iPhone 6 Plus Review: Four Weeks With the iPhone 6 Plus

Today marks four weeks with my iPhone 6 Plus. To be honest, I meant to write this review two weeks ago, but I am somewhat glad I chose to wait. I wasn't really ready to write this review. The first six days with my iPhone 6 Plus weren't the best. It got to the point that I was flirting with the idea of traveling down to Utah and exchanging my iPhone 6 Plus for an iPhone 6. My wife has an iPhone 6, so I was able to compare my phone with hers. That all changed on the seventh day. Following those six days, I began loving my iPhone 6 Plus.

I never really cared for having a big phone, but I always want to have the better iPhone. Since the iPhone 6 Plus appeared to be the better iPhone, I chose the iPhone 6 Plus over the iPhone 6. I liked that it houses a 1080p display. I was really interested in the optical image stabilization as far as low-lighting photo taking and videos were concerned. Those are a couple of the features that are found in the iPhone 6 Plus that aren't available on the iPhone 6. More on that later.

Rather than talk about software, this review will focus mostly on the hardware of the iPhone 6 Plus. iOS 8.1 will be released on Monday, so rather than talk about iOS 8 (or iOS 8.0.2 for that matter), I will stick to talking about the things that make up the iPhone 6 Plus. I will give my thoughts about the overall performance of the iPhone 6 Plus, as well as what I think about the camera.

When I made the switch from an iPhone 4S to an iPhone 5, I liked the slightly taller size of the iPhone 5. It still felt great to hold an iPhone in one hand. Jumping from an iPhone 5S to an iPhone 6 Plus was a significantly bigger jump. Fortunately, the phone isn't just taller, it is wider. I still like how it feels in one hand, but I can't do nearly as much one handed on an iPhone 6 Plus like I could with its predecessors. I do like how the ends of the phone are rounded as opposed to straight. That does add to how well the phone feels in my hand.

The phone itself looks amazing. I still think that the iPhone 4/4S had the best design, but I have grown to like the design of the iPhone 6 Plus. It isn't the best looking iPhone nor is it the best looking smart phone, but it still has that quality build Apple is known for. That being said, I don't really have an opinion about the antenna lines. I wasn't a huge fan of the glass portions of the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5S, so having these antenna lines instead of the glass portions on the rear of the iPhone doesn't make a whole lot of difference to me. Like I said, I prefer the design of the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S.

As I mentioned before, when compared to the iPhone 6, the iPhone 6 Plus is virtually the same phone. Whereas you get a unique experience with the Samsung Galaxy Note series compared to the Galaxy S series, the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus are nearly identical as far as running iOS 8 is concerned. Instead, there are small differences between the two.

Apple chose to take advantage of the iPhone 6 Plus's size by allowing 6 Plus owners to be able to change the orientation of the home screen. Like an iPad, when you hold the iPhone 6 Plus horizontally the orientation of the screen changes to accommodate for the change in which you are holding the phone. It is neat being able to do that on an iPhone, but I have encountered various problems. Sometimes the phone doesn't change orientation at all. Sometimes the orientation changes without you moving your phone. I'm hoping that the iOS 8.1 update changes that.

The iPhone 6 Plus has the best screen an iPhone has ever had. I may have taken that from Apple, but I can confirm that the screen is simply amazing when you put it side-by-side to an older iPhone. It even looks better than the iPhone 6's screen. Apple has finally chosen to have an iPhone with a resolution we are familiar with. Like the iPhone 5 and 5S, the iPhone 6 has a weird resolution. Its resolution is 1334 by 750. The iPhone 6 Plus has a 1920 by 1080 resolution and it looks beautiful. I love watching movies on my iPhone 6 Plus that I have purchased through iTunes. The YouTube app was recently updated to take advantage of the bigger screens for the new iPhones, and it is nice that 1080p is finally an option on an iPhone. It may not be the best display in the market, but it is a nice screen regardless of what else is out there.

With an awesome display, who doesn't want a phone that is capable of taking great pictures? This was another factor for me when choosing between the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Both phones have an 8 megapixel camera, much like previous iPhones since the iPhone 4S. Rather than bump up the megapixels, Apple decided to continue fine-tuning what they already have. The iPhone 6 Plus has Optical Image Stabilization, and that helps the user when taking pictures. I have noticed that the pictures I take in places with low-lighting look great on my iPhone 6 Plus.

Videos also come out crisp and clean especially when my hands shake from time to time. OIS does make a difference in taking pictures and recording videos. Last year, Apple introduced Slow-Mo into the iPhone 5S. That feature has returned on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus and it is even better. It still records the video in 720p, but at 240 frames-per-second. Slow-Mo videos are amazing to watch on the new iPhones. Even though there is room for improvement, I'm finally getting what I have been wanting from a phone with picture and recording capabilities.

The biggest problem I have with the iPhone 6 Plus isn't so much the phone, but the apps. I knew that there would be some issues running apps on a bigger phone, much like there was when the iPhone 5 came out. There have been quite a few apps that have been updated for the bigger display, but there are plenty that still look blown up or don't even cover the entire screen. The apps that don't cover the whole screen still work, except Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic wasn't really playable for a couple of weeks. They have since updated the game and now it can be played on an iPhone 6 Plus without any problems.

Even though I have had my fair share of problems with iOS 8, the new iOS runs well on the iPhone 6 Plus. Apps tend to load a little faster on the iPhone 6 Plus, and that should be expected with a new phone. The iPhone 6 Plus is a great update for those who still have an iPhone 4, an iPhone 4S, and even an iPhone 5. Unless you're wanting a bigger screen, I think you're better off waiting for the next iPhone if you're an owner of an iPhone 5S. Overall, I have been loving my iPhone 6 Plus and I recommend it to those looking for an upgrade. It really does feel like an upgrade compared to the iPhone 6, but it definitely isn't for everyone.

SCORE:

8.9/10

Comparing the Size of the PlayStation TV With Other Devices

Yesterday, I picked up my PlayStation TV at the local GameStop. I am currently living in Idaho, so when I say local, I probably mean 30 miles away from where I am living.

The box itself is comparable to buying two Apple Airport Extreme boxes attached to one another, side to side. I am not certain how big the standalone box is for the PlayStation TV, so I have nothing to compare it to.

The PlayStation TV itself is really, really, really small. I have seen pictures of the PlayStation TV online, so I had an idea of its size. I'm sure comparison pictures are out there, but I thought I would go ahead and post some pictures I took of the PlayStation TV with other devices I have laying around in my home.

First up is a comparison shot of the PlayStation TV and the PlayStation Vita. You knew it was coming. You knew that the first picture I would take was a comparison shot of the PS Vita and the PS TV. Okay, enough with me telling you what you knew.

The PlayStation TV pretty much covers the screen of the PlayStation Vita. This thing is tiny. It helps that it doesn't have a screen, but the PlayStation TV is also thinner than the PlayStation Vita. I do have the OLED PS Vita, so I don't know how much thinner the PlayStation TV is than the new LCD PlayStation Vita. Still, the PlayStation TV is one tiny machine.

As you can see in this picture, (starting from left to right) the memory card slot, USB 2.0 port, HDMI port, Ethernet port, and A/C port are located on the back part of the PlayStation TV. On the right side of the PS TV (in this photo, the left) is where you place the PlayStation Vita game cards.

I also decided compare the PlayStation TV to the iPhone 6 Plus. The PS Vita has a 5-inch display. The iPhone 6 Plus on the other hand has a 5.5-inch display. I believe it is around 6.22-inches tall thanks to the bezel. That being said, the PlayStation TV still looks pretty small when stacked on top of an iPhone 6 Plus.

The iPhone 6 Plus is also wider than the PlayStation TV. You can't really tell in this picture, but it is definitely not as wide as the iPhone 6 Plus. Again, this device is really small.

Because the PlayStation TV plays PlayStation Vita games, I thought it would be neat to see how much smaller the PlayStation TV is than a PlayStation Vita game case. Generally, cases are somewhat smaller than the consoles they represent, but that isn't the case with the PlayStation TV. Not only did I get a PlayStation TV, I also got my copy of Senran Kagura Shinovi Versus: Let's Get Physical Edition. I chose to use the case for the game to show the difference in sizes between the PlayStation TV and a PS Vita game case.

Lastly, I compared the PS TV to an iPad air. It should be no surprise that the PlayStation TV looks like a dwarf compared to an iPad Air. Then again, I guess it didn't take an iPad Air to realize that. I have a Smart Cover on my iPad Air, but the cover doesn't hide the fact that the PlayStation TV is much smaller than the iPad Air.

So there you have it. There are some photographs of the PlayStation TV compared to a couple of devices and things I have within my possession. I will do my best to write a review for the PlayStation TV before the end of the month. As of right now, I am liking the PlayStation TV. Let's see if my opinion changes within the next couple of days.


In case you missed it, I also posted an unboxing video for the PlayStation TV. I have embedded it into this post for your viewing pleasure.

What I've Been Playing—Oct 11 Edition

So... this is supposed to be a weekly post, but I messed up last week. I was in Utah with family and friends, so I didn't get on the computer at all. Much to my surprise, I only really played two games the previous two weeks, so did you really want me to write about those two games back to back?

The past two weeks I have been playing Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Senran Kagura Shinovi Versus on the PlayStation Vita. I did play some Madden NFL 15 on the PlayStation 4, and Senran Kagura Burst and Pokemon X on the Nintendo 3DS. Both Burst and Pokemon X are about a year old (Pokemon X is a year old tomorrow, I believe), but I have this desire to write reviews for both games.

I know I wrote a first impression post about Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS, but I want to reiterate how good I think this game is. It is quite possibly one of the best games I have played on a handheld. Personally, I can't believe how good this game is. Like I said before, I liked PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale on the PS Vita, so I guess it is no surprise how much I like Smash Bros. on the 3DS. It's a fantastic game. I really can't wait for this game to come out on the Nintendo Wii U. Can November 21 be here already?

Senran Kagura Shinovi Versus is very fun. Levels do get a little repetitive, yet I enjoy the fast pace and the different special attacks that each character has to offer. I also like how many characters you can play as in this game. It will be nice finally being able to know what each character is saying. I pre-ordered my copy from Best Buy. I don't think it will get here on October 14, which kind of stinks, but that is what I get for taking so long to pre-order it. Oh, well. I still have the Japanese version to play anyway.

What have you been playing these past two weeks? Hit me up in the comments section of this post.

It's Almost October 14

There are two things I want that are being released next Tuesday. Those two things are Senran Kagura Shinovi Versus and the PlayStation TV. I already have Senran Kagura Shinovi Versus paid for thanks to a Best Buy gift card I had.

The PlayStation TV still needs to be paid off though. I have been trying to make sure that I avoid spending money on games and anything related to games. I have done a decent job about it. I think I have saved over $800. Yeah... I buy too many games. But I don't play them, let alone review them. Sigh.

Speaking of not beating games, I need to finish Senran Kagura Burst on the Nintendo 3DS. It is the game that really got me into the series and I had forgotten how much fun it was. I played some Burst yesterday as I recorded some gameplay footage for both Burst and Shinovi Versus. I thought it would only be appropriate to make a comparison video of the Shinobi Transformations and intros and so forth. For now, I'm only doing a comparison video for Asuka. I may do more down the road, but I'll see how this goes down first.

Like always, I have been going back and forth in regards to buying a PlayStation TV. I already own a Vita and I love playing games on it. It would be pretty cool to play games on my monitor, but I just don't know if it'll be worth it in the end. I'll continue to think about it. I also have to figure out if I really want to sell the games I have been thinking about selling. Yet another thing to think about. I am running out of time though.

There will be a standalone PlayStation TV unit and a limited edition unit. The standalone PS TV comes with the PlayStation TV system, an HDMI cable, an AC adaptor, and an AC power cord. It will cost $99.99.  The limited edition PlayStation TV bundle comes with everything aforementioned, as well as a DualShock 3 controller, an 8GB memory card, a voucher for The LEGO Movie Videogame for PS Vita, and a USB cable. The PlayStation TV limited edition bundle will cost $139.99.

Are you planning to buy either Senran Kagura Shinovi Versus or the PlayStation TV? Or both? Let me know what you're thinking about doing in the comments section.

First Impression: Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS

I was able to play Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS a couple of weeks before its official release. Because I was a Platinum Club Member, I was able to download the demo a week before everyone else. I had a lot of fun with the demo. The demo showed some promise. Now that I have been playing Super Smash Bros on the 3DS, I confidently confirm that I am in love with this game. It is an awesome handheld experience.

Having played PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale on the PlayStation Vita, I knew what to expect from an all out brawl on a small screen. That being said, I actually preferred PS All-Stars on the Vita over its PS3 counterpart. I don't know if that will be the case once the Wii U version of the game comes out, but I think I will love both of them equally. I just might enjoy it more on a bigger screen is all.

I had been wondering what it would be like to play as Zelda or Sheik since Nintendo chose to make them two characters instead of one. I was also intrigued by the decision to have Samus and Zero Suit Samus be their own characters as well. Much to my surprise, I have yet to play as Zelda or Samus as I have had a lot of fun playing as Sheik or Zero Suit Samus. So far, I think my favorite character in Super Smash Bros. for 3DS is Zero Suit Samus.

That being said, I have also played as Link, Toon Link, Pikachu, and Mega Man. I still have a lot of characters to try out. Gameplay wise, I am impressed how well this game performs on the 3DS. I was worried that I wouldn't like using the Circle Pad, but I have slowly become accustomed to it. It takes some getting used to.

I plan to write a full review of the game some time this month. I will let you know via Twitter where I am at with the review. I want to play the game some more before I give my final verdict of the game. I do have some problems with the game, but again, I will save those concerns for the review.

Did you get Super Smash Bros. for the 3DS? Are you also planning to get the Wii U version of the game? Let me know in the comments section.

October 2014: What to Get

Each month, there are plenty of things to look forward to. September brought us Destiny, the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus, iOS 8, Hyrule Warriors, and much more. October is shaping up to be another great month in the world of tech and gaming. I will share with you my most anticipated games and tech for the month of October.

The games I'm going to get are as follows:

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS [3DS] (October 3)
Driveclub [PS4] (October 7)
Senran Kagura: Shinovi Versus - Let's Get Physical Edition [PS Vita] (October 14)
Bayonetta 2 [Wii U] (October 24)

The tech I'm looking at getting are as follow:

PlayStation TV (October 14)
Intuos Creative Stylus 2 (mid-October)

These are the games I am considering to buy:

Pokemon Art Academy [3DS] (October 24)
Freedom Wars [PS Vita] (October 28)

October is shaping up to be a great month for gaming. I have been waiting for Super Smash Bros. for 3DS ever since it was announced. I really liked the original Bayonetta and since I have a Wii U, getting Bayonetta 2 was a no brainer for me. The fast pace action is a blast. I love it when a new Wii U game comes out. So far, I have only bought Mario Kart 8 this year for the Wii U, so it is always fun buying a new Wii U Game.

Lastly, I am definitely getting the Let's Get Physical Limited Edition version of Senran Kagura: Shinovi Versus. I have been leaning more and more towards buying game cards instead of digital downloads since I have about 8GB left on my PS Vita memory card. Also, it is a limited edition of the game, so why not?

I'm not so sure about Driveclub. Fortunately, I have a PlayStation Plus subscription, so I will check out the PS Edition first and see what I think about the game. Like fighting games, I like to buy racing games for some odd reason. Very bad habit.

These are the games and products I am probably going to buy. I cannot wait to pick up Smash Bros. on Friday. Sadly, my local GameStop isn't having a midnight launch. Sigh... I'll just have to wait... What are you planning to get this month? Let me know in the comments section.