After the initial pre-order mess where I was promised delivery on the 19th, and then in the October 1-6 range, I picked up my white, 64 GB iPhone Plus on Thursday. Now that I’ve had a few days to play with it, here are some thoughts on it.
Size matters
Typically the first reaction when someone sees the phone is, “Damn, that’s a big phone.” Immediately followed by, “Does it bend?” The bend issue is certainly in the mainstream. I’m a 6’4 man with decent hand size. While the Plus is large in my hand, it’s not unwieldy. I do have to use it with two hands, but that’s the point. It fits comfortably in my pants. I don’t think I’ll need to worry about needing to take it out and rest it on a table when I’m at a restauraunt. The extra screen real estate is nice. Once more apps support it, I’ll be loving it.
Battery
Originally, I set up the phone and restored from iCloud. Following Myke Hurley’s comments about starting from new and getting the most battery life, I reset it Friday night. I haven’t charged it yet and I’m at 60%. Now, this is the weekend and not normal usage by a long shot. My iPhone 5, however, would have needed a charge by now.
HealthKit
HealthKit is what I hoped it would be. Unfortunately, the reset killed all of the data I had been tracking, but, the step and stairs counter is working out fab. I don’t even have to have the device in my pocket. It it’s in my bag, it’ll still track it.
Other stuff
At some point I am going to get a case. I’m leaning towards the Apple Leather Case, in Red. I want one that gives it a little bit more stick so it doesn’t fly off the table or my car mount. The car mount is something I’m trying to figure out. It fits ok, but I have a claw-style mount with no bottom and it’s a bit slidey in there. I have some shelf paper to help grab it. Once more apps use landscape mode, I might just throw it in there landscape and see how it does.
I’m glad I got it. What I’m hoping to do is use little found moments to either write or do a little reading while I’m away from my iPad. After looking at a coworkers 6 Normal, I knew the smaller device wouldn’t fit my hands.
Mark Crump 