iPhone 6: Top 3 Business Features

Apple Pay could change how your customers pay. Credit: Apple

Apple's new iPhone is bigger and better for business. The 4.7-inch iPhone 6 debuted this week alongside an even bigger version, the massive 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus. Both phones are a lot bigger than last year's 4-inch iPhone 5s, but the standard iPhone 6 is the more portable of the two new devices. And there's a lot more to get excited about with the debut of the iPhone 6, which is now available for pre-order and will officially launch Sept. 19. That includes a faster processor, a brand-new version of iOS, and the debut of Apple Pay, a new mobile payment system that could have big consequences for small businesses. Before you put down a preorder for the iPhone 6, read on for three features that could make it good for work.

Large display

Compared to previous versions, the iPhone 6 is big, but not too big. With a 4.7-inch display, it strikes a pretty good balance between portability and productivity, especially compared to the pocket-stretching dimensions of phablets like the iPhone 6 Plus. An iPhone with a bigger screen is a big deal for business users who need more screen space to work on, and don't want to sacrifice perks like iOS's huge library of apps, and Apple's top-notch customer service. For business users used to squinting at a 4-inch screen, the iPhone 6's larger display will make most tasks more comfortable, from managing your email inbox to browsing the Web.

iOS 8

The iPhone 6 will launch with iOS 8, the latest version of Apple's mobile operating system. The software update – which will also be available on the iPhone 5, 5c and 5s – packs in new features like Handoff, which lets you seamlessly transition between your phone and your Mac laptop or desktop computer. When you're working on an email or typing out a document on your computer, you can sent it over to your phone to keep working on that device, and vice versa; just tap the Handoff button. It works because Apple devices connected to the same network now automatically recognize each other. Other notable features include a new way to quickly respond to incoming messages without leaving the app you're currently using, and the ability to install widgets in the notification center so you can view weather, stocks and more at a glance.

Apple Pay

Apple Pay is far from the first mobile wallet system to hit smartphones, but if it catches on it could help the technology hit the mainstream. Basically, Apple Pay lets you – or your customers – link your phone to your bank account, then pay for items or services by holding an iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus up to a near-fiend communication (NFC) reader. While paying, users will press their thumb to the Touch ID fingerprint reader embedded in the phone's home button to ensure they really own the phone, to help curb fraud. Completing a transaction with Apple Pay takes just seconds, and could be more convenient and secure than swiping a physical credit card. It's yet to be seen how contactless payment systems like Apple Pay will fare in the future, but in conjunction with similar services like Google Wallet, it has the potential to change how consumers pay.