iPhone 6S Vs iPhone 7

iPhone 6S
iPhone 6S
Starting at

Refurbished price:£30.00

Versus £159.00 new

See options
iPhone 7
iPhone 7
Starting at

Refurbished price:£61.00

Versus £179.00 new

See options

Ratings

The iPhone 6S, released in September 2015, and the iPhone 7, launched in September 2016, represent consecutive generations in Apple's smartphone lineup. While they share a similar design aesthetic, the iPhone 7 introduced notable advancements in water resistance, camera capabilities, and overall performance. Both devices operate on Apple's iOS platform, offering a consistent user experience, though their hardware differences cater to varying user priorities.

Scores

Durability

When considering the practical lifespan of these devices, several factors come into play, including their release timeline, software support, and physical resilience.

  • Release Timeline: The iPhone 6S was released in September 2015, followed by the iPhone 7 in September 2016. This one-year difference means the iPhone 7 is inherently a newer device.
  • Software Longevity: The iPhone 6S received software updates up to iOS 15.8.3, making it one of the longest-supported iPhone models. The iPhone 7 also supported iOS up to version 15.
  • Durability and Water Resistance: Both models feature a robust 7000 series aluminum build. The iPhone 6S included some unadvertised water resistance due to internal gaskets. The iPhone 7, however, was the first iPhone to feature an official IP67 rating, providing significant splash, water, and dust resistance, allowing it to withstand immersion in shallow water for a limited time.
  • Repairability: Both the iPhone 6S and iPhone 7 received a repairability score of 7 out of 10 from iFixit, indicating a reasonable ease of repair for common components like the display and battery.

Year of Release

2015

2016

Compatible with latest Update

No

No

OS

iOS

iOS

Foldable

No

No

Performance

The performance of a smartphone impacts everything from app responsiveness to multitasking efficiency and gaming. The iPhone 7 offers an upgrade in processing power and battery efficiency compared to its predecessor.

  • Processing Power: The iPhone 7 features a newer-generation processor, which provides a noticeable boost in speed and efficiency for everyday tasks, demanding applications, and graphics-intensive games. This results in faster app loading and smoother overall operation compared to the iPhone 6S.
  • Multitasking and Responsiveness: Both devices come with 2GB of RAM, allowing for competent multitasking. However, the iPhone 7's more advanced processor manages background tasks and app switching with greater fluidity, contributing to a more responsive user experience.
  • Battery Behavior: The iPhone 7 is equipped with a larger battery capacity (1960 mAh) than the iPhone 6S (1715 mAh). This, combined with its more power-efficient processor, generally translates to longer battery life for the iPhone 7, with users often reporting an additional two hours of usage compared to the iPhone 6S under similar conditions.
  • Storage Options: While the iPhone 6S started with 16GB storage, the iPhone 7 began its base model at 32GB, offering more initial storage space for users. Both models were available with higher storage capacities.

Memory

2 GB

2 GB

Screen quality

The display is a primary interface for any smartphone, and while both models share core display characteristics, the iPhone 7 introduces enhancements for a better viewing experience.

  • Display Technology and Resolution: Both the iPhone 6S and iPhone 7 feature a 4.7-inch Retina HD IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1334 by 750 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 326 pixels per inch. This provides clear and sharp visuals for typical smartphone use.
  • Brightness and Color Accuracy: The iPhone 7's display is brighter, offering a typical maximum brightness of 625 nits compared to the iPhone 6S's 500 nits. This improvement makes the iPhone 7's screen more visible in bright outdoor conditions. Additionally, the iPhone 7 supports a wider color gamut (P3), which allows for more vibrant and accurate color reproduction, particularly noticeable in photos and videos.
  • 3D Touch: Both devices incorporate 3D Touch technology, which allows the screen to detect varying levels of pressure, enabling additional shortcuts and interactions within the operating system and compatible applications.

Resolution

750 x 1334

750 x 1334

Screen type

IPS LCD

Retina IPS LCD

Audiovisual

Camera capabilities are a significant consideration for many users, and the iPhone 7 brings several key upgrades over the iPhone 6S, particularly in low-light performance and video stability.

  • Rear Camera System: Both phones feature a 12-megapixel rear camera. However, the iPhone 7 improves upon this with a wider f/1.8 aperture, allowing it to capture more light, and includes optical image stabilization (OIS) on the standard model, which was previously exclusive to the larger 'Plus' models. The iPhone 6S has an f/2.2 aperture and relies on digital image stabilization. The iPhone 7 also features a quad-LED True Tone flash, an upgrade from the dual-LED flash on the 6S, and supports wider color capture.
  • Front Camera and Video: The iPhone 7 upgrades the front-facing camera to 7 megapixels and supports 1080p HD video recording. The iPhone 6S has a 5-megapixel front camera capable of 720p video. These improvements mean clearer selfies and higher-quality video calls on the iPhone 7.
  • Low-Light Performance and Video Stability: The wider aperture and optical image stabilization on the iPhone 7 significantly enhance its performance in low-light conditions, producing brighter and more detailed images with less noise. OIS also contributes to much smoother and more stable video recording, especially when shooting handheld.
  • Audio Experience: The iPhone 7 introduced stereo speakers, providing a more immersive audio experience for media consumption compared to the mono speaker on the iPhone 6S.

Main camera

12 megapixels

12 megapixels

Front camera

5 megapixels

7 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core performance and camera, several practical features differentiate these two smartphones, impacting daily usability and connectivity.

  • Connectivity: Both the iPhone 6S and iPhone 7 support 4G LTE for cellular data, Wi-Fi 802.11ac for fast wireless internet, and Bluetooth 4.2 for connecting accessories.
  • Port Types: A significant difference is the removal of the 3.5mm headphone jack on the iPhone 7, which is present on the iPhone 6S. Both devices utilize Apple's proprietary Lightning port for charging and data transfer.
  • Sensors and Home Button: Both phones feature Touch ID for secure authentication. The iPhone 6S has a physical home button with a second-generation Touch ID sensor. The iPhone 7 replaces this with a solid-state, capacitive home button that provides haptic feedback, aiming to reduce mechanical failures.
  • Physical Characteristics: The dimensions of both phones are very similar, though the iPhone 7 is slightly lighter at 138 grams compared to the iPhone 6S's 143 grams. Both are constructed with 7000 series aluminum.

Weight

143 g

138 g

Width

6,71 cm

6,71 cm

Height

13,83 cm

13,83 cm

Depth

0,71 cm

0,71 cm

Screen size (in)

4.7

4.7

Network

4G

4G

SIM card

Physical SIM

Physical SIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

Lightning + Jack 3.5mm

Lightning

The iPhone 6S and iPhone 7, while sharing a similar aesthetic, offer distinct experiences tailored to different user needs. User sentiment often praises the iPhone 7 for its improved camera, particularly in low light, and its water resistance, which provides an added layer of durability. The enhanced battery life of the iPhone 7 is also a frequently noted advantage for those who use their phone extensively throughout the day. Some users, however, expressed a preference for the iPhone 6S due to the presence of the traditional 3.5mm headphone jack.

For users prioritizing a device with official water resistance, a more capable camera for varied lighting conditions, and slightly better overall performance and battery endurance, the iPhone 7 presents a compelling option. Its newer processor also ensures a smoother experience with more demanding applications. Conversely, individuals who value the convenience of a dedicated headphone jack and find the performance of the iPhone 6S sufficient for their daily tasks may find it to be a suitable choice. Both models, available as quality-assured refurbished options, offer an eco-friendly alternative for consumers seeking reliable technology.

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