iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus: Everything You Need to Know

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Apple’s (AAPL) big reveal is over. The iPhone 6 is no longer the subject of speculation, rumors and mock-ups. We’ve seen the real thing(s) onstage.

apple aapl iPhone 6 Plus Intro

Source: Apple

We’ve taken everything Tim Cook and company showed us at the September 9 event and reviewed the specs Apple published. You can bet competitors like Samsung (SSNLF) have too.

You may not care about technical details like who makes the Bluetooth radio in the iPhone 6 or that the new smartphone’s A8 chip has two billion transistors, but everyone wants to know the important stuff: how big is the display, what colors does it come in, what does it cost and when can you get one?

All this and more — everything you need to know about the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus — is here in one convenient gallery.

iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus: Sizes

apple aapl iPhone 6 Plus size

Source: Apple

As expected, Apple (AAPL) went big with the iPhone 6.

If you want a smartphone that’s bigger than the iPhone 5s but still perfectly designed for single-hand use, there’s an iPhone 6 for you. Plus, if you’ve been enviously eyeing Android monsters like the Samsung (SSNLF) Galaxy Note, Apple has you covered too with the phablet-sized iPhone 6 Plus.

Both devices are thinner than the iPhone 5s and reflect Apple’s new design aesthetic — very different from the angular iPhone 4 and iPhone 5 series. The back is metal, the front glass curves for a rounded, seamless edge. The iPhone 6 is a 4.7-inch device while the iPhone 6 Plus is a 5.5-inch phablet.

 iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus: Display

apple aapl iPhone 6 Plus retina HD

Source: Apple

Both new iPhones feature what Apple (AAPL) is referring to as Retina HD displays. They’re IPS panels with improved color reproduction, higher contrast and wider viewing angles than previous models.

For the iPhone 6, this means 1334 x 750 pixel resolution (just slightly better than 720p HD) and just over one million pixels (326 ppi). On the iPhone 6 plus, Apple went with full 1080p resolution for over two million pixels (441 ppi).

If you want the sharpest display available on an Apple smartphone, you’re going to want the iPhone 6 Plus.

iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus: Processor, Camera, Voice Over LTE and Battery Life

apple aapl iPhone 6 Plus camera

Source: Apple

As expected, the 64-bit A7 CPU used in last years iPhone 5s has been replaced by the A8 in the new iPhones. Apple (AAPL) says the new CPU is smaller and more power efficient, yet provides a 25% boost in processing power and an impressive 50% improvement in graphics performance.

The enhanced power and graphics will make the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus mobile gaming powerhouses — as if Apple’s iPhones weren’t already…

The power efficient CPU also contributes to improved battery life, despite the bigger displays. Apple says you can expect the iPhone 6 to offer 11 hours of video playback while the iPhone 6 Plus goes for 14 hours (the iPhone 5s lasted 10 hours). Voice calling is 14 and 224 hours respectively (compared to 10 hours), and Wi-Fi web browsing goes from 10 hours to 11 hours and 12 hours.

When it comes to the camera, Apple chose to stay out of the megapixel race, keeping with an 8MP image sensor that uses Ultra pixels for better low light performance. However, the iSight Camera in both new iPhones benefits from increased CPU performance (auto-focus is twice as fast) and the iPhone 6 Plus gets advanced optical image stabilization.

Apple is supporting Voice Over LTE with the new iPhone models for greater call clarity. Also, Apple is letting the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus make calls over Wi-Fi, a very handy feature for when cellular service is spotty.

iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus: Mobile Payment (Apple Pay)

aapl iPhone 6 Plus Apple Pay

Source: Apple

By incorporating NFC and what it’s calling a Secure Element chip, Apple (AAPL) finally introduced mobile payment with the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Plus, Apple is leveraging Touch ID biometric ID and its own massive collection of user accounts (complete with credit cards).

The new standard is called Apple Pay and it’s intended to make your iPhone (or Apple Watch) your wallet. The three major credit card companies and a slew of retailers and restaurants are already on board.

Apple says, “[Apple Pay is] accepted at 220,000 locations and counting.” Your new iPhone may be a little bulkier than your last one, but if it replaces your wallet, you’re still ahead of the game.

iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus: Pricing and Availability

aapl apple iPhone 6 Plus price

Source: Apple

Pricing for the iPhone 6 (on contract) is as follows:

  • 16GB, $199
  • 64GB, $299
  • 128GB, $399

Apple (AAPL) is charging a premium for the iPhone 6 Plus:

  • 16GB, $299
  • 64GB, $399
  • 128GB, $499

Colors are gold, silver and space gray. For those who find $299 on contract tough to swallow for an iPhone 6 Plus, the company is keeping the iPhone 5c around as a “free on contract” option, while the iPhone 5s remains in the lineup and starts at $99.

Apple is taking pre-orders for both the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus starting on September 12. The new iPhones officially go on sale on September 19.

Let the line-ups begin…

As of this writing, Brad Moon did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities.

Brad Moon has been writing for InvestorPlace.com since 2012. He also writes about stocks for Kiplinger and has been a senior contributor focusing on consumer technology for Forbes since 2015.


Article printed from InvestorPlace Media, https://investorplace.com/2014/09/iphone-6-plus-and-iphone-6-aapl-apple/.

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