What are all the differences between the iPhone 6, iPhone 6s, iPhone 7, and iPhone 8? Why did Apple sell all of these phones at the same time? Are these increasingly vintage models still worth considering? Show Please note that the iPhone 6, iPhone 6s, iPhone 7, and iPhone 8 all have been discontinued. This Q&A has been updated with the latest iOS support, configuration, and other details; and can be quite helpful for anyone buying or selling one of these models on the used market. In recent years, Apple has sold a large number of iPhone models from different years at the same time. At one point, the company sold the iPhone 6, iPhone 6s, iPhone 7, and iPhone 8 all at the same time. This Q&A compares them accordingly, but has been modified with up-to-date information on each model. Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPhone 8) There are thirty two different iPhone 6/iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s/iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 7/iPhone 7 Plus, and iPhone 8/iPhone 8 Plus models. This doesn't even include color or capacity options, but merely the number of distinct models. Carrier and geographic restrictions mean that not all models originally were in all locations, but there still are a lot of options no matter how you categorize them. Economic Theory & The Paradox of Choice Only those at the upper echelons of Apple could tell you for certain why Apple decided to sell so many models at the same time, but in basic economic theory, a company -- particularly one with or approaching monopoly power -- tries to hit as many points on the demand curve as possible to maximize its profits. This appears to be Apple's primary reason for selling so many models simultaneously. This profit maximization strategy works well until consumers essentially feel stressed by having too many options and become "less likely to buy anything at all, and if they do buy, they are less satisfied with their selection." This outcome is commonly referred to as the "paradox of choice" in marketing. Whether or not the bean counters at Apple ultimately will be successful with their strategy will be determined by the market, but so far, they don't seem to have stressed out customers too much and EveryiPhone.com is here to help you slog through the options. As always, we have documented all of these iPhones in detail. However, this Q&A primarily addresses collective differences for the sake of simplicity. External Design & Functionality Differences Although all of these models share the same general size and shape, it would be easy to mistake any of them for one another, but the iPhone 8 is more externally distinctive to the observant because of material differences. Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPhone 6, iPhone 6s, iPhone 7 & iPhone 8 - Back) Although there are tiny differences in size and weight, the iPhone 6/iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s/iPhone 6s Plus, and iPhone 7/iPhone 7 Plus each share thin all aluminum designs with softly rounded sides. The iPhone 8, on the other hand, shares the general size and shape, but has an aluminum alloy case reinforced by steel with a glass front and back, which gives it a look that is more of a throwback to the iPhone 4, commonly considered to be the most attractive iPhone design. In basic terms, each subsequent model is more durable and water resistant and adds more advanced input capability than its predecessor. The iPhone 8 also adds "wireless" -- or really inductive -- charging capability:
Display Differences All of these models have a multitouch "Retina HD" display and the same dimensions, resolutions, pixel density, and contrast ratio as well as dual domain pixels, but each line is better quality and more capable than its predecessor. The display quality and functionality is different between models accordingly:
Housing Color & Material Differences For the iPhone 6s/iPhone 6s Plus and iPhone 7/iPhone 7 Plus lines, Apple added new color options and reduced them again for the iPhone 8/iPhone 8 Plus:
Camera Differences The iPhone 6/iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s/iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 7/iPhone 7 Plus, and iPhone 8/iPhone 8 Plus all have dual cameras, but each model has cameras better than the one that came before it. FaceTime Cameras The later iPhone 7/iPhone 7 Plus and iPhone 8/iPhone 8 Plus models have significantly better front-facing "FaceTime HD" cameras:
iSight Cameras The rear-mounted cameras, which Apple formerly called "iSight" but dropped this branding starting with the iPhone 7/iPhone 7 Plus, have become better and better with each new model:
Perhaps the most substantial improvements in the rear camera in recent years is related to software rather than hardware, though. The iPhone 8 -- and especially the iPhone 8 Plus -- have substantially improved HDR and vastly improved low light performance because of the "Slow Sync" flash. For more details about how these software improvements can affect photos in the hands of a professional photographer, you also may find Austin Mann's review quite useful. Identification Differences It is easy to mistake any of these models for one another when they are not side-by-side. Many of the devices can be identified by Model Number, which is listed on the back of the iPhone 6/iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s/iPhone 6s Plus, and iPhone 7/iPhone 7 Plus, but not the iPhone 8/iPhone 8 Plus (which have this identifier on the cardboard shipping box and within the iOS Settings app). Not all of the iPhone 6/iPhone 6 Plus models can be individually identified in this way, either. Nevertheless, for the purpose of this Q&A, it is sufficient to note that the following model numbers refer to these devices:
Specifically, EveryiPhone.com's Ultimate iLookup feature can precisely identify these iPhone models by Order Number (referred to as "Model" within the iOS "Settings" app under General > About), and their Serial Numbers, as well. Battery Life Differences The iPhone 7/iPhone 7 Plus and the iPhone 8/iPhone 8 Plus generally have better battery life than the earlier iPhone 6/iPhone 6 Plus and iPhone 6s/iPhone 6s Plus models. However, it also is worth noting that the earlier iPhone 6 Plus and iPhone 6s Plus models actually have better battery life than the later models for phone calls and music playback:
Wireless Connectivity & Data Differences In basic terms, each line of iPhone models support more advanced wireless connectivity than their predecessors. All of these devices support 802.11a/b/g/n/ac with MIMO, GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz), and UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz), as well as LTE/4G connectivity but support for specific bands varies. Later models support more advanced and faster LTE/4G. For details, if desired, see these separate Q&As:
It also is worth noting that the iPhone 6/iPhone 6 only have basic support for Bluetooth 4.2. The iPhone 6s/iPhone 6s Plus and iPhone 7/iPhone 7 Plus models fully support Bluetooth 4.2 and the iPhone 8/iPhone 8 Plus support Bluetooth 5.0. Internal Differences The iPhone 6/iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s/iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 7/iPhone 7 Plus, and iPhone 8/iPhone 8 Plus models have substantially different architectures with each being more advanced and faster than their predecessors:
† Apple re-introduced 32 GB variants of the iPhone 6, but not the iPhone 6 Plus, in February and March 2017 in the US (on AT&T GoPhone and Boost Mobile), in India, Europe, and other international markets in Space Gray. The company also introduced a 32 GB variant of the iPhone 6 in Gold in China and Taiwan. This reintroduced iPhone 6 was discontinued again on September 12, 2018. ‡ On September 10, 2019, Apple discontinued the 256 GB configurations for the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus and introduced new 128 GB ones. The Japan-specific iPhone 7/iPhone 7 Plus and iPhone 8/iPhone 8 Plus models also are advertised to have support for Sony's FeliCa for contactless payments on iD and QuicPay as well as Suica support on JR East. iOS Support Differences Each of these iPhone models originally shipped with the then current version of the iOS:
The older iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus models support iOS 12, but do not support iOS 13. or later versions of the iOS, including the current version. The newer models all support iOS 13, but do not support the Adjust Portrait Lighting and High-Key Mono photgraphy features, Dolby Atmos playback, and modest AR features (Motion Capture and People Occlusion). The newer models support iOS 14. However, none support the minor Car Keys, Location Anchors, Exposure Compensation, Burst Photos, QuickTake Video, and On-Device Dictation features. The iPhone 7/iPhone 7 Plus and iPhone 8/iPhone 8 Plus models do support Spatial Audio and App Clips whereas the the iPhone 6s/iPhone 6s Plus do not. Finally, the newer models support the current version of the iOS, iOS 15, but they do not support a large number of advanced features including Spatial Audio, Portrait Mode, Immersive Walking Instructions, Live Text in Photos, Live Text Translation, Visual Look Up, 3D Landmarks, Home Keys, and more. It is not possible to install a version of the iOS earlier than the one that was pre-installed, and it is difficult even to "downgrade" to an earlier version after upgrading a compatible iPhone to a later version of the iOS. iPhone 6, iPhone 6s, iPhone 7, & iPhone 8 Comparison Chart These differences as well as other details and US pricing information is summarized below:
* Note that these prices are for devices unlocked and paid in full upfront. Carrier subsidized options also were available. For pricing in dozens of countries, see the "Global Prices" on the specs page for each iPhone as well as the "By Global Original Prices" section of EveryiPhone.com. So, which is for me? Should I buy an iPhone 6, iPhone 6s, iPhone 7, or iPhone 8? Are any of these models still worth considering? Just compared to one another (and ignoring newer models), the iPhone 8/iPhone 8 Plus models are the best of the four. They're (1) faster, (2) have higher quality displays, (3) have better cameras (and much better low light performance, in particular), (4) have convenient inductive charging, (5) have better support for augmented reality, and (6) likely will support the current version of the iOS the longest. However, the earlier models, especially the iPhone 6s/iPhone 6s Plus and iPhone 7/iPhone 7 Plus, still are capable (and the iPhone 6s/iPhone 6s Plus have a headphone jack), and it is likely that the iPhone 8/iPhone 8 Plus does not offer significant enough improvements to justify an upgrade if you already have one of these models. On the used market at a discount price, all of these models remain well worth consideration, though. Because it no longer supports the current iOS, app support for the iPhone 6 will continue to wane, but the other three models still support the current version of the iOS and in particular, remain a solid choice for those on a budget. iPhone Purchase & Sale Options There are no shortage of places to buy an iPhone 6, iPhone 6s, iPhone 7, or iPhone 8. However, buying your iPhone from a quality company with an excellent track record will provide an ideal experience and save you money and time, also. In the US, site sponsors Other World Computing and JemJem sell used and refurbished iPhone models with free shipping. On the other hand, if you need to sell an iPhone, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac and GoRoostr will buy your older iPhone with an instant quote and prompt payment. In France, site sponsor MacWay sells new and reconditioned iPhone models from seven stores around France (two in Paris) and provides fast, express shipping throughout France, Belgium, and Luxembourg. In Australia, site sponsor Mac City likewise has a variety of used iPhone models sold at low prices and available with a free warranty and fast shipping across Australia. Please also see EveryiPhone.com's Ultimate iComparison feature to dynamically compare any iPhone model to any other iPod, iPhone, or iPad. EveryMac.com and EveryiPhone.com are provided "as is" without warranty of any kind whatsoever. EveryMac.com, EveryiPhone.com, and the author thereof, shall not be held responsible or liable, under any circumstances, for any damages resulting from the use or inability to use the information within. For complete disclaimer and copyright information please read and understand the Terms of Use and the Privacy Policy before using either website. Use of any content or images without expressed permission is not allowed, although links to any page are welcomed and appreciated. Is iPhone 6 plus 7 Plus and 8 Plus the same size?Here's an easy one for you. All three of these phones have the same display, a 5.5” Retina HD display. The sizing didn't change on these as new generations were released.
Is 7 Plus better or 8 Plus?iPhone 8 Plus has Apple's more recent A11 Bionic chip, which runs about 25% faster than the A10 chip in iPhone 7 Plus. This means that switching between apps will be faster, and you'll be able to run more intensive apps on iPhone 8 Plus.
Is the iPhone 8 Plus bigger than the iPhone 6s Plus?iPhone 8 Plus also boasts wireless charging, a True Tone display that adjusts colours to compensate for the ambient lighting, and is water and dust resistant. Likewise, iPhone 8 Plus benefits from Apple's new A11 Bionic processor.
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Apple.. Is an iPhone 8 Plus better than an iPhone 6?iPhone 8 Plus has a lot of advantages over iPhone 6s. As well as being a larger format model it benefits from two years' of development by Apple – so not surprisingly it has quite a few extra features. Besides its larger size, iPhone 8 Plus can be distinguished by the new glass back.
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