Roger Fingas
Although they're still on sale, and potentially tempting, there's really no reason you should be buying an iPhone 6 or 6 Plus in early 2016 — even if you're not interested in the iPhone SE.
The case for buying an iPhone 6 or 6 Plus is likely this: you want a less expensive iPhone, but the 4-inch screen on the SE is just too small. Indeed, while some people may prefer that size, there's a reason most smartphones are closer to 5 or 6 inches. A larger screen means better interface options, more and bigger text, not to mention superior experiences with games, images, and video.
In fact, the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus are still solid performers, and should hold up past the launch of next-generation iPhones coming this fall, and possibly 2017 models as well. But priced starting at $549 for the 4.7-inch model, it's $150 more than the new iPhone SE — and with less capable specs inside.
If you're really interested in saving money on an iPhone — but still want something fresh from Apple — the iPhone SE is a much better value. Sure, it has a 4-inch screen and a weak front camera, but it crams most of the specifications of the iPhone 6s into a device that starts at $399. The model you likely need, with 64 gigabytes of storage, is still $499 — $50 cheaper than a 16-gigabyte iPhone 6.
If screen space is critical, you should probably go with a 6s. You'll also be getting a faster device that Apple should support longer. As a bonus, you'll get things like a better camera and 3D Touch.
But the smartest decision is to wait, if you can. Apple is likely just five months away from shipping new iPhones, which should be faster still and improved in other ways we haven't confirmed yet.
In our view, the only condition under which you should consider an iPhone 6 or 6 Plus is if you can find it at a sharp discount, whether online or from friends and family. Otherwise, choose the iPhone SE or the iPhone 6s, or wait until September. The iPhone 6, at its current price and place in the lineup, is not the smart choice.
Malcolm Owen
Christine McKee
Andrew Orr
William Gallagher
14 Comments
Welcome to the world of bad advice. While it's generally advisable to wait for the next upgrade, if it's only months away, advice to buy down - to save a few hundred dollars - is stupid. The iPhone 6 and 6s maybe be getting long in the tooth, but that's not a good reason to invest in the SE, which is just an iPhone 5 with upgraded innards. The SE is really an attempt to keep the iPhone 5 crowd, particularly those who don't want a bigger screen. Nobody shopping for an iPhone 6 should be steered to the SE because the SE is "new" and "cheaper." It ought to be cheaper. It's an iPhone 5. That the insides have been updated is really beside the point. You can get the same update by getting an iPhone 6 or 6s.
iPhone4 (white) was the design I liked the most.
So, excellent, when true.
Also, with oled, battery life will be good again.