The release of the iPhone 7 Plus back in September 2016 marked a significant shift for Apple and brought some risks along with it. Unlike their usual approach, where each ‘S’ model is followed by a complete design overhaul, the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus maintained a similar look to their predecessors from the previous two years, with nearly identical dimensions. While there were more updates than in a typical ‘S’ cycle, if you had a Rose Gold iPhone 6s or a Silver iPhone 6 Plus, you might not have immediately noticed the differences. In a market where first impressions are heavily based on design, it’s no wonder that the initial reaction to the iPhone 7 Plus was somewhat muted.
Apple further stirred controversy with the “courageous” decision to eliminate the headphone jack, sparking widespread criticism even before users could fully experience the change. So how did the iPhone 7 models hold up against their predecessors and competing Android flagships? After spending extensive time testing the devices back in 2016, here’s a look at our review of the iPhone 7 Plus.
1. iPhone 7 Plus Design in UAE
The new iPhone models closely resemble their predecessors at first glance, but there are some key design changes. The most noticeable update is the removal of two antenna lines, making the remaining ones less visible, especially on the Black and Jet Black versions. The introduction of two new colors—Black and Jet Black—replaces the previous Space Gray. The Black version has a matte finish similar to past models, while the Jet Black features a glossy finish that’s prone to fingerprints and scratches.
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During testing, the reviewers opted for the Black iPhone 7 over the Jet Black iPhone 7 Plus, primarily because of the Jet Black’s sleek, appealing finish, which provides an excellent balance of grip and smoothness. However, they found the Black iPhone 7 Plus less exciting in comparison. Performance differences between the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus were minimal, so the choice came down to personal preference.
While the Jet Black finish looks great, it’s more susceptible to scratches. After two months of use without a case, minor scratches became noticeable only under certain lighting. Although this didn’t bother the reviewers, those concerned about resale value might want to take this into account.
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| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Launch Date | September 2016 |
| Dimensions | 158.2 x 77.9 x 7.3 mm (6.23 x 3.07 x 0.29 in) |
| Weight | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Build | Aluminum unibody with glass front |
| SIM | Nano-SIM, IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 mins) |
| Display Type | LED-backlit IPS LCD, capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors |
| Display Size | 5.5 inches (~67.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels (~401 ppi pixel density) |
| Protection | Ion-strengthened glass, oleophobic coating |
| Operating System | iOS 10, upgradable to iOS 15.x |
| Chipset | Apple A10 Fusion (16 nm) |
| CPU | Quad-core (2x Hurricane + 2x Zephyr) |
| GPU | PowerVR Series7XT Plus (six-core graphics) |
| Internal Storage Options | 32GB, 128GB, 256GB |
| RAM | 3GB |
| Main Camera | Dual: 12 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), OIS, PDAF + 12 MP, f/2.8, 56mm (telephoto), 2x optical zoom |
| Main Camera Features | Quad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama) |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@240fps |
| Front Camera | 7 MP, f/2.2, 32mm (standard), HDR, 1080p@30fps |
| Battery Type | Li-Ion 2900 mAh, non-removable (11.1 Wh) |
| Battery Life | Up to 21 hours talk time (3G) |
| Charging | Lightning port, no fast charging support |
| Audio | Stereo speakers, no 3.5mm headphone jack |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot; Bluetooth 4.2, A2DP, LE; GPS with A-GPS, GLONASS, NFC (Apple Pay only) |
| Ports | Lightning connector (for charging and audio) |
| Colors Available | Jet Black, Black, Silver, Gold, Rose Gold |
| Other Features | IP67 water and dust resistant, 3D Touch |
2. iPhone 7 Plus Display
The iPhone 7 Plus display offers several improvements and features that enhance the overall visual experience. Here’s a summary of its key display aspects:
iPhone 7 Plus Display Features:
- Size: 5.5 inches (diagonal)
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels (Full HD) at 401 pixels per inch (PPI)
- Technology: LED-backlit IPS LCD
- Color Gamut: Wide color (P3) support for richer, more vibrant colors
- Brightness: Up to 625 nits, making it easy to view in bright conditions
- Contrast Ratio: 1300:1 for deep blacks and sharp contrasts
- 3D Touch: Pressure-sensitive touch for more interactive and contextual controls
- True Tone: Absent, as this feature was introduced later in the iPhone lineup
The display delivers crisp visuals with accurate colors, making it well-suited for watching videos, browsing, and gaming. While it lacks some of the more advanced features seen in later models, like OLED and True Tone, it remains a solid display for everyday use.
3. iPhone 7 Plus Hardware
The iPhone 7 Plus offers a range of hardware improvements that enhance performance, camera quality, and user experience. Here’s an overview of its key hardware features:
- Processor: A10 Fusion chip with 64-bit architecture, quad-core processor with two high-performance cores and two energy-efficient cores.
- RAM: 3 GB, offering better multitasking and future-proofing compared to the smaller iPhone 7.
- Storage Options: 32 GB, 128 GB, and 256 GB, with the base model receiving an upgrade from the previous 16 GB.
- Battery: 2,900 mAh non-removable Li-Ion battery, offering up to 21 hours of talk time on 3G and longer battery life than its predecessors.
- Water and Dust Resistance: IP67 rating, protecting against water immersion up to 1 meter for 30 minutes and dust ingress.
- Rear Camera: Dual 12 MP cameras with wide-angle (f/1.8) and telephoto (f/2.8) lenses, offering 2x optical zoom and up to 10x digital zoom.
- Front Camera: 7 MP FaceTime HD camera with wide color capture and 1080p video recording.
- Home Button: Solid-state button with haptic feedback, powered by the Taptic Engine, replacing the traditional physical button.
- Speakers: Stereo speakers (top and bottom) providing louder and more immersive audio.
- Connectivity: Lightning port for charging and audio, no 3.5mm headphone jack.
- Build: Aluminum unibody design with a range of color options including Jet Black, Black, Silver, Gold, and Rose Gold.
4. iPhone 7 Plus connectivity
The iPhone 7 Plus offers a range of connectivity options that were state-of-the-art at the time of its release, ensuring fast wireless communication and versatile wired connections. It supports LTE Advanced with speeds up to 450 Mbps, covering a wide range of LTE bands for global compatibility. In addition to LTE, the iPhone 7 Plus includes support for Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac with MIMO, providing high-speed internet access over Wi-Fi networks. Bluetooth 4.2 is included for connecting wireless accessories like headphones and smart devices, and the device also features NFC, primarily used for Apple Pay transactions.
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One of the most significant changes in connectivity was Apple’s removal of the 3.5mm headphone jack. Audio is instead handled through the Lightning port or via wireless options such as Bluetooth. This shift towards wireless connectivity aligns with Apple’s vision of a cable-free experience, although it initially required users to adapt. The Lightning port remains the primary connector for charging, data transfer, and wired audio, while Apple includes a 3.5mm to Lightning adapter for those who still rely on traditional headphones.
iPhone 7 Plus Connectivity Summary:
- LTE Advanced (up to 450 Mbps) with wide band support.
- Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac with MIMO for faster wireless speeds.
- Bluetooth 4.2 for wireless accessory connections.
- NFC support primarily for Apple Pay.
- Lightning port for charging, data transfer, and audio.
- No 3.5mm headphone jack, with included Lightning-to-3.5mm adapter.
5. iPhone 7 Plus sensors
The iPhone 7 Plus is equipped with a variety of advanced sensors that enhance user experience and provide accurate data for various functions. The built-in Touch ID fingerprint sensor is integrated into the home button, allowing secure device unlocking and facilitating Apple Pay transactions. The iPhone 7 Plus also features an accelerometer, gyroscope, and proximity sensor, all of which contribute to smooth app interactions, motion-based controls, and precise measurement of movement.
Additionally, the iPhone 7 Plus includes a barometer, which measures air pressure for altitude tracking, beneficial for fitness and weather apps. The ambient light sensor automatically adjusts the screen’s brightness based on surrounding conditions, improving battery efficiency and visual comfort. The Taptic Engine further enhances haptic feedback, providing a more responsive and tactile experience when interacting with the device.
iPhone 7 Plus Sensors Summary:
- Touch ID fingerprint sensor integrated into the home button.
- Accelerometer for motion tracking and gaming.
- Gyroscope for improved orientation sensing.
- Proximity sensor to disable the screen when near the face during calls.
- Barometer for altitude tracking.
- Ambient light sensor for automatic screen brightness adjustment.
- Taptic Engine for responsive haptic feedback.
Also read: Apple Ecosystem List
6. iPhone 7 Plus Execution and Battery life
The iPhone 7 Plus introduces several notable changes, including the removal of the physical home button, replaced by a static one that uses Apple’s Taptic Engine to simulate a press, contributing to the phone’s water resistance. The introduction of new Black and Jet Black colors replaces Space Gray, with Jet Black prone to fingerprints and scratches. The “Raise to Wake” feature allows users to check notifications without pressing buttons, though it’s not always reliable.
Performance is top-tier, with significant speed improvements and better battery life, especially in the 7 Plus. The removal of the 3.5mm headphone jack is the most controversial change, requiring adapters or Lightning EarPods, which can be inconvenient when charging. Despite these adjustments, the iPhone 7 Plus stands out for its strong performance and refined design, though some users may need to adapt to the headphone changes.
Also read: Apple Plans for an iPhone Without a SIM Card Slot?
7. iPhone 7 Plus Camera
The iPhone 7 Plus brings significant upgrades to its camera system, addressing past shortcomings. While still using a 12-megapixel sensor, it now features an f/1.8 aperture, optical image stabilization, and a six-element lens for better low-light performance. The standout feature is the dual-camera setup, which adds a 2x optical zoom telephoto lens for more flexible photography. Portrait Mode, introduced with iOS 10.1, creates a bokeh effect similar to DSLR cameras, although it has limitations in complex backgrounds. The overall image quality is excellent, with natural colors and detailed shots, though low-light performance is slightly behind competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge.
Additional enhancements include a quad-LED True Tone flash, improved front camera with 7-megapixel resolution and full-HD recording, and support for face and body detection. The iPhone 7 Plus also introduces convenient features like smoother zoom controls and optical zoom during video recording. These updates make the iPhone 7 Plus a strong option for those seeking versatile, high-quality photography while retaining Apple’s signature ease of use.
Also read: Apple iPhone 7 Complete Review | Price in UAE
8. iPhone 7 Plus Software
The iPhone 7 Plus comes with iOS 10, featuring several key updates. The iconic “Slide to Unlock” has been replaced with “Press Home to Unlock,” which feels natural due to the redesigned home button. The lock screen now offers widgets, allowing quick access to information without unlocking the phone, though this can expose more data. Additionally, iOS 10 lets you “uninstall” some stock apps, though they’re only hidden, not fully removed, so no storage is freed. Siri and Apple Maps have expanded integration with third-party apps, enabling actions like hailing rides or sending messages via voice commands, though certain features may have limited usefulness depending on location.
iOS 10 also brings improved features like enhanced 3D Touch, a revamped Music app, and better QuickType predictions. The Photos app introduces face recognition for better photo grouping, though its performance lags behind Google Photos in accuracy and search flexibility. While Apple ensures local processing for privacy, this approach may limit functionality. Despite the Photos app’s shortcomings and the lack of seamless family photo sharing, iOS continues to stand out for timely updates, robust security, and a smooth user experience, contrasting with the fragmented Android ecosystem.
9. iPhone 7 Plus Verdict
The iPhone 7 Plus showcases Apple’s engineering excellence, highlighted by the A10 Fusion chip and how seamlessly everything works together, especially in the iPhone 7. Despite perceptions that Apple relies more on marketing than innovation, the iPhone 7 Plus delivers in every aspect, offering top-notch performance, great cameras, strong battery life, timely updates, and a premium design. The Jet Black finish, though prone to scratches, offers a delightful experience, and the added optical image stabilization in the smaller iPhone’s camera makes it a solid choice for those who don’t need the extra telephoto lens or RAM in the larger model.
While the iPhone 7 Plus has a lot to love, including future-proof features like wide-color displays and wireless audio, there are still areas for improvement. The larger model feels slightly less refined, and Apple’s design needs a refresh to improve screen-to-body ratios, which may come with next year’s rumored updates. Although the removal of the headphone jack wasn’t as inconvenient as anticipated, Apple’s push toward a wireless future is evident. Overall, the iPhone 7 Plus lays the groundwork for future advancements while remaining a compelling choice today.
