iPhone 6 to 6 Plus

When the iPhone 6 / 6 Plus pre-order page finally loaded for me, I ordered a 64GB iPhone 6 in gold. The 6 Plus was delayed, and I wasn't sure about the size anyway. One month ago, I switched carriers and took the opportunity to supersize my phone. In my hands today is a 64GB iPhone 6 Plus in gold. Naturally. Gold is best.

The main reason I switched is because of one-handed use. The iPhone 6 is a great phone, and I really enjoyed it. It wasn't, however, particularly great as a one-handed phone. I don't have big gorilla hands, so I usually had to use two hands. If that was the case with the 6, why not go 6 Plus for all the benefits it offers?

Pros

The screen is magnificent. Moving from the 4 / 4S to the 5 was great. Moving from the 5 / 5S to the 6 was great. Moving from the 6 to the 6 Plus was great. I do a lot from my iPhone, and the bigger screen is just great. Don't get me wrong — the 6's screen is great. The 6 Plus just takes it up a notch, in both size and clarity.

Typing on this phone is just fantastic. Typing on the 6 was better than the 5S. Typing on this is even better. There's just so much room. I can't say enough about how great typing is on this phone.

Cons

It's much heavier than the 6. I knew this going in, and it's not a problem, but it is immediately noticeable. My left pinky is perpetually sore, since that's how I support the phone. I guess I will need to bulk that finger up.

It could use more RAM, but that's true of every device ever made. Apple really should've shelled out for 2GB, though. An $850 phone with 1GB in 2015 really isn't OK. It's already annoying, and will only get worse when iOS 9 comes out this fall¹.

It is slippery. Once I put a Totalee Scarf on my 6, I enjoyed it much better. A case with some grip is practically required with the 6 Plus. I ordered a Plus-sized Scarf, and it works great. I hate all iPhone cases, but I hate this one the least. How's that for a ringing endorsement²?

It takes a long time to charge, at least relative to every iPhone before it. Prior to the 6 Plus, I was always surprised at how fast my iPhone charged. Not so any longer. The 6 Plus charges very slowly, which is to be expected with the huge battery.

The landscape keyboard is ridiculous. I don't even know what to say. It's bad. Apple needs to bring the iPad split keyboard here.

It doesn't fit in my car's cupholder. This is the worst. Ever since I got my very first cell phone⁴, it has lived in my car's cupholder while I drive. The 6 just barely fit, and the 6 Plus certainly does not. I thought maybe my car had freakishly small cupholders, but no such luck. It doesn't fit in any cupholders. Now it lives on the passenger seat when I drive alone, and in the glovebox when I have a passenger. This is my least favorite thing about the new phone.

The Rest

The Pants Issue

Guys³. We need to talk about your pants. For some reason, a lot of people complain that the iPhone 6 Plus won't fit in their pockets, or they worry about it. I do not understand this complaint. I wear regular pants and the phone fits just fine. Stop wearing skinny jeans. They are ridiculous.

The battery

I feel like I'm doing something wrong. I am getting marginally better battery life since switching to the 6 plus — not dramatically better as is the norm. I even did a fresh install this time.

Final Thoughts

This phone is great. Holding an iPhone 6 is weird now - it feels like the 5S did when I first got the 6. Small. I'm not ready to declare my undying love as a permanent big-ass phone convert, but it is hard to imagine going back. Here's to the next revision with more RAM.