Apple iPhone 7 Plus

Overview & Display

The iPhone 7 Plus arrived with a design that still feels substantial in the hand. Its aluminum back and frame, paired with a Corning-made glass front, give it a premium build quality. The 5.5-inch Retina IPS LCD delivers a sharp 1080x1920 resolution at roughly 401 pixels per inch, and with 625 nits of typical brightness, outdoor visibility is solid. The screen-to-body ratio sits around 67.7%, which means there are noticeable bezels, but the 3D Touch display adds a layer of interactivity that makes the phone feel responsive. With IP67 dust and water resistance, it can handle a splash or a brief dunk. Stereo speakers provide a genuinely immersive multimedia experience, whether you're watching video or listening to music.

Under the hood, the A10 Fusion chipset keeps things moving briskly. The quad-core setup, with two high-performance Hurricane cores and two efficiency-focused Zephyr cores, handles everyday tasks without breaking a sweat. Paired with 3GB of RAM, the iPhone 7 Plus manages multitasking comfortably. Storage options range from 32GB to 256GB, and the NVMe storage means apps load quickly. It launched with iOS 10.0.1 and can be upgraded to iOS 15.8.5, so it has aged gracefully in terms of software support. For a phone that's been around a while, it still handles daily multitasking, messaging, and media consumption with ease.

Camera & Battery

The dual-camera setup on the iPhone 7 Plus was a standout feature. The 12MP wide lens with f/1.8 aperture and optical image stabilization captures detailed, steady shots, while the 12MP telephoto lens with f/2.8 aperture offers 2x optical zoom. This means you can get closer to your subject without sacrificing image quality. The quad-LED dual-tone flash helps produce natural-looking colors in low light. For video, the phone records 4K at 30fps, and slow-motion capture is available at 1080p up to 120fps or 720p at 240fps. The 7MP front camera handles selfies and records 1080p video.

Battery life is respectable for a phone of this era. The 2900mAh non-removable battery offers up to 21 hours of talk time on 3G and around 384 hours of standby. In real-world use, it comfortably gets through a full day of moderate activity. The endurance rating of 75 hours in tests suggests it holds up well for mixed usage. Charging is handled through the Lightning port, and there's no headphone jack, so you'll need wireless headphones or a dongle for wired audio. It's a reliable setup for daily use.

Who Should Buy This

The iPhone 7 Plus is best suited for someone who wants a large-screen iPhone experience in a familiar design. It's a great choice for media consumers who appreciate the 5.5-inch display and stereo speakers, and for photography enthusiasts who want optical zoom and OIS. It also works well as a secondary phone or a first smartphone for someone who doesn't need the latest features. However, if you rely on a headphone jack or want the newest iOS version, this might not be the right fit. Those who prioritize the absolute latest camera technology should look elsewhere. For everyone else, it remains a capable, dependable device.

Pros

• Dual 12MP cameras with 2x optical zoom
• IP67 water and dust resistance
• Stereo speakers for immersive audio
• 3D Touch display adds useful interactivity
• Up to 256GB NVMe storage option

Cons

• No 3.5mm headphone jack
• No expandable storage option
• Discontinued; limited availability
• Software updates stop at iOS 15

Verdict

The iPhone 7 Plus remains a solid choice for those who value a large display, capable dual cameras, and dependable performance. Its aluminum build, IP67 rating, and stereo speakers add to the appeal. The main limitations are the missing headphone jack, the capped iOS version, and the fact that it's no longer in production. If you can live with those trade-offs, it's still a comfortable daily driver for media, photography, and communication. For a phone released back in 2016, it has held up remarkably well.