As you know, which iPhone 6 to buy was a tough decision for me. I ended up preordering the 128 gig Space Gray iPhone 6 Plus. After having to wait a week after the initial release, I received my new phone.
Before I get to my thoughts and my final decision, I had asked my friend Dave, who runs the site ificionado, to share his thoughts on his new iPhone 6. He has a great perspective on the new phone that I wanted to share: (More from me soon!)
I was apprehensive at first when I heard that iPhone 6 would be larger than previous models. I loved the design of the iPhone 4 and thought it was the perfect size for me. When the iPhone 5 came along, I actually didn’t like the increase in vertical size and would have preferred Apple to keep the same design and concentrate on improving only the internal components.
But, now that I have had the iPhone 6 for a few weeks, I have learned to appreciate its larger screen size. The small bezel combined with its light weight and rounded sides make the device seem smaller than it really is. All of that, combined with the fact that its only 6.9 mm thin, make holding and using the device a joy. Oh, and let’s not forget the curved glass screen which offers users a very satisfying “swiping” experience.
Of course, there are things about the design of iPhone 6 that I do not particularly like. As with most Apple’s devices, iPhone 6 is somewhat slippery and can easily slide right out of your hand. Maybe it’s time for Apple to work on creating a material that has a bit more texture so that your fingers have something to hang on to.
Then there’s the camera. While I appreciate the improved performance and quality of the new camera, I’m not a fan of the protruding lens element. Sure, I could always purchase a case to take care of the problem, but I prefer my phone to be “au naturel.” This causes a problem when I set the phone down on my desk. I’m concerned that the camera will become worn or even damaged.
One thing that the iPhone 4 and 5 series phones had going for them, was their flat sides and smooth edges. That design choice gave these devices the ability to set upright, perpendicular to a flat surface. This allowed photographers to use nearly any flat surface as a makeshift tripod.
In contrast, the engineers at Apple have moved the sleep/wake button from the top of the device to the side. That, coupled with the rounded sides” makes it very difficult to place the device perfectly level. So much for hanging pictures with the built-in level now.
Do I wish there were an updated option in smaller size format? Yes I do. But, at the end of the day, the iPhone 6 is an engineering marvel that makes owning one a luxury that anyone can afford.