Skip to main content
DEAL WATCH: Keurig K-Express | 22% off $69.99

Keurig has changed the face of coffee, and snagging one of these for less than $70 is a solid deal. Read Review

BUY NOW
Smartphones

Apple Unveils iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus

The new iPhones will feature force feedback and 4K video.

A photo of the new iPhone from Apple's keynote presentation Credit:

Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.

Did you happen to feel a slight tingle earlier this afternoon? Don't worry: It was just a new iPhone announcement.

The theme for the iPhone 6s and the iPhone 6s Plus during today's keynote presentation was "the only thing that’s changed is everything." It's a clever play, designed to get out in front of those who might take a look at the new iPhones and ask, "So what?" But while the new iPhones don't deviate much from previous iterations, a closer look reveals some key additions and upgrades.

The new iPhones introduce force feedback, affectionately dubbed "3D Touch."

The most significant change arrives in the form of the oft-rumored addition of force feedback, affectionately dubbed "3D Touch." The technology detects how deeply you press on the screen, expanding functionality in apps and across iOS.

For example, with a slightly forceful press, you'll be able to "peek" in at emails without opening them. From there, you can either "pop" into a reply window or go back to your inbox.

iPhone 6s Specs
Credit: Apple

The new iPhones feature a 12-megapixel rear camera and a 5-megapixel FaceTime camera.

Also new is the ability to shoot 4K video, a feature that's new to iPhones but something we've seen in several non-Apple smartphones already.

"Live Photos," on the other hand, are an altogether new concept. Essentially, when you take a picture with the iPhone, it captures the moments before and after the photo was snapped. Later, you can watch your photos "come to life" in the form of little animated vignettes. Apple insists that these are not videos, but let's be honest: they're tiny videos.

It's going to be incredibly difficult to get the most out of these iPhones if you're stuck with a 16GB model.

And although we've been told that Live Photos are optimized with storage space in mind, now's a good time for another friendly PSA regarding iPhone storage.

Both the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus start at $200 and $300 respectively (with a two-year contract) for 16GB variants. However, due to the ever-increasing size of iOS updates, apps, and media, it's going to be incredibly difficult to get the most out of these iPhones if you're stuck with a 16GB model.

To put it another way, how beneficial is 4K video if you don't have enough space on your phone to shoot in it?

iPhone 6s Pricing
Credit: Apple

We highly recommend not purchasing the 16GB model.

Here's a full price breakdown:

iPhone 6s:

16GB: $199 with two-year contract, $649 unlocked, $32.45/month with annual upgrade 64GB: $299 with two-year contract, $749 unlocked, $37.45/month with annual upgrade 128GB: $399 with two-year contract, $849 unlocked, $42.45/month with annual upgrade

iPhone 6s Plus:

16GB: $299 with two-year contract, $749 unlocked, $37.45/month with annual upgrade 64GB: $399 with two-year contract, $849 unlocked, $42.45/month with annual upgrade 128GB: $499 with two-year contract, $949 unlocked, $47.45/month with annual upgrade

Also announced today was an update to Apple Watch's watchOS on September 16, as well as new colors and bands for select models. More information on that can be found here.

Both the iPhone 6s and the iPhone 6s Plus will hit shelves on September 25 but will be available for pre-order on September 12. They'll be available in silver, gold, space gray, and rose gold.

{{brightcove '4466636794001'}}

Up next