iPhone 6 vs 6S: Is It Really Worth It?

As many of you have seen by now the S version of the iPhone 6 came out a few weeks ago. Apple has been doing this with all of their predecesors to the iPhone 6 as well, the iPhone 3, 4, and 5 have all got S upgrades a year after their launch. The question that I pose is, is it really worth getting the S version of the phone? Or should you just wait for the next generation to come out before you spend the extra money on upgrading?

I personally get a new phone every two years, so I have it timed so that right around the time that the new generation of iPhone comes out I am able to get it. Some people prefer to keep their older generation for a longer time and just get the S version when it comes out. I don’t think that the S version is worth waiting for. It really doesn’t do all that much different than the current model. The iPhone 6S does have a faster processor and a better camera, but overall it is the same design and offers most of the same features as the regular iPhone 6. I think that waiting for the new model is worth it. When the iPhone 7 comes out in a year it will have all of the same upgrades as the iPhone 6S, plus many more. It will hopefully have an improved design and will contain more upgrades.

Name Apple iPhone 6s Apple iPhone 6 (Unlocked) Apple iPhone 6s Plus Apple iPhone 6 Plus (Unlocked)
Lowest Price
$649.00MSRP
$659.00Groupon
$749.00MSRP
$709.99Amazon
Editor Rating    
Operating System as Tested iOS 9 iOS 8 iOS 9 iOS 8
CPU Apple A9 Apple A8 Apple A9 Apple A8
Dimensions 5.44 by 2.64 by 0.28 inches inches 5.44 by 2.64 by 0.27 inches 6.23 by 3.07 by 0.29 inches 6.22 by 3.06 by 0.28 inches
Weight 5.04 oz 4.55 oz 6.77 oz 6.07 oz
Screen Size 4.7 inches 4.7 inches 5.5 inches 5.5 inches
Screen Type Retina Retina Retina Retina
Screen Resolution 1,334 by 750 pixels 1,334 by 750 pixels 1,920 by 1,080 pixels 1,920 by 1,080 pixels
Screen Pixels Per Inch 326 326 401 ppi 401 ppi
Camera Resolution 12MP Rear; 5MP Front-Facing 8 MP Rear; 1.2 MP Front-Facing 12MP Rear; 5MP Front-Facing 8 MP Rear; 1.2 MP Front-Facing
802.11x/Band(s) 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth Version 4.2 4.2 4.2 4.2
NFC Yes Yes Yes Yes

This chart shows the features of the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus compared to their S version counterparts. Although it would be nice to have a faster phone now, it economically does not make sense to upgrade midway through the phone’s life. A year from now there will be a bigger, better iPhone out that will have all the features of the 6S plus many more.

What do you guys think, is it worth getting the iPhone 6S? Or would you rather wait till the 7 comes out to upgrade to a new phone?

6 thoughts on “iPhone 6 vs 6S: Is It Really Worth It?

  1. I totally agree with your point. There wasn’t any design change that most people are waiting for. If you are not a gamer, this new iPhone doesn’t seem worth it at all. However, if you play game with your smartphone, it might be worth the upgrade. The new feature, 3D Touch, is implemented with this new iPhone. This feature allows the different amount of pressure you apply to the screen to do different function. This seems a good new to smartphone game developers. It means that they can create new mechanics to their games.

    Another advantage to the gamer is that Apple claims the new processor runs 70 percent faster than the previous one. It can now deliver more complex games with better graphics. Game developers can make better quality games with the improvement of hardware. This will stimulate mobile game industry to grow even faster. In this year, mobile game revenues is looking to overtake console games. Newzoo expects that mobile games will generate $30.3 billion worldwide and console games will take in $26.4 billion.

    http://www.crn.com/slide-shows/mobility/300078048/head-to-head-iphone-6s-vs-iphone-6-worth-the-upgrade.htm

    http://fortune.com/2015/01/15/mobile-console-game-revenues-2015/

  2. l personally think that it is not worth it to buy the s version since there is not that a huge difference between the s version and the current one. Why not just wait till the next generation come out. Also, l think change your phone once a year is a bit wasted. However, if you are a big fan of Apple or you are people who like to try new thing then go for it. From the article that l found, it is indeed faster. With the speed that l have now, l am satisfy. Even though iphone 6s has a hidden feature- 3D touch, it is not develop well enough to do to any important task. If l have money, then yes l will buy it. From the design stand point, l can’t tell any difference. But l do like the color. If there is a huge difference like iphone 5 to 6, then l would buy it.
    http://www.techradar.com/us/reviews/phones/mobile-phones/iphone-6s-plus-1303759/review

  3. I have a two year contract as well so my upgrade always ends up falling when the S version comes out. It’s interesting that you chose to write this article on S vs the next iPhone because many phone companies are now offering lifetime programs where you pay a monthly fee and are automatically eligible to upgrade every time a new version comes out. I’m in complete agreement with not upgrading because it seems as though there haven’t been much improvements made in terms of screen size, but the camera upgrade from 8MP to 12MP is extremely important. iPhones are becoming many people’s main camera with users replacing large DSLR on vacation with their mobile devices so making a change solely for the camera upgrade is considered feasible to many tech consumers. As phones get older, Apple continues to upgrade iOS. With each new iOS more space and less battery is left on someone’s phone, sometimes to the point where an upgrade is the only option. These are just general things to keep in mind when you look at an avid consumer who chooses to upgrade from the 6 to the 6s.

    I’d say it’s worth an upgrade to the iPhone 6S if you don’t already have a 6 (I have the iPhone 5S right now so I’m in need of a new phone soon) but as far as overall components, we’re probably better off waiting for the 7.

  4. Personally I would not have a problem buying the iPhone 6S plus. I have owned an iPhone since the first 4 came out and have not looked back since. I have issues all the time with my phone being too slow. Also having 12 MP high quality is a huge benefit to me, someone who enjoys taking pictures. This can almost make owning a camera or buying a new on pointless since there is a great camera in your front pocket or purse at all times. 4K video is another perk I look forward to using, with the ability for the new phone to take moving pictures. Lastly, I own a 32 GB 6 plus at the moment and the trade in values are surprisingly high in my mind. Usually an older version drops drastically in trade in price but I have found sites that will be willing to give you $268.00. That could pay for more than half of the phone with and upgrade.

    In the end, I do believe I will get the 6s plus. Being able to get a brand new battery, a faster processor, and a camera enhancement are two things that will be hard for me to pass up. I am looking forward to getting my hands on one of these.

    Also the site I found trade in values on: http://www.gamestop.com/trade/quote/apple/electronics/iphone-6-plus/e1308

  5. Even though I am a huge fan of Apple, I firmly agree with you and your statement about the iPhone 6s not being worth the buy, at least for right now. In my opinion The iPhone 6s is made more for the people who are diehard Apple fans and love to try the new best thing. But I also think that Apple is one of the most successful brands in the world and it is there job to keep releasing products, like the iPhone 6s and even though many people like you and me seem to think that releasing an item that is very similar to the last is absurd, there is a method to the madness. Apple keeps a cycle, a huge cycle of people buying a new iPhone every year.
    Every other year the new iPhone comes out, last year it was the iPhone 6 now this year it is the 6s. Apple keeps the consumers in a cycle making sure that they buy the newest, best iPhone available every year, which makes the consumer wanting more of the best and ultimately keeps Apple at the top. This article in the Huffington Post explains why Apple keeps producing phones every year and how it keeps Apple at the top of their game, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/13/apple-new-iphones_n_5967626.html. Enjoy.

  6. Frankly, I am a big fan of apple. I use iPhone, mac, and I even have an iWatch. This time I do believe iPhone 6s is worth a try. First, we all know it has a faster processor, but how fast? The answer is 70% faster in general use, and 90% more powerful when it comes to graphical prowess. Maybe the number is not obvious enough. There is a video showing us how fast it is. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Z5CxsL4VIY) This video compares iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s. The result is amazing. iPhone 6s used 2 min 28s to complete processing, while iPhone 6 used 2 min 40s . Second, although the design is almost same, the iPhone 6s is more stronger, slimmer, and lighter than iPhone 6. Third, the 3D touch is a big surprise. It can save you plenty of time. At last, the camera gets better. I see the picture comparison taken from iPhone 6 and 6s. iPhone 6 do have a clearer picture.

    To answer the question posted in the article, I will buy the new iPhone if I have money. We cannot always wait until the next one. There will always be a next one. However, do everybody need get a iPhone 6s? The answer is no. After knowing these new features and improvement, if you do not think it is worth or don’t suit for you, then don’t buy it.

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