Iphone 10 Vs Iphone 6s Plus Is Upgrading To The X Really Worth It

For years, the iPhone 6s Plus was a benchmark for durability, performance, and battery life in Apple’s lineup. Released in 2015, it remained a favorite long after newer models arrived. But when the iPhone X launched in 2017, it marked a radical shift in Apple’s smartphone design and functionality. If you're still holding onto your iPhone 6s Plus and wondering whether it's time to upgrade to the iPhone X, the answer isn’t just about new features—it’s about real-world value, usability, and future-proofing.

This comparison dives deep into the key differences between these two devices, helping you decide if making the leap from the 6s Plus to the iPhone X is truly worthwhile—or if your current phone still has life left in it.

Design and Build: A Leap Forward

The most immediate difference between the iPhone 6s Plus and the iPhone X is their design language. The 6s Plus follows Apple’s traditional approach: a home button, thick bezels, and an aluminum body. It’s sturdy and familiar, with a slightly curved back that fits comfortably in hand. At 7.3mm thick and weighing 192g, it’s a substantial device—some might even call it bulky by today’s standards.

In contrast, the iPhone X introduced a futuristic aesthetic. It ditches the home button entirely, replacing it with Face ID and gesture navigation. The front is nearly all screen, featuring a 5.8-inch Super Retina OLED display with slim bezels and a distinctive notch at the top. The back shifts from aluminum to glass, enabling wireless charging—a feature absent on the 6s Plus. While the glass makes the X more prone to cracks, it also gives it a premium feel and aligns with modern charging ecosystems.

Tip: If you’re upgrading from a home-button iPhone, give yourself a few days to adjust to swipe-based navigation. It feels unnatural at first but becomes second nature quickly.

Performance and Software: Generational Gaps Matter

Under the hood, the difference is stark. The iPhone 6s Plus runs on the A9 chip with 2GB of RAM. In its time, this was powerful, but by 2024 standards, it struggles with multitasking, app loading times, and newer iOS versions. Apple continues to support the 6s Plus with updates, but each new iOS release slows it down incrementally. Apps like Instagram, TikTok, and Google Maps now take noticeably longer to open and often stutter during use.

The iPhone X, powered by the A11 Bionic chip and 3GB of RAM, delivers a dramatically smoother experience. Even years after release, it handles demanding apps, games, and background processes with ease. More importantly, the A11 supports advanced machine learning tasks and augmented reality—features that the A9 simply can’t handle efficiently.

“Upgrading from an A9 to an A11 isn’t just faster performance—it’s access to a new class of mobile experiences.” — Mark Chen, Mobile Hardware Analyst at TechPulse

If you rely on your phone for productivity, photography, or gaming, the performance gap alone may justify the upgrade.

Camera Comparison: Night and Day Improvement

Both phones have 12MP rear cameras, but the similarities end there. The iPhone 6s Plus camera was solid in 2015 but lacks optical image stabilization (OIS), portrait mode, and advanced low-light processing. Its flash is less refined, and video tops out at 1080p at 60fps.

The iPhone X brings dual 12MP rear cameras—one wide and one telephoto—enabling 2x optical zoom and true Portrait Mode with depth control. OIS improves photo clarity, especially in motion or dim lighting. Its front-facing TrueDepth camera introduces Animoji and enables Portrait Mode selfies, a novelty at the time but now a staple of modern iPhone photography.

In practical terms, the iPhone X produces sharper, more vibrant photos with better dynamic range and significantly improved low-light performance. For anyone who values mobile photography, this is one of the strongest reasons to upgrade.

Detailed Feature Comparison

Feature	iPhone 6s Plus	iPhone X
Release Year	2015	2017
Display	5.5\" LCD (1920×1080)	5.8\" OLED (2436×1125)
Processor	A9 chip	A11 Bionic
Rear Camera	12MP (single), no OIS	12MP dual (wide + telephoto), OIS
Front Camera	5MP	7MP TrueDepth
Biometric Security	Touch ID	Face ID
Battery Life	~14–16 hours mixed use	~12–14 hours mixed use
Charging	Lightsaber only	Lightning + Wireless (Qi)
iOS Support (as of 2024)	Up to iOS 15 (no further major updates)	Up to iOS 17 (may receive iOS 18)

Real-World Example: Sarah’s Upgrade Decision

Sarah had used her iPhone 6s Plus since 2016. She loved its size and battery life, but by late 2023, she noticed constant slowdowns. WhatsApp took 10 seconds to load, apps crashed frequently, and FaceTime calls were choppy. Her son’s birthday videos came out blurry due to poor low-light performance.

After testing an iPhone X at a friend’s house, she was stunned by how fast apps opened and how crisp the video quality was. She upgraded and immediately noticed improvements: smoother scrolling, reliable Face ID unlocking, and vastly better photos. Though the battery life was slightly shorter, the addition of wireless charging made daily routines easier. For Sarah, the upgrade wasn’t just about new features—it restored confidence in her phone as a reliable tool.

Step-by-Step: How to Decide If You Should Upgrade

1. Assess your current pain points. Is your 6s Plus slow, crashing, or failing to run essential apps?
2. Check iOS compatibility. The 6s Plus stopped receiving major updates with iOS 16. If you want iOS 17+ features, you need a newer device.
3. Evaluate your camera needs. Do you regularly take photos in low light or want portrait effects?
4. Consider daily convenience. Would Face ID, wireless charging, or a more compact design improve your experience?
5. Compare cost vs. benefit. Used iPhone X models start around $150–$200. Weigh that against continued frustration with an aging device.

Tip: Before upgrading, back up your iPhone 6s Plus via iCloud or iTunes. This ensures seamless data transfer and protects your memories.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the iPhone X still supported in 2024?

Yes. As of 2024, the iPhone X is compatible with iOS 17 and may receive iOS 18, depending on Apple’s final decision. This means continued security updates and app compatibility for at least another year.

Does the iPhone X have better battery life than the 6s Plus?

Not necessarily. While the X has a smaller battery, its OLED screen and efficient processor help balance usage. In practice, the 6s Plus often lasts slightly longer under moderate use. However, the X supports wireless charging, which adds convenience.

Can I use my iPhone 6s Plus accessories with the iPhone X?

Most Lightning cables and headphones work, but cases are not interchangeable due to different sizes and the absence of a home button. Wireless charging requires a Qi-compatible pad, which won’t work with the 6s Plus.

Final Verdict: Is Upgrading Worth It?

If you're still using an iPhone 6s Plus in 2024, you're running one of the longest-supported smartphones in history. That’s impressive—but also a sign that your device is well beyond its prime. The iPhone X may be several generations old itself, but compared to the 6s Plus, it offers a modern smartphone experience: edge-to-edge display, facial recognition, superior cameras, wireless charging, and software longevity.

The upgrade is particularly worthwhile if you value speed, photo quality, and future iOS updates. Yes, the X costs money, and yes, your 6s Plus still turns on. But technology isn’t just about function—it’s about reliability, enjoyment, and staying connected without friction.

For less than the price of a new pair of headphones, you can gain years of smoother performance and access to features that redefine what a smartphone can do. In that context, upgrading from the iPhone 6s Plus to the iPhone X isn’t just worth it—it’s overdue.

🚀 Ready to make the switch? Back up your data, explore refurbished iPhone X options, and experience what modern iOS was built for. Your future self will thank you.