All About the iPhone 7's Hardware and Software Features

Introduced: Sept. 7, 2016

Discontinued: Still being sold 

Each year when Apple introduces a new iPhone, critics and users hold their breaths for a major breakthrough to be included in the new model. With the iPhone 7, there's no major breakthrough, but there are two fairly big changes—one good, one maybe not so good.

The major positive change introduced with the phone is the new dual-camera system available on the iPhone 7 Plus. With two 12-megapixel cameras, a telephoto lens, and the ability to capture DSLR-quality depth of field effects, the 7 Plus' camera is a big step forward and could lay the groundwork for even more advanced features later (think 3D imaging). On the downside, the features didn't ship out of the box; they were delivered via software update later in Fall 2016.

The negative change is the removal of the traditional headphone jack. The iPhone 7 series now includes only a Lightning port for connecting wired headphones. Apple put the removal in terms of "courage," and it certainly fits with the company's other controversial-at-the-time feature removals (DVD, Ethernet, floppy discs), but whether the included adapter dongle is enough to satisfy users remains to be seen.

The most notable changes introduced with the iPhone 7 include:

• Removal of the headphone jack: Bound to be the most controversial iPhone change in years, the iPhone 7 removes the traditional headphone jack entirely. Instead, users are expected to use headphones that connect to the phone's Lightning port or AirPods, a new set of wireless headphones introduced by Apple at the same time. 
• The dual-camera system on the iPhone 7 Plus: The camera system on the iPhone 7 Plus is a major upgrade. It includes two 12-megapixel cameras on the back of the device, with the second camera offering a telephoto lens. This enables new image effects using depth of field (the foreground of the image in focus, the back blurred), live previews of depth of field effects, and up to 10x zoom. The camera flash also includes four bulbs (up from 2) for better color accuracy.
• Higher top-end storage: The highest capacity storage on the iPhone 7 is now 256 GB, up from 128 GB in the iPhone 6S. 
• Better color fidelity in screen: Both Phone 7 models have technology built into their screens that allow them to display a greater range of colors, delivering better-looking images. This technology was introduced previously on the iPad Pro.

In addition to the changes noted above, new elements of the iPhone 7 also include:

• The new A10 Fusion processor. 
• W1 wireless audio chip to support AirPods and new wireless Beats headphones.
• Redesigned, solid state Home button with new force-feedback engine.
• Improved user-facing camera.
• 25% brighter screen.
• The ability to edit and add effects to Live Photos.
• Improved battery life.
• IP67 water and dust resistance.
• Support for Felica NFC standard used in Japan.

Screen

• iPhone 7: 
  • 4.7 inches
  • 1334 x 750 pixels
• iPhone 7 Plus:
  • 5.5 inches
  • 1920 x 1080 pixels

Cameras

• iPhone 7
  • Back camera: 12 megapixels, digital zoom up 5x
  • User-facing camera: 7 megapixel
• iPhone 7 Plus
  • Back camera: Two 12-megapixel cameras, one with telephoto lens, optical zoom to 2x, digital zoom to 10x
  • User-facing camera: 7 megapixel

Panoramic photos: up to 63 megapixel

Video: 4K HD at 30 frames/second; 1080p at 120 frames/second slo-mo; 720p at 240 frames/second super slow-mo

Battery Life

• iPhone 7
  • 14 hours talk
  • 14 hours Internet use on Wi-Fi/12 hours 4G LTE
  • 30 hours audio
  • 13 hours video
  • 10 days standby
• iPhone 7 Plus
  • 21 hours talk
  • 15 hours Internet use on Wi-Fi/13 hours 4G LTE
  • 40 hours audio
  • 14 hours video
  • 16 days standby

Sensors

• Accelerometer
• Gyroscope
• Barometer
• Touch ID
• Ambient light sensor
• Proximity sensor
• 3D Touch screen
• Taptic Engine for feedback

• The improved camera features of the iPhone 7 Plus don't ship with it. Instead, they were delivered as a free software update in Fall 2016.
• Editable Live Photos.
• iOS 10 support.
• Support for all existing iPhone features like FaceTime, Siri, GPS, AirPlay, App Store, Apple Pay, etc.

Colors

• Silver
• Gold
• Rose Gold
• Black
• Jet Black
• Red (added March 2017)

US Phone Carriers

• AT&T
• Sprint
• T-Mobile
• Verizon

Size and Weight

• iPhone 7:
  • 5.44 x 2.64 x 0.28 inches
  • 4.87 ounces
• iPhone 7 Plus: 
  • 6.23 x 3.07 x 0.29 inches
  • 6.63 ounces

Capacity and Price

• iPhone 7:
  • 32 GB - US$649
  • 128 GB - $749
  • 256 GB - $849
• iPhone 7 Plus:
  • 32 GB - $769
  • 128 GB - $869
  • 256 GB - $969

Availability

The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus go on sale Sept. 16, 2016. Customers can pre-order them starting on Sept. 9, 2016.

Previous Models

When Apple releases new iPhones, it also keeps previous models around to sell at lower prices. With the introduction of the iPhone 7, Apple's line up of other iPhone models is now:

• The iPhone 6S & 6S Plus will be available in 32 GB and 128 GB models for $549 and $649, and $649 and $749, respectively
• The iPhone SE remains in its current 16 GB and 64 GB configurations and at its current pricing
• The iPhone 6 & 6 Plus will be discontinued.