Skip to main content

Apple iPhone 6 vs. iPhone 6S: Does an older iPhone still cut it?

If you’re puzzling over which iPhone you should buy, but you lack the funds for a new model, then you may be tempted to pick up an older iPhone. Apple continues to support iPhones for several years after release, and they tend to perform well for a long time. The oldest iPhone that Apple now sells is the iPhone XR, making both the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6S a bit long in the tooth. If you’re choosing between the two devices, though, we’re happy to help you decide.

Recommended Videos

The successor to Apple’s iPhone 6 was the iPhone 6S. It looks identical to its predecessor, so you may be wondering what the difference is. Below, we spell out the hardware specifications of both iPhones and dip into an analysis of the categories where you’re likely to see the biggest differences.

Apple iPhone 6S

Apple iPhone 6

Size 138.3 x 67.1 x 7.1 mm (5.44 x 2.64 x 0.28 inches) 138.1 x 67 x 6.9 mm (5.44 x 2.64 x 0.27 inches)
Weight 143 grams (5.04 ounces) 129 grams (4.55 ounces)
Screen size 4.7 inches 4.7 inches
Screen resolution 1334 x 750 pixels (326 pixels per inch) 1334 x 750 pixels (326 pixels per inch)
Operating system iOS 13 iOS 12
Storage space 16GB, 64GB, 128GB 16GB, 64GB, 128GB
MicroSD card slot No No
Tap-to-pay services Apple Pay Apple Pay
Processor A9 chip with 64-bit architecture, M9 motion coprocessor A8 chip with 64-bit architecture, M8 motion coprocessor
RAM 2GB 1GB
Camera 12MP rear, 5MP front 8MP rear, 1.2MP front
Video 2160p at 30fps, 1080p up to 120fps, 720p at 240fps 1080p at 60fps, 720p at 240fps
Bluetooth version 4.2 4.0
Ports Lightning port, 3.5mm audio jack Lightning port, 3.5mm audio jack
Fingerprint sensor Touch ID Touch ID
Battery 1,715mAh 1,810mAh
App marketplace Apple App Store Apple App Store
Network support T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, Sprint T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, Sprint
Colors Space Gray, Silver, Gold, Rose Gold Space Gray, Silver, Gold
Price $150 and up $110 and up
Review score 4.5 out of 5 stars 4.5 out of 5 stars

Performance, battery life, and charging

Apple iPhone 6S
Jessica Lee Star / Digital Trends

Every new iPhone is faster than those that came before, and the iPhone 6S is no exception. Apple jumped from the A8 chipset that was in the iPhone 6 to its A9 chipset. Similarly, the 6S upgraded from the M8 coprocessor to the M9. These upgrades translate to faster processing speeds — about 70 percent faster, according to Apple. The iPhone 6S also boasts 2GB of RAM, which is double the RAM in the iPhone 6. That means that the iPhone 6S is noticeably faster than the iPhone 6 in most tasks and a much more capable multitasker. In terms of storage, both come in 16GB, 64GB, or 128GB versions.

The iPhone 6S actually has a smaller battery than the iPhone 6, but the more efficient processor balances things out and it tends to last a bit longer on an average day. Both charge via the Lightning port and take a similar length of time to juice up.

Winner: Apple iPhone 6S

Design and durability

iPhone 6 tricks
Image used with permission by copyright holder

In terms of look and size, there isn’t much of a difference between the two, in fact, you’ll struggle to tell them apart. The iPhone 6S is 0.01 inches thicker and half an ounce heavier, but those are hardly noticeable differences. Both phones are 5.44 inches tall by 2.64 inches wide, and both feature a 4.7-inch display. Both have the headphone jacks, a Lightning port for charging, and that iconic Touch ID home button that was a feature of iPhones for many years.

Both phones are aluminum, so they’re pretty tough, but the iPhone 6S is built from superior Series 7000 aluminum, which should be a little stronger. This change may have been a response to the bendgate furor around the iPhone 6 Plus.

Winner: Tie

Display

Both of these iPhones have a 4.7-inch display with a 1334 x 750-pixel resolution, which works out to 326 pixels per inch. There’s no dividing them here. Only the 6S has Apple’s 3D Touch technology, but we’ll deal with that in the special features section below. Visually speaking, there’s no difference between these displays.

Winner: Tie

Camera

The iPhone 6S blows the iPhone 6 out of the water in the camera department with a seriously beefed-up main camera and a much-improved selfie camera. The main camera is rated at 12 megapixels, up from 8 megapixels, and the front-facing camera has jumped to 5 megapixels from a woefully inadequate 1.2 megapixels. The 6S is also capable of shooting 4K resolution video, while the iPhone 6 is limited to 1080p. You can expect to capture much better photos with the iPhone 6S.

Winner: Apple iPhone 6S

Software and updates

Initially, the iPhone 6 launched with iOS 8, and the iPhone 6S launched with iOS 9. Since then, the iPhone 6 has maxed out with iOS 12, but the iPhone 6S has been upgraded to iOS 13. Apple is releasing iOS 14 later this year, which will support iPhone 6S — and which will leave the iPhone 6 yet another operating system behind.

Winner: iPhone 6S

Special features

Apple iPhone 6S
Jessica Lee Star/Digital Trends

Immediately apparent is the inclusion of the 3D touch feature on the iPhone 6S. Essentially, 3D Touch is enabled by a pressure-sensitive screen that can pick up on how hard you press the display. You can lightly press to peek into things, for example lightly pressing on a photo in your gallery will give you a pop-up preview. You can press harder to pop straight into the content.

The iPhone 6S also supports a slightly newer and better Bluetooth version and it comes in Rose Gold, which is not an option with the iPhone 6.

Winner: Apple iPhone 6S

Price and availability

If you want to buy an iPhone 6S or an iPhone 6 today, then you’ll likely be buying a refurbished handset or a used phone. Prices vary widely, but you can pick up an iPhone 6 starting from around $110 and an iPhone 6S will cost $40 or so more.

Overall winner: Apple iPhone 6S

There’s no doubt that the iPhone 6S is a better phone. There isn’t a huge gap between them; the main differences are the improved performance and the better cameras in the iPhone 6S, but they are important updates. Since both can be had pretty cheaply now, and the iPhone 6S is liable to last you a bit longer, we would definitely recommend it over the iPhone 6.

Simon Hill
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Simon Hill is an experienced technology journalist and editor who loves all things tech. He is currently the Associate Mobile…
The best iPhones in 2024: Which iPhone is right for you?
The iPhone 16 Plus next to the iPhone 16 Pro Max

Imagine having an AI assistant on your phone that can analyze documents, write emails, and even generate creative content. That future is closer than you think with Apple Intelligence, and the newest iPhones are leading the way.

While the latest iPhone 16 models offer cutting-edge technology, older models like the iPhone 15 remain excellent. They provide a similar experience at a lower cost; some even come in unique colors that are no longer available on newer models.

Read more
Best iPhone deals: Save on iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Pro Max and more
iPhone 13 Pro in blue.

With the popularity of Apple’s iPhone lineup it can sometimes be difficult to find iPhone deals. Today, however, iPhone deals make for some of the best phone deals and best Apple deals to shop, as we’re seeing discounts on nearly every iPhone model. That includes iPhone 15 deals, iPhone 14 deals, and iPhone SE deals. So if you’re looking for some savings on a new iPhone, all of the best iPhone deals worth taking a look at can be found below. You can add to your Apple savings by shopping AirPods deals or iPad deals, or if you’re looking for an entirely different software ecosystem for your next phone be sure to check out what’s going on among today’s best Samsung Galaxy S24 deals, the best Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra deals, and the best Google Pixel 8 deals.
iPhone 15 128GB (renewed) — $600 $635 6% off

The Apple iPhone 15 finally brings with it Dynamic Island which we’ve only previously seen on the Pro range. It’s a real game changer at times and is very convenient. Alongside that, the Apple iPhone 15 has the Ceramic Shield front to keep it more protected while its 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display promises to be up to two times brighter than the iPhone 14 in the sun. There’s also a 48MP main camera with 2x telephoto lens to help you take great shots. The A16 Bionic chip has plenty of processing power to aid with software adjustments.

Read more
The iPhone 17 Pro cameras could get a huge upgrade
iPhone 16 Pro Max in Desert Titanium.

The iPhone 16 is barely out but we've already heard quite a few rumors about the iPhone 17. For one, we know it's going to lack an iconic model. It's highly likely Apple is discontinuing the Plus series, instead opting for a base iPhone 17, the iPhone 17 Pro, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max. There's also a new, debut phone in the works that's been called the iPhone 17 Air or the Slim — you get no prizes for guessing what its selling point will be.

There's potentially a bigger upgrade coming, though. The iPhone 17 is rumored to have a much higher-resolution front camera than the iPhone 16 does. Currently, the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max both have a 12-megapixel front camera, but the iPhone 17 Pro might potentially double that with a 24MP front camera, according to tipster Jeff Pu and GSMArena.

Read more