Apple iPhone 6 Plus Pro Reviews

The iPhone 6 Plus is the best looking phablet around. Its specs don't match the Android power houses and it can be tricky to hold, but there's no denying Apple's beautiful (yet expensive) 5.5 incher is a winner.

Given how closely the Galaxy S6 edge+ matches, and sometimes outperforms the iPhone 6 Plus's core appeals — namely great design, a fully fleshed-out user experience, solid performance, and a great camera — we're keen on naming it the best Android competitor to Apple's phablet. However, it will be time that will prove us right or wrong. If you ask us, the Galaxy S6 edge+ has everything — everything save for iOS, that is — to account for a dent in Apple's quarterly report. It also has a superior screen, longer battery life, and a striking, innovative design. In other words, the S6 edge+ is plain cool — just like the iPhone has always been. Depends on taste, we guess. Regardless, we'll be watching the oversized S6 edge's market performance with a genuine interest. We're also curious about your opinion on which device makes for a better all-around phablet. Give it a run!

As with the iPhone 6, it's hard to come to a conclusion about the iPhone 6 Plus. For a start, it’s unusual for Apple not to make the first move, so while the iPhone 6 Plus is the biggest and fastest iPhone ever, there are even bigger smartphones with higher resolution screens in the Android stable. There’s also the unknown for a lot of people. Is a 5.5in screen too big? Conversely, is it big enough to replace a tablet such as the iPad mini? These are questions that have no definitive answers: screen size is and will always be a personal preference. There will be iPhone owners that will prefer to stick with a smaller screen and opt to hold onto their iPhone 5s / 5c / 5 or buy a 4.7in iPhone 6. Others will love the extra size for browsing websites, watching videos, using detailed apps (such as Garageband) and browsing their iCloud Photo Library. Yet more might feel that 5.5in isn’t enough to comfortably browse some websites or use fiddly controls in apps. As Jason Snell observed above, if you’re not sure, it’s well worth heading to an Apple store to try out an iPhone 6 Plus before you buy. One thing is for sure: the iPhone 6 Plus is expensive. If you're a dedicated iPhone user and would never consider switching to Android, you'll save money by going for the smaller iPhone 6. But saving money has never been a goal for most iPhone buyers and on that basis, the iPhone 6 Plus is a very fine smartphone indeed.

The unlocked iPhone 6 Plus delivers a bigger iPhone if you find the 6 too small, but its difference is in size, not features.

In the clash between the LG G4 and the iPhone 6 Plus, it's virtually impossible to determine a clear winner. Both handsets have their strengths and weaknesses, and picking one over the other will eventually narrow down to personal preferences. The G4, in particular, is a pretty good example of what a smartphone maker might come up with after it's taken its time to perfect a winning formula – the G4 is a surprisingly good all-around device that will most certainly cope with the majority of everyday tasks you might throw at it. Not that the iPhone 6 Plus does not belong to the same breed, no – it's definitely a well-bodied performer that can easily grow on you and become your favorite smartphone. It'd be mostly a matter of choosing between Android and iOS. Yet, at the end of the day, we are more than certain that whichever you go for, you will hardly get disappointed – both the LG G4 and the Apple iPhone 6 Plus will remain among the better devices you can get in the following months.

We can't deny that both the Samsung Galaxy S6 edge and the Apple iPhone 6 Plus are two of the better, if not the best smartphones in the world right now. Both are extremely polished and designed with a pretty intricate attention to detail. The Galaxy S6 edge is certainly the ultimate embodiment of Samsung's engineering and design prowess. Its notable adversary, the iPhone 6 Plus, is an equally impressive device that is by no means a sub-par smartphone. Yes, it's true that each device has its own strengths and weaknesses, but we can't deny that each is a masterpiece on its own. Hence, choosing one over the other will be mostly a matter of personal preference, especially since we're comparison two devices of considerably different proportions.

It's not possible to discern whether the iPhone 6 Plus or the Galaxy S6 is the superior device. Indeed, some may say that Samsung is slowly nixing the distinct features that have traditionally set it apart from the competition (a microSD card slot on board and a removable battery), but hasn't Apple actually done the same by releasing such a large phablet like the iPhone 6 Plus? Certainly, the Galaxy S6 is the best smartphone Samsung has ever churned out (along with the S6 edge). Provided that you're on the market for a feature-packed Android champion that wants to excel in every category, then you can hardly go wrong with the Samsung Galaxy S6. Still, if large display, a more straightforward user experience and a more perfected app ecosystem stand higher in your book, then the Apple iPhone 6 Plus is certainly a better option for you.

Looking at the big picture, one thing is certain: both the HTC One M9 and Apple iPhone 6 Plus are two devices built with exceptional care to their looks and style, and both deliver in that aspect. Where the two differ is first and foremost in platform: iOS offers simplicity, but little customization options, while Android 5.0 Lollipop with HTC Sense offers all the customization in the world, but its app ecosystem does not get as many hot new titles (especially games). Screen size is also very different: 5 inches on the M9 versus 5.5” on the iPhone 6 Plus. Under the hood, the Snapdragon 810 and Apple A8 are different, but performance is smooth on both devices. The bigger difference is in cameras: the iPhone 6 Plus manages to shoot consistently better images in various conditions, while the One M9’s camera does well in plentiful light, but struggles in low light. The selfie game of the M9, however, is top notch, while iPhone selfies look decidedly low-res. Battery life also seems to be a bit better on the iPhone 6 Plus, while the One M9 has stellar BoomSound front speakers. All in all, the iPhone 6 Plus does tend to have a slight advantage in many aspects, but it also comes with a $100 price premium. If you are ready to spend a bit more, though, the iPhone 6 Plus seems like the better choice overall.

With the holidays around the corner, the competition will no doubt continue to build up, as these two prized smartphones will attempt to claim victory over one another. History has already shown to us that the iPhone 6 Plus is a hot selling smartphone. Now that the Google Nexus 6 is finally available for purchase, all eyes are on the device to see how it can disrupt the iPhone 6 Plus’ momentum. In terms of pricing, there’s an advantage going with the Nexus 6 and its lower $649 cost, which is noticeably cheaper than the $749 starting cost of the iPhone 6 Plus. Taking into account the quad-HD screen it’s packing along, it’s pretty impressive to see it undercut Apple’s offering in that area. Additionally, with the introduction of Android 5.0 Lollipop, which is increasingly transforming Android into a more consistent and versatile software package, it helps to solidify the Nexus 6’s usefulness and value. However, we can’t forget to mention the premium nature that’s attached to the iPhone 6 Plus. That alone helps to justify its higher cost, but it also helps that it captures the better looking photos and videos with its camera. Indeed, iOS 8 doesn’t have the same breath of software tricks and features we get with Android 5.0 Lollipop, but the experience does have its advantages, such as its extreme level of polish and intuitiveness. It’s a tough call on which one to go with, but we can certainly say that you won’t be disappointed going with either of them.

At the end of the day, both phablets will present consumers with cutting-edge performance and capabilities, but consumers will have to decide if they want to go the Samsung/Android way, or the Apple way. Each has clear advantages and disadvantages on the platform level, but if allow ourselves to focus exclusively on the devices at hand, we could say that they are both winners. One last detail we have to take into account is that the Galaxy Note Edge is a bit more expensive than the iPhone 6 Plus, as it's priced at $399 on a two-year contract, while the 6 Plus is $299 on a two-year contract. It looks like that forward-looking Edge display has a premium attached to it, but oh well, hopefully it won't be long before it goes through a little price adjustment.

With Samsung being credited with the popularization of the phablet form factor, it comes as no surprise that most consumers expect these to be super functional pieces of hardware, filled to the brim with extras and perks. But that's actually synonymous with Samsung, not the phablet category, and that becomes apparent with the iPhone 6 Plus, which, despite its relatively empty bag of goodies, makes for an awesome phablet experience. But it's not as simple as just “pick the Note 4 if you want features; go for the 6 Plus if you want simplicity”, and it never was. To start off, despite the improvements Samsung made with the Note 4 in terms of its exterior – this is the best-looking Note yet - it still can't compete with the iPhone 6 Plus when design is concerned. The iPhone 6 Plus also proved a better performer in synthetic benchmarks, especially when graphics were involved, though we've got to point out that we stumbled upon virtually no hiccups with the Note 4 anyway – and that's the important part. We were also happy to see Samsung finally deliver a Super AMOLED panel that not only competes with a well-calibrated IPS one, but actually beats it. All said, how all of the above comes across in your mind will, ultimately, provide you with the only real and applicable clue as to which one you should go for.

The iPhone 6 Plus is a extremely large iPhone. It's an excellent device on AT&T, but the right-sized iPhone 6 makes more sense for more people.

The iPhone 6 Plus is a extremely large iPhone, and T-Mobile adds Wi-Fi calling to its mix. It's an excellent device, but the right-sized iPhone 6 makes more sense for more people.

Apple’s 5.5in giant isn’t for everyone, but for some it may prove the perfect mid-point between an iPad and iPhone

Picking between the iPhone 6 Plus and the LG G3 may feel like an overwhelming task – after all, the two trade blows left and right. With Apple's first phablet, you're getting a more stylish, but much bulkier device, with a less-detailed screen that is nevertheless perfectly fine. The 6 Plus is also a considerably better performer in day-to-day tasks and apps execution, and its camera is, on the whole, a notch better than what LG has going on. The G3, on the other hand, can almost pass for a large smartphone, not a phablet, thanks to its compact dimensions, and its Quad HD screen is a beauty if you can find content suited for it. Despite that crazy pixel density, the LG G3 also essentially ties with the iPhone 6 Plus in terms of battery life – an important stalemate for it, as that could have easily decided the face-off. If all of the above still isn't enough for you to make a pick, then the fact that we're looking at two very different operating systems might – with iOS 8, the emphasis is on simplicity, while the LG-themed Android version on the G3 comes with numerous extra features. Perhaps most importantly, the G3 is also now a significantly cheaper that the 6 Plus – and that, more than anything, ought to narrow it down enough for you to make a decision.

Occasionally, during the time I was testing the iPhone 6 Plus, my other phone would ring. I'd reach into my pocket and pull out my 4.7-inch Moto X, and immediately wonder what the hell I was thinking using this iPhone monstrosity. The Moto X just fits so perfectly into my palm, works so wonderfully with just a single thumb, that I don't know why I'd need anything else. But that's the thing about the iPhone 6 Plus. You don't need it, but you might want it anyhow. As far as I'm concerned, it's a tablet, and to me tablets are optional computers for when you want more real estate than you can fit in your pocket but also want something you can carry around. They're fantastic for entertainment, and sometimes decent for productivity. Now, you can get one with a great portrait keyboard and an incredible camera too. But if you don't have oversized hands and pockets and primarily need a new phone, I'd recommend something else. I'm impressed enough with iOS 8 that I might try the regular iPhone 6. If that's not the ticket, I'll go back to my Moto X.

The iPhone 6 Plus is a extremely large iPhone, if you're into that sort of thing. It's an excellent device, but the right-sized iPhone 6 makes more sense for more people.

No doubt, Apple is testing the waters with the iPhone 6 Plus. For the company, the move to compete in the phablet space is a logical one, since consumers are increasingly seeing the value of having a gigantic screen in a phone. Sure, it can make you look a little obnoxious holding a massive thing to your ear, but there are obviously advantages to having a big screen at our disposal. Even though the iPhone 6 Plus is greeted to a few upgrades over the iPhone 6, what we have here in the end is still not much more than a larger iPhone 6. Yes, it has a higher resolution screen, optical image stabilization with its camera, and a longer battery life, but as a phablet, it still needs more to make it effective in being a true powerhouse. Don’t get us wrong, it’s a fantastic phone that earns high marks in a variety of categories – its design being the most notable, one that’s a cut above other phablets. However, the software enhancements aren’t profound enough to actually make the most use out of the large canvas. Even though its iOS 8 experience brings along some added new functions to broaden the platform’s experience, as well as new landscape layouts with certain core apps specific to the iPhone 6 Plus, it still for the most part doesn’t have the insane productivity elements needed in making it a true workhorse.

The iPhone 6 Plus is Apple's first foray into the phablet borderland, and it impresses on most counts. It brings everything you can expect from an iPhone in a much larger package – the build is as premium as ever, and the screen is bright and very accurate. In contrast, the Note 3 has a not-so-impressive plastic body, but it has replaceable battery and microSD slot. Note 3's AMOLED screen is not color-accurate, though many love the oversaturated hues it produces. The iPhone 6 Plus comes with excellent camera, which excels in low-light and video capture, thanks to its large pixels and optical image stabilization. Apple's phone also supports a record number of LTE bands, for a truly globetrotting experience. Note 3 isn't too shabby either – its camera is also great, and it has some software and alternative input aces up its sleeve like split-screen multitasking, or the embedded S-Pen stylus. For a few years now, Samsung dominated the phablet segment that it created. However, after seeing rivals pop up from most other companies, Apple is now also joining this game, and its model is on par with the best.

The iPhone 6 Plus isn't that different from the iPhone 6. Still, it isn't simply a supersized iPhone 6, as well. It's more like a heavy-duty iPhone 6, designed to cater to the needs of users who want to get some more productivity out of their mobile handset. With its bigger screen, the slight iOS 8 enhancements, and better battery life, the iPhone 6 Plus is the bigger and better variant of the iPhone 6. You call yourself a hardcore mobile user who's into the Apple ecosystem? It looks like the iPhone 6 Plus has been made for you. The iPhone 6, on the other hand, is Apple's mainstream flagship phone, and it's the one most users will probably get, seeing that it's significantly easier to handle, plus its screen is still big enough. Sure, it doesn't get the slight optimizations that are present in the 6 Plus' iOS 8 build, as well as the optical image stabilization, but those aren't anything game-changing anyway. Users won't really miss much functionality should they side with the iPhone 6. The screen is the main differentiator here, so that's where most of the decision-making efforts will have to be focused on. Do you really need a 5.5” display on your phone, or the 4.7” panel will get the job done just fine for you? There's a significant difference in the overall dimensions of both handsets, and we'd say that if you aren't really spending multiple hours a day staring at your phone's screen, going for the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 will probably be the more practical decision.