VERDICT
Apple's done what we all expected - finely balanced its latest phone. 3D Touch is a genuine innovation, and the phone works fluidly at nearly every task - but it's very similar to 2014's model.
PROS:
- Great design
- 3D Touch impresses
- Stable OS
CONS:
- Battery life low
- Live Photos don't always work
- Price high for a low-res screen
Update: The iPhone 7 has arrived, so those looking for the latest iPhone may want check out our full review. For those who currently own a 6S, you can now get the new iOS 10 update on your handset.
It makes sense that Apple would try its hardest to show that, despite the handset looking identical to the iPhone 6 , there have been loads of changes under the hood that make this an attractive phone in its own right.
The chassis is stronger, the camera sharper - with a new Harry Potter-esque way of capturing your snaps - and there's even a completely new way of interacting with the screen. On paper, it's an impressive upgrade.
See the iPhone 6S in action in our video review:
Low Power Mode
Finally, iOS 9 offers the chance for you to extend your iPhone battery life further by simply tagging an option in the settings.
The move will disable certain aspects like the phone constantly listening out for you saying 'Hey Siri', or keeping your mail updated in the background.
iPhone 6S review
In fact, if you're not bothered about the phone constantly listening for your 'Hey Siri' voice command, I couldn't really see a problem with using Low Power Mode all the time - apart from the fact the battery colour moves from green to yellow to signify that the phone is in the lower effort mode.
There's no option to toggle it on and off in the Control Centre at the bottom of the screen, which means you'll need to head into the settings to disable it. However, when your phone reaches around 80% charge the iPhone will automatically offer to turn it off for you, as it's decided that it's got enough power to see it through whatever you're going to be doing next.
It's a real shame that the iPhone 6S' battery life isn't a little bit better - it's making me wonder how much that 3D Touch system is impacting on the power management. If it's a lot, then you'll have to hope that the improvement in the interface as developers get on board is worth it.
The iPhone is still one of the better devices out there for watching films on, but mostly because the integration with the iTunes store is so strong.
While Google Play is getting to a similar level, there's something about the ease with which one can download a whole array of films or fill in missing TV series that makes me drawn to Apple's option when it comes to getting the latest movies.
And watching them on the iPhone 6S is pretty darn good too, thanks to the aforementioned laminated glass. The resolution might not be top notch on the screen, but the overall quality when watching downloaded or streamed content (either from the iTunes Store, Netflix or even YouTube) is really something to behold.
iPhone 6S review
Thanks to the lightweight chassis that Apple's hell-bent on adding into every device it makes, the experience of holding the iPhone 6S for an extended period isn't a horrid one. The screen feels a touch small, but that's just all about perception.
There was a time not that long ago where a 4.7-inch display would have been the perfect size for watching movies on, but now we've been spoilt by both tablets and the larger-screened phablets, and the 750p resolution on something of this size just feels a little too dinky for slurping down too many series in a row.
However, it's a great trade off when it comes to getting a phone that you can toss in a pocket and not think about sticking out the end, so unless you're desperate to improve your commute with the entire James Bond series (which I would doff my cap to you for) then this phone will probably suit you just fine.
It's interesting that the 3D Touch system hasn't been integrated into the movie watching experience - on the MacBook you can use Force Touch (which is pretty much the same thing, but likely with fewer sensors) to decide the level of scrubbing speed depending on the pressure you apply.
It's not a big deal, but it's something that would have been nice to see on the new iPhone.
Music - well, Apple Music
The audio capabilities of the iPhone 6S are, once again, really rather brilliant - and as loathe as I am to admit it, really augmented by Apple Music. I only say loathe because I'm getting tired with the amount of streaming services available at the moment, not because it's a poor service.
I'm yet to be convinced by Beats 1 as a radio station (I've got loads I'm already into based on specific genres, rather than the pick 'n' mix attitude of Zane Lowe and chums) but the range and catalogue on offer is strong from Apple. The curated playlists perhaps aren't in the same league as Spotify, but it's when you use Siri to get you some tunes that things really start to pick up.
Saying 'Siri, I want to hear the latest EDM tunes ' will result in the voice-powered asisstant popping off to the Apple Music app for you and starting something playing instantly (although in this case, it gave me the Spiderman 2 theme).
iPhone 6S review
It's great for when you're out running and want to change the genre, or fancy a certain song suddenly, and takes away the horrible choice of having to stop and look at your phone or carry on and try to do it on the fly.
In terms of the actual music player itself, well, Apple Music has made it a little confusing. Yes, your own MP3s are stored there just fine, but they're tucked away in the corner, with things like Artists you can follow being shoved down your throat beforehand.
I feel almost guilty for disliking that - there's part of me that can't help but buy into any service that plays on how cool liking music is, and as someone who's really, really into Girls Aloud and Basshunter, I've never really felt like part of the crew. I wonder if following artst will make things feel a little bit cooler, that I might start getting into Motown or Jazz from 1950s... but there's something about terrible dance pop that keeps drawing me back in.
At least Apple still caters for me.
I can't see myself stepping too far from my Spotify subscription though when the Apple Music trial ends - with so many playlists and the excellent Discover Weekly on the go, I prefer to get my music from there, and the quality through a decent pair of headphones on the iPhone is superb.
Speaking of headphones, there's a new feature of iOS that I'm really into: when you connect a pair of wired or wireless headphones, the lock screen will show you your favourite music app so you can get the most out of your music.
What's impressive is how intelligent this service is - working out that Bluetooth headphones mean running and thus I want Spotify, while wired options will generally see me listening to my favourite podcasts.
That's the kind of smarts I want to see from my phones , and it's good to see Apple matching Google Now in terms of helping you save a few taps on your phone's screen.
As per usual, the iPhone has launched into a saturated market when it comes to top end smartphones. This year it's the return to form of Samsung, the same low-cost offering from LG and an impressive option from Sony, all costing the same or less as this new iPhone 6S. So is it worth more than the competition?
Samsung Galaxy S7
Samsung Galaxy S7
The Samsung Galaxy S7 hasn't been crowned our best phone in the world for nothing. It's got a larger, higher resolution display, superior camera and even more power packed under the hood.
Its Android Marshmallow OS and TouchWiz overlay may not be as simple and clean as iOS, but it offers a wealth of additional features and controls - plus the always on screen is a handy addition.
Battery life also exceeds the iPhone 6S, with the Galaxy S7 comfortably seeing out a full day on a single charge, and taking heavy lifting tasks in its stride.
The iPhone 6S and Samsung Galaxy S7 are around the same price, so the choice is are you looking for the best of Apple, or the best of Android? If you don't care about OS, the S7 is the greater device, but for iPhone stalwarts it probably doesn't do enough to draw you away from Apple's grasp.
iPhone 6S Plus
iPhone 6S Plus
The iPhone 6S is great, but what if you fancy something a little bit bigger? No more are you forced off the Apple ecosystem, as the Cupertino firm now has its own Plus size models.
As the name suggests, the iPhone 6S Plus shares many similarities to its smaller brother, but the main point of different is the screen. Here you get a full HD resolution stretched over 5.5 inches - perfect for gaming and movie watching.
The larger dimensions will put some off - and quite right too, this is a beast in the hand - but compare it to similar sized Android devices and apart from the bulky bezels at the top and bottom it shapes up rather nicely.
It's still premium, the interface is still clean, there's a decent slug of power and with a bigger battery crammed inside it'll last a bit longer too.
iPhone SE
iPhone SE
You're looking for the power of the iPhone 6S, you're not fussed about the 3D Touch interface and you're thinking that it's all just a bit too big for you.
Well, Apple's decided that the iPhone SE is the solution you need - it's an identical chassis to the iPhone 5S meaning the handset is really palm-friendly and the 4-inch screen a dream to glide your thumb around. The same powerful A9 chip and 12MP camera are on board too - this really is a bundle of power in a smaller phone.
It's also cheaper too, so if you want all the next-gen features without the added heft, that's when you should be looking at the iPhone SE.
- Read our iPhone SE review
I saw in a recent BuzzFeed interview that Tim Cook bristled at the idea that the iPhone followed a 'tick-tock' release schedule for its phones, and that we're firmly in the 'tock' phase.
He preferred to say that the iPhone 6S is a 'significant change', and the tagline of 'The only thing that's changed is everything' shows that Apple really wants the world to think of the iPhone 6S as powerful phone in its own right.
And it is. This is Apple we're talking about, and it has so many fans that no matter what phone is released from the factory, it'll be considered as many people's next upgrade.
Because, for all the power and style of Android handsets, they've still not matched the subtle, refined feeling you get from using the iPhone, the confidence that the apps will work better than anywhere else, that you'll experience fewer crashes, that everything will function as you expect it to.
iPhone 6S review
That doesn't mean everyone has to like the iPhone, but it's easy to see why the fans need a really big push to leave the ecosystem and jump to Android.
We liked
Tim Cook called the iPhone 6S' 3D Touch a game-changer, and I'm inclined to agree. It became second nature to use it after only a couple of weeks' use.
The native apps are already using the system well, and it's quickly becoming a fun game to work out where things allow you get little previews or offer shortcuts without needing to leave the app itself. But when developers get their hands on the power, I can see some really clever apps and games emerging - and that will give a real lead over the Android versions.
The rest of the things I liked are baked into the iPhone itself, and always have been. I appreciate the strong and usable camera, giving great snaps no matter what kind of pics you're trying to take - and the sharpness has been upped this year too.
The overall design of the phone is strong, as it was in the iPhone 6, and I still like the feeling of holding the ceramic back of the 6 or 6S - it just feels great in the palm.
We disliked
The battery life of the iPhone 6S leaves a lot to be desired - and while I'm a big fan of 3D Touch, I'm not sure that I'm happy with the fact I have to accept lower battery longevity to have the privilege.
If Apple ever launches a smaller phone with the kind of battery life the iPhone 6S Plus offers, then it's going to have a smash hit on its hands, which makes it all the more confusing that the brand hasn't decided to bring something like that out already.
iPhone 6S review
While it's stupid to be disappointed by something so obvious, the fact the iPhone 6S is identical (in design terms) to the 6 still irks.
If only the screen had ben upgraded, or the battery life lengthened through a larger power pack in there, it would be something to cling onto.
But instead we're left with a phone that's hard to explain to users who want to know what's good about the new phone when it looks so similar - there are only so many ways you can talk up 3D Touch.
Verdict
Apple's idea that 'The only thing that's changed is everything' seems instantly to be a bit of misnomer. Yes, on paper you can point to a lot of things: improved structure, new interface method, Live Photos, a sharper camera, a more powerful engine, but in reality only 3D Touch offers a significant upgrade.
The iPhone 6S is a long way from a bad phone because, simply, it's an iPhone. That's not me saying that anything Apple does it going to be great, but the reason so many people fall over themselves to get the new iPhone is because they know it will be a solid experience with very intelligent interface touches and a great app store, coupled with a great camera. To many, that's all they need.
But being part of the Apple experience comes at a high price - literally. It's still one of, if not the, most expensive flagship phones on the market, and as such needs to impress in every way, which the iPhone 6S doesn't quite do. The iPhone 6 remains on sale at a lower price, and the difference between it and Apple's latest phone is negligible.
If you're desperate to get a new iPhone, but can't stretch to the new iPhone 7 , I'd recommend the iPhone 6S wholeheartedly, especially if you're jumping from a 5S. It's got a great interface that's only going to get better, and the overall package is still excellent.
However, if you're a little more thrifty (and still in the Apple camp) then perhaps the iPhone 6 (or iPhone SE) will suit your needs a little more adequately - you're not losing a lot and still getting a great phone.
It's only because the iPhone 6 was so impressive that the iPhone 6S gets four stars - it needed a massive leap forward to eclipse that model, but it's still a great phone in its own right.
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