iPhone 6S 64GB Silver: Is It Still a Good Buy?Our journey into the world of tech often involves looking back at the devices that once defined an era, and today, guys, we’re taking a deep dive into a true classic: the iPhone 6S 64GB Silver , specifically the MLA23LL/A model. Released way back in September 2015, this smartphone was a behemoth in its time, introducing groundbreaking features like 3D Touch and Live Photos, and marking a significant leap in performance over its predecessors. Now, almost a decade later, the big question on everyone’s mind – especially for those on a budget or looking for a secondary device – is whether this vintage gem still holds its own in the bustling, hyper-advanced smartphone market of today. We’re talking about a device that’s seen multiple generations of iPhones come and go, with advancements in cameras, processors, and display technology that would make your head spin. But here’s the thing, Apple products have a knack for longevity, and sometimes, a well-built, well-maintained older model can still offer incredible value. We’re going to explore every facet of the iPhone 6S 64GB Silver , from its design and performance to its camera capabilities and battery life, to help you figure out if investing in one of these timeless pieces is a smart move in the current landscape. Get ready to unpack the pros and cons, assess its real-world usability in 2024 and beyond, and ultimately decide if this iconic Apple smartphone still deserves a spot in your pocket. This isn’t just a nostalgic trip; it’s a practical guide for anyone considering this particular iPhone model as a budget-friendly option, ensuring you get high-quality content and real value for your time, so let’s get into it and see what this silver beauty has to offer!## A Trip Down Memory Lane: Key Features RevisitedLet’s be real, stepping back to the iPhone 6S 64GB Silver feels like unearthing a time capsule, yet its core features were so revolutionary at the time that many of them still resonate, even in today’s tech-saturated world. This specific model, the MLA23LL/A , represented a significant ’S’ upgrade for Apple, focusing on internal improvements rather than a radical redesign, and it truly pushed the boundaries of what a smartphone could do in 2015. We’re talking about a phone that introduced a more robust 7000 series aluminum body, a welcome change after the bending controversies of its predecessor, making it feel incredibly solid and premium in hand. Beyond the build, it brought us the powerful A9 chip, a substantial leap in processing power and graphics performance, ensuring that apps and games ran smoother than ever before. Then there was the camera, upgraded to a 12-megapixel sensor for stills and 4K video recording, a first for iPhones, which means you could capture surprisingly detailed photos and videos that still look decent today, especially with good lighting. But perhaps the most talked-about feature was 3D Touch , a pressure-sensing technology integrated into the display that allowed for new interactions like ‘Peek and Pop,’ adding a whole new dimension to app usage and navigation. This was genuinely innovative, although sadly, it didn’t quite catch on in the long run. We also saw the introduction of Live Photos , which captured a few seconds of video before and after a photo, bringing still images to life in a magical way. Even the front-facing camera got a bump to 5 megapixels and a Retina Flash feature, making those selfies look much better. So, while it might seem ancient by current standards, the iPhone 6S 64GB Silver was packed with cutting-edge tech that laid the groundwork for many features we now take for granted in modern smartphones, and understanding these foundational elements is crucial to assessing its current viability for anyone considering this vintage iPhone as a purchase.### Design and Build QualityWhen you first pick up the iPhone 6S 64GB Silver , you immediately notice its classic Apple aesthetic – elegant, minimalistic, and undeniably premium. Unlike the larger devices dominating the market today, its 4.7-inch display makes it incredibly comfortable for one-handed use, a huge plus for many who find modern phones unwieldy. The MLA23LL/A model, like all 6S variants, featured an upgrade to 7000 series aluminum, which is the same strong alloy used in aerospace applications, providing a significant boost in durability compared to the iPhone 6. This meant less worry about bending, a common concern with the previous generation, making the iPhone 6S feel much more robust and trustworthy in your hand. The silver finish, in particular, exudes a timeless sophistication, looking sleek and professional without being flashy. The iconic circular home button, housing the second-generation Touch ID sensor, is still present and provides satisfying haptic feedback, offering a reliable and quick way to unlock your device and authorize payments. Despite its age, the build quality ensures that a well-preserved iPhone 6S can still feel like a high-end device, lacking the plasticky feel of some budget Android phones. Its chamfered edges and seamless integration of the screen into the body underscore Apple’s attention to detail, maintaining that signature Apple design language that so many of us appreciate. For those who value compact ergonomics and a sturdy build over gargantuan screens, the iPhone 6S 64GB Silver definitely ticks a lot of the right boxes, making it a surprisingly pleasant smartphone to hold and interact with even after all these years.### Performance: A9 Chip & 2GB RAMBeneath the sleek silver exterior of the iPhone 6S 64GB Silver lies the Apple A9 chip, a dual-core processor that was an absolute powerhouse at its release, combined with 2GB of RAM – a substantial bump from the iPhone 6’s 1GB. While these specs might seem modest by today’s standards, where flagships boast octa-core processors and 8GB or even 12GB of RAM, it’s crucial to remember that Apple’s tightly integrated hardware and software ecosystem allows their devices to punch well above their weight. For its time, the A9 delivered up to 70% faster CPU performance and an astounding 90% faster GPU performance than the A8, which meant apps launched quicker, multitasking was smoother, and graphics-intensive games ran beautifully. In 2024, the A9 chip and 2GB RAM combination still manages to handle everyday tasks with surprising grace. Browsing the web, checking social media, sending messages, and even streaming video are generally fluid experiences. You might notice a slight delay when opening heavier apps or switching between many demanding applications, and intense, graphically rich games will certainly push its limits, resulting in lower frame rates or longer load times compared to modern phones. However, for the average user, the iPhone 6S 64GB Silver can still be a perfectly capable daily driver, especially if your usage isn’t centered around cutting-edge gaming or heavy video editing. The efficiency of iOS plays a significant role here, as Apple optimizes its operating system to run effectively even on older hardware, ensuring that the A9 chip continues to deliver a respectable performance that belies its age, making this vintage iPhone a surprisingly resilient performer for essential smartphone functions.### Camera Capabilities: 12MP & Live PhotosOne of the most significant upgrades for the iPhone 6S 64GB Silver was its camera system, moving from an 8-megapixel sensor on the iPhone 6 to a 12-megapixel main camera, capable of capturing more detail and producing sharper images. This was a monumental leap for Apple’s camera technology , and it also brought the ability to record video in stunning 4K resolution at 30 frames per second – a first for iPhones, which was incredibly impressive for 2015. In good lighting conditions, the iPhone 6S camera can still capture remarkably vibrant and detailed photos, with accurate color reproduction that is characteristic of Apple’s image processing. Don’t expect the computational photography wizardry of modern iPhones, like Night Mode or Deep Fusion, but for standard point-and-shoot scenarios during the day, it delivers solid results that are perfectly shareable on social media. The front-facing camera also received an upgrade, going from 1.2 megapixels to a more respectable 5 megapixels, and introduced Retina Flash , which uses the screen to provide a burst of light for selfies in low light. This was a clever solution at the time and still works effectively. Moreover, the iPhone 6S introduced Live Photos , a really cool feature that captures 1.5 seconds of video before and after you take a still photo, bringing a subtle animation to your memories. While this feature isn’t unique anymore, it was groundbreaking then and remains a charming way to relive moments. So, for casual photography and videography, especially in well-lit environments, the iPhone 6S 64GB Silver surprisingly holds its own, offering decent image quality that stands as a testament to Apple’s early prowess in mobile photography and makes this Apple smartphone a good choice for someone who isn’t a professional photographer but still wants reliable shots.### 3D Touch: The Forgotten Feature?Perhaps one of the most innovative yet ultimately underutilized features introduced with the iPhone 6S 64GB Silver was 3D Touch . This groundbreaking technology allowed the display to sense how much pressure you were applying, opening up entirely new ways to interact with your smartphone . Instead of just a tap or a long press, you could now