How to enter my Unlock Code for BlackBerry Storm ?

Model : BlackBerry Storm 9300 and 9350

Follow all the steps very patiently and carefully.

Instructions - Step by Step

   1. Insert ANY Sim Card in the Phone's Sim Card Slot.

   2. From the Home Screen, Press the Menu Key (Blackberry Key), and Select 'Manage Connections'.

   3. Turn OFF all of the Wireless Connections.

   4. Go Back One Step by Pressing the Back Key.

   5. Select Options.

   6. Select Advanced Options.

   7. Select SIM Card.

   8. Press the Menu Key Select 'Show Keyboard'.

   9. Tilt the phone in Horrizontal Position so that the Keyboard is displayed in the Landscape Mode.

  10. Enter letters M E P D (you will not be able to see the typed info).

  11. Enter letters M E P and then the number 2.

  12. A Message will say "Enter Network MEP Code".

  13. Enter the Code provided by us to you and Press the Enter Key on the Screen.

  14. It will now say 'Code Accepted'.

  15. Congratulations! Your phone is now Unlocked.  Now your phone can be used with any GSM Network with Sim Card.

  16. Go back to the Home Screen.  Press the Menu Button and click on Manage Connections.

  17. Turn all the Connections ON.

  18. Click on Mobile Network Options > Network Technology: - Change GLOBAL to GSM/UMTS | Below that you will see - Network Mode: - Change from | 3G and 2G | to | 2G |.

      In Some Cases, the Phone might need to be Rebooted/Restarted with a Valid and Active GSM Sim Card placed in the Phone's Sim Card Slot.

You must follow Steps 16, 17 and 18 to switch the phone from CDMA (Verizon) mode to GSM mode.

IMPORTANT: Kindly Leave Me a Positive Feedback with 5 Detailed Stars; If you bought this code on my eBay listing, so other customers know how fast and accurate i am, and how happy you are with my service!

If it says ''Activation Required'' or your own Mobile Number doesn't appear on the Dial Pad Screen then follow these instructions below.

Go to the Dial Pad Screen and press # # 0 0 0 0 0 0 and press the Send button.

You will then see a menu come up. Erase everything on the first row and Input YOUR number.  Press the Menu Key and click Save.

The phone will now reboot and ''Activation Required'' will no longer be displayed.

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Tips for Buying a Smartphone

Purchasing a smartphone is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming to many buyers. Numerous makes and models exist. Buyers also must navigate complex computer language to determine which features and systems are necessary. While this decision can be complex, it is one worth making carefully only after considering all factors since these phones can be expensive. Many of the best models of smartphones are available on eBay from numerous vendors. To buy a smartphone, buyers should consider a few tips to help them to navigate the more complex aspects of this buying decision. That way, the buyer purchases a cell phone that lasts for years and provides excellent service.

Focus on Operating Systems

The operating system is the brain of the smartphone. The most common options include the Android smartphones, Apple iOS systems, and Windows mobile devices. Individuals often select the iOS system because they want the benefits of an iPod in an iPhone. This system also features the Safari web browser. Individuals purchasing an Android phone have access to a wide range of programs and browsers since this is a more flexible platform. The Windows-based smartphones allow users to benefit from having access to Office products, including Word and Excel, on their phones.

Consider Brands and Models

For many people, buying a smartphone often comes down to buying the latest model or the most advanced phone. When considering some of the larger brands in the industry, factor in aspects such as features, flexibility of use, and availability on a particular phone carrier.

Numerous other brands and models exist. When selecting one to buy, individuals need to consider how they plan to use the device. Some models, including the Galaxy, Note, and Droid phones are known for their improved communications, making them a good option for business use. The Apple iPhone 5, for example, is a comprehensive media device, aimed at the individual user who wants access to photos, music, and the Internet.

Factor in Connectivity Options

When purchasing a smartphone, many people consider the phone carrier they intend to use. However, it is also important to consider the number and type of connection tools available to the user through the phone. Many smartphones have ample features when it comes to connectivity.

Bluetooth and Wi-Fi

A Bluetooth smartphone allows individuals to connect to any device featuring Bluetooth technology. Wi-Fi smartphones allow the user to switch off mobile data, such as 3G or 4G networks, and to use in-house Internet-connectivity. This can reduce costs.

Other Connection Options

Some smartphones connect through USB ports. For a user who travels internationally, a Global System for Mobile Communications smartphone, also known as a GSM smartphone, is ideal. It is important for users to consider usability with their preferred carrier, too.

Determine Which Features are Ideal

Based on the way the buyer plans to use his or her smartphone, it is essential to consider features. Some people have preferences to one style of phone or another. Technology continues to update and new features continue to become available.

Keyboards

A QWERTY keyboard pulls out from the phone and allows the user to type on keys, much like a traditional computer keyboard. Many people purchase touchscreen smartphones. These have built-in keyboards that operate based on an on-screen keyboard.

Cameras

Smartphones with cameras are very common. The quality of the camera tends to differ from one model to the next. When comparing options, buyers need to factor in the number of megapixels, the zoom quality, and the overall quality of images. Many also feature video cameras and media players to allow for on-screen viewing.

How to Buy a Smartphone

The selection of a smartphone requires the buyer to consider his or her desired features and specs. With numerous options available on eBay, buyers have the ability to easily compare various makes and models online and within a matter of seconds. To do so, buyers can visit any page of the eBay website and use the search bar on the screen to locate a specific brand, style, or operating system available. Then, the consumer can navigate through various vendors to locate a new or used cell phone, a locked or unlocked phone, or one with specific features. By comparing numerous options, it is possible to narrow down the buying decision until the ideal investment is possible.

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Samsung Galaxy S7 review !

The ultimate way to test a new phone? Travel with it. When you're seeing sights and losing yourself to the moment, there's no room to tolerate a poor camera or buggy software, slow speed or short battery life. If there's a flaw, you'll find it.

So I tested the Samsung Galaxy S7 in London and Berlin, while colleagues also took it for a spin in San Francisco and Sydney. And you know what? It did great. Better than great. In fact, the S7 was an awesome phone that never cracked under the pressure of being the only way I take pictures and navigate completely unfamiliar terrain, all while keeping battery life going during long days out.

Straight up: the Galaxy S7 is the best all-around phone out today. It's superior to the excellent Google Nexus 6P, Apple iPhone 6S, LG G5 and HTC 10. In fact, the only phone that surpasses it is its own fraternal twin, the larger, curvy-screen S7 Edge, which is technically my top pick -- but only if you're willing to splurge. Sure, there are some potentially worthy rivals out beyond the horizon -- the iPhone 7, the next Nexus model, and the Galaxy Note 6. But none of them will likely be on the market for months to come. So, for now, the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge remain the best phones money can buy.

Here's what I found (along with fellow S7-testers) while using the S7 around Europe. You can also scroll to the end for a specs comparison chart.

Perfect for pockets, but smudgy as hell

I began my testing on London's crowded, bagpipe-festooned bridges and streets. Since I constantly mashed the S7 into my jeans and jacket pockets only to retrieve it again for a weather check, photo, digital payment or to navigate around, its approachable size was a much better fit for me than a larger phone. "Medium" by today's bonkers standards, it has a 5.1-inch screen.

Throughout all this nonstop handling, the S7's curved back and sides made it comfortable to hold, and the one time I dropped it it didn't dent or break. That was only a few feet off the floor inside a pub, mind you -- I'm sure it'd sustain more damage if it had clattered onto pavement.

I spent a good, long time staring at the S7. That curve-back design I mentioned and some very slight rounding on the edges around the display are damn nice, giving the phone a far more luxe and contoured appearance than most, including last year's ramrod-straight Galaxy S6. In fact, look closely at the details and you can see that this S7 is built better than previous Galaxy phones.

One downside to the S7's shiny metal-and-glass backing is that smudges pile up on smudges, leaving a semi-permanent sheen of finger grease all over your expensive property. It's gross, and a pain to constantly clean, which always fails anyway. But like all beautiful phones, you're bound to slap a case on it anyway, so it's almost a moot point -- just not an excuse.

Camera, camera, camera!

I took a boatload of photos in London while testing the phone, but when my sister and I went to Berlin for the weekend, all hell broke loose. Every pastry and pretzel, imposing museum, graceful river crossing; every glorious kebab and lip-smacking beer became an opportunity for dutiful documentation.

What was confirmed again and again is that crisp photos from the 12-megapixel camera countered low-light interference in every darkened cocktail bar, moodily lit restaurant and dusk-dimmed park. Although this camera has fewer megapixels than last year's S6, it takes better photos. Scenes are brighter, which makes the action easier to see.

Even in low-light scenes, such as a Berlin speakeasy, the S7 trumps the iPhone 6S, yielding brighter, more usable photos. Digital noise was still there, just diminished; those small speckles of color that infiltrate the picture are an inevitability in low-light digital camera shots.

Whip-quick autofocus was also a winner, grabbing clear shots of moving objects, like swaying flowers (yes, I really do take photos of flowers) and my sister lunging like a lightsaber-wielding Jedi in front of a mural (fear her!).

Photos didn't just look great on the S7's sharp screen; they also stood up to enlarged views on my laptop and an even larger monitor back in London.

I also really liked using the new, optional preview mode that lets you delete or share photos immediately after taking them. Oh yes, the S7 has optical image stabilization (OIS), which helped keep my photos from blurring after all those jetlag-fighting coffees.

I'm still less sure of the 5-megapixel front-facing camera, which now has even more "beautification" filters than before. I never liked these, even though I'm vain enough that I don't want to see every line and wrinkle. To me, they make skin appear plastic and dull; maybe the uncanny valley of too-perfect skin, but I know plenty of people who love the youthening effect. At any rate, I turned all of these filters to zero, but still found that selfies either looked fake or overly harsh. Something in the processing seems off, but this isn't a dealbreaker by any means.

I did use the S7's front-facing screen "flash" to light dark selfie scenes, which basically means the phone screen whites-out before the camera fires. This came in handy, since my sister basically selfie-documented every move we made for her husband and kids, especially at dinner and the bar. The flash...it's blinding. Toning down the brightness would make it more useful, especially if I could pick a warmer color temperature or lower brightness setting to make it all less intense. The iPhone 6S' similar selfie-flash did better in the same scenes.

Less bloatware is a very, very good thing

Back in London, my appreciation for Samsung's more restrained customizations to the Android 6.0 software settled in. The S7 slims down the bloatware considerably, while leaving plenty of advanced settings for customizing everything from the lock screen to phone themes -- you just have to dig a little deeper now to find everything. Samsung also added a few nice-but-subtle optional touches, like a new "tray" to help you easily move app icons from one screen to another.

Speaking of extra touches, I really like the idea of the Game Launcher, a set of tools you can turn on to trigger some quick actions, like recording the screen or minimizing your game so you can do something else. I'm not the kind of active gamer who would immediately benefit from these features, so trying it out on the subway threw off my movements when playing more precision-based games, like the Riptide 2 racer.

My colleague Jason Parker in San Francisco liked being able to turn off all alerts (with the exception of actual incoming phone calls), but pointed out that the notification for an incoming call still covers most of the screen -- so this particular feature doesn't go far enough.

During my week away from San Francisco (aka home), I fell in love with the S7's new always-on display, which shows you either the clock, a calendar or an image. It was immediately useful for checking the time and the phone's battery levels, a constant worry, without actually having to take the phone out of standby. I also set up a clock for the local timezone and the one at home, so I knew when it was too early to call or text.

Battery life is long, performance swift

Other than the camera quality, battery life was my No. 1 concern when using the S7 while Euro-tripping. I was often out from 9 a.m. until midnight, and didn't always carry a bulky charger or heavy external battery pack, because that gets annoying. Luckily, I didn't need to. The battery lasted through a full day of heavy use.

Over in San Francisco, my colleagues ran the S7 through our standard CNET lab tests, a looping video downloaded to the phone, played in airplane mode. The S7 averaged 16 hours in three tests, which is one of the longest-running results we've seen for any phone. In comparison, the iPhone 6S scored 10.5 hours on the exact same test. I'd still expect to charge it once a day, but would be more confident making it through a late night without dying. If you want a larger battery, there's always the S7 Edge.

During my week gallivanting around with the S7, it operated smoothly and never lagged, and games played on its top-of-the-line processor with ease. (See our performance chart below.)

A few things the S7 could do better

Less plastic-looking selfies, toned-down screen flash.

A speedier, more accurate fingerprint reader like the Nextbit Robin's side-button reader (this wasn't bad, the Robin's is just that good).

Figure out how to add a removable battery on a metal design (LG did). For you, that means swapping in fresh batteries if you want to keep the phone a long time or increase its resale value.

Make sure the phone's right-side power button doesn't turn on in a purse; this drains battery faster (kudos again to the Nextbit Robin).

Make the screen more readable outside on overcast and sunny days. Microsoft/Nokia Lumia phones have a filter; Samsung should, too.

Support thicker gloves. In chilly London and Berlin, I had to choose between frozen fingers or my lined leather gloves. Samsung says the screen automatically supports thinner gloves.

More stuff you need to know

Moar storage!: Samsung's return to the microSD card slot meant I could load the S7 with a movie to watch offline, and save all those photos and videos to a card instead of to the more limited phone memory -- you can also transfer over an app you download from Google Play. A microSd card also means you won't have to buy a pricier S7 model to get more storage. In that sense, an extra 64GB from the SD card costs you only about $20, AU$65 or £12 -- five times less than an Apple storage upgrade costs.

Water-resistant once again: I wouldn't normally worry about a regular phone corroding from rain, so London and Berlin's frequent downpours didn't prove a thing. I did not and will not drop the S7 into a toilet to test this. Just, no. Anyway, "waterproofing" is more beneficial if someone throws you in a pool as a joke or you take gloaty photos in a hot tub.

Samsung Pay is still awesome: This isn't new, but who cares? I still used it all the time in London and Berlin, so that makes it important. Samsung Pay one-ups Apple Pay and Google Pay by letting you use the phone as a credit card at any card-accepting merchant (it works with old-fashioned swipe readers, no need for an NFC reader). That made it super simple to buy coffees and train tickets without having to dig for my wallet or withdraw more local currency when I ran out. Here's everything you need to know about Samsung Pay.

Wireless charging remains: Like Samsung's 2015 phones, you can charge the S7 wirelessly (it supports all major standards). Same goes for quick-charging from the wired charger, which is included.

"Old" chargers will work: The S7 uses the Micro-USB charging port, not the new Type-C port that some phones, like the LG G5, have. This means that you can use any chargers that you already happen to have lying around, but it won't do all the tricks of the new standard -- that's not a deal-breaker by any means. Adoption here will be gradual.

Not a Nexus: Just a reminder, future Android updates won't come on day 1, unlike on a Nexus phone. Based on past experience, expect a six-month wait.

Long-term life: Battery life blows it out of the water now, when the S7 is all fresh and new, but phones can't hold the same charge as they age. Speed also slows down over time, especially after loading the phone with zillions of apps and photos. We'll keep a close eye on this one to see how it does down the line.

Call quality: Calls sounded great when my colleagues tested the S7 in San Francisco with Verizon's network. Calls didn't drop, they said, and audio maintained a more balanced, warm sound.

Versus other phones

iPhone 6S: The S7 bests the iPhone 6S in low-light camera shots; battery life; Android 6.0 software features (like Google Now and built-in Doze battery savings); Samsung Pay (which works where Google Pay and Apple Pay don't); and the microSD card slot, which makes storing media cheaper than buying a phone with larger storage. 

Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge: The two have everything in common except for the S7's smaller battery and screen size, and its conventional display versus the Edge's curved screen (plus "edge" software navigation bar). The more interesting Edge is the splurge: more distinctive, but at a cost. 

Google Nexus 6P: I will never stop loving the Nexus 6P as a value-for-money phone, and you won't do wrong buying it. The S7, however, is better in all areas -- except one. A Nexus phone is the first one Google will bless with Android updates. Samsung owners could wait up to six months or longer. 

LG G5: The G5 brings some serious innovation to the table, and its removable battery thumbs LG's nose at Samsung. Still, the Galaxy S7 is better.

Prices: Not cheap, but worth it

The S7 starts at $650, £569 and AU$1,149. That isn't cheap, but I think it's worth the investment. Compared to 2015's iPhone 6S, the new Galaxy S7 has the advantage: The might of Android's software excellence, that gorgeous design, a lot of customization options and top hardware guts.

You could also pony up more to upgrade to the S7 Edge if you value the bigger 5.5-inch screen, the larger battery and the seductive waterfall screen design.

Specs and all that jazz

Love specs and data? Here you go: the S7's benchmark performance and specs, compared to rival phones.

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Apple iPhone 6S review

When I showed the iPhone 6S to one of my wife's friends, she got nostalgic. She waxed emotional about its predecessor, the iPhone 6 . It changed her life. Bigger screen, better camera, and Apple Pay. Everyone wanted these things. It was as close to a perfect phone as I've ever seen. All it ever really lacked was a better battery (Plus notwithstanding).

I showed her 3D Touch, Apple's newest technology on these iPhones. She pressed on the hypnotically-animated lock screen, a swimming fish. She watched it dance under her finger. And yes, she was impressed. But when I showed her everything else 3D Touch does, she said, "I'm not sure I'd really use this."

This year's follow-up iPhone, the iPhone 6S, doesn't improve on that battery. And its newest features aren't as instantly game-changing, at least not on the surface. That's obvious: it's an S-year iPhone, and Apple always uses these subtle every-other-year S upgrades to tweak design and ramp up processor speeds. It's the phone for people who didn't get the iPhone 6 last year. And for the past few years, S phones have introduced evolutionary changes that seriously evolved the phone; the iPhone 4S added Siri, and the iPhone 5S debuted the Touch ID fingerprint sensor.

The new iPhone 6S and 6S Plus look the same (except for the metallic-pink rose gold model) as last year's iPhones. In a lot of ways they also feel the same. But there are hidden advantages at play. The newest, boldest tech is a new pressure-sensitive touchscreen technology called 3D Touch. There are lots of other improvements, too: better cameras. Better overall system speed. And always-on (and I mean always-on -- unless you turn it off) Siri. And, something I didn't even get a chance to test fully: a completely redesigned construction with a reinforced glass screen, which Apple promises is sturdier all-around. We'll get to that in the next few weeks, but that alone could make a difference for a lot of would-be buyers.

3D Touch might be the "Next Big Idea" in touchscreens and interfaces. But does it make these new iPhones must-haves for that reason alone? I think it will, down the road, when more apps are here. But right now, its software advantages are subtle.

I spent a week with the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus (in rose gold and gold, respectively), taking them everywhere I went, from farmer's markets in New Jersey to tailgating at a New York Jets game, to commuting on New Jersey Transit through the Meadowlands and to my kid's meet-the-teacher night. I showed them to my friends, my family, anyone I met and got their opinions, too. (For on-the-fly impressions, check out my weekend diary.)

I might take the miracle of tiny, powerful smartphones for granted, but I can't shake the feeling that the iPhone 6S doesn't, at this moment, have the "one big thing" to make people want to upgrade from the 6. That doesn't mean it's not a better phone, of course it is. Right now, however, it's a promising upgrade from the iPhone 6, not a revolution.

But if you've been holding off on getting an iPhone for a while, don't wait anymore. Get this one (or its big-screen sibling, the 6S Plus). Just make sure you don't buy the 16GB model.

3D Touch: Amazing hardware needs killer software

Press in on the iPhone 6S screen and new fascinating things happen. A pop-out window emerges. Little menus appear. You feel a buzz, or a light click. Much like the Apple Watch , these iPhones let you push in on the screen to accomplish small tasks. Apple calls this 3D Touch. And it's the boldest new tech on these iPhones by a mile.

It's a cool idea, but as I've discovered showing it to my family and friends, it's not entirely intuitive at first. Yes, its promises could be vast. But 3D Touch ends up being used very tentatively in the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus software at the current moment: it mostly adds either pop-up "quick action" menus from apps on the home screen, or adds "peek" and "pop" to apps, expanding links or messages into previews that you can then open up fully, or tuck back away by lifting your finger. Some apps do a lot with these new ideas, especially Mail.

Peeking-and-filing emails can transform how that app is used. But a lot of people who try it for the first time don't realize how to take advantage of 3D Touch. There's no tutorial. And for the most part, 3D Touch isn't essential yet. Until it starts to be incorporated into more apps -- and in a more useful fashion -- I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of people forget that it even exists.

I like using 3D Touch to preview links, or to pop-up related apps. When I hold an app and see a menu of extra options under my thumb, it feels almost like a computer, not a phone (the latest MacBooks, which utilize a similar but less sensor-studded trackpad technology Apple calls Force Touch, have pop-up previews in Safari, too). Apple's building a common language, and evolving what your phone-sized computer can do.

Pop-out previews are a really clever idea; links within Safari preview Web pages without any actual clicks. The ability to pull up menus in the iPhone almost feels like right-clicking on a computer and getting a contextual menu. It's helpful, and surprisingly utilitarian. But you don't need to use it, you can always do things the same old way as always, with regular touch controls. You can even turn 3D Touch off. And, those menus that pop up don't offer all the options I'd want. They're not all that customizable, either: what 3D Touch does, or doesn't, do is mostly up to app developers. A good handful of apps have emerged to take advantage of 3D Touch, but it's going to take a while before it feels widespread.

Maybe that's why 3D Touch doesn't feel essential yet in iOS. But the apps that are emerging to take advantage of it are slowly coming, and those could get really interesting. Imagine pressure-sensitive music apps. Art apps. Games. Remotes -- controlling a drone with 3D Touch toggles to gently control directions, for instance. You could press down to change brush strokes when painting (the new Notes app already allows this). You could press down harder on virtual piano keys (Smule's Magic Piano app added this function already). Racing games can get analog gas pedals (AG Racer added this, and it's one of the best demonstrations of 3D Touch). I could see it working as a virtual dimmer for smart home remotes.

I want more. I've started 3D touching every icon, every menu; I want 3D Touch in all my apps, everywhere. It's weird when it isn't. I want smarter 3D Touch menus, smarter extra features. It's legitimately better to have it than not have it, but I don't expect its killer apps to emerge for at least a couple of months. And iOS could use splashier ways of taking advantage of it, too, like that animated lock screen. What if I could push through folders, or push-to-magnify, dipping in and out of views?

It's not a really matter of whether 3D Touch is worth upgrading to now. You'll upgrade to it sooner or later. Your phone will eventually have it. Do you want it later, or now? Down the road this is going to enable major, major changes in how iPhones and iOS work. Right now, it's a subtle thing.

What my family and friends thought

Most of my friends and family didn't necessarily care about the iPhone's new features. My wife is long overdue for an upgrade from the iPhone 4S, but she didn't care about 3D Touch. Or Live Photos, for that matter. She's considering buying an iPhone 6. My brother-in-law just wanted Live Photos to help him go back and pick better photos, like Burst Mode. My mom already has an iPhone 6, and other than needing more storage for her photos she didn't see anything new she needed, either. My kids thought Live Photos were cool, but didn't recognize the difference between those and videos (down the road, I think that'll be true for most people, and that's probably the point).

What I think

If I were to buy a new phone now and didn't get an iPhone 6, I'd buy this, easily. In 64GB or 128GB -- never a 16GB (those smaller sizes barely hold enough photos and videos to get by if you're the type of person who doesn't delete). If I had an iPhone 6, I'd wait until next year...or, find a way to sell my phone and trade up without it costing me quite so much.

I think Apple, and the whole phone industry, are trying to change the "Should I upgrade?" question bit by bit. They're trying to make it an "every year" thing, not an "every two years" or "Should I buy something new?" thing. Phone plans like AT&T Next, or Apple's own yearly plan, are almost like leases. You can trade in your old ride and seamlessly move to a new one.

The 6S fits that model well; it's enhanced and improved. Is it shockingly new or a vault forward? No...except for the concept of 3D Touch, which is brilliant hardware still in need of software which will make it truly shine. That software, from iOS itself and apps, will come, but maybe not right away. 3D Touch could build a new style of touchscreen app design, bleeding into iPads, the Apple Watch and maybe influencing the rest of the industry. Right now, just a week in, it's still baby steps.

This iPhone is built for the future, but in the present it's mostly a nicely improved iPhone 6.

A deeper look at the iPhone 6S

As we said, 3D Touch isn't the only thing that's new on the iPhone 6S. Here are more in-depth looks at the camera improvements, and the speedier internal processor and fingerprint sensor. Also, a look at how Apple's smaller 4.7-inch iPhone model differs from its larger sibling, the 5.5-inch iPhone 6S Plus (it's a bigger difference than last year). And finally, thanks to the major changes in how phones are sold (in the US, at least), we look at how the buying -- or leasing -- calculations change the purchase decision on these new iPhones, too.

The improved camera: Live Photos, 4K video recording and more

What do Live Photos do? Apple's new camera innovation records a second and a half before, and a second and a half after you snap any shot on your phone, with front or rear cameras. I took a bunch of photos, and then forgot about it. Later on, I realized that all my photos had bits of video and audio attached. Press down, and I could see the photos become little videos, of sorts. Or animated GIFs with audio.

They don't look like normal videos, exactly: they're more like time lapses. The images skip a bit, like a flipbook. It has a bit of a magical, distancing feel. These end up seeming like little mementos.

If I forget to take a video one day, which I often do, these could act as substitutes. But where do I share them, how do I collate them? Apple is opening up ways to let these Live Photos be seen elsewhere. Right now you can send them to other iPhone users, make them your lock screen wallpaper, or send them to the Apple Watch. I want them on Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat. I want these to be instant GIFs. Then I'd love them. They'll come, eventually. (Facebook, Getty Images and Weibo are three apps that should support them soon) Right now, I feel like I wouldn't really use them much; on the other hand, I could see a whole new subgenre of pet and kid photos -- again, once the sharing problem gets resolved. But they might make me stop wanting to take so many short videos.

4K video recording doesn't make a huge impact on your phone or when watching on most TVs. That's because most people don't have 4K televisions -- yet. Thankfully, PC monitors do support 4K and so does YouTube. And adding the ultra high-def video format to the new iPhones puts them on better footing with GoPro cameras. That added 4K, and new extremely smooth wobble-free optical image stabilization for video (on the 6S Plus model only), push this iPhone's video chops up another notch. The only trade-off is space: as with Live Photos, 4K video will take up more precious room on the phone's internal storage. Yet another reason to avoid that too-small 16GB entry-level model.

The rear camera takes better photos, but I didn't always appreciate much of a difference in everyday casual use. The front-facing camera, however, is miles better. Pictures are crisp! You can take flash selfies that really work, and don't blind you!

Optical image stabilization on the 6S Plus, both for photos and videos, isn't needed for normal everyday use. But it makes zoomed-in or dimly-lit photos crisper, and it keeps active videos moving a lot more smoothly. For pro use, or those who don't own any other camera other than their iPhone, I'd get the 6S Plus. Most people would be fine with the 6S.

For lots more in-depth deep dives with the iPhone 6S Plus cameras, check out Andrew Hoyle's selfie shoot-out, low-light camera test and outdoor camera test, where you can see more examples of how the 6S Plus camera fares. The 6S Plus front-facing FaceTime camera is identical to the 6S: the rear iSight camera looks a little better in low-light conditions.

Team speed

The S stands for speed, as has been the case for years. The 6S does it several ways: a faster A9 processor, double the RAM, speedier wireless via improved Wi-Fi antennas and access to faster LTE data networks (LTE Advanced), and quicker Touch ID sensors on the home button.

Unlocking the iPhone from Touch ID is now so fast that I barely saw the lock screen at all. One click, you're in. And if you're running multiple apps at once, like I usually am, these new phones handle app-switching a lot more smoothly...while "remembering" your previous app's status better. Jumping between Netflix, Geometry Wars 3 and Safari was a piece of cake.

Like many other years, these speed boosts mean the phone feels snappier. iOS 9 sometimes feels a tad un-snappy on the iPhone 6, while it runs buttery-smooth on the 6S. In terms of raw benchmarks, these iPhones are blazing fast: they're faster than last year's iPad Air 2. But of course, you're using that power on a smaller screen, and with no true split-screen multitasking.

Battery life: Same as last year

One thing that really hasn't changed is one something I've wanted more of for years...battery. The batteries are actually smaller in this year's 6S and 6S Plus phones, but deliver similar battery life over a regular day of use. I needed to top off my iPhone before night on the 6S when using it heavily (and with a Jawbone Up3 and Apple Watch paired to it), just like I did with the iPhone 6. The 6S Plus can handle a whole day, and a bit more.

We ran our standard lab video-playback test, putting the iPhone 6S in Airplane mode, and got 10.5 hours of battery life. That's not what you'll use your iPhone for, but it shows that the basic battery potential lands similarly to last year's iPhone 6 using iOS 8. On our iOS 9 battery tests across devices, we didn't find that the OS upgrade affected the standard lab-based battery playback test. Its impact comes into play over everyday use.

There are new power-saving modes in iOS 9 that can eke out more use at the end of the day, and I found those to eke out a bit more of what I needed. Still, I found myself having to conserve by the time the sun set. Next year, I'd love to see batteries get a bit bigger...not the other way around.

Editor's note: This year's iPhone 6S A9 processor is made by two different manufacturers, and your phone either has one or the other. According to Apple, battery performance between the two variants (TSMC and Samsung) only varies by around 2 to 3 percent. We are doing our own testing, and will update this when we have definitive answers. Our review iPhones had processors made by TSMC, and didn't exhibit any performance issues.

6S Plus: The pro phone

The iPhone I really want is the one that has the Plus features (battery life, better camera, higher-res screen) in a regular-iPhone size. Apple offers you the choice of one or the other, but not both. The 6S is sized right, and it's more than enough for nearly anyone. The Plus offers something more like "Pro" features: meaning, it'll be a better all-day battery workhorse, feel more like a tablet because of that larger screen size, and yes, it generally takes reliably better photos and videos.

I lived with an iPhone 6 Plus for months after using an iPhone 6, then switched back again. Optical image stabilization (OIS), which is only in the Plus, doesn't make a big difference for everyday use in broad daylight, but can make for much clearer blur-free photos in darker conditions or when using digital zoom. If you rely on your iPhone as your everyday camera, especially for work purposes (as I do at press events), that makes a difference. And yes, it's worth that extra $100.

Do you lease, or buy?

Phones are like cars. Some people really don't think about what year their car is: they buy one and use it until they need a new one. Others lease their cars. They want a new ride all the time.

Apple offers a lot of options, and they're all pretty good. Last year's iPhone 6 remains a great phone, but if you've waited a while to buy a new phone, spend up and get the 6S: it has enough new things to easily make it worthwhile. If you want a 6S, get the 64GB or 128GB model. Live Photos and 4K video chew up storage space, and 16GB is not enough anyway. Want to save money? Get last year's 64GB iPhone 6 instead for the price of this year's 16GB iPhone 6S.

Get a 6S Plus if you're really serious about photos and video, as in a professional, or someone who wants to record the very best family home movies since the Plus does take better photos and videos. It's worth the extra $100 for that, the larger screen and better battery, but it won't fit all pants (or budgets). Most people will still do perfectly fine with the 6S. I'd buy the Plus in a heartbeat if it was just a bit smaller. It's really big, even compared to other large-screened Android phones.

The easiest recommendation: iPhone 6S, 64GB.

I haven't mentioned Android phones to this point. What you should know is that the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus are extremely fast compared to current Android phones, have cameras that are basically best in class (or close enough that it'll feel like the same thing), and have screen sizes that are competitive. You're picking an iPhone for its software-hardware synergy, the tuned design, and, of course, its apps and software. There are plenty of great Android phones. The iPhone is well above most of them.

Now, you might be the person who saves up to buy a new phone, waiting for the right time to upgrade. Or maybe you're part of one of the increasingly common plans that allows you to get a new phone each year. If you're the former, I'd say this: it's an excellent time to buy, unless you own last year's iPhone 6.

For the average person, the new iPhone 6S features won't be shockingly new. You could use one of last year's iPhone 6 models and be more than okay. Those are still great phones, too.

But under the hood, this iPhone's got a much better engine. It's got a lot of potential. It's easily one of the very best smartphones on the planet. And it's the iPhone to get if you've been waiting for an upgrade, or a phone plan that allows you to step into a new phone easily.

To some people, a new phone every year is worth more than any other gadget. If you're that person, you know that already. But otherwise, this is the go-ahead-and-buy-it iPhone for those who have held off so long they didn't know when the right time was. It's highly polished and refined. I can't say my life was changed using the iPhone 6S, but I can say it's a really good year-over-year hardware improvement. The 7 will undoubtedly get a facelift, but this model's got everything you need. Except, maybe, a better battery.

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