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iPhone 6s breaks Apple sales record with 13 million sold
Apple's iPhone 6s is the company's new sales champ, with 13 million units sold just three days after launch. "Sales... (blew) past any previous first weekend sales results in Apple's history," said CEO Tim Cook in a statement. The new handset easily beat the iPhone 6, which was in 10 million consumer's hands by the same three-day period a year ago. So how did Apple manage to sell around $10 billion worth of phones in such a short time-frame? Good press on the devices didn't hurt, but for the first time, the iPhone 6s launched in China at the same time that it debuted in the US and Europe.
Where to buy Apple's iPhone 6s and 6s Plus in the UK
If you hadn't made a note in you diary, then let us remind you: new iPhone day is upon us. Apple's iPhone 6s and 6s Plus launch in 12 countries today, and one of those just happens to be the sunny UK. As the "s" qualifier denotes, the flagships are iterative improvements over last year's models, with more powerful innards, better cameras and pressure-sensitive "3D Touch" displays. But let's be frank, any new product bearing an Apple logo has an army of consumers waiting with bated breath. Some will have queued outside their nearest Apple Store for the past 24 hours, and others will have pre-ordered their devices from the comfort of their sofas, but if you've taken a more measured approach to iPhone procurement, then let us walk you through your options.
iPhone 6s teardown confirms smaller battery, heftier display
The launch of a new iPhone means the iFixit team also has something new to take apart. This year, the team's teardown efforts have confirmed that the iPhone 6s sports a 1715 mAh battery that's comparably smaller to the previous generation's (1810 mAh). As we mentioned in the past, it's most likely to make sure that the phone isn't that much bulkier than its predecessor despite the addition of a Taptic engine (the silver component below the battery above) and a heftier display. The whole display assembly is apparently thicker than before and is 15 grams heavier at 60 grams, due to the extra capacitive sensors that enable 3D Touch. iFixit has also taken a closer look at the device's other components, including its more pixel-rich cameras and two microphones, giving it a decent repairability score of 7 out of 10. By the way, if you're wondering, the rose gold iPhone comes with screws colored to match.
Hong Kong's iPhone grey market cashes in on the 6s
Whenever a new iPhone launches in Hong Kong, local folks would seize the opportunity to make a quick profit from the grey market. They would get their brand new phones from either Apple or local carriers, and then sell them off to specialists who would later offer bulk orders to mainland Chinese buyers. The quicker they act, the more cash they get. The iPhone 6s and 6s Plus are no exception. This morning, I was the first customer to pick up my 128GB rose gold 6s Plus from a carrier store (the shop assistants even took a photo to mark the occasion), but I quickly sold it for HK$10,000 or about US$1,290 at the Sincere Podium mobile phone mall just around the corner. That's roughly a US$250 profit based on the device's local price, which isn't bad at all.
Verizon will offer a yearly upgrade plan (but only for iPhones)
Verizon Wireless announced on Thursday that it will offer its customers annual iPhone upgrades should they purchase a new 6s or 6s Plus on Friday, September 25th. According to the company's press release, everybody that's already preordered one of the new iPhones is already enrolled in the Verizon Device Payment option. Customers that prefer to continue paying off their phones over two years are, of course, free to do so. This announcement follows a number of similar plans recently set forth by the wireless industry as well as Apple itself. Note that this program only applies to the latest iPhone models moving forward. If you've got an Android Nexus or an older iPhone 5, you're out of luck. [Image Credit: Getty Images]
Sprint offers the iPhone 6s for $1 a month with trade-in
Sprint has lowered the bar in The Great iPhone 6s Price Race of 2015. Trade in an iPhone 6 at a Sprint-branded store and snag a 16GB iPhone 6s for $1 a month. Or, trade up to a 16GB iPhone 6s Plus for $5 a month. If you need a little more storage in your mobile life, get a 64GB 6s for $5.77 a month or 128GB for $10.53 a month with the trade-in of an iPhone 6. For 6s Plus people, 64GB runs $9.77 a month and 128GB costs $14.53 per month with a trade-in. There's also a discount for swapping out your iPhone 5s: Get a 16GB iPhone 6s for $10 a month or a 16GB 6s Plus for $14. All of this is part of Sprint's (totally-not-creepy-sounding) iPhone Forever program, which allows eligible customers to grab the newest iPhone model as soon as it's on the market. This requires a 22-month lease on a new or upgradable line, alongside the trade-in. Before Sprint's announcement, the cheapest monthly iPhone plan was T-Mobile's $5-a-month trade-in offer for the 16GB 6s.
Why wait in line for an iPhone when you can send a robot?
You can now wait in line for an iPhone 6S without leaving your bed at an unearthly hour. At Apple's flagship store in Sydney, Australia, a telepresence robot (essentially an iPad on Segway-style wheels) is standing in for Lucy Kelly. The robot showed up at 5am and is currently fourth-in-line to get a new iPhone. As the robot continues to wait overnight in a tent where it can stay charged for the final phone transaction, Kelly has been using an app to log in and communicate with humans in line from the comfort of her home.
T-Mobile trade-in promo gets you an iPhone 6s for $5 per month
You can be sure that carriers will be trying hard to get your iPhone 6s purchase when the device launches on September 25th, but T-Mobile may be trying harder than most. It's launching a promotion that day which will drop the cost of an iPhone 6s when you trade in your old iPhone and go with the network's Jump On Demand upgrade program. If you hand in an iPhone 6, you'll pay as little as $5 per month for the new handset; turn in that 'old' iPhone 5s and you'll get the 6s for a still-reasonable $10 per month. Giving up any other device will lower the payments to $15 per month. You can pay more if you want something beyond the base model, of course. While you'll likely want to look at Apple's own installment plan if you insist on a factory-unlocked iPhone, the rate is low enough that it may well lure you away from Sprint and other providers with Apple-specific deals.
iMovie for iOS is ready to handle your 4K video editing
If you're determined to produce a 4K masterpiece on an iPhone 6s, 6s Plus or iPad Pro, you now have one of the tools you need to get the job done. Apple has delivered an iMovie update that switches on 4K editing for its most powerful iPhones and iPads, giving you an easy (though not professional-grade) way to edit extra-sharp videos on the move. You can't capture 4K on the iPad Pro, alas, but it's powerful enough to edit multiple 4K streams. The giganto-tablet also has room for a larger media browser and a video viewer that shows every single pixel of a 1080p clip.
Dropbox for iOS just got a lot faster (and simpler)
When you're juggling a lot of files in the cloud, every little bit of time you save is a big deal... and Dropbox knows it. The online storage outfit has released an iOS app update that's all about speeding up and simplifying its core tasks. The centerpiece is a new action menu that sits next to every file -- tap it and you can modify or share that file without skipping a beat. If you're on iOS 9, you'll also see your recent and offline files in Spotlight searches. And if you're spending big bucks on an iPhone 6s or 6s Plus, you'll be happy to know that 3D Touch gives you both home screen shortcuts (such as uploading a photo) as well as peeks at files. Dropbox's upgrade is live as I write this, so you only need to visit the App Store to see what the fuss is about.
No, the iPhone 6s' camera and mic aren't spying on you
Whenever a device ships with a feature that involves always-on listening or watching, privacy concerns invariably come up -- and the iPhone 6s is no exception. In an attempt to address controversies before the 6s even ships, Apple has told TechCrunch that neither the always-on Siri voice commands nor Live Photos (which records a brief burst of video before and after your photo) are eavesdropping on you. Ultimately, Siri works like the technology you've seen on the Moto X -- it's merely waiting for a keyword, not recording whatever you say. What little memory buffer exists (for audio patterns, not sound clips) is automatically erased after a few seconds, and the feature is strictly opt-in.
iPhone 6s and 6s Plus pre-orders are live
It's that magical time of year where adults sit awake at their computers in the middle of the night (or with an iDevice and the Apple Store app open) in an effort to snag the latest iPhones. Pre-orders have gone live for Cupertino's latest handsets, the 6s and 6s Plus, and if you're hoping to get one for that first-wave September 25th availability date you'd better act fast. After all, 3D Touch isn't going to wait around for everyone. So! Best to head over to Apple's website or the aforementioned mobile app and get to punching in your credit card info. The questions now are big or small; space grey, gold or rose gold and if you're going to go for Apple's Upgrade Program or not. Better make your mind up rather quick-like -- Fallout fans, at least, have one less decision to make.
AppleCare+ for iPhone 6s costs $30 more than iPhone 6 coverage
AppleCare+ covers your new iPhone in the event it breaks or is damaged, and for the iPhone 6, a year of service costs $100. AppleCare+ for the new iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, however, will set you back $130. Additionally, the charge for accidental damage is higher with Apple's latest models, up from $80 for iPhone 6 or earlier versions to $100 for iPhone 6s and 6s Plus.
Apple helps you prep to pre-order a new iPhone
Anxious to get your hands on one of those shiny new iPhones? You're not alone. And while you may be waiting a few days to have one in hand, pre-orders open up this weekend. To help prep for the rush, the company is allowing eager US customers to enter some personal info ahead of the pre-order window opening, so when the time comes, all you'll have to do is select your carrier, model and storage options before hitting submit. Entering your details will also tell you how much you'll be parting with to secure the phone you're after. Of course, Apple also has a new carrier-free upgrade plan that gets you a new iPhone every time a new one becomes available after 12 monthly payments. That option starts at $32 for the 16GB iPhone 6s. If you haven't set your reminder yet, pre-orders open up at 12:01 AM PT (3:01 AM ET) September 12th.
Here's why the iPhone 6s has a smaller battery
Although the new iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus don't look all that different, Apple has sneaked in a few major hardware changes. 3D Touch was one of the big announcements, which allows the iPhone to determine how much pressure you apply to the screen and display shortcuts and other features accordingly. However, this enhancement appears to come at a small cost: battery size. In a video introducing the iPhone 6s family, Apple briefly flashes the battery capacity of the base model. Its 1715 mAh rating is a touch lower than the 1810 mAh battery in the iPhone 6.
Pre-event Apple rumors nailed almost all of the surprises
If today's big Apple event taught us one thing (beyond the fact that Tim Cook's music taste remains questionable at best), it's that the rumor mill has fully figured out Apple's game plan. If you've been paying attention to the news over the last few months (particularly if you've been reading 9to5Mac), there was almost nothing to be surprised by. The iPad Pro and iPad Mini 4 were unveiled; a new app-friendly Apple TV will be coming soon; and Apple's new iPhones are largely what we expected. That doesn't mean that there wasn't a ton of news jammed into today's two-hour event -- it's just that just about every bit of it was predicted ahead of time. Let's go through the announcements in detail and see exactly how the rumor-mongers stacked up.
The iPhone 6s vs. the competition: Is it enough?
The iPhone 6s is here, featuring the same basic body as last year's edition but with a new rose gold aluminum finish, a stronger glass display and pressure-sensitive 3D Touch. There are quite a few improvements under the hood as well, including a faster processor and an improved OS. But, with rival companies coming out with phones that are lean, fast and affordable, is the 6s still the must-have handset this fall? We've been impressed with offerings from Samsung and LG this year, but how do they fare against Apple's latest?
Pressing issues: Our first look at the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus
So those new iPhones -- the 6s and 6s Plus -- took their tour of the stage here in San Francisco and are being prepped for a worldwide launch on September 25th. Now the question is whether or not all the new goodies Apple crammed inside them make these updated phones worth some more of our collective dollars. The (very) early answer? Yes, but it'll take time for these things to really shine.
UK pricing for the iPhone 6s duo, iPad Pro and Apple TV
Apple announced a bunch of new products today, including the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, new Apple Watch finishes and bands, a monster iPad Pro and a revamped Apple TV with Siri, universal search and games. Whether you're interested in some, or all of the company's new wares, we've got all available UK pricing right here.
The iPhone 6s vs. the iPhone 6: What's changed?
We've just wrapped up this year's big iPhone event, which means iPhone owners now get to ponder over whether or not to upgrade their handsets. It's easy enough when there are plenty of cosmetic changes and new features to really distinguish a new iPhone from your old one, but this time around we're looking at an iterative 'S' version where, aside from a new rose gold color, the improvements are not always obvious at first glance. Fortunately, we've got the specs for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s lined up for your perusal right here. So you can decide whether it's got enough additional oomph for you to dig out your wallet now, or wait until next year's edition instead.
