Right on the dot – as expected – the first full reviews of Apple’s iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus have begun to be published by industry critics.
The devices are described as Apple’s “biggest update” to its iPhone line (yet), and originally went on pre-sale on Friday. Managing to sell over 4 Million units in just the first 24-hours of their availability, it is clear that Apple’s new 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch display offerings are proving popular among would-be smartphone buyers.
But, what do the critics think?
Scott Stein for CNET appeared to highlight the potential issue of consumers not being able to decide on which model to actually go for. Given both devices have the exact same internals, it all comes down to the display, Stein says.
“I’ve been using the iPhone 6 and the 6 Plus side by side for a week, and I can tell you this: both of Apple’s new iPhones have better, big displays. And both make the iPhone 5S’ screen seem small. But I’m having a hard time picking which one I prefer. And that’s pretty frustrating.”
His verdict:
“The iPhone 6 delivers a bigger screen while remaining easy to handle, with plenty of features to satisfy everyone — and the promise of Apple Pay on the horizon to potentially sweeten the deal even further.”
Engadget’s Brad Molen also went hands on with Apple’s iPhone 6, giving it a score of “90” out of 100 and calling it “comfortable to hold” – despite the bump in display size.
“Even with a slightly larger screen, the iPhone remains comfortable to hold. With fast performance, a great display, an elegant new design and a much-needed software update, it’s one of the best smartphones you can buy right now,” Molen explains.
He concludes (on behalf of the publication):
“We wish it had the same long battery life as the iPhone 6 Plus (not to mention its optical image stabilization) but even then, the iPhone 6 is still the better choice for most people.”
Walt Mossberg for Re/Code called Apple’s iPhone 6 – a “winner.”
“I’ve been testing the more mainstream of the two models, the 4.7-inch iPhone 6, for about a week now, and I think it’s a terrific phone. In my view, it’s the best smartphone on the market, when you combine its hardware, all-new operating system, and the Apple ecosystem whose doors it opens,” Mossberg reports.
“That includes a new service called Apple Pay for buying goods in stores and online electronically via the phone; it’s due next month. Apple Pay will only work with these latest iPhones, and Apple’s forthcoming smartwatch.”
“Apple sees the iPhone 6 as the direct successor to the iPhone 5s, and as the more mainstream of the two models — a smartphone with a bigger screen and other improvements.” … “So do I,” Mossberg revealed, describing the much larger iPhone 6 Plus as being in “a different category.”
“[It's] a cross between a smartphone and a small tablet, or ‘phablet.’”
Meanwhile, Re/Code’s Lauren Goode went hands-on with Apple’s iPhone 6 Plus:
“It is a novelty, because Apple has never made a smartphone this size before; but it’s also not new at all, because electronics makers like Samsung and LG already offer phones this big. These phones are, in fact, incredibly popular in some parts of the world,” Goode writes.
Per the review:
“There are a couple of reasons why the Apple iPhone 6 Plus might also be too big for me to purchase. But I have to admit it: I’m tempted. I really like this phone. And to people who actually prefer huge smartphones: You are going to like this phone, too.
That’s mostly because it’s not just a smartphone; it’s a statement phone. What Apple is doing isn’t even especially innovative — “Us, too!” the company is shouting, as it chases after that flatbed truck filled with phablets — and yet, they’ve made this big phone feel fresh and desirable.”
The Guardian’s Charles Arthur continues to highlight the buying dilemma some might face when it comes to actually picking between which model of the smartphone to go for, on Friday, by saying:
“Choosing between the iPhone 6 Plus and the smaller iPhone 6 could be surprisingly difficult if your hand, and your wallet, is large enough. It is large, yet the extra screen space is a boon. But that also makes it unwieldy, and could increase the risk of dropping it.”
On the iPhone 6 Plus: “Compared to other phablets, it’s lighter and thinner – but not cheaper.”
Molly Wood for NYT highlights some of the software shortfalls:
“Some of the features aren’t perfect, and many of the sexier features are still down the road. Right now, for example, the Health app simply doesn’t do much,” Wood writes. “It depends on integration with third-party apps (scheduled for release with the phones) and the coming Apple Watch.”
Wood also says that the iPhone 6 Plus is “just bigger” … and notes that “may not be enough.”
Finally, The Verge praises Apple’s iPhone 6 for its fantastic camera, gorgeous display and “excellent performance and battery life.” Pierce highlights that Apple appears to be “giving the people what they want” with this release.
“In many ways, of course, a bigger, better iPhone is a pretty remarkable thing. Everywhere you look, it’s clear that Apple spent the last year tweaking and improving every square inch of the iPhone.”
Their review on the iPhone 6 Plus can be read – here.
Both the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus will officially go on-sale, this Friday (September 19).
The devices will be available in the U.S, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan – starting at a base price of $199 for the iPhone 6 (16GB), and $299 for the iPhone 6 Plus (16GB).
Each model will require a two-year wireless agreement.
