1. 3D Touch
Most smartphone users are accustomed to ‘multi-touch’ — the ability for phones to recognize touches from multiple fingers, enabling such capabilities as pinching to zoom. With new iPhones, Apple brings in 3D Touch.
Pressing down hard on the new iPhones will launch additional capabilities. For example, you can get quick access to tasks such as taking a selfie or getting directions home. From a message, 3D Touch will give you a preview of a web link without launching the browser.
Similarly, press for a few seconds on a document icon, and a preview pops out. Press on an address in an email, and a map opens up. On some video apps, the pressure determines how quickly you forward or rewind.
2. 12MP Rear Camera
After being stuck with an 8MP camera sensor since iPhone 4S, the iPhone range has finally received a substantial megapixel upgrade. iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus sport a 12MP rear camera, with 50% more focus pixels to ensure faster autofocus.
Apple says that the new iPhones’ camera will deliver more detailed photos than ever before. It can also capture panorama shots in 63MP resolution and capture videos in 4K (movie hall quality) resolution.
3. 5MP Selfie Camera
The selfie camera has also got an upgrade this year, jumping from 1.2MP in iPhone 6 and 6 Plus to 5MP in iPhone 6S and 6S Plus.
Though it is not backed by a front-facing LED flash, Apple has used a technology called Retina Flash to deliver brighter selfies. This feature increases the brightness of the screen by three times, which Apple claims is comparable to that of its rear dual-LED flash.
The front camera also gets an upgrade. It’ll be 5MP FaceTime HD camera that uses the phone’s Retina display for a flash for “detailed selfies.” Apple claims that the new capabilities will now let the display light up 3-times brighter for a flash that’s comparable to that of the TrueTone flash on the back.
Apple has also debuted a feature called Live Photos in the camera app, which will capture a 1.5-second video before and after you click the shutter in order to create animated GIFs.
4. A New Colour
The new iPhone 6S Plus will also come in a rose gold colour, as well as the standard silver, gold, and space gray hues.
5. More Durable Body
Though the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus look the same as their respective predecessors, they are made of stronger material. Apple has used aircraft-grade 7000 aluminium alloy, which is less dense and lighter than standard metals used in smartphones, but is up to 60% stronger.
Apple has also said that the glass used in the touchscreen this time is stronger than ever before.
6. Faster Processor
The new iPhone 6S and 6S Plus pack the new 64-bit A9 chip with integrated M9 motion coprocessor under the hood, which processes apps 70% faster and graphics 90% faster according to Apple.
7. Faster Fingerprint Sensor
Apple says that the TouchID fingerprint sensor used in iPhone 6S and 6S Plus is twice as fast as the one used in previous iPhones and iPads.
8. Improved 4G And Wi-Fi Performance
Apple has upgraded the wireless chips in iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus too, which can download/upload data twice as fast compared to last year’s models. The two iPhones now support up to 23 4G LTE bands.
9. Price
Apple said the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus will cost the same as their predecessors; iPhone 6S’ 16, 64 and 128GB variants will cost $199, $299 and $399 on contract, while the iPhone 6S Plus’ three variants have been priced at $299, $399 and $499 respectively.
iPhone 5S has become the new entry-level model and will be available free on contract in the US, whereas iPhone 6 and 6 Plus (16GB variants only) will cost $99 and $199, respectively.
The unlocked iPhone 6S Plus will cost $649, $749 and $849 for the 16, 32, and 64GB variants. Similarly, iPhone 6S Plus unlocked will cost $749, $849 and $949 for the three storage options.
10. Availability
Pre-orders for iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus start on September 12 in the US, the UK, Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong and Japan. The smartphones will hit the stores on September 25. There is no word yet on the India launch of the new models.