Worth upgrade from 6s+ to 7+ for camera alone?

[t76turbo]

I am potentially going on a trip in a month and will not be bringing a traditional camera. But I do want to take the best photos possible.

I have a 6s+ now which I was going to pass down to a family member when the 8 come out but I could always get the 7+ now, sell the 6s+, then pass down the 7+ when I get the 8.

But would only want to do that if the camera was leaps and bounds better than what I have now.

Anyone have any input???

 

[cababah]

I upgraded from a 6+ to a 7+ and I don't see a HUGE difference in regular pictures. Low light and indoor performance is still crap but the portrait mode is kind of cool.

There would be even less of a difference from 6S+ to 7+. You definitely will not see an order of magnitude in improvement when just looking at camera performance.

Edit: That shutter lag on the 7+ though...

 

[44267547]

I upgraded from a 6+ to a 7+ and I don't see a HUGE difference in regular pictures. Low light and indoor performance is still crap but the portrait mode is kind of cool.

There would be even less of a difference from 6S+ to 7+. You definitely will not see an order of magnitude in improvement when just looking at camera performance.

I agree with this. It's not a major leap with the dual camera and the low light photo's still suffer in my opinion. The 10x Digital Zoom is a nice advantage and is nice to have for long distance shots. Portrait mode takes great photo's, but is particular with the distance and lighting, which can be frustrating at times.

Otherwise, the difference between both cameras is marginal in overall photographs based on my experiences.

 

[perezr10]

I upgraded from a 6s Plus to a 7 plus mainly for the camera. What made me want to do it was that I had bought an Olloclip Active lens for my 6s Plus. I loved how the Olloclip 2X optical zoom made my pictures and videos so much better when I was at my kids' track meets. But it was a pain mounting and unmounting the lens so I decided to upgrade to the 7 Plus since 2X is built in.

 

[Thai]

DPReview of 7+: https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/iphone-7-plus-camera

It is currently rank #1, tied with Pixel.

DPReview of 6+: https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/apple-iphone-6-plus-camera-review

For reference, iPhone 5s review: https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/apple-iphone5s-smartphone-camera-review

For those who don't know, DPReview is pretty much THE authoritative source in photography (along with Cameralabs).

 

[Sital]

The optical 2x is the really the only reason I'd consider the switch if I were you. As cababah and Relentless Power noted, low light performance is poor. IMO, it's actually much worse on the 7+ than on the 6+.

 

[nia820]

Very little difference. Not worth the upgrade in my opinion. 6s+ is a solid iPhone.

 

[jfinn]

I went from the 6s+ to a 7+, and the camera quality is improved, but not a lot. The features however with the zoom is definitely worth it.

 

[The Game 161]

the zoom is a good feature and one i would miss i would say but overall the camera isn't improved by a lot but as i said the zoom is great to have

 

[Osamede]

DPReview of 7+: https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/iphone-7-plus-camera

It is currently rank #1, tied with Pixel.

DPReview of 6+: https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/apple-iphone-6-plus-camera-review

For reference, iPhone 5s review: https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/apple-iphone5s-smartphone-camera-review

For those who don't know, DPReview is pretty much THE authoritative source in photography (along with Cameralabs).

Well yes and no. The website is basically content marketing for Amazon's sales of these devices.

Yes there is a great deal of depth and detail to their reviews, but ultimately the website exists to ensure that you believe the latest is the "greatest ever" and that you cant do without it and must buy it.

Where the latest might be indeed the greatest ever...but practically speaking not noticeable in real life usage and certainly not worth new expenditure, well generally you aint gonna read that in the DPReview writeup of it. Especially not when the biggest brands are the ones that made the phone.

 

[44267547]

DPReview of 7+: https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/iphone-7-plus-camera

It is currently rank #1, tied with Pixel.

DPReview of 6+: https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/apple-iphone-6-plus-camera-review

For reference, iPhone 5s review: https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/apple-iphone5s-smartphone-camera-review

For those who don't know, DPReview is pretty much THE authoritative source in photography (along with Cameralabs).

Did you read the thread title? You're providing a link for the iPhone 6 Plus/5s, when the OP is comparing the 6S Plus and 7+ camera, So Your comparison for that specific link is completely irrelevant to the thread topic. Informative website, yes. Answers the questions to the thread, No.

Do you have any concept in the slightest what Interest Based Advertising is? DPR is also highly geared towards Amazons marketing and endorses Them heavily Based on Product availability. Of course DPR IS going to boast products that they want the consumer to see for purchasing decisions when they are affiliated with Amazons marketing.

https://www.amazon.com/b/?&node=5160028011

 

[nordique]

I am potentially going on a trip in a month and will not be bringing a traditional camera. But I do want to take the best photos possible.

I have a 6s+ now which I was going to pass down to a family member when the 8 come out but I could always get the 7+ now, sell the 6s+, then pass down the 7+ when I get the 8.

But would only want to do that if the camera was leaps and bounds better than what I have now.

Anyone have any input???

Leaps and bounds? It's not. If an incremental improvement.

If you want a 7+, get it. The camera is better, by a bit. But by no means is it better by "leaps and bounds"

 

[Leonard1818]

It depends on you. My wife would LOVE to have that camera. I, personally wouldn't have upgraded just for the camera (it was a really nice bonus though)

 

[acorntoy]

I have been very impressed with the camera. I went from a 6S+ and honestly the camera is the only thing I notice that's different. Otherwise it could be the same phone don't notice any significant speed changes or anything like that (not anywhere close like going from the 6 to the 6s). Indoor low light for me has been great, I would say vastly improved over the 6s+, and the zoom is extremely useful. However in a brightly lit outdoor setting I'd say there about the same.

 

[M5RahuL]

incremental, at best.. IMHO!

 

[nburwell]

I'm using my 6s+ while we're in our honeymoon in Hawaii. Granted the camera rocks when I'm not using my DSLR, but I don't think you'll get substantially better images if you go with the 7+ (unless you are taking a lot of portraits). Stick with the 6s+ and upgrade in the fall.

 

[Thai]

Well yes and no. The website is basically content marketing for Amazon's sales of these devices.

Yes there is a great deal of depth and detail to their reviews, but ultimately the website exists to ensure that you believe the latest is the "greatest ever" and that you cant do without it and must buy it.

Where the latest might be indeed the greatest ever...but practically speaking not noticeable in real life usage and certainly not worth new expenditure, well generally you aint gonna read that in the DPReview writeup of it. Especially not when the biggest brands are the ones that made the phone.

Uhhh, no. Go to a Photo forum and ask what they consider the authoritative review site...and they will list two: DPReview and Cameralabs.

Yes, DPReview has advertisements for Amazon, as do many other sites. Now, if you say that they advertises specifically Apple products, then i agree.

Now, here is the reviews of all their smartphones: https://www.dpreview.com/reviews?category=mobilephones

Notice how even the latest and greatest does NOT always get the highest score. HTC 10 or Huawei P10 actually got lower scores. OnePlus 3T got lower score.
[doublepost=1494071667][/doublepost]

Did you read the thread title? You're providing a link for the iPhone 6 Plus/5s, when the OP is comparing the 6S Plus and 7+ camera, So Your comparison for that specific link is completely irrelevant to the thread topic. Informative website, yes. Answers the questions to the thread, No.

Do you have any concept in the slightest what Interest Based Advertising is? DPR is also highly geared towards Amazons marketing and endorses Them heavily Based on Product availability. Of course DPR IS going to boast products that they want the consumer to see for purchasing decisions when they are affiliated with Amazons marketing.

https://www.amazon.com/b/?&node=5160028011

Sorry for late reply...Relentless Power reported me and i got banned for a few days.

Here are their smartphone reviews: https://www.dpreview.com/reviews?category=mobilephones

My mistake...now sure why i gave that link about 6 plus....

Here is the 6S PLUS review: https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/apple-iphone-6s-plus-camera-review

Now, if you compare 6S plus vs. 6 Plus, then yeah, minor improvement...DPR gave 83% vs. 82%.

7 Plus got 88%.

So, in DPR eyes, 6 plus to 6s plus camera was a minor improvement...6s plus to 7 plus is a SIGNIFICANT jump. No lie!

Is that more relevant dude? Happy to help you out...but basically, a simple surfing of that DPReview site could have easily turn up your answer to my mistake. But, glad to help a dude out. I am super excited to help you out as always.

How does being affiliated to Amazon (not Apple or Samsung or LG) affect this again? Do YOU have any concept of this at all????? Please don't preach to others when you don't have the slightest understanding of the concept yourself.

Again, if DPR advertises for Apple or Samsung, then yeah, i agree. CNET, for example, gets paid by Samsung for positive review...i consider that bias!! I don't think that Amazon even sell iPhone directly. It is thru a 3rd party i believe.

Did you know that many review sites (including the venerable ANANDTECH) have advertisement affiliates???? On Anandtech, you have companies advertising hardware...the same hardware that Anandtech is reviewing! Or go to ARSTECHNICA. Same thing. Car&Driver? Motortrend? Same thing...you have advertisements for the cars that they are reviewing! Toilet review sites actually have brand name toilets advertising on there!

DPR has links to Amazon...oh no!!!! The sky is falling!!! How could they???!!!!!

Oh wait....
[doublepost=1494072817][/doublepost]

I'm using my 6s+ while we're in our honeymoon in Hawaii. Granted the camera rocks when I'm not using my DSLR, but I don't think you'll get substantially better images if you go with the 7+ (unless you are taking a lot of portraits). Stick with the 6s+ and upgrade in the fall.

Rumor has it that the new camera system will have OIS on the "telephoto" lens. Sensor will likely be the same...since the 7/7+ sensor was all-new (according to Apple).

IF i had to guess (101% guess here), then the new iPhone 8 camera will be incremental (vs 7 Plus) in the quality of pics. But it may have more features for AR/VR etc..

My guess is that the new iPhone 8 will concentrate on the new design phone concept. You won't see major camera upgrades until iPhone 8S cycle.

For me, i mainly use my iPhone 7 Plus for quick pics and 4k video. For anything that i want quality pics, i use my DSLR...but that requires some planning on my part.

 

[OneMike]

As others said, no. Portrait is cool but beyond that the cameras are similar enough.

 

[Thai]

here is a Youtube video of the differences b/w 6s Plus vs. 7 Plus:

It up to the OP to determine if the differences are significant or not. I think that they are. Remember, given that the sensor size are the same (but new sensor apparently), the new lenses (F/1.8 in the wide angle) and much improved image processing power here make a difference. It is not night and day difference, but to do that much difference requires huge changes to the camera system. But to me, the difference b/w 6S Plus and 7 Plus is enough to separate the two camera...and that is before you add in the 2x optical "zoom" and PORTRAIT mode. DPReview agrees with that with their ratings.

To greatly improve image quality, Apple would need bigger sensor size in both sensor (in PLUS models) to capture more light and take more advantage of F/1.8 in the wide angle camera. But to do so would require even more processing power because there is now much more data to process. Just using PORTRAIT mode (or 4K video), my 7+ gets warm after a while...that shows you how much processing is needed! Now imagine more data being collected from the bigger sensor(s). A11 processor needs to be more powerful (and thus need bigger battery to compensate).

In other words, to greatly improve on 7+ quality requires major changes...something that i believe is too early for iPhone 8. Battery technology needs to improve as well given that iPhone 8 will be same size (if not slimmer) as 7/7+...to compensate for the processing power needed for the new camera system.

Totally guessing (100%)...as noted above, you want big changes? Wait for iPhone 8S or later.

 

[janeauburn]

No!