IPhone 6 Plus vs iPhone 7 Plus: A Comprehensive Comparison
When it comes to choosing between the iPhone 6 Plus and the iPhone 7 Plus, you're essentially deciding between a slightly older, yet still powerful device, and its more advanced successor. Both phones offer a large display, impressive camera capabilities, and robust performance. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you make an informed decision.
Design and Display
The iPhone 6 Plus and 7 Plus share a similar design language, with the latter being a refinement of the former. The iPhone 7 Plus features a sleeker, more robust design with a glossy jet black finish (in addition to the usual silver, gold, and rose gold), while the iPhone 6 Plus comes in a more traditional matte finish. Both devices sport a 5.5-inch Retina HD display with 3D Touch, but the iPhone 7 Plus boasts a wider color gamut and a higher peak brightness.
- iPhone 6 Plus: Aluminum unibody, matte finish, 5.5-inch Retina HD display (1920x1080, 401 ppi)
- iPhone 7 Plus: Aluminum unibody, glossy jet black finish (optional), 5.5-inch Retina HD display (1920x1080, 401 ppi) with wider color gamut and higher peak brightness
Performance and Storage
The iPhone 7 Plus offers a significant performance boost over the iPhone 6 Plus, thanks to its A10 Fusion chip. This quad-core processor delivers up to 2.5x better performance and 3x better graphics performance than the A8 chip in the iPhone 6 Plus. Both devices come with 3D Touch, but the iPhone 7 Plus offers a more responsive and accurate experience.
In terms of storage, both devices are available in 32GB, 128GB, and 256GB configurations. However, the iPhone 6 Plus does not offer a 32GB option, starting at 16GB instead.
| iPhone 6 Plus | iPhone 7 Plus |
|---|---|
| A8 chip with 64-bit architecture | A10 Fusion chip with 64-bit architecture |
| 16GB, 64GB, or 128GB storage options | 32GB, 128GB, or 256GB storage options |
Camera
One of the most significant improvements in the iPhone 7 Plus is its dual 12MP rear camera system. This setup features a wide-angle lens and a telephoto lens, allowing for 2x optical zoom and improved low-light performance. The iPhone 6 Plus, on the other hand, features an 8MP rear camera with optical image stabilization.
The front-facing cameras on both devices are identical, with a 5MP FaceTime HD camera with Retina Flash. However, the iPhone 7 Plus offers better video recording capabilities, with 4K video at 30 fps, 1080p HD video recording at 60 fps, and optical image stabilization for video.
| iPhone 6 Plus | iPhone 7 Plus |
|---|---|
| 8MP rear camera with optical image stabilization | Dual 12MP rear camera system with optical image stabilization |
| 1080p HD video recording at 30 fps | 4K video at 30 fps, 1080p HD video recording at 60 fps |
Battery Life and Water Resistance
The iPhone 7 Plus offers improved battery life over the iPhone 6 Plus, with up to 1 hour more battery life in regular use. Additionally, the iPhone 7 Plus is rated IP67 under IEC standard 60529, making it water and dust resistant up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. The iPhone 6 Plus, however, is not water resistant.
Price and Availability
The iPhone 6 Plus is no longer available through Apple's official channels, but you can still find it through third-party retailers and carriers. The iPhone 7 Plus, on the other hand, is still available through Apple and major carriers. Prices for the iPhone 6 Plus vary depending on the retailer and storage capacity, while the iPhone 7 Plus starts at $769 for the 32GB model.
Ultimately, the choice between the iPhone 6 Plus and iPhone 7 Plus depends on your budget and specific needs. If you're looking for a more powerful device with improved camera capabilities and water resistance, the iPhone 7 Plus is the clear choice. However, if you're on a budget and don't mind sacrificing some performance and features, the iPhone 6 Plus is still a capable device.
