5. The most gadgety feature is 3DTouch
If you want real tech innovation from your iPhone 6S, look no further than 3DTouch. Which is basically the iPhone equivalent of the Force Touch feature we saw in the MacBook 12-inch trackpad. What it does is to use a sensor to measure the slight variance in distance between the top glass layer and the display backlight to tell when you're pressing down hard, or lighter.
This can then be used as a gesture to unlock secondary functions, well, pretty much anywhere in iOS 9. Functions Apple has shown off already include being able to shortcut your way to specific parts of an app right from the home screen using the 'peek' gesture, which seems to be unlocked with a harder press. Expect to see this feature appear in every app under the sun soon enough.
6. Apple has upped the build
The iPhone 6S looks just like the iPhone 6, but Apple says it has improved hardiness substantially. From an… unspecified grade of aluminium shell before, we now get 7000-series aluminium alloy. Recently, this was used in the Sport version of the Apple Watch.
It should mean the iPhone 6S is a bit more resilient to scratches, able to wear that bit better. The front glass has changed too. Apple never talks all that openly about how its glass compares to that of rivals, but we're told the dual ion exchange glass used in the iPhone 6S will be a significant improvement. Time to get the box cutter out to see if it's true.
7. The CPU has been turbo-charged
As usual, Apple has improved the new iPhone's CPU. And as usual, it's an Apple-designed chip that isn't easy to compare with that of the competition. It's called simply the Apple A9.
What we do know so far is that its CPU part has up to 70 percent more power than the Apple A8 of the iPhone 6, and the GPU 90 per cent more power. Given the iPhone 6S's screen resolution hasn't changed, it means devs will be able to pack in way more impressive visual effects. The chipset will be more efficient too, having upgraded the architecture process to, most likely, 14nm like the Samsung Galaxy S6's Exynos chipset.
8. TouchID is going to be even faster
Apple has quietly upgraded the TouchID scanner. It says it's now up to 2x as fast as the old version, which we have no complaints about as-is. It's likely a slightly tweak to the scanner hardware that live under the home button, as well as — most likely — some software algorithm improvements that make it a bit snappier.
9. It'll cost the same amount as the iPhone 6
The iPhone 6S will cost just as much as the iPhone 6 did, well, until right now.
That means from $199 in the US, or from £539 in the UK SIM-free. As before, there are three main versions if you don't factory in all the colours: 16GB, 64GB and 128GB. As usual, none have expandable memory so think carefully before you hit the checkout button.
10. You can pre-order it on September 12
The iPhone 6S is coming soon. Apple wasn't lying. You'll be able to pre-order a phone from September 12 on the Apple Store website. It's the best place to head if you want a phone on day one.
Two weeks later on 25 September the iPhone 6S will get its usual grand retail unveil at Apple Stores across the biggest territories, including the UK and US. If you're going to try to get one on the day, it'll be dicey unless you're willing to sign up for an expensive contract. You've been warned.
