Aug 28, 2016 12:49 AM
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If Apple sticks to the same mid-September release calendar it's followed for the past several years, we are just a few short months away from the next version of the iPhone. And if Cupertino follows the same upgrade plan - big redesigns for even numbered years, internal specs updates for odd ones - we can likely expect something a bit less radical than the big-screen makeover the iPhone got in 2014.(You can read our predictions of what to expect from the next iPhone here .)
At its Worldwide Developers Conference in June, Apple introduced the next edition of its mobile operating system, iOS 9 . According to Apple, in addition to a number of incremental enhancements, iOS 9 will feature a stronger, more "proactive" version of Siri, the personal assistant; an upgraded maps app and a new news app; and, importantly for iPhone users, improved battery life(plus a new low-power mode for even longer performance). iOS 9 is currently available only to developers; the rest of us can sign up for the public beta in July.
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iOS 9 gets unveiled
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Those looking to purchase an iPhone this summer are advised that Apple still sells the iPhone 5S and the iPhone 5C - both of which, in what are likely to be their waning days on store shelves, constitute an excellent value.
Outside of the Apple ecosystem, those on the prowl for a new phone should consider the handful of upcoming flagship models announced at Mobile World Congress in March 2015, including the HTC One M9 and Samsung Galaxy S6, an especially worthy competitor for the iPhone 6 that features a larger screen and higher resolution(see a detailed comparison here). Suffice to say that the competitive landscape will soon be shifting.
Cut to the chase: How the iPhone stacks up
For those looking to buy a new phone in the near-term, here's a framework for how to think about the iPhone 6:
For owners of older iPhones looking to upgrade, the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus are thinner and come equipped with faster A8 processors, improved cameras, speedier Wi-Fi and LTE cellular data connectivity, better voice quality on voice-over-LTE, and - except for entry-level models - more onboard storage. In terms of screen size, the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 will probably be more than enough for anyone upgrading from a 4-inch(iPhone 5 or 5S) or 3.5-inch screen(all previous iPhone models). The 6 Plus may simply be too big for some, though its large display and extended battery life are terrific.
For iPhone 5S owners or habitual iPhone upgraders, the chief advantages are the iPhone 6's bigger screen and support for Apple Pay. The improved processor, camera, 4G LTE and Wi-Fi speeds, and possible battery-life gains are steps up, but not massive leaps. In other words, if you don't need the larger screen, you aren't sacrificing much by sticking with the iPhone 5S(running iOS 8) until the next generation drops.
For Android owners who jumped ship from iOS and want to come back, this is the iPhone generation you've been waiting for. It's the best iPhone since the iPhone 5 . Back then, 4G LTE and an improved screen and camera made the difference. This time, a larger screen, a fast processor, support for Apple Pay, additional customization features of iOS 8, and increased storage help close the feature gap with top Android phones.
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iPhone 6 and 6 Plus features, compared
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For hard-core Android fans, there are certainly non-Apple phones that cost less and come equipped with higher-resolution screens, better battery life, SD card support, and removable batteries. And the Android Lollipop operating system brings a lot to the table. Still, the larger screens and customization features of iOS 8 make the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus the most attractive iPhone generation to date. Android owners may be tempted.
