Iphone 6s Plus Vs Iphone 6 Is The Upgrade Really Worth It

When Apple released the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus in 2015, many owners of the previous year’s iPhone 6 faced a familiar dilemma: should they upgrade? The design looked nearly identical, but under the surface, significant improvements had been made. For users still on the iPhone 6, the decision to move to the 6s Plus isn’t just about new features—it’s about whether those changes deliver real-world benefits that justify the cost.

This article breaks down the key differences between the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s Plus, evaluates how they perform in everyday use, and helps you decide if the upgrade makes sense for your lifestyle and budget.

Design and Build: Subtle Changes, Big Impact?

At first glance, the iPhone 6s Plus looks almost identical to the iPhone 6. Both feature a 4.7-inch (iPhone 6) and 5.5-inch (iPhone 6s Plus) display, aluminum unibody construction, rounded edges, and similar button layouts. However, Apple made subtle but meaningful upgrades to the build quality.

The iPhone 6s Plus uses 7000-series aerospace-grade aluminum, which is more resistant to bending than the 6000-series used in the iPhone 6. This addressed the “bendgate” controversy that affected early iPhone 6 units when pressure was applied. While most users never experienced bending, the sturdier frame adds peace of mind.

The weight difference is noticeable—the 6s Plus is slightly heavier at 192 grams compared to the iPhone 6’s 129 grams. This extra heft comes from improved internal components and a larger battery. Some users appreciate the premium feel; others find it less pocket-friendly.

Tip: If you frequently carry your phone in tight pockets or use it one-handed, test the size and weight before upgrading—comfort matters more than specs.

Performance: A Quantum Leap in Speed

The most compelling reason to upgrade lies beneath the surface. The iPhone 6 runs on the Apple A8 chip with 1GB of RAM, while the iPhone 6s Plus features the A9 chip and 2GB of RAM. This may seem like a modest jump on paper, but in practice, it translates to a dramatically smoother experience.

Apps launch faster, multitasking is more fluid, and graphics-intensive games run without stuttering. iOS updates also favor newer hardware. While the iPhone 6 received updates up to iOS 12, the 6s Plus was supported through iOS 15—three additional years of security patches and feature enhancements.

For users who rely on their phones for productivity, social media, or photography, the performance gap becomes increasingly apparent over time. The iPhone 6 can feel sluggish when switching between apps or loading high-resolution content, especially as modern apps demand more processing power.

“Upgrading from an A8 to an A9 chip isn’t just about speed—it’s about longevity. The 6s Plus handled software updates and app demands far longer than the 6.” — David Lin, Mobile Device Analyst

Camera Upgrades That Deliver Real Results

If you take photos regularly, the camera improvements alone might justify the upgrade. The iPhone 6 has an 8-megapixel rear camera with decent low-light performance for its time. The iPhone 6s Plus bumps this up to 12 megapixels, introducing better detail, dynamic range, and color accuracy.

More importantly, the 6s Plus includes optical image stabilization (OIS), which the standard iPhone 6 lacks. OIS reduces blur in low-light conditions and during handheld shooting, resulting in sharper images. It also enables 4K video recording—a feature absent on the iPhone 6.

The front-facing camera sees a major upgrade too: from 1.2MP on the iPhone 6 to 5MP on the 6s Plus. Selfies are noticeably clearer, and FaceTime calls look significantly better.

Feature	iPhone 6	iPhone 6s Plus
Rear Camera	8MP, f/2.2	12MP, f/2.2, OIS
Front Camera	1.2MP	5MP
Video Recording	1080p HD	4K UHD
Slow Motion Video	720p at 120fps	720p at 240fps

For casual photographers, these improvements mean fewer blurry shots and better memories captured. For content creators, the ability to shoot 4K video was a game-changer at the time.

Battery Life and Daily Usability

The iPhone 6s Plus has a larger battery (2915 mAh) compared to the iPhone 6 (1810 mAh), but higher screen resolution and a more powerful processor offset some of that gain. In real-world usage, the 6s Plus typically delivers 1–2 hours more screen-on time, especially when running newer apps or streaming media.

One user reported: after upgrading from an aging iPhone 6 with degraded battery health, the 6s Plus provided consistent all-day battery life even with heavy email, messaging, and navigation use. This improvement wasn’t just about capacity—it was about efficiency and sustained performance.

Additionally, the 6s Plus supports LTE Advanced, offering faster download speeds and better network reliability in supported areas. While not critical for everyone, users in urban environments with strong carrier coverage noticed quicker page loads and smoother streaming.

Mini Case Study: Sarah’s Upgrade Decision

Sarah had used her iPhone 6 since 2014. By late 2016, she noticed apps crashing, slow Safari performance, and frequent prompts to close background apps. Her camera struggled in dim lighting, and her battery barely lasted half a day.

She considered buying a refurbished iPhone 6s Plus for $275. After testing one in-store, she was impressed by how quickly apps opened and how smooth the camera interface felt. She upgraded and immediately noticed longer battery life, crisper photos, and no lag when editing videos for her small business Instagram page.

“It felt like getting a new phone without paying flagship prices,” she said. “The upgrade paid for itself in productivity.”

Is 3D Touch Worth the Hype?

One of the headline features of the iPhone 6s series was 3D Touch—a pressure-sensitive screen that enabled context menus and quick actions. Press harder on an app icon to access shortcuts, or preview links before opening them.

In theory, it streamlined navigation. In practice, adoption was mixed. Many users found it inconsistent or unnecessary. Third-party app support varied, and accidental triggers were common. While innovative, 3D Touch didn’t become essential for most people.

Apple eventually phased out 3D Touch in later models in favor of Haptic Touch, a long-press alternative. So while it was a novel addition, it shouldn’t be a deciding factor in your upgrade choice.

Checklist: Should You Upgrade?

Before making the leap, consider these factors:

• ✅ Is your iPhone 6 experiencing slowdowns or frequent app crashes?
• ✅ Has your battery degraded to below 80% health?
• ✅ Do you want better photo and video quality?
• ✅ Are you still using iOS versions below iOS 12?
• ✅ Can you find a reliable iPhone 6s Plus at a reasonable price?

If you answered yes to three or more, the upgrade is likely worthwhile—even today, for collectors or secondary device users.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the iPhone 6 still run modern apps?

Limitedly. Most current apps require iOS 13 or later, which the iPhone 6 doesn’t support. Basic functions like calls, texts, and older app versions still work, but compatibility is shrinking.

Is the iPhone 6s Plus waterproof?

No. Neither the iPhone 6 nor the 6s Plus has an official IP rating for water resistance. They offer minimal splash protection but shouldn’t be submerged or exposed to liquids.

How much did the iPhone 6s Plus improve over time?

With each iOS update, the performance advantage grew. Features like Portrait Mode (via software update), improved Siri responses, and better camera algorithms maximized the hardware potential—something the iPhone 6 couldn’t match.

Final Verdict: Yes, the Upgrade Was Worth It

For most iPhone 6 users in 2015–2017, upgrading to the iPhone 6s Plus delivered tangible benefits: faster performance, superior camera, longer software support, and better durability. The near-identical design masked substantial internal upgrades that extended usability by several years.

Even now, for someone seeking a functional iOS device on a budget, a well-maintained iPhone 6s Plus offers more value than a worn-out iPhone 6. The combination of screen size, battery life, and app compatibility made it one of Apple’s most balanced releases.

🚀 Ready to evaluate your own upgrade path? Check your iPhone’s battery health in Settings > Battery, and consider how often you hit performance limits. Sometimes, the smallest hardware leap makes the biggest difference.