Note: We may earn commissions (at no cost to you) if you buy through links on our site. Learn more.
NOTE: This model is discontinued and may no longer be available to purchase new. See the latest cell phones or compare used prices.

Apple iPhone 6 Plus review

8.8/10 AVG.
RATING
Compare Compare  
Compare Compare  

Apple iPhone 6 Plus
Apple iPhone 6 Plus
Apple iPhone 6 Plus
Apple iPhone 6 Plus
...


8.8/10
Informr score
The Apple iPhone 6 Plus currently has an Informr score of 8.8 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 47 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

What's good

  • Stunning and sharp display
  • Optical image stabilization solves shaky cam issues
  • Excellent battery life

What's bad

  • Difficult to grip
  • Not as sharp as quadHD displays
  • Some slight pauses when launching apps

After years of maintaining the same screen size for their smartphones, Apple has decided change their strategy with the release of the iPhone 6 Plus. Measuring in at 6.2 x 3.1 inches, the iPhone 6 Plus is not a small phone by any means and yet it is incredibly slim at only 0.3 inches. Like its predecessors the 6 Plus sports an aluminum body and glass front. Instead of keeping the rigid lines of the iPhone 5s Apple opted for rounded edges instead. Due to its sheer size, reviewers did find the device difficult to use one-handed and a little too slippery. Gizmodo notes, "…there's just no comfortable place for your fingers to grip." While Apple did include a new piece of software called Reachability that brings the top half of the screen closer to bottom, experts describe the initial interface as clunky and practically useless.

Of course the 5.5-inch display is the reason that the 6 Plus is so much larger than previous iPhones. It boasts a 1080p Full HD experience, which translates to a stunning 401ppi pixel density. Although on paper it still isn't as detailed as a quadHD display, experts describe the display as crisp and detailed. Beyond the resolution, experts describe the panel as "brilliantly bright" and "stunning" with excellent viewing angles and color contrast. When compared to Android devices, critics note that colors aren't as vivid as the Samsung Galaxy S5 nor is it as clear as the LG G3. Still, Techradar states, "…the iPhone 5 Plus still has a very, very good display."

Inside the iPhone 6 Plus is a 1.4GHz Arm8 processor. In benchmark tests it consistently outperformed previous generation by 10 to 20 percent. In hands-on tests, reviewers were generally happy with its snappy performance scrolling through the home screen and playing graphically intensive games. They did notice occasional pauses when loading apps, but not to the extent that it became an issue. In order to keep the huge phone running, Apple invested in huge battery life. Experts' real life testing drained the battery in a little less than two days. While a longer lasting battery is a welcome surprise, they were mainly thrilled by the quick charge time for the 6 Plus. According to their tests, they were able to get a 10 percent charge in only 10 minutes and a full charge in just two hours. Of course, charging the phone requires the necessary Lightning cable.

Last but not least, the 6 Plus offers an 8MP rear-facing camera with the same autofocus technology found on the iPhone 6 but adds in optical image stabilization (OIS) to the mix. The OIS technology works with the processor, gyroscope and M8 motion coprocessor to reduce shaky hand problems. While not new in smartphones, the 6 Plus is the first iPhone to feature OIS. Due to this new feature, reviewers noticed that the 6 Plus' shutter speed was slightly slower than the 6. However, they mention that it produced crisp and detailed images in both bright and low light situations.

While not perfect, reviewers enthusiastically recommend the iPhone 6 Plus for people who want to bridge the gap between phone and tablet. Phone Arena states, "…it's a fantastic phone that earns high marks in a variety of categories…" ZDNet adds, "Apple's iPhone 6 Plus is not perfect…But it's as close as it gets in my view."


iOS
Operating system
Operating system
iOS
1.4 GHz
Processor
Processor
1.4 GHz
5.5"
Screen Size
Screen Size
5.5"
8+ MP
Camera
Camera
8+ MP
2915 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


Gadgets 360
Gadgets 360

There are plenty of people who will love the iPhone 6 Plus because they've always wanted a larger iPhone. There are also those who have never understood big phones and will not find any reason to if they use this one. Apple is in someone else's shadow for the first time, and it shows - the vision ju...

- Jamshed Avari, Gadgets 360
TrustedReviews
TrustedReviews

The iPhone 6 Plus is a great phone if you can deal with its size and price. It’s blisteringly fast, lasts for ages and comes with one of the best screens we’ve ever seen. The optical image stabilisation takes the good camera on the iPhone 6 and makes it even better.

- Evan Kypreos, TrustedReviews
TrustedReviews
TrustedReviews

The iPhone 6 Plus is a great phone if you can deal with its size and price. It’s blisteringly fast, lasts for ages and comes with one of the best screens we’ve ever seen. The optical image stabilisation takes the good camera on the iPhone 6 and makes it even better.

- Evan Kypreos, TrustedReviews
PC Magazine
PC Magazine

The real reason to spring for an iPhone isn't hardware, but software and support. While I may criticize the 6 Plus for being too much phone and not enough tablet, there's no denying that iOS offers smoother updates, more consistent design, and more exclusive third-party apps than Android does. And b...

- Sascha Segan, PC Magazine
Reviewed
Reviewed

The 6 Plus shows that Apple might not yet be willing to think totally outside the box, but it's at least willing to make the box a whole lot bigger. If this new, giant iPhone has us excited about anything it's less about what it can do now, but what Apple will do next. 

- Chris Thomas, Reviewed


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions


We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Apple iPhone 6 Plus user manual here.


Apple backs up the iPhone 6 Plus with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.


If your iPhone 6 Plus has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Apple support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Apple's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.




Resources


Manuals / User Guides Helpful Links Share / Embed

Maybe one of your friends will find this review helpful? Please help us spread the word.


Quick view

Screen Size
5.5"

The Apple iPhone 6 Plus's screen size is 5.5 inches with 1080 x 1920 pixels resolution.

Processor
1.4 GHz

There is a Apple A8 Dual core 1.4 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on the iOS 8.1 (Update Available: 12) operating system (OS).

Camera
8+ MP

You can take photos with the phone's onboard 8+ MP camera.

There is also a secondary front facing camera with 1+ megapixels resolution.

Storage
16/64/128 GB

Internal memory is 16/64/128 GB. No external card slot is available for expansion.

Battery
2915mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 2915 mAh battery. Apple's performance ratings are 1440 minutes, 720 minutes Wi-Fi surfing.

iPhone 6 Plus Specs

Overview
Release Date September 19, 2014
Regions Available USA, Canada, United Kingdom
Operating System iOS 8.1 (Update Available: 12)

Compare iOS Smartphones

Processor Apple A8 Dual core 1.4 GHz
Internal Storage 16/64/128 GB
RAM 1 GB
Hearing Aid Compatible Yes
TTY/TDD Yes
Noise Cancellation Yes
SAR Head: 0.91 W/kg
Body: 0.99 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included AC Charger, Manual, Headset
Cellular
Networks
GPRS, EDGE, HSUPA, HSPA+, LTE
Mobile / Cellular Data
4G/LTE
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling Unknown
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) Yes
SIM card size
Nano-SIM
variations
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Lightning
USB OTG Support No
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth 4.0
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, HID, HFP, PAN
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Mobile Hotspot Yes
Memory Expansion Slot No
NFC Yes
Data Tethering Compatibility Yes
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
8+ Megapixels
Zoom
Yes
Flash
Yes (LED)
Additional Rear Camera Info
Auto focus, Effects, Face detection, Geotagging, Image stabilization, Multi-shot, Panorama, HDR, Exposure, Burst mode
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4, AVI
Video Recording Parameters
Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels), 60 fps
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
1+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
Face detection, HDR, Burst mode
Video Recording Parameters
HD (1280 x 720 pixels)
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD (IPS)
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution 1080 x 1920 pixels
Pixel Density 401 pixels
Size 5.5 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Digital Compass
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating Yes
Additional Display Features Capacitive touch screen, Retina display
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 2915 mAh
Removable Battery No
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging No
Video Playback Time Up to 840 minutes
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 720 minutes
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Talk Time Up to 1440 minutes
Standby Time Up to 16 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Bar
Material Aluminium
Colors Gold, Silver, Space Gray
Dimensions [H x W x D] 15.8 x 7.8 x 0.7 cm (6.2 x 3.1 x 0.3 in)
Weight 172 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Yes
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key Yes
Home Key Yes
Input / Keyboard Type Touchscreen
Navigation Type Touchscreen
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor Yes
More
Additional Information Other Names (AKA):

Fingerprint identity sensor built into the Home button

Related Links Manual (PDF)
Apple iPhone 6 Plus Reviews
Where to buy Apple iPhone 6 Plus
Suggest a correction