Overview
The iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus are smartphones designed by Apple Inc. and announced in September 2015; they went on sale later that month. They succeeded the iPhone 6 models and kept a similar external appearance while adding new hardware and software features. The pair were offered in a new rose gold finish alongside more familiar colors and shipped with iOS 9.
Design and display
Both models retained the slim, rounded design introduced with the previous generation but used a stronger aluminum alloy to improve rigidity. The iPhone 6S has a 4.7-inch display and the 6S Plus a 5.5-inch display. Apple introduced a pressure-sensitive screen technology for these phones, marketed on phones as 3D Touch and related to earlier Force Touch implementations on other Apple products.
Hardware and performance
Under the hood the 6S series upgraded processing and memory to provide faster app performance and improved multitasking. They included the A9 system-on-chip with a companion motion coprocessor. Connectivity improvements covered faster LTE and Wi‑Fi standards available at the time. Storage choices were offered in multiple capacities, including options such as 16, 64 and 128 GB.
Camera and software features
Camera upgrades were a headline feature: a 12-megapixel rear sensor capable of higher-resolution stills and 4K video recording, and a 5-megapixel front-facing camera with a screen-based flash for selfies. Apple added Live Photos, a feature that records brief motion and sound around a shot to create a short animated image. For more on the imaging system see camera details and the front-camera description at front camera info.
Variants, accessories and market role
The two sizes addressed different user preferences: the standard 4.7-inch model for one-handed use and the 5.5-inch Plus model for users who preferred a larger display. Accessories included cases, Lightning-enabled peripherals and Apple’s ecosystem services. Information about the devices and official support can be found on product pages such as iPhone 6S product.
Legacy and notable facts
The 6S line is remembered for bringing pressure-sensitive touch interactions (3D Touch), Live Photos and a jump in camera resolution to Apple’s mainstream iPhone range. These models bridged the gap between the iPhone 6 era and later designs, and remain cited in discussions of Apple’s mid-2010s hardware evolution. For comparisons and specifications, see manufacturer resources like previous model notes and storage or purchasing references at capacity options.