Apple Unveils iPhone 7 With Water Resistance, A10 Fusion, New 'Jet Black' Color, Updated Cameras, No Headphone Jack, and More

[gibbz]

Why on earth would they call it iPhone 7 when it's just a face-lifted iPhone 6? Now they can't call next year's radical redesign the 7S. Well using their logic of naming this year's phone, I guess they could.

Just get rid of those huge top and bottom bezels already.

I bet they stop using numbers next year - or do something with the 10th anniversary.

 

[ph001bi]

Those UK prices though....

You can thank the Brexiters for that one.

 

[NoleATL]

I can see an SNL skit of somebody taking some standard Earpods, snipping the ends off with a pair of scissors, and walking around with them to impress people. These aren't exactly the best looking product Apple has ever created and look a little bit dorky.

And, I have trouble keeping the current pods in my ears. In the case of Air Pods, when one falls out it hits the floor. Hopefully I realize when it happens.

 

[44267547]

Did I understand Phil correctly that the Jet Black versions will ONLY be available in 128 & 256 GB configs? If so, let the belly aching begin.

That is correct. Which is unfortunate for some, forcing them to spend extra money for memory they may or may not want.

 

[FatherJack1980]

Apple backtracks all the time. The 6 Plus's size is a great example of that.

Not to mention the stylus ...sorry, pencil!

 

[Mildredop]

It had to happen sometime. I'd say courage is accurate.

Why do you think it had to happen? And why do you think Apple couldn't have included lightning audio alongside the 3.5mm jack?

 

[Silver Idaten]

I'm through spending over $800 on a phone, and they even had the guts to raise their already inflated prices on the 7 Plus!? You know what would truly signify 'courage', Apple? Making your pricing more competitive.

 

[lazard]

I wonder if the new Apple earbuds will be any better? They've always been the worst, with no ability to seal out surrounding noise or generate any bass. They just kinda sit in your ear and put out ******, tinny sound. A pair of $8 earbuds with silicone adapters from Skullcandy etc are far superior (even tho in general not amazing compared to other more pricey options). I'm surprised that Apple skimps on this and makes such piss poor earbuds given that it's a critical part of the iPhone experience.

They're not in-ear monitors so you'll get crappy sound and isolation.

 

[bigjnyc]

Ya? Courage? Seriously? Courage to force everyone to conformity yes. At least they included the adapter. I guess even the Apple team can be "designed to be smarter" and listen to the consumers. They know now to include all additional dongles and adapters with all their new devices from here on in.

Courage? Please! Courage to manufacture yet another adapter by removing a headphone jack hole is courageous, exactly how may I ask?

Ya.. Here, we took away that hole, but there you go a new adapter to carry around with you and your new phone, thank you very much later! Suckas!

Courage, NOT!

I LOVE YOU ALL don't buy this gently updated finger print and smudge magnet. Just sayin... Ya know?

omg people are soooo dramatic, New adapter to carry around with you? you plug your headphone in to the thing and forget its there, it adds a few more inches to your cable thats all jeez.

 

[Tewksy]

You can't thank the Brexiters for that one.

#BlameBrexit. The best sales excuse for a price rise.

 

[daftpunker909]

From the apple site:

Jet black is available in 128GB and 256GB models. The high-gloss finish of the jet black iPhone 7 is achieved through a precision nine-step anodization and polishing process. Its surface is equally as hard as other anodized Apple products; however, its high shine may show fine micro-abrasions with use. If you are concerned about this, we suggest you use one of the many cases available to protect your iPhone.

The bolded one worries me

Sounds like Product Design overpowered Reliability's recommendation

 

[bflowers]

Probably a couple of weeks to a couple of months before it will be released, assuming it is like last year.

Since we are paying full price now, I have to wonder if they are actually carrier locked anymore. I'm on Sprint, simply because my brother works for them and we have gotten a great rate plan for years. The down side is the resale value of the Sprint iPhones is worse than the others. No real reason for it since the phones should all be identical now. To make it worse, if you were to buy a 6S from Sprint right now, they uncharge $100 over the unlocked cost from Apple.

 

[adamjackson]

It doesn't have a physical keyboard...I'm out.

That would actually be a nice addition. The main reason I don't do real work on my phone or tablet is because every word is autocorrected to the wrong thing. I bought a Blackberry Bold 9000 in January for a bit to play around with and typed faster than I ever have on an iPhone. Shame there were no apps to support it. I think if BBOS had support for IMAP, I probably would have switched full time.

No, I'm not trolling. I legitimately can't type more than 2-3 words without having to back space and retype on any iOS device. No wonder you guys all talk in emoji. Typing is too much work on these damn things.

 

[flexiboy]

Not being able to charge while listening over headphones or via auxiliary cable to car stereo, amplifier or hifi system will be a big deal for a lot of people.

The blind apostles who see no wrong in anything Apple do will never agree. In their opinion nobody does what you suggest so they can go ahead and drop the jack. Are you not a true believer?

 

[frozencarbonite]

Did they happen to mess up on the monthly prices listed on the screen? The screen they had up lists the iPhone 7 starting at $27/month. But when you go to the site, it says starting at $32/month.

 

[agsystems]

Nice upgrades (even if you have a current 6s) but my dollars are going to the AW 2 series

Even series 1 looks good if you don't need GPS
http://www.apple.com/watch/compare/

 

[gibbz]

Really, two black colors confuse you? Jet black is the shiny black. The black is matte finish.

Why so snarky? Maybe this person didn't follow the announcement closely so they asked a simple question on a forum devoted to iPhones.

 

[Larry-K]

the last time i saw someone use their iPhone speaker to listen to audio. that would be this morning. maybe right now as i type this. so ridiculous.

Speaker! Of Course!

Stereo? Absurd!

 

[Domen151]

Just noticed that they increased the price in Europe of the base iPhone by 20€. Its not much, but they increase the price every year...

 

[Mildredop]

Will be looking into the upgrade plan that is now in the UK.

Is it a good deal for anyone who is currently on it?

It's a good deal if you like paying over-the-odds for an iPhone and supporting Apple's planned obsolescence. After all, if they're offering a plan whereby they replace your phone each year, they need a phone that you want to 'upgrade' to.

 

[Return Zero]

On a budget!? Then get a £50 Lumia.

You idiot.

Actually, it's the fools and the idiots who don't have a budget. I don't understand where all the hate is coming from today. Hate the phone if you want, but I've already been called a fool and an idiot in the span of 5 minutes for buying a phone that I can afford? #wtfmate

 

[Mailia]

omg people are soooo dramatic, New adapter to carry around with you? you plug your headphone in to the thing and forget its there, it adds a few more inches to your cable thats all jeez.

And probably worsens the DAC, thus reducing your entire audio quality.

 

[vsthsd]

Of course it's courageous. How do you know it's not? Are you experts?!

Taking away something that many people use is simply courageous. It may not be the right decision but it's courageous and taking a gamble.

I found the entire presentation disappointing - less innovation, but more junk promotion and junk branding of features we see in other products, but w/ the analog jack you're right. It needed to be done. I'm glad Apple pulled the plug on it. Sort of like consistently refusing blu-ray drives back in the day.

What concerns me though is the proprietariness of this move. Kind of like Sony w/ their memory sticks. When it comes to headphones I want them to work everywhere. If Lightning became a free standard (is it?) I'm all for it. If it's just for apple products though, dick lock-in move.

 

[clebin]

And they're moving into the fully digital world.

Audio IS analogue. What else is there to say?

 

[petvas]

The benefits are: increased waterproofing, less mechanical issues, more room for bigger battery/extra speaker for stereo when sharing videos...

The Samsung phones are water proof and still have the headphone jack, so this argument is mute. The rest I can understand.
Basically I cannot say that I was impressed.
I was impressed by the prices though. The iPhone 7 Plus with 256GB costs 1119 Euro here in Germany..
Apple increased the price and delivered the same design (with refinements), but improved some important features on the phone, like its cameras and the stereo sound speakers.
HTC users (I know there are not a lot of them out there), would tell you something about BoomSound...
I think I will pass Apple. I prefer my HTC 10 with Android. iOS 10 is also an issue here. It is great for normal consumers, but lacks the power of customization Android offers.

The iPhone 7 is certainly a great product, but its price is really not justified.