Hardware

Mobile Phone

Long-term Field Test: 24.03.–24.11.2016


Apple iPhone 6s Plus

My Change of the Ecosystem

Those who know me will be surprised to actually find a test of an iPhone here (I had previously relied on BlackBerry) …
I have posted my detailed reasons for changing my mind elsewhere online (Which Operating System + exchangeable battery).
Short version: BlackBerry has severely disappointed its private customers – we are now left with Apple iOS as the only acceptable ecosystem.

Two weeks before Easter 2016, my plan was to wait for the iPhone 7 (Plus) and possibly (!) buy an iPhone SE with 64 GB on 31.03.2016.
That would then become my spare device in September 2016, if I liked the iPhone 7 (Plus).

A week before Easter, I was at the Saturn-Electro tech department stores' and had the opportunity to pick up a 6s Plus and try it out.
I liked it so much that I didn't want to wait for the iPhone 7 …

After careful consideration, I made the decision to visit the Apple Store on Maundy Thursday.
Until then, I had enough time to read more rumours about the upcoming iPhone 7 (Plus) on the internet.
Many rumours remain what they are, but there are also good sources of information, some perhaps even controlled by Apple marketing itself.

Photo: Original box Apple iPhone 6s Plus Space-Grey 128 GB

Photo: Original box Apple iPhone 6s Plus 128 GB, colour space-grey

That's why we now have this experience report on the no longer brand new, but still very popular 6s Plus model from Apple.
I hope you enjoy reading it!

Purchasing

24.03.2016: I visit the Apple Store in Frankfurt am Main for the first time. Nice big shop. Customers can try out all the devices undisturbed by the staff. But if you need advice, they are available and very friendly and helpful.

Since I had informed myself on the internet on apple.com, I actually know what I want ... But I have never seen the iPhones in daylight! I had actually chosen gold as the case colour, but it looks different here in the Apple Store in daylight than in the photos on the internet. It's good that I can look at and try out all the devices without being disturbed. After a very detailed comparison, I decide on the colour “Space Grey”. With this colour, the front is uniformly black when the display is off and the fingerprint sensor does not have a ring in a different colour. I find that more consistent and more valuable.

Now I speak to a staff member and say that I want to buy an iPhone. She asks if I already know exactly what I want and then points to the table at the very back on the left. There I tell the nice salesperson that I want to buy an iPhone 6s Plus with 128 GB memory in the colour space grey.
For this I choose a Leather Case, colour “Saddle Brown”. He books it in his mobile checkout terminal, which consists of a small iPod touch with additional hardware in a protective case. About five minutes later, a colleague brings him the goods (it is busy).
To be on the safe side, the cashier asks if I already have a nano-SIM. The advice is really good. Everything is thought of. Symbol: Thumbs up!

It is only when I get home and take the photos of the unpacking of the iPhone for this review that I realise that none of my existing phone cases are big enough for the 6s Plus.
Since Apple does not offer a suitable case for using the iPhone with the leather shell, I plan to buy a leather case online at fitBAG.

29.03.2016: Late in the evening I remember that I still haven't ordered the leather case. I measure the iPhone 6s Plus together with the leather case because I want to use it together. A leather shell protects the case, but does not offer the same comprehensive protection as a leather case.
I order a black nappa leather bag from fitBAG with the desired dimensions of 16.5 x 8 x 1 cm. That way it won't be too tight.

06.04.2016: I received the leather case from fitBAG. The iPhone 6s Plus in its Leather case by Apple fits perfectly into the black nappa leather case by fitBAG. Symbol: Thumbs up!
Photos of this you can see below at Leather Case and Leather Sleeve

Equipment

Photo: Opened original box Apple iPhone 6s Plus Space-Grey 128 GB with a view of the accessories.

Photo: opened original box Apple iPhone 6s Plus Space-Grey 128 GB with a view of the accessories.

  • Apple iPhone 6s Plus with 128 GB memory in the colour Space Grey
  • Cable with Lightning connector to USB connector for charging with supplied
    Power adapter and connection to PC/Mac for synchronisation with iTunes
  • Power supply unit with USB socket for charging with supplied cable
  • Apple EarPods with Remote and Microphone, Storage and Carrying Case
  • Documentation

Tech Specs

Apple iPhone 6s Plus

Photo: Apple iPhone 6s Plus Space Grey, back side

Photo: Apple iPhone 6s Plus Space Grey, back side

Model: A1687

Colour: Space grey (also available in silver, gold and rose gold)
Storage capacity: 128 GB (also available in 16 and 64 GB)
Dimensions and weight: 158.2 x 77.9 x 7.3 mm, 192 g

Display

Retina HD display with 3D touch, widescreen with 5.5 inch (13.94 cm) diagonal
LED backlight, resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels; 401 pixels per inch
Typical contrast ratio: 1300:1, Maximum typical brightness: 500 cd/m²
Colour standard: sRGB, Dual domain pixels for wide viewing angles
Grease-repellent coating, display zoom, one-hand mode

Processor

A9 chip with 64-bit architecture, integrated M9 motion coprocessor

Cameras

12 Megapixel iSight Camera
Auto focus, optical image stabilisation, panoramic image (up to 63 megapixels).
Automatic HDR for photos, continuous shooting mode, self-timer
F/2.2 aperture, 5-element lens, hybrid IR filter
Sapphire crystal lens cover, automatic image stabilisation
Face detection, geotagging for photos

4K video recording (3840 x 2160) at 30 fps
1080p HD video recording at 30 fps or 60 fps, 720p HD video recording at 30 fps
Slow motion video in 1080p at 120 fps or 720p at 240 fps
Time-lapse video with image stabilisation, cinematic video stabilisation (1080p and 720p)
Continuous autofocus, take 8 megapixel photos when shooting 4K videoZooming during playback, 3x zoom, face detection, geotagging for videos

FaceTime HD camera
5 megapixel photos, 720p HD video recording, Retina FlashF/2.2 aperture, Auto HDR for photos and videos, Exposure slider.
Continuous shooting mode, self-timer, face recognition

Touch ID: fingerprint sensor integrated in home button

Wireless Technologies

LTE (frequency bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
TD-LTE (frequency bands 38, 39, 40, 41)
TD-SCDMA 1900 (F), 2000 (A)
CDMA EV-DO Rev. A (800, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz)
UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz)
GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)

802.11a/b/g/n/ac WLAN with MIMO
Bluetooth 4.2
NFC

Locating function

Assisted GPS and GLONASS, Digital Compass, WLAN, Cellular, iBeacon Micro-location

Audio Calls

FaceTime audio calls
Voice over LTE (VoLTE)

Video Calls

FaceTime video calls via WLAN or mobile telephony

Audio Playback

Supported audio formats: AAC (8 to 320 kbit/s), Protected AAC (from the iTunes Store), HE-AAC, MP3 (8 to 320 kbit/s), MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, 4, Audible Enhanced Audio, AAX and AAX+), Apple Lossless, AIFF and WAV.

TV and Video

AirPlay mirroring, photos, audio and video output to Apple TV (2nd generation or newer).
Video Mirroring and Video Output: Support for up to 1080p via Lightning Digital AV Adapter and Lightning to VGA Adapter (sold separately)
Supported video formats: H.264 Video: up to 4K, 30 frames per second, High Profile Level 4.2 with AAC-LC audio up to 160 kbit/s, 48 kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4 and .mov formats; MPEG-4 video: up to 2.5 Mbit/s, 640 x 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 kbit/s per channel, 48 kHz, stereo audio in . m4v, .mp4 and .mov; Motion JPEG (M-JPEG): up to 35 Mbit/s, 1280 x 720 pixels, 30 frames per second, audio in ulaw format, PCM stereo audio in .avi format

Siri

Send messages in your own voice, create a reminder and more.
Get predictive suggestions, hands-free calling, listen to and recognise songs.

Source: https://support.apple.com

Power Adapter

Manufacturer's information

Photo: Apple power supply 5 Watt (with socket for Lightning to USB cable)

Photo: Apple power adapter 5 Watt (with socket for Lightning to USB cable)

Talk time: up to 24 h with UMTS (3G)
Internet usage: up to 12 h with 3G, LTE and WLAN
HD video playback: up to 14 h
Audio playback: up to 80 h
Standby time: up to 16 days
Built-in lithium-ion battery: 2,750 mAh
Charging via USB port on computer or mains adapter

Tip: If charging with the supplied 5 W power adapter (see photo) takes too long, use Apple's power adapter for iPads or the one for MacBook Air instead (buy it separately if necessary).
However, slower charging saves the battery …

The battery life depends on how you use the iPhone. With very little use, but listening to music for 3 hours a day, it lasts 2 days with about 40% remaining.
In order not to strain the battery, I usually charge it to a maximum of 70% and use the iPhone to a remaining capacity of about 30%. Then the battery is charged again.
Therefore, my figures for battery performance are not exaggerated.

Experience from daily Practice

Next, I describe my own experience.

Battery Performance

Battery Runtime, Use Time, Battery Saving, Charging Time

Battery Runtime

Very individual, difficult to compare. Everyone defines "few users" and "frequent users" differently, not to mention the term "normal user".
Personal definition: private, not allowed at work, 5-day week at work, frequent use only at weekends.

Use Time

Little use: 2.5 days (Siri Assistant, a few emails, a few iMessages, calendar, notes, 3 h listening to music, minimal web).
Heavy use: 1 day (reading a book [Kindle app], Siri, some emails, iMessages or SMS, calendar, notes, calls, 5 h listening to music, 3 h web).

Battery Saving

To protect the battery, which cannot be changed by the user, I never let it reach its limits, because that wears it out unnecessarily quickly.
When there is about 30% residual charge, it is charged up to about 80%.
If you let the battery get almost empty and charge it up to 100% (e.g. overnight), you stress the battery and use up a full charging cycle.
Modern lithium-ion batteries can withstand 300-500 charging cycles. In practice, these are reached within 5 years, depending on the treatment.
Fast charging stresses the battery a lot and thus shortens its lifespan considerably, which is why I don't miss a corresponding power supply unit.
The relatively slow charging on the notebook does not bother me at all, on the contrary. The battery does not get hot during charging.

Charging Time

This list should give you an idea of the charging times to expect.
Charging time at USB 2.0 socket: 4 h (at 30% residual charge up to about 80%)(Notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X)
Charging time with 5W mains adapter: 1:00 h (with 24% residual charge up to exactly 60%)(Apple 5W USB Power Adapter)
Charging time with 36W power adapter: 1:00 h (at 30% residual charge up to exactly 83%)(Anker 36 W 5 V/7.2 A 4-port USB charger)
Charging time with 5W mains adapter: 1:30 h (with 29% residual charge up to exactly 83%)(Apple 5W USB Power Adapter)
Charging time with 5W power adapter: 1:37 h (with 30% residual charge up to about 90%)(Apple 5W USB Power Adapter)
Charging time with Battery pack: approx. 3 h (with 30% residual charge up to approx. 80%)(just mobile Gum Pro PP-08)
Charging time with Battery pack: approx. 1 h (at 25% residual charge up to approx. 80%)(Anker PowerCore Edge 20,000 mAh)
Charging time with Battery pack: 1:30 h (at 25% residual charge up to 94%) (Anker PowerCore Edge 20,000 mAh)

If you're dizzy from all the columns of numbers here, move on to next topic: Call Filter …

Battery Protocol

Measurement Value Acquisition

This measurement series is based on my own screenshots and calendar entries, as Apple does not offer a device monitor. The relative energy consumption of apps in percent, the battery level shortly before charging, at the beginning of charging and after charging was recorded with a screenshot. This makes it possible to make a relatively accurate statement about battery performance. This is influenced by the quality of mobile phone reception, the frequency of cell changes and generally by the intensity of use.

I use my iPhone less on weekdays because I work eight hours a day (emails, internet, listening to music, calendar data maintenance).

It is used much more frequently on weekends, holidays and holidays (reading books, emails, taking photos, internet, listening to music, calendar data maintenance).

The Apple operating system iOS only switches the low-power mode on automatically at 20% residual charge and off again at 80% battery. I will never let the battery run down like this without need (this is stress for the battery)! Unless otherwise stated, I use the iPhone after charging to max. 80% until the next charge without power saving mode. For quick charges, I always use the low-power mode (exceptions are marked).

Recorded Measurement Data

24.03.: Charging on Apple 5W USB Power Adapter up to 85% (iOS version 9.3.0).
Residual charge: 49% at 23:52. Since first switch-on without power saving mode.
Charged: 85% at 00:52.
Conclusion: 36% charge on the original charger within 1:00 am.

27.03.: Charged to 80% on the Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X notebook (iOS version 9.3.0).
Residual charge: 30% at 21:30. Battery life: 67:36 h! Power saving mode only from 25.03. 09:54 to 26.03. 12:50.
Charged: 80% at 01:00.
Conclusion: 50% charge at USB 2.0 socket within 3:30 h.

28.03.: Charge on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 80% (iOS version 9.3.0)
Residual charge: 43% at 22:47. Battery life: 21:45 without power saving mode.
Charged: 80% at 01:30.
Conclusion: 37% charge on USB 2.0 socket within 2:43 h without low-power mode.

29.03.: Charge on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 82% (iOS version 9.3.0).
Residual charge: 29% at 21:30. Battery life: 19:58 without power saving mode.
Charged: 82% at 00:45.Afterwards, browsed the App Store and the web for a long time.
Conclusion: 53% charge on USB 2.0 socket within 3:15 h without low-power mode.

30.03.: Charge on Apple 5W USB Power Adapter up to 85% (iOS version 9.3.0)
Residual charge: 52% at 08:10. Battery life: 7:23 h without power saving mode and flight mode.
Charged: 85% at 09:05.
Conclusion: 33% charge on original charger within 0:55 h without power save mode.

31.03.: Charge on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 72% (iOS version 9.3.0).
Residual charge: 41% at 21:00. Battery life: 35:53 h! And that without low-power mode!
Charged: 72% at 23:30.
Conclusion: 31% charge at USB 2.0 socket within 2:30 h without low-power mode.

01.04.: Charged on Apple 5W USB Power Adapter up to 82% (iOS version 9.3.0).
Residual charge: 30% at 22:35. Battery life: 23:03 h without power saving mode!
Charged: 82% at 00:05. Without low-power mode.
Result: 52% within 1:30 h.

02.04.: Charged on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 82% (iOS version 9.3.0)
Residual charge: 29% at 20:53. Battery life without power saving: 20:46 h.
Charged: 82% at 00:45.
Conclusion: 53% within 3:52 h.

03.04.: Charged on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X to 48% (iOS version 9.3.0)
Residual charge: 29% at 23:17. Battery life without power saving: 22:30 h.
Charged: 48% at 00:47. Only activated low-power mode at 00:45 h for faster charging.
Result: 19% within 1:30 h.

04.04.: Charging on the Apple 5W USB Power Adapter up to 84% (iOS version 9.3.0).
Residual charge: 48% at 08:10. Battery life in power saving mode: 07:21 h.
Charged: 84% at 09:10.
Result: 36% within 1:00 h.

05.04.: Charging on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 59% (iOS version 9.3.0)
Residual charge: 35% at 22:00. Battery life without power saving: 36:48 h!
Charged: 59% at 23:30.
Conclusion: 24% charge in 1:30 h at the USB 2.0 connection.

06.04.: Charge on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 81% (iOS version 9.3.0)
Residual charge: 33% at 20:41. Battery life in power saving mode: 21:09 h.
Charged: 81% at 00:31.
Conclusion: 48% within 3:50 h.

08.04.: Charge on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 81% (iOS version 9.3.0).
Residual charge: 29% at 21:49. Battery life without power saving mode: 45:16 h.
Intermediate status: 45% at 22:58.
Intermediate status: 62% at 00:12.
Intermediate status: 69% at 00:54.

09.04.: Charging on Apple 5W USB Power Adapter up to 96% (iOS version 9.3.0).
Residual charge: 33% at 20:00.
Charged: 96% at 21:59.
Conclusion: 63% charge on the mains adapter within 1:59 h.

10.04.: Charge on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 76% (iOS version 9.3.0)
Residual charge: 31% at 20:15. Battery life without power saving mode: 22:14 h.
Charged: 76% at 23:59.
Test power consumption without flight mode; leave iPhone switched on with screen down this night.

11.04.: Charged on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X to 81% (iOS version 9.3.0)
Residual charge: 39% at 20:47.
Intermediate status: 76% at 23:40.
Intermediate charge: 77% at 23:42.
Charged: 81% at 23:58.
During the night, I did not use flight mode on a trial basis. So the consumption overnight was 9% instead of max. 2%.
Measurement:
11.04. 00:43 hrs: remaining charge 70%.
11.04. 07:57 hrs: remaining charge 61%.

12.04.: Charging on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 80% (iOS version 9.3.0)
Residual charge: 47% at 21:30.
Charged: 80% at 00:14.

13.04.: Charge on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 70% (iOS version 9.3.0)
Residual charge: 50% at 22:04.
Charged: 70% at 23:55.

15.04.: Charging on Apple 5W USB Power Adapter up to 78% (iOS version 9.3.0)
Residual charge: 38% at 07:59.
Charged: 78% at 09:02.

16.04.: Charging on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 70% (iOS version 9.3.0)
Residual charge: 30% at 21:29.
Charged: 70% at 00:03.

17.04. Charged on just mobile Gum Pro PP-08 up to 56% (iOS version 9.3.0)
Residual charge: 33% at 16:50.
Charged: 56% at 17:45.

17.04.: Charge on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 68% (iOS version 9.3.0)
Residual charge: 46% at 21:48.
Charged: 68% at 23:27.

19.04.: Charge on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 63% (iOS version 9.3.0)
Residual charge: 35% at 21:00.
Charged: 63% at 23:25. Power saving mode activated.

20.04.: Charging on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 68% (iOS version 9.3.0)
Residual charge: 42% at 21:00.
Charged: 68% at 22:55. Power saving mode remains active.

21.04.: Charging on the notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 45% (iOS version 9.3.0)
Residual charge: 40% at 23:00.
Charged: 45% at 23:20.

22.04.: Charge on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 70% (iOS version 9.3.0).
Residual charge: 60% at 23:00.
Charged: 70% at 00:00.

23.04.: Charge on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 88% (iOS version 9.3.0)
Residual charge: 29% at 18:28.
Charged: 88% at 23:02.

24.04.: Charge on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 80% (iOS version 9.3.0)
Residual charge: 38% at 19:52.
Charged: 80% at 22:38.
Result 42% within 2:46 h.

25.04.: Charging on the Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X notebook up to 71% (iOS version 9.3.0)
Residual charge: 47% at 21:20.
Charged: 71% at 23:30.

26.04.: Charge on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 54% (iOS version 9.3.0)
Residual charge: 39% at 22:30.
Charged: 54% at 23:32.

27.04.: Charged on Apple 5W USB Power Adapter up to 86% (iOS version 9.3.0).
Residual charge: 53% at 07:43.
Charged: 86% at 08:39.
Result: 33% within 56 min.

28.04.: Charging on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 72% (iOS version 9.3.0)
Residual charge: 32% at 20:40.
Charged: 72% at 23:42.

29.04.: Charge on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 82% (iOS version 9.3.0).
Residual charge: 30% at 21:30.
Charged: 82% at 00:44.

30.04.: Charging on Apple 5W USB Power Adapter up to 83% (iOS version 9.3.0)
Residual charge: 47% at 23:02.
Charged: 83% at 00:01.
Conclusion: 36% charge on the mains adapter within 0:59 h.

01.05.: Charge on the Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X notebook up to 66% (iOS version 9.3.0)
Residual charge: 40% at 21:32.
Charged: 66% at 23:26.

02.05.: Charging on the Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X notebook up to 75% (iOS version 9.3.0)
Residual charge: 33% at 21:00.
Charged: 75% at 23:35.

04.05.: Charging on Apple 5W USB Power Adapter up to 80% (iOS version 9.3.0)
Residual charge: 46% at 07:34.
Charged: 80% at 08:32.
Result: 34% within 0:58 h.

05.05.: Charging on Apple 5W USB Power Adapter up to 85% (iOS version 9.3.0)
Residual charge: 31% at 12:10.
Charged: 85% at 1:37 pm.

05.05.: Charging on the Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X notebook up to 83% (iOS version 9.3.0).
Residual charge: 40% at 19:06.
Charged: 83% at 22:28.
Result: 43% within 3:22 h.

06.05.: Charging on the Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X notebook up to 82% (iOS version 9.3.0)
Residual charge: 29% at 19:36.
Charged: 82% at 23:35.
Conclusion: on the USB 2.0 port 53% within ~4 h.

12.05.: Charging on Apple 5W USB Power Adapter up to 84% (iOS version 9.3.0)
Residual charge: 32% at 12:14. Battery life without power saving mode.
Charged: 84% at 13:39.
Conclusion: charged on the mains adapter 52% within 1:25 h without low-power mode.

12.05.: Charged on the Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X notebook to 81% (iOS version 9.3.0)
Residual charge: 30% at 21:45. Battery life with heavy use (Internet, sorting mails) 8:06 h
Charged: 36% at 22:33 h – low-power mode switched on to make it go faster.
Charged: 81% at 02:02. Reason for longer charging time: active WLAN – iPhone used as hotspot.
Conclusion: at the USB 2.0 port 51% within 4:17 h with WLAN switched on.

13.05.: Charging at just mobile Gum Pro PP-08 Portable USB Power Pack up to 81% (iOS version 9.3.0)
Residual charge: 31% at 20:31. Battery life without power save mode.
Charged: 81% at 23:39.
To test the charging time and because it is very thundery today, I prefer to charge by battery pack.
Result: on the Portable USB Power Pack 50% within 3:08 h – one hour faster charged than on the notebook.

14.05.: Charge on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 81% (iOS version 9.3.0)
Residual charge: 25% at 20:18. Battery life 20:39 h without power saving mode.
Charged: 81% at 00:32.
Conclusion: at the USB 2.0 port 56% within 4:14 h (charged from 20:23 with low-power mode).

16.05.: Charged on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 70% (iOS version 9.3.0)
Residual charge: 29% at 20:27. Battery life 43:55 h without power saving mode!
Charged: 70% at 23:45.
Conclusion: on USB 2.0 port 41% within 3:18 h without power saving mode.

17.05.: Charge on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 81% (iOS version 9.3.0).
Residual charge: 37% at 20:52. Battery life 21:07 h without power saving mode.
Charged: 58% at 22:30. Was actually planning to do the software update.
Residual charge: 58% at 22:43. Postponed update to 9.3.2 and continued charging ...
Charged: 81% at 00:20.
Conclusion: on USB 2.0 port 44% within 3:15 h without power saving mode.

18.05.: Charging on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 60% (iOS version 9.3.2)
Residual charge: 42% at 22:18. Battery life 21:58 h, power saving mode activated from 23:36.
Charged: 60% at 23:51.
Conclusion: at the USB 2.0 port 18% within 1:33 h in low-power mode (remains switched on).

19.05.: Charging on the notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 70% (iOS version 9.3.2)
Residual charge: 31% at 22:30. Battery life 22:39 h with active low-power mode.
Charged: 70% at 23:30.
Conclusion: at the USB 2.0 connection 39% within 1 h in low-power mode.

20.05.: Charging on the Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X notebook up to 72% (iOS version 9.3.2)
Residual charge: 33% at 22:25. Battery life 22:55 h with active power saving mode.
Charged: 72% at 00:43.
Conclusion: at the USB 2.0 port 39% within 2:18 h.

21.05.: Charging on the Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X notebook up to 81% (iOS version 9.3.2)
Residual charge: 29% at 19:57. Battery life: 19:14 h, power saving mode active since 18.05. 23:36.
Charged: 81% at 23:36. Power saving mode switched off.
Conclusion: on USB 2.0 port 52% within 3:39 h is faster than previously observed. Could be due to new software version 9.3.2 or very low usage during charging.

22.05.: Charge on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 80% (iOS version 9.3.2).
Residual charge: 28% at 20:11. Battery life without power saving mode: 20:35 h.
Charged: 80% at 23:18, maybe already 23:11 (looked at 23:18 by chance).
Conclusion: on the USB 2.0 port 52% within ~3 h is one hour less than before!
Is charging on the notebook one hour faster with the new iOS version than still with iOS 9.3?
This time the power saving mode was not active (I usually do this to be able to charge further/faster), but I listened to music for about two hours.
I always do that, but this time about an hour less. Playing music alone uses very little power though, not relevant is it?
The iPhone was not on the display, which would have put it into power saving mode as well. I'll have to keep watching ...

24.05.: Charging on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 70% (iOS version 9.3.2)
Residual charge: 28% at 22:00. Battery life without power saving mode: 46:42 h!
Charged: 70% at 00:24. Low-power mode remains off again.
Conclusion: at the USB 2.0 port 42% within 2:24 h.

25.05.: Charging on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 80% (iOS version 9.3.2)
Residual charge: 38% at 22:00. Battery life: 21:36 h.
Charged: 80% at 00:27. Power saving mode activated at 48% to make it go faster.
Result: at the USB 2.0 port 42% within 2:27 h.

26.05.: Charging on the Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X notebook up to 64% (iOS version 9.3.2)
Residual charge: 34% at 23:38. That was 23:11 h battery life.
Charged: 64% at 02:05. Only now activated power saving mode at end of charge.
Conclusion: at the USB 2.0 port 30% within 2:27 h.

27.05.: Charging on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 81% (iOS version 9.3.2)
Residual charge: 37% at 21:07. After 19:02 h battery life in power saving mode charging without power saving mode.
Charged: 81% at 00:07. Power save mode remains deactivated.
Conclusion: on the USB 2.0 port 44% within 3:00 h!

28.05.: Charging on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 81% (iOS version 9.3.2)
Residual charge: 29% at 20:30. Battery life 20:23 h; power saving mode was and remains off this time.
Charge: 78% at 00:31. Without low-power mode, not at 80% even after 4 h.
Charged: 81% at 00:46. Randomly checked and unplugged here.
Conclusion: at the USB 2.0 port 52% within 4:16 h.

29.05.: Charge on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 70% (iOS version 9.3.2).
Residual charge: 30% at 20:24. Power saving mode was off. Power saving mode on from 20:29.
Charged: 70% at 23:00. Low-power mode remains active.
Result: at the USB 2.0 port 40% within 2:36 h.

30.05.: Charging on just mobile Gum Pro PP-08 up to 70% (iOS version 9.3.2)
Residual charge: 41% at 15:40. Battery life: 16:40 h.
Charged: 70% at 16:45.
Conclusion: on the Portable USB Power Pack 29% within 1:05 h.

31.05.: Charged on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 55% (iOS version 9.3.2)
Residual charge: 42% at 00:18. Battery life: 7:33. Charged for max. charging speed in flight mode.
Charged: 55% at 00:57. From now until tomorrow evening in power saving mode.
Result: at USB 2.0 port 13% within 0:39 h.

31.05.: Charging on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 50% (iOS version 9.3.2)
Residual charge: 35% at 21:40. Battery life: 20:43 h.
Charged: 50% at 22:50.
Conclusion: at the USB 2.0 port 15% within 1:10 h.

01.06.: Charged on just mobile Gum Pro PP-08 up to 53% (iOS version 9.3.2).
Residual charge: 39% at 10:38. Battery life in power saving mode: 12:12 h.
Charged: 53% at 11:10. Charging finished because the PP-08 itself is almost empty.
Result: 14% within 0:32 h. Now I charge the just mobile Gum Pro PP-08 again.

01.06.: Charging on the just mobile Gum Pro PP-08 up to 74% (iOS version 9.3.2)
Residual charge: 42% at 16:47. Battery life in power saving mode: 5:35 h.
Charged: 74% at 18:00.
Conclusion: 32% within 1:13 h.

02.06.: Charge on just mobile Gum Pro PP-08 up to 81% (iOS version 9.3.2).
Residual charge: 42% at 15:57. Battery life in low-power mode: 21:57 h.
Charged: 81% at 17:28.
Result: 39% within 1:31 h.

03.06.: Charging on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X to 81% (iOS version 9.3.2)
Residual charge: 29% at 21:33. Battery life without power saving mode: 28:05 h.
Charged: 81% at 00:56. Low-power mode activated at 22:41 h because charging takes too long.
Result: on the USB 2.0 port 52% within 3:23 h.

04.06.: Charging on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 83% (iOS version 9.3.2)
Residual charge: 30% at 20:10. Battery life 19:14 h. Power saving mode only switched on for charging.
Charged: 83% at 00:02.
Conclusion: at the USB 2.0 port 53% within 3:52 h.

05.06.: Charging on just mobile Gum Pro PP-08 up to 87% (iOS version 9.3.2).
Residual charge: 36% at 20:20. Battery life: 20:16 h. Power saving mode only switched on for charging.
Charged: 87% at 22:42. Only just checked – whoops! Already so far!
Result: 51% within 2:22 h.

06.06.: Charging on the notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 78% (iOS version 9.3.2)
Residual charge: 50% at 22:08. Battery life: 23:24 h. Power saving mode only switched on for charging.
Charged: 78% at 00:38.
Result: 28% within 2:30 h.

07.06.: Charging on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 72% (iOS version 9.3.2)
Residual charge: 29% at 23:17. Battery life in low-power mode: 22:37 h.
Charged: 72% at 01:46.
Conclusion: 43% within 2:29 h.

08.06.: Charging on the notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 50% (iOS version 9.3.2)
Residual charge: 46% at 21:54. Battery life in low-power mode: 20:06 h.
Charged: 50% at 22:14. Conserve the battery, do not leave it connected to the mains for unnecessarily long periods at night.
Result: 4% within 20 minutes. That's actually enough until the next evening!

09.06.: Charging at just mobile Gum Pro PP-08 Portable USB Power Pack up to 52% (iOS version 9.3.2).
Residual charge: 29% at 17:09. Battery life in power saving mode: 18:53 h.
Charged: 52% at 18:00. Closing time! Unplugged, further charge later at home.
Result: 23% within 0:51 h.

09.06.: Charged on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 81% (iOS version 9.3.2).
Residual charge: 50% at 20:34. Continued charging at home after 2:32 h in low-power mode.
Charged: 81% at 23:07.
Result: 31% within 2:33 h.

10.06.: Charging on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 80% (iOS version 9.3.2)
Residual charge: 46% at 22:11. Battery life without power saving mode: 23:02 h.
Charged: 80% at 01:05.
Result: 34% within 2:54 h.

11.06.: Charging on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 63% (iOS version 9.3.2)
Residual charge: 33% at 22:58. Battery life: 21:51 h. Power saving mode only switched on for charging.
Charged: 63% at 01:25. Power saving mode remains switched on.
Conclusion: 30% within 2:27 h.

12.06.: Charge on just mobile Gum Pro PP-08 up to 66% (iOS version 9.3.2).
Residual charge: 47% at 14:45. Battery life in low-power mode: 13:18 h.
Charged: 66% at 15:27. Sitting in the café, stop charging here, enough for surfing for now.
Result: 19% within 0:42 h. Power saving mode deactivated.

12.06.: Charging on just mobile Gum Pro PP-08 up to 38% (iOS version 9.3.2)
Residual charge: 27% at 18:10. After 2:41 h of continuous surfing, I have to recharge.
Charged: 38% at 18:40. Power saving mode since 18:27. Leaving café, therefore aborted.
Result: 11% within 0:30 h.

12.06.: Charged to 97% on Apple 5W USB Power Adapter (iOS version 9.3.2).
Residual charge: 35% at 22:06. After 3:24 h, charging continues at home in low-power mode.
Charged: 97% at 00:00. The iPhone automatically ended the low-power mode at 80%.
Result: 62% within 1:54 h.

13.06.: Charging on the notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 73% (iOS version 9.3.2)
Residual charge: 28% at 23:45. Battery life without power saving mode: 23:45 h.
Charged: 73% at 02:18. Low-power mode was only switched on for faster charging.
Result: 45% within 02:33 h.

14.06.: Charged to 80% on just mobile Gum Pro PP-08 (iOS version 9.3.2).
Residual charge: 49% at 15:55. Battery life without power saving mode: 13:35 h.
Charged: 80% at 17:02.
Result: 31% within 1:07 h.

15.06.: Charging on just mobile Gum Pro PP-08 up to 60% (iOS version 9.3.2).
Residual charge: 34% at 14:25. Battery life: 21:21 h mostly without power saving mode.
Charged: 60% at 15:26. Power saving mode only switched on at 07:43.
Result: 26% within 1:01 h. Now the Power Pack itself is almost empty and is being charged.

15.06.: Charge on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 51% (iOS version 9.3.2).
Residual charge: 23% at 21:44. Battery life in low-power mode: 6:16 h.
Charged: 51% at 00:02.
Conclusion: only 28% within 2:18 h, because heavily occupied with calendar synchronisation and notification e-mails.

16.06.: Charged up to 74% on the Apple 5W USB power adapter (iOS version 9.3.2).
Residual charge: 23% at 07:40. Battery life in power saving mode: 7:37 h.
Charged: 74% at 09:07.
Result: 51% within 1:27 h.

16.06.: Charging on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 57% (iOS version 9.3.2)
Residual charge: 51% at 22:08. Battery life in low-power mode: 12:59 h.
Charged: 58% at 22:37. Not for battery charging, but plugged in for backup.
Result: 7% within 0:29 h.

17.06.: Charged to 60% on Apple 5W USB Power Adapter (iOS version 9.3.2).
Residual charge: 24% at 21:37. Battery life in power saving mode: 22:58 h.
Charged: 60% at 22:37.
Result: 36% within 1:00 h.

18.06.: Charging on just mobile Gum Pro PP-08 up to 65% (iOS version 9.3.2).
Residual charge: 40% at 16:10. Battery life in power saving mode: 17:31 h.
Charged: 65% at 17:10.
Conclusion: 25% within 1:00 h.

18.06.: Charged on the Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X notebook up to 82% (iOS version 9.3.2).
Residual charge: 43% at 20:21. Battery life: 3:09 h. Power saving mode not activated until 20:29.
Charged: 82% at 23:21.
Result: 39% within 3:00 h.

19.06.: Charging on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 74% (iOS version 9.3.2)
Residual charge: 25% at 18:41. Battery life without power saving mode: 19:18 h.
Charged: 74% at 22:05. Notebook crashed, therefore no further charging.
Result: 49% within 3:24 h. Actually wanted to charge to 80%, so I just go to sleep earlier.

20.06.: Charge on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 50% (iOS version 9.3.2)
Residual charge: 35% at 22:52. Battery life in low-power mode: 24:45 h!
Charged: 50% at 23:42.
Conclusion: 15% within 0:50 h.

21.06.: Charge on the Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X notebook up to 85% (iOS version 9.3.2).
Residual charge: 24% at 20:11. Battery life in low-power mode: 20:27 h.
Charged: 85% at 23:51. At 80%, the iPhone has ended the low-power mode.
Result: 61% within 3:40 h.

23.06.: Charging on the notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 82% (iOS version 9.3.2)
Residual charge: 26% at 20:16. Battery life: 47:53 h without flight mode and almost without power saving mode!
Charged: 82% at 23:45. Power saving mode only activated today at 6:06 pm with 32% residual charge!
Result: 56% within 3:29 h.

24.06.: Charging on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 60% (iOS version 9.3.2)
Residual charge: 48% at 22:27. Battery life without power saving mode: 22:40 h.
Charged: 60% at 23:28. Low-power mode switched on only now.
Result: 12% within 1:01 h.

25.06.: Charged on just mobile Gum Pro PP-08 up to 59% (iOS version 9.3.2).
Residual charge: 33% at 16:20. Battery life in power saving mode: 16:50 h.
Charged: 59% at 17:20.
Conclusion: 26% within 1:00 h.

26.06.: Charging on Apple 5W USB Power Adapter up to 91% (iOS version 9.3.2).
Residual charge: 31% at 11:14. Battery life in power saving mode: 17:52 h.
Charged: 91% at 12:51.
Conclusion: 60% within 1:37 h. This time much faster than usual.

27.06.: Charged up to 60% on the Apple 5W USB Power Adapter (iOS version 9.3.2).
Residual charge: 24% at 22:05. Battery life without power saving mode: 34:12 h!
Charged: 60% at 23:05.Low-power mode only activated from the start of charging.
Result: 36% within 1:00 h.

29.06.: Charging on Apple 5W USB Power Adapter up to 76% (iOS version 9.3.2)
Residual charge: 33% at 07:59. Battery life in power saving mode: 32:52 h!
Charged: 76% at 09:06. Low-power mode remains switched on.
Conclusion: 43% within 1:07 h.

30.06.: Charging on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 67% (iOS version 9.3.2)
Residual charge: 29% at 21:08. Battery life in power saving mode: 36:00 h!
Charged: 67% at 23:45. Low-power mode remains switched on.
Conclusion: 38% within 2:37 h.

01.07.: Charge on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 80% (iOS version 9.3.2).
Residual charge: 39% at 21:00. Battery life in low-power mode: 21:13 h.
Charged: 80% at 00:24. Low-power mode deactivated after charging.
Result: 41% within 3:24 h.

02.07.: Charging on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 84% (iOS version 9.3.2)
Residual charge: 42% at 19:15. Battery life without power saving mode: 18:49 h.
Charged: 84% at 22:26. Low-power mode only activated for faster charging.
Result: 42% within 3:10 h.

03.07.: Charging on Apple 5W USB Power Adapter up to 90% (iOS version 9.3.2).
Residual charge: 42% at 12:21. Battery life without power saving mode: 13:53 h.
Charged: 90% at 13:38.
Conclusion: 48% charge on the original charger within 1:17 h.

03.07.: Charging on the Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X notebook up to 59% (iOS version 9.3.2)
Residual charge: 36% at 23:27. Battery life without power saving mode: 9:47 h.
Charged: 59% at 01:02. Low-power mode active for charging and afterwards.
Result: 23% charge on the USB 2.0 port within 1:35 h.

04.07.: Charge on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 84% (iOS version 9.3.2)
Residual charge: 27% at 21:58. Battery life in power saving mode: 20:54 h.
Charged: 84% at 02:20.
Conclusion: 57% charge on the USB 2.0 port within 4:22 h in low-power mode. Quite slow this time.

05.07.: Charging on the notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 73% (iOS version 9.3.2)
Residual charge: 47% at 22:29. Battery life without power saving mode: 20:07 h.
Charged: 73% at 00:33.
Conclusion: 26% charge on the USB 2.0 port within 2:04 h.

06.07.: Charging on the Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X notebook up to 79% (iOS version 9.3.2)
Residual charge: 43% at 22:52. Battery life in power saving mode: 22:17 h.
Charged: 79% at 01:22. Then switched off the low-power mode.
Result: 36% charge on the USB 2.0 port within 2:30 h.

07.07.: Charging on the Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X notebook to 51% (iOS version 9.3.2)
Residual charge: 45% at 23:06. Battery life in power saving mode: 21:42 h.
Charged: 51% at 23:36.
Conclusion: 6% charge on USB 2.0 port within 0:30 h.

08.07.: Charge on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 80% (iOS version 9.3.2).
Residual charge: 30% at 20:15. Battery life in low-power mode: 20:37 h.
Charged: 80% at 23:28.
Conclusion: 50% charge on the USB 2.0 port within 3:13 h.

09.07.: Charging on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 98% (iOS version 9.3.2)
Residual charge: 28% at 18:55. Battery life without power saving mode: 19:25 h.
Charged: 98% at 00:01. Low-power mode only activated for charging.
Conclusion: 70% charge on the USB 2.0 port within 5:06 h.

10.07.: Charge on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 55% (iOS version 9.3.2)
Residual charge: 37% at 21:38. Battery life without power saving mode: 21:35 h.
Charged: 55% at 22:40.
Conclusion: 18% charge on the USB 2.0 port within 1:02 h.

11.07.: Charging on the Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X notebook up to 66% (iOS version 9.3.2)
Residual charge: 33% at 20:20.
Charged: 66% at 22:20.
Conclusion: 33% charge on the USB 2.0 port within 2:00 h.

12.07.: Charging on the Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X notebook up to 51% (iOS version 9.3.2)
Residual charge: 37% at 22:36.
Charged: 51% at 23:27.
Conclusion: 14% on the USB port within 0:51 h.

13.07.: Charge on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 65% (iOS version 9.3.2).
Residual charge: 28% at 20:40.
Charged: 65% at 23:45.
Result: 37% within 3:05 h.
Charge in 2 stages:
1st stage
20:40-22:47 h = 30% within 2:07 h.
2nd stage (start approx.)
23:00-23:45 h = 7% within 0:45 h.
I had noticed that Windows no longer copied pictures after plugging in the iPhone.
So after adjusting the settings, I tested whether it now worked. Unfortunately, no. So I copied the picture directory from the iPhone to P: and because this took 26 minutes, I documented this further charging of the battery as the 2nd stage.

14.07.: Charging at the Apple 5W USB Power Adapter up to 80% (iOS version 9.3.2)
Residual charge: 24% at 20:36.
Charged: 80% at 22:36.
Result: 56% within 2:00 h.

16.07.: Charging on Apple 5W USB Power Adapter up to 79% (iOS version 9.3.2)
Residual charge: 38% at 12:11. 37:41.
Charged: 79% at 13:18.
Conclusion: 41% within 1:07 h.

16.07.: Charging on the notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 80% (iOS version 9.3.2)
Residual charge: 31% at 19:40.
Charged: 81% at 23:10.
Result: 50% within 3:30 h.

17.07.: Charging on Apple 5W USB Power Adapter up to 91% (iOS version 9.3.2)
Residual charge: 27% at 11:18.
Charged: 91% at 13:02.
Result: 64% within 1:44 h.

17.07.: Charging on the Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X notebook up to 43% (iOS version 9.3.2)
Residual charge: 32% at 21:20.
Charged: 43% at 22:20. Power saving mode off, therefore so little charged.
Conclusion: 11% within 1:00 h.
The power consumption of the calendar was extremely high at 58% because I am currently switching completely to Posteo and can only switch many appointments from the previous to the Posteo calendar via touchscreen. Tedious but easy work. Tap appointment, tap calendar name, select other calendar, done.
Better than exporting and importing a file, because with so many appointments it gets stuck and if I repeat the import, I end up with thousands of duplicates that I can only correct manually (there is no functioning tool for this, I have already researched it).

18.07.: Charging on Apple 5W USB Power Adapter up to 82% (iOS version 9.3.2).
Residual charge: 41% at 07:18.
Charged: 82% at 08:29.
Conclusion: 41% within 1:11 h.

19.07.: Charging on Apple 5W USB Power Adapter up to 82% (iOS version 9.3.2)
Residual charge: 38% at 07:38.
Charged: 82% at 08:50.
Result: 44% within 1:12 h.

20.07.: Charging on Apple 5W USB Power Adapter up to 91% (iOS version 9.3.2)
Residual charge: 47% at 07:49.
Charged: 91% at 09:07.
Result: 44% within 1:18 h.

21.07.: Charged on the just mobile Gum Pro PP-08 up to 81% (iOS version 9.3.2).
Residual charge: 32% at 16:05. Battery life without power saving mode: (unfortunately not noted).
Charged: 81% at 18:01.
Conclusion: 49% within 1:56 h. Only switched on for charging in low-power mode.

22.07.: Charging on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 73% (iOS version 9.3.3)
Residual charge: 33% at 16:22. Battery life without power saving mode: 22:19 h.
Charged: 73% at 18:48. First charge with the new iOS version.
Result: 40% within 2:26 h.

23.07.: Charged up to 94% on the Apple 5W USB Power Adapter (iOS version 9.3.3).
Residual charge: 46% at 11:46.
Charged: 94% at 13:14.
Result: 48% within 1:28 h.

23.07.: Charging on the Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X notebook up to 83% (iOS version 9.3.3)
Residual charge: 32% at 20:30. Battery life: 7:14 h with almost 6 hours of continuous use.
Charged: 83% at 00:42.
Conclusion: 51% within 4:12 h.

24.07.: Charged on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X to 77% (iOS version 9.3.3)
Residual charge: 23% at 18:53.
Charged: 77% at 23:23. The display did not switch off!
Conclusion: 54% within 4:30 h. Power saving mode activated at 17:59 h with 28% residual charge until end of charge.

26.07.: Charging on Apple 5W USB Power Adapter up to 86% (iOS version 9.3.3)
Residual charge: 36% at 07:54. Battery life: 32:29 h.
Charged: 86% at 09:15.
Conclusion: 50% within 1:21 h.

27.07.: Charging on Apple 5W USB Power Adapter up to 82% (iOS version 9.3.3).
Residual charge: 48% at 07:54.
Charged: 82% at 08:50.
Result: 34% within 0:56 h.

28.07.: Charging on the Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X notebook up to 81% (iOS version 9.3.3)
Residual charge: 24% at 19:15. Battery life in power saving mode: ? h.
Charged: 81% at 22:31.
Result: 57% within 3:16 h.

30.07.: Charging on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 59% (iOS version 9.3.3)
Residual charge: 32% at 01:52. Battery life in power saving mode: ? h.
Charged: 58% at 03:18. Power saving mode active since battery charge.
Conclusion: 26% within 1:26 h.

30.07.: Charging on Apple 5W USB Power Adapter up to 86% (iOS version 9.3.3).
Residual charge: 53% at 13:00 h.Battery life in power saving mode: ? h.
Charged: 86% at 13:57.
Conclusion: 33% within 0:57 h.

30.07.: Charging on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 83% (iOS version 9.3.3)
Residual charge: 36% at 21:22. Battery life in power saving mode: ? h.
Charged: 83% at 01:27.
Result: 47% within 4:05 h.

01.08.: Charging on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 70% (iOS version 9.3.3)
Residual charge: 26% at 20:35. Battery life without power saving mode: 43:06 h.
Charged: 70% at 00:02.
Result: 44% within 3:27 h. Power save mode activated at 26% at 19:53.

02.08.: Charging on the notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 80% (iOS version 9.3.3)
Residual charge: 44% at 21:12. Battery life in power saving mode: 21:08 h.
Charged: 80% at 23:28.
Result: 36% within 2:16 h.

04.08.: Charging on Apple 5W USB Power Adapter up to 74% (iOS version 9.3.3).
Residual charge: 42% at 08:16. Battery life without power saving mode: 32:46 h.
Charged: 74% at 09:08.
Result: 32% within 0:52 h.

04.08.: Charging on the Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X notebook up to 81% (iOS version 9.3.3)
Residual charge: 54% at 21:03. Battery life: 11:53 h in power saving mode.
Charged: 81% at 23:28.
Conclusion: 27% within 2:25 h.
I only wanted to plug it in briefly for a data backup, because 54% is still enough for a whole day of little use in flight mode overnight.
But then iTunes first announced an update for itself and then one for iOS. So it ended up being a complete load.

05.08.: Charging on Apple 5W USB Power Adapter up to 83% (iOS version 9.3.4).
Residual charge: 29% at 21:31. Battery life without power saving mode: 21:58 h.
Charged: 83% at 23:01. Low-power mode was only activated for charging.
Result: 54% within 1:30 h.

06.08.: Charging on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 81% (iOS version 9.3.4)
Residual charge: 29% at 19:05. Battery life without power saving mode: 20:02 h.
Charged: 81% at 22:22. Result: 52% within 3:17 h.

07.08.: Charging on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 66% (iOS version 9.3.4)
Residual charge: 31% at 20:51. Battery life without power saving mode: 22:28 h.
Charged: 66% at 22:52. Used low-power mode for faster charging.
Result: 35% within 2:01 h.
Notebook had crashed, so did not charge further. Shortly after restarting, the notebook froze again. So now it stays off and I go to sleep.

08.08.: Charge on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 60% (iOS version 9.3.4)
Residual charge: 32% at 21:03.
Charged: 45% at 22:03.
Charged: 69% at 00:03.
Conclusion: 37% within 3:00 h.

10.08.: Charged on Apple 5W USB Power Adapter up to 90% (iOS version 9.3.4).
Residual charge: 38% at 07:48. Battery life in power saving mode: 31:43 h!
Charged: 90% at 09:14.
Conclusion: 52% within 1:26 h. Until end of charge in low-power mode.

11.08.: Charge on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 51% (iOS version 9.3.4).
Residual charge: 29% at 22:00. Battery life without power saving mode: 60:44 h!
Charged: 51% at 22:58.
Conclusion: 22% within 0:58 h. Seems very slow to me today.

12.08.: Charging on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 74% (iOS version 9.3.4)
Residual charge: 29% at 20:20.
Charged: 74% at 23:25.
Result: 45% within 3:05 h.

14.08.: Charging on Apple 5W USB Power Adapter up to 92% (iOS version 9.3.4)
Residual charge: 28% at 11:14. Battery life in power saving mode: 35:47 h!
Charged: 92% at 13:00.
Result: 64% within 1:46 h.

15.08.: Charging on Apple 5W USB Power Adapter up to 78% (iOS version 9.3.4)
Residual charge: 29% at 07:50. Battery life without power saving mode: 18:48 h.
Charged: 78% at 09:06.
Result: 49% within 1:16 h.

16.08.: Charging on Apple 5W USB Power Adapter up to 81% (iOS version 9.3.4).
Residual charge: 39% at 07:45. Battery life without power saving mode: ? h.
Charged: 81% at 08:53.
Result: 42% within 1:08 h.

17.08.: Charging on the Anker PowerCore Edge 20000 mAh up to 83% (iOS version 9.3.4).
Residual charge: 25% at 20:35. Battery life almost without power saving mode: 35:40 h.
Charged: 83% at 21:40. Low-power mode only activated at 17:57 h at 30%.
Result: 58% within 1:05 h.

18.08.: Charging on the Anker 36 W 5 V/7.2 A 4-port USB charger up to 83% (iOS version 9.3.4).
Residual charge: 30% at 21:24. Battery life without power save mode: 23:42 h.
Charged: 83% at 22:24.
Conclusion: 53% within 1:00 h.

20.08.: Charging on the Anker PowerCore Edge 20000 mAh up to 68% (iOS version 9.3.4).
Residual charge: 29% at 00:31. Battery life without power saving mode: 26:05 h.
Charged: 68% at 01:11. Low-power mode remains activated.
Result: 39% within 0:40 h.

20.08.: Charging on the Anker PowerCore Edge 20000 mAh up to 93% (iOS version 9.3.4).
Residual charge: 30% at 21:14. Battery life in power saving mode: 20:01 h.
Charged: 93% at 22:33.
Result: 63% within 1:19 h.

21.08.: Charging on the Anker PowerCore Edge 20000 mAh up to 86% (iOS version 9.3.4).
Residual charge: 35% at 20:10. Battery life without power saving mode: 21:35 h.
Charged: 86% at 21:11.
Result: 51% within 1:01 h.

23.08.: Charging on the Anker PowerCore Edge 20000 mAh up to 82% (iOS version 9.3.4).
Residual charge: 41% at 08:00. Battery life without power saving mode: 34:47 h.
Charged: 82% at 08:48.
Conclusion: 41% within 0:48 h.

24.08.: Charged on the Anker PowerCore Edge 20000 mAh to 81% (iOS version 9.3.4).
Residual charge: 29% at 20:20. Battery life without power saving mode: 36:28 h.
Charged: 81% at 21:17.
Conclusion: 52% within 0:57 h.

25.08.: Charging on the Anker PowerCore Edge 20000 mAh up to 51% (iOS version 9.3.4).
Residual charge: 25% at 23:25. Battery life without power saving mode: 26:32 h.
Charged: 51% at 23:50. Low-power mode active for charging and afterwards.
Conclusion: 26% within 0:25 h!

26.08.: Charged on just mobile Gum Pro PP-08 to 43% (iOS version 9.3.4)
Residual charge: 29% at 17:32. Battery life in power saving mode: 18:11 h.
Charged: 43% at 18:02.
Conclusion: 14% within 0:30 h.

26.08.: Charging on the Anker PowerCore Edge 20000 mAh up to 65% (iOS version 9.3.4).
Residual charge: 36% at 21:42. Would not have charged until tomorrow, but there is an urgent software update!
Charged: 65% at 22:12. Actually charged to update the Apple iOS via FOTA (WLAN).
Conclusion: 29% within 0:30 h. Warmed up to 38 °C and could not find an iOS update via WLAN. Therefore, charging was interrupted.

26.08.: Charge on notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 77% (iOS version 9.3.4)
Residual charge: 65% at 22:12, plugged in again at 22:15. The update attempt via iTunes succeeds.
Charged: 77% at 23:18 during update process. Although it is only 40 MB, the download via LTE takes a disproportionately long time.
Result: 12% within 1:03 h. The actual update process only begins at 23:03 and takes 15 minutes.

26.08.: Charging on the Anker PowerCore Edge 20000 mAh to 80% (iOS version 9.3.5)
Residual charge: 76% at 23:20. Want to know how long 4% last with the Anker, so plugged in again.
Charged: 80% at 23:27.
Conclusion: 4% within 0:07 h in low-power mode, which is automatically switched off at 80%.

27.08.: Charging on the notebook Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X up to 83% (iOS version 9.3.5)
Residual charge: 29% at 19:28. Battery life without power saving mode: 20:00 h.
Charged: 83% at 00:01.
Result: 54% within 4:33 h.

28.08.: Charging on the Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X notebook up to 81% (iOS version 9.3.5)
Residual charge: 28% at 17:43. Battery life almost without power saving mode: 17:40 h.
Charged: 81% at 22:00. Low-power mode only activated at 17:06 at 29% residual charge.
Result: 53% within 4:17 h. Battery temperature rose to 34.9 °C, indoors it is 26.8 °C, outdoors about 32 °C.
The battery temperature drops back to normal after charging.

29.08.: Charging on the Anker PowerCore Edge 20000 mAh to 94% (iOS version 9.3.5)
Residual charge: 25% at 19:34. Battery life almost without power saving mode: 21:32 h.
Charged: 94% at 21:04. Low-power mode only from 17:50 at 30% residual charge.
Conclusion: 69% within 1:30 h. Accidentally checked too late, only wanted to charge to 80%.
This way I now know the charging time for a full charge, which may interest some readers.

30.08.: Charging on the Anker PowerCore Edge 20000 mAh to 80% (iOS version 9.3.5)
Residual charge: 38% at 21:46. Battery life without power saving mode: 24:40 h.
Charged: 80% at 22:35.
Conclusion: 42% within 0:49 h.

31.08.: Charging on the Anker PowerCore Edge 20000 mAh up to 81% (iOS version 9.3.5).
Residual charge: 28% at 20:16. Battery life without power saving mode: 21:39 h.
Charged: 81% at 21:15.
Conclusion: 53% within 0:59 h.

Call Filter

Allow Calls/fine adjustable Positive List

Apple calls it Do Not Disturb (in short: DND)
– take a look in the Do Not Disturb/Allow Calls settings menu:

  • Anyone (put callers through unfiltered)
  • None (block calls completely)
  • Favourites (finely adjustable positive list, only put friends/acquaintances/relatives through)

Favourites: Anonymous callers and troublemakers get busy signals or voicemail

Callers with a suppressed call number immediately receive a busy signal or are dropped on the mailbox if “DND” is switched on.

Time Frame for the eternally outdated and stubborn

Stubborn acquaintances and relatives who do not want to have the free number transfer switched on by the network operator can still reach you at certain times if you do not leave “DND” active for the whole day, but for example only 20:00-18:00. This way, anyone would be let through between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., even if the iPhone cannot assign the caller to an entry in the address book due to caller number suppression.

You could formulate the announcement text of your mailbox accordingly ("only landed on the mailbox because of a suppressed call number", but also stupid, ... "please call next time with activated caller ID transmission"). devil

Alternatively, activate a rough Positive List

If anonymous callers, stalkers, diallers and wrong-dialling fax machines are to be warded off, but otherwise any contact stored in the iPhone address book is allowed to call, you will find the ideal solution further down in the Do Not Disturb/Allow Calls settings menu:

Groups

  • All Contacts

This option allows selection from contacts/groups

  • All (contacts from added mail accounts, each mail account selectable separately)
  • Collected addresses
  • Contacts

Telephone Terror

As soon as diallers of dubious advertising callers start calling you in short intervals and suppress their own phone number or display a fake, constantly changing phone number, “Do Not Disturb” must remain active, otherwise you are no longer reachable for serious callers! For businesses and also for private individuals, it is then worthwhile to buy a real call filter from the App Store. But beware, most of them are crap!
Two notable exceptions: Call Ranger and Number Shield.

enlightenedSince iOS version 16, you can finally create groups in the address book! Apple now calls them “lists” and you don't need iCloud or an extra app to assign your contacts to groups lists.

Blocking individual Phone Numbers

Since iOS 14.7 (?), unwanted phone numbers can be blocked directly from the call list without having to save them in the address book!

Block dubious Numbers directly from the Caller List

  1. open the caller list
  2. tap the (i) to the far right of the phone number
  3. tap on the red lettering “Block caller” at the very bottom
  4. the safety note appears:
    “You will not receive any calls, messages or FaceTime calls from the blocked person.”
    Block contact | Cancel
  5. tap “Block contact”, if you are sure, otherwise tap “Cancel”

If you make a mistake (e.g. slipped in a line, got the wrong contact), you can tap on “Unblock” immediately afterwards.
If you want to unblock the contact later or check all blocks already stored, you can do this via the settings menu:
Settings/Phone/Blocked contacts/Add contact. Search for names in the address book, select, done. While you're at it, you can also add annoying insurance agents, colleagues etc. When you are done, press Cancel in the top right-hand corner. This will take you directly back to the “black list” without selecting a new candidate and you can also undo blockings by swiping the name to the left. Then “Unblock” appears to the right of the entry, which you tap to confirm.

  • If you do not need to answer every call, you can use the phone app to
    Mute unknown callers” and
  • with Settings/Do Not Disturb/Allow Calls limit to “All Contacts
    – anyone who is not in the address book can then no longer bother you

App Store

My Impression: Apple only tests new Apps for Harmlessness

Apple's App Store has been around since 6 March 2008. That's more than eight years! I don't notice this experience in the virtual software shop. sad
Years of experience with many smartphones (first Nokia, then Android and most recently BlackBerry 10) allow me to make a comparative objective judgement …
The offer is huge and Apple thoroughly checks all apps for harmlessness before including them in the store, but not for functionality! angry
Otherwise Anruffilter wouldn't exist! I read all the reviews first before I buy an app, so I didn't fall for all the phonies. cheeky

The Menu Navigation is somewhat confusing

Example: I wanted to display my app purchases and then delete an incorrect purchase so that I would no longer encounter this crap app.
It was almost impossible to find the menu with the purchases again. It's hidden in the bottom right-hand corner as “Updates” (someone should get that!?).
But after clicking on it, you first see the last (sometime) updated app and a somewhat unusual arrow with “Purchases”.Only after tapping on "Purchases" is the list of purchased or freely downloaded apps displayed.
But it is impossible to delete purchased apps from the list. Google Play and even BlackBerry World can do that better.
Addendum: swipe the entry with the unwanted app to the left, then the option to hide (not delete) this app opens up.
Then you only see it in the purchase statistics. Very well hidden, at least for Apple beginners. Those who have been using iOS for a long time may have smiled at my lines.

But I don't just want to complain, because I could also buy a few useful apps.

Complaints are apparently ignored or perhaps generally only processed within the first 14 days?

According to statistics portal statista, Apple's App Store offered 1.4 million apps in May 2015.

Assistant Siri

Technology enthusiasts (and) sci-fi fans would also like to operate their computers by voice like in the sci-fi series Star Trek.
In 2007, the company Siri Inc. had started developing a digital assistant, in April 2010 Apple bought the company with all rights to the products and the iPhone 4s became the first smartphone with the digital assistant called Siri. Since then, you can control the iPhone by voice.
Unfortunately, Steve Jobs had decided to let the very powerful software work online in a much slimmed-down way.
The original software could run entirely without an online connection to the data centre on the iPhone and would not be as restricted as we know it.

Usage

I see the main purpose of a digital assistant as being to operate the smartphone without having to pick it up. Those who use a Bluetooth headset are particularly happy about this possibility, because the iPhone can remain protected in the pocket. With most headsets, voice control is started with a long press on the call acceptance button. If you use a headset on an Apple iPhone from version 4s upwards, the assistant Siri is also addressed via it and instead of saying “Hey, Siri!” you immediately state your wish. Siri answers questions about the weather, can send dictated messages, read out received messages, remind you of appointments, wake you up in the morning, play your own music, name the artist of a current song and the scores of sporting events, and much more.

Scope of Functions

Just a few examples …

Stock Exchange

  • Share price of [name of the share]
  • How is the DAX?

Telephone and Contacts

  • Call [Name]
  • Call [Phone number]
  • Redial
  • Start FaceTime with [Name]

Find Friends

  • Where is [Name]?
  • Who is near me?

Messages

  • New Messages?
  • Send a Message to [Name]
  • Send an iMessage to [Name]

Mail

  • Write a mail to [name] with the content: [content].

Appointments

  • When is my next appointment?
  • Appointments today? (short: appointments?)
  • Which appointments do I have tomorrow?
  • Create an appointment tomorrow at [time].
  • Move today's appointment from [time] to [time].

Reminders

  • Remind me on [date] at [time]: [content].
  • Remind me of [content] as soon as I get home.

Notes

  • Note: [...] shop

Time and Alarm Clock

  • What time is it? (or briefly: What time? / Time?)
  • Which date do we have?
  • Set alarm clock to [time]

System

  • Switch [Function] on/off.
  • Is WLAN on?

Maps & Navigation

  • Where am I?
  • Start navigation from here to home
  • When are we there?
  • Exit navigation

Music

  • Play Blue Monday by New Order
  • Play My Playlist [Name]
  • Play anything by Yello
  • Pause

Weather

  • Do I need an umbrella?
  • How cold is it now?
  • How warm is it now?
  • What will the weather be like tonight?
  • What will the weather be like tomorrow morning? (max. 24 h forecast)

Sport

  • Name the current football results

Hey, Siri!

This way, you call the assistant and immediately attach the question or request to it when you hold the iPhone in your hand or have it on the table.
Siri understands freely formulated questions/instructions and also answers some questions with a comment ...
Example: To the question “How cold is it now?” Siri answered: “It's 7 now, but I don't think it's cold at all, Michael”.
By the way: Siri finds 4 degrees downwards bitterly cold, from 6 degrees upwards Siri comments with “… but I don't find it cold at all”.

Cons

As can be seen in the example above, Siri omits the units, “7 degrees Celsius” or at least “7 degrees” simply becomes “7”.
Addendum 01.05.2016: Apple has finally taught the German Siri the unit of measurement “degrees”. It now says “7 degrees” instead of just “7”.
Because foreign languages do not have the same priority at Apple, Siri is not yet as quick-witted and witty in German as she is in her native language.
There is a separate database for each language.

Backup

Media Content

Screenshot: Import pictures and videos

Screenshot: Import pictures and videos

To keep media content (books, photos, music, videos) on the iPhone in sync with a local computer, Apple's desktop software iTunes is required.

For data protection reasons, German business people must avoid Apple's iCloud.
Instead, iTunes with USB cable should be used (but please without backup to iCloud)! Security-conscious private users should do the same!
After establishing the USB connection with a Windows computer, Windows asks the user whether the pictures and videos found on the iPhone should be displayed in the Explorer window or copied to the hard disk (see illustration above). Without iTunes, this is the only way to at least get pictures and videos from the iPhone onto the Windows computer.

Backup with iTunes

Regular Backups

Illustration: Optimal backup setting for iTunes

Screenshot: optimal privacy-friendly backup setting for iTunes

When I recharge the battery at the USB port of the notebook in the evening, I automatically have an encrypted backup created on SSD and copied to external hard drive (see illustration).
I also use iTunes to synchronise music from an external hard drive with the iPhone.

E-Mail, Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, Notes

An iCloud email account can, but does not have to be created!
PIM data such as e-mail, addresses, calendar, contacts, tasks and notes can be easily synchronised with your existing e-mail accounts.

iOS supports the EAS protocol, which is used by Microsoft Outlook, but also by 1&1 Mail Business, for example.
Advantage of EAS: easy to set up and all data is always available on the go (older mails are only reloaded from the server if necessary when "entire period" is selected for synchronisation).
Disadvantage of EAS: loading calendar entries older than one year stresses the processor, the iPhone gets very warm if you look up old appointments for a long time or clean up very old entries in the calendar, for example deleting duplicates that you had imported again during an apparently unsuccessful import and now want to clean up comfortably on the screen because there is no PC software for this anyway.For comparison: accessing my calendar at Posteo.de (uses the CalDAV protocol) goes faster and much further into the past and the iPhone doesn't get warm at all.

Security tip

For optimal transport encryption, be sure to set “StartTLS” with the appropriate port!
If you have Microsoft Outlook installed locally, you can keep it synchronised with the iPhone via iTunes (not tested myself).
I created two accounts of my own. iCloud was already set by default, which I severely limited:

  • iCloud only for iPhone search in case of emergency
  • 1&1 Mail Business (Mail, Contacts, Calendar, Reminders)
  • Posteo (Mail, Notes, Address Book and Calendar)

The iPhone needs iTunes – for better Privacy

Before buying the iPhone, I had already installed iTunes to see how it would work with my Sony VAIO Z12X9E/X notebook. If that hadn't gone well, I wouldn't have been able to buy the iPhone, because without iTunes most Apple products are unusable if you value privacy. The iCloud runs mostly in foreign data centres (Google, Amazon) and therefore I avoid storing personal data in “clouds”. Transport encryption has finally been improved somewhat, but it is still far from optimal. In addition, Apple has to give the NSA access to the iCloud on request. That contradicts German data protection law!

iTunes Version Query

Picture: iTunes version 12.3.3.17 64-bit for MS-Windows

Click on "?" in the menu bar, then "Info …" to get the result as shown here or the new version 12.4 after the update of Monday, 16.05.2016.

Quote from the Update

Enjoy all your music, movies, TV shows and more with a simpler design.
Navigation. You can now use the Back and Forward buttons to switch between your library, Apple Music, the iTunes Store and more.
Media selection. Easily switch between music, movies, TV shows and more, and use Edit to select the items you want.
Media library and playlists. Use the sidebar to browse your library in new ways. Add titles to playlists simply by dragging and dropping. And you can customise the sidebar to show only your favourite views.
Menus. Menus in iTunes are now simpler, making them even easier to use. Customise your library with the view menu or use context menus to interact with a specific item.

With iTunes version 12.4, Apple wants to fix some bugs (especially when used with Apple Music) and optimise the user interface.
I haven't noticed any of this (I don't use iCloud or buy music from Apple so far), but at least the improvement of the apps section is visible to every customer: there, not only the home screens are displayed, but also unwanted apps that are no longer installed. These cannot be deleted.
I can reinstall three of my apps at the touch of a button, but unfortunately I can't delete them.
Addendum: I couldn't have deleted them by swiping to the left, but I could have hidden them. But I didn't know that.

I am still very happy with iTunes as it works much more reliably than any sync suite I have used so far (Nokia, Samsung, BlackBerry).
I only need data backup and data synchronisation (occasionally transfer self-purchased music from CD to iPhone), but that has to work!

New Software Version

05.06.2016: There is a new iTunes version: 12.4.1.
What changes? – See illustration:

Figure: iTunes version 12.4.1 waiting for confirmation of the update process

Illustration (screenshot): iTunes version 12.4.1 with 72.86 MB is offered for update

Quote from the screenshot (translated):

This update fixes several issues where iTunes does not work as expected with screen readers. It also restores the ability to reset the number of plays and fixes the following issues:
- “Next Tracks” did not play tracks that may have been compiled in the expected order.
- iTunes could not crossfade between tracks.

Portable High-End Equipment for Audiophiles

Excellent Music Player in Aluminium Housing

06.04.2016: Listening to my favourite album The Best Of The Art Of Noise (1992), 2nd track: Yebo (Mbaqanga Mix). This is ideal for testing the low bass reproduction! Further play tip: 7th track: Legacy.

This is synthesiser sound, which is not objectively suitable for testing the sound quality of a music player – electronic music sounds good on any device. But I know this album inside out and have listened to it very often on various MP3 players (constant quality encoding; dynamic data rate up to max. 320 kbit/s).
For an objective test of the sound quality, I used music titles with acoustic instruments and very often heard musicians' voices.
The listening test CD of the hi-fi magazine Audio was also very helpful for the objective test of the acoustics.

The Apple iPhone 6s Plus can really show that it has a ruler-like frequency response down to the low bass range. Otherwise, the bass would not be so abysmally deep, undistorted and clear (unfortunately, I cannot measure it – and no test magazine has published measurements).
Only gsmarena.com always tests and publishes the frequency response diagram!

My hearing is confirmed – the linear flat frequency response from 20 to 20,000 hertz is better than most other smartphones. LachendThe signal-to-noise ratio is also excellent. Because the latency is extremely low, the iPhone is popular with musicians and DJs.

Conclusion: the best high-end music player – but not with the included Apple Earpods!
These "have too weak a bass response, but otherwise offer quite linear playback" (writes the press).
Since I don't think much of such gimmicks, I didn't even unpack the Earpods.

My audio test equipment: As headphones, I use the Sony MDR-EX90LP on the Samsung Level Link Bluetooth audio transmitter. These studio monitor quality in-ear headphones offer quite accurate reproduction.

Messaging

iMessage targeted for Years

Time and again one can read in the IT news that iPhones of journalists and other vulnerable persons have been spied on. Often the spy software got onto the iPhone unnoticed through a security hole in iMessage.

Cryptology professor Matthew Green recommends Apple to completely rewrite the code base of iMessage (Reference).

Apple had always closed security holes relatively quickly, but as long as the code of iMessage is not significantly improved, there will always be successful attacks.
That is why I have deactivated iMessage (and also FaceTime).

Alternative: Threema

Threema can optionally be used without personal data such as telephone number or e-mail address. The Threema ID is sufficient.
Chats are end-to-end encrypted and phone calls are tap-proof.

Alternative: Session

Session does not use any personal data, i.e. neither telephone number nor e-mail address! There is also no connection to the device's address book! The Session ID is generated locally on the device and serves as public key.
Chats are end-to-end encrypted and phone calls are tap-proof.
Further advantages: decentralised onion routing network, free of charge.

Telephony

Long Phone Calls are Fun thanks to the best Acoustics

The Apple iPhone 6s Plus offers excellent sound quality and supports HD-Voice – even with Voice over LTE (VoLTE).If the person you are calling is also using 3G or VoLTE with HD-Voice, you will experience better sound quality than with ISDN in the fixed network!
You recognise callers (and their state of mind) immediately by their voice and conversations remain more relaxed because there is no more annoying background noise.

Good Reception Performance – many competing Products are not as good

Many smartphones offer only comparatively poor reception quality, especially when using UMTS and LTE.
At best, GSM frequencies can be received in satisfactory quality. Those who live and work in the big city and rarely spend time in more rural areas will hardly notice this. Many smartphone users hardly ever make phone calls and use instant messaging services instead.

The Apple iPhone 6s Plus does not have outstanding reception quality, but it is one of the better examples!
Globetrotters benefit from the larger frequency band selection compared to competing models.

Reliability

Hardware

Since the purchase on 24.03.2016, the hardware has not caused any problems so far. Should that change, I will document it here.
I normally never switch off my iPhone, but I always use it discreetly.
At night I don't expect any calls, so I then switch it to aeroplane mode, which consumes a maximum of 2% energy.

Software

The apps are also running completely smoothly on my iPhone 6s Plus so far.

iOS Versions, Release Date

  • 24.03.2016: major update from iOS version 9.2.1 to 9.3
  • 18.05.2016: small update from iOS version 9.3 to 9.3.2
  • 21.07.2016: small update from iOS version 9.3.2 to 9.3.3
  • 04.08.2016: urgent security update iOS version 9.3.4
  • 25.08.2016: urgent security update iOS version 9.3.5
  • 13.09.2016: largest update from iOS version 9.3.5 to 10.0.1
  • 28.09.2016: small update from iOS 10.0.1 to 10.0.2
  • 24.10.2016: Update from iOS 10.0.2 to 10.1
  • 15.11.2016: small update from iOS version 10.1 to 10.1.1
  • 13.12.2016: small update from iOS version 10.1.1 to 10.2

iOS Updates in Detail

24.03.2016

Initial operation and software update to iOS version 9.3
19:24 h: Switched on for the first time. At 7:26 p.m. iOS creates the statistics: Settings/Mobile Network menu.
22:57: Reboot after updating to iOS 9.3, system build 13E234, kernel Darwin 15.4.0 kernel build 199506.

18.05.2016

Software update to iOS version 9.3.2
23:26: Update via iTunes with iPhone on USB cable took seven minutes.

07.06.2016

Turn off the iPhone for the first time
22:18 hrs: Due to access problems to folders in the 2nd mailbox, I switch off the iPhone for the first time.
22:29: Boot time lasts with unlocking of iPhone and SIM card until 22:30, then it is ready for use again.
22:30 hrs: The mail folders of the 2nd mailbox are accessible again without restrictions. The restart was worth it.

26.08.2016

Software update to iOS version 9.3.5
23:08: Restart after update via iTunes with iPhone on USB cable – took an hour including download.

14.09.2016

Software update to iOS version 10.0.1

28.09.2016

Software update to iOS version 10.0.2
21:17–21:40: Downloading software via iTunes on the USB cable took 23 minutes.
21:41–22:21: Installation.
22:22–22:24: Restart. After that, the black apple logo on a white background with progress indicator was shown again.

Actually, I wanted to document everything, but it will hardly interest anyone that much?
That's why we're sticking with this overview and the first two complete documentations up to iOS version 9.3.2.
Everything else is too time-consuming. It will only interest nerds and switchers who have previously used another mobile operating system, for example Android OS.

Software

Integrated Apps (non-erasable)

Camera, Photos, Health, Messages, Phone, FaceTime, Mail, Music, Wallet, Safari, Maps, Calendar, iTunes Store, App Store, Notes, Contacts, iBooks, Game Center, Weather, Reminders, Clock, Videos, Stocks, Calculator, Voice Memos, Compass, Podcasts, Watch, Tips, iCloud Drive, Find My iPhone, Find Friends

Free Apps from Apple

Pages, Numbers, Keynote, iMovie, GarageBand and iTunes U are pre-installed on all iPhone models with a capacity of at least 64 GB.

Recommended Apps in the Apple App Store

  • CalenGoo by Dominique Andre Gunia
  • Date & Time Calculator by Thomas Tsopanakis
  • DB Navigator by Deutsche Bahn
  • Annual Leave by Tobias Knieper
  • System Status by Techet

You can find all the apps I have personally tested at Mobile Apps.

Missing Software

  • App for automatic location-dependent volume control and if not possible, then at least time-controlled volume control!
    Practical main application: as soon as I reach the workplace, the iPhone should switch to silent and back again after work.

Advantages of the excellently processed Hardware

Description with Photos

To make it easier for you to make a possible purchase decision and to compare it with other smartphones, I will explain a few hardware features and have lightened up these texts with my own photos. Chronologically correct, I will start with the box that has just been opened. …

Photo: Opened original box with Apple iPhone 6s Plus 128 GB, colour space-grey

Photo: Original box with Apple iPhone 6s Plus 128 GB, colour space-grey, just opened for the first time.

Photos – Page 1 of 9

All-Metal Housing made of 7000 wrought Aluminium Alloy with high Touch Quality

Photo: Apple iPhone 6s Plus in Apple Leather Case lower front side

Photo: Underside Apple iPhone 6s Plus (from left to right): headphone jack, microphone, Lightning jack, speaker

This iPhone feels very good, but with sweaty hands it can easily slip out of them like soap. At least that's how the majority of users describe the advantages and disadvantages of the beautiful aluminium casing on the internet. Since I always use my smartphones with cases anyway, this was not a reason for me not to buy. In Apple's online shop, I liked the leather case Leather Case – Saddle Brown best (sold out). Only protects the back and edges, but with this real leather on the back of the iPhone it feels really good and is non-slip. You can find more photos of it on an extra page for it: Leather Case.

Photos – Page 2 of 9

The high-resolution 5.5-inch Display shows Photos and Text in razor-sharp Detail

The size of the screen is enough to work on the website on the go.
I will even watch some TV programmes on it.

Photo: Apple iPhone 6s Plus left side, view of display

Photo: Apple iPhone 6s Plus left side, view of display

Photos – Page 3 of 9

The A9 Processor is one of the fastest Smartphone Processors on the World Market

Before I bought the iPhone, I had already read about it, but now I notice it every day that it's true.
Normal “daily business” leaves it completely cold, everything runs smoothly without any jerkiness and the case never gets warm.
This is a new experience – my BlackBerrys get very warm (38 °C) from almost doing nothing (surfing the web).
It's a pity that Apple doesn't provide an interface to evaluate the temperature of the processor or battery.
I'd be interested to see how this compares to the BlackBerry Z10.
Could be boring, though, because the iPhone would only ever show 24–26 °C in normal use.
Probably only gets a bit warm in some racing simulations. I'll have to try it out, but I don't have an app for it yet.

Addendum 1: This API release came with iOS version 9.3.3 or 9.3.4, because since then an app can show me the battery temperature.
Addendum 2: With iOS version 10.0.1, this API was taken away from software developers again. Incomprehensible. Annoying.

Photo: Apple iPhone 6s Plus in Apple Leather Case, underside with connectors

Photo: Apple iPhone 6s Plus underside with speaker openings, Lightning socket, microphone and headphone jack viewed from behind.

Photos – Page 4 of 9

Best Smartphone Camera I have ever tested

I was unable to test the LG G4, G5, V10 and the Samsung Galaxy S6 and S7 smartphones myself, but the press unanimously writes that their cameras are roughly on a par with those of the current iPhones (in low light, the pictures are darker on one smartphone and brighter on the other). The Samsung Galaxy S7 is said to be even better. It's also newer, has a small head start in development, may well be true. But all these high-end smartphones have a very high quality standard and the differences are more a matter of taste. They are not decisive for the purchase, unless you want to use the camera of your next smartphone for your photo hobby instead of a “real” camera (but this is really only recommended for beginners in the photo hobby).

The best Camera is the one you have with you

Depending on the requirements and use of the photos, the camera of the above-mentioned smartphones can be completely sufficient, at least as a second camera.
Those who pursue the hobby of photography with professional standards and also print posters or have high-quality prints/posters made by the lab,
it is better to always take a real camera with you – there are very handy system cameras that fit in any jacket pocket with a pancake lens.
But even amateur photographers sometimes leave their camera at home and have an excellent emergency solution with them in the form of an iPhone 6s Plus!

Photo: Apple iPhone 6s Plus camera lens, laser focus, flash

Photo: Apple iPhone 6s Plus in leather case, camera lens with sapphire glass, flash next to it.

My photos with the iPhone 6s Plus have always turned out very well, sharper and brighter than with previously used smartphone cameras, despite full automatic.

Photos – Page 5 of 9

Radio characteristics are good despite full metal housing

Until now, I thought that BlackBerrys had the best mobile reception of all smartphones and that iPhones generally didn't offer the best radio characteristics.
That was the case with earlier models, but today when someone next to me on the underground has their phone call interrupted, it's more likely due to the “wrong” network.

Photo: Apple iPhone 6s Plus in Apple Leather Case, underside with connectors

Photo: Apple iPhone 6s Plus underside. Doesn't that look beautiful? I like it very much.

Photos – Page 6 of 9

Localisation via GPS and GLONASS

Thanks to the use of two satellite systems, the tracking option is more reliable and possibly also more accurate. I have not yet been able to find any evidence/reports on this.

Photo: Apple Lightning to USB cable

Photo: Lightning to USB cable (0.5 m) in standard quality for a whopping 25.00 EUR (no joke, but Apple).

Photo: Apple Lightning to USB cable with USB power adapter

Photo: Apple Lightning to USB cable with USB power adapter

Lightning Jack and Lightning Cable

Micro-USB plugs are too fiddly for me and depending on the quality of workmanship, which varies even among original manufacturers, they connect easily and tightly or are sluggish. That's my experience, anyway.

In comparison, a Lightning connector can be easily and precisely inserted into any Lightning socket due to the system. Done.
Those who don't pay much attention to details and workmanship will overlook the detail, but it's important to me.

Photos – Page 7 of 9

Audiophile Characteristics

Photo: Apple iPhone 6s Plus in Apple Leather Case, underside with connectors

Photo: Apple iPhone 6s Plus in Apple Leather Case, underside with connectors

The audio quality is excellent!
The frequency response is as if drawn with a ruler from 20 Hz to 20 kHz – and hardly different at the headphone output!

Photos – Page 8 of 9

Fingerprint Sensor Touch-ID

Photo: Apple iPhone 6s Plus, Touch ID

Photo: Apple iPhone 6s Plus – this is where the fingerprint sensor, known as “Touch ID” in marketing parlance, is located. Not so conspicuous in the “Space Grey” case colour variant

Photos – Page 9 of 9

Build Quality

Photo: Apple iPhone 6s Plus right side – view of display with Weather app

Photo: Apple iPhone 6s Plus right side – view of display with Weather app

My photos show the excellent build quality and hopefully help you a little to better judge the design.
I like the design very much.

Careful Selection of the Colour Variant in Daylight

Anyone who has the opportunity to visit an Apple Store should take advantage of the opportunity, also because the iPhone looks completely different in press photos and on the Internet at Apple (all artificial light) than in bright daylight!

Like me, it can happen to you that you like a different colour version better in the daylight-flooded Apple Store than the one you chose on the screen, when you can take the iPhones in your hands and compare them undisturbed.The differences between the gold and rose gold versions are extreme. In the bright Apple Store, the colours don't look that intense.

With metal cases, I generally prefer the unpainted version in almost the original colour. With a stainless steel case I would choose stainless steel colours, Apple uses a very good 7000 wrought aluminium alloy, so I want the original aluminium-coloured case.
Apple achieves the colours through anodising and additions to the alloy, so they avoid problems with lacquering, but I still like the original “metal colour” best.

I might still have opted for a gold or silver case, but in the Apple Store I noticed that these variants (as well as the rose gold ones) have a silver or gold ring around the fingerprint sensor with a white front. I don't like that at all. Much better: a black front with a black fingerprint sensor is uniformly black when the LCD is switched off. That's why I chose “space grey”. This is purely a matter of taste. You might like another colour variant better.
The main thing is that you are happy with your iPhone, because it will become your daily companion!

Apple Leather Case

Photo: Original box Apple Leather Case for iPhone 6s Plus

Photo: Original box Apple Leather Case for iPhone 6s Plus

When I researched accessories online weeks before buying, I immediately liked this Leather Case.

Apple Leather Case in Detail

Photo: Apple Leather Case for iPhone 6s Plus, outsidePhoto: Apple Leather Case for iPhone 6s Plus, inner side

Photos: Apple Leather Case – Saddle Brown

While taking photos for my own website, I realise that none of my existing phone cases are big enough for the 6s Plus.
A leather cover does not offer the same protection as a Leather Sleeve.
So I order a black nappa leather sleeve measuring 16.5 x 8 x 1 cm from my favourite online-shop fitBAG.
The iPhone 6s Plus fit perfectly into the black nappa leather sleeve together with Apple's leather case.

fitBAG Nappa Leather Sleeve

Leather bag made in Germany

When I buy a new smartphone, I always buy a leather bag from fitBAG for it …

Photo: fitBAG Nappa leather bag (sleeve)

Photo: fitBAG Nappa leather sleeve

Aluminium cases are prone to scratches and I am used to leather backs from the BlackBerry I used before.
That's why I buy the iPhone 6s Plus together with Apple's Leather Case – Saddle Brown.
However, such leather cases do not protect completely, so I additionally buy a black nappa leather sleeve with dimensions as desired from fitBAG.

fitBAG Nappa Leather Sleeve in Detail

Here you can see my Apple iPhone 6s Plus with Apple's saddle brown leather case in fitBAG's nappa leather bag.
Oh, no, you can't see it yet. Touch the nappa leather case with the mouse (action screen: finger). wink smiley

Photo: black nappa leather bag by fitBAG – made in Germany

Photo: black nappa leather sleeve by fitBAG. Touching the bag loads second photo: iPhone 6s Plus comes out.

Combined with Apple's leather case for optimal protection

Photo: iPhone 6s Plus in black nappa leather sleeve by fitBAG

Photo: iPhone 6s Plus in black nappa leather sleeve by fitBAG – made in Germany

The iPhone 6s Plus with Apple Leather Case fit perfectly in this custom-made nappa leather sleeve measuring 16.5 x 8 x 1 cm. Symbol: Thumbs up!

If you prefer bare aluminium

Despite being tailor-made, cases from fitBAG are not expensive! If you prefer to feel bare aluminium on your skin, you can save the 60 EUR for a leather case from Apple and order a fitBAG sleeve for 17.90 EUR plus shipping for the naked iPhone instead. Either standard dimensions (specify iPhone model) or if you don't want it to be too tight, specify 160 x 78.5 x 7.5 mm as case dimensions when ordering. The case will expand a bit after several weeks of use, but by then the buttons on the outside would also be stressed, which is too risky for me personally (I am very fussy, handle devices very carefully). From many years of experience with fitBAG nappa leather bags, I can assure you that they do not expand very much, so the iPhone does not lie too loosely in the sleeve after months of use and slips out if you do not let it be too wide.

Pros

  • Housing in an attractive design with impeccable build quality
  • 7000 wrought aluminium alloy case – if you like leather backs, buy an Apple leather case
  • Good reception performance even with UMTS and LTE
  • excellent noise-free sound quality when telephoning (supports HD Voice)
  • supports VoLTE (extremely fast connection setup, battery-saving, HD Voice)
  • outstandingly good acoustics even for music reproduction with linear-smooth frequency response 20-20,000 Hz
  • Reliability and stability of the operating system – no crashes or reboots since purchase on 24.03.2016
  • Storage with hardware encryption
  • long battery life on one charge (heavy users: 1 working day, light users: 2 days)
  • Apple Messenger iMessage for chatting with end-to-end encryption
  • Fingerprint sensor quickly unlocks iPhone, can also be used for App Store purchases (if desired, not forced)
  • Software keyboard with intelligent word suggestion algorithm – BlackBerry converts discover BlackBerry's ingenious predecessor!
  • Display with excellent performance in resolution, brightness and colour fidelity
  • 2 GB RAM
  • Model with 128 GB internal memory also available in Germany (other manufacturers rarely offer German customers more than 32 GB)
  • very user-friendly
  • Safari web browser with very fast page loading and reading mode for suitable web pages
  • very good camera with full automatic and few, but very useful functions
  • ideal for smartphone testers: screenshot by pressing the home and standby buttons simultaneously
  • no bloatware ex works

Cons

  • switching to silent mode susceptible to wear with mechanical changeover switch
  • no ringtone volume that switches automatically depending on location
  • no memory card slot to expand the memory
  • not available with 256 GB storage (only the successor models iPhone 7 and 7 Plus are also available with 256 GB)
  • Surcharge for reasonable storage size is too high – 256 GB is a must due to lack of expandability!
  • no exchangeable battery – battery cannot be exchanged by the customer without tinkering and loss of warranty
  • NFC exclusive for Apple Pay, interface still not released for third-party providers

Conclusion

Some Apple peculiarities make a blanket recommendation impossible.
If you are willing to compromise and accept the disadvantages (maybe even because of the advantages), you will get a very nice and solid smartphone!

Reference

Tech Specs Apple iPhone 6s Plus by Apple Support Page

iMessage: Code better be completely rewritten
heise online news 07/2021 (German-language)

Matthew Green: A case against security nihilism

Famous IT security researchers warn (German-language)

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