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The Apple iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus Review

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Re: The Apple iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus Review

#161
post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've got an iphone 6 for work, and an S6 edge for personal use. I can say with confidence that the Samsung camera is better. However I will say they're close enough, and they're both so far ahead of the pack, that you could flip a coin.

Blind testing swings the other way: http://www.androidauthority.com/blind-camera-shootout-winner... Taste is subjective, I have no doubt you like the Samsung more. But subjectively, on average, people like iPhone photos more often than they like Android photos.

DXOMark rated the iPhone 6s camera #10 on its list. Far below the Android flagships. Taste may be subjective, but testing isn't.

Re: The Apple iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus Review

#162

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm like you in that I try not to go down the rabbit hole too far with anyone. That said, over the years I went from using zero Apple products (first computer was a Commodore, never had an Apple), to really appreciating the things I find so polished and good about them. If I did go too far, it would be with Apple because I feel they actually work hard for my business. Most IMO, clearly do not. Everyone else is sellin…

I ended up with a MacBook Pro because at work we're interacting with a corporate environment for which Linux is not supported and everybody is on Windows. At some point I gave up the fight of configuring a VPN connection to our deeply broken L2TP/IPsec server and asked for a MacBook. My VPN now works, albeit with interruptions. But my next laptop is going to be a Thinkpad, because these slick MacBooks can't be easily…

I also have a Windows corporate environment at work. In your situation I would get a Thinkpad with Windows on it, then run your distro of choice on that with VMWare.

That's what I do on my home machine, because I have 2 mice, 3 monitors and generally with a setup like that, I've found X falls down on its face pretty easily if you start to ask more of it than a basic laptop configuration presents.

Running in a VM I don't have to dual boot (I hate that more than anything) and gain the stuff you may struggle with, such as that VPN connection, with a silky smooth, problem free Linux environment while retaining full support from your company.

I think most of the things you described could be serviced same-day at an Apple store. I haven't been keeping up on them too closely, but I think even the Macbook Pros have soldered RAM and SSD now which is a bummer. A T450 is a pretty good option that's why I've always leaned towards one of those for my next laptop. I'm a gamer as well so I'm waiting to see how VR pans out before I upgrade again. May stick with upgrading the hardware in my Lian Li tower, or ditching the desktop and moving to a laptop for personal use.

Re: The Apple iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus Review

#163

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Built in obsolescence? Compared to its competitors, decidedly no. The state of affairs on Android is even worse. Samsung Galaxy S2 release: May 2, 2011 Apple iPhone 4S release: October 14, 2011 Google Galaxy Nexus: November 17, 2011 Galaxy S2 last OS release: October 9, 2012 4S's latest OS release: October 21, *2015* Galaxy Nexus' last OS release: October 3, 2013 And that's just from the same generation... I suspec…

To be fair though the iPhone 4S was discontinued in September 2014 whereas the other phones were discontinued much earlier. And from what I've heard the newer iOS versions don't run well on the 4S. Also take into account the fact that most app developers won't bother optimizing for the 4S.

Yes, the 4S was discontinued later, but maybe that's because it was still worth buying, since it was still supported by the manufacturer? ;)

As for the other complaints: yes, it's not a perfect situation, but it's better than the alternatives. At the very least, it is still receiving security updates. Those Android phones' last updates predate Heartbleed...

Re: The Apple iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus Review

#164

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Built in obsolescence? Compared to its competitors, decidedly no. The state of affairs on Android is even worse. Samsung Galaxy S2 release: May 2, 2011 Apple iPhone 4S release: October 14, 2011 Google Galaxy Nexus: November 17, 2011 Galaxy S2 last OS release: October 9, 2012 4S's latest OS release: October 21, *2015* Galaxy Nexus' last OS release: October 3, 2013 And that's just from the same generation... I suspec…

To be fair though the iPhone 4S was discontinued in September 2014 whereas the other phones were discontinued much earlier. And from what I've heard the newer iOS versions don't run well on the 4S. Also take into account the fact that most app developers won't bother optimizing for the 4S.

[deleted]

Re: The Apple iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus Review

#165

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm like you in that I try not to go down the rabbit hole too far with anyone. That said, over the years I went from using zero Apple products (first computer was a Commodore, never had an Apple), to really appreciating the things I find so polished and good about them. If I did go too far, it would be with Apple because I feel they actually work hard for my business. Most IMO, clearly do not. Everyone else is sellin…

I ended up with a MacBook Pro because at work we're interacting with a corporate environment for which Linux is not supported and everybody is on Windows. At some point I gave up the fight of configuring a VPN connection to our deeply broken L2TP/IPsec server and asked for a MacBook. My VPN now works, albeit with interruptions. But my next laptop is going to be a Thinkpad, because these slick MacBooks can't be easily…

Even better quick fix, install Windows on the Macbook. Then run your distro in a VM on that. :P Not sure why I didn't suggest that. No more VPN issues. When the time comes for a new work laptop, get the Thinkpad and do the same.

Re: The Apple iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus Review

#166

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A good precedent has already been set for this. The first iPhone got two major updates, iOS 4.0 being the first version that didn't support it. The 3GS added an extra year to the lifespan, launching with iOS 3.0 and only being left out of support for iOS 7. The 4S added even another year, recently having received the fourth major update of it's lifespan. So yeah, while there is certainly some performance lost on a 4S…

This is the dilemma I've run across over the past couple of years. Android devices have a much worse track record regarding official OS updates compared to iOS devices. But then on the flipside, when my iOS devices get older, I can't downgrade or install something more "lightweight" like I can with my Android stuff. Maybe I'm just used to being able to repurpose old laptops and desktops with slimmed down Linux when t…

You can downgrade iPad 2 to iOS 6.

Re: The Apple iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus Review

#167

I wonder, how many years iPhone 6S will be able to stay relevant. For example iPhone 4S started lagging on iOS 7. While it's certainly usable on iOS 9, it feels as an old and underpowered device. If you have powerful computer from 2010, it'll happily run Windows 10 and almost any application, including almost any game in medium (or even high) mode. I wonder, whether this race on mobile platform will continue or iPhon…

> On an unrelated note, I really don't understand, why iOS 9 (actually iOS 7+) is so slow on iPhone 4S. This bothers me a lot, and cynical as I am I suspect that this is on purpose and Apple's way to encourage people to upgrade to a new phone. My wife has a four years old MacBook Pro, which after two years inexplicably started to slow down more and more to the point where the most trivial tasks like opening a menu be…

Have you cleaned it out at any point? With Macbooks, dust seems to be a pretty common issue after some time, and cleaning it out can make a big difference. Chips don't slow over time, and if the RAM is good and the HD is good, and you didn't install a bunch of new, hungrier, software, then it could be thermally related. Both removing dust and possibly applying new thermal paste can help.

Re: The Apple iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus Review

#168
post #19

I wonder, how many years iPhone 6S will be able to stay relevant. For example iPhone 4S started lagging on iOS 7. While it's certainly usable on iOS 9, it feels as an old and underpowered device. If you have powerful computer from 2010, it'll happily run Windows 10 and almost any application, including almost any game in medium (or even high) mode. I wonder, whether this race on mobile platform will continue or iPhon…

My solution to that is to not upgrade iOS. I too feel pushed with these slow "updates" to just buy a new phone and I refuse to be milked.

Same here, iOS 6 and iPhone 4. I hate using my phone for anything substantial, whether it's reading an article, writing an article etc, I'm fine doing it on my MBP. So I pretty much just use my phone for whatsapp, fb messenger, checking email, getting directions or checking a store's opening times, music, calls. None of that requires anything extraordinary so I've been fine so far. But then there's the apps that require iOS7 to install or update, and those instances are increasing. So I'm definitely on the verge of an upgrade because I'm being shut out from modernity haha.

Re: The Apple iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus Review

#169

I am about to go read the article, but after owning a 6s+ for the past couple weeks, I will give a few impressions first: * Very very very large (this is a big-ass phone), * Very very very very fast, * Some good options in the UI for heavier Mac style 'fuzzy' text, * Battery life is barely dented after a typical day of surfing and texting occasionally at work, * Phone is 'slippery' and I have to use a special grip, w…

> $900+ is a LOT for a phone though.

Absolutely, but also, sort of not. After all, you'd want a decent phone, that sets you back say around $200 nowadays. The $700 then is really the premium you're paying.

Now you mentioned the 4S. It's still worth $100, whereas the resale value on a $200, 4 years later, is probably pretty much zero in comparison.

So now you're paying a $150 premium per year for the top of the line phone. Per month it'd be about $12.50 to have the latest tech instead of say the Moto G (sweet entry level phone).

Is that excessive or a lot? Well if you're earning a few k a month and you're on your phone 10% of the time, not really. Comparing it to say the cost of your car, your food (a $12.50 lunch), your entertainment (a $12.50 movie ticket) etc, puts it into perspective.

Anyway don't get me wrong, I'm on an iPhone 4 myself haha. I just don't have a need right now and raised on little, $12.50 is substantial when your disposable income is near zero, so I totally get it's a lot. But for a large portion of Americans who are on their phone a lot, the cost-benefit for this purchasing decision is tremendously positive.

Isn't the base model $750 btw instead of $900? Pretty sure it was. Of course you'd need to buy a plan as well.

Re: The Apple iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus Review

#170
post #74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Almost certainly. I try really hard to be as un-cynical as possible about this, but there's a great quote I heard from someone smart whose name I can't recall right now - economics is incentives all the way down - and it applies perfectly here I think. What possible incentive could any phone manufacturer have to build a phone that significantly over-lasts the rough 2 year cycle that their bulk buyers, i.e the network…

Seems obvious that displeasing your customer is more likely to send them to a competitor than pleasing them.

Apple is displeasing some would-be customers already by making their hardware so non-free and remote-controlled.
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