iPhone 6s Plus: Features and Innovations Explained

iPhone 6s Plus

Definition: The iPhone 6s Plus is a premium smartphone developed and marketed by Apple Inc., unveiled on September 9, 2015, alongside its smaller sibling the iPhone 6s. Positioned as an upgraded iteration of the iPhone 6 Plus, it introduced major hardware enhancements including 3D Touch technology, a faster processor, improved cameras, and a more durable build. Targeted at power users seeking a large-screen experience, the “Plus” designation denotes its 5.5-inch display—larger than the 4.7-inch iPhone 6s—making it ideal for media consumption, gaming, and productivity.

Core Technical Specifications

Component	Details
Display	5.5-inch Retina HD Display, 1920 × 1080 resolution (401 PPI), IPS LCD, 16:9 aspect ratio, 3D Touch support (pressure-sensitive input), oleophobic coating, 500 nits brightness
Processor	Apple A9 chip (dual-core 1.85 GHz Twister architecture, 14/16 nm fabrication process—produced by both TSMC and Samsung), PowerVR GT7600 GPU (6-core)
Memory & Storage	2 GB LPDDR4 RAM; 16 GB/32 GB/64 GB/128 GB non-expandable internal storage (no microSD slot)
Camera	Rear Camera: 12 MP iSight camera, f/2.2 aperture, 1.22 μm pixels, optical image stabilization (OIS), 4K video recording (30 fps), 1080p HD video (60 fps), slow-motion video (120 fps at 1080p), LED True Tone flashFront Camera: 5 MP FaceTime HD camera, f/2.2 aperture, 720p video recording (30 fps), Retina Flash (uses display as flash for selfies)
Battery	Non-removable lithium-ion battery (2750 mAh); up to 24 hours of talk time, 12 hours of internet use, 14 hours of video playback, 80 hours of audio playback
Connectivity	4G LTE Advanced (up to 300 Mbps), 3G HSPA+, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 GHz/5 GHz, MIMO), Bluetooth 4.2, GPS/GLONASS, NFC (for Apple Pay), Lightning port
Operating System	Initially shipped with iOS 9; upgradable up to iOS 15 (final update released in September 2021—supported for 6 major iOS versions, a record for iPhone at the time)
Design & Dimensions	7000 series aluminum unibody (stronger than iPhone 6 Plus’s 6000 series), available in space gray, silver, gold, and rose gold; 158.2 × 77.9 × 7.3 mm; weight 192 g
Sensors	Accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, barometer, Touch ID fingerprint sensor (integrated into Home button), 3D Touch pressure sensor
Other Features	Dual-microphone noise cancellation, 3.5 mm headphone jack, Siri support, Live Photos (captures 1.5 seconds of video before/after a photo), water-resistant coating (not IP-rated)

Key Innovations & Selling Points

3D Touch TechnologyThe iPhone 6s Plus was one of the first iPhones to feature 3D Touch, a pressure-sensitive display technology that recognizes three levels of force: tap, peek, and pop. Users could press lightly on app icons to access contextual shortcuts (peek) or press firmly to open the app (pop). It also enabled interactive features like pressure-sensitive drawing in apps such as Notes and Procreate, and haptic feedback for a tactile response.
Upgraded A9 Processor & PerformanceThe Apple A9 chip delivered a 70% faster CPU and 90% faster GPU compared to the A8 chip in the iPhone 6 Plus. This translated to smoother multitasking, faster app launches, and improved performance in graphics-intensive games. The chip’s dual fabrication process (14 nm TSMC and 16 nm Samsung) led to minor performance and battery life variations between units, but both versions outperformed the previous generation.
Enhanced Camera System
- 12 MP Rear Camera: A significant upgrade from the 8 MP sensor in the iPhone 6 Plus, with larger pixels for better low-light performance and 4K video recording (a first for iPhone). Optical image stabilization (OIS) reduced blur in photos and videos, especially in low light.
- Live Photos: A signature feature that captured short video clips alongside photos, bringing still images to life with sound and motion.
- Retina Flash: The front camera used the display’s brightness to act as a flash for selfies, providing more natural lighting than traditional LED flashes.
Durable 7000 Series Aluminum BuildFollowing the “bendgate” controversy of the iPhone 6 Plus (which was prone to bending under pressure), Apple upgraded the iPhone 6s Plus to a 7000 series aluminum alloy—the same material used in aerospace applications. This made the device 60% stronger and more resistant to bending and scratches.
Expanded Storage Options & Rose Gold ColorApple added a 128 GB storage variant (up from a maximum of 64 GB in the iPhone 6 Plus) to accommodate larger 4K videos and high-resolution photos. It also introduced a new rose gold color option, which quickly became a popular choice among consumers and helped differentiate the device from its predecessor.

Limitations & Criticisms

No Official Water ResistanceUnlike later iPhone models (e.g., iPhone 7 Plus and beyond), the iPhone 6s Plus lacked an IP rating for water and dust resistance. While it had a water-resistant coating, it was not designed to withstand submersion in water, making it vulnerable to damage from spills or exposure to moisture.
Non-expandable StorageThe device did not support microSD card expansion, forcing users to select their storage capacity at purchase. The 16 GB base model was criticized for its limited space, as iOS 9 and pre-installed apps consumed a significant portion of available storage.
Battery Life StagnationDespite the efficient A9 chip, the iPhone 6s Plus’s 2750 mAh battery offered only marginal improvements in battery life over the iPhone 6 Plus. Heavy usage (e.g., 4K video recording, gaming) drained the battery quickly, and battery degradation became a common issue for users over time.
3D Touch Adoption ChallengesWhile 3D Touch was a innovative feature, many app developers failed to fully leverage its capabilities, limiting its utility for some users. The technology was eventually phased out in later iPhone models (replaced by Haptic Touch, a software-based alternative).

Release & Market Performance

Launch Date: September 25, 2015 (available in 12 countries at launch, including the U.S., UK, China, and Australia).
Pricing: The 16 GB model started at $749 (unlocked), with 64 GB and 128 GB variants priced at $849 and $949, respectively.
Sales: The iPhone 6s Plus was a commercial success, with strong demand for its large display and new features. It helped Apple maintain its position as a leader in the premium smartphone market, particularly in markets like China where large-screen devices were popular.
Discontinuation: Apple discontinued the iPhone 6s Plus in September 2018, replacing it with the iPhone XR and iPhone XS Max.

Legacy

The iPhone 6s Plus is remembered as a long-lived and reliable iPhone model, thanks to its support for 6 major iOS versions (from iOS 9 to iOS 15)—a testament to its hardware capabilities. Its 3D Touch technology paved the way for future interaction methods, while the upgraded camera system set a new standard for iPhone photography. The device remains popular among budget-conscious users and collectors, as it can still run many modern apps (albeit with reduced performance) and supports essential features like Apple Pay and Siri.