Reviews are in from all over the web as Apple launches the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus today. The verdict? The best iPhone yet. Instead of yet another meta review about the new iPhone, which are everywhere already, let’s do something more fun: review the reviewers.
I tend to like two types of reviews: ones that focus on the phone’s impact on the reviewer’s personal life, and others that go in-depth and test everything to the nth degree. Rarely can a review do both. I don’t like reviews that lack analysis and are glorified spec sheets. Or reviews that couch everything, ready to duck criticism — reviewers should have a strong point of view. With so many publications out there today covering gadgets, it’s essential that reviews entertain while they educate. Videos help too.
Here are my top 5 favorite, pre-launch reviews for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.
Pros: Entertaining video, fresh ways of demoing new iPhone features.
Cons: Sidesteps the 6 or 6 Plus question.
Bottom line: Pogue is quickly establishing himself as one of my favorite tech reviewers. His views are nuanced and logical, he’s articulate and best of all his videos are surprisingly funny.
#2: Matthew Panzarino from TechCrunch
Pros: Real life usage, easy language, good comparisons between the 6 and 6 Plus.
Cons: Intro was too long, no video.
Bottom line: Reviewing the iPhones in the most rigorous setting possible — a family trip to Disneyland — was brilliant, and showed how the iPhones feel in real life.
#3: Nilay Patel from The Verge
Pros: Good video, nice insights on mobile trends.
Cons: The big hands thing is a little weird, and really the 6 and 6 Plus should be reviewed together not separately.
Bottom line: I like Nilay’s review, probably because I agree with it. 🙂
#4: Joshua Topolsky from Business Week
Pros: Strangely like the pink background in photos, entertaining video.
Cons: Video not really related to the written review.
Bottom line: The Verge’s ex-leader makes an appearance in Business Week but is completely upstaged by Bloomberg TV’s video reviewer Sam Grobart, who is super interesting to watch. Check out his reviews for the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. Grobart is the reason Business Week is on this list.
Pros: Good photo comparisons, solid video, comprehensive info.
Cons: Voice narration for the video is awkward.
Bottom line: Doesn’t wow but does the job.
Special Mention: Lance Ulanoff from Mashable
Pros: Beautiful layout, great graphics.
Cons: Long, ho-hum text. 6 and 6 Plus reviewed separately.
Bottom line: Nice to skim through but not actually to read.
There are two tech sites I love which haven’t published their reviews yet: Anandtech and Ars Technica. I have a feeling once they do, their entries just might make my top 5. Will update this post when they’ve done so and if they pass muster.
THE CORNERPLAY 