From the moment the new iPhones were announced, the only question around the equinux office has been ‘6 or 6 Plus’?
We quickly optimized our TV guide app, TV Pro for the 6 and 6 Plus and were pretty surprised at the size difference, even in the simulator.
After initially leaning toward the Plus, then back to the 6 after discovering my hands are fairly small and I can definitely not comfortably reach across the device easily. But when I spent 2 weeks on holiday with an iPhone 6 from work it just didn’t really feel much different than the iPhone 5.
The iPhone 6 Plus on the other hand, feels like something really new.
Screen size = productivity
The old saying that a second screen or larger monitor for your computer can double your productivity seems to hold true for smartphones as well: the 6 Plus is more engaging and feels far less cramped than the iPhone 5 or 6. It’s large enough that I sometimes even use it while I’m at my desk – something I would never do with earlier iPhones.
Landscape mode is finally useful
For years now I’ve always left portrait lock enabled on my iPhone, only occasionally deactivating it for videos.
On the 6 Plus, the screen finally has enough height in landscape mode to feel usable. Even with the keyboard on the screen, you can still fit a lot of content above it.
There aren’t really many apps that make use of the split view option yet, and since most developers seem to be getting the smaller iPhone, I’m not sure how much adoption split UIs will see.
Everyday handling
So what’s to hold you back? I think it boils down to three issues:
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One-handed use
I think this is the main one: on the iPhone 6 you think you can probably still reach most of the screen area. On the 6 Plus, that’s definitely not an option.
But in my experience, even on the iPhone 6 you can’t comfortably reach most upper areas of the screen with just one hand supporting it from the bottom edge. You often have to adjust your grip to hold the phone from the side, the same grip you use on the iPhone 6 Plus. If you have the Apple leather case, you can really easily hold it from the side in one hand without it slipping. -
Pocketability
For most blokes, the 6 Plus should fit into a jeans pocket just fine. It’s a bit trickier to take it out if you’re sitting on a train or in the car, but not really an issue. Girls are probably going to want to handbag this one though. - Weight
It feels just right without a case and just a tiny bit heavy with the Apple leather case on. Again, just a little bit more than you’re used to, but by no means a deal breaker.
My favorite iPhone
If you’re on the fence, I’d definitely consider giving the Plus a try. It takes a few days to get used to, but it really changes the way you use your phone.