Apple iPhone 6s Plus camera review

Apple iPhone 6s Plus camera review

Apple iPhone 6s Plus camera review

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. Concerning 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 visible. 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 thoroughly. 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.

Apple iPhone 6s Plus camera review

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.

Apple iPhone 6s Plus camera review

Concerning design, the iPhone 6s Plus is virtually identical to the 6 Plus. According to Apple the metal material is now more durable and due to the Force Touch technology in the screen, the 's' model is a fraction of a millimeter thicker. That said, you'd have to look extremely closely to notice. For a 5.5-inch device, the 6s Plus is large and fairly heavy, giving it a solid feel but also making it a little less convenient for one-handed use than some competitors. With its minimalist design and rounded edges, it's very nice to look at but can also be a little slippery. When used as a camera a rubber case definitely can improve handling. With the camera module located in the extreme corner, it's also easy to accidentally cover the lens or flash with your finger when shooting in portrait orientation. 

There's no change to the control layout. On the front, the Home button is the only control and the power button can be found on the right side of the device. The volume buttons on the left edge can be used to trigger the camera shutter but of course, this doesn't offer the two-stage action of a real shutter button. 


On the camera hardware side of things, the new model comes with a few changes. Sensor resolution has been increased to 12MP which means the iPhone still offers the lowest pixel count of all current high-end smartphones but is closer to the 13, 16 and 20MP competition than the old model was. Besides, the number of phase-detection autofocus sensors on the chip has been increased by 50%. At F2.2 the aperture remains the same as on the predecessor but the 29mm equivalent focal length is now a touch wider than before and more in line with the Android and Windows competition.

At the heart of the iPhone, 6s Plus is Apple's new A9 processor and 2GB RAM which, like on previous models, doesn't look too impressive in comparison to some high-end Android devices but in daily operation, the Apple is still one of the most responsive and smoothly operating devices we have used.