Apple had “big” news for iPhone lovers at its media event on Tuesday, debuting the 4.7-inch iPhone 6, and the even larger 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus. The iPhone 6 starts at $199 for a 16GB model, while the iPhone 6 Plus starts at $299 for a 16GB capacity handset.
Both handsets are powered by the new A8 processor, which is a 64-bit engine, delivering 25% faster CPU performance, is 13% smaller, and is 50% more energy efficient than the A7 it replaces. The new handset also boasts a next-generation M8 motion coprocessor, which can sense elevation changes via its new built-in barometer.
Both handsets boast a “Retina HD” display, with the 4.7-inch model sporting a 1334 x 750 display at 326 pixels-per-inch for over 1 million pixels, while the iPhone 6 Plus features a 1920 x 1080 display at 401pixels-per-inch for two million pixels.
Both iPhone 6 models boast an improved camera system, with a new 8-megapixel sensor, a circular True Tone flash, and what Apple calls “Focus Pixel” technology that allows the lens to move in and out to better autofocus. The iPhone 6 Plus also includes an optical image stabilization feature.
Both devices are capable of shooting 1080p video at 30fps and 60fps, along with 240fps slo-mo video, twice the frames per second available for slo-mo on the iPhone 5s. The camera will also shoot single-shot HDR photos, and take HDR video.
The new handsets are both thinner than any handset ever made by Apple, coming in as just 6.9 mm “thin” for the iPhone 6 and 7.1 mm thickness for the iPhone 6 Plus.
Apple says the iPhone 6 will go for 50 hours of battery life for music, 11 hours for playing video, 11 hours of Wi-Fi web browsing, and 10 hours when using LTE for browsing. The iPhone 6 Plus, thanks to its larger battery will go 80 hours of battery life for audio, 14 hours for video, and 12 hours for wither Wi-Fi or LTE web browsing.
Both handsets are now capable of Voice Over LTE (VoLTE) technology, and also boast 802.11ac Wi-Fi for 3x faster Wi-Fi support, and are capable of Wi-Fi calling.
Pricing looks good, as the The iPhone 6 will be available in 16 GB, 64 GB, and 128 GB capacities for $199, $299, and $399. The iPhone 6 Plus will be available in identical storage capacities for $299, $399, and $499, respectively. Both models will be available in Space Gray, Gold, and Silver color schemes.
For those on a budget, the iPhone 5s will now be available for $99 for a 16GB model, while an 8GB iPhone 5c is now free on contract.
The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus will be available for preorder this Friday, September 12th, and will be available for sale to the public on Friday, September 19th.
