Iphone 6 Vs Galaxy S4 Was Upgrading Really Worth It

In 2014, smartphone buyers faced a pivotal decision: stick with Android’s flagship powerhouse, the Samsung Galaxy S4, or make the leap to Apple’s newly redesigned iPhone 6. The choice wasn’t just about brand loyalty—it involved trade-offs in screen size, ecosystem integration, software updates, and long-term usability. For many users, especially those coming from older iPhones or mid-tier Android devices, the upgrade felt transformative. But for Galaxy S4 owners already immersed in Android’s flexibility, the shift raised questions. Was the switch truly worth it?

This article breaks down the key differences between the iPhone 6 and Galaxy S4—not just on paper, but in everyday use—offering insight into whether upgrading made practical sense at the time and how both devices held up over time.

Design and Build: A Shift in Philosophy

The iPhone 6 marked a turning point in Apple’s design language. With its rounded edges, aluminum unibody, and 4.7-inch display (a significant jump from the iPhone 5s’ 4-inch screen), Apple finally embraced larger screens. The result was sleek, minimalist, and pocket-friendly—but not without criticism. Early reports of “bendgate” raised concerns about structural integrity under pressure, though real-world cases were rare.

In contrast, the Galaxy S4, released in 2013, featured a 5-inch Full HD Super AMOLED display housed in a polycarbonate body. While less premium-feeling than metal, the plastic build offered durability and lighter weight. Its textured back panel improved grip, and the removable battery and expandable storage added user convenience that Apple didn’t offer.

Apple prioritized elegance and tight integration; Samsung emphasized customization and repairability. Your preference here often came down to values: refined simplicity versus functional versatility.

Tip: If you value long-term hardware control—like swapping batteries or adding storage—a device with a removable back panel and microSD support may serve you better over time.

Performance and Software Experience

Beneath the surface, the iPhone 6 ran on Apple’s custom A8 chip with 1GB of RAM, while the Galaxy S4 used either Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 600 or Samsung’s Exynos 5 Octa, depending on region, paired with 2GB of RAM. On paper, the S4 had more memory, but iOS’s efficient architecture allowed the iPhone 6 to deliver smoother multitasking and app launch times in real-world use.

iOS 8 introduced features like Control Center, HealthKit, and enhanced notifications, aligning closely with Apple’s ecosystem—especially useful if you owned a Mac or iPad. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S4 shipped with Android 4.2.2 (upgradable to 5.0.1) and Samsung’s TouchWiz UI, which packed in dozens of additional features: Air View, Smart Pause, S Translator, and more. However, this feature-rich layer often felt bloated and slowed performance over time.

Critically, Apple committed to five years of iOS updates for the iPhone 6, meaning it received support through iOS 12. The Galaxy S4, by contrast, officially got only two major Android upgrades (to KitKat and Lollipop), with security patches ending much earlier. This difference became stark by 2016–2017, when S4 users struggled with outdated apps and security vulnerabilities, while iPhone 6 owners still enjoyed modern functionality.

“Longevity isn’t just about hardware—it’s about software support. Apple’s update model gives older devices new life.” — David Lin, Mobile Analyst at TechPulse Weekly

Camera Quality: Real-World Results

The camera race in 2014 was heating up. The Galaxy S4 boasted a 13MP rear sensor with advanced modes like Dual Shot, Drama Mode, and Eraser. It also featured a 2MP front camera, strong for its time. Image quality was sharp in daylight, though dynamic range suffered in high-contrast scenes.

The iPhone 6 stepped in with a seemingly modest 8MP sensor—but Apple focused on pixel quality, larger pixels, and improved image processing. The result? Better low-light performance, more natural color reproduction, and superior video stabilization (1080p at 60fps). Face detection, autofocus, and True Tone flash also contributed to consistently reliable shots.

For casual photographers, the iPhone 6 often produced more dependable results with less effort. Enthusiasts who enjoyed experimenting might have preferred the S4’s breadth of options, but many found them gimmicky in daily use.

Feature	iPhone 6	Galaxy S4
Rear Camera	8MP, f/2.2, BSI sensor	13MP, f/2.2, LED flash
Front Camera	1.2MP, FaceTime HD	2MP, Wide-angle
Video Recording	1080p@60fps, stereo audio	1080p@30fps, mono audio
Low-Light Performance	Stronger due to larger pixels	Average, prone to noise
Special Features	Slo-Mo video (720p@240fps)	Dual Shot, Sound & Shot, Eraser

Battery Life and Charging Flexibility

The Galaxy S4 held a 2,600mAh battery compared to the iPhone 6’s 1,810mAh unit. On paper, this suggested a clear win for Samsung. In practice, efficiency narrowed the gap. Moderate users could expect a full day from either device, but heavy usage—streaming, gaming, GPS navigation—drained the iPhone faster.

However, the S4’s advantage went beyond capacity. Its removable battery allowed users to carry spares, and microUSB charging meant compatibility with nearly any cable. The iPhone 6 required Lightning cables, which were proprietary and easily lost. No expandable storage and non-replaceable battery limited long-term adaptability.

One overlooked factor was thermal management. The S4, particularly the Exynos version, was prone to overheating during extended use, sometimes triggering throttling. The iPhone 6 ran cooler and more consistently, contributing to stable performance even after hours of use.

Mini Case Study: Sarah’s Upgrade Dilemma

Sarah had been using a Galaxy S4 since 2013. By late 2014, her phone was slowing down—apps crashed, updates failed, and the battery barely lasted half a day. She considered upgrading to the S5 but was intrigued by friends praising the new iPhone 6.

After testing both in-store, she chose the iPhone 6. Her reasoning? Reliability mattered more than features. She wanted a phone that would last three years without degrading. Two years later, her iPhone 6 still received iOS updates, ran WhatsApp and Instagram smoothly, and held a charge well enough for daily commutes. Her old S4, left unused, couldn’t even boot past the Samsung logo.

“I missed some Android tricks,” she admitted, “but never having to worry about whether an app would work—that was worth the switch.”

Was Upgrading Really Worth It? A Checklist

For current Galaxy S4 owners wondering whether to switch, consider these factors:

• Ecosystem Integration: Do you use other Apple devices? Seamless Handoff, iCloud sync, and AirDrop add real value.
• Software Longevity: Will you keep your phone for 3+ years? iPhone 6 had longer support.
• App Optimization: Many developers prioritized iOS for stability and revenue.
• Hardware Flexibility: Need expandable storage or a spare battery? S4 wins here.
• User Interface Preference: Do you prefer clean, consistent design (iOS) or customizable features (Android)?

Frequently Asked Questions

Could the iPhone 6 run modern apps as well as the Galaxy S4 in 2015?

Yes. Despite lower specs on paper, iOS optimization allowed the iPhone 6 to run most 2015–2017 apps more smoothly than the aging Galaxy S4, especially after the latter lost developer support.

Did the Galaxy S4 have any advantages over the iPhone 6?

Absolutely. It offered a sharper screen, removable battery, microSD support (up to 64GB), IR blaster, and broader file system access. Power users valued these features highly.

Is the iPhone 6 still usable today?

As of 2024, no—not reliably. It cannot update beyond iOS 12, lacks support for modern security protocols, and most current apps no longer install. It’s effectively obsolete.

Final Verdict: Context Determines Value

Whether upgrading from the Galaxy S4 to the iPhone 6 was “worth it” depended entirely on individual needs. For someone embedded in Google’s ecosystem, rooting their phone, or relying on SD cards for media, the switch brought frustration. But for users prioritizing long-term reliability, consistent software updates, and seamless integration with other Apple products, the iPhone 6 represented a meaningful step forward.

The true differentiator wasn’t raw specs—it was sustainability. Apple’s commitment to multi-year updates gave the iPhone 6 a lifespan the Galaxy S4 couldn’t match. By 2016, thousands of S4 users faced forced upgrades simply because their phones stopped receiving critical updates. iPhone 6 users, meanwhile, continued browsing, messaging, and navigating with confidence.

In hindsight, the iPhone 6 wasn’t the most powerful phone of 2014—but it was one of the most enduring.

💬 Still torn between ecosystems? Share your upgrade story or lessons learned switching from Android to iPhone—we’d love to hear what mattered most to you.