The Honor 6 Plus and iPhone 6 Plus both offered large screens and premium features when they debuted. But with vastly different price points and ecosystems, which phone truly delivers the better experience? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The iPhone 6 Plus wins overall due to its superior software, camera quality, and ecosystem integration. However, the Honor 6 Plus offered impressive specs for its price, particularly its dual-lens camera, making it a compelling budget option for those prioritizing value.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - A1522 (GSM), A1522 (CDMA), A1524 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - PE-UL00 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - A1522 (GSM), A1522 (CDMA), A1524 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 41 - PE-UL00 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29 - A1522 GSM, A1522 CDMA |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 7, 38, 39, 40, 41 - PE-TL10 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, December. Released 2014, December | 2014, September 09. Released 2014, September 19 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Corning-made glass), aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 150.5 x 75.7 x 7.5 mm (5.93 x 2.98 x 0.30 in) | 158.1 x 77.8 x 7.1 mm (6.22 x 3.06 x 0.28 in) |
| SIM | · Micro-SIM (PE-TL10)· Nano-SIM + Micro-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 165 g (5.82 oz) | 172 g (6.07 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Ion-strengthened glass, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~73.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~67.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A15 & 4x1.3 GHz Cortex-A7) | Dual-core 1.4 GHz Typhoon (ARM v8-based) |
| Chipset | Kirin 925 (28 nm) | Apple A8 (20 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T628 MP4 | PowerVR GX6450 (quad-core graphics) |
| OS | Android 4.4.2 (KitKat), upgradable to 6 (Marshmallow), EMUI 3 | iOS 8, upgradable to iOS 12.5.7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 16GB (3G model); 16/32GB (LTE model), 3GB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM, 64GB 1GB RAM, 128GB 1GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, AF
Auxiliary lens | 8 MP, f/2.2, 29mm (standard), 1/3.0", 1.5µm, PDAF, OIS |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@60fps, 720p@240fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | face detection, HDR, FaceTime over Wi-Fi or Cellular |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.4 | 1.2 MP, f/2.2, 31mm (standard) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE | 4.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes (LTE model) | Yes (Apple Pay only) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS/ BDS (market dependant) | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | Lightning, USB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | - | Up to 384 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 24 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 3600 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 2915 mAh, non-removable (11.1 Wh) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White / Gold (LTE model) | Space Gray, Silver, Gold |
| Models | PE-TL10, PE-UL00, PE-TL20 | A1522, A1524, iPhone7,1 |
| Price | About 320 EUR | About 420 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.19 W/kg (head) 1.19 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.99 W/kg (head) 0.91 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -94dB / Crosstalk -72dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 79h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1361 (nominal), 3.023 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 67dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 66dB |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | - | Noise -94dB / Crosstalk -72dB |
| Battery (old) | - | Endurance rating 79h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: 1361 (nominal), 3.023 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - | Voice 67dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 66dB |
Honor 6 Plus
- Excellent value for money
- Dual-lens camera for depth-of-field effects
- Large 5.5-inch display
- Decent performance for everyday tasks
- Lower performance compared to iPhone
- Less refined display
- Software updates were limited
- Camera image quality not as good
Apple iPhone 6 Plus
- Superior camera quality
- Smooth and responsive performance
- Excellent display with accurate colors
- Strong ecosystem integration
- Long-term software support
- Higher price point
- Older model (limited features compared to newer iPhones)
- Battery is old and may degrade over time
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large 5.5-inch displays with a contrast ratio of 1361 (nominal) and 3.023 (sunlight). However, the iPhone 6 Plus's display generally offered better color accuracy and brightness, resulting in a more vibrant viewing experience. The Honor 6 Plus's display was adequate but lacked the same level of refinement.
Camera Comparison
The iPhone 6 Plus's camera consistently produced better image quality, with more accurate colors, better dynamic range, and superior low-light performance. The Honor 6 Plus's dual-lens camera offered a unique depth-of-field effect, but image quality was generally softer and less detailed. Video recording was also better on the iPhone.
Performance
The iPhone 6 Plus's A8 chip, while dual-core, was significantly more efficient and powerful than the Honor 6 Plus's Kirin 925 octa-core. iOS optimization also contributed to smoother performance on the iPhone. While the Honor 6 Plus could handle everyday tasks, it struggled with more demanding applications and multitasking.
Battery Life
Both phones boasted impressive endurance ratings of 79 hours. In real-world usage, both provided all-day battery life, but the iPhone's power efficiency often allowed it to stretch slightly further.
Buying Guide
The Honor 6 Plus is ideal for budget-conscious buyers seeking a large screen and decent performance. The iPhone 6 Plus is best for users invested in the Apple ecosystem, prioritizing camera quality, and willing to pay a premium for a polished user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the iPhone 6 Plus still worth buying?
If you're on a tight budget and want a large-screen iPhone with a good camera, it can be a decent option. However, consider the age of the device and potential battery degradation.
❓ What was the main advantage of the Honor 6 Plus?
Its primary advantage was its exceptional value for money, offering a large display and dual-lens camera at a significantly lower price than the iPhone 6 Plus.
