My own opinion review of Apple iPhone 7 Plus

[Andrewtst]

720p display in 2016-2017 for a flagship premium device is hardly impressive or even 1080p for that matter considering the cost. From your initial review it sounded like you were justifying your purchase but later reality starts to kick in when you realize it's not all that hyped up to be.

I talk about iPhone 7 Plus only and it is 1080P, for LCD in 5.5" of 1080P is far than enough. I had no issue on that. I own so many Samsung phone previously up to 7 Edge which is QHD, frank speak I can't see any differences at all FHD vs QHD in naked eye on normal viewing distance.

For 720P - I do have issue on that as I can see the pixel issue on it.

All the I dislike didn't make me not justifying the purchase, as you can seen I mentioned I will still buying the next iPhone and not going back to Android for the moment.

I wouldn't classify myself as an Audiophile as I don't buy in to a lot of the BS that comes with that title - like the benefits of $1,000/ft oxygen free copper. I do notice nuances of amps/speaker combinations that others miss. I have to say thought, that I find the Bundle Headset as you call them and EarPods as Apple calls them to be quite good. The secret is putting them in your ear correctly as to close the air gap around the pod and the ear wall. If you don't, they do sound like crap (tinny). But I've had other in-ear headphones that did the same thing until you selected the correct rubber fitment if they supplied one your size. There's only so much you can do with such a small speaker.

Glad you are enjoying the iPhone! One thing that a lot of people strangely seem to let go is security. Non-Jailbreaked iOS is much safer than Android. That, and Apple supports older devices like no other OS/HW Manufacturer.

Actually the EarPods is not that bad but it not fitting my ear nor matter how hard I push in. I need to pressure hold it then it sound better (better not great). In this case it is not fit for me, thus it is very bad sound to me, whose listen music by holding it. I am not and won't do that.

I didn't jailbreak as I don't find the need anymore, I also don't root for android as it is unnecessary anymore.

 

[simonmet]

Appreciate the review. Have been thinking of getting an iPhone 7+ to replace my 4s.

ETA: Gorgeous photos!

The 7 Plus is massive compared to the 4/4s so maybe buy from Apple so you can exchange if need be. You may prefer the 7 which is just as good except for the lack of telephoto lens and portrait mode (and lower res for video).

It even has advantages in portability and "holdability"
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Now I want to buy one again after returning one I ordered and got screwed up, long story.

Very nice pictures, especially the close ups ones. Did you just let the iPhone do its thing (Auto) or any processing etc?

I still don't like the screen brightness--

Do you find it's not bright enough?
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I am all time Android user and this is my 1st iOS phone, below is my short review about it. I am none of any fans of any brand or OS but based on how I feel about it.

Before I start my short review, did I regret buying iPhone 7 Plus? The answer is absolutely no regret at all! So long I never feel that happy owning a new phone. I feel extremely great using it.

Day to day = more fall in love towards iOS.

• Design (9/10) - When I 1st saw it during the announcement, my heart already falling in love towards Jet Black and Black, after check out I decide pick Black as I find it look much nicer in actual, it is not said Jet Black not nice, Jet Black still very pretty but in condition you need to hang at wall without touching it, once touch is full of disgusting look oily finger print. This iPhone 7 Plus basically is a refined design of 2 years ago iPhone 6 Plus but the refined make the whole phone look extremely stunning especially on Jet Black and Black edition.
• Performance (10/10) - Everywhere is extremely smooth with no frame drop animation effect except the recent apps animation slightly less smooth, nothing to complain on performance. Simply the best smart phone I ever use on performance and smoothness.
• GPU (10/10) - Nor-matter how fast and great any GPU in market now, no one can really win GPU use by Apple, it is like this since long ago and until now Apple is still leading on GPU performance.
• Gaming (10/10) - OMG! I never though gaming on iOS is so unbelievable smooth, no single games had any frame drop or slow down issue, all games in iOS cannot change the gaming setting because it is not needed, all games (sorry I saying it all, android fans please don't shoot me) is look far nicer than in Android, especially those games that fully utilize in iOS. If you want extremely smooth gaming experience, iOS is the best choice!
• Apps (10/10) - Nearly all apps except some Google release apps may lack some function, others is having much refined interface, it just simply look better and stunning in iOS. Quality control by Apple really make a huge differences on this. The most unbelievable part is Google Chrome never run smooth in android itself (I mean the animation) but it is extremely smooth in iOS.
• Launcher Interface (7/10) - iOS Launcher is well done now and look nice but just simply lack the customization like what Android capable of, in iOS the only thing can customize is wallpaper, that it. The Widget in iOS is well nice arrange and given much better information but it don't add extra personality customize to the launcher like what Android do, this part I do find Android did far better.
• Launcher function & features (8/10) - The 3D touch is not gimmick but very useful sometimes, and it is well done and support by a lot 3rd party now, recently Google Nougat also having similar function and also well done on this part. The auto opening up the screen when new notification coming is very well done and due to it full bright up I never miss any notification anymore, some android also having this function and no denied Samsung did great as well on this. The only I miss is the split screen features on Android, why Apple not implement the split screen on mobile as well but only in iPad.
• Multitasking (10/10) - The best multitasking phone I ever use, even though only 3GB RAM but it already perform far better than any 4GB RAM android phone in market now.
• Smart Watch Compatibility (9/10) - I really happy my Huawei watch is functioning pretty well on iOS, no issue when notification come or when some one is calling you and the health app is working as well, the only drawback is not much third party apps or watch face available for Andorid Wear in iOS but this never really bother me as I never install any third party apps before also.
• Screen (10/10) - Absolutely stunning, it is vibrant but not saturation, the best LCD screen I ever seen, absolutely gorgeous!
• Loud Speaker (9/10) - Can I said it is the best loud speaker I ever use, I find it is far better than HTC One M8, Huawei P9 Plus or any Sony dual speaker setup.
• Sound Output (10/10) - It is no complain on the sound output to headset, it sound brilliant without needed to tune or use the equalizer (not from the original bundle headset).
• Bundle Headset (0/10) - What is that! the worst headset I ever use, extremely bad sound quality, the treble is too high and no bass. I give 0 star on the bundle headset, which means the AirPods is 100% in my excluded wanna buy list already.
• Battery Life (10/10) - Android battery management is pretty shame on this! the iPhone 7 Plus only 2900mAh but I manage to on screen 8 hours ++ with some gaming and video and the phone is already in standby time of 24 hours after full charge, no single phone in Android I can archive this included Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge. I am the user don't disable this and that and turn on everything all time except WiFi where only on when needed. I am extremely please with the iPhone 7 Plus battery performance, it just simply too great and Google really need to study more on how iOS control the battery life.
• Camera (9/10) - Finally Apple did a great camera, it is simply awesome, I can't said it is the best as Google Nexus 5x also can take awesome photo and from all review, actually Pixel XL did much better. But they is really nothing much to complain on iPhone 7 Plus camera.
• Camera Portrait Mode (5/10) - This is fun to play but frank speak it still need a lot of work, now is still in beta, I hope in final it can better render the photo, now still got too many error in the render especially on those smaller part.
• File Management (NA/10) - iOS simply no file management but it not really an issue for me, just a bit troublesome need iTunes all time for added music or photo that not origin from phone or purchase from iTunes.
• Keyboard & 3rd party compatibility (5/10) - It is a nice keyboard but I too miss on the swipe in android, I use swipe at least 7 years already, I truly miss this. I know got 3rd party keyboard in iOS that can swipe but by installing it will make the iOS not stable especially most Android apps will FC, for example Google Chrome where is my main browser, I face this issue personally last time in iPad Air 2 and I check back recent review also report the same, so I not going to install any 3rd party keyboard as of now.
• Overall (9/10) - They is always PROS and CONS in iOS and Android which none of the OS can be perfectly suite for all users but after this few days usage, I find myself really fall in love with iPhone 7 Plus and no feeling to go back to any android phone now, I always free advertise new announcing phone in my Facebook but this time the so gorgeous Mi MIX also never get my desire to advertise it anymore. Maybe this is great for me as I can reduce to only purchase one phone per year already. Also the goods of using iOS is you can have both iOS and Android apps in one device thanks to now the more open iOS and Google release most Android apps in iOS.

Some Samples Photos Taken by iPhone 7 Plus

Your photos look gorgeous on my 7 Plus. Apple's use of P3 gamut for JPEG and screens really makes a difference.

Which country is that?
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For me, force touch function is great but those function can be activate it by using press and hold which is much easier, safe energy and no need specific hardware.

Force Touch is indispensable for me during typing when I want to move the curser. So quick and easy.

Other than that I occasionally use it for web previews and app shortcuts but not much else.

 

[44267547]

720p display in 2016-2017 for a flagship premium device is hardly impressive or even 1080p for that matter considering the cost. From your initial review it sounded like you were justifying your purchase but later reality starts to kick in when you realize it's not all that hyped up to be.

That's incorrect. The iPhone 7 is rated at 750 Pixel, not 720. And 1080 P is still a very crisp, vibrant display by many standards on the Plus variant. To say "Hardly impressive" sounds ignorant. LED could be improved in some respects, but by no means is it not impressive. It's still a very relevant display and 1080 is still a standard in the LED classification.

Did you even read his second review? The OP stated how much he liked the iPhone and the display was as good as Samsung's. He also said his next phone purchase would be the iPhone. That doesn't sound like to me "Hype" played a role at all, even from his first review. He stated he very much appreciates all the features and reiterated the features he wasn't happy with. Which not many are completely content with everything.

 

[Gathomblipoob]

The iPhone 7 is rated at 750 PPI

Wanna try that again?

326ppi.

 

[44267547]

Wanna try that again?

326ppi.

Edited. 750 Pixel.

 

[Andrewtst]

The 7 Plus is massive compared to the 4/4s so maybe buy from Apple so you can exchange if need be. You may prefer the 7 which is just as good except for the lack of telephoto lens and portrait mode (and lower res for video).

It even has advantages in portability and "holdability"
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Do you find it's not bright enough?
[doublepost=1487484193][/doublepost]

Your photos look gorgeous on my 7 Plus. Apple's use of P3 gamut for JPEG and screens really makes a difference.

Which country is that?
[doublepost=1487484971][/doublepost]

Force Touch is indispensable for me during typing when I want to move the curser. So quick and easy.

Other than that I occasionally use it for web previews and app shortcuts but not much else.

I am from Malaysia. Thanks for liking the photos.

 

[borgsauce]

That's incorrect. The iPhone 7 is rated at 750 Pixel, not 720. And 1080 P is still a very crisp, vibrant display by many standards on the Plus variant. To say "Hardly impressive" sounds ignorant. LED could be improved in some respects, but by no means is it not impressive. It's still a very relevant display and 1080 is still a standard in the LED classification.

Did you even read his second review? The OP stated how much he liked the iPhone and the display was as good as Samsung's. He also said his next phone purchase would be the iPhone. That doesn't sound like to me "Hype" played a role at all, even from his first review. He stated he very much appreciates all the features and reiterated the features he wasn't happy with. Which not many are completely content with everything.

Here we go again with the "did you not read his..." I will say it again it is hardly impressive and YES it makes a difference when you've tried beyond HD and back. In terms of color accuracy I give it a point, pixel density not so much. I do enjoy a VR experience from time to time as I did on Android, and I can only imagine how terrible of an experience it would be on the iPhone 7. Stop defending Apple, this is a fail and needs to be thought out with the next release.

 

[Andrewtst]

Here we go again with the "did you not read his..." I will say it again it is hardly impressive and YES it makes a difference when you've tried beyond HD and back. In terms of color accuracy I give it a point, pixel density not so much. I do enjoy a VR experience from time to time as I did on Android, and I can only imagine how terrible of an experience it would be on the iPhone 7. Stop defending Apple, this is a fail and needs to be thought out with the next release.

Nobody defending iPhone. How could you enjoy VR experience with current mobile phone if you are so obvious can see the differences within FHD and QHD. None of phone in market now give great viewing experience on VR. QHD is still very crap output in VR. Without 4K display, don't talk on VR. QHD in VR is like watching VCD, off course I know FHD even worst and iPhone didn't implement it for the moment also.

For mobile phone, FHD is enough and QHD make no differences at all especially in LCD. I own few QHD phone before (Motorola Nexus 6, LG G4, Samsung Galaxy Note5, Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge, Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge) and frank speak I don't see the differences on it.

I test the VR experiences on Note5, S6 Edge and S7 Edge, it is still very bad, QHD is still not enough for it. Talk about VR, I only accept if it is utilize 4K display.

HD to FHD - huge differences, HD is not clear enough & I can see pixel even on such small screen.
FHD to QHD - for me it is the same, no differences on such small screen size.

I really don't care the phone is QHD or not, as long it is at least FHD, it is far than enough.

 

[CYKBC]

Way too heavy.

 

[44267547]

Here we go again with the "did you not read his..." I will say it again it is hardly impressive and YES it makes a difference when you've tried beyond HD and back. In terms of color accuracy I give it a point, pixel density not so much. I do enjoy a VR experience from time to time as I did on Android, and I can only imagine how terrible of an experience it would be on the iPhone 7. Stop defending Apple, this is a fail and needs to be thought out with the next release.

What are you even talking about? Im not Defending Apple at all. It Doesn't matter. The OP already corrected you again in Post #58. Slow down and read what he stated the first time from both reviews before you make comments on things he never said. That was my point.

 

[janeauburn]

iPhone 7 Plus has very bad speaker phone quality.

 

[Gathomblipoob]

iPhone 7 Plus has very bad speaker phone quality.

Are you kidding me? It sounds great on my 7 Plus. Sorry to chafe your agenda.

 

[OriginalAppleGuy]

Are you kidding me? It sounds great on my 7 Plus. Sorry to chafe your agenda.

I agree - the speakerphone quality I've experienced on the iPhone 7 Plus has been so MUCH better than previous iterations. Mainly due to the two speaker setup and not having to use Lifeproof products.

 

[Andrewtst]

iPhone 7 Plus has very bad speaker phone quality.

That is your opinion not me.

 

[C DM]

iPhone 7 Plus has very bad speaker phone quality.

It must be because of that extra 0.01 in. in thickness.

 

[DUIduckSAUCE]

So, just so that we are all taking about the same thing: a 0.01 in. thickness difference is a "Massive fail!"?

I think so yes. Could have been used for mas battery.

 

[C DM]

I think so yes. Could have been used for mas battery.

As in the extra 0.01 in. being used for a noticeably larger battery? Seems like the poster I replied to originally would have seen that as the same "massive fail" given that the phone would still be "fatter and heavier".

 

[DUIduckSAUCE]

Given the size of the device it's hardly anything bad. Could certainly be better, in particular from PPI side of things (on the smaller device), but far from anything really meaningfully bad.

As an owner of both a 7 plus and a s7 I agree that the iPhone screen is not bad at all. But the thing is it should be as good or better.

 

[simonmet]

iPhone 7 Plus has very bad speaker phone quality.

I love the fact you can stream the audio from a video on the phone to external speakers via airport express while whatching video on the phone.

Very cool software and hardware integration that allows you to do that! Can you do that on Android?

 

[swingandamiss]

So you can't listen to iTunes and surf the internet with Safari at the same time? Are people really this stupid or what?

I've never understood Android users being so proud of their split screen. You can only do one thing at once no matter how many things are on the screen ffs.

 

[borgsauce]

What are you even talking about? Im not Defending Apple at all. It Doesn't matter. The OP already corrected you again in Post #58. Slow down and read what he stated the first time from both reviews before you make comments on things he never said. That was my point.

If you go back and check my initial comment, I did mention the iPhone 7 which has a poor PPI density and it is distinguishable when compared to FHD. As for the OP stating there's no difference between FHD and QHD, I personally do notice it and so do people who I know who had switched from Note 7 to iPhone 7P. My point is Apple has gotten away with subpar display resolution for 3 or more consecutive years while the competition has moved way beyond.

 

[ericwn]

Sounds like display resolution is more than sufficient for the majority of customers though.

 

[44267547]

If you go back and check my initial comment, I did mention the iPhone 7 which has a poor PPI density and it is distinguishable when compared to FHD. As for the OP stating there's no difference between FHD and QHD, I personally do notice it and so do people who I know who had switched from Note 7 to iPhone 7P. My point is Apple has gotten away with subpar display resolution for 3 or more consecutive years while the competition has moved way beyond.

@borgsauce quoted: "720p display in 2016-2017 for a flagship premium device is hardly impressive or even 1080p for that matter considering the cost. From your initial review it sounded like you were justifying your purchase but later reality starts to kick in when you realize it's not all that hyped up to be."

I don't need to re-read your initial post. I'm not questioning the display or your thoughts on what you consider sub par. I stated the differences in the Pixel display you misquoted by mistake and you distorted what the OP stated.

Again, my point was you stated the OP "Was trying to justify his purchase, when he realized it's not all that hyped to be" in his second review, when in fact, that wasn't the case at all. The OP stated his next purchase would be the iPhone, which clearly hype was never an issue to begin with. I think he did a great job listing the likes/dislikes.

And for the record, you stated I was "Defending Apple", when That's not accurate at all. I simply implied why the current display is more than good enough from your quote "Hardly impressive", which is an inflated comment to say the least.

You're entitled to your opinion, but you misquoted the OP from the bolded post above, when he even replied and corrected you. That's what I meant by taking your time to read what he wrote the first time.

Moving on from this discussion. I think it's been plenty discussed and points made are fairly clear.

 

[Will22]

I've never understood Android users being so proud of their split screen. You can only do one thing at once no matter how many things are on the screen ffs.

That sounds like iPhone users laughing at Samsung when they brought out the Note, then Apple brings out the 6+ and people rave about it.

It will be the same when/if they implement splitscreen, people will think it is great.

Personally I have used and found splitscreen very handy, im sure you will if Apple get around to using it. I suppose you have never used a two screens on your PC either?

 

[sk1wbw]

I've never understood Android users being so proud of their split screen. You can only do one thing at once no matter how many things are on the screen ffs.

Nevermind the fact that it isn't "multitasking". It's split screen multitasking. Android users have no ****ing concept of actual computer and real word terminology.