At Old Orchard Shopping Mall, the Apple store’s logo shines brightly next to the neighboring stores. Always bustling with excitement, the store is designed very sleekly, and seems to emanate innovation. Several new technological creations are featured throughout the store, and employees (with iPhones in hand) wander, always willing to assist. The efficiency of the Apple store is evident, with customers entering with puzzled expressions and leaving very soon, clearly satisfied with their service.
On Sept. 9, Apple announced their new addition to the iPhone family, the iPhone 6S and 6S plus, at their keynote event which took place at Sept. 9 early in the morning in California.
The Apple keynote address is an event that happens a few times during the year where the newest technology and improvements by Apple are revealed. The September keynote is particularly famous for revealing the new iPhone every year. This year, the iPhone 6S, and its larger counterpart, the 6S Plus, were announced. They will be released on Sept. 25.
Last year, critics of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus wondered why the design was so large. This year, Apple stuck to the same size, where traditionally the size has been amped with every new iPhone. One big change to the new iPhone is the introduction of the color rose pink. Material-wise, the new phone uses a different kind of aluminum which is stronger and lighter.
The resolution stayed the same as the previous version of the iPhone. However, a feature called 3D Touch display was added, which allows the screen to detect multiple levels of pressure. How this will affect the application market is yet to be seen.
A big feature that will surely draw in customers is the improved camera. The iPhone 6’s 8-megapixel sensor was upgraded to a 12-megapixel sensor, which will improve photo quality, allowing 4k photos to be taken. There are several smaller camera improvements as well, such as a lighter flash and a burst mode.
Every iPhone introduces performance, processor, and battery improvements, and the iPhone 6s is no different. The new iPhone will also be the first device to showcase iOS 9, however the iPhone 6 will also get this update. iOS 9 has many new characteristics, such as a low power mode, an altered design, shareable notes, searchable settings, public transport information on the map application, a revamped news application, and my personal favorite, an automatic selfie sorter in the photography application. iOS 9 has many more new attributes in addition to these major changes.
Whether the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus will be considered a worthy buy is still to be seen. There are many new interesting features, however some are upset at the similarities between the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6S.
“I haven’t heard much about the iPhone 6S, but right now I don’t plan on buying it. I just don’t see the point because I already have an iPhone 6,” Justin de la Cruz, junior, said.
Still though, Apple is a company that continues to retain a fanbase that will buy their products no matter what they release, because they remain faithful in Apple’s creations. There is definitely a reason why Apple stores nationwide have lines leading out their doors on the day the iPhone is released, year after year.
In regards to price, the iPhone 6S will cost $649, and the 6S Plus will cost $749. This is no different than past years iPhones. Prices also change depending on cell phone providers, with many changing to a monthly installment plan.
“I will definitely be buying the new iPhone. After a year of using my phone, I always feel like I’m in need of an upgrade. Plus, the new iPhone always brings great new features. As long as I have the money to upgrade, the choice is simple,” Geoffrey Schmelzer, a junior at Niles North, said.
