The new iPhone: is it worth the price tag?
Apple’s newest iPhone has launched with much fanfare from the tech community, but with a starting price of £539, it’s also one of the most expensive on the market.
So is it worth the money? Diehard Apple fans insist yes, while other more price conscious consumers say you can find the same quality with a different handset and save the cash.
If you’re tempted by the new iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 plus, here’s what you need to know before you put down your credit card…
The old versus the new
Apple’s already wildly successful iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c have come down in price to coincide with the new release, and in truth, are still excellent smartphones. Both models will benefit from the iOS upgrade, meaning the operating system is the same on both the fifth and sixth generation iPhones.
Some of the most notable differences include:
Screen Size
The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus both boast much larger screens than any of their predecessors. If you spend a lot of time commuting or find you regularly read from your mobile, having a larger screen might be worth the upgrade as this is the most notable difference between the old and new generation phones.
Screen size on the iPhone 5: 4-inch
Screen size on the iPhone 6: 4.7-inch
Screen size on the iPhone 6 Plus: 5.5-inch
Price
Exciting features or not, price is still an important consideration, and at least initially you can expect the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus to be pricey. They will eventually come down in price, but rarely go on sale – for the best deal, ask your mobile phone provider. Many have upgrade options or offer a discount incentive if you sign up for a new contract. The starting rate for new unlocked phones are as follows:
iPhone 5c: £319 for 8GB
iPhone 5s: £459 for 16GB
iPhone 6: £539 for 16GB
iPhone 6 Plus: £619 for 16GB
Picture quality
Many people now rely on their mobiles to take pictures on the go and leave the digital camera at home. Apple has always been the best in class for its camera quality on its smartphone range. The iPhone 6 builds on Apple’s tradition of sharp images and good zoom options, though the differences here may be subtler than in previous upgrades. Two noticeable areas where the camera has improved however are its auto focus and low-light shooting, along with better image stability when shooting video.
Mobile payments
Mobile payment – thanks to the addition of Near Field Communications (NFC) – is perhaps the most distinct new feature after design upgrades for the new iPhone 6. With the help of Apple Pay, you’ll soon be able to store your credit card information securely in your phone to make contactless payments by simply tapping your phone against a contactless card reader. Although the phones come fitted with this new technology, it may still be some time before retailers in the UK partner with Apple and roll out the service in stores. So while it’s an exciting feature it’s not necessarily all that useful – yet.
Battery life
Now that we regularly rely on our phones to stay connected, answer calls, texts and emails, browse the web, listen to music, document our lives, and much more, a big talking point is battery life. The new iPhone models have been designed to be more energy efficient, helping to stretch battery life even longer. Here is where the iPhone 6 begins to look more impressive – the iPhone Plus in particular boasts significantly longer talk time than its predecessors.
iPhone 5c: up to 10 hours on 3G
iPhone 5s: up to 10 hours on 3G
iPhone 6: up to 14 hours on 3G
iPhone 6 Plus: up to 24 hours on 3G
So tell us: are the iPhone’s new features enough to tempt you? Or will you be sticking to your current mobile a little longer?
Rachel - Silversurfers Assistant Editor
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