iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus hands-on review: Surprisingly daring
10:17:00 AM
Apple's decision to remove the headphone jack is a bold one, but the alternatives are not too shabby
Another year, another iPhone launch, and Apple has added to the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus to its repertoire - sticking to the two model convention of recent years.
This year’s launch has seen some surprisingly daring changes, alongside some more predictable tweaks. I went hands on with the new handsets for a close look.
How does it look?
Given that iPhone 7 is 4.7-inches and the 7 Plus is 5.5-inches, the key difference in the new 7 generation and the previous one is their finish: a glossy jet black and a matte black, known aptly as ‘black’.
While the black finish is more in line with the anodised aluminium finishes of the current 6s range, the jet black is slippery and shiny.
Unfortunately this could leave it more prone to fingerprint smudges and scratches, with Apple warning that its "high shine may show fine micro-abrasions with use".
Interestingly, both models have done away with the white plastic antenna bands which stretch across the width of the bodies of the 6s and 6 generations.
Instead, Apple has colour-matched the antennas to the phones’ bodies and moved them to the outer upper and lower edge, making them practically invisible.
Overall, this makes the design look sleeker and more uniform, though whether you prefer the high sheen or matte is largely a matter of preference.
What else is new?
For the first time, the iPhone is now dust and water-resistant, meaning you can drop it into a pint without fear of malfunction - though you’re warned against charging a wet iPhone.
The circular home button has also been given a makeover: it now has taptic functionality, meaning pressing your finger to it to unlock the phone returns a slight tap.
This also extends to playing games: tapping the screen during play triggers slight vibrations.
If you’re forever deleting photos and apps to clear up space, then rejoice - both models will come with double the storage of the 6s ones, starting with 32GB, 128GB and 256GB.
The jet black finish will only be featured on the 128GB and 256GB, so not on the less expensive 32GB unfortunately. As ever, prices are not cheap, starting at £599.
Photography plays a key role in the new handsets, with both receiving a welcome upgrade. The iPhone 7 has one rear-facing 12MP circular camera, while the 7 Plus has two cameras on its back: one for wide angles and the other for telephotos.
Telephoto lenses are designed to create a narrower field of view for long-focus, which basically means more detailed images without the need to get up close and personal.
You can choose which lens to take a picture with, and Apple’s ultimate aim is to use both lenses to create a composite picture, though this software won’t be available until later in the year.
One of the most controversial changes is the long-rumoured removal of the 3.5mm headphone jack.
But this doesn’t mean the end of using your expensive wired headphones - Apple is bundling in an adaptor which plugs into the lightning port you usually charge your phone through, so you can keep using them.
A pair of EarPod headphones with a lightning connector instead of a rounded plug will also come in the box - which means theoretically you won’t be able to listen to music while you charge your phone./Another year, another iPhone launch, and Apple has added to the iPhone 7 andiPhone 7 Plus to its repertoire - sticking to the two model convention of recent years.
This year’s launch has seen some surprisingly daring changes, alongside some more predictable tweaks. I went hands on with the new handsets for a close look.
How does it look?
Given that iPhone 7 is 4.7-inches and the 7 Plus is 5.5-inches, the key difference in the new 7 generation and the previous one is their finish: a glossy jet black and a matte black, known aptly as ‘black’.
While the black finish is more in line with the anodised aluminium finishes of the current 6s range, the jet black is slippery and shiny.
Unfortunately this could leave it more prone to fingerprint smudges and scratches, with Apple warning that its "high shine may show fine micro-abrasions with use".
Interestingly, both models have done away with the white plastic antenna bands which stretch across the width of the bodies of the 6s and 6 generations.
Instead, Apple has colour-matched the antennas to the phones’ bodies and moved them to the outer upper and lower edge, making them practically invisible.
Overall, this makes the design look sleeker and more uniform, though whether you prefer the high sheen or matte is largely a matter of preference.
What else is new?
For the first time, the iPhone is now dust and water-resistant, meaning you can drop it into a pint without fear of malfunction - though you’re warned against charging a wet iPhone.
The circular home button has also been given a makeover: it now has taptic functionality, meaning pressing your finger to it to unlock the phone returns a slight tap.
This also extends to playing games: tapping the screen during play triggers slight vibrations.
If you’re forever deleting photos and apps to clear up space, then rejoice - both models will come with double the storage of the 6s ones, starting with 32GB, 128GB and 256GB.
The jet black finish will only be featured on the 128GB and 256GB, so not on the less expensive 32GB unfortunately. As ever, prices are not cheap, starting at £599.
Photography plays a key role in the new handsets, with both receiving a welcome upgrade. The iPhone 7 has one rear-facing 12MP circular camera, while the 7 Plus has two cameras on its back: one for wide angles and the other for telephotos.
Telephoto lenses are designed to create a narrower field of view for long-focus, which basically means more detailed images without the need to get up close and personal.
You can choose which lens to take a picture with, and Apple’s ultimate aim is to use both lenses to create a composite picture, though this software won’t be available until later in the year.
One of the most controversial changes is the long-rumoured removal of the 3.5mm headphone jack.
But this doesn’t mean the end of using your expensive wired headphones - Apple is bundling in an adaptor which plugs into the lightning port you usually charge your phone through, so you can keep using them.
A pair of EarPod headphones with a lightning connector instead of a rounded plug will also come in the box - which means theoretically you won’t be able to listen to music while you charge your phone.
AirPods hands on: surprisingly noisy
If you’re ready to take a step into the wireless future, Apple has created a new pair ofwireless headphones called AirPods, which are sold separately for £159.
These little headphones are not connected to each other by a wire like most wireless headphones, and use infra-red technology to sense when they’re in your ears.
Removing one will pause the song you’re listening to, and double-tapping one while it’s in your ear will trigger Siri, the iPhone’s digital assistant.
Once they’re in your ears, AirPods offer surprisingly deep and well-rounded sound. I found it difficult to hear the hubbub surrounding me in the busy hands-on area.
Each pod lasts around five hours on a single charge, and you charge them by slotting them into their small white carry case, which is charged in turn by a lightning connector.
Whilst I was truly impressed at how loud the sound was, and how the sound didn't leak out standing nearby someone else wearing them, it’s easy to see how someone could misplace one or both of them, as they’re so small.
First impressions
The pressure was on for Apple to deliver this year, and whilst there’s not much to see in terms of physical changes, there’s enough to keep things ticking over.
There will be people who are deeply unhappy at not having a headphone jack any more, and it could be argued that new finishes aren’t going to be enough to persuade people looking to upgrade their iPhones.
But the new and improved cameras, home button, zippy processor and better battery life will answer the needs of a lot of fans - and simultaneously keep us wanting more.
Source- mirror.co.uk/
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