My Quick iPhone 7 Plus Review
New cell phones have gotten a lot of buzz lately, for decidedly different reasons. The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 got pulled off the shelves when it started randomly catching on fire. The Google Pixel is widely popular (and appears to take some wickedly good pictures). The iPhone 7 got a lot of press for an odd reason, because the media perceived they didn’t make enough changes from the last model.
Although I was a Blackberry guy for many years, I switched to an iPhone 6 or 7 years ago. I’ve been pretty happy with the various iPhones over the years. They may not be as customizable as an Android phone and they don’t have that awesome Blackberry keyboard. But with very few exceptions, they just work. I have very few issues with software or hardware. For those reasons, I chose to upgrade to an iPhone 7 plus. I previously had the iPhone 6 but decided to upgrade to the big version for a couple of reasons. For starters:
More Screen Real Estate
I use my phone as my primary device, much more than my iPad. So, the ability to have more real estate was appetizing. I’m still not sure if it outweighs the more cumbersome size of the device. I had surgery on my elbow 2 years ago to alleviate some hand problems, but my thumb still doesn’t have the full range of motion. That means there are certain parts of the screen I can’t reach when using the phone one-handed.
When I turn the phone into landscape mode (on its side) I get much more functionality. I get a bigger keyboard and I get the ability to scroll through e-mails with a big preview screen.
Better Camera
The new iPhone 7 plus has two cameras. That opens up a bunch of interesting possibilities. First, since one lens is a telephoto, it gives the user the ability to zoom in to a much greater degree. And, it creates some versatility since the two lenses work together. This gives you the ability to take great mid-range shots and great close-up shots. I still find zooming all the way in makes the picture too grainy.
The camera also does really well with low light pictures. This is a significant area of improvement over previous iPhones. If you’re a camera nut, this is absolutely the feature that makes the iPhone 7 plus worth it.
Lastly, the iPhone 7 plus picks up a new portrait mode that creates pretty awesome pictures with stunning depth of field. I don’t mean great depth of field for a phone. I mean great depth of field, period. Here’s a couple of examples my best friend David took of his dog Luna.
The Rest Of It
Not to downplay the rest, but I’m not the right guy to judge processor speed, pixel count, etc. I think the screen looks awesome. The battery life on the phone is great. I had an iPhone 6 Plus for a short period of time and I was really pleased with the battery life as compared to the iPhone 6. The iPhone 7 Plus continues that trend.
It’s a pricey phone that can hold a ton of stuff (up to 256gb). I’m still amazed that my phone can hold as much as most MacBook Air hard drives.
It’s harder to say whether this one is “worth it”. Some of it depends on the cost of your upgrade. A lot has changed in how cell phone companies sell new phones to customers. I think the iPhone 7 Plus delivers a lot of value, especially if you value picture quality and screen real estate. I don’t think anyone would blame you for waiting to plunk down more cash for a new phone. The next generation iPhone is supposed to have much bigger changes.
That being said, I think the phone is ultimately worth the price. Like many iPhones before it, the phone just works. You won’t find many problems with the phone. iOS has gotten a bit buggier than it used to be, but it’s still really robust.
And, those pictures…..
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iPhone 7’s camera looks good too, maybe I can get a chance to test them side by side one of these days. If only they didn’t get rid of the headphone jack. Didn’t get a chance to meet you personally at the conference this year, hopefully for sure next time.
Oh and thanks for the mention 🙂
grabamile, sorry we didn’t get a chance to meet. No problem on the link! I’m very tempted to get a Pixel.
I’m definitely loving it so far and would recommend it any day over a Samsung or iPhone
grabamile, I think it’s only available on Verizon? How do you find the signal strength?
It’s available for all GSM Carriers. You just buy it directly from Google with their Financing. The signal strength hmm, I’m not sure what you mean.
Oh my real name is Teja 🙂
Teja, signal strength=do you get good reception?
Yes, abs in my experience it’s been great and I have T-Mobile.
iPhone 7’s camera looks good too, maybe I can get a chance to test them side by side one of these days. If only they didn’t get rid of the headphone jack. Didn’t get a chance to meet you personally at the conference this year, hopefully for sure next time.
Oh and thanks for the mention 🙂
grabamile, sorry we didn’t get a chance to meet. No problem on the link! I’m very tempted to get a Pixel.
I’m definitely loving it so far and would recommend it any day over a Samsung or iPhone
grabamile, I think it’s only available on Verizon? How do you find the signal strength?
It’s available for all GSM Carriers. You just buy it directly from Google with their Financing. The signal strength hmm, I’m not sure what you mean.
Oh my real name is Teja 🙂
Teja, signal strength=do you get good reception?
Yes, abs in my experience it’s been great and I have T-Mobile.
Edward,
I changed to the 6 plus and now the 7 plus late last year because I needed to have one device with a large screen during my daily radiation treatments this year. I kept the smaller phone because I thought I wanted to go back once I was done. NO WAY !!! I prefer the larger phone now, in case you do not already know this, at first I had the same problem reaching the different areas of the screen. Just double tap the home button or should I say simulated button now and the top of the screen will move to the middle, this makes it work.
Leonard, I do know about the double tap. The problem spot for me is bottom left corner (I’m right-handed). Thumb just doesn’t quite want to bend that way just yet.
Edward,
I changed to the 6 plus and now the 7 plus late last year because I needed to have one device with a large screen during my daily radiation treatments this year. I kept the smaller phone because I thought I wanted to go back once I was done. NO WAY !!! I prefer the larger phone now, in case you do not already know this, at first I had the same problem reaching the different areas of the screen. Just double tap the home button or should I say simulated button now and the top of the screen will move to the middle, this makes it work.
Leonard, I do know about the double tap. The problem spot for me is bottom left corner (I’m right-handed). Thumb just doesn’t quite want to bend that way just yet.
My quick iphone 7 plus review :
Not good enough.
7 from 10.
Meir, hahahaha.
My quick iphone 7 plus review :
Not good enough.
7 from 10.
Meir, hahahaha.
Thanks for this review. How does the lack of headphone jack affect you?
Tom, I only use wired headphones when I’m on an airplane. I haven’t lost the adapter yet, so I’m just fine with it. I do need to buy an extra one for when I lose the first one! But, really, it hasn’t been much of a big deal for me.
Thanks for this review. How does the lack of headphone jack affect you?
Tom, I only use wired headphones when I’m on an airplane. I haven’t lost the adapter yet, so I’m just fine with it. I do need to buy an extra one for when I lose the first one! But, really, it hasn’t been much of a big deal for me.
The big problem is that you trying and trying day after day to force the iphones although you know pretty well that the iphone 7 plus not as good as the galaxy s7 edge or the google pixel.
Even 1000 more iphone 7 articles will not turen this device to any better one.
The brain washing that you doing will not turen the iphone 7 to a special device.
The iphone 7 camera is not good enough.
Old hd display, big and heavy block.
Talking non stop about the iphone will not turn it to a better smartphone. Don’t illus yourself.
Write about the big wi fi problems. Write about the freezing screen. Write about the self rebooting. Write about the 3.5 hours of charging !!!!!!! 3.5 hour of charging a smartphone and the year is 2016 !!
Keep on paying alot of money for 2012 tech.
Have a nice day.
To Meir,
If you do not prefer an iPhone, no need to consider it. I have personally jumped in to the Apple Eco system it works for me. I have tried Android.Galaxy phones and I personally do not care for the user interface. My wife has a Galaxy as a work phone and I hear her complain about it frequently. I acquired a temporary Galaxy phone for a coworker to use while traveling, he hated it. On the other hand, I have friends that love the experience, I dont attack them they are free to choose which phone they want and to pay as little or as much as they are comfortable with. Now I had seriously considered getting one of he new Galaxy phones just to test it because i heard so many positive reports about it. Well- they recalled them all they may charge faster but they caught on fire. Maybe next time.
Leonard, you don’t want your phone to catch on fire? Super quick charging! I don’t really love the Android devices but I am curious about Google Pixel.
Meir, I’m actually getting some pretty sick battery life out of the 7 plus. I can’t speak to comparison on the camera, but it’s definitely better than any previous iPhone camera (and by a large margin).
The big problem is that you trying and trying day after day to force the iphones although you know pretty well that the iphone 7 plus not as good as the galaxy s7 edge or the google pixel.
Even 1000 more iphone 7 articles will not turen this device to any better one.
The brain washing that you doing will not turen the iphone 7 to a special device.
The iphone 7 camera is not good enough.
Old hd display, big and heavy block.
Talking non stop about the iphone will not turn it to a better smartphone. Don’t illus yourself.
Write about the big wi fi problems. Write about the freezing screen. Write about the self rebooting. Write about the 3.5 hours of charging !!!!!!! 3.5 hour of charging a smartphone and the year is 2016 !!
Keep on paying alot of money for 2012 tech.
Have a nice day.
To Meir,
If you do not prefer an iPhone, no need to consider it. I have personally jumped in to the Apple Eco system it works for me. I have tried Android.Galaxy phones and I personally do not care for the user interface. My wife has a Galaxy as a work phone and I hear her complain about it frequently. I acquired a temporary Galaxy phone for a coworker to use while traveling, he hated it. On the other hand, I have friends that love the experience, I dont attack them they are free to choose which phone they want and to pay as little or as much as they are comfortable with. Now I had seriously considered getting one of he new Galaxy phones just to test it because i heard so many positive reports about it. Well- they recalled them all they may charge faster but they caught on fire. Maybe next time.
Leonard, you don’t want your phone to catch on fire? Super quick charging! I don’t really love the Android devices but I am curious about Google Pixel.
Meir, I’m actually getting some pretty sick battery life out of the 7 plus. I can’t speak to comparison on the camera, but it’s definitely better than any previous iPhone camera (and by a large margin).
Ed, how do you store the phone? Belt holster? Pocket? iPhone7+ Bag? Just curious – that’s my biggest concern, given the size.
Trevor, I used to do a holster. I got a tremendous amount of shit for it. Since I have absolutely no fashion sense I didn’t really give a crap. Nowadays I shove it in my pocket. Fits fine in my jeans.
Ed, how do you store the phone? Belt holster? Pocket? iPhone7+ Bag? Just curious – that’s my biggest concern, given the size.
Trevor, I used to do a holster. I got a tremendous amount of shit for it. Since I have absolutely no fashion sense I didn’t really give a crap. Nowadays I shove it in my pocket. Fits fine in my jeans.
Everyone has their own opinions, that’s ok and any phone you get these days aren’t Perfect people it’s a little something wrong with every phone?!?!
Lashell, no phone is perfect, no doubt. I prefer the fact that Apple curates the ecosystem and the software is more reliable. I totally get why some folks like the ability to customize that Android offers.
Everyone has their own opinions, that’s ok and any phone you get these days aren’t Perfect people it’s a little something wrong with every phone?!?!
Lashell, no phone is perfect, no doubt. I prefer the fact that Apple curates the ecosystem and the software is more reliable. I totally get why some folks like the ability to customize that Android offers.
I speak for myself… I’ve used a number of devices and the iPhone does it for me. No need to bash another device just because someone else prefers it and decided to do an article on it… I have no problem with iPhones… I have no problem with Android devices… Just prefer iPhone as they meet my needs in a more user friendly and, secure and comfortable way.
Chris, you and I are on the same page. My love for my old Blackberry aligns with why I prefer iPhone. They don’t do everything some of the newest phones do. But, what they do offer just works.
I speak for myself… I’ve used a number of devices and the iPhone does it for me. No need to bash another device just because someone else prefers it and decided to do an article on it… I have no problem with iPhones… I have no problem with Android devices… Just prefer iPhone as they meet my needs in a more user friendly and, secure and comfortable way.
Chris, you and I are on the same page. My love for my old Blackberry aligns with why I prefer iPhone. They don’t do everything some of the newest phones do. But, what they do offer just works.
To Meir and other iPhone or Apple haters or bashers, please get a life. Keep your opinions to yourself. If you don’t like the iPhone or anything Apple, that’s your opinion and just posting on an iPhone review with colourful, negative language will not change a person’s perspective on the device; especially if you can’t write in proper English. Everyone has likes and dislikes, some are sold entirely on Apple’s ecosystem, are happy with it and enjoy using it. It is like a marriage commitment, people have invested too much time and money to just switch to Android all of a sudden. I you’re one of those people who are switchers because you only use your phone to make calls, send messages and take photos, then you are more likely to switch back and forth.
If you’re here to give positive criticism, that’s ok. But trolls should make sure their biased opinions are backed up with hard facts.
Marc, I’ve never really figured out the amount of grief Apple gets. I know Jobs was flamboyant in his day, but he mostly backed it up with great technology. I don’t see nearly as many vociferous Android haters, even though most of the phones that run android are junk comparatively.
To Meir and other iPhone or Apple haters or bashers, please get a life. Keep your opinions to yourself. If you don’t like the iPhone or anything Apple, that’s your opinion and just posting on an iPhone review with colourful, negative language will not change a person’s perspective on the device; especially if you can’t write in proper English. Everyone has likes and dislikes, some are sold entirely on Apple’s ecosystem, are happy with it and enjoy using it. It is like a marriage commitment, people have invested too much time and money to just switch to Android all of a sudden. I you’re one of those people who are switchers because you only use your phone to make calls, send messages and take photos, then you are more likely to switch back and forth.
If you’re here to give positive criticism, that’s ok. But trolls should make sure their biased opinions are backed up with hard facts.
Marc, I’ve never really figured out the amount of grief Apple gets. I know Jobs was flamboyant in his day, but he mostly backed it up with great technology. I don’t see nearly as many vociferous Android haters, even though most of the phones that run android are junk comparatively.