Just when we thought that the iPad couldn’t get any slimmer, a new set of photos leaked online indicate otherwise. Apple is expected to unveil the next generation of iPads this week. Apple’s latest tablet is reportedly just 7 mm thick, its thinnest model yet. Citing images from Vietnamese tech blog Tinhte.vn, the upcoming iPad is expected to include Touch ID and a fingerprint sensor.
It is said that the iPad Air 2 will be roughly the same thickness of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, which clock in at 6.9 and 7.1 mm thick, respectively. Gadgets always seem to be getting thinner, so this isn’t exactly unexpected. It is also said that the slimmer chassis might lead to the sacrifice of the mute button in the right side.
Similarly, a Chinese blog has got its hands on the internal hardware of the forthcoming iPad Air. It says that we can expect it to come with a faster A8X processor and 2GB of Ram. According to Macrumors, Apple has traditionally used “X” versions of its main chips with enhanced graphics for its iPads, so we can expect better performance in games and other graphics-heavy apps and websites.
Also, there’s little change in the design, except for recessed volume buttons, which were first adopted in Apple’s latest iPhone 6 models. According to AppleInsider, the speaker grille has apparently changed from two rows to a single row of holes.
Apple Pay, Apple’s NFC and Touch ID-based mobile payment solution, might arrive soon than anyone expected. Apple announced its first mobile payment system will launch this month, however the company did not not reveal a specific date. Now, a new leaked memo suggests Walgreens, America’s online pharmacy service, will begin rolling out the service next week on October 18. The training materials, shared by MacRumors, for the Apple Pay launch at Apple retail stores have also detailed some new specifics regarding the Apple Pay setup and transaction processes both on customer iPhones and in Apple retail stores.
It’s unclear if this is specific to Walgreens or if the memo is referencing a widespread rollout. However, according to the leak, it’s unclear if this is specific to Walgreens or if the memo is referencing a widespread rollout. Credit cards can be added to Passbook via an iTunes account or by using the iPhone’s camera to scan in details. Passbook will be able to store up to 8 credit/debit cards, according to the training materials.
The date makes sense, as this Thursday (October 16th) is Apple’s iPad event, which would also be a logical time to announce the roll-out of Apple Pay. As announced on September 9, popular drug store Walgreens is one of Apple’s major launch partners, along with other companies like McDonalds, Macy’s, Staples, and more. According to the Walgreens memo, customers who have an iPhone 6 will be able to use Apple Pay in Walgreens stores by tapping their devices “to the upper portion of the pinpad to pay for their purchase.”
Apple, the global technology giant, has introduced a new app called ‘One Handed Keyboard’ that allows iPhone 6 and 6 Plus users to type with one hand making it easier to handle the bigger screens.
The aptly titled app, One Handed Keyboard, displays what it claims to be the same size of keyboard iPhone users have grown accustomed to over the years. The keyboard is still on its initial stage, offering only a smaller keyboard that docks to either side of the screen, with extra controls to adjust the theme or color of the keys.
However, the auto-correct library is missing from the app, meaning that whatever you type is what’s displayed, the new iOS will not correct it for you. Though the App Store listing does mention that this is a feature coming in an update soon.
The California-based company has been appreciated for this as when it comes to entering text on the larger keyboards users are forced to give up one-handed use. Apple did its best to alleviate any issues for users switching to the bigger iPhone 6 and 6 Plus with its reachability feature.
Apple had a lot of problems this year. Be it production delays or #Bendgate, the company has been in news for all the wrong reasons this year. Now, things seem to be going from bad to worse. Apple’s sapphire glass supplier, GT Advanced Technology has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy with plans to shut down two production plants and lay off 890 workers.
It has been reported that GT has requested permission from the bankruptcy court to close down the Arizona plant, even after the company stated that it planned to remain operational while it reorganized its finances. In addition to requesting approval to shut down that plant, GTAT has also asked that a New Hampshire bankruptcy court terminate its agreements with Apple, which it describes in a filing as “oppressive and burdensome.”
In the original statement announcing the Chapter 11 filing, GT CEO Tom Gutierrez said, “Today’s filing does not mean we are going out of business; rather, it provides us with the opportunity to continue to execute our business plan on a stronger footing, maintain operations of our diversified business, and improve our balance sheet. Only if GT winds down these operations will it be able to stop its mounting losses and re-focus its resources on the operation of its core business of selling sapphire furnaces and other products.” the company said on Friday.
GT’s Arizona Plant
Apple, in turn responded by pointing to its earlier statement that it remains committed to preserving jobs in Arizona and was consulting with state and local officials on its next steps. “We are proud of the jobs we’ve helped create in Arizona through Apple’s domestic manufacturing initiative and our state-of-the-art facility powered entirely by renewable energy sources. We are focused on preserving jobs in Arizona following GT’s surprising decision and we will continue to work with state and local officials as we consider our next steps.” Apple spokesperson said when asked about the matter.
Earlier, it was reported that GT had failed to meet technical milestones that Apple required in order to receive the final $139 million in advanced payment. GT Chief Financial Officer Raja Bal told investors that setting up production at the Arizona plant was more costly than the company had originally estimated. Within the past year, GT has been losing money with no solid success to back it up.
According to sources, the production of the larger iPad has been delayed to early next year by Apple suppliers due to high demand for the flagship iPhone 6. Anonymous Apple suppliers have told WSJ that the iPad was to go on a large scale production in December, though the high demand of iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus has led Apple to delay the production of the larger 12.9 inch iPad.
“The top priority for the supply chain is to meet the overwhelming demand for the larger screen iPhones. The output of the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus remains unsatisfactory,” a supply chain source said, “It would be challenging for display makers to split resources and spend a few months to ramp up production for a new large screen iPad now.”
Apple revealed that it sold more than 10 million new iPhones in the first weekend since launch September. Pre-orders for the Indian sub continent have started as well. This time around, the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus have been listed at Rs 53,500 and Rs 62,500, respectively. The 64GB version of the iPhone 6 is priced at Rs 62,500, the 128GB version will be available for Rs 71,500. Meanwhile, the 64GB version of the larger Apple iPhone 6 Plus will retail at Rs.71,500 and the 128GB variant of the phone will be available for Rs 80,500.
Apple has sent out invites for its October 16 event, wherein the company is all set to unveil its new line of iPads. The invite says, “It’s been too long”. Well, we’ve barely recovered from the last event where Apple announced the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. The iPhone maker is expected to unveil the new iPads as well as an updated iMac line.
Multiple reports over the past week have pointed to the next iPad landing with a Touch ID fingerprint sensor directly targeted towards enterprise customers along with Apple Pay, though without the counterpart near-field communications (NFC) chip.
It’s also the first time new iPads have made an appearance since the Apple-IBM deal was announced in mid-July. Apple CEO Tim Cook called Apple’s new partnership with IBM a “catalyst for future iPad growth.” Apple is also expected to finally launch its new operating system, dubbed Yosemite. It comes with a number of “continuity” features that bridge the divide between its desktop and mobile devices and platforms, such as ‘Handoff,’ which allows users to transition working in-app from one device to another.
Recently, there were reports of Apple planning to launch a gold iPad Air 2. According to another report, new versions of the 9.7-inch iPads which are expected to be unveiled at the Oct 16th event will include a golden coloured rear metal cover in addition to the silver and gray that are already available in previous products.
It is also noted that the logo on the invite is similar to the one Apple used to mark the 30th anniversary of the Mac earlier this year, which has sparked the hope for a refreshed line of Mac computers.
So, the Apple logo from the invite is the same as the Mac 30th anniversary logo. So, new Macs indeed. pic.twitter.com/cn3aEcCCS5
Forget #bendgate, iPhone 6 Plus users have discovered a new problem with the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. The online uproar started after some iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus owners got strands of hair caught between the screen and the aluminum frame of the iPhone. And soon after, Hairgate caught on and started trending.
It is difficult to decipher whether there is any real issue, but Twitter users have made #hairgate a rising social media trend, leading major news outlets to glomp on the story. Bearded iPhone users have also complained that their facial hair gets yanked during calls, leading to the separate trend #beardgate.
However, it has been regarded as fabricated and misleading. Gordon Kelly, Forbes’ reviewer said, “The gap between the front glass and aluminium does not exist. There is a bevel, but the glass front panel is actually fused to the aluminium and the tiny gap you do see is significantly narrower than a human hair.”
“Furthermore even if a significant gap did exist, hairgate would still make no sense. It has been pointed out that ‘Gapgate’ on the Galaxy Note 4 (where a tangible gap exists in the phablet’s seam) was also present in both the Note 2 and Note 3 designs and owners go by without widespread reports of hair trauma. The Note 3 alone sold 10 million units in 2 months, so that’s a pretty wide test base.” Kelly added.
Meanwhile, Twitter has been flooded with funny tweets about the new false scandal. Apple has faced quite a bit of criticism since the mega launch event in Cupertino. The technology giant had to face massive social media bashing for news that their new iPhone 6 Plus has the tendency to bend in tight pockets. Apple’s biggest competitors like Samsung, LG and HTC got together with some brutal take downs of Apple’s latest flagship in an event dubbed “bendgate”. Adding to the woes was the faulty iOS 8.0.1 update which caused issues in the new iPhone and had to be withdrawn.
It is said that the refreshed version Apple’s iPad Air is going to launch as soon as the end of this month. The rebooted version of the 2013’s hugely popular 9.7 inch tablet is tipped to feature the company’s new A8 system on chip and TouchID, and many other features which debuted with the iPhone 6.
According to reports, suppliers are gearing up to begin production of the next-generation iPad Air dubbed iPad Air 2 later this month.
Design and Hardware
Back in June, Ortud forum shared some images of the dummy unit claiming it’s not a working model but all the dimensions, design, ports and buttons will be in the exact same place. The dummy illustrated the change in the home button which seemed like the Touch ID style from iPhone 5S. All the buttons are in their normal place with the rocker on the side but the lock key on this model is missing. Another big change is a small microphone next to the rear camera.
It is said that the big changes will be on the inside; a new CPU, more RAM and the implementation of TouchID, as well as Apple’s new iOS 8 software will make up the share of USPs for Apple’s 2014 iPad Air. Apple has now launched the iPhone 6 with a next generation A8 processor on board and it is likely Apple will follow suit and use the same technology on the iPad Air 2. On the iPhone 6, the A8 chipset comes with a clock speed of 1.39GHz and on the iPhone 6 Plus it’s a little less powerful at 1.32GHz.
Display
Number of reports have claimed that Apple is adopting IGZO display technology in its next-gen iPad models. IGZO display panels are said to offer better viewing angles, improved colour reproduction, as well as being more power efficient than existing LCD setups. However, it is said that this may not happen because of the never ending production issues. According to Korea’s ETNews, “The reason for this is because Sharp is currently facing low yield issues which will not be dealt with in a timely manner”. For this reason, the report adds, Apple will wait until at least 2015 to debut iPads with IGZO panels, meaning we’re likely to see them implemented inside the iPad Air 3
Color Variants
According to Bloomberg, sources close to the production of the new iPad Air 2 suggest there will be a new colour option. Plans are in place to manufacture a gold version of the new 9.7-inch iPad as well as the usual grey and silver colour options. The publication’s sources claim it is in an effort to increase sales in the iPad market that is, as we know, been flagging recently.
Release Date
Apple has planned a major event on October 16th, and it seems like it would be the day the sleek tablet is unvieled. Last month, Bloomsberg reported that the production of the iPad Air 2 is now underway and Apple is looking to bring the slate to market in late-Q3, early-Q4. They said, “Mass production of a full-sized iPad with a 9.7-inch screen is already under way, with an unveiling projected for the end of this quarter or early next year. A new version of the 7.9-inch iPad Mini is also entering production and will probably be available by the end of the year.”
Earlier, it was believed that Apple might launch the iPad Air 2 alongside the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus. This of course didn’t happen and Apple instead focused on handsets, mobile payments and wearables in the shape of the Apple Watch. With regards to a new iPad Air, nothing so far is known, apart from it being in production and tipped to launch before Christmas. The iPad Air launched in October last year and Apple, known for repeat launch dates, is expected to launch the new iPad Air during the same time frame.
Latest figures show that Apple’s iOS 8 usage has grown by a mere 1 per cent in the last three weeks. Which means fewer than half of its users are running iOS 8, nearly three weeks after launch. Compared to previous roll outs of new versions of iOS, these figure are shockingly low.
Despite the introduction of custom keyboards, the Notification Center widgets and a lot more, there has been a slow adoption. By September 21, iOS 8 was installed on 46 per cent of devices, 47 per cent of iOS users continue to stick to iOS 7, possibly due to a number of bugs that had plagued the launch of iOS 8.
By this point last year, iOS 7 uptake was already hovering around 60 per cent, according to analytics firm Fiksu. Apple said on its developer pages that it measures usage from App Store visits over a period of time. Figures are typically released every two or three weeks. iOS 8, which comes re-installed on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, has been dogged with problems from its initial release.
Just ahead of the launch of iOS 8, all Health Kit-enabled apps were pulled from the App Store due to a major HealthKit bug. A fix was quickly released, but the update, iOS 8.0.1, disabled the cellular service and Touch ID functionality on iPhone 6 and 6 Plus devices. iOS 8.0.2 fixed the problems introduced with iOS 8.0.1 and brought several other bug fixes. The publicity surrounding the iOS 8.0.1 issue may have discouraged some users from updating.
It is said that the major problem with the new iOS 8 is also the large file space; it needs almost 4.6GB of free space to install and then update. Users with 16GB and 8GB iPhones struggle to spare that much memory for the upgrade.
Apple’s latest flagship iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are all set to launch on October 17th, right before Diwali. The launch, about a month after the phone arrived in the US, will go down as the fastest launch of a new iPhone model ever.
This time around, Apple has chosen e-commerce dealers for the new iPhones. Amazon.in and Ahmedabad-based Infibeam promise a firm dlivery date for iPhone 6 sales in India. Both website will take pre-order starting noon today. The online retail firm has promised to deliver iPhones 6 and iPhone 6 plus on October 17 in all urban areas, and in rural areas in a couple of more days.
The 16GB version of Apple iPhone 6 will be available for Rs. 53,500, while the 64GB version is priced at Rs. 62,500. The 128GB version of the phone will sell for Rs. 71,500. The 16GB version of Apple iPhone 6 Plus will be available at Rs. 62,500, while the 64GB version is priced at Rs. 71,500. The 128GB version of the phone will sell for Rs 80,500.
Offline retailers have repeatedly complained to phone brands about low prices being offered by online retailers. As a result, companies are increasingly going through ‘exclusive’ partners for online selling to retain control over prices. The prices announced by Infibeam are exactly the prices that Apple has stipulated, and not lower than that. The prices are what you can get in offline stores as well.
Apple’s latest phone is still a couple of weeks away from being officially launched in India, but that hasn’t stopped e-commerce website from hosting the phone through vendors. The phone is currently available on Ebay and ShopClues.
On Ebay, the phone is available at Rs. 55,954 with an October 8th delivery date. The phone is available without any shipping charges which is the least they can do considering the massive price tag of the device. On the other hand, Shopclues shared the price of iPhone 6 16 GB at Rs. 59,999 in a mailer. The website says it will deliver the device by 8th October and is charging a shipping charge of Rs.149, really Shopclues, really?
The phone is available through vendors on e-commerce sites
Apple will officially bring the phone for sale on the 17th of this month. The phones will come in two variants, iPhone 6 with a screen size of 4.7 inches and iPhone 6 Plus with a screen size of 5.5 inches. Vendors at eBay have started pre-booking iPhone 6 Plus for starting around Rs. 77,000.
Both the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus come with 8-megapixel main camera and 1.2-megapixel front camera. The phones support 2G, 3G and 4G networks. They come in three versions in terms of storage: 16GB, 64GB and 128GB.
If you want to know more about the new iPhone, check out our full review.
Apple’s latest generation of phone is here, the iPhone 6 is the next big change after Apple’s iPhone 5 was launched two years ago. However a lot has happened in the smartphone market space since then.
Android has taken major lead thanks to diversification and availability, and smartphones have become much cheaper. A few companies like Xiaomi and OnePlus have emerged to show that cheap phones don’t have to be bad quality or bad spec’d, and that they too can create major hype.
So amidst all of this smartphone tension, where does today’s iPhone 6 stand and is is worth your major moolah. Let’s find out!
Overview
Just like every iPhone release, this one was riddled with issues as well. Apple managed to sell 10 million iPhone 6 and 6 Plus devices overnight since it went on sale and a lot of people had major issues in getting to the online Apple store. Then there is this crazy #bendgate phenomenon, and just like Apple’s #AntennaGate this one has the whole world talking about bending iPhones. People are confused and some assume that a bending iPhone is a feature of the new iPhone, just like the G Flex.
[pullquote_left]iPhone 6 is Unaffected by the Bendgate Issue[/pullquote_left]
Apple has received just a few complaints over bending iPhone 6 plus’ and the whole story seems like a media frenzy, also it does not affect the iPhone 6 at all. All bendgate theories aside, Apple has managed to improve on what was already an excellent handset. People wanted a bigger iPhone and Apple delivered two sizes. People asked for better battery and the Cupertino giant may have a winner on that as well, but hardware is not the only factor. Apple has tied in iOS 8 brilliantly and the end user experience may just be what you have been looking for.
Build Quality and Design
Apple has chosen to go with a treated Aluminum just like every year, however this year it’s thinner and strengthened at the hip using stainless steel and titanium inserts. The iPhone however, is presumed to be easily dented or nicked at the round edges just like the case of the first generation. The front glass is rounded to the edges giving the phone a massively premium outlook and a great in-hand feel. Expect almost all manufacturers to follow this in the upcoming handsets.
Looks wise the iPhone 6 is much more good looking in person than in images and video. It feels excellent in the hand and thanks to the new rounded edges, the phone will stay in your hand much longer. Everyone who has seen it, has appreciated its looks. The Golden color especially has been improved over the past generation gold.
Camera Module is Protruded
The camera module sits above the whole body of the phone, which makes it prone to scratches, however the super hard sapphire lens, makes it really difficult to do so. The Apple official case tucks the camera module in just a tad bit to add a layer of protection and not bulk. The leather case is really appreciable and well made, much more so than last generation cases.
Hardware
Procession on the new iPhone 6 happens on the new Apple A8 Chipset and it is the first chipset to include 2 Billion transistors. Which is really impressive if you factor in the size of the A8 die i.e 89mm2. The increase in the performance is based on a 1.4 Ghz CPU and a hexa core GPU. The front has a larger 4.7 inch display which is an Apple iPhone first along with a larger resolution of 1334 x 750 px, retaining Apple’s retina requirements.
The Battery is bigger on the iPhone 6 with a 1810 mAh unit in tow, non-replaceable as usual, you also get the same 8 Mp and 1.2 Mp camera combo. However improved lenses and sensor promise better imagery and we agree. There is also an NFC module on the inside, but it is only for payments and not for information bumps. Apple Pay is not available in India, in fact it won’t be for a while so it really may not be relevant. However if you are in the US, this may simplify payments for you significantly, especially if all you carried was a credit/debit card.
Performance
Performance is easily noticeable out of the box; the iPhone 6 is snappier, opens apps faster and renders objects quicker. The graphics information is about as accurate as mentioned and games that will take full advantage of the GPU will truly shine in the coming days with extra detail and nag-less gameplay.
Multitasking has taken a major bump up, thanks to iOS 8 which is much lighter and handles multitasking better, but the hardware also plays an important role and improves it, resulting in a flawless experience overall.
Gaming, Display and Multimedia
The iPhone 6 is by far the best gaming experience on a smartphone, the visual elements truly shine out in gameplay, and since all games are designed around Apple’s hardware on the iPhones, they run at best possible settings resulting in the best possible output, and therefore the best possible gaming experience.
[pullquote_right]The Display shines on the new iPhone 6[/pullquote_right]
Display is Vivid
The new bigger 4.7 inch display truly leverages the OS experience, you still get to use the phone with one hand, and once you have used “reachability”, the first question you will ask is “why hasn’t anyone else done it before?”. It makes sense and it works really well. Apple should have stuffed in a larger resolution display on the iPhone 6, but the current resolution is very good. There is zero pixelation on screen, text looks excellent, viewing angles are really wide and outdoor visibility is top notch, basically the same as you would expect from an iPhone, but better.
The speakerphone is definitely louder and more defined, however it’s no “boomsound” speaker setup and it’s no where near as great as a stereo setup. Why Apple choses to use a single speaker after 7 years of inception is beyond us, when they could have easily done a stereo setup with this iPhone. Audio output from the 3.5mm headphone jack is still the best from any phone ever and bundled with a good set of headphones makes for the best on the go sound experience.
Camera
240fps at 720p is going to be the best fun you have had with a Camera, be sure to get at least the 64 GB variant if you intend to use this. The best usage is outdoors so that you don’t get random tube light flicker. The one major let down this year was the lack of 4K video, and now that the storage was bumped up to 128GB it would have simply made sense, as the sensor and chipset is very capable and with the iPhone 6 Plus OIS would have meant excellent video.
There is a major improvement in the new autofocus capabilities of the new iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. The iPhone 6 misses the OIS from the 6 Plus which is a major pity, because there is no real reason Apple should have left it out.
The new autofocus is laser fast, and the new lens setup is better for macro. The iPhone usually has great background defocus and close up capture capability as it is, the new iPhone 6 camera improves that by a handful. You also see sharper pictures, highly improved HDR and color correction, and perfectly saturated colors. Thanks to the excellent image processing you get ideally one of the best pocket cameras today. It is also the most used camera in the world and that is just going to become bigger.
Samples:
HDR
Focus Test
HDR Outdoor 2
Close Up Focus
Low Light
Phone and Battery life
Network performance is a definite improvement on the iPhone 6, the signal strength has improved tremendously and audio quality in phone calls is definitely up there in the Top 3. The lack of a 3G toggle in the settings panel in iOS 8 troubles users indoors, because you are now unable to switch to a stronger 2G signal. The iPhone 6 however does that by itself now more than ever, which works great for us.
Battery life has seen a major jump since the iPhone 5s, which had appalling battery life. Newer chipsets, a slightly larger battery and iOS 8 tweaks are all to thank for a bump in battery which will go an easy 18 hours, meaning a full day without the need of a recharge. Apple’s extreme battery life chart is a bit off from actual usage delivering upto 7 hours on 3G talk in normal usage.
iOS 8
Apple ties in the operating system beautifully, and especially thanks to iOS 8 and hand-off, get ready to get a multi device experience like no other. While your phone rings, you can set it up so that every device on the same iCloud account rings too, whether an iPod touch or an iPad and even another iPhone will ring and you can answer the call on either. Best case example, you put your phone on charge and are working on the iPad, you can now receive a phone call on that. The same will apply to MacBooks and iMacs on Yosemite, which will receive calls and texts allowing you to not switch screens when you don’t need to.
Reachability Demo
iOS 8 also takes good advantage of the bigger displays, widening side panels in landscape and allowing you to use a zoomed in view for larger icons and text. iOS 8 also uses Apple Pay which may become the future of payments (when it’s available globally anyway). Simple things like reachability and the new improved keyboard only add to the experience of the bigger screens. Typing is definitely faster, and as mentioned before, the OS is quicker and lighter on its feet, therefore improves the usage experience tremendously.
Conclusion
[pullquote_left]The Best Your Money Can Buy![/pullquote_left]There is no major innovation from Apple this year, and most have constantly asked me for one. Once Apple Pay comes to India and the rest of the world, there is a high chance that iPhone 7 will be out by then / or iPhone 6s or whatever they call it. The iPhone 5s in terms of performance, usability and camera/optics was essentially one of the best phones of last year. The two issues, poor battery life and a small display irked many users and Apple has addressed those two beautifully in this release. What else has improved? The design and the overall appeal of the phone, the rounded edges on the display feel wonderfully natural and invite you to slide your finger on the new phone. Big improvements on the performance front and the Touch ID sensitivity also really improve the experience.
iPhone 6 with the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5
Should you buy this if you own an iPhone 5s?
If you want a bigger screen, a bigger storage capacity or even better battery management and can afford buying a new phone, don’t think twice.
What is different between the Nexus 4 and the new iPhone 6?
The question is flawed somehow, because of the sheer distinction in the kind of products. A 2011 Honda Accord and a 2014 BMW 5 Series Sedan are identical, they both have a 2 Liter engine, 4 wheels, 5 passenger capacity, Air-conditioning and even similar interior equipment. If you go into more detail they even have identical length and width, and if you add Rs. 5 lac (US$ 7000) worth performance parts to your purchase of the Accord you can make it run faster than many sports cars. So why is the BMW more expensive and more appreciated than the Accord? If you answer that question the same is applicable to the above question.
If you can afford it, the iPhone 6 is fortunately or unfortunately the best smartphone experience today, and once you get to use it and understand how it simplifies your life, you truly appreciate its experience. The experience which is again fortunately or unfortunately enjoyed best with more Apple products in your daily use scenario. Even as a standalone phone, only a minor user-share have disliked the iPhone experience, and those who left iPhones a few years back, would be delighted to now bounce back onto the bandwagon.
This was a bad week for Apple. The technology giant had to face massive social media bashing for news that their new iPhone 6 Plus has the tendency to bend in tight pockets. Apple’s biggest competitors like Samsung, LG and HTC got together with some brutal take downs of Apple’s latest flagship in an event dubbed “bendgate”. Adding to the woes was the faulty iOS 8.0.1 update which caused issues in the new iPhone and had to be withdrawn. But it seems like these dark clouds have a silver lining.
Consumer Reports (CR), an American magazine known for its scientific testing methods and unbiased reporting has put the iPhone 6 Plus to test. The magazine has an extensive testing facility where they test the products.
The magazine had previously tested the Apple iPhone 4 which also garnered negative reception because of its antennae issue. For the iPhone 6 test, CR brought the phone and its competitors for a comparative test. The results seems to be working in favor of Apple.
Through its torture testing CR found that iPhone 6 Plus was actually stronger than what was purported. Apple’s biggest phone yet took 90 pounds of pressure to bend while its smaller sibling, the iPhone 6 and HTC One (M8) gave up at 70 pounds.
Deformation
Case separation
HTC One (M8)
70 pounds
90 pounds
Apple iPhone 6
70 pounds
100 pounds
Apple iPhone 6 Plus
90 pounds
110 pounds
LG G3
130 pounds
130 pounds
Apple iPhone 5
130 pounds
150 pounds
Samsung Galaxy Note 3
150 pounds
150 pounds
The tests also found the toughest phone in the market and it turns out to be Samsung’s Note 3 which faced 150 pounds of pressure before giving up. CR also said that Apple uses the same techniques to test their phones but their machines only go up to 55 ponds.
Overall, the testing seems pretty genuine based on their testing process. This is a good news for Apple at the end of a terrible week. Though it is also good news for LG G3 which seems to be much stronger than the metallic bodied HTC One (M8.) Now it is up for the market to decide how it is going to approach the new iPhones.
The iPad Pro will be the newest product in Apple’s tablet lineup and it is rumored to release it next year. However, amidst the iPhone 6 launch madness, the news about this new device slowed down. Now, recent reports have revealed a crucial specification about the forthcoming tablet.
According to Taiwanese tech blog TechNews, the iPad Pro will be powered by an A8X processor paired with 2GB of RAM. The A8X chip will be an upgrade to the A8 processor that currently powers the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. The reports added that, TSMC, which is a major manufacturer of the A8 chipsets, will also be making the A8X chip.
Furthermore, the device is also expected to come with 2GB of RAM, which is double when compared to iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina Display, which was launched last year. According to a report from earlier this week, the iPad Pro, as well as the next generation Retina iPad Mini will be released sometime next year.
Other than that, the company is hosting an event on October 21, where it is expected to launch the next-generation iPad Air tablet. The new tablet is expected to be powered by an A8 processor, will come with Touch ID fingerprint sensor, and an improved camera. Some reports also suggested that the new iPad Air could come with 2GB of RAM, an anti-reflective screen coating, and come in different color options, much like the iPhones.
The iPhone 6 is finally in our studio and we get our dirty hands with the next generation of Apple phone. The iPhone 6 is going on sale in India on the 17th of October for an expected price of Rs. 48,500 for the 16GB variant, whereas the big brother, the 6 Plus, will be available for Rs. 54,500 for the 16 GB as per information available to us.
The box of the iPhone is no different than the previous generations, and you can expect to find the same things in the box, including a cable, a wall charger, Apple EarPods, along with some basic paperwork.
The phone is light out of the box, which may be the biggest reason behind #bendgate. It feels light and nimble although the front display is big and beautiful which immediately captures your eye.
The rounded edges sit very comfortably in your hands, many times better than the previous gen, which without a case was slightly sharp in the hand.
You see a boost in the performance out of the box. The iPhone is much smoother and the rounded display gives it a natural feel when sliding between pages. Websites look much better on the large display, which is bright and super crisp.
Apple has put in a lot of new hardware into the new iPhone since it was a number change edition Apple A8 chipset with 64 bit Architecture along with a hexa core GPU. Ram wise you still get 1 GB but that seems more than sufficient for the phone. Storage is dependent on what model you buy and cameras have not been bumped up in specs but in tech, adding phase detection, autofocus along with improved pixel capture. Slow motion video at 240 fps on a 720p resolution is really impressive.
This time around the iPhone 6 has a 1810 mAh bumping up from the 1560 of the iPhone 5s. Stay tuned for our Full Review out shortly.
