Nine things you need to know about the new iPhone 7
Is it worth an update?
Beck Diefenbach/Reuters/File
This week, Apple unveiled the iPhone7, which boasts a sleek new design available in two new colors. It includes a new camera, increased memory, and more.
But is it worth an upgrade? Here's what you need to know.
New Sleek Water Resistant Design
Although the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus are the same size as their iPhone 6s counterparts, these new phones are now dust- and water-resistant. The aluminum case has a sleeker design, with the antenna integrated into the casing.
Plus, it comes in two new colors: the glossy "jet black," and a matte finish simply called "black." It will also be available in the traditional iPhone colors of gold, silver, and rose gold.
More Memory at the Same Price
The new iPhone 7 and 7 Plus are available for preorder on September 9 for the same price as the iPhone 6's introductory price: $649 and $769, respectively. However, for the first time ever, the base model comes with 32GB of memory instead of 16GB, with 128GB and 256GB available for an additional $100 and $200, respectively. (The jet black finish is only available on 128GB and 256GB models.)
Additionally, Apple is now offering the iPhone 6s with the same amounts of memory. The new phones will ship September 16.
Yes, the Auxiliary Port Is History
As many people anticipated, Apple finally did away with the auxiliary port. So instead of plugging your headphones into a traditional jack, you will now plug the included earbuds into the lightning connector. However, Apple is also initially including a lightning-to-auxiliary adapter, should you want to use your old cans.
You Have the Option to Go Wireless
So why did Apple do away with the auxiliary port? To make room for new technology, like the W1 chip, which allows you to go completely wireless should you so choose. Beginning in late October,Apple will be offering its wireless Airpods, which pair with your iPhone and will retail for $159.
Apple also announced that Beats will be offering a selection of compatible headphones.
You Can Also Go Stereo
Let's assume you're the type of person who is considerate of the people around them: The new iPhone will come with stereo speakers for watching movies, music videos, and other content in an appropriate setting. The company claims this makes the peak volume twice as loud.
Better Cameras for Better Photographs
The iPhone 7 will come with a 12-megapixel rear-facing camera equipped with optical image stabilization and a six-element lens with an f.18 aperture. It will also feature a true-tone quad-LED flash that will emit 50% more light than the flashes on previous iPhones. Even better, it will capture RAW images that can be edited in the new iOS 10. It will also have an improved 7MP front-facing camera.
The iPhone 7 Plus will come with not one, but two rear-facing cameras. The two cameras will be used in unison to allow you to zoom in by up 10X. They will also allow users to create photos with depth maps, which makes for more DSLR-esque portraits.
It Comes with the "Most Powerful Chip Ever in a Smartphone"
The iPhone 7 features Apple's new A10 chip, which the company is touting as the "most powerful chip ever in a smartphone." This quad-chip features 64-bit architecture that is supposedly 120x smarter than the original iPhone.
There Will Be a New Mario Game to Play On It
Apple also announced today that it has teamed with Nintendo for the first ever traditional Nintendo smartphone game. Exclusively made for iOS, Super Mario Run will be available in the Apple App Store in December. It will be free to try, with the price for the full version still to be determined.
You Can Pair It With a New Apple Watch
Apple also unveiled the new Apple Watch Series 2, which will be available at the same time as the new iPhone. These new watches are water-resistant to 50 meters and available in a new white ceramic model. They also now feature built-in GPS and a new GPU that is twice as fast as on previous models.
Apple also revealed a new Nike+ model aimed at running enthusiasts.
This article first appeared in DealNews.