Apple iPhone 6 Plus review: Following the curve

30 September 2014
Apple caved to market pressure and created a phablet. This may sound as blasphemy but it’s not the first time Cupertino is seen reacting to rivals getting too confident, too aggressive – too close for comfort. The first iPad mini had to respond back in...

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  • ?
  • Anonymous
  • PF5
  • 01 Oct 2014

AnonD-308578, 01 Oct 2014Honestly, the 6 plus probably has the best mobile phone cam... moreHahahaha..you're funny. Ok, let me clear things up for you. This is 2014, not 2012.

    • D
    • AnonD-262107
    • U@2
    • 01 Oct 2014

    AnonD-263574, 01 Oct 2014"Following the curve" lolz, you nailed it. I almo... morei was wondering for a second what it was and then i was like............... rolling on the floor

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      • AnonD-152462
      • uuk
      • 01 Oct 2014

      AnonD-263574, 01 Oct 2014"Following the curve" lolz, you nailed it. I almo... moreYeah they should have said "bend"

        • D
        • AnonD-263574
        • 2W5
        • 01 Oct 2014

        "Following the curve" lolz, you nailed it. I almost fell out of my chair laughing.

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          • AnonD-171976
          • tA$
          • 01 Oct 2014

          much wow. such doge

            • ?
            • Anonymous
            • m1V
            • 01 Oct 2014

            Anonymous, 01 Oct 2014@John Shephard Hi, I've read the review. Talking that so... moreThanks for your constructive comments.

            - "What percentage of iPhone users would use mobeam technology? iPhone is a device for mainstream users, mobeam seems to me like a gimmick (maybe I’m wrong). Also, if review is mentioning lack of infrared as a disadvantage, it should also mention that there’s out of the box AirDrop technology in pros. I’ve never seen anyone using mobeam."
            I agree that for some people Mobeam will sound like a gimmick, but I actually use it several times a week (some of the cards we use are common between my wife and I, so I just have all the cards on my phone, my wallet is a lot smaller, and we didn't have to ask duplicate cards).
            I also have my phone on me at all times, which cannot be said for the cards.
            I agree about Airdrop, though many Android phones have the same kind of feature out of the box as well.

            - "You should go with your iPod Touch to local service center. I have almost 4 years old iPhone 4 – of course battery drains faster than when it was new, but nothing abnormal. Apple have different sales policy. They don’t sell original spare parts, batteries etc. You buy expensive, premium device, go to store or service center and they will change it for you. Replaceable battery means that device will have moving parts. It just doesn’t feel well built. Second phone in my house is Sony Xperia SP, back cover started wobbling around after some time (same goes with Galaxy S4 from work)."
            I agree about the feel of the device, though some still manage get away with having a replaceable battery and still have no "wobbling" or creaking.
            For the iPod Touch, I did go to a Apple reseller (we don't have Apple Stores here, so that's the closest there is), and they said that wasn't under warranty since it was normal that the battery gets worse with time.. I guess you don't get the same service from a reseller..

            - "I don’t agree with it. There’s dozens of professional reviews and comparisons mentioning that it’s one of, or even the best phone camera solution on the market.
            I agree with video part of statement (but will also mention that image stabilization on both 6 and 6 Plus is stellar)."
            I was impressed by the quality of the pictures for a 8MP camera, but when I see the kind of pictures I can take with my S5 (and my S4 before it), I still believe it's ahead, though it is subjective I guess (check https://www.flickr.com/photos/tharkun/ for samples if you want to make your own opinion).
            The fact that the HDR picture is displayed in real time on the screen is nice too (+ HDR video), and it takes HDR pictures instantly).
            I also like having more options when taking pictures, something that is lacking on the iPhone's camera app.

            - "Well it’s on the middle of the back, but you don’t see many talking about how Samsung should make Alpha thicker and give it bigger battery etc. Also not mentioning it in review is double standard. I also didn’t expect it from Apple, think about it as a design flop. But most of the people expects this kind of stuff from other manufacturers and tolerate it (that is also a double standard)."
            For that point I agree with you completely.

              • y
              • yumyum
              • kRC
              • 01 Oct 2014

              Its called being unbiased. GSM has mentioned in a lot of their reviews about large phones being difficult to handle with one hand. Don't see what the problem is

                • ?
                • Anonymous
                • m77
                • 01 Oct 2014

                Anonymous, 01 Oct 2014@John Shephard Hi, I've read the review. Talking that so... moreGod forbid that they would notify us of any Samsung flaws.

                They wouldn't be able to get their devices on day 1 otherwise.

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                  • AnonD-80307
                  • nDU
                  • 01 Oct 2014

                  I like the title: "Following the curve" maybe was better "Following the bend"

                    • ?
                    • Anonymous
                    • Sta
                    • 01 Oct 2014

                    @John Shephard

                    Hi, I've read the review. Talking that some of the device have infrared port and iPhone does not, and listing it as a con is in my opinion not a smart thing. Missing AirDrop function is not mentioned in every android review as a disadvantage.

                    In most of the android phone reviews you could point that replacable battery is a con, because it means that phone will have moving parts.

                    etc.

                    My point is that list of pros and cons isn't a good way to choose and even compare phones, and that often on GSM Arena lists there are inaccuracies.

                    @MithrandirX

                    Hey, thanks for the reply!

                    “I agree that many users will not need those, though infrared can be very useful (as is the mobeam technology allowing to scan bar codes on your phone with any scanner, including old ones - the S4 and S5 have that for example).”

                    What percentage of iPhone users would use mobeam technology? iPhone is a device for mainstream users, mobeam seems to me like a gimmick (maybe I’m wrong). Also, if review is mentioning lack of infrared as a disadvantage, it should also mention that there’s out of the box AirDrop technology in pros. I’ve never seen anyone using mobeam.

                    “Again, it's true that most of the time, you don't need a second battery (especially since battery life is pretty good on most Android flagships), though it can be very useful during a trip, or when the battery starts showing signs of age (my 2 iPod Touch started having a very bad battery life just a few months after buying it.. I wish I would be able to swap the battery with a new one, they don't even last a full day on idle).”

                    You should go with your iPod Touch to local service center. I have almost 4 years old iPhone 4 – of course battery drains faster than when it was new, but nothing abnormal. Apple have different sales policy. They don’t sell original spare parts, batteries etc. You buy expensive, premium device, go to store or service center and they will change it for you. Replaceable battery means that device will have moving parts. It just doesn’t feel well built. Second phone in my house is Sony Xperia SP, back cover started wobbling around after some time (same goes with Galaxy S4 from work).

                    “That's true (I don't think it's the best, but it's quite good indeed) if you only look at the pictures on your phone screen without zooming.. but once you want to watch them on your PC, or zoom in on them, or crop a part of the picture to print it, you can easily see the disadvantages.
                    Same goes with lossless zooming when capturing video, you can't do x4 with a 8MP.
                    The lack of 4K is a shame as well.”

                    I don’t agree with it. There’s dozens of professional reviews and comparisons mentioning that it’s one of, or even the best phone camera solution on the market.
                    I agree with video part of statement (but will also mention that image stabilization on both 6 and 6 Plus is stellar).

                    "Protruding camera is a flop, but before September it wasn't such a big problem. Look at, for example, Samsung Alpha. Even at GSM Arena review it did't went into disadvantages."
                    On the Alpha, it's in the top middle of the back, not on the side.
                    It's also something you don't expect from Apple.”

                    Well it’s on the middle of the back, but you don’t see many talking about how Samsung should make Alpha thicker and give it bigger battery etc. Also not mentioning it in review is double standard. I also didn’t expect it from Apple, think about it as a design flop. But most of the people expects this kind of stuff from other manufacturers and tolerate it (that is also a double standard).

                      I see that 90% of the people posting comments didn't actually read the review. They just read the Pros and Cons, and, eventually, scrolled down through the Conclusion.

                      GSMArena has always stated the listed Cons are for ALL people, who might actually buy the device and what they MAY NOT LIKE. They aren't saying the phone is rubbish because it doesn't have FM radio, they are listing all HARDWARE features that are missing so everyone (not only Apple users) know what to expect. It is that simple.

                      Lots of phones offer removable batteries, the iPhone 6 doesn't. Lots of phones have FM radio, the iPhone 6 - doesn't. Same for the 4K camera, etc. And if you read the review you'll find out that its camera is praised as the best 8MP out there, even though its listed in Cons. You'll also find out about the iTunes Radio - but it is NOT AVAILABLE everywhere yet, so it's important to know the lack of FM radio.

                      Oh, and I had so many phones with protruding cameras. The HTC One Max (I think) camera didn't get scratched, it managed to scratch my wooden desk! My Galaxy Note 3 camera did accumulate scratches though - it's a hardware specificity that MUST be mentioned. I want to know, bet others do too.

                      Please, read and comment. Not the other way around. GSMArena isn't the one that looks foolish later, you know.

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                        • MithrandirX
                        • m1V
                        • 01 Oct 2014

                        Patryk, 01 Oct 2014I agree with most of the review, it's not a revolutionary d... moreHere are my comments about what you said :

                        - "No infrared port, no FM Radio as a disadvantages - yeah, I see typical iPhone 6 Plus user missing those two. Who needs AirDrop or music streaming services (like, lets say, iTunes Radio)."
                        I agree that many users will not need those, though infrared can be very useful (as is the mobeam technology allowing to scan bar codes on your phone with any scanner, including old ones - the S4 and S5 have that for example).

                        - "Same goes with non replacable battery. It's 2014. I bet you all see millions carrying spare one for their phones every day. Seriously people - how many of you have 2 batteries? 1-2% of users? Just charge it everyday, buy case with extension battery or simply use dumbphone."
                        Again, it's true that most of the time, you don't need a second battery (especially since battery life is pretty good on most Android flagships), though it can be very useful during a trip, or when the battery starts showing signs of age (my 2 iPod Touch started having a very bad battery life just a few months after buying it.. I wish I would be able to swap the battery with a new one, they don't even last a full day on idle).

                        - "One of (if not THE) best camera in the market according to most of the reviews, but went into cons, because Apple don't play the megapixel game. "
                        That's true (I don't think it's the best, but it's quite good indeed) if you only look at the pictures on your phone screen without zooming.. but once you want to watch them on your PC, or zoom in on them, or crop a part of the picture to print it, you can easily see the disadvantages.
                        Same goes with lossless zooming when capturing video, you can't do x4 with a 8MP.
                        The lack of 4K is a shame as well.

                        - "Protruding camera is a flop, but before September it wasn't such a big problem. Look at, for example, Samsung Alpha. Even at GSM Arena review it did't went into disadvantages."
                        On the Alpha, it's in the top middle of the back, not on the side.
                        It's also something you don't expect from Apple.

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                          • AnonD-215925
                          • J8M
                          • 01 Oct 2014

                          Anonymous, 01 Oct 2014I been saying this before many many times..... The Power... moreye PoweraVR is something that is far better then any GPU :D :D :D
                          also only GPU won`t match flagship grade, even if apple fanboy says same "only cpu wont match glagship grade" i`ll take RAM :D RAM speed and something in what apple sucks, and u guys think that BENDING is a Apple feature? even if apple payed that much to show u how iPhone bends over android phones :D :D its a fake, its a defect ! want a good phone? buy LG, Samsung, HTC, Motorola, Nexus... want a good iPhone? buy 5s :D it has same spec, u think 1k+ score means that much? it`s not... 5s is same with smaller screen and more solid and well built phone, at last don`t bends !

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                            • drickz
                            • uCa
                            • 01 Oct 2014

                            As attractive as ever but seriously not worth the price if you're not into their ecosystem. And yes, I am seeing more and more bent Iphone at store, haha.

                              • ?
                              • Anonymous
                              • nId
                              • 01 Oct 2014

                              Indeed, "following the curve" of that huge BEND that has appeared in the side you should ask for your money back.

                                • S
                                • Selcao
                                • wra
                                • 01 Oct 2014

                                Agree with the review.
                                And I see main disadvantages far outweigh key features.
                                Gsmarena gives an objective review, from both apple and non-apple user perspective.

                                  • ?
                                  • Anonymous
                                  • iie
                                  • 01 Oct 2014

                                  Bigger than Ben-Hur...

                                    • D
                                    • AnonD-314245
                                    • 4Kc
                                    • 01 Oct 2014

                                    I don't see how the protruding camera is more susceptible to scratching. If anything it is less; it will always be at an angle and therefore not be resting on anything that might scratch it. I'm not saying I like it; I've never had a scratched iPhone camera with it flush against the back, with or without a case. But it seems to me this is a big assumption, and not one that seems well thought-out.

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                                      • 7
                                      • P%G
                                      • 01 Oct 2014

                                      AnonD-293031, 01 Oct 2014'Hard to use single-handedly, unimpressive screen to body r... moreOr you should take more English lessons. Both statements support the idea the device is too large (a) to use single-handedly and (b) compared to other devices with the same or larger screen size.

                                        • D
                                        • AnonD-183154
                                        • k2m
                                        • 01 Oct 2014

                                        Beside Huawei Ascend Mate7, none of the other competitors are close to iPhone's design and language. Samsung and LG are on its last legs before the Chinese finishes them off and Oppo don't provide software support.