Apple iPhone 6s Review

Introduction

S-generation iPhones have always been slightly less exciting than their full-fledged, S-less brethren, but looking at the improvements Apple's doing with this year's iPhone 6s, we honestly don't feel any less excited than when we first held the iPhone 6 in our hands at about the same time last year.

In fact, the iPhone 6s (along with the 6s Plus) has the potential to be the most disruptive piece of mobile technology to appear in recent years, as it aims to add a whole new dimension to the way we use our handsets. 3D Touch, as this new technology is called, is a big, bold undertaking by Apple. Perhaps more importantly, though – it's an example of meaningful innovation; the kind of which we rarely see these days.

Along with the potentially game-changing 3D Touch, the iPhone 6s also brings a fairly long list of other improvements, such as faster processors, better cameras, more RAM, Siri and Touch ID upgrades, tougher aluminum body with stronger screen glass, more efficient wireless modem… Many of these enhancements may appear to be more or less trivial, but they help shape Apple's newest phone up as a complete and enticing package – exactly the type of product Apple wants to have in this incredibly dynamic landscape.

With a strong hardware foundation and all the new features enabled by iOS 9, the iPhone 6s seems to be destined for success. Let's see if it lives up to its promise!

Design

A year later, the iPhone 6's appearance is just as attractive and enigmatic.

As you'd expect, the iPhone 6s keeps the same exact styling of its predecessor. In this case, that's not a bad thing at all, seeing that it's an exquisite design that is both attractive and practical. It consists of an aluminum unibody that holds all the internals in place, as well as an LCD screen panel that's protected by an even stronger glass cover than before – one that is produced using — in Apple's own words — a “dual ion-exchange process”. It sure sounds fancy and what not, but in reality, it's believed to be none other than Corning's Gorilla Glass 4. This particular bit of into isn't official, but it has been proven that iPhones have been using Corning's magical glass since day one, so chances are Gorilla Glass 4 is what's protecting the display of the iPhone 6s (and 6s Plus) as well. Gorilla Glass panels usually aren't unscratchable, but they sure aren't easy to crack or shatter.

Back to that aluminum unibody for a second, it's worth pointing out that Apple is now using a stronger, 7000 Series aluminum, which is promised to be considerably stronger than the one used in the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. Now, even if you accidentally forget your iPhone 6s in your back pocket and happen to put it under the pressure of your perfectly shaped butt, the phone should prove to be solid enough to retain its original geometry. Disclaimer: The last clause may not hold true if your name is Nicki Minaj.

The iPhone 6s has also kept the more controversial elements of the appearance of its predecessor, such as the antenna lines and protruding camera. And while we still aren't into the idea of the camera jutting out from the surface of the back, the shapes of the antenna lines add an element of sophistication and artistry to the appearance. After all, can it be named real beauty, if its figure doesn't carry a hint of strangeness – something to continuously draw your mind towards it?

Physically, the iPhone 6s is 0.28” (7.1 mm) thick, while its weight is 5.04 oz (143 grams). In other words, it has grown ever so slightly thicker and heavier than the iPhone 6 and its 0.27” (6.9 mm) thickness and 4.55 oz (129 gr) weight. And that's about it when it comes to their physical differences. 

All physical buttons of the iPhone 6s (volume rocker, power key, mute switch, and home), are located in their usual, easy to reach positions. They tend to feel just a tad softer when being pressed, compared to the keys of the iPhone 6 units we've tested, but this may be limited to our review unit. The 3.5mm audio jack and the Lightning connector are once again to be found on the bottom side of the handset, along with the single loudspeaker.