is being bought in much greater #s than the 6+, yet Marco defines it as a very “mediocre” phone with major design flaws, and whines about not having infinite battery life or something. The iPhone 6 is by far the best iPhone I’ve ever used. What a whiny, entitled generation we’ve become. Does Marco have no other issues or concerns in life, that he feels the need to make such a rambling, non-sensical post about a product that is considered by most to be the best of class?
I use a 6. I am happy with it. Battery life is really good for me. In 4 months I have never been in a low battery situation. I have the luxury of being able to plug in daily to power.
The phone is a thing of beauty, BUT!
Apple needs to address the slippery factor. I ended up putting an Otterbox on the phone. It’s the first time I’ve had to use a case. Not a fan of that.
Bought an iPhone 6 Plus on launch day, fully expecting to return it for a 6 within Apple’s 14 day window.
Less than 24 hours after receiving it, I decided against that with not a single regret.
I have exactly average sized hands for an American male. With Apple’s silicone case installed for grippiness, I can use it one-handed about 95% of the time. And I never, ever use ‘Reachability.’