Should you upgrade to the iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus?

By Rene Ritchie
last updated

2014 iPhone buyers guide: How to decide if you should upgrade to the iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus!

When new iPhones are introduced one of the toughest decisions to make is whether or not to upgrade to the latest and the greatest. If money is no object, it won't matter. If you're due an upgrade on contract, it comes down to whether or not the new features in the iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus are compelling enough to be worth $200 or $300 or more to you. If you're not due an upgrade, or if you don't buy on contract, then that decision escalates to $650, $750, or more. So what are the pros and cons of upgrading to the iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus, and when does the cost get overwhelmed by the value? Let's take a look...

iOS 8 compatibility

The ability to run iOS 8, and to be compatible with iOS 8 apps, is a major consideration. The iPhone 4 won't be able to do either. The iPhone 4s will be, but in limited and likely not entirely enjoyable form. The iPhone 5 and iPhone 5c will be good. The iPhone 5s will be darn good.

If you have anything less than an iPhone 5, you're going to want to upgrade. If you have anything less than an iPhone 5s, you're going to want to think about it.

Screen size

The iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, and iPhone 5s all have smaller, 4-inch screens. So even though they can run iOS 8, it'll be at 1136x640 pixel form.

The iPhone 6 has a 4.7-inch screen with 1336x750 pixels, and the iPhone 6 Plus has a 5.5-inch screen with a 1920x1080 inch screen.

That means you won't be getting the best experience from new apps going forward, and with the iPhone 6 Plus, the ability to run Apple's apps in iPad-style (two column layout) in landscape mode. You'll also get Display Zoom which, if you'd rather not have more pixels but bigger ones, can help you read and see everything better.

If you like 4-inch or even 3.5-inch iPhones and aren't sure that bigger really is better, wait and try them in stores first.

If screen size matters to you, especially if the ability to run iPad-style apps on an iPhone in landscape is interesting to you, you may want to upgrade.

LTE and Wi-Fi

The iPhone 4s tops out at HSPA 14.4mbps and can't access the much faster DC-HSPA+ 40mbps or LTE 100+mbps networks. That means you'll be stuck on dial up in an increasingly broadband world.

The iPhone 5 supports LTE, and the iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s support an incredible range of LTE bands, but they all top out at 100mbps. They're also limited to 802.11n Wi-Fi.

The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus support LTE Advanced and can go all the way to 150mbps. They also support 802.11ac Wi-Fi, matching Apple's latest generation AirPort Extreme base stations.

If you're in an area with LTE Advanced and/or if you have an 802.11ac router, moving data faster lets radios power down faster and ultimately saves battery life. You may want to upgrade for both.

Camera

The iPhone 4S has a fairly decent 8mp/1080p rear iSight cameras but still a poor front FaceTime camera. The iPhone 5 and iPhone 5c have slightly better iSight cameras and the iPhone 5c has a better FaceTime camera as well with backside illumination. The iPhone 5s has the same better FaceTime camera and an even better iSight camera with support for burst mode and 120fps slow motion video.

The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, however, have better cameras still. Most of the differences are subtle and, unless you're a camera enthusiast or take relentless selfies or slow-mos, not really worth an upgrade from the iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, or iPhone 5s.

However, the iPhone 6 Plus has optical image stabilization (OIS) which makes it much better for low-light photography.

Taken together if your iPhone serves primarily as your camera, you might want to upgrade, especially to the iPhone 6 plus.

Lightning connector

The iPhone 4S has the old 30-pin Dock connector. While there remain legacy accessories for that connector, all new iOS devices now use the Lightning connector. The iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, and iPhone 5s all already have Lightning connectors.

If you have an iPhone 4s, Lightning is just one of many, many reasons you might want to upgrade.

Touch ID

With the exception of the iPhone 5s, none of the older iPhone models can use Apple's Touch ID fingerprint identity sensor.

That means, if you want to be able to unlock your iPhone or authorize iTunes purchases at the touch of the finger, you'll want to upgrade.

Apple Pay

Apple Pay stores your credit card information on a secure element inside the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. With it, you can tap-to-pay at NFC terminals in stores, or shop online using apps from Apple, target, and more.

It's like a digital wallet, authorized by passcode or Touch ID, and it's not available on any older iPhone models. So, if you want it, you'll want to upgrade.

Should you upgrade from the iPhone 4 (or earlier)?

History of iPhone 4: Changing everything - again

The iPhone 4 was released in June of 2010 but was still available at $0 on contract until September of 2013 (and is still available even now in China and India). If you're not on contract, or are eligible for an upgrade for any reason, you should definitely take it.

If price is the most important factor, the $0 on-contract position has been taken over by the iPhone 5c. It gives you not only a 4-inch screen but the much more powerful Apple A6 processor, the new Lightning connector, and fast LTE cellular networking. It comes in bright plastic colors. Whether it will get iOS 9 next year, however, remains unknown, so in addition to missing out on the even bigger screens, it may not be a great long term investment.

Starting at $100 on contract, the iPhone 5s will give you an even better Apple A7 processor with M7 motion coprocessor, a better iSight camera, and the Touch ID fingerprint authentication system. No bigger screen, but a lot of everything else, and it will likely get iOS 9 next year.

Starting at $200 or $300 on contract, however, if you can afford an iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus, however, they'll give you everything modern iPhones and iOS 8 have to offer, and will serve you well for years to come.

Yes, you should strongly consider upgrading.

Should you upgrade from the iPhone 4S?

History of iPhone 4S: The most amazing iPhone yet

The iPhone 4S was introduced in October of 2011 and was available for $0 on contract until this year. If you got one anytime in the last year, you're still on contract. Early termination fees (ETFs) could make it financial unattractive to upgrade.

If you're not on contract, or are eligible for an upgrade for any reason, you should consider it. The iPhone 5c is now $0 on contract, gives you not only the new, bigger, 4-inch screen, and also the Lightning connector, the much more powerful Apple A6 processor, and fast LTE cellular networking. It comes in bright plastic colors. Whether it will get iOS 9 next year, however, remains unknown, so in addition to missing out on the even bigger screens, it may not be a great long term investment.

Starting at $100 on contract, the iPhone 5s will give you an even better Apple A7 processor with M7 motion coprocessor, a better iSight camera, and the Touch ID fingerprint authentication system. No bigger screen, but a lot of everything else, and it will likely get iOS 9 next year.

Starting at $200 or $300 on contract, however, if you can afford an iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus, however, they'll give you everything modern iPhones and iOS 8 have to offer, and will serve you well for years to come.

Yes, you should strongly consider upgrading.

Should you upgrade from the iPhone 5?

History of iPhone 5: The biggest thing to happen to iPhone

The iPhone 5 was introduced in September of 2012 but was discontinued in September of 2013.

If you're not on contract, or are eligible for an upgrade for any reason, there are a few reasons to consider upgrading. The iPhone 5s will give you a better Apple A7 processor with M7 motion coprocessor, a better iSight camera, and the Touch ID fingerprint authentication system. However, it's not a major leap up from the iPhone 5 and it's also $100 on contract.

Starting at $200 or $300 on contract, however, if you can afford an iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus, however, they'll give you everything modern iPhones and iOS 8 have to offer, and will serve you well for years to come. You'll get a bigger 4.7- or 5.5-inch screen, NFC radio for Apple Pay payments, fast LTE Advanced and 802.11ac networking, better iSight and FaceTime cameras, optical image stabilization with the iPhone 6 Plus, and be future-proofed for a least a couple years to come.

If you've had an iPhone 5 since launch, take a look at the iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus. Both are really good upgrades.

Yes, you should consider upgrading.

Should you upgrade from the iPhone 5c?

History of iPhone 5c: The most colorful iPhone yet

The iPhone 5c is essentially the same phone as the iPhone 5 with a new, fun, plastic coating. If you got one in the last year, you're likely still on contract. Early termination fees (ETFs) could make it financial unattractive to upgrade.

If you're not on contract, or are eligible for an upgrade for any reason, there are severals reasons to consider upgrading. The iPhone 5s will give you a better Apple A7 processor with M7 motion coprocessor, a better iSight camera, and the Touch ID fingerprint authentication system. However, it's not a major leap up from the iPhone 5c and it's also $100 on contract.

Starting at $200 or $300 on contract, however, if you can afford an iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus, however, they'll give you everything modern iPhones and iOS 8 have to offer, and will serve you well for years to come. You'll get a bigger 4.7- or 5.5-inch screen, NFC radio for Apple Pay payments, fast LTE Advanced and 802.11ac networking, better iSight and FaceTime cameras, optical image stabilization with the iPhone 6 Plus, and be future-proofed for a least a couple years to come.

However, if you got an iPhone 5c last year, well you didn't opt for the more forward-thinking iPhone 5s then and you may be perfectly happy not to opt for the even more forward-thinking iPhone 6 models this year.

Upgrade only if you want to move from fun to forward thinking.

Should you upgrade from the iPhone 5s?

History of iPhone 5s: The most forward thinking iPhone ever

The iPhone 5s was released in September 2013, so it's still relatively new, and if you got it under a traditional 2-year contract you'll have early termination fees to worry about. If you got it under a newer, more flexible upgrade contract, however, then you have more options.

Starting at $200 or $300 on contract, the iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus will give you everything modern iPhones and iOS 8 have to offer, and will serve you well for years to come. You'll get a bigger 4.7- or 5.5-inch screen, NFC radio for Apple Pay payments, fast LTE Advanced and 802.11ac networking, better iSight and FaceTime cameras, optical image stabilization and two-column apps in landscape with the iPhone 6 Plus, and be future-proofed for a least a couple years to come.

The iPhone 5s is an excellent phone and there's no need to rush out and upgrade. However, if you got the iPhone 5s because you wanted the cutting edge of technology, that edge is now cutting with the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.

Upgrade only if you simply must have the latest and greatest.

Still undecided?

If you're still not sure about about upgrading to an iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus , ask questions below or jump into our iPhone discussion forums and the best community in mobile will happily help you out!

Then, once you know, let me know why — or why not —in the comments so everyone else can benefit from your thoughts!

Rene Ritchie
Rene Ritchie
Contributor

Rene Ritchie is one of the most respected Apple analysts in the business, reaching a combined audience of over 40 million readers a month. His YouTube channel, Vector, has over 90 thousand subscribers and 14 million views and his podcasts, including Debug, have been downloaded over 20 million times. He also regularly co-hosts MacBreak Weekly for the TWiT network and co-hosted CES Live! and Talk Mobile. Based in Montreal, Rene is a former director of product marketing, web developer, and graphic designer. He's authored several books and appeared on numerous television and radio segments to discuss Apple and the technology industry. When not working, he likes to cook, grapple, and spend time with his friends and family.

78 Comments
  • Hey T-Mobile here i come. I will be Upgrading from my iPhone 5s 32GB to the iPhone 6 Plus 128GB. Yeaaaa Apple is Ground Zero for the Tech World and i Love it. Yes !!
  • Your joking right? Other phones have more storage (several can have up to 196GB) Other phones have bigger, higher res screens. Most other phones have NFC. I am not saying this won't be a great phone but there is nothing new here. Other than being 64bit and incredibly thin this is last years tech. Hardly worthy of being called ground zero.
  • The reason apple is cutting edge tech isn't because they have the latest tech inside their phones or devices, it's because they actually one-up the competition and make the tech USABLE. Has anyone used their NFC-enabled phone to pay for something somewhere? Maybe, yes, but it's hardly mainstream. Now that Apple has decided to use it it will become the standard. Samsung who?
  • @onesojourner, you are so right. Apple is almost never first-to-market, but I've said many times they are best-to-market. As Tim Cook said in his Tuesday keynote, they love to find a problem where other people are attacking the issue from their perspective instead of the user perspective. Pixels and memory alone do not make a product great - the synergy of how it fits into your life, how it interacts with your other devices (tablet, PC, family devices, set-top-boxes, and now wearables, etc.) are what is important. Now that Apple offers NFC payments, they did not do what everyone else did - take your credit card and use it to pay via NFC. They rethunk (my word!) from the ground-up transactional security, personal security, and how to make sure only authorized people can pay, and others cannot. They have created a new payment system with AmEx, Visa and MasterCard as partners, and used that new payment system to pay via NFC and special Apple Pay payment system scanners at retailers. Another example, not first-to-market, but best-to-market.
  • I disagree. The iphone 1, retina in the iphone 4, The ipad, Lightning in the iphone 5, retina in the ipad, 64 bit cpu in the 5s, all apple being first. This release set is just late to the game. They may do some of it better, but will that be enough to stop the market share loss? Who knows.
  • In a few features they are first to market, but only as a feature and not as a product, that I will concede. What do you mean by iPhone 1? That is by no means the first smart phone as Blackberry can tell you (and many had Palm phones, like the Samsung I-300 that I had way back when). Retina and 64-bit CPU, those are things only Apple and a couple other companies could do, because they are both a silicon manufacturer and a product manufacturer. Either way, there is a pattern, a formula they follow. It is deliberate, and deliberated - and not necessarily following what the other tech companies pursue. They forge their own direction, so if you like it, buy their products. I like the guiding principles of usability, interoperability, security and privacy. Those speak to me, and I own at least one of every type of product they make (except CarPlay).
  • Just in case you haven't notice, those high res is actually the downside of the coin. The hardware can't compensate thus the stutter during heavy load is there. I know that this sounds very simple but I always found these people who proud of the unbalanced product just because it has the right side of the real number. Sigh.
  • I think I might too, I have a 16GB iPhone 5s, and I'll probably go with the 16GB iphone 6, but in hoping I can get the 64GB instead
  • Needless to say, I'll be upgrading from the iPhone 5s. Cutting edge needs to be kept sharp :)
  • will you be getting the 6 plus or the 6?
  • I'm looking forward to your very in-depth reviews in the next couple weeks, Rene. So that means you have to upgrade, to satisfy your readers of course ;)
  • Just a typo notice. First paragraph, last or second-to-last sentence:
    "upgrading to the iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 P;us"
    Should be "Plus." Great article! Looking to upgrade from my Lumia 920 because the iOS 8/Yosemite integration looks amazing.
  • This is a tough decision...as they always are. I have the iphone 5, but am considering waiting until apples "mid"/"s" model....I just dont know.
  • That's why it's called bleeding edge, my friend!
  • 14mbps dialup? Sign me up! (Dial-up - 56 kbit/s using the V.90 or V.92 protocol)
  • Yeah man, get me a 19.2K modem!
  • I'll be upgrading from the 5S, too. Of course, I will have to pay full price, but I'm getting very mixed answers on forums and from AT&T regarding whether or not I can buy the 6 Plus for full price on pre order day from Apple's website. Some say that Apple will not allow this on 9/12, but that full price purchasing will only be allowed at a later date. Do you know the answer, Rene?
  • gern blanston, I called Apple Customer Service yesterday and the CS rep I spoke with indicated you could buy a full priced phone for pre order. I sure hope so because we have unlimited data with verizon and have to pay full price. I'll give them another call today. Fingers crossed.
  • I'm sure you can just get the "T-mobile" unlocked version because it's the same as AT&T iPhone. I did this last year with the 5S. But this is only if you have AT&T or cricket Sent from the iMore App
  • I'll be upgrading to an iPhone 6, the regular one. The plus has only one feature I'll be missing and that is image stabilization. The screen is just to big for my needs. It needs to fit in my jeans. I'll be handing down my 5s. Sent from the iMore App
  • Ditto. I have also not worn a watch since my first iPhone (3G), and I find although I "want" the Apple Watch, I most definitely do NOT need it. I think these top-end products will continue to be a fringe (yet important) market.
  • Just got off the phone with Apple CS and they told me you will have the option of clicking the unlocked phone located by TMobile. After you receive it take it to your carrier so they can put their SIM card in it You can pay full price. Apparently other verizon customers have been calling about this same issue. Can't wait.
  • If I buy the Tmobile phone at full price, I wonder if I'll be able to just insert my AT&T sim from the 5s prior to turning on the iPhone 6 and have everything "just work"? When you spoke to the Apple rep, did they give you the impression that we needed a new sim from our carrier? I can't wait, either. :)
  • gern blanston., I ended up going over to Apple this evening. Now they told me you can't preorder if you are going to pay full price. That can only be done in the store starting the 19th. From what I understand iphone only has one type of hardware. I know for a fact if you take out the Verizon SIM card and replace it with an ATT SIM card it will work. My son and I tried it @ an ATT store in fact we had a stronger signal! Verizon told us all iPhone 5 are unlocked. So I guess I may head over to apple on the 19th.
  • Actually, all iPhones don't have the same type of hardware. There are GSM and GSM/CDMA versions in the US (not to mention the various different models outside of the US). Verizon iPhones since the 5 support both GSM and CDMA. They come unlocked and will work on any network. T-Mobile and AT&T iPhones only support GSM and won't work on Verizon even if unlocked. But they will work on each other's network if unlocked. Sprint iPhones are the black sheep and only work on Sprint's network. Sprint doesn't even offer the option to unlock their phones.
  • IOSX. actually you are wrong. We tried it out and it worked just fine. ATT did it for us. If you read the back of the box for the iphone 5 it tells you what my phone supports. I wish I could snap a picture of it to show you. Supports: CDMA EV-DO Rev A Rev B, UMTS/HSPA + /DC-HSDPA,GMS/EDGE . Even the guy @ the Short Hills NJ store confirmed it today.
  • I've experienced the refusal to unlock from Sprint. That's why I will never do business with them again. I owned that phone! There is a new law that dictates they now have to given that the phone is fully yours. Still, Sprint is not a company I'm willing to deal with anymore.
  • Hi Jim,
    I also have had this issue. I filed a complain to the FCC. I actually got an FCC Sprint Complain representative call me.
    They stated that they only provide MSL to supposedly unlock your phone. The only way they provide this number is if your account is current, you contract is up. Even with the MSL it is unclear how to unlock. Also doing some research about the Sprint iPhone 5 is that you need to purchase something called GPP. This basically allows for GSM to work on your phone. The only problem with this is that it only runs on 2g or Edge on AT&T and T-mobile. It will never work on Verizon. Basically because we bought an iphone 5 from sprint we have a brick on our hands for other networks. I could be wrong, but I have yet to find any information online that counters my research. Living in Chicago there are many places where they unlock phones. Most places say they are unable to unlock Sprint iPhones. I found only one place and they told me that they could and would only result in 2g and Edge. Needless to say, I'm most likely going to get T-mobile on Friday.
  • Hm 6 or 6 plus?!?
  • 6 Plus! Sent from the iMore App
  • Since you're a Penguins fan - go with the 4S! Go Wings!!!
  • Rene, this is a really great and helpful article. I love how you do not take the approach of you should always have the latest and greatest and should upgrade - these are well thought out arguments. That being said, I am soooooo taking the plunge for the 6 from my current 5 and am so excited for next Friday that I am shaking [Yes, I am a "fanboy" but I do not look at that as in insult]
  • No. Too little improvement. Posted via iMore App
  • I am guessing you must have a 5S or 5C. Like the article says, it is relative to what you have, what you need/want/are willing to pay for. You may be an every-2-year kind of guy, that's fine. That's me, too. Some people just have to have the latest - that's fine too - good for my stock portfolio.
  • I'm leaning towards the 4.7, but that plus looks pretty appetizing. I'm not sure how I would like such a big screen though.
    It would be awesome if the plus could run iPad apps, such as Hearthstone. Sent from the iMore App
  • Camera on the plus seems nice battery will be awesome and the landscape mode too. I'm considering iPhone 6 64gigs or iPhone 6 plus 16 gigs. Hmm decisions decisions decisions... Sent from the iMore App
  • My 16-GB 4S is full (has been for years), so I'm thinking for storage alone this is not an issue for you. If that's true - how are you with photography? I have 4 active kids, so the OIS is a great draw - although the "hold an iPad to your face" form factor is NOT appealing to me, so I ordered the 6. Maybe the 6S will have OIS instead of DIS, and maybe DIS will be just fine.
  • I'm on the 's' cycle. always enjoyed the little spec bump in theBut I have to confess the greater always enjoyed the little spec bump in thescreen real estate is seriously tempting to me switch to the regular cycle. I'll wait till it hit stores and see. I always enjoyed the little spec bump in the Sent from the iMore App
  • I'm way tempted to upgrade from the 5s. The greater screen real estate, NFC Apple Pay, the specs are all compelling. Still I'm on the 's' cycle and enjoy the spec bumps there too. I'll see when I get my hands on one come launch day if I take the plunge. Sent from the iMore App
  • I make a similar argument in my blog - even about switching from non- to iPhone. If you care about payment security (aka identity theft), Apple with the 6 line has revolutionized the credit/debit card system, and put that revolution into a NFC wave-to-pay system. It took a company with Apple's resources to pull off, but I'm fine with that! To me, if that is a major concern, that is a strong pull to upgrade now to the 6/6 plus.
  • I'm definitely upgrading early next year as I'm currently happy with my iPhone 5s. Sent from the iMore App
  • iPhone 6 64gb for now. Will be great to have the storage & I'm going Gold. Been Black since the 4s. I'll be upgrading from my 32gb Space Grey iPhone 5s which I love very much but I'd be lying if I said I didn't get screen envy when I see people with the bigger screens.
  • I got the 5S last October but really want one of the new 6 models. I'll decide which one after I've seen and handled both at the Apple Store. I'm not sure if VZW will let me out of the contract by pro-rating the early termination fee or if I'm stuck buying a phone at full price. I'd also prefer to go thru the Apple Store but not sure if that'll be allowed either. Any body have solid info on these concerns? Sent from the iMore App
  • I have a Samsung Note 2. And hating the Android system ever since I got the phone. Finally, Apple acceded to making the Iphone screen larger and adding NFC. Will definitely get the Iphone Plus. And my Note 2 will be relegated to the junk pile!
  • BTM not FTM (best-to-market, not first-to-market), that is Apple's strategy. I too wanted bigger screen size- now I have a 4S and the whole family has 5S/5C!! I am fine to wait - and enjoy the integration with the Mac, Apple TV, and Airport Extreme. Meanwhile, the 6 will be a great addition to the family next weekend! Can't wait.
  • Just waiting for Mophie to release their 6 power case.
  • I'm also on the S cycle but both new iPhones are fantastic. I've been early terminating since 2010 time chill on that and just wait on the 6S/6S Plus. Sent from the iMore App
  • I have a 5 and it's out of contract this month. I feel inclined to upgrade to 5s, one of the problems with changing the SIZE of phones is that of incurring extra costs in accessories. By that I mean those that are important to me such as clear protection, I use bestskinsever.com products, I never use a new phone without this, I will have to buy larger sizes with the 6 or 6plus. Also, cases, I use Quadlock cases that mount in car and on my bicycle. They are developing larger sizes to fit, but more cost. Also my leather belt holster hand made in NZ, again, waiting on new sizes and more expense.
    Right now, I don't feel compelled to change to 6 and certainly not 6plus.
    Big screen? If I want that I use my iPad mini! Or MacBook Pro, or iMac 27" How many screen sizes do Apple want us to buy!!
  • Beware - the cases for the 5 are different than those for the 5C and still yet different for the 5S. The 5 case will only work if it doesn't cover the home button - or leave enough room for TouchID to work properly. And on the 5C, the form factor is different, and side button size/location are different. Ever since my first iPhone, I have bought OtterBox (and now Ballistic) immersive cases, and this has proven to pay for themselves with resale value. My wife got $199 for her 4S in May from the Apple Store, because it was in MINT condition after heavy use (OtterBox Defender).
  • Umm.. I never thought that there are so many interested with iPhone ,, thought I'm the only one who wishing to have it ... But this time, many of them is interested ,,.. Maybe i don't have any chance to have it anymore... But still i await for these opportunity. !!!!
  • I purposefully skipped a 1/2 generation in preperation for this. I'll be upgrading to the 6 from my 5. The 6plus is too big for my tastes and pockets.
  • Ditto, I agree, the 6plus is too big for the pocket. I am upgrading from the 4S so going to 4.7 inches is already a treat.
  • Does anyone know if this phone will have "true" LTE meaning if I am on the phone I can still use data while NOT connected to WiFi? One of my pet-peeves with the iPhone.
  • AT&T and Tmobile have simultaneous voice/data. Sprint and verizon do not. It'll be up to the carriers to implement VoLTE before Verizon or sprint will have simultaneous data/voice.
  • Android phones on Sprint and Verizon have simultaneous voice and data. It's just the iPhone that doesn't. Posted via the iMore App for Android
  • My WP on Verizon does voice/data simultaneously.
  • The bigger screen size just screams UPGRADE UPGRADE. I bought a used 5C (but still in great condition) a few weeks ago and since I still don't have the budget to get a 6 Plus. I'm gonna wait a bit. Hopefully by next year, they'll be available through our carriers here in my country. I'm just a little disappointed they did not increase the megapixel count. But yay!! BIGGER SCREEN!
  • I got my iPhone 5 in April 2013, and I'm gonna upgrade to the 6 when April rolls around next year. Mainly because I want Touch ID and NFC. I don't care for the bigger screen (I found my old iPhone 4's screen size perfect) but it is what it is. I'm one of the people not on the S-cycle, ha ha.
  • iPhone 6 Plus!!!, PLEASE!!! Sent from the iMore App
  • I destroyed my iPhone 5 and couldn't wait the two months for the new announcement. So now I am stuck with the 5s :(
  • Definitely upgrading to iPhone 6 plus 128gb. Just pretty much the color of choice. Any suggestions? Gold looks nice though.
  • Here's a question: Will Apple refund my Applecare+ I have on my current iPhone 5 toward a new iPhone 6+? The coverage lasts until May 2015. That makes me feel locked in even though I own the phone outright.
  • The 6 plus should have stereo speakers... Without that there is no deal... It is a multimedia consumption device after all.
  • Have the 5s and I'm really torn on upgrading. It's going to cost me the full asking price unless I go to the verizon edge plan. Somehow I feel like that plan is not economically sound!
  • in ios8 video can be download from app in background mode Sent from the iMore App
  • ? Sent from the iMore App
  • I still have an old flip phone, should I upgrade lol
  • I think I'll wait till the 6c. :) Sent from the iMore App
  • Nice article, but I have to take major issue with your treatment of Apple Pay. What you need to realize about it, is that Apple Pay is not just a mobile payment system - it is a total rethink from the ground up of the entire credit/debit card system. And your quick blurb is actually not totally accurate - it does not store your credit card information on the phone. It sets up, for that credit card, an Apple Pay account on your device. The card number, security code, expiration date are NOT stored on your phone, nor are they communicated to the merchants during transactions. In fact, each transaction has unique payment numbers generated for that specific transaction, so that if someone does have an "NFC sniffer" nearby and listens in on your transaction, there is no credit card information exchanged. There is nothing they could take away from it, and use it for future purchases. That is TOTALLY secure, and a whole new way of using your cards. This is a revolution in purchasing. In my blog, I argue that if you are concerned about credit/debit card security, that is one fantastic reason to switch to an iPhone now (or upgrade), and further with AT&T "Next" plan and T-Mobile and others offering Tax-only upgrade plans, there is no excuse for not upgrading (what, you don't have the $50 tax money to pay for it?).
  • On iOS 8 on iPhone 4S: I have been running iOS 8 Beta on iPhone 4S since the first week of June, and it works wonderfully. In fact, once the Beta updates got past initial Beta performance issues, it is operating as fast, if not faster than, iOS 7. I strongly recommend, if you are keeping your 4S, to upgrade it. Even after 2.5 years of using my 4S, I still like it - I just love the 6 more, so that's why I pre-ordered...
  • I have a perfectly good 5s that has become my business partner, favorite camera, social communicator, entertainment portal, and all around single most important electronic device I own. Apple doesn't just add features for the sake of claiming victory over the competition. They have been constantly building and refining an entire system since the first iPhone, and it shows. It's been about the constant drumbeat of improving my experience with their products every year through software and hardware improvements, new features that I can really use, and following through with a commitment to refine and merge those features across their product lines. No one else does that. Certainly not Samsung or MS.... Siri was blasted as a joke in the beginning. Not anymore. Siri sets the gold standard today. Samsung has more pixels in both camera and screen, but Apple delivers a better photo, and a better view through refinement, not brute force number bragging. Snapdragon is a fine generic CPU, but Apple designs their own to perform better with less heat, memory, and less brute force electrical demand. NFC? It's been there awhile, but Apple spent the time and cash to figure out how to REALLY make it work for consumers as a secure and fast alternative to the hackers dream of credit card payments that we all use daily before just adding it to their phones as useless tech bling. Anyway, the step up in screen size of the still pocketable 4.7" model, combined with so many subtle refinements and some not so subtle additions made the 128 gig iPhone 6 irresistible to me. Besides that, it looks gorgeous, and with Apple build quality, I expect it to feel even better than it looks. The 5s will still work fine for many tasks, and as a backup phone, but next Friday, it won't be in my pocket for the first time in a year...
  • How much would ut be to upgrade a 5s 16gb to a 6 32gb? tmobile? anybody have an idea?
  • A really excellent write up. You've done a great analyzing when an upgrade to an iPhone 6 actually makes sense. Jeff - iPhoneInventory.com
  • I love my iphone 5, and love playing games on it, but my contract is up soon, and i might be able to upgrade. I probably will get another phone, but not sure yet. I was thinking of getting another brand of phone, are there other phones that i might consider. I am also worried about the bending issue this phone has, should i be worried about that, and will apple replace it if i send it in. So far, i have been an apple person and will probably get a iphone 6, but not sure yet.
  • I really want an iPhone 6 Plus but I'm not eligible for an upgrade from my iPhone 5 until March 2015 through Verizon. Should I upgrade now? I think the Verizon Edge plan sounds good, but if I wait until March will the price on the phone be better, thus the monthly payment lower?
  • I love my iPhone 5s the only reason why I would want to upgrade to the iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 plus (more likely I'd get the iPhone 6 plus) would be because of the bigger screen I could care less about the camera with that being said if I can get it at a good price I would but I'm in no hurry the 5s is just as good as the 6!
  • I still have my iPhone 5 and it's still in great condition so I'm not upgrading
  • I currently have an iPhone 5, had it for over two years. Have used the iPhone 6 in stores, like it, but is it worth upgrading? My current bill is around $60, if i were to upgrade it would go up to $90. I'm not sure the best move here, is it worth the extra $30 monthly?