Early reviews: the iPhone 6s offers 'screaming speed' and is 'the best smartphone on the market'
With the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus scheduled to arrive later this week on Friday, Sept. 25, the first reviews have hit the Web. And for the most part, they are are extremely positive.
Re/Code’s Walt Mossberg called the new iPhone “the best smartphone on the market.” He also praised the 3D Touch functionality:
This is one of those potentially huge user behaviors — like swiping, or pinching and zooming — that seem odd or minor at first, but which Apple historically is able to make deeply important and useful. And it’s not just a software tweak. It involved serious re-engineering of the display. It’s the kind of thing that is Apple’s specialty: The company manages to do new things better, apply them broadly and make them seem natural, because it has control over both the software and hardware platforms on which its products rest. No other big player does.
Joanna Stern from The Wall Street Journal was a big fan of the Live Photos feature:
The absolute best thing about the 6s is Live Photos. While capturing a still photo, it also captures a bit of live action. They’re awesome for reliving fun moments, especially of an active puppy or child, and anyone with an iOS 9 iPhone or iPad can view them. But they generally take up two to three times as much space as an iPhone 6 pic because they also save three seconds of video. Sure, you can turn them off, but you won’t want to.
While most other reviews were similar, many took the time to mention some downsides – including the base model still starting at 16GB and no overall improvements to the battery life.
You can also take a look at other reviews from TechCrunch, The Loop, Mashable, and Bloomberg.
Along with the 3D Touch technology and the faster A9 processor, the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus will offer a number of camera improvements including the option to shoot 4K video. Both models will also sport 2GB of RAM – double the amount found in the previous generation of iPhones.
Each handset is available in four different colors – silver, gold, space gray, and rose gold. The phones are made with more durable 7000-series aluminum found on the Apple Watch.
Preorders kicked off more than a week ago on Apple’s site. If you place an order today, most phone options are slated to ship early next month.
If you’re looking to snag a new iPhone on launch day, the best bet will be to head to your local Apple Store and stand in line. Apple ended in-store reservations for both handsets earlier this week. There may be some stock available for walk-up purchases on Friday.
For other news today, see: The iPhone 6s lands early for one AT&T customer, Apple can’t make money on cars, says former GM executive, and 6 Apple Watch third-party complications to try right now.