They. Never. Did.
Of course they are. This very thread is about using the iPhone 7 for events one would normally take a DSLR. Companies, individuals, esp politicians!, make comparisons, communications that are not always direct or literal. Sometimes it's alluded to, implied, made for the target to infer so that the line is hugged, not crossed. The iP7+ camera is extremely nice, best in class, even better than 98% of pocket cameras, not that those exist much anymore. But every product has its limit and I think (personal opinion, as was my original post) that it's silly to suggest to take an iP7+ instead of an DSLR on a planned outdoor event if you have a DSLR.