Apple iPhone 7 Plus Review: A Look Back at the Dual-Camera Pioneer
The iPhone 7 Plus, released alongside the iPhone 7 in September 2016, marked a significant leap for Apple’s smartphone camera technology. It introduced a dual-camera system, a feature that would become standard on future iPhones and revolutionize mobile photography. Let’s delve into the iPhone 7 Plus specifications, performance, and design and explore whether it’s still a relevant option in the competitive smartphone landscape in 2024.
Network and Features
The iPhone 7 Plus offers a comprehensive range of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.2, and NFC for contactless payments via Apple Pay. With support for GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, and QZSS, the device ensures accurate positioning for navigation and location-based services. Similar to its sibling, the absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack may necessitate wireless headphones or the included Lightning-to-3.5mm adapter for audio playback. Additionally, the device features a front-mounted fingerprint sensor for secure authentication and support for Apple’s virtual assistant, Siri, for convenient voice commands.
Design and Build
The iPhone 7 Plus adopts the same design language as the iPhone 7, featuring a glass front and aluminum back wrapped around an aluminum frame. This design exudes a premium look and feel. The phone boasts an IP67 dust and water resistance rating, meaning it can withstand submersion in up to one meter of water for 30 minutes. While a welcome addition in 2016, some modern budget phones offer similar water resistance.
The phone’s dimensions are 158.2 x 77.9 x 7.3 mm (6.23 x 3.07 x 0.29 in), and weighs 188g (6.63 oz). Compared to the iPhone 7, it’s larger and heavier. Still, it falls within the realm of comfortable one-handed use, especially considering the larger screen size. However, by 2024 standards, the bezels become more noticeable compared to phones with a higher screen-to-body ratio. This design choice results in a larger phone footprint than modern devices, offering a more immersive viewing experience with slimmer bezels.
Like the iPhone 7, the iPhone 7 Plus omits the 3.5mm headphone jack. This design decision continues to be a point of contention for some users. While wireless headphones have become increasingly popular, some users still prefer the convenience of wired headphones or using their own existing headphones without needing an adapter.
Display
The iPhone 7 Plus features a 5.5-inch Retina IPS LCD display with a 1080 x 1920 pixels resolution and a pixel density of 401 ppi. The display offers good clarity and color reproduction. Still, the Full HD resolution must catch up to what many high-end phones offer in 2024. Additionally, the bezels appear more extensive than modern phones with slimmer borders. It also lacks features like OLED technology and higher refresh rates standard in today’s flagships. These display advancements offer smoother visuals, richer colors, and improved battery efficiency.
Hardware and Performance
The Apple A10 Fusion chip powers the iPhone 7 Plus, a quad-core processor clocked at 2.34 GHz paired with 3GB of RAM. This combination provided a significant performance boost over the iPhone 6s Plus and was sufficient to handle most tasks smoothly in 2016. However, by 2024 standards, the processing power struggles with demanding apps and multitasking. Running graphically intensive games or editing large videos may cause lag or stuttering.
The phone has three storage options: 32GB, 128GB, and 256 GB. It’s crucial to consider storage needs as there’s no option for expandable storage via microSD card. With the ever-increasing file sizes of apps, games, and media, the 32GB base model might feel restrictive in 2024. Users who plan on storing many photos, videos, or games should opt for the higher storage options.
Software (OS)
The iPhone 7 Plus launched with iOS 10 and is currently upgradeable to iOS 15.8.1. While not receiving the latest updates, iOS 15 offers a broader range of features and security improvements compared to the iPhone 5c and 6s. However, users will need access to newer iPhones’ latest features and security patches. This can be a potential security concern as older software versions may be more susceptible to vulnerabilities.
Camera
One of the standout features of the iPhone 7 Plus is its dual-camera system, comprising a 12 MP wide-angle lens with an f/1.8 aperture and a 12 MP telephoto lens with an f/2.8 aperture. This setup enables optical zoom at 2x and digital zoom up to 10x, allowing users to capture stunning images with depth and clarity. Both lenses feature optical image stabilization (OIS) and phase detection autofocus (PDAF) for enhanced low-light performance and faster focusing. Additionally, the camera supports 4K video recording at 30fps, 1080p recording at 30/60/120fps, and 720p recording at 240fps for versatile video capture. A 7 MP Selfie camera with an f/2.2 aperture on the front ensures crisp and detailed self-portraits and video calls.
Battery Life and Miscellaneous
The iPhone 7 Plus is equipped with a non-removable Li-Ion 2900 mAh battery, capable of delivering impressive endurance for all-day usage. The device ensures reliable daily performance with up to 384 hours of standby time on 3G and up to 21 hours of talk time on 3G. Available at an approximate price of 320 EUR, the iPhone 7 Plus offers excellent value. It is “For users who desire a high-end smartphone experience,” with advanced camera capabilities and robust performance.
Pros
- Sleek and durable design with IP67 water resistance
- Spacious Retina display with vibrant visuals and 3D Touch technology
- Powerful A10 Fusion chipset for seamless performance
- Versatile dual-camera system with optical zoom and OIS
- Comprehensive connectivity options, including NFC for Apple Pay
- Impressive battery life for all-day usage
Cons
- The lack of a 3.5mm headphone jack may inconvenience some users
- Relatively high price compared to other smartphones in its class
- Limited color options compared to its smaller sibling, the iPhone 7
Key difference
The critical difference between the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus is their camera systems and screen size. The iPhone 7 features a single 12-megapixel rear camera, while the iPhone 7 Plus boasts a groundbreaking dual-camera system. This dual setup on the Plus model includes a wide-angle and telephoto lens, allowing for 2x optical zoom and a more versatile photography experience. This innovation in mobile cameras laid the foundation for future iPhones and revolutionized smartphone photography.
Beyond the cameras, the iPhone 7 Plus offers a larger 5.5-inch display than the iPhone 7’s 4.7-inch screen. This translates to a more immersive viewing experience and potentially more comfortable use for browsing, gaming, or watching videos. However, the larger size also means a bigger phone footprint and potentially less comfortable one-handed use for some users. The iPhone 7 Plus also has a slight bump in RAM (3GB vs 2GB) compared to the iPhone 7, potentially offering a minor performance edge in multitasking.
Conclusion
The Apple iPhone 7 Plus is an impressive smartphone demonstrating Apple’s unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence in the mobile phone industry. It is designed to offer a seamless and intuitive mobile experience with a sleek, stylish, and functional design. The iPhone 7 Plus boasts impressive features and functionalities, including a powerful A10 Fusion chip that delivers lightning-fast performance. This enables users to easily multitask, play graphics-intensive games, and run demanding applications. Furthermore, the iPhone 7 Plus‘s camera system is one of the best available. It features a dual-camera system with a telephoto lens that allows for 2x optical zoom, producing stunning photos and videos that are clearer, crispier, and more vivid than ever. The optical image stabilization camera helps keep images stable and sharp, even in low-light conditions.
Moreover, the iPhone 7 Plus integrates seamlessly with the iOS ecosystem, providing users access to various apps, services, and features. The device’s water-resistant design makes it more durable and reliable than previous models.