Apple announced the new Apple iPhone 7 and 7 Plus today! As a “non-S” upgrader (meaning I usually get the new numbered iPhones) I was eager to see what they had in store. You can see Apple’s press release here. Apple announced some great technology, but is it relevant for world travelers? Let’s take a look.
iPhone 7 and 7 Plus
The Camera
The iPhone is the most popular camera in the world. Yeah yeah I know it’s a smartphone, but for many people it has completely erased the need/desire for a camera. Between Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, and all of the other social networks out there, having a camera on you is almost essential these days. Apple recognized this and greatly improved the camera(s) on the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. Here’s what you need to know:
- Both the 7 and 7 Plus will have new camera systems. Both phones feature 12-megapixel cameras on the rear and 7-megapixel cameras on the front “selfie” camera
- Aperture on both systems is f1.8, which basically means the camera lets in more light to make low-light pictures a little cleaner
- Quad-LED True Tone® flash: the new iPhone flash is 50% brighter and can emit different colors to provide a more lifelike flash (instead of the harsh, cold flash of previous iPhone generations)
- iPhone 7 and 7 Plus will shoot in RAW DNG format, for you photographers out there (this will be available in iOS 10 for compatible phones of previous generations as well)
- The iPhone 7 Plus will have an additional 12-megapixel telephoto (zoom) camera that can optically zoom 2x. This is big!
- iPhone 7 Plus will also make use of both lenses in a new Portrait mode to make someone in the foreground sharp and crisp while blurring out the background for that “DSLR look”
iPhone 7 Plus rear cameras
Memory Capacity
With the new cameras and with the introduction of 4K video that was introduced in the iPhone 6S, the available memory capacity has been upgraded. The new options are 32GB, 128GB, and 256GB. I know a few people who have more than 20,000 pictures on their phones so I’m sure this will be welcome news for them!
No headphone jack, new AirPod system
Apple made big waves when they announced they would no longer natively support the long-held industry standard, the 3.5mm headphone jack. Instead they announced a new product called the AirPod, which will be available in October. Basically Apple is going all-in on Bluetooth for next-generation audio. What this allows them to do is make the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus water resistant (not waterproof) and install another speaker to make the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus’s speakers stereo! Apple will include a 3.5mm to Lightning adapter with the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, so you can still use your wired headphones!
iPhone 7 and 7 Plus with Apple AirPods
New Colors
Apple has gotten rid of the silver color and introduced a matte black and glossy Jet Black color (which I think looks fantastic!).
iPhone 7 Plus Color Lineup
My Thoughts
I think the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus are great additions to the iPhone lineup. The 12-megapixel camera is a welcome addition (as is the ability to shoot in RAW) and I think making the front-facing/”selfie” camera 7-megapixel is also a great improvement. While I’m not crazy about the removal of the headphone jack I think Apple more than compensated by enhancing the speakers on the iPhone and making it water-resistant.
I’m currently considering moving to Verizon or T-Mobile and away from AT&T, I think now might be the right time to upgrade from my iPhone 6!
I know I could care less. $159 headphones that could easily fall out my ear? They already fit like crap anyway. Booooooooo. My phone works just fine 🙂
They never fit my ears either!
Wow…. The same old thing all over again. Where’s the innovation? Oh…. It comes in different colors!
Minor quibble, but they have actually developed a new proprietary wireless standard instead of using BlueTooth. They didn’t say anything about not supporting BlueTooth on the new 7 and 7Plus, but its entirely possible they will start forcing people to use their wireless communication instead of BT.
Either way, I’m not real excited about it.
Thanks for the heads up Kyle
Why are you leaving AT&T? How is that a benefit? If I have a 6+ will I be able to shoot in RAW?
6+ should be able to shoot in RAW with iOS 10. I’m considering moving to Verizon because of their international data plan.