New iPhone 6s series, observations

Got the 4.7" iPhone 6s on launch day. Coming from the 6, I was prepared for the smaller, but still interesting improvements and features that go with the 'S' upgrades.

Still learning, but some observations.

Space Grey is a shade different in color, and the phone is noticeably heavier and feels thicker. Of course, it is spec'd to be both, but it is more noticeable than I expected. The tougher aluminum used is meant to prevent any bending issues, especially in the 6S plus series.

The small, 200 micron (0.2 mm) increase in thickness can make a difference for tight cases and minimum lip. Add a screen saver ( I don't) and their could be no lay-on-the-table feature.

The new Apple leather cases are not Analine, so most likely they will hold their original color longer.

3D press touch. I wasn't too interested in this, but actually, for one handed use, it is very useful. Press hard on an email, and up pops the message. Easier than going through opening the email, then closing while using only one hand. Useful when running through the airport Press hard on the camera icon and chose from option like Selfie, Take Photo, video. Seems more than a gimmick.

Camera optics and image sensor is an improvement. In Apple's fashion it is more than just more pixels. Very fine images.

Touch ID seems improved. Seems to improve with each iterations. So does Siri. During set up, Siri has you practice some phrases to better understand your accent, etc.

Password is now 6 digits. Hmmm.

I think that is all I explored in the last few days. I could do with the lighter phone, but getting use to it. The processor is meant to be much, much faster and RAM is now 2 Gb instead of 1 Gb...but I haven't really tested speeds.

I had problems connecting with my ATT MicroCell. So did many others. Seems to be an ATT/Apple interface problem. I had to deactivate the MicroCell and reset it up. But during calls its seems to disconnect every time. So maybe there is more work to be done there.

Wifi and LTE are meant to be faster too. Also the M9 motion processor. Live Photos seems like a gimmick to me. Not sure how I would use it.

So what is your opinion? If you are on NEXT, or similar, it is worth the upgrade. If not, you can wait for the iPhone 7 for certain.

But if you are a WA member, we are geeks for phones, so I had to upgrade to prepare for the next 12 months.

I do like iOS 9, and it couples well. The phone is ready for wifi calling, just waiting for ATT launch it. Then I can get rid of the microcell. Suppose to be any day now, after the previous 'any days'


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Post your own observations and opinions....lets get a good discussion going...and not the usual....not worth it, worth comments only.


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I think it time for you to budget for an iPhone so you can join the reviewing fun, and standing in line too.


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I think Kevin's view is correct. And it is interesting that the article's title is not totally supported by the article details itself.

I think part of the authors disappointment is that he hasn't been listening to Apple message for years. And he does not understand imaging science, or if he does, he is seeking 'hits' more than honestly.

Apple has been winning accolades for its camera for years, even with fewer pixels than most competitors. Apple's message was, 'pixel counting' does not matter as much as people believe.

Okay, you will say that viewfly is just an Apple Fanboy, speaking nonsense. I do have some credentials though. In imaging science I have earned nearly a billion dollars in revenue for companies, and I have dozens of patents recognized by the US and foreign governments in the field. I know the science.

And this article only supports that science. 8 to 12 megapixels, didn't really gain anything in cell image quality. So why did Apple do it? My opinion? Probably because they got sick trying to convince people that more is not always better, and certainly not in a linear way. It is hard to argue with some in a spec war. Or maybe the new camera is the starting point for improved camera optics in the iPhone 7. Certainly the cell phone optics are the weak link.

Think of it as looking through a foggy window. No improvement in your eyeglasses will make it better,if that window is foggy.

So his point is that the iPhone 6s is not better in ALL checkpoints. Okay, resolution images of that city show the Moto to be a hair better. But I judge that the contrast, and general image is better in the iPhone 6. As are the flesh tones and general tonal quality in all the images. Some like high contrast, most do not.

And as he does state....in low light, the iPhone 6s shines. And that has been Apple's tech focus for some time now., because most people shoot without flash.

Apple is trying to make the best camera for the way people use cell phone cameras. pixels, light intensity, contrast, optics, pixel size are a complicated mixture...isolating one is not helping you decide on the image quality in the end.

So it is a silly article. Good that many cell phone brand camera are looking equal (except for low light), but expecting a huge improvement in this case was a fools folly, unless you control other factors that limit an otherwise expected change.

My dollar sense.



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Ah I see. Most of the improvements are in low light situations. Reduced noise, improved tonal mapping and more pixels for panorama mode (42 to 63 megapixels total, where pixels count. )

And more pixels in the front camera, where they were under pixels. (1.2 to 5) Plus the screen is used as a flash of sorts for selfies. Try it!

Pixels do count for digital zooming. But for regular shots you won't see much with the current optics.

Bottom line. It's an improvement. But other factors are in play. Like contrast. Poor contrast and it's not possible to make use of all those pixels. It's how our eye-brain works. It causes confusion if one just looks at specs.


Improved local tone mapping
Improved noise reduction

Panorama (up to
63 megapixels from 43)

Rear 12 vs 8 mega pixels
Front 5 vs 1.2 Mega pixels

Screen flash for selfies.

4K video









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I don't hear any.

The improvement in Touch ID is remarkable.


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Yes I forgot to say something about that. I agree.

My first phone call and I kept looking at the phone. I thought it was on speaker cause it was so loud.


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I enjoy that site too for reviews

Your cell phone lens can little compare with a DSLR optic. True also is that most take a cell photo one handed or little support two handed.

A tripod is required to perform resolution tests well. Leaning against a wall even reduces motion greatly.

Remember the days of using your two hands, forehead, and elbows on your waist to support your SLR photos? Holding a cellphone out in front of your face is about the worst one could do.


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I had occasions to make some selfies, which is not normal for me. However the selfie 'screen flash ' worked very nicely, in my opinion. Being a flash the area of the 4.7" screen, it caused no harsh shadows, which normally just makes the closeness of the selfie even worse.

The color of the flash, also gave pleasant skin tones

CDG, keep any eye on the click. I had one fail in an older phone. Any signs, get it replaced under warranty. Mine appears normal.


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