What iPhone 6s Features Will Convince Current Owners to Upgrade

Here’s a look at significant features that could make the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus desirable options for current iPhone owners looking to upgrade.

For those who own an iPhone 5 or earlier, having the larger screen in the iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus is a major selling point. The days of 4-inch screens are fading fast as Apple’s latest handsets come in at 4.7 and 5.5 inches, which provide far more screen space to watch video or simply type on the screen. Don’t underestimate the importance of screen size to owners of older iPhones.

The 3D Touch feature built into the iPhone 6s could be an important add-on for current iPhone 6 and 6 Plus owners. The feature allows users to alter how hard they press on the screen and the software will react accordingly, giving users a new way to control their interaction with applications. In addition, the screen has what Apple calls the “taptic engine,” which creates a tapping sensation whenever a person presses the screen. It adds a new dimension to interacting with iOS.

Although Apple hasn’t changed the design of its iPhone, the fact is, the company didn’t really have to do so. The iPhone 6 line is among the best-looking smartphones on the market and has been mimicked by countless competitors. There’s no need—at least for now—for Apple to change its product design dramatically.

Customers hoping to have the highest-powered iPhone will want to buy the iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus. Apple dropped the A8 processor that was standard in previous models and replaced it with the A9, which the company says is up to 70 percent faster on the processing side and up to 90 percent faster on graphics. That’s a big jump.

This may be a small add-on to those who don’t travel much, but Apple says the new iPhones come with LTE Advanced. The feature, which wasn’t available in previous models, means the iPhone 6s can accommodate LTE speeds that are twice as fast as standard LTE. In addition, it can connect to more LTE bands, providing better coverage. Even the WiFi chip built into the iPhone 6s is better than last year’s model.

The iPhone 6s line has received an upgraded Touch ID fingerprint sensor this year. According to Apple, the line will come with a second-generation Touch ID that is both more accurate and more secure. It’s unclear just how much better the second-generation Touch ID is, but for security fanatics and enterprise users seeking better security, buying Apple’s latest smartphone may be a no-brainer.

The iPhone 6s line comes with all-new cameras that offer better picture quality. The rear-facing camera is now 12 megapixels, up from 8 megapixels in the previous version. Apple’s front-facing FaceTime camera is now 5 megapixels, leaping over the 1.2-megapixel option in the older iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. One other important addition: support for 4K video recording.

Apple did not change its pricing strategy with the iPhone 6s line. And as last year’s historic sales showed, customers were more than willing to pay top dollar for Apple’s handsets. So, Apple’s new models remain at $649 off-contract to start on the iPhone 6s, and $749 on the iPhone 6s Plus. Carrier pricing on contract is also the same as last year’s models, starting at $199.

One of the nice things about buying a new iPhone is that owners know their devices are optimized for the latest operating system and third-party apps. While iOS 9 and most apps will run just fine on the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, they’ll work even better on the latest models. Anyone who wants an optimized software experience should go with the iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus.

Apple’s decision to launch an annual upgrade program could be the factor that makes many more customers upgrade to the iPhone than would otherwise. With Apple’s upgrade program, customers will pay a monthly fee for their handset and be able to get a new iPhone each year on that pricing model. It makes moving to a new iPhone far more palatable for those on a budget and means Apple will sell many more iPhones as time goes on. It could be a huge factor in getting current iPhone owners to upgrade to the new device.