What Makes the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus Different?

It's easy to see how the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are different: The iPhone 6 Plus has a larger screen and is bigger overall. Beyond the physical, though, the differences between the two models are somewhat subtle.

It's important to understand those differences if you're planning to buy one of these models. This article explains five key things that make the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus different. Use this information to make an informed iPhone buying decision.

This article covers how the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus are different. Want to know what makes the iPhone 6 series different from its successor, the iPhone 6S? Read 6 Key Ways the iPhone 6 & iPhone 6S Are Different.

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iPhone 6 vs iPhone 6 Plus: Screen Size and Resolution

iPhone 6 and 6 Plus side by side — Apple Inc.

The most obvious difference between the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus is screen size. The iPhone 6 sports a 4.7-inch screen, which is a nice improvement over the 4-inch screen on the iPhone 5S and 5C.

The iPhone 6 Plus upgrades the display even more. The 6 Plus has a 5.5-inch screen. That makes it a "phablet" (a combination phone and tablet) and a close competitor to the iPad mini, which has a 7-inch screen. The 6 Plus has a different screen resolution too: 1920 x 1080 pixels versus 1334 x 750 pixels on the iPhone 6.

Users who are looking for a combination of screen size and portability with a good feel in the hand will prefer the iPhone 6. Those seeking the largest possible display will enjoy the 6 Plus.

Learn about how to make onscreen icons bigger, and how to reach icons on these large screens, in How to Use Reachability and Display Zoom on iPhone.

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iPhone 6 vs iPhone 6 Plus: Battery Life

Because of its larger screen, the iPhone 6 Plus drains battery faster. To compensate, its larger battery offers much a longer battery life than the battery in the iPhone 6, based on information supplied by Apple. Here's what to expect:

	iPhone 6	iPhone 6 Plus
Talk time	14 hours	24 hours
Audio time	50 hours	80 hours
Video time	11 hours	14 hours
Internet time	11 hours	12 hours
Standby time	10 days	16 days

So, if having the longest-lasting battery matters to you, check out the iPhone 6 Plus.

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iPhone 6 vs iPhone 6 Plus: Price

Dollar bills attached to a smartphone — Daniel Grizelj / Getty Images

Because of its larger screen and improved battery, the iPhone 6 Plus is more expensive than its sibling.

Both models offer the same storage options—16 GB, 64 GB, and 128 GB—but expect to spend about $100 more for the iPhone 6 Plus than the iPhone 6. While that's not a tremendous difference in price, it matters if you're very budget-conscious when making your buying decision.

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iPhone 6 vs iPhone 6 Plus: Size and Weight

Person recording an orchestra on a smartphone — Manuel Breva Colmeiro / Getty Images

Because of the differences screen size, battery capacity, and some internal components, weight is a key difference between the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. The iPhone 6 weighs 4.55 ounces, just 0.6 ounces more than its predecessor, the iPhone 5S. On the other hand, the 6 Plus tips the scales at 6.07 ounces.

The physical dimensions of the phones are different, too. The iPhone 6 is 5.44 inches tall by 2.64 inches wide by 0.27 inches thick. The 6 Plus is 6.22 by 3.06 by 0.28 inches.

While those differences are not huge, pay attention to these details if keeping your pockets or purse as light as possible is important to you.

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iPhone 6 vs iPhone 6 Plus: Camera: Image Stabilization

iPhone camera app in black and white mode

Based on their specs, the cameras on the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus appear to be identical. The back cameras both take 8-megapixel images and 1080p HD video. Both offer the same slo-mo features. The user-facing cameras capture video at 720p HD and photos at 1.2 megapixels.

However, there's an important element of the cameras that makes a big difference in photo quality: image stabilization.

Image stabilization reduces motion in the camera—the movement of your hand as you take the photo, for example. It improves focus and delivers higher-quality images.

There are two kinds of image stabilization: hardware and software. In software image stabilization, a program automatically tweaks photos to improve their look. Both phones have this.

Hardware image stabilization uses the phone's gyroscope and M8 motion co-processor to cancel out movement. It's even better. The iPhone 6 Plus has hardware stabilization, but the regular iPhone 6 doesn't. So, if taking the best possible photos is important to you, choose the 6 Plus.

iPhone 6 vs iPhone 6 Plus: the Phones Compared
	iPhone 6	iPhone 6 Plus
Screen Size	4.7"	5.5"
Screen Resolution	1134 x 750	1920 x 1080
Storage	16GB 64GB 128GB	16GB 64GB 128GB
Front Camera	1.2 megapixel photos 720p video	1.2 megapixel photos 720p video
Back Camera	8 megapixel photos 1080p video software image stabilization	8 megapixel photos 1080p video hardware image stabilization
Battery Life	talk: 14 hours audio: 50 hours video: 11 hours internet: 11 hours	talk: 24 hours audio: 80 hours video: 14 hours internet: 12 hours
Size	5.44 x 2.64 x 0.27	6.22 x 3.06 x 0.28
Weight	4.55 oz	6.07 oz
Original Price	US$649 and up	$749 and up

The iPhone 6 series no longer offers the latest models and has been discontinued by Apple in favor of newer models. Read up on the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR to learn about the newest options before you buy a new phone.

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