When Apple launched the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus in 2016, it presented consumers with two compelling options within the same product line. These devices, while sharing many similarities, also had distinct differences that catered to different user preferences. Here, we’ll explore the key distinctions between the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus to help you determine which one might be the better fit for your needs.
1. Design and Dimensions
Size and Weight
- iPhone 7: The iPhone 7 features a more compact design, with a height of 138.3 mm (5.44 inches), a width of 67.1 mm (2.64 inches), and a thickness of 7.1 mm (0.28 inches). It weighs 138 grams (4.87 ounces), making it easy to hold and operate with one hand. This makes it an ideal choice for users who prefer a smaller, more portable device that can be easily slipped into a pocket or small bag.
- iPhone 7 Plus: In contrast, the iPhone 7 Plus is larger and heavier. It measures 158.2 mm (6.23 inches) in height, 77.9 mm (3.07 inches) in width, and 7.3 mm (0.29 inches) in thickness, weighing 188 grams (6.63 ounces). The larger size offers a more immersive experience for activities like watching videos, playing games, or multitasking, but it may not be as convenient for those with smaller hands or who prioritize extreme portability.
Color Options
Both the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus were initially available in five color options: Gold, Silver, Rose Gold, Black, and Jet Black. Later, a Red (Product) variant was also introduced for both models. The color choices allowed users to express their personal style, and the Jet Black finish, in particular, was highly sought – after for its sleek and shiny appearance, although it was more prone to showing scratches compared to the other finishes.
Build Quality and Durability
Both devices were built with high – quality materials, featuring an aluminum unibody construction. Apple also introduced water and dust resistance in the iPhone 7 series, with both models achieving an IP67 rating. This means they can be submerged in up to 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes without damage, providing an added layer of protection against accidental spills or light rain.
2. Display
Screen Size
- iPhone 7: Equipped with a 4.7 – inch (diagonal) Retina HD display, the iPhone 7 offers a comfortable viewing area for general tasks such as checking emails, browsing the web, and using social media apps. The smaller screen size also makes it easier to reach all parts of the screen with one hand, which is a significant advantage for some users.
- iPhone 7 Plus: The iPhone 7 Plus sports a larger 5.5 – inch (diagonal) Retina HD display. This larger screen real estate is great for consuming multimedia content, such as watching movies, TV shows, or playing graphically – intensive games. It also provides more space for multitasking, allowing users to view two apps side – by – side more comfortably.
Resolution and Display Technology
- iPhone 7: The 4.7 – inch display on the iPhone 7 has a resolution of 1334 x 750 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 326 ppi (pixels per inch). It uses IPS (In – Plane Switching) technology, which offers good viewing angles, accurate colors, and decent contrast ratios.
- iPhone 7 Plus: The 5.5 – inch display on the iPhone 7 Plus has a higher resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, with a pixel density of 401 ppi. It also uses IPS technology and offers improved contrast (1300:1 standard) and a wider color gamut (P3), which means colors appear more vibrant and true – to – life compared to the iPhone 7’s display.
3. Camera
Rear – Facing Cameras
- iPhone 7: The iPhone 7 is equipped with a single 12 – megapixel rear – facing camera. It has an f/1.8 aperture, which allows for more light to enter the lens, resulting in better – quality photos in low – light conditions. The camera also features optical image stabilization (OIS), which helps reduce blurriness caused by hand – shake when taking photos or videos. It can record 4K video at 30fps, as well as 1080p video at 30fps or 60fps, and 720p video at 30fps.
- iPhone 7 Plus: The iPhone 7 Plus takes photography to the next level with its dual 12 – megapixel rear – facing cameras. One camera is a wide – angle lens with an f/1.8 aperture, and the other is a telephoto lens with an f/2.8 aperture. This combination enables 2 – times optical zoom and up to 10 – times digital zoom. The dual – camera setup also allows for the creation of a shallow depth – of – field effect, similar to what you would get with a DSLR camera, through the use of the Portrait mode. This mode blurs the background while keeping the subject in sharp focus, resulting in more professional – looking photos. In addition to the features of the iPhone 7’s camera, the iPhone 7 Plus also offers video optical image stabilization for both wide – angle and telephoto lenses, providing smoother video recordings.
Front – Facing Camera
- iPhone 7: The front – facing camera on the iPhone 7 is a 7 – megapixel sensor with an f/2.2 aperture. It can record 1080p HD video and features Retina Flash, which uses the display to provide additional light for selfies in low – light situations.
- iPhone 7 Plus: The front – facing camera on the iPhone 7 Plus is the same 7 – megapixel sensor with an f/2.2 aperture and the ability to record 1080p HD video and use Retina Flash. However, due to the larger screen size, the iPhone 7 Plus may offer a more immersive experience when using the front – facing camera for video calls or taking selfies.
4. Performance
Processor and RAM
- iPhone 7: Both the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are powered by the Apple A10 Fusion chip, which was a significant upgrade in performance compared to its predecessors. The A10 Fusion is a 64 – bit quad – core processor, with two high – performance cores and two energy – efficient cores. The iPhone 7 is equipped with 2GB of RAM, which was sufficient for smooth multitasking and running most apps at the time of its release.
- iPhone 7 Plus: The iPhone 7 Plus also has the A10 Fusion chip but comes with 3GB of RAM. The additional RAM allows for even better multitasking performance, especially when running multiple memory – intensive apps simultaneously. This can result in faster app switching and a more seamless user experience, especially for power users who frequently use resource – hungry apps like photo and video editors or augmented reality applications.
Storage Options
- iPhone 7: The iPhone 7 was available in three storage capacities: 32GB, 128GB, and 256GB. The base 32GB model provided enough space for the average user to store a decent amount of apps, photos, music, and videos. However, users with larger media collections or those who frequently download high – definition content may have found the 128GB or 256GB options more suitable.
- iPhone 7 Plus: Similarly, the iPhone 7 Plus was offered in 32GB, 128GB, and 256GB storage options. The larger storage capacities were particularly beneficial for users of the iPhone 7 Plus, as they were more likely to take advantage of the device’s advanced camera features and record high – quality photos and videos, which can quickly consume a significant amount of storage space.
5. Battery Life
- iPhone 7: The iPhone 7’s battery life was decent for a device of its size. It offered approximately 14 hours of talk time on 3G, 12 hours of internet use on 3G, 13 hours of internet use on LTE, 15 hours of internet use on Wi – Fi, 13 hours of video playback, and 40 hours of audio playback. However, compared to the iPhone 7 Plus, its battery capacity was relatively smaller, which meant it might not last as long for heavy users.
- iPhone 7 Plus: The iPhone 7 Plus, with its larger battery capacity, offered better battery life. It provided around 21 hours of talk time on 3G, 13 hours of internet use on 3G, 13 hours of internet use on LTE, 15 hours of internet use on Wi – Fi, 14 hours of video playback, and 60 hours of audio playback. The larger battery made the iPhone 7 Plus a more suitable choice for users who were away from a power source for extended periods and needed their device to last throughout the day.
6. Price
When the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus were initially released, the iPhone 7 Plus was priced higher than the iPhone 7. This price difference was due to the additional features of the iPhone 7 Plus, such as the larger screen, dual – camera system, and more RAM. The price gap between the two models varied depending on the storage capacity, with the higher – capacity models having a more significant price differential. However, as the devices aged and new models were released, the prices of both the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus decreased, making them more affordable options in the used or refurbished market.
Conclusion
In summary, the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus have several key differences. The iPhone 7 is a more compact, lightweight device with a smaller screen, suitable for users who value portability and one – handed operation. It offers a good balance of performance and camera capabilities for everyday use. On the other hand, the iPhone 7 Plus has a larger screen, a more advanced dual – camera system for better photography, more RAM for enhanced multitasking, and longer battery life. It is an ideal choice for users who are into multimedia consumption, photography, and multitasking. When choosing between the two, consider your usage patterns, preferences for size and portability, and your budget. Whether you opt for the iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus, both devices offered a significant upgrade in features and performance compared to their predecessors and were popular choices among Apple users in 2016 and beyond.
