iPhone 6 Review: Design, Performance, and Legacy

iPhone 6

1. Basic Overview

The iPhone 6 is a premium smartphone designed, developed, and marketed by Apple Inc. It was officially unveiled on September 9, 2014, at the Flint Center for the Performing Arts in Cupertino, California, alongside its larger-screen variant, the iPhone 6 Plus. This device marked a pivotal redesign for Apple’s iPhone lineup, departing from the sharp, flat-edged aluminum unibody of the iPhone 5/5s to adopt a sleeker, rounded form factor with larger displays— a response to consumer demand for bigger screens in the smartphone market.

At launch, the iPhone 6 ran on iOS 8, Apple’s mobile operating system, and was compatible with subsequent updates up to iOS 12 (released in 2018). It quickly became one of the best-selling smartphones of all time, with global shipments exceeding 220 million units, cementing Apple’s dominance in the premium smartphone segment. The iPhone 6 was discontinued in September 2018, replaced by newer models in Apple’s product lineup.

2. Key Hardware Specifications

Component	Technical Specifications
Display	4.7-inch Retina HD LCD panel; 1334×750 pixel resolution; 326 pixels per inch (ppi); 16:9 aspect ratio; ion-strengthened Gorilla Glass; 500 nits max brightness
Processor	Apple A8 dual-core 64-bit ARM-based processor (1.4 GHz); 2nd-generation 64-bit architecture; M8 motion coprocessor (for fitness and contextual sensing)
Memory (RAM)	1 GB LPDDR3 RAM (non-upgradable)
Storage Options	16 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB (non-expandable—no microSD card slot)
Rear Camera	8 MP iSight Camera; f/2.2 aperture; 1.5 μm pixel size; phase-detection autofocus (PDAF) with Focus Pixels; 1080p HD video recording (30 fps); 720p slow-motion video (120 fps); LED flash
Front Camera	1.2 MP FaceTime HD Camera; f/2.2 aperture; 720p HD video recording; auto HDR for photos
Battery	Non-removable lithium-ion battery (1,810 mAh); up to 14 hours of 3G talk time; up to 10 days of standby time; 5W wired charging (via Lightning port)
Connectivity	LTE (Cat 4, up to 150 Mbps); Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (dual-band); Bluetooth 4.2; NFC (for Apple Pay); GPS/GNSS (GLONASS, Galileo); Lightning port (for charging/data transfer)
Dimensions & Weight	138.1 × 67.0 × 6.9 mm; 129 grams (lighter and slimmer than the iPhone 5s)
Build Material	Anodized aluminum unibody frame; glass front/back panels; rounded edges and corners
Biometric Security	Touch ID fingerprint sensor (integrated into the home button; 2nd-generation sensor for faster, more accurate recognition)
Sensors	Accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, barometer (for altitude tracking)
Audio	Dual-speaker stereo audio (earpiece + bottom speaker); 3.5 mm headphone jack (last iPhone model to include this port until iPhone 15)

3. Core Software & Feature Highlights

3.1 iOS 8 & Ecosystem Integration

Apple Pay: A flagship feature exclusive to the iPhone 6/6 Plus at launch, enabling contactless payments via NFC. Users could securely store credit/debit card information in the Passbook app (later renamed Wallet) and complete transactions at EMV-compatible POS terminals, with tokenization technology protecting sensitive payment data.
Continuity: A suite of features that enabled seamless cross-device integration between iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Key functions included Handoff (continue emails, documents, or calls across devices), Instant Hotspot (share iPhone’s cellular data with Mac/iPad without manual setup), and AirDrop (wireless file sharing between Apple devices).
Health App: A centralized hub for fitness and health data, leveraging the M8 motion coprocessor to track steps, distance, calories burned, and elevation gain. It also integrated with third-party fitness apps and accessories (e.g., Apple Watch, released in 2015).
iCloud Drive: A cloud storage service that allowed users to sync and access files across iOS and macOS devices, with support for third-party app integration.

3.2 Camera & Imaging Capabilities

Focus Pixels: A hardware innovation that dedicated a portion of the rear camera’s pixels to phase-detection autofocus, reducing focus time by up to 2x compared to the iPhone 5s—especially in low-light conditions.
Time-Lapse Video: An automated feature that captured footage at set intervals and compiled it into short, cinematic clips, ideal for recording long-duration events (e.g., sunsets, construction projects).
Auto HDR: Improved dynamic range in photos by combining multiple exposures, though the feature was less advanced than the Smart HDR introduced in later iPhone models.

3.3 Design & Usability Upgrades

Larger Display: The 4.7-inch screen was a 17% increase in size compared to the 4-inch display of the iPhone 5/5s, striking a balance between larger media consumption and one-handed usability.
Rounded Ergonomics: The curved aluminum frame and edges made the device more comfortable to hold for extended periods, addressing criticism of the iPhone 5s’s sharp, uncomfortable edges.
Dual Stereo Speakers: For the first time, the iPhone featured stereo audio output (earpiece as a second speaker), delivering louder, more immersive sound for music, videos, and games.

4. Market Reception & Controversies

4.1 Commercial Success

The iPhone 6 shattered pre-order records, with over 4 million units sold in the first 24 hours of availability. Its combination of a refreshed design, larger display, and Apple Pay support drove unprecedented demand globally, particularly in emerging markets where consumers prioritized premium features at a mid-range price point (relative to flagship models).

4.2 “Bendgate” Controversy

Shortly after launch, reports surfaced that the iPhone 6’s aluminum frame could bend under moderate pressure—such as when carried in a tight pants pocket. The issue, dubbed “Bendgate,” sparked widespread media attention and consumer backlash. Apple responded by stating that bending required “unusual force” and that only a small number of devices were affected, offering free repairs for eligible units. The company later revised the frame design for the iPhone 6s/6s Plus, using stronger 7000-series aluminum to prevent bending.

4.3 Performance Limitations

While the A8 processor delivered a 25% performance boost over the A7 chip in the iPhone 5s, the 1 GB RAM became a bottleneck for multitasking and newer iOS updates. By the time iOS 12 was released, the iPhone 6 exhibited noticeable lag in resource-intensive apps (e.g., social media, gaming). Apple addressed this with performance management features, which throttled processor speeds to prevent unexpected shutdowns due to aging batteries.

5. Legacy & Discontinuation

Aftermarket Relevance: The iPhone 6 remained popular in emerging markets for years after discontinuation, thanks to its affordable price point and compatibility with basic apps. However, it no longer receives security updates or iOS feature updates beyond iOS 12, making it vulnerable to cybersecurity risks in modern usage.

Discontinuation Timeline: Apple officially discontinued the iPhone 6 in September 2018, coinciding with the launch of the iPhone XR and XS lineups. It was the last iPhone model to feature a 3.5 mm headphone jack until the iPhone 15 series reintroduced the port in 2023.

Design Legacy: The iPhone 6’s rounded aluminum unibody design influenced Apple’s smartphone lineup for three generations, until the iPhone X (2017) introduced the bezel-less OLED display and stainless-steel frame.

Ecosystem Impact: Apple Pay, launched with the iPhone 6, evolved into a cornerstone of Apple’s services business, expanding to support transit cards, loyalty programs, and in-app purchases in subsequent years.