iPhone 6 Plus Owners Use Twice as Much Data as iPhone 6 Owners - MacRumors
Skip to Content

iPhone 6 Plus Owners Use Twice as Much Data as iPhone 6 Owners

There's a new mobile analytics report out from Citrix [PDF] and it's filled with interesting data on mobile usage, including a tidbit that suggests iPhone 6 Plus owners use far more data than other iPhone owners.

People who own the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus consume twice as much data as people who own the smaller 4.7-inch iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus data usage is 10 times higher than data usage on the 3.5-inch iPhone 3GS. That last statistic isn't surprising -- along with a small screen, the iPhone 3GS is much slower with hardware that's almost six years old.

iphone6data
Citrix suggests that the higher iPhone 6 Plus data usage is due to its users treating it like a tablet, consuming more media like streaming movies on the device.

iPhone 6 Plus subscribers generate the most data volume, double that of an iPhone 6. This increase impacts subscribers when choosing a new device -- be careful to select a data plan that matches your super-sized screen.

Clearly the phablet sized iPhone 6 Plus shows data usage patterns more akin to tablet usage. For mobile operators, this increase provides an opportunity to shift subscriber Wi-Fi usage towards mobile networks.

Other details covering all smartphone usage (not just iOS) suggest that interest in mobile health apps is on the rise, with 78 percent of mobile health app users using fitness apps. Sports video watching on mobile devices is up from 21% in Q3 2014 to 50% in Q1 2015.

The report also has an enterprise section, which confirms that iOS is still the dominant mobile platform. iOS devices are responsible for 64 percent of devices managed in the enterprise, compared to 27 percent for Android and 9 percent for Windows Mobile.

Popular Stories

Apple TV 4K HomeView HomePod Mini tweaked

New Apple TV 4K, HomeView, and HomePod Mini: 16 Details Just Leaked

Sunday October 11, 2026 12:56 pm PDT by
Just two days before Apple's "Welcome home" experience in New York, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has leaked several details about the new products set to be unveiled, including an all-new smart home hub, a HomePod mini 2, and a new Apple TV 4K. Here is an all-in-one summary of the details shared by Gurman:Apple's home hub with a touch-enabled display will be named HomeView, seemingly confirming a ...
Apple HomeView lineup feature1

Apple Announces 'HomeView' Smart Home Hub

Tuesday October 13, 2026 6:00 am PDT by
Apple today announced the "HomeView," an all-new kind of smart home hub featuring a 7-inch Liquid Retina display and Siri AI. Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing Greg Joswiak said: Apple HomeView is designed to be shared by everyone in the home yet feel completely personal to each user. It recognizes your face to shift from a household screen to your own experience,...
Apple TV 4K 4th Generation feature4

New Apple TV 4K Announced With A19 Chip, Updated Siri Remote, More

Tuesday October 13, 2026 6:08 am PDT by
Apple today announced the fourth-generation Apple TV 4K, with key features including an A19 chip, Siri AI support, an updated Siri Remote that has Find My support with Precision Finding, built in far-field microphones, support for surround sound with four HomePods in front and rear pairs, and more. The A19 chip in the new Apple TV 4K delivers up to 50% faster CPU performance and up to twice...

Top Rated Comments

152 months ago
cause and effect

It may be that heavy data users are more likely to want a larger iPhone. In other words, they're not using more data because they have a larger phone, they're buying a larger phone because they use more data (watching videos, etc.).
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
152 months ago
So the better it is for using the more it gets used, got it!
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
canesalato Avatar
152 months ago
Safari + 1gb of RAM + 1080p display (downscaled from a much higher resolution) = more tab reloading :p
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
152 months ago
I call bullocks. I've consistently used the same amount of data (3-4 GB a month) on my 6+ as I have with my iPhone 5 (4, 3G, and 2G as well). I can't be in the minority on this one either.

Why can't you be in the minority?

FWIW, I definitely use more data on my 6+ than I did on my previous iPhone 5.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lordofthereef Avatar
152 months ago
It's because of the rampant page reloads in safari!

huehuehuehuehue
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
paulsdenton Avatar
152 months ago
This rings true for me; the screen is so much more readable I don't reach for the iPad anywhere near as much. I just stay on the 6 plus.

In this I am sure I am not unusual.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Latest Stories
Apple Launched iPhone 4S With Siri 15 Years Ago Today
Apple Launched iPhone 4S With Siri 15 Years Ago Today
28 minutes ago
First Pre-Order Discounts Now Available for HomeView
First Pre-Order Discounts Now Available for HomeView
37 minutes ago
Apple HomeView Includes Temperature and Humidity Sensors
Apple HomeView Includes Temperature and Humidity Sensors
57 minutes ago
HomePod Mini vs. HomePod Mini 2 Buyer's Guide: All Differences Compared
HomePod Mini vs. HomePod Mini 2 Buyer's Guide: All Differences Compared
1 hour ago
Apple Watch Sleep Apnea Notifications Launch in China
Apple Watch Sleep Apnea Notifications Launch in China
2 hours ago
HomeView's Faces Include Snoopy, Photos, and Interactive Artwork
HomeView's Faces Include Snoopy, Photos, and Interactive Artwork
2 hours ago
Apple's HomeView Repair Fees Revealed
Apple's HomeView Repair Fees Revealed
13 hours ago
Everything Apple Still Has Coming in October
Everything Apple Still Has Coming in October
14 hours ago
Welcome Home: Everything Apple Announced on October 13
Welcome Home: Everything Apple Announced on October 13
15 hours ago
Will the Full-Sized HomePod Get Siri AI? Apple's Website Offers a Clue
Will the Full-Sized HomePod Get Siri AI? Apple's Website Offers a Clue
15 hours ago
Apple Releases Third Public Betas of iOS 27.2 and macOS Golden Gate 27.2
Apple Releases Third Public Betas of iOS 27.2 and macOS Golden Gate 27.2
15 hours ago
iOS 27.2 Adds New Apple Music Icon
iOS 27.2 Adds New Apple Music Icon
15 hours ago
HomePod Mini 2 Works as Default Speaker With Select Macs
HomePod Mini 2 Works as Default Speaker With Select Macs
16 hours ago
Elevation Lab Pulls AirTag Silencer After Stalking Concerns
Elevation Lab Pulls AirTag Silencer After Stalking Concerns
16 hours ago
iOS 27.2 Beta 4 Removes New Health App
iOS 27.2 Beta 4 Removes New Health App
17 hours ago
iPhone Duo Will Have Day-One iOS 27.1 Update
iPhone Duo Will Have Day-One iOS 27.1 Update
17 hours ago
Where to Pre-Order Apple's New HomeView, HomePod Mini 2, and Apple TV 4K
Where to Pre-Order Apple's New HomeView, HomePod Mini 2, and Apple TV 4K
18 hours ago
Apple Releases New AirPods Beta Firmware
Apple Releases New AirPods Beta Firmware
19 hours ago
Apple Seeds Fourth macOS Golden Gate 27.2 Beta to Developers
Apple Seeds Fourth macOS Golden Gate 27.2 Beta to Developers
19 hours ago
Apple Releases Fourth iOS 27.2 Beta
Apple Releases Fourth iOS 27.2 Beta
19 hours ago
Apple Releases Fourth watchOS 27.2 and visionOS 27.2 Betas
Apple Releases Fourth watchOS 27.2 and visionOS 27.2 Betas
19 hours ago
Anker and Jackery Offer Prime Day Encore Discounts on Power Stations
Anker and Jackery Offer Prime Day Encore Discounts on Power Stations
20 hours ago
New Apple TV 4K and Siri Remote Have These 14 New Features
New Apple TV 4K and Siri Remote Have These 14 New Features
20 hours ago
HomeView Runs Third-Party Apps From Your iPhone or iPad
HomeView Runs Third-Party Apps From Your iPhone or iPad
20 hours ago
RIP, homeOS
RIP, homeOS
21 hours ago
New Apple TV 4K Supports Surround Sound via Four HomePods
New Apple TV 4K Supports Surround Sound via Four HomePods
21 hours ago
Apple Says HomePod Mini 2 Won't Support Siri AI Right Away
Apple Says HomePod Mini 2 Won't Support Siri AI Right Away
21 hours ago
HomeView Can Dim to Apple's Lowest-Ever Display Brightness
HomeView Can Dim to Apple's Lowest-Ever Display Brightness
21 hours ago
New Apple TV 4K Adds Far-Field Microphones for Hands-Free Siri
New Apple TV 4K Adds Far-Field Microphones for Hands-Free Siri
22 hours ago
Apple Details HomeView's Audio Hardware
Apple Details HomeView's Audio Hardware
22 hours ago