Smartphone Apple iPhone 7 Plus: new update

The release of the next iPhone in the fall is already a tradition, just like the information that leaks from everywhere (mostly true) about what new features this iPhone will have.
The iPhone 7/7 Plus is no exception.
However, while the previous generation iPhone had nothing truly revolutionary (only good evolutionary improvements), in the "seven" we see genuinely significant innovations.
Which, however, means they are definitely positively evaluated.

Let's take a look at the specifications of the new product.

Technical Specifications of Apple iPhone 7 Plus

SoC Apple A10 Fusion (4 cores, 2 of which operate at a frequency of 2.34 GHz, 64-bit ARMv8-A architecture)
GPU Apple A10 Fusion
Apple M10 motion coprocessor, which includes a barometer, accelerometer, gyroscope, and compass
RAM 3 GB
Flash memory 32/128/256 GB
No support for memory cards
Operating system iOS 10
Touch display IPS, 5.5", 1920×1080 (401 ppi), capacitive, multitouch, support for 3D Touch technology and Taptic Engine feedback
Cameras: front (7 MP, video 1080p 30 fps, 720p 240 fps) and rear with two lenses (12 MP, 2x optical zoom, 4K video recording at 30 fps and 60 fps)
Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n/ac (2.4 and 5 GHz; MIMO support)

Cellular communication:
UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz);
GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz),
LTE Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, LTE Advanced support
Bluetooth 4.2 A2DP LE
Third-generation Touch ID fingerprint scanner
NFC (only for Apple Pay)
Universal Lightning connector
Non-removable lithium polymer battery 2900 mAh
GPS / A-GPS, GLONASS
Dimensions 158×78×7.3 mm
Weight 189 g

For clarity, let's compare the specifications of the new product with the Samsung Galaxy Note7.

The table clearly shows the key features of the iPhone 7 Plus: it is water-resistant, which is a first for the lineup, the disappearance of the 3.5 mm headphone jack, and a camera with two lenses that provide the ability for 2x optical zoom.
Of course, in addition to this, there is also a new SoC (its performance we will definitely evaluate), and an increased amount of memory (both RAM and storage).
Notably, the dimensions of the device remain the same — this is atypical for an iPhone without the letter "s" in its name. Well, let's get acquainted with the smartphone in person.

Packaging and Completeness

The packaging of the iPhone 7 Plus is traditional for Apple smartphones and is almost indistinguishable from the packaging of the previous generation smartphone.
But in the new glossy black variant (Jet Black), the stylish black design of the box catches the eye.

As for the completeness — at first glance, everything is also traditional, but there is one important surprise.
So, the package includes EarPods with a Lightning connector, secured on a cardboard holder (it's a pity they abandoned the plastic box with a transparent lid, as it was before! - According to Apple, for environmental reasons), leaflets, a charger (5V 1A), a Lightning cable, stickers, and a key for removing the SIM card tray, as well as an adapter from Lightning to mini-jack 3.5 mm.

This adapter is the surprise. As we mentioned, the new iPhone does not have a traditional headphone jack.
So, to use wired headphones from third-party manufacturers with the iPhone, you will need an adapter. The big plus is that it is free and compact.

Design

Externally, the new iPhone looks very similar to its predecessor. The dimensions and main design elements remain unchanged.
The feeling of novelty is brought, of course, by the color solutions that were previously unavailable: "black onyx" and "black".

In the first days of sales, there was huge hype around the "black onyx" variant, which is quite logical.
Here, the new is not only the color but also the coating — glossy, not matte aluminum, as in other variants and previous generations of iPhone.
We had it for testing, the "black onyx", and it must be said, it leaves mixed impressions.

The thing is, it looks very much like plastic from the outside. It seems like the smartphone has a simple black plastic body.
But when you hold it in your hand, you feel the typical coolness and weight of metal. And if you tap on it, all doubts about the type of material will disappear: it is metal, not plastic.
However, during use, you will quickly encounter a problem typical for glossy plastic devices — the body gets dirty with fingerprints. No surprise here, and it is present as well.

Of course, a case saves from this, but a logical question arises: why chase after a new color if it won't be visible under the case anyway?
However, you can alternate using the smartphone with and without a case, as Apple has released a new line of very nice cases for the new iPhones.
Here is what the official leather case for the iPhone 7 in "stormy sky" color looks like.

In person, it looks more beautiful and feels very pleasant in hand. Although, let's add a spoonful of tar, the surface of the case quickly gets covered with scratches and scuffs.
This is visible even in the photo above, although we used this case for literally a few days before the shoot.
And one more point: despite the preserved dimensions and shape, you cannot use cases for the iPhone 6s Plus with the new iPhone — the camera bump has changed.

Returning to the design of the iPhone itself, let's note four key innovations that most significantly affect the use of the device, even if they are not immediately obvious.
First of all, it is water resistance.
How long we waited for it! How often we encountered stories about iPhones falling into toilets, getting caught in heavy rain, problems after using them in winter during snowfalls... Now all this is in the past.
Yes, Apple representatives emphasize that you cannot swim with the iPhone (unlike the Apple Watch Series 2).
But a brief immersion in water (like falling into a toilet) it will survive.

The second aspect that directly follows from the issue of water resistance is the replacement of the round "Home" button with a touch zone.
In terms of revolutionary significance, this change can quite compare with the abandonment of the 3.5 mm jack, and it will probably irritate many Apple fans.
After all, this button has long become a symbol of the iPhone! A key design element that competitors have not dared to copy (at least not in this form).
And now Apple itself is abandoning it.

It is clear that this is not a whim, but a desire to make the smartphone water-resistant.
And with all that, the move is bold. However, Apple employs very inventive people.
They rightly decided that ultimately for users, the main thing is not the fact of a physical button being pressed, but the feeling that a person experiences when doing so.
And if so, why not simulate that feeling? After all, Apple has Taptic Engine technology.
And an impressive thing came out: when touching the touch zone, we really feel approximately the same as when pressing a physical button.
Miracles! The author gave the device to several people, and those who did not know about the innovation in advance but had experience using iPhones could not believe that the button was really gone and it was an illusion.

The third innovation is the appearance of stereo speakers. Now the sound comes from both the bottom, where there are slots, and the top, where there are no slots.
This is certainly good for watching videos and for gaming, although on a smartphone such usage scenarios are less convenient than on a tablet (let's remember that stereo speakers are present in all iPad Pro models).
But it won't be worse, that's for sure.

And finally, let's remind once again about the disappearance of the standard headphone jack.
Note that the top edge of the smartphone is now devoid of any connectors and slots, while the placement of other control elements and slots has not changed.

On the right is the power button and the Nano-SIM card slot. On the left are the volume control buttons and the switch for putting the smartphone in silent mode.
And at the bottom is the only Lightning connector and speaker grilles.

Well, Apple did not radically change the appearance of the smartphone (as it was in previous "numbered" generations — iPhone 4, 5, 6), but made revolutionary adjustments to the functional features of the design.
And while the introduction of water resistance is definitely a plus, the other innovations are more controversial.
Not everyone I showed the new iPhone 7 Plus "black onyx" liked it; not everyone was ready to give up such a familiar Home button and headphone jack.
Time will tell whether these innovations will take root (we are almost sure they will).
However, in any case, it is impossible not to note the ingenuity and sophistication with which Apple engineers and designers solved the tasks set before them.