The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus have finally been announced. The new models look pretty similar to the old ones, but there are a ton of changes under the surface. Let’s take a look at five facts you might not know about the iPhone 7!
1. AirPods aren’t the only way to go wireless
Apple’s AirPods are coming soon, but they’re far from the only wireless headphones on the market. There’s a swathe of traditional Bluetooth headsets that will work well at a fraction of the price, and a new breed of ‘truly wireless’ headphones from companies like Jabra, Bragi and Samsung. If you like the idea this new form factor, then check out our guide to Apple AirPods alternatives.
2. Jet Black comes with some compromises
If you choose a Jet Black iPhone, be prepared to get a case for it. Apple have taken the unusual step of suggesting just that on their website, stating that “its high shine may show fine micro-abrasions [read: scratches] with use.” The Verge posted a photo of their review unit after one week, and it’s already looking considerably worse for wear. Thankfully, there are loads of clear iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus cases to choose from which will protect your phone without covering up its unique look.
You’ll also be paying more for the Jet Black iPhone, as it’s only available in capacities of 128GB and 256GB. That means it starts at a whopping £699 for the iPhone 7, and £819 for the iPhone 7 Plus.
3. The iPhone 7 Plus is still special
Optical image stabilisation for the camera has now made it to the 4.7-inch iPhone, but there’s still a reason to choose the 5.5-inch model: a dual rear camera system. Each camera is backed by a 12-megapixel sensor, but have different lenses. One is the wide-angle lens from the iPhone 7, and the other is completely new: a telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom. You can change between the two with a tap of a button, and a software update this autumn will let you add a beautiful bokeh effect to your photos. As an added bonus, Apple have also slyly upped the RAM in the Plus, giving it 3GB to the iPhone 7’s 2GB.
The iPhone 7 is water resistant, but there’s a catch
The rumours were true — Apple has finally made a water-resistant iPhone, with an IP67 rating that should allow it to withstand accidental dunks in the sink or splashes by the pool.
However, don’t assume you now have a submersible iPhone — Apple warn that the water resistance can fade with time, and water damage still isn’t covered under warranty. You can always add a waterproof case if you’d more protection and a higher water ingress rating — for example, the highly-rated LifeProof Fre for the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus boasts IP68 protection, allowing the iPhone to survive in water for longer.
The home button isn’t really a button
The home button is the most common point of mechanical failure on an iPhone, necessitating millions of replacements over the years. With the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, that’ll be a distant memory. The mechanical home button has been replaced by a touch-sensitive circle, with a small ‘taptic engine’ providing tactile feedback whenever you tap, double-tap or hold. Early impressions are mixed; some have described it as ‘weird’, while others see it as a non-issue. The biggest flaw is that the button now doesn’t work through fabric, so come winter you may need to pick up some touch screen gloves.
Wrapping up
Thanks for checking out our iPhone 7 coverage. Be sure to read our full recap of the Apple iPhone 7 event here, or check out our full range of accessories via the links below.
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What’s your favourite iPhone 7 fact? What do you think of the new iPhone? Let us know in the comments below.