The "Best iPhone Ever" and an Appealing Wearable Option for Everyone

An Expected, Natural Evolution: iPhone 6 Plus and iPhone 6

General media, perhaps drawn by its novelty, introduced the Apple Watch before the iPhone 6 Plus and iPhone 6. However, the iPhone 6 Plus and iPhone 6 are what will truly bring happiness to many people.

Its evolution in features and design is truly "as expected." While not revolutionary, it's a definitively superior smartphone compared to the previous top-tier iPhone 5s.



The design evolution is also noteworthy. The seamless design, with its curved home button, frame, and glass, is characteristic of Apple's craftsmanship. Its exceptional level of refinement is undeniable, just like previous iPhones.





Furthermore, smartphone performance has advanced. The new A8 processor boosts task processing speed by about 25% and graphics performance by about 50%. While the core specifications of the still and video cameras remain largely unchanged, their performance has been significantly enhanced due to this processor upgrade.






The Plus model is particularly noteworthy for its camera capabilities, featuring optical image stabilization for the first time in an iPhone.
The inclusion of a barometer is another significant advancement. Combined with the new M8 motion coprocessor, it enables continuous recording of user movement data (distance traveled) even in sleep mode.



Future software development leveraging this functionality and data will likely unlock new fitness and health features previously unimaginable. While this may take some time, it represents one of the exciting future possibilities offered by the iPhone 6 Plus and iPhone 6.




In addition to the myriad functional improvements, the introduction of a 128GB storage option provides users with greater choice. The Lightning connector for charging and PC connection remains unchanged. This represents a meaningful and significant evolution for users.





It's a natural evolution across the board, with no discernible drawbacks. The new iPhone 6 Plus and iPhone 6 are truly the "best iPhones ever."

Available from September 19th from all three carriers. Which will you choose?

For those considering upgrading from their current iPhone, or purchasing an iPhone for the first time, the biggest decision is choosing between these two models with their different display and body sizes.





However, from a specifications standpoint, the iPhone 6 Plus is considerably more attractive than the iPhone 6. Its battery life, including continuous talk time in 3G mode, is significantly superior, and only the Plus features optical image stabilization for the camera. The larger display also enables iPad-like usage.

Therefore, unless you find the larger size uncomfortable, we recommend purchasing the iPhone 6 Plus.
Prices for the SIM-free versions at the Apple Store start at ¥79,800 (excluding tax) for the iPhone 6 Plus and ¥67,800 (excluding tax) for the iPhone 6. Colors available are Silver, Gold, and Space Gray. Online pre-orders at the Apple Store began on September 12th.

Apple iPhone 6

Colors | Space Gray, Gold, Silver

Capacity | 16GB, 64GB, 128GB

Dimensions | Height 138.1mm, Width 67.0mm, Depth 6.9mm

Weight | 129g

Chip | A8 chip with 64-bit architecture, M8 motion coprocessor

Display | 4.7-inch Retina HD display

Camera | 8-megapixel iSight, ƒ/2.2 aperture

Continuous Talk Time | Up to 14 hours on 3G

Continuous Standby Time | Up to 10 days (250 hours)

Release Date | September 19 (Friday)

Carriers | SoftBank, au, NTT docomo



Apple iPhone 6 Plus

Colors | Silver, Gold, Space Gray

Capacity | 16GB, 64GB, 128GB

Dimensions | Height 158.1mm, Width 77.8mm, Depth 7.1mm

Weight | 172g

Chip | A8 chip with 64-bit architecture, M8 motion coprocessor

Display | 5.5-inch Retina HD display

Camera | 8-megapixel iSight, ƒ/2.2 aperture

Continuous Talk Time | Up to 24 hours on 3G

Continuous Standby Time | Up to 16 days (384 hours)

Release Date | September 19 (Friday)

Carriers | SoftBank, au, NTT docomo

An Unprecedented, Appealing Wearable Option: Apple Watch

Now that we've covered the iPhone 6 Plus and iPhone 6, let's introduce the highly anticipated new product announced alongside them: the Apple Watch, scheduled for release in 2015.




Given its name, "Watch," and its introduction before the iPhone 6 Plus and iPhone 6, some may have mistakenly believed it to be a standalone wristwatch. However, this Apple Watch is not a self-contained timepiece like a conventional watch. It's a watch-like wearable device designed to be used in conjunction with iPhone 5 or later models, offering unprecedented functionality and appeal by bringing iPhone features to your wrist.



It's important to understand that many functions, such as making calls, browsing the web, and sending/receiving emails, are achieved through a wireless connection with the iPhone, making it fundamentally a companion device.



Apple's official release hints at this without explicitly stating it, describing it as "featuring a beautiful design that pays homage to the rich tradition of watchmaking with innovative new technologies and a pioneering user interface" and "the most personal device the company has ever created." The phrase "a watch that redefines how you spend time" has also been used online.

Control with Touch and Crown

So, what kind of design and features does it have, and what can it actually do?






Regarding the exterior design, those with specialized knowledge of watches, like the author, will note its ergonomic qualities, reminiscent of "IKPOD," a brand previously launched by Marc Newson, who was involved in its design.





Furthermore, this display incorporates "Force Touch" technology, which detects the difference between a tap and a press, allowing for control through subtle finger movements. On the side of the case, seamlessly integrated with the crystal in a beautiful curve, is a digital crown (electronically controlled crown) that enables scrolling, zooming, and navigation without touching the display itself.

iPhone Features Seamlessly Accessible on Your Wrist

By wirelessly pairing with an iPhone 5 or later via Wi-Fi 802.11b/g and Bluetooth 4.0, it enables highly accurate time display down to 0.05-second increments, answering and making calls via the iPhone, performing web searches with Siri, and composing and sending emails.




In essence, depending on future software development, a significant portion of iPhone functionality can be utilized seamlessly and easily on your wrist alone, far surpassing previous wearable devices. This is truly groundbreaking.




Adding to these features, the Walkie-Talkie function, allowing communication between Apple Watches, is another appealing aspect of this device.

The First Successful Multi-Functional Wearable Device?

Wrist-worn devices designed to be used with smartphones have historically failed to achieve widespread success. However, the Apple Watch has a very high probability of becoming the first truly successful device, both functionally and commercially.
The starting price of $349 (approximately ¥37,000 in Japanese yen) is remarkable, considering the meticulous attention to design, mirroring the iPhone's aesthetic. The pricing of the high-end Watch Edition, particularly the 18-karat gold versions, is also of great interest.





However, many details remain unclear at this point. Given its fundamental reliance on the iPhone for communication, the actual battery life is a key question. The extent of standalone functionality is also unknown. All will be revealed upon its release, slated for early 2015. We eagerly await that day.