Apple iPhone 6

iPhone 6 Review: Apple’s Bold Leap Into the Big-Screen Era

When Steve Jobs unveiled the original iPhone back in 2007, he said Apple was going to reinvent the phone. Fast forward to 2014, and it’s safe to say they didn’t just reinvent it, they created a whole new category of device that’s become essential to how we work, play, and live.

Now, Apple is making another big move: bigger screens, new design, and a fresh vision for the future of mobile. Enter the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, the most radical redesign of the iPhone since the iPhone 4.

After spending a full week with the iPhone 6, I’ve got some thoughts. Lots of them. This isn’t just a spec bump or a cosmetic tweak. The iPhone 6 represents a fundamental shift in how Apple approaches the smartphone.

Let’s dive in.

First Impressions: Sleek, Slim, and Seriously Sophisticated

From the moment you take it out of the box, the iPhone 6 feels like a piece of the future. It’s incredibly slim at just 6.9mm thick (7.1mm for the 6 Plus). The all-aluminum body, curved edges, and seamless integration between the glass and metal make it feel almost like you’re holding a single piece of polished stone.

Compared to the boxy, industrial design of the iPhone 5/5s, this is a totally different vibe. It’s softer, more refined, and yes, way more comfortable to hold, especially when you’re using it with one hand.

The Screen: Retina HD Is a Real Thing

Here’s where Apple fans are really going to notice the difference.

• iPhone 6: 4.7 inches, 1334×750 resolution
• iPhone 6 Plus: 5.5 inches, 1920×1080 (Full HD)

Yes, Apple finally gave us bigger screens. And they nailed it.

Both displays are Retina HD, which isn’t just marketing fluff. These screens are bright, sharp, and have great color accuracy. The 6 Plus, in particular, looks phenomenal. Watching HD video on it is an absolute joy, and iOS 8 has been optimized to take advantage of the extra screen real estate, especially in landscape mode.

For years, Android users have touted larger screens as a must-have. Now, Apple fans can finally join the conversation, and maybe even lead it.

Performance: Fast, Fluid, Future-Proof

Under the hood, the iPhone 6 is powered by the Apple A8 chip, a 64-bit, second-generation custom-designed processor that is 25% faster than the A7 and offers 50% better graphics performance. Paired with the new M8 motion coprocessor, which can now track elevation with a barometer, this phone is built for more than just speed, it’s designed for smarts.

Apps launch lightning-fast, multitasking is smooth, and gaming is as good as it’s ever been on an iPhone. You really feel the difference coming from an iPhone 5 or 5s, especially with the most demanding games and tasks.

The Camera: Still 8MP, Still Amazing

Apple stuck with an 8-megapixel camera, but don’t let the number fool you. The iPhone 6 includes a new Focus Pixels system that dramatically improves autofocus speed and accuracy. It’s a noticeable improvement when shooting photos or videos, especially in challenging lighting conditions.

Video also gets a boost:

• 1080p at 60 fps
• Slo-mo at 240 fps (up from 120 fps on the iPhone 5s)
• Continuous autofocus while recording

The iPhone 6 Plus also adds optical image stabilization (OIS), which helps reduce blur in low-light shots. The iPhone 6 doesn’t have OIS, but software stabilization still helps a lot.

In short: this camera is still the one to beat.

Battery Life: Better, Especially on the 6 Plus

Apple claims the iPhone 6 has improved battery life, and after daily usage, that seems accurate. I get through a full day of moderate to heavy use without needing to recharge.

But if you’re someone who really pushes your phone, streaming music, watching videos, using GPS, you might still be looking for a power bank by evening.

The iPhone 6 Plus, thanks to its bigger chassis, has a larger battery and significantly better endurance. For some people, that alone may justify the larger size.

iOS 8: A Smarter, More Open Apple

The iPhone 6 ships with iOS 8, which itself is a major leap forward. Apple is opening up in ways we never thought we’d see:

• Third-party keyboards like Swype and SwiftKey
• Widgets in Notification Center
• Health app and HealthKit integration
• Family Sharing and iCloud Drive

It also supports Apple Pay, Apple’s new NFC-based mobile payment system that promises to let you pay with your phone at participating stores, although that won’t go live until October.

iOS 8 feels like the OS we’ve been waiting for: more powerful, more customizable, yet still distinctly Apple.

The Little Things That Matter

• NFC: Finally here! Mainly for Apple Pay, for now.
• Wi-Fi Calling: Depending on your carrier, this could be a game-changer.
• VoLTE: Voice over LTE is clearer and faster, when supported.
• Landscape mode (on iPhone 6 Plus): Great for emails and reading.

And one weird note: the camera lens now protrudes slightly. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it’s something to be aware of. It means the phone doesn’t lie flat on a table anymore. Minor quibble, but worth mentioning.

So… Is It Too Big?

There’s been a lot of chatter about whether Apple is “too late” to the big phone trend, or whether 5.5 inches is too big for a “real” phone.

Here’s my take: Apple waited, learned, and then executed.

The iPhone 6 strikes a great balance. It’s larger, yes, but still pocketable and usable with one hand, especially with the new Reachability feature (double-tap the home button to slide the screen down).

The iPhone 6 Plus is definitely in “phablet” territory. But if you’re coming from a Galaxy Note or HTC One Max, it’ll feel familiar, and a whole lot more refined.

Pricing and Storage: More Options Than Ever

Apple finally gave us what we’ve been asking for: more storage.

• 16GB – $199 on contract
• 64GB – $299
• 128GB – $399

No more awkward 32GB tier, 64GB is now the sweet spot.

Final Verdict: A New Era for the iPhone

The iPhone 6 isn’t just an iteration. It’s a statement.

Apple is embracing the larger screen era without losing what makes the iPhone special, premium design, smooth software, and that unbeatable ecosystem. For years, Android manufacturers have dominated the “big phone” market, but with the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, Apple is finally fighting on all fronts, and they’re not just catching up, they’re setting the bar again.

Is it perfect? No. But it’s close enough that it feels like the iPhone we’ve all been waiting for.

Who Should Get the iPhone 6?

• iPhone 5 or older users: Upgrade immediately. Huge difference.
• iPhone 5s users: Still a solid phone, but if you want a bigger screen and better camera, worth it.
• Android users: If you’ve been curious about switching, this is the most compelling iPhone ever.

Final Rating: 9.5/10

The iPhone 6 is sleek, powerful, and (finally) big. Apple has stepped into the large-screen world with confidence and clarity. Whether you’re a longtime Apple fan or a curious newcomer, the iPhone 6 is hard to ignore, and even harder to put down.

Shot on iPhone 6 (Yes, really!)

Let me know what you think in the comments below, are you going 6 or 6 Plus? Or waiting for something else?

Stay tuned for our full iPhone 6 Plus review, Apple Pay test drive, and some slick case recommendations next week!

Specs