When comparing the iPhone 6s to the iPhone 6, it became immediately clear that the new model is just a tad thicker and heavier than the predecessor. The same goes for the iPhone 6s Plus when compared to the iPhone 6 Plus. But why are the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus heavier? Spoiler: it’s not the more durable 7000 series aluminum that Apple is using on both devices to prevent accidental bending.
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The iPhone 6s is exactly 14g heavier than the iPhone 6, while the iPhone 6s Plus weighs 20g more than last year’s iPhone 6 Plus. For many people, the extra weight is negligible, but other existing iPhone 6 owners who upgrade to the new models might be more sensible.
According to The Verge, the 7000 series aluminum is slightly more dense than 6000 series aluminum, but there’s little, if any, added weight. The aluminum in the iPhone 6s actually weighs one gram less than the aluminum in the iPhone 6. The iPhone 6 Plus’ aluminum weighs 2 grams more than the aluminum in the iPhone 6 Plus – according to Apple.
However, the components that add weight to both iPhone 6s models are the 3D Touch elements added to the display and the new Taptic engine. The display assembly contains capacitive sensors (see top image) that can register the pressure of taps and touches. The iPhone 6s has a display assembly that weighs 29 grams, or more than 2.5 times the weight of the iPhone 6’s similar component (which weighs 12g).
The Taptic engine (image below), which likely forced Apple to reduce overall battery capacity, likely adds extra weight as well, although The Verge doesn’t mention it.
