Are you standing in line outside an Apple Store? Did you pre-order the iPhone 7 online? Well, there are plenty of ways you can buy Apple’s latest iPhone 7 models this year. Pricing too seems to be pretty much in check, with Apple offering higher storage options with price tags that may not necessarily shock Apple upgraders.
The new iPhones this year are even more powerful than last year’s iPhone 6s and recent Geekbench results also revealed that it’s way more powerful than the just announced Google Pixel smartphones.
While the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus may appear to be “iPhone perfection” in Apple’s eyes, derived from the iPhone 6 and 6s models, they’re not actually perfect. So here are a few pointers you should keep in mind before you take the leap.
Storage options
Unlike iPhone models that were launched in the past, Apple finally culled the 16GB variant with the iPhone 7. The base model now starts from 32GB instead, which is good news for those who wanted an updated basic iPhone 7, but the lowest official price for the same starts from Rs 60,000. Moreover, the base model will not be available in the much sought after Jet Black variant as the new finish will only be offered with the 128GB and 256GB options. The much-loved 64GB version is no more so those looking for similar storage capacity will have to shell out Rs 70,000 for the 128GB model.
As a bonus, the previous generation iPhones, the 6s, 6s Plus and SE, also offer similar storage options.
Jet Black
It may look slick, but an iPhone 7 in ‘Jet Black’ will see plenty of scratch marks on its delicate, shiny metal finish. As I pointed out in a previous piece, Apple actually offers a disclaimer at the bottom of the page, which suggests that it gets scratched easily. If you are going in for one though, make sure you buy a microfibre cleaning cloth to keep it scratch-free, as rubbing it on your garments or jeans will lead to scratch marks on the back.
If you’re worried about scratches, the ‘Black’ matte-finished model is a better option.
Charging and the case of the missing 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes. If you are have a collection of wired headphones, you should already know how much of debate this has been even before the official announcement of the iPhone 7. With 3.5mm headphone jack missing from the device, Apple offers a lighting to 3.5mm adaptor in the box.
So you will have an appendage to connect to, before you plug in your snazzy, wired headgear. With that said, it is easier (but more expensive) to buy a pair of quality Bluetooth headphones to make your life easier. Why? Like the MacBook, charging and using your lightning headphones simultaneously is now not possible without an additional adaptor.
With that said, Phil Schiller from Apple did point out that one could purchase an additional Apple iPhone Lightning Dock to use the two simultaneously. The Dock should set you back by a good Rs 3,500-5000 (again, not listed in India). Apple could have solved the issue by including wireless charging, but we think the company’s use of an all-metal design meant that it had to be chucked out.
Apple’s AirPods
They’re pricey and they look impractical and depending on what’s on your mind they could appear like small hair dryers or electric toothbrush heads. In short, they’re just not cool nor practical but Apple CEO, Tim Cook thinks otherwise. Oh, and they go for an absurd Rs 15,000.
Dual-Camera
It may sound like a gimmick, but dual-camera setups on most premium and mid-range smartphones do serve a purpose if used right. Apple’s dual-camera system on the iPhone 7 Plus will give you better pictures with its new portrait mode, but that will only be available when a software update arrives. The update is currently stuck in an iOS 10 beta and should arrive with the next patch. What you do get with the iPhone 7 Plus is 1X optical zoom and up to 10X digital zoom.
Waterproof
Apple for the first time officially introduced its iPhone this year claiming that they are IP67-rated for dust and water resistance. While it may not be advisable to take one swimming nor click pictures underwater, you will surely be able to place calls in the shower or when its raining without worrying about your phone getting damaged.
Home button
A bigger taptic engine replaced the 3.5 mm jack
Apple decided to go in for a Force Touch static home button this year. While many will be happy that they will not have to worry about checking their warranty before it gets damaged, this new home button cannot be pressed down. Thanks to the Taptic Engine it gives you vibrations that should giving you a feeling that it is being pressed down. The good part is that it is customisable, to some extent.
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