What are all the differences between the iPhone 6/iPhone 6 Plus and iPhone 6s/iPhone 6s Plus? How much better are the newer models than their predecessors?

Please note that the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s, and iPhone 6s Plus all have been discontinued. However, this Q&A has been updated with the latest iOS support details and more and is quite useful for anyone buying or selling one of these models on the used market.

With even a fairly detailed look at an iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus and a newer iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus side-by-side it would be easy to mistake them for one another, as the general designs practically look identical, although the small "S" on the backside of the iPhone 6s models (and the lack of FCC iconography) is a dead giveaway.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPhone 6s - Back & Front, Rose Gold Option)

There actually are four iPhone 6 models, four iPhone 6 Plus models, three iPhone 6s models, and three iPhone 6s Plus models, but this Q&A mostly covers collective differences for relative simplicity.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPhone 6 - Front, Back, & Side -- Space Gray Option)

External Differences

At the time of introduction, the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus were available in black and space gray, white and silver, or white and gold, but Apple discontinued the gold color option on September 9, 2015 upon introducing the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus (but re-introduced it in China and Taiwan with a 32 GB variant in February and March 2017 only to discontinue the model entirely again in September 2018). The final models were offered in black and space gray, white and silver, and white and gold, as well as a new white and pink-tinted "Rose Gold" option (pictured above).

The overall design of both lines is quite similar -- with aluminum cases dominated by the display and softly rounded sides -- but the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus have a slightly less slippery finish, are slightly thicker and heavier, and made from aerospace-grade 7000 series aluminum, which is much less likely to bend than the aluminum used by its predecessors. The iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus also have a new rubber gasket around the display to reduce the risk of internal water damage.

Although the specific parts are different, the "Retina HD" display in the smaller iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s devices both are are 4.7" (1334x750) with a 1400:1 contrast ratio, and 326 ppi pixel density and the the larger iPhone 6 Plus and iPhone 6s Plus devices are 5.4" (1920x1080) with a 1300:1 contrast ratio and 401 ppi pixel density.

However, the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus displays are covered by an ion-strengthened glass cover that Apple boasts is the "strongest glass on any smartphone." Furthermore, these displays incorporate new pressure-sensitive "3D Touch" capability with support for gestures that Apple refers to as "Peek and Pop" to "dip in and out of content without losing your place" for quicker access to a variety of functions within the iOS and third-party software.

The iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus also have an advanced "Tapic Engine" in lieu of a simpler vibration sensor and a faster "second generation" Touch ID fingerprint sensor in the home button for biometric authentication. Both lines have a bottom mounted headphone jack, microphone, Lightning connector, and a single speaker. Each ships, or shipped, with "EarPod" headphones that include the integrated Remote and Mic, as well.

Camera Differences

The iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus have much more advanced cameras than their predecessors. The front cameras have a "FaceTime HD" camera with a 5 megapixel sensor compared to a 1.2 megapixel camera on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.

The rear-mounted "iSight" cameras have even more significant differences:

	6	6 Plus	6s	6s Plus
Megapixels:	8 MP	8 MP	12 MP	12 MP
Aperture:	f/2.2	f/2.2	f/2.2	f/2.2
Pixel Size:	1.5µm	1.5µm	1.22µm	1.22µm
LED Flash:	Dual	Dual	Dual	Dual
4K Video:	No	No	30 fps	30 fps
1080p Video:	30/60 fps	30/60 fps	30/60 fps	30/60 fps
Automatic Image Stabilization:	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Optical Image Stabilization (Photos):	No	Yes	No	Yes
Optical Image Stabilization (Video):	No	No	No	Yes

Although some independent tests concluded that the camera difference between the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus and their predecessors aren't as dramatic as the specs might indicate, more detailed tests do show a significant difference as well as steadily improving camera quality for the iPhone year after year.

Identification Differences

It is easy to differentiate between the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s, and iPhone 6s Plus when they're side-by-side based on dimensions and the presence or absence of an "S" on the back, but identifying the specific device requires more precise data.

Many of the devices can be identified by Model Number, which is listed on the back of each phone in tiny type, but not all can be individually identified in this way, either.

Nevertheless, for the purpose of this Q&A, it is sufficient to note that the following model numbers refer to these devices:

iPhone Model	Model Numbers
iPhone 6	A1549, A1586, A1589
iPhone 6 Plus	A1522, A1524, A1593
iPhone 6s	A1633, A1688, A1700, A1691
iPhone 6s Plus	A1634, A1687, A1699, A1690

However, also note that multiple iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus devices share model numbers, so each only can be uniquely identified by other identifiers. The iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus models, however, can be uniquely identified by the model number alone.

EveryiPhone.com's Ultimate iLookup feature can precisely identify these iPhone models by Order Number (referred to as "Model" within the iOS "Settings" app under General > About), and their Serial Numbers, as well.

Battery Life Differences

The smaller iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s models have the same battery life as do the larger iPhone 6 Plus and iPhone 6s Plus models:

	iPhone 6/6s	iPhone 6 Plus/6s Plus
Talk Time (3G)	14 Hours	24 Hours
Internet Use (3G)	10 Hours	12 Hours
Internet Use (4G/LTE)	10 Hours	12 Hours
Internet Use (Wi-Fi)	11 Hours	12 Hours
HD Video Playback	11 Hours	14 Hours
Audio Playback	50 Hours	80 Hours

The larger iPhone 6 Plus and iPhone 6s Plus models provide longer standby time as well -- up to 16 days -- compared to just 10 days for the regular iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s.

Wireless Connectivity & Data Differences

In basic terms, the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus models support more advanced wireless connectivity than their predecessors. All four devices support 802.11a/b/g/n/ac with MIMO, GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz), and UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz), as well as LTE/4G connectivity, but some iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus models support LTE band 30 (WCS) for improved speed and reduced data congestion.

Otherwise, connectivity varies considerably between variants of the fourteen different models. For details, if desired, refer to these separate Q&As:

• iPhone 6 (Four Models)
• iPhone 6 Plus (Four Models)
• iPhone 6s (Four Models)
• iPhone 6s Plus (Four Models)

When they were first shipped, the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus models supported Bluetooth 4.0, but with iOS 9 installed, Apple upgraded the Bluetooth capability in these models to Bluetooth 4.2. However, on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, Bluetooth 4.2 only supports improved privacy rather than increased speed. The newer iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus models fully support Bluetooth 4.2.

Internal Differences

The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus have a number of similarities internally with one another as do the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, but the later models have twice as much RAM and faster architectures:

	6	6 Plus	6s	6s Plus
Clockspeed:	1.4 GHz	1.4 GHz	1.8 GHz	1.8 GHz
Processor:	Apple A8	Apple A8	Apple A9	Apple A9
Coprocessor:	M8 Motion	M8 Motion	M9 Motion	M9 Motion
RAM:	1 GB	1 GB	2 GB	2 GB
Orig. Storage (GB):	16/64/128	16/64/128	16/64/128	16/64/128
Final Storage (GB):	32	--	32/128	32/128

All of these models have an NFC (Near Field Communication) chip to allow digital payments in conjunction with "Apple Pay" software, too.

iOS Support Differences

The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus both originally shipped with iOS 8 and subsequently shipped with iOS 9. The iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus originally shipped with iOS 9. Both lines support iOS 10 and iOS 11, as well as iOS 12, with the exception of the minor "Memoji" feature.

The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus models do not support iOS 13 or later versions of the iOS. The iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus models support iOS 13, but do not support the Adjust Portrait Lighting and High-Key Mono photgraphy features, Dolby Atmos playback, and modest AR features (Motion Capture and People Occlusion).

The iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus also support iOS 14. However, neither support the minor Car Keys, Spatial Audio, App Clips, Location Anchors, Exposure Compensation, Burst Photos, QuickTake Video, and On-Device Dictation features.

The iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus support iOS 15, but they do not support a large number of advanced features including Spatial Audio, Portrait Mode, Immersive Walking Instructions, Live Text in Photos, Live Text Translation, Visual Look Up, 3D Landmarks, Home Keys, and more.

Finally, the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus do not support iOS 16 or later versions of the iOS, including the current version.

iPhone 6/iPhone 6 Plus & iPhone 6s/iPhone 6s Plus Comparison Chart

These differences as well as other details and pricing information are summarized below:

	6	6 Plus	6s	6s Plus
Introduced:	Sep 2014	Sep 2014	Sep 2015	Sep 2015
Discontinued:	Sep 2018	Sep 2016	Sep 2018	Sep 2018
Clockspeed:	1.4 GHz	1.4 GHz	1.8 GHz	1.8 GHz
Processor:	Apple A8	Apple A8	Apple A9	Apple A9
Coprocessor:	M8 Motion	M8 Motion	M9 Motion	M9 Motion
RAM:	1 GB	1 GB	2 GB	2 GB
Orig. Storage (GB):	16/64/128	16/64/128	16/64/128	16/64/128
Final Storage (GB):	32	--	32/128	32/128
Battery Life (Hours):	10-50	12-80	10-50	12-80
Display Size:	4.7"	5.5"	4.7"	5.5"
Resolution:	1334x750	1920x1080	1334x750	1920x1080
Pixel Density:	326 ppi	401 ppi	326 ppi	401 ppi
Contrast Ratio:	1400:1	1300:1	1400:1	1300:1
Ion-Strengthened Glass:	No	No	Yes	Yes
3D Touch:	No	No	Yes	Yes
Taptic Sensor:	No	No	Yes	Yes
4G/LTE Internet:	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Wi-Fi (802.11):	a/b/g/n/ac	a/b/g/n/ac	a/b/g/n/ac	a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth:	4.2	4.2	4.2 (Full)	4.2 (Full)
Rear Megapixels:	8 MP	8 MP	12 MP	12 MP
Rear Aperture:	f/2.2	f/2.2	f/2.2	f/2.2
Rear Pixel Size:	1.5µm	1.5µm	1.22µm	1.22µm
Max Video Res:	1080p	1080p	4K	4K
Touch ID:	1st Gen	1st Gen	2nd Gen	2nd Gen
Apple Pay (NFC):	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
SIM Card:	Nano	Nano	Nano	Nano
Original iOS:	iOS 8	iOS 8	iOS 9	iOS 9
Fastest iOS:	iOS 12	iOS 12	iOS 15	iOS 15
Maximum iOS:	iOS 12	iOS 12	iOS 15	iOS 15
Primary Material:	Al	Al	Al 7000	Al 7000
Water Gasket:	No	No	Yes	Yes
Orig. Colors:	Gray Silver Gold	Gray Silver Gold	Gray Silver Gold Rose	Gray Silver Gold Rose
Height:	5.44 in.	6.22 in.	5.44 in.	6.23 in.
Width:	2.64 in.	3.06 in.	2.64 in.	3.07 in.
Depth/Thinness:	0.27 in.	0.28 in.	0.28 in.	0.29 in.
Weight:	4.55 oz.	6.07 oz.	5.04 oz.	6.77 oz.
Orig. Price* (US):	US$199 US$299 US$399	US$299 US$399 US$499	US$199 US$299 US$399	US$299 US$399 US$499

* These prices were locked and carrier subsidized. Unlocked and contract-free as well as lease options were available.

For pricing in dozens of countries, see the "Global Prices" on the specs page for each iPhone as well as the "By Global Original Prices" section of EveryiPhone.com.

So, should I buy an iPhone 6/iPhone 6 Plus or an iPhone 6s/iPhone 6s Plus? Which is best for me?

For most users, a newer iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus, or even newer iPhone would be a better choice.

However, for those on a very tight budget, and only compared to one another, you should buy a newer iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus model as they're essentially designed as an improvement of the earlier models (unlike the iPhone 7/iPhone 7 Plus and later models, they have headphone jacks, as well, which may be of interest to those with older, expensive headphones in particular).

The iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus provide (1) a stronger and more water resistant case, (2) stronger displays with more advanced capability, (4) a faster Touch ID sensor, (3) better cameras with 4K video support, (4) faster performance, (5) twice the RAM, (6) more advanced connectivity, and (7) more recent, but not current, iOS support. That's a great deal of improvement for the price difference.

The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus still are fairly capable, and can be worth considering for those on the tightest of budgets, but because none of these iPhone models -- including the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus -- still support the current version of the iOS, app support will continue to wane from here.

iPhone Purchase & Sale Options

There are many places to buy a new or used iPhone. However, buying your iPhone from a good company with an excellent reputation -- and quality after sales support -- will provide the ideal experience and save you money and time, too.

In the US, site sponsors Other World Computing and JemJem sell used and refurbished iPhone models with free shipping. On the other hand, if you need to sell an iPhone, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac and GoRoostr will buy your older iPhone with an instant quote and prompt payment.

In Australia, site sponsor Mac City likewise has a variety of used iPhone models sold at low prices and available with a free warranty and fast shipping across Australia.

Please also see EveryiPhone.com's Ultimate iComparison feature to dynamically compare any iPhone model to any other iPod, iPhone, or iPad.