Apple’s jumbo sized smartphone may be the best smartphone of them all

What makes the iPhone 6 stand out; its larger screen and increased battery life over the standard iPhone being two factors. Why a used 6 Plus represents good value.

Apple’s iconic iPhone is the most popular smartphone on the market, and has become the single biggest selling product from the company who came to prominence with their stylish range of computers and the huge popularity off their iPod personal music players.

When the iPhone 6 was released in 2014, a super size version with a 5.5 inch screen – the Plus – was added to complement the standard 4.7 inch screen model, and has proved a huge hit.

Apple’s marketing savvy

Many thought Apple were entering the lion’s den when they decided to compete in the heavily competitive mobile phone market, but the iPhone has been a game changer since its original release in 2007 and the development costs have subsequently been dwarfed by enormous revenues from iPhone sales.

Apple does a great job of knowing what the market wants and delivering it in a stylish and appealing fashion through products that are both easy to use and instil a desire of ownership in hordes of people.

They were aware larger screens were gaining popularity, and gradually upped the size of their smartphone’s screen from the 4 inch of the original model to the 4.7 of the standard iPhone – but it was offering a larger overall phone with increased screen real estate in the iPhone 6 Plus that moved the game on.

Bigger means better?

Of course not everyone wants bigger screens; some people much prefer a compact phone that can be easily stored in a pocket, but with the trend for more people using their phones to consume content and stay in touch on the move, and effectively use their smartphones as mobile computers the market for larger screened phones was opening up.

Bigger screens inevitably means bigger prices, but if you’re buying used such as with a refurbished iPhone 6 Plus then the premium a Plus costs over an already hardly cheap standard iPhone is mitigated; it’s possible to bag a reconditioned phone with a warranty for around £200 – a huge saving on a current model Plus.

Apple weren’t first with larger phones; other makers such as Samsung already offered larger screens, but Apple soon realised a significant trend had developed and jumped aboard in 2014 with the first iPhone Plus.

The case for the iPhone 6 Plus

While up against some formidable competition from the likes of Samsung, HTC and more the iPhone Plus has a lot to offer and could be considered the complete smartphone.

Reasons why:

It’s Apple – this is reason enough for many; the combination of design, build quality, ease of use (Apple’s mobile operating system is very intuitive) and brand appeal makes the Plus a desirable device.

iOS – Apple’s operating system is only found on the iPhone and the iPad tablet, unlike the Android platform which is used by several other smartphone and mobile device makers, so if you want iOS you have to have an iPhone. Apple iOS is highly thought of by many – for a while it was considered in a class of its own although Android has arguably caught up now in the looks and ease of use stakes.

Build quality – from the start the iPhone has always had a premium product feel thanks to a high standard of construction.

Upgradeability – Apple ensures new versions of iOS are downloadable immediately to the iPhones and iPads capable of running it, and also make it backward compatible with older devices stretching back at least a few generations. The iPhone 6 Plus can run iOS 11 – the latest version of Apple’s mobile platform.

Power – because it’s physically larger than the standard iPhone, the Plus has a larger battery so battery life, the Achilles heel of many smartphone, is less of a problem as the Plus lasts longer between charges.

Camera – model for model the camera on the iPhone Plus has a higher specification than the standard iPhone; on the 6 Plus the camera offers optical image stabilisation (OIS). This makes for better pictures in low light conditions; when the shutter has to stay open longer to allow more light in there’s a risk of camera shake – OIS corrects this.

Screen – while not necessarily at the cutting edge in terms of specifications compared to rivals, iPhone screens are generally of a very high quality and the company’s sound deployment of the technology usually sees iPhone screens measure up well to the competition; the larger one in the 6 Plus takes this to new levels.

Built to last

As explained above, Apple makes its phones to be compatible with the latest software releases, so downloading the most recent gives you many of the features of a new iPhone on older models. The iPhone 6 Plus and its successors offer many benefits and are, for many, the best smartphones on the market.

January 27, 2018 by Incredible Planet Staff

Best Camera Tripod Position for Photographers

Technology

All photographers require a good camera tripod mount to make sure the camera is stable, to get the best camera tripod position and to produce sharp, professional pictures. If you are taking those difficult photographs, either still images or motion shots, a tripod is ideal for keeping your camera steady. This item of kit is used extensively by the very best photographers operating at a professional level in order to achieve the best possible standards in their photography. Good tripod position can help you to take great photographs if you have shaky hands.

So many different photography situations demand the use of camera tripods. There are a variety of tripods from which to choose. Mini camera tripods can be used to fit on top of a table to get the best possible camera tripod position. There is a wide range of prices as well as sizes of tripods from cheap basic tripods to expensive multi-featured large tripods. However, there are still bargains to be had for the amateur photographer on a budget.

You get what you pay for. Expensive tripods come with premium features such as improved camera on tripod mount connections and stronger feet to help grip the tripod to rough ground. At the very top of the range, many good tripod mounts are pricey and made of wood for professional studio use.

Small mini tripods can handle weights of around 50lbs. To be completely anchored to the ground, a full-sized tripod is required for heavy equipment. If you are using compact equipment, carry a small portable tripod to help make travelling around easier.

Finding a good camera on tripod position can be very useful when taking family portraits. You can use the timer on your camera when you set up the camera on the tripod. Once the camera is in the correct position and the timer is set, take your position with your family for a great photograph.

Another example of using tripod position is when taking school photographs. Place each child in front of the camera in turn, once it has been set up. This will result in perfect pictures every time. It is easy to take many photographs of subjects in the same place. As long as the subject is placed in the correct position in each photograph, the placement of the camera on tripod is the same every time.

When choosing a tripod, consider what it will be used for before buying. You may need some features more than others so these should be prioritised. The weight of your camera is also important as the tripod must be able to bear this weight and you will need a good tripod mount if you plan to use heavy kit. Also consider the locations in which the camera tripod will be used and whether you require the facility to take images from a height.

Finally, make sure you keep to a budget so you don’t end up spending too much money. You can find many high street photography stores on any high street or on the internet and prices vary wildly. Do the due diligence and find out as much as you can about each dealers reputation before making your choice.

September 5, 2017 by Incredible Planet Staff

Your Guide To Finding The Best Starter Cameras

Lifestyle

Renowned photographer Ansel Adams once said, “There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs”. But you do need a camera to capture a photograph.

If you are taking your first steps into the world of photography, selecting your starter camera can be a confusing matter. Given that the photographic gear market is flooded with innumerable choices, how do you decide which will be the best starter camera for you? Let us take a look at some of the factors that you need to keep in mind when selecting and buying your starter camera.

Budget

More often than not, budget plays a big role in a consumer’s buying decision. Before you begin hunting for the best starter camera, be aware of how much you are ready to shell out. Your budget window will narrow down your choices and allow you to select without getting overwhelmed by the sheer number of options available in the market. While setting your budget, take into consideration the accessories you may want or need along with your camera.

Types of camera

One of the first things to decide is the type of camera you want. Cameras come in various types. Among the popular types are the DSLRs, compact digital cameras, and mirrorless cameras.

DSLRs (digital single lens reflex) come with fancy looks, great lenses, and a ton of user control options. What makes DSLRs so popular is their exceptional image quality. Compact digital cameras, also known as point-and-shoot cameras, are handy, durable, and light weight. They have inbuilt and non-interchangeable lenses and are convenient for use. When you want a merger of compactness and interchangeable lenses, mirrorless cameras fit the bill. They can capture impressive high-resolution images.

Sensor

Whether you are aware of the technical aspects of a camera or not, the sensor is one thing that you must pay attention to. Sensors come in varied resolutions (megapixels), sizes, and sensitivity to light. The sensor size impacts your image quality and lens functioning. Big sensors have better resolutions and higher sensitivity to light. All these help in producing more detailed images. The biggest sensors are the full frame ones and they are available in the size of a 35mm film. But most cameras use a smaller sensor version that is known as call cropped frame.

Lens

The camera lens is something that you cannot ignore while buying a camera. If you opt for a point-and-shoot camera that comes with an attached lens, take a look at its zoom range. Note that zoom is of two types: digital and optical. Optical zoom defines the capability of the lens. With DSLRs that allow you to use an assortment of lenses, your options are huge. So, decide wisely before making your pick.