iPhone 6s Plus: Still a Reliable Classic for Everyday Use in the USA

⭐ Reason for Purchase

Needed a reliable secondary device for client work and personal use after my old Android started lagging badly.

📌 Purchase Motivation

Wanted a phone with a good camera for capturing design inspirations and a smooth iOS experience.

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

Compared it to the iPhone 7 but chose the 6s Plus for the headphone jack and lower price. Read reviews on Reddit and watched YouTube durability tests.

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

Bought refurbished from Amazon Renewed—great deal with warranty, and I trust their refurb program.

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

Was surprised how clean it looked for a refurb! Setup was a breeze with iCloud backup from my iPad.

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

Loved the rose gold color and solid build. The screen size felt perfect for sketching mockups.

⭐ First Week Usage

Battery life was decent, but I had to tweak settings. The 3D Touch feature blew my mind—so handy for previewing design files!

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

Use it for Adobe apps, Instagram mood boards, and music. The home button’s tactile feedback is satisfying.

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

Camera (true-tone flash is a lifesaver), 3D Touch, and the *huge* storage (got the 128GB version).

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

Battery drains fast when using Procreate for long. Had to buy a portable charger.

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

Way smoother than my laggy Samsung. Miss Android’s file management but love iOS’s polish.

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

Clients compliment my quick photo edits. The big screen helps when showing them proofs on-the-go.

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

Joined iPhone photography groups. Friends tease me for still using a "vintage" model, but it works!

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

Got a Spigen case and a tempered glass screen protector. Wish I’d bought a Lightning-to-USB adapter sooner.

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

9/10—perfect for creatives on a budget. Just pack a power bank!

⭐ Reason for Purchase

My Nexus 6P’s battery died mid-shift—needed something reliable for rideshare apps.

📌 Purchase Motivation

Wanted iOS for better app optimization and a phone that wouldn’t overheat on the dash.

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

Compared battery specs with iPhone 7—6s Plus had better third-party battery replacement options.

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

Swappa—found a mint-condition one from a seller with 200+ reviews.

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

Smelled like new! Transferred my Uber account in 5 minutes.

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

Slippery without a case, but the screen was crisp even in sunlight.

⭐ First Week Usage

Maps ran smoother than on Android. Passengers complimented my CarPlay setup.

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

12-hour shifts drain the battery to 20%, but a car charger fixes that. The GPS never lags.

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

Do Not Disturb While Driving mode, offline Maps, and the durable Lightning port (my Android’s USB-C was loose).

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

Had to jailbreak to get a custom hotspot app for my dashcam.

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

Android had more customization, but this just *works* during rush hour.

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

Fewer app crashes mean higher ratings from riders.

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

Started an iPhone-only rideshare tips group on Facebook.

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

Magnetic vent mount, Anker 2-pack Lightning cables.

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

9/10 for gig workers—just keep a charger handy.

⭐ Reason for Purchase

Upgrading from a cracked iPhone 5s before the school year started.

📌 Purchase Motivation

Needed durability and a big screen for grading digital assignments.

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

Almost got a SE but wanted the larger display. Checked eBay for used deals but worried about scams.

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

Local Best Buy—price-matched a Walmart deal and got free setup help.

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

Kids helped me unbox it—they were more excited than I was! Restored from iCloud in 20 mins.

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

Felt massive at first (coming from a 5s), but the aluminum back is sturdy.

⭐ First Week Usage

Used it to record student presentations. The mic picked up audio way better than my old phone.

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

Grade Google Classroom submissions during lunch. The Touch ID is faster than typing passwords between classes.

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

Split-screen multitasking, battery life lasts the whole school day, and the speaker volume is loud enough for noisy classrooms.

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

Dropped it once—thankfully the OtterBox case saved it. iOS updates sometimes slow it down.

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

Like going from a bicycle to a car. The 5s felt ancient afterward.

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

Saved hours using the "Scan Documents" feature in Notes for worksheets.

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

Students think I’m "cool" for having a Plus model. Wife steals it to watch Netflix.

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

OtterBox Defender case, Apple Pencil (for annotating PDFs—works surprisingly well!).

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

8.5/10—teachers, get a good case and this’ll handle your chaos.

⭐ Reason for Purchase

Drowned my Android in beer during a bar gig—again.

📌 Purchase Motivation

Needed a phone with reliable audio latency for GarageBand demos.

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

Tested a friend’s 6s Plus with my audio interface—lag was minimal.

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

eBay "For Parts" listing—replaced the water-damaged battery myself.

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

Smelled like stale beer at first (my fault). Restored my band’s setlists from iCloud.

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

The weight felt solid—like a vintage amp. Headphone jack was a godsend.

⭐ First Week Usage

Recorded a demo track directly into GarageBand. Bandmates loved the clarity.

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

Setlist app never crashes mid-gig. Use the compass to find north for outdoor gigs (weird trick for better sound).

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

Audio routing options, mono audio mode (I’m half-deaf from loud stages), and the **indestructible** Lightning port.

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

Bluetooth interferes with my wireless pedals—stuck using cables.

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

Android had more audio tweaks, but iOS just works when you’re drunk at 2AM.

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

Bookers take me more seriously with Apple gear (sad but true).

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

Band ditched group texts for iMessage—finally see their blue bubbles.

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

Shockproof case, headphone jack splitter for collaborative writing.

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

9/10 for musicians—if it survives mosh pits, it’s legit.

⭐ Reason for Purchase

My iPhone X’s camera failed mid-photo shoot at a ramen festival.

📌 Purchase Motivation

Needed a backup phone with a great camera that wouldn’t break the bank.

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

Compared camera samples online—6s Plus still holds up in good lighting.

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

Gazelle—needed quick delivery before a sponsored post deadline.

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

Panicked when it arrived at 4PM; had a 5PM shoot! Set it up in the car.

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

The bezels felt ancient after the X, but the camera hump was less annoying.

⭐ First Week Usage

Shot 3 blog posts—color accuracy was surprisingly good. Struggled with no Portrait Mode.

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

Use it for Instagram Stories and Lightroom edits. The home button is weirdly nostalgic.

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

Live Photos for capturing "sizzle shots," consistent white balance, and the headphone jack for recording voiceovers.

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

Low-light shots are grainy. Miss Face ID when my hands are greasy from food styling.

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

X was better for video, but this takes sharper stills in daylight.

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

Sponsors didn’t notice the switch—proof content matters more than gear.

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

Followers think my "vintage" aesthetic is intentional.

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

Moment lens for macro shots, waterproof pouch for kitchen steam.

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

7/10—great secondary phone for creators, but not for night shoots.

⭐ Reason for Purchase

My iPhone SE (1st gen) finally gave up after one too many drops.

📌 Purchase Motivation

Needed more storage for lecture recordings and a bigger screen for e-books.

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

Almost got an Android for the price, but iMessage group chats swayed me.

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

Apple’s certified refurbished site—wanted the 1-year warranty.

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

Peeled the plastic off like it was Christmas! Restored from my SE backup seamlessly.

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

Felt huge in my small hands but the weight was balanced.

⭐ First Week Usage

Used the Notes app for lecture transcripts—the mic picks up professors clearly from the back row.

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

Split-view for textbooks and Notion is clutch. Low Power Mode gets me through 8AM-to-midnight days.

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

Live Photos (for capturing whiteboard notes), Night Shift for late-night studying, and Find My Friends for campus safety.

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

No dual-SIM for my international study program—had to carry a burner phone.

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

Like upgrading from a scooter to a sedan. The SE now feels like a toy.

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

Recording lectures freed up time for my part-time job.

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

Sorority sisters roast me for the "grandma phone," but it’s a tank.

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

Wallet case for student ID, AirPods (the headphone jack is *always* in use).

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

8/10—perfect for students who abuse their phones.

⭐ Reason for Purchase

Dropped my Galaxy S8 in wet concrete—needed a tough phone for job sites.

📌 Purchase Motivation

Wanted iOS for better blueprint apps and a metal body that could survive falls.

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

Looked at rugged Androids but needed Apple’s ecosystem for work iPads.

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

Facebook Marketplace—met a guy in a Home Depot parking lot. Risky, but saved $150.

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

Had concrete dust on my hands—wiped it down first. iCloud restore took forever on site WiFi.

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

The aluminum back felt like it could take a hammer hit. Home button was satisfyingly clicky.

⭐ First Week Usage

Used the compass app to check building orientations. Survived a 6-foot drop onto rebar.

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

Bluebeam Revu runs better than on Android. Glove mode works with thin work gloves.

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

Water resistance (survived rainstorms), offline Maps for remote sites, and the **loud** speaker for noisy areas.

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

Touch ID fails with cracked fingertips. Had to buy a screen protector after scratching it with a wrench.

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

Galaxy had better zoom, but this feels indestructible.

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

Superintendents respect the "reliability" of iPhones on-site.

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

Crew guys call it my "office in a phone." Wife hates the concrete stains on the case.

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

Lifeproof FRE case, belt clip holster, dust plugs for the ports.

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

10/10 for tradespeople—just get a heavy-duty case.

⭐ Reason for Purchase

Grandkids kept complaining they couldn’t FaceTime me clearly on my flip phone.

📌 Purchase Motivation

Wanted something simple with big icons and a good camera for grandbaby pics.

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

My grandson insisted this was the "easiest iPhone." I trusted him—he’s in tech school.

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

AT&T store—the salesman was patient and set up my contacts for me.

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

Fumbled with the box for 10 minutes! My granddaughter did the setup while I made cookies.

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

Heavier than I expected, but the screen is so bright—I can read without glasses!

⭐ First Week Usage

Accidentally took 200 photos of my cat. Siri helped me find the "delete all" button.

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

Mostly for Facebook, crossword apps, and calling the grandkids. The "Zoom" display setting is a lifesaver.

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

Voice-to-text (my arthritis makes typing hard), emergency SOS button, and the *very* loud ringer.

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

Kept pressing the home button instead of the power button. Still confuse iMessage and regular texts.

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

My Jitterbug was like a toy compared to this. Took weeks to stop yelling "HELLO?" into Siri.

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

Book club loves my high-res photos of our reads. Finally joined the family group chat.

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

Great-grandkids video-call me weekly now. My bridge club is jealous.

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

PopSocket for grip, extra-long charging cable for my recliner.

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

10/10 if you’re patient—ask the grandkids for help!

Benchmark Scores

The iPhone 6s Plus may not be the newest kid on the block, but its A9 chip still holds up surprisingly well for everyday tasks. In Geekbench 5, it scores around 2500 for multi-core, which is decent for light browsing and social media. However, don’t expect it to compete with modern flagships—graphic

Build Quality & Materials

Apple’s signature aluminum unibody design feels premium even today. The 6s Plus has a solid heft, and the curved edges make it comfortable to hold. That said, the 7000-series aluminum can still get scratches over time, so a case is a good idea.

Display Quality

The 5.5-inch Retina HD display (1080p) is crisp for its time, with accurate colors and decent brightness. It lacks True Tone or HDR, so outdoor visibility isn’t as strong as newer iPhones, but for streaming or reading, it’s still enjoyable.

Camera System & Performance

The 12MP rear camera captures decent shots in good light, with accurate colors. Low-light performance is mediocre by today’s standards, and there’s no Night Mode. The 5MP front camera is basic—fine for selfies but struggles in dim settings.

Software & User Experience

iOS 15 (the last supported version) runs smoothly for basic tasks, but some newer apps may lag. The lack of updates beyond this means missing out on security patches and features—a dealbreaker for some.

Battery Life & Charging

The 2750mAh battery shows its age—expect 4-5 hours of screen time. It supports slow 5W charging (no fast charging), so keep a charger handy. Battery replacements are common for this model.

Gaming & Graphics Performance

Casual games like Candy Crush run fine, but demanding titles (e.g., Genshin Impact) stutter or overheat. The A9’s GPU is outdated for modern gaming.

Connectivity & Ports

It has LTE (no 5G), a Lightning port (no USB-C), and a headphone jack (rare for newer iPhones). Wi-Fi 802.11ac is decent, but Bluetooth 4.2 feels outdated.

Durability & Protection

Rated IP67 for dust/water resistance, but aging seals may reduce effectiveness. The screen is prone to cracks without a protector—repairs are costly.

Price & Value Proposition

Used prices hover around $100-$150 in the USA. It’s a budget entry into iOS, but consider spending more for longer software support.

Benchmark Scores

The A9 chip in the iPhone 6s Plus scores about 1300 single-core and 2200 multi-core in Geekbench 5—enough for emails and light apps, but multitasking feels sluggish compared to newer iPhones. Don’t expect flagship speeds.

Build Quality & Materials

The aluminum back and rounded edges scream classic Apple design. It’s sturdy but slippery—I dropped mine twice before getting a case. The Space Gray finish hides scratches better than Rose Gold.

Display Quality

The 1080p LCD is sharp but lacks the vibrancy of OLED. Viewing angles are good, but sunlight legibility is just okay. Great for YouTube, but don’t expect deep blacks.

Camera System & Performance

Daylight photos are surprisingly detailed for a 12MP sensor, but dynamic range is limited. No portrait mode or Night Mode hurts its versatility. Video stabilization is still impressive, though.

Software & User Experience

iOS 15 runs fine, but app load times are slower than newer iPhones. Some apps (like Zoom) crash occasionally. The lack of iOS 16+ support is a big downside.

Battery Life & Charging

A full charge lasts about half a day with moderate use. The 5W charger feels painfully slow—I often plugged it in by midday. Battery health degrades fast after 2 years.

Gaming & Graphics Performance

Playable for casual games (e.g., Among Us), but PUBG Mobile on low settings still causes frame drops. The phone gets warm quickly during extended sessions.

Connectivity & Ports

LTE speeds are decent, but no 5G means slower downloads in crowded areas. The Lightning port is a hassle if you’ve switched to USB-C elsewhere.

Durability & Protection

The IP67 rating is outdated—I wouldn’t trust it near water today. The screen scratches easily, and repairs cost almost as much as the phone’s value.

Price & Value Proposition

At $100-$150 used, it’s a cheap way to try iOS, but a Pixel 4a or iPhone SE (2020) offers better longevity. Only buy if you’re okay with compromises.