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Apple iPhone 6s Plus review

Apple iPhone 6s Plus review

DPReview smartphone reviews are written with the needs of photographers in mind. We focus on camera features, performance, and image quality.
The iPhone 6s Plus is the iPhone 6s' bigger brother and, apart from the larger 5.5-inch screen, mainly distinguishes itself from the smaller model by offering optical image stabilization system in its camera module. In terms of design it's as good as identical to its predecessor iPhone 6 Plus, but the hull is now made out of stronger aluminum and glass that Apple claims is the most durable in the industry.
Under the hood the improvements on the new model are more obvious. In the camera module sensor resolution has been upped to 12MP and there are 50% more phase detection sensors, 'focus-pixels' in Apple terms, located across the chip. In video mode the camera is now capable of recording 4K footage and the panorama mode can capture even larger images than before, up to 63MP. The FaceTime front camera comes with an increased 5MP resolution and, like we've seen on a variety of devices before, can now use the brightness of the display as a flash-substitute in low light conditions. 
Naturally, the new model also comes with a more powerful chipset and increased memory. The screen is also now pressure-sensitive, a feature Apple calls 3D Touch. In the gallery app for example, it allows you to preview an image by touching the thumbnail lightly, while a hard press opens it up fully. This works in the same way on websites and for other types of content. We've put the iPhone 6s Plus through its paces, as always, with a focus on the camera and imaging. Read on to find out how we got on.

Key Photographic / Video Specifications

  • 12MP BSI CMOS sensor with on-sensor phase detection
  • F2.2 aperture
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • Dual-LED flash
  • 4K-video
  • 5MP front camera

Other Specifications

  • 5.5-inch 1080p IPS LCD display (401ppi)
  • iOS 9 operating system
  • Apple A9 chipset
  • 2GB RAM
  • 16/64/128GB storage options
  • Force Touch Display
  • 2750 mAh battery

Our 11-page review

We've considered every aspect of the Apple iPhone 6s Plus with the photographer in mind. We examined the user interface of the native camera app and its special features. We experimented with the camera's performance when taking stills and video, and had a play with the device's many special feature modes.

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