Mobile Phones > iPhone & iOS 305 305 people found this article helpful What Makes the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus Different? By Sam Costello Sam Costello Writer Ithaca College Sam Costello has been writing about tech since 2000. His writing has appeared in publications such as CNN.com, PC World, InfoWord, and many others. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on February 24, 2020 Wired.com iPhone & iOS Switching from Android Trending Videos Close this video player With so many similarities between the two models, you may wonder exactly what makes the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus different? Truth is, they're not that different. In fact, almost every major element of the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus is the same. But there are a few differences — some subtle, some very obvious — that set the two models apart. If you're trying to decide which one is best for you, read on to discover the 5 subtle things that make the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus different. Screen Size & Resolution The iPhone 6S and 6S Plus. Apple Inc. The first and least subtle difference between the models is their screens: Physical size: The iPhone 6S has a 4.7-inch screen, while the iPhone 6S Plus has a 5.5-inch screen. This is the same set of screen sizes as on the iPhone 7 and 8 series models that succeeded them. Resolution: The screens have different resolutions, too: 1334 x 750 pixels for the 6S vs. 1920 x 1080 for the 6S Plus. A bigger screen may seem appealing, but the 6S Plus is a very large device. If you're considering the two iPhone 6S series models, but aren't sure which is right for you, make sure to see them in person. You should know pretty quickly whether the 6S Plus will be too big for your pockets and hands. Camera Image Stabilization Chesnot / Getty Images If you only compare the specs of the two models' the cameras, they'll seem identical. And they are, except for one crucial difference: The 6S Plus offers optical image stabilization. The quality of our photos and videos is affected by the camera shaking — either from our hands or environmental factors (such as riding in a car while taking the photo). Image stabilization reduces that shaking and delivers better photos. The 6S stabilizes images using software. That's good but not as good as image stabilization delivered by hardware built into the camera itself. This kind of optical image stabilization makes the 6S Plus different. Size and Weight Apple Inc. Given the difference in screen sizes, it's no surprise that the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus also differ in size and weight. iPhone 6S: 5.04 inches wide x 2.64 tall x 0.28 deep.iPhone 6S Plus: 6.23 inches wide x 3.07 tall x 0.29 deep. The size difference is driven almost entirely by the screen sizes of the two models. Those differences also affect the weight of the phones. iPhone 6S: 5.04 ounces.iPhone 6S Plus: 6.77 ounces. The weight probably won't be too much of a factor for most people — 1.73 ounces is fairly light — but the physical size is a big difference when holding one in your hand and carrying it in a purse or pocket. Battery Life Apple takes advantage of the 6S Pls being bigger by giving it a bigger battery that delivers longer battery life. Battery life for the two models breaks down this way: iPhone 6S iPhone 6S Pus Talk 14 24 Internet (Wi-Fi/4G LTE) 10/11 12/12 Video 11 14 Audio 50 80 Standby 10 16 Needless to say, the extra battery will keep you from having to recharge as often, but the 6S Plus's bigger screen also uses more power. Price Sean Gallup / Getty Images News / Getty Images The last, and maybe most important, difference between the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus is the price. To get the bigger screen and battery, and better camera, you'll pay a bit more — generally about US$100 when buying from a store or a reseller of used devices. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies