After plenty of hype and speculation, the iPhone 7 is finally here.
Whether you’re ready for an upgrade or are considering purchasing the phone outright, here’s everything you need to know about the new iPhones:
No Headphone Jack
Undoubtedly the biggest and most controversial aspect of the new iPhone is the removal of the headphone jack.
Instead of boasting the industry standard 3.5mm headphone jack, Apple has removed it altogether, introducing wireless AirPods and Lightning EarPods instead.
EarPods: Wired Lightning headphone
EarPods come with the iPhone 7, and are identical to the headphones which come with the iPhone 6 and 6s, with one exception. Instead of having a 3.5mm plug at the end, the new EarPods have a Lightning connector.
While the new iPhone 7 does come with these new Earpods included, the absence of the headphone jack means the headphones are plugged in through the Lightning connector- the same port where you would charge or sync your phone.
In other words, you will not be able to have your headphones plugged in while you charge your device or sync it to your computer.
AirPods: Wireless Bluetooth headphones
During the September 7 conference, Apple not only unveiled the new iPhone 7 and the Apple Watch Series 2, but also announced a completely new set of wireless Bluetooth headphones called AirPods.
Unfortunately the new AirPods are not included with the new phones, and will set you back an additional AUD $229.
Using standard headphones with your new iPhone
To use the older wired EarPods which came with the iPhone 6s and earlier, or any other headphones which have the standard 3.5mm audio plug, you will need to use a special adapter.
Apple has included this adapter in box with the iPhone 7 and 7 plus, however it can be purchased separately for US $9.
Waterproof design and durability
It took them long enough but finally the iPhone 7 and 7 plus are water and dust resistant (IP67). The new models are able to withstand depths of 1 meter for a total time of about 30 minutes.
Design and colour range
Both the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 plus sport the same aluminium body and screen sizes as the iPhone 6 and 6S plus respectively.
That being said, the iPhone 7 has a 25% brighter screen and features a high gloss finish which gives the new devices a ‘mirror-like surface’.
While the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will be available in silver, gold and rose gold in 32GB, 128GB and 256GB models, the iPhone 7 also sees the introduction of a new jet black and matte black finish, the former of which will only be offered in the 128GB and 256GB versions.
According to Apple the jet black finish ‘may show fine micro-abrasions with use ‘due to its high shine’. The tech giant even went so far as suggesting users purchase an iPhone case to avoid scratches.
The space grey finish will not be available on these models.
Unlike previous models, the iPhone 7 does not feature antenna bands on the top and bottom of the device. Instead, those bands are now barely visible on the bottom and top edges.
Finally, the iconic home button now features a new version of the pressure-sensitive and Touch ID sensor. Unlike in all previous models, it no longer actually clicks, instead simulating a vibration like the Force Touch trackpad on MacBooks.
Camera
The iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus include a 12-megapixel camera including optical image stabilization as well as a larger ƒ/1.8 aperture and 6-element lens. These new features enable brighter, more detailed photos and videos, and a wide colour capture allows for more vibrant colours with greater detail.
The iPhone 7 Plus also comes with an additional 12-megapixel telephoto camera that together offers optical zoom at two times and up to 10 times digital zoom for photos.
Battery Life
According to Apple, the new iPhone 7 and 7 Plus models have the best battery life of any iPhone, where users can expect an average of 2 additional hours of charge when compared to the iPhone 6s.
While the new iPhone does have some nice new features, the general consensus from tech websites and bloggers is to wait until next year to upgrade.
Next year, the highly anticipated 10th Anniversary iPhone 8 will be released and is rumoured to have an all glass design and wireless charging.
The iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus retail in Australia from $A1079 and $A1269 respectively, where you can pre order now.
Both models will be available in store from the 16th of September
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