Apple introduced the iPhone 7 on September 7, 2016. The iPhone 7 was announced alongside the iPhone 7 Plus, and these two models formed the lineup for the 10th generation of the iPhone. These two models began shipping on September 16, 2016.
The iPhone 7 brought several improvements as compared to the previous generation iPhone 6S and 6S Plus. For example, the iPhone 7 lineup was the first to include an official rating for water-resistance. Unfortunately, the launch of the iPhone 7 lineup also brought some controversy because it was the first iPhone to ship without a 3.5mm headphone jack.
We’re now a few years beyond the launch of the iPhone 7, which means those who are currently using an iPhone 7 may be considering an upgrade. Continue reading to see how the iPhone 7 stacks up against other iPhone models.
Table of contents:
- iPhone 7 vs 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 7 vs 12 Pro
- iPhone 7 vs 12 mini
- iPhone 7 vs 12
- iPhone 7 vs SE 2020
- iPhone 7 vs 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 7 vs 11 Pro
- iPhone 7 vs 11
- iPhone 7 vs XS Max
- iPhone 7 vs XS
- iPhone 7 vs Xr
- iPhone 7 vs X
- iPhone 7 vs 8 Plus
- iPhone 7 vs 8
- iPhone 7 vs 7 Plus
iPhone 7 vs 12 Pro Max
Choosing to upgrade from an iPhone 7 to the iPhone 12 Pro Max would result in a massive boost in terms of performance. You would be going from a phone powered by the Apple A10 Fusion processor, to a phone powered by the A14 Bionic chip with Next-generation Neural Engine. You would also get much better battery life, a better camera, and a nicer (and larger) display.
| iPhone 7 | iPhone 12 Pro Max | |
| Processor | Apple A10 Fusion | Apple A14 Bionic with Next-generation Neural Engine |
| RAM | 2GB | 6GB |
| Storage | 32GB, 128GB, 256GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Display | 4.7-inch Retina HD display (1334 x 750) | 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display (2778 x 1284) |
| Front Camera | 7MP FaceTime HD | 12MP TrueDepth |
| Rear Camera | Single 12MP Wide camera | Pro 12MP Ultra-wide, Wide, and Telephoto |
| Water Resistance | IP67 | IP68 |
| Battery | 1,960 mAh | 3,687 mAh |
| Original Retail Price | Starting at $649 | Starting at $1,099 |
Choosing to upgrade from an iPhone 7 to the iPhone 12 Pro Max would result in a massive boost in terms of performance. You would be going from a phone powered by the Apple A10 Fusion processor, to a phone powered by the A14 Bionic chip with Next-generation Neural Engine. You would also get much better battery life, a better camera, and a nicer (and larger) display.
The current iPhone 12 Pro Max pricing can be seen below, and you can learn more about how the iPhone 12 Pro Max compares to the iPhone 7 in our comparison guide.
START AT
iPhone 7 vs 12 Pro
Upgrading from an iPhone 7 to an iPhone 12 Pro would give an upgrade experience similar to going from the iPhone 7 vs 12 Pro Max — just in a slightly smaller package. The iPhone 12 Pro features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display, which means the display is more than an inch larger than the iPhone 7. Of course, this does mean an increase in the size of the phone itself. The iPhone 7 measures in at 5.44 (H) by 2.64 (W) by 0.28 (D), and the iPhone 12 Pro measures in at 5.78 (H) by 2.82 (W) by 0.29 (D).
| iPhone 7 | iPhone 12 Pro | |
| Processor | Apple A10 Fusion | Apple A14 Bionic with Next-generation Neural Engine |
| RAM | 2GB | 6GB |
| Storage | 32GB, 128GB, 256GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Display | 4.7-inch Retina HD display (1334 x 750) | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display (2532 x 1170) |
| Front Camera | 7MP FaceTime HD | 12MP TrueDepth |
| Rear Camera | Single 12MP Wide camera | Pro 12MP Ultra-wide, Wide, and Telephoto |
| Water Resistance | IP67 | IP68 |
| Battery | 1,960 mAh | 2,815 mAh |
| Original Retail Price | Starting at $649 | Starting at $999 |
The iPhone 12 Pro also has support for 5G networks, along with 4G LTE. The iPhone 7 doesn’t support 5G. Battery life on the iPhone 12 Pro tops out at an estimated 17 hours for video playback, whereas the iPhone 7 topped out at 13 hours. The iPhone 12 Pro also supports wireless charging using the Qi-standard, or the newly introduced MagSafe charging, neither of which are available on the iPhone 7.
Apple doesn’t recommend swimming or submerging your phone, but both models do have an IP rating in case they accidentally get wet. The iPhone 7 has an IP67 rating (1 meter up to 30 minutes) and the iPhone 12 Pro improves that to an IP68 rating (6 meters for up to 30 minutes).
The other notable area of improvement is the camera setup. The iPhone 7 has a 7MP FaceTime HD camera on the front and a single 12MP wide-angle camera on the back. The iPhone 12 Pro brings a 12MP TrueDepth camera on the front, and a triple 12MP wide-angle, ultra-wide angle, and telephoto camera on the back. The 12 Pro also adds new camera features such as a LiDAR scanner for improved autofocus in low-light, Night Mode, Deep Fusion, and Apple ProRAW.
The current iPhone 12 Pro pricing can be seen below, and you can learn more about how the iPhone 12 Pro compares to the iPhone 7 in our comparison guide.
START AT
iPhone 7 vs 12 mini
Many of the iPhone models that came after the iPhone 7 are larger, which is something that not everyone wanted. If you’ve been holding out for a newer phone that is also a small phone — the iPhone 12 mini may be the upgrade for you. The iPhone 12 mini is a current-generation iPhone, which means it is powered by the latest Apple A14 Bionic chip. This will bring a big performance boost as compared to the iPhone 7.
| iPhone 7 | iPhone 12 mini | |
| Processor | Apple A10 Fusion | Apple A14 Bionic with Next-generation Neural Engine |
| RAM | 2GB | 4GB |
| Storage | 32GB, 128GB, 256GB | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
| Display | 4.7-inch Retina HD display (1334 x 750) | 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR display (2340 x 1080) |
| Front Camera | 7MP FaceTime HD | 12MP TrueDepth |
| Rear Camera | Single 12MP Wide camera | Dual 12MP Ultra-wide and Wide |
| Water Resistance | IP67 | IP68 |
| Battery | 1,960 mAh | 2,227 mAh |
| Original Retail Price | Starting at $649 | Starting at $699 |
Key to the size of the phone. The iPhone 7 has a 4.7-inch display, and the iPhone 12 mini has a 5.4-inch display. But due to the change from Touch ID to Face ID and a shrinking of the bezels around the display, the iPhone 12 mini is actually smaller in overall size. The iPhone 7 measures in at 5.44 (H) by 2.64 (W) by 0.28 (D), and the iPhone 12 mini measures in at 5.18 (H) by 2.53 (W) by 0.29 (D).
Upgrading to the iPhone 12 mini also means a higher rating for water-resistance, better battery life, MagSafe charging, 5G connectivity, and more available storage space. The iPhone 7 storage topped out at 128GB, and the 12 mini allows you to get up to 256GB.
The other notable improvement is the camera setup. The front camera goes from a 7MP FaceTime HD to a 12MP TrueDepth, and the rear camera goes from a single 12MP wide-angle lens to a dual 12MP wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle lens. The improved camera hardware also means new camera features such as Night mode, Portrait mode, Portrait Lighting, Smart HDR 3, and the ability to record HDR video with Dolby Vision at up to 30 frames per second.
The current iPhone 12 mini pricing can be seen below, and you can learn more about how the iPhone 12 mini compares to the iPhone 7 in our comparison guide.
START AT
iPhone 7 vs 12
If you are using an iPhone 7 and planning to upgrade to the newest iPhone that isn’t mini-sized or Pro-branded — the iPhone 12 would be your best bet. Going from an iPhone 7 to the iPhone 12 would bring new features and performance improvements across the board. You would get a better display and newer processor, along with better battery life, a higher IP rating for water resistance, wireless charging, more internal storage, and a dramatically improved camera experience.
| iPhone 7 | iPhone 12 | |
| Processor | Apple A10 Fusion | Apple A14 Bionic with Next-generation Neural Engine |
| RAM | 2GB | 4GB |
| Storage | 32GB, 128GB, 256GB | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
| Display | 4.7-inch Retina HD display (1334 x 750) | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display (2532 x 1170) |
| Front Camera | 7MP FaceTime HD | 12MP TrueDepth |
| Rear Camera | Single 12MP Wide camera | Dual 12MP Ultra-wide and Wide |
| Water Resistance | IP67 | IP68 |
| Battery | 1,960 mAh | 2,815 mAh |
| Original Retail Price | Starting at $649 | Starting at $799 |
The display goes from a 4.7-inch Retina HD (1334 x 750) on the iPhone 7 to a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR (2532 x 1170) on the iPhone 12. The iPhone 12 display also supports True Tone, HDR, and has a Ceramic Shield front to better protect against drops. The iPhone 12 battery life tops out at an estimated 17 hours for video playback, with the iPhone 7 maxing out at 13 hours, and the IP rating goes from IP67 to IP68, which means going from 1 meter for up to 30 minutes to 6 meters for up to 30 minutes.
The iPhone 12 supports Qi-standard wireless charging, along with the new 15W Apple MagSafe wireless fast charging. The iPhone 12 allows for up to 256GB of storage space when the iPhone 7 topped out at 128GB. Perhaps the key for lots of iPhone users is the camera setup. The iPhone 12 has a 12MP TrueDepth on the front and a dual 12MP wide-angle and ultra-wide angle setup on the back. The iPhone 12 camera also has several features that weren’t available on the iPhone 7 such as Portrait mode, Portrait Lighting, Deep Fusion, and Night mode.
The current iPhone 12 pricing can be seen below, and you can learn more about how the iPhone 12 compares to the iPhone 7 in our comparison guide.
START AT
iPhone 7 vs SE 2020
The iPhone 7 to iPhone 12 upgrade would be really nice, but it would also be an expensive upgrade path. If you are looking to get a boost in performance, but also spend a bit less — consider the iPhone SE 2020. The iPhone SE 2020 is also referred to as the second-generation iPhone SE, and it was released as part of the same generation as the iPhone 11.
| iPhone 7 | iPhone SE (2020) | |
| Processor | Apple A10 Fusion | Apple A13 Bionic with Third-generation Neural Engine |
| RAM | 2GB | 3GB |
| Storage | 32GB, 128GB, 256GB | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
| Display | 4.7-inch Retina HD display (1334 x 750) | 4.7-inch Retina HD display (1334 x 750) |
| Front Camera | 7MP FaceTime HD | 7MP FaceTime HD |
| Rear Camera | Single 12MP Wide camera | Single 12MP Wide camera |
| Water Resistance | IP67 | IP67 |
| Battery | 1,960 mAh | 1,821 mAh |
| Original Retail Price | Starting at $649 | Starting at $399 |
The iPhone SE 2020 shares many similarities with the iPhone 7. They each have a 4.7-inch Retina HD display, use Touch ID for security, have an IP67 rating for water-resistance, a 7MP FaceTime HD camera on the front, and a 12MP wide-angle camera on the back. The two models also share near-identical measurements.
One perk of upgrading from an iPhone 7 to the SE 2020 is the available storage. The 7 maxed out at 128GB, and the SE 2020 allows for up to 256GB. But perhaps the key improvement is the newer processor. The iPhone SE 2020 uses the same processor as the iPhone 11, which ultimately means you would get a big performance boost as compared to the iPhone 7. The iPhone SE 2020 is powered by the Apple A13 Bionic with Third-generation Neural Engine.
The current iPhone SE 2020 pricing can be seen below, and you can learn more about how the iPhone SE 2020 compares to the iPhone 7 in our comparison guide.
START AT
iPhone 7 vs 11 Pro Max
Upgrading from an iPhone 7 to an iPhone 11 Pro Max would be a big upgrade, both in terms of performance, but also in terms of size. As suggested by its Max branding, the iPhone 11 Pro Max was the biggest model in the iPhone 11 lineup. It measures in at 6.22 (H) by 3.06 (W) by 0.32 (D), as compared to 5.44 (H) by 2.64 (W) by 0.28 (D) on the iPhone 7. Of course, the bigger size also means a bigger display. The iPhone 7 has a 4.7-inch display, and the iPhone 11 Pro Max has a 6.5-inch display.
| iPhone 7 | iPhone 11 Pro Max | |
| Processor | Apple A10 Fusion | Apple A13 Bionic with Third-generation Neural Engine |
| RAM | 2GB | 4GB |
| Storage | 32GB, 128GB, 256GB | 64GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Display | 4.7-inch Retina HD display (1334 x 750) | 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR display (2688 x 1242) |
| Front Camera | 7MP FaceTime HD | 12MP TrueDepth |
| Rear Camera | Single 12MP Wide camera | Triple 12MP Ultra-wide, Wide, and Telephoto |
| Water Resistance | IP67 | IP68 |
| Battery | 1,960 mAh | 3,969 mAh |
| Original Retail Price | Starting at $649 | Starting at $1,099 |
A few other notable areas of improvement include a newer and faster processor, better battery life, more storage space, and Qi-standard wireless charging. The iPhone 11 Pro Max is powered by Apple’s A13 Bionic chip with Third-generation Neural Engine, has a battery that can play video for up to 20 hours, and options to have 64GB, 256GB, or 512GB of storage.
As we often see from Apple, they make camera-related improvements with each new iPhone release. The iPhone 11 Pro Max camera setup is greatly improved as compared to the iPhone 7. The front-facing camera on the 11 Pro Max is a 12MP True Depth with Portrait Mode, and the rear camera setup includes a 12MP ultra-wide, wide-angle, and telephoto lens. The rear-camera setup brings features to include Portrait Mode and Portrait Lighting, next-generation Smart HDR, Deep Fusion, and Night Mode.
The current iPhone 11 Pro Max pricing can be seen below, and you can learn more about how the iPhone 11 Pro Max compares to the iPhone 7 in our comparison guide.
START AT
iPhone 7 vs 11 Pro
Upgrading from the iPhone 7 to the iPhone 11 Pro would mean an experience similar to the iPhone 11 Pro Max upgrade, as we outlined in the previous section. However, the iPhone 11 Pro is smaller in size, which could make it more appealing for someone coming from the iPhone 7. For comparison, the iPhone 7 measures in at 5.44 (H) by 2.64 (W) by 0.28 (D), and the iPhone 11 Pro measures in at 5.67 (H) by 2.81 (W) by 0.32 (W).
| iPhone 7 | iPhone 11 Pro | |
| Processor | Apple A10 Fusion | Apple A13 Bionic with Third-generation Neural Engine |
| RAM | 2GB | 4GB |
| Storage | 32GB, 128GB, 256GB | 64GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Display | 4.7-inch Retina HD display (1334 x 750) | 5.8-inch Super Retina XDR display (2436 x 1125) |
| Front Camera | 7MP FaceTime HD | 12MP TrueDepth |
| Rear Camera | Single 12MP Wide camera | Triple 12MP Ultra-wide, Wide, and Telephoto |
| Water Resistance | IP67 | IP68 |
| Battery | 1,960 mAh | 3,046 mAh |
| Original Retail Price | Starting at $649 | Starting at $999 |
The iPhone 11 Pro is bigger than the iPhone 7, but that means the phone also has a bigger display and a bigger battery. The iPhone 11 Pro display measures in at 5.8 inches. It is a Super Retina XDR display with a resolution of 2436 x 1125, and support for HDR and True Tone. Based on Apple battery estimates, the iPhone 11 Pro can offer up to 18 hours of video playback, whereas the iPhone 7 maxed out at 13 hours.
Of course, a newer iPhone means a newer and more powerful processor. The iPhone 11 Pro also has more available internal storage space. The iPhone 7 allowed for up to 128GB and the 11 Pro has options for up to 512GB.
A key feature for lots of users is the camera. Upgrading from the iPhone 7 to the iPhone 11 Pro means a better camera on the front, and back, along with new camera features such as Night Mode, Portrait Mode, Portrait Lighting, and Deep Fusion for better image processing. The front camera goes from a 7MP FaceTime HD camera to a 12MP TrueDepth camera, and the rear camera goes from a single 12MP wide camera to a triple 12MP wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto.
The current iPhone 11 Pro pricing can be seen below, and you can learn more about how the iPhone 11 Pro compares to the iPhone 7 in our comparison guide.
START AT
iPhone 7 vs iPhone 11
The iPhone 11 is part of the 13th-generation of the iPhone, and it was released alongside the 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max. The regular iPhone 11 was the most popular at the time of release, due to it having a lower price point. And, if you happen to be considering an upgrade from the iPhone 7 to the iPhone 11 — the price would be even better now.
| iPhone 7 | iPhone 11 | |
| Processor | Apple A10 Fusion | Apple A13 Bionic with Third-generation Neural Engine |
| RAM | 2GB | 4GB |
| Storage | 32GB, 128GB, 256GB | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
| Display | 4.7-inch Retina HD display (1334 x 750) | 6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD display (1792 x 828) |
| Front Camera | 7MP FaceTime HD | 12MP TrueDepth |
| Rear Camera | Single 12MP Wide camera | Dual 12MP Ultra-wide and Wide |
| Water Resistance | IP67 | IP68 |
| Battery | 1,960 mAh | 3,110 mAh |
| Original Retail Price | Starting at $649 | Starting at $699 |
The iPhone 11 was missing a few features that were found on the 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max models, but it will still make for a significant upgrade as compared to the iPhone 7. You would be getting a bigger phone in terms of the overall size and the display. The iPhone 11 measures in at 5.94 (H) by 2.98 (W) by 0.33 (D) and has a 6.1-inch display. The iPhone 11 display also has support for True Tone, which automatically adjusts based on the ambient lighting.
Looking at the iPhone 7 compared to the iPhone 11, and you would be getting a newer and more powerful processor, better battery life, a higher rating for water resistance, the ability to have up to 256GB of storage, wired fast charging, and Qi-standard wireless charging. You would also get an improved camera setup with new features such as Night Mode.
In addition, the iPhone 11 was also available in six different colors, which for some, could the perfect reason to upgrade. The color lineup included purple, yellow, green, black, white, and red.
The current iPhone 11 pricing can be seen below, and you can learn more about how the iPhone 11 compares to the iPhone 7 in our comparison guide.
START AT
iPhone 7 vs iPhone XS Max
The iPhone XS Max launched as part of the 12th-generation iPhone lineup, which included the iPhone XS and the Xr. The XS was the higher-end model of the three, and the XS Max was the supersized version. This means if you happen to be upgrading from an iPhone 7 to an iPhone XS Max — you would be getting a much larger phone. The iPhone XS Max measures in at 6.20 (H) by 3.05 (W), and in comparison, the iPhone 7 measures in at 5.44 (H) by 2.64 (W).
| iPhone 7 | iPhone XS Max | |
| Processor | Apple A10 Fusion | Apple A12 Bionic with Next-generation Neural Engine |
| RAM | 2GB | 4GB |
| Storage | 32GB, 128GB, 256GB | 64GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Display | 4.7-inch Retina HD display (1334 x 750) | 6.5-inch Super Retina HD display (2688 x 1242) |
| Front Camera | 7MP FaceTime HD | 7MP TrueDepth |
| Rear Camera | Single 12MP Wide camera | Dual 12MP Wide and Telephoto |
| Water Resistance | IP67 | IP68 |
| Battery | 1,960 mAh | 3,174 mAh |
| Original Retail Price | Starting at $649 | Starting at $1,099 |
Of course, the bigger size of the phone allows for a bigger display. The iPhone XS Max display (at 6.5 inches) is nearly 2 inches larger than the iPhone 7 (at 4.7 inches). The display also has a much higher resolution at 2688 x 1242, as well as features such as HDR and True Tone, which automatically adjusts the display brightness based on ambient light.
Another perk of the iPhone XS Max includes options for 256GB or 512GB of internal storage, whereas the iPhone 7 had a max of 128GB. A few other highlights include a newer and faster processor, better battery life, and Face ID instead of Touch ID. Naturally, as we are accustomed to seeing with the iPhone, the camera was improved going from the iPhone 7 to the XS Max.
The iPhone 7 has a single 12MP wide-angle camera on the back, and the XS Max has a dual 12MP setup with a wide-angle and telephoto lens. The improved camera hardware also allowed for new features such as Portrait Mode and Portrait Lighting.
The current iPhone XS Max pricing can be seen below, and you can learn more about how the iPhone XS Max compares to the iPhone 7 in our comparison guide.
START AT
iPhone 7 vs XS
If you read the comparison between the iPhone 7 and the XS Max and were thinking everything sounds good except for the size, consider the iPhone XS instead. The iPhone XS has a feature set similar to the iPhone XS Max, just on a smaller scale. A scale that places it closer to the size of the iPhone 7.
The iPhone XS measures in at 5.65 (H) by 2.79 (W), and the iPhone 7 measures in at 5.44 (H) by 2.64 (W). This does mean the iPhone XS is a bit bigger, but it also allows for a bigger display, which in the case of the XS means 5.8 inches, just over an inch larger than the iPhone 7. The iPhone XS display also has HDR and True Tone.
| iPhone 7 | iPhone XS | |
| Processor | Apple A10 Fusion | Apple A12 Bionic with Next-generation Neural Engine |
| RAM | 2GB | 4GB |
| Storage | 32GB, 128GB, 256GB | 64GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Display | 4.7-inch Retina HD display (1334 x 750) | 5.8-inch Super Retina HD display (2436 x 1125) |
| Front Camera | 7MP FaceTime HD | 7MP TrueDepth |
| Rear Camera | Single 12MP Wide camera | Dual 12MP Wide and Telephoto |
| Water Resistance | IP67 | IP68 |
| Battery | 1,960 mAh | 2,658 mAh |
| Original Retail Price | Starting at $649 | Starting at $999 |
Some of the other highlights of the iPhone XS include wired fast charging, Qi-standard wireless charging, up to 512GB of internal storage, and a faster processor for better day-to-day performance. The iPhone XS is powered by Apple’s A12 Bionic chip with Second-generation Neural Engine. The camera hardware was also improved, which allowed for new camera-related features such as Portrait Mode and Portrait Lighting.
The current iPhone XS pricing can be seen below, and you can learn more about how the iPhone XS compares to the iPhone 7 in our comparison guide.
START AT
iPhone 7 vs iPhone Xr
The iPhone Xr launched in 2018 with the iPhone XS and XS Max. The iPhone Xr was the popular model that year, notably due to the lower price point. That price point has dropped even further, which makes the iPhone Xr even more appealing — especially when you consider upgrading from an iPhone 7.
You would be getting a more modern iPhone, with notable improvements. But first, the iPhone Xr is available in a variety of colors, which are fun, and can be a good reason to choose the iPhone Xr. The color lineup included blue, white, black, yellow, coral, and red.
The current iPhone 12 Pro Max pricing can be seen below, and you can learn more about how the iPhone 12 Pro Max compares to the iPhone 7 in our comparison guide.
| iPhone 7 | iPhone Xr | |
| Processor | Apple A10 Fusion | Apple A12 Bionic with Second-generation Neural Engine |
| RAM | 2GB | 3GB |
| Storage | 32GB, 128GB, 256GB | 64GB, 128GB |
| Display | 4.7-inch Retina HD display (1334 x 750) | 6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD display (1792 x 828) |
| Front Camera | 7MP FaceTime HD | 7MP TrueDepth |
| Rear Camera | Single 12MP Wide camera | Single 12MP Wide camera |
| Water Resistance | IP67 | IP67 |
| Battery | 1,960 mAh | 2,942 mAh |
| Original Retail Price | Starting at $649 | Starting at $749 |
You don’t have to look hard for reasons aside from the color selection. The iPhone Xr has a 6.1-inch True Tone display with a resolution of 1792 x 828, which is an improvement over the 4.7-inch 1334 x 750 display on the iPhone 7. You would also be going from the A10 Fusion processor to the A12 Bionic, which means better performance, and better battery life.
Other big changes from the iPhone 7 to iPhone Xr is the shift from Touch ID to Face ID and the addition of wired fast charging and wireless charging using the Qi standard. That said, some aspects are similar, such as both models having a maximum storage capacity of 128GB, and an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance.
Lastly, the rear-camera hardware looked similar with both models having a single 12MP wide camera with an f/1.8 aperture. However, the iPhone Xr does have some camera-related features not found on the iPhone 7 such as Portrait Mode and Portrait Lighting, along with a bump from HDR to Smart HDR.
The current iPhone Xr pricing can be seen below, and you can learn more about how the iPhone Xr compares to the iPhone 7 in our comparison guide.
START AT
iPhone 7 vs iPhone X
The iPhone X was released in late 2017, which was only a year after the iPhone 7 was released. But despite the short one-year timeframe, the iPhone X marked a notable shift in the iPhone lineup. The X is the iPhone model that first shifted from a physical home button with Touch ID, to a gesture-based UI with Face ID. This allowed for a nearly bezel-free front face and edge-to-edge display, which ultimately meant larger screens could be packed into smaller phones.
| iPhone 7 | iPhone X | |
| Processor | Apple A10 Fusion | Apple A11 Bionic with Neural Engine |
| RAM | 2GB | 3GB |
| Storage | 32GB, 128GB, 256GB | 64GB, 256GB |
| Display | 4.7-inch Retina HD display (1334 x 750) | 5.8-inch Super Retina HD display (2436 x 1125) |
| Front Camera | 7MP FaceTime HD | 7MP TrueDepth |
| Rear Camera | Single 12MP Wide camera | Dual 12MP Wide and Telephoto |
| Water Resistance | IP67 | IP67 |
| Battery | 1,960 mAh | 2,716 mAh |
| Original Retail Price | Starting at $649 | Starting at $999 |
The iPhone X was a premium model when it was first introduced, and launched with a $999 price tag, placing it a few hundred dollars more than other iPhone models. That meant fewer people may have opted for the iPhone X at the time of launch, but it also means those higher-end features have aged better. And now, you can get a great deal on an iPhone X.
Notable improvements as compared to the iPhone 7 included a higher resolution display with HDR and True Tone, a newer processor, an option for more internal storage space, and a better camera setup. The rear camera on the iPhone X included a dual 12MP setup with a wide and telephoto lens. This newer camera hardware also brought Portrait Mode and Portrait Lighting, neither of which were available on the iPhone 7.
The current iPhone X pricing can be seen below, and you can learn more about how the iPhone X compares to the iPhone 7 in our comparison guide.
START AT
iPhone 7 vs 8 Plus
Upgrading from an iPhone 7 to an 8 Plus may not be a common upgrade path. However, it would be a good option to consider if you are currently using, and currently happy with the form factor of the iPhone 7. The iPhone 8 Plus brought some new features as compared to the iPhone 7, and it also brings a larger screen size.
| iPhone 7 | iPhone 8 Plus | |
| Processor | Apple A10 Fusion | Apple A11 Bionic with Neural Engine |
| RAM | 2GB | 3GB |
| Storage | 32GB, 128GB, 256GB | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
| Display | 4.7-inch Retina HD display (1334 x 750) | 5.5-inch Retina HD display (1920 x 1080) |
| Front Camera | 7MP FaceTime HD | 7MP TrueDepth |
| Rear Camera | Single 12MP Wide camera | Dual 12MP Wide and Telephoto |
| Water Resistance | IP67 | IP67 |
| Battery | 1,960 mAh | 2,691 mAh |
| Original Retail Price | Starting at $649 | Starting at $799 |
The iPhone 7 display is 4.7 inches, and the iPhone 8 Plus is 5.5 inches. Both models have a Retina HD display, however, the iPhone 8 Plus display is a higher resolution, at 1920 x 1080. The iPhone 8 Plus display also supports True Tone, which means the brightness will automatically adjust based on the ambient lighting.
The iPhone 8 Plus also had a better camera as compared to the iPhone 7. The iPhone 7 has a single 12MP wide-angle camera, and the 8 Plus has a dual 12MP wide and telephoto lens that allows for new features such as Portrait Mode and Portrait Lighting. Both the iPhone 7 and 8 Plus support 4k video recording, but the 8 Plus allows added support for 24fps and 60fps. The iPhone 7 only allowed 4k at 30fps.
Some other highlights for the iPhone 8 Plus, that wasn’t available on the iPhone 7 include fast charging and wireless charging using the Qi standard.
The current iPhone 8 Plus pricing can be seen below, and you can learn more about how the iPhone 8 Plus compares to the iPhone 7 in our comparison guide.
START AT
iPhone 7 vs 8
The iPhone 7 and the iPhone 8 offered a very similar experience overall, with many of the same features from model to model. For example, both models have a 4.7-inch Retina HD display, a 12MP wide-angle camera, and up to 128GB of available storage space. Both models also have a similar overall size, and both use a home button with Touch ID for device security.
| iPhone 7 | iPhone 8 | |
| Processor | Apple A10 Fusion | Apple A11 Bionic with Neural Engine |
| RAM | 2GB | 2GB |
| Storage | 32GB, 128GB, 256GB | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
| Display | 4.7-inch Retina HD display (1334 x 750) | 4.7-inch Retina HD display (1334 x 750) |
| Front Camera | 7MP FaceTime HD | 7MP TrueDepth |
| Rear Camera | Single 12MP Wide camera | Single 12MP Wide camera |
| Water Resistance | IP67 | IP67 |
| Battery | 1,960 mAh | 1,821 mAh |
| Original Retail Price | Starting at $649 | Starting at $699 |
One change with the iPhone 8 was a glass back, which allowed for wireless charging. The iPhone 8 uses the Qi-wireless standard. The iPhone 8 also supports fast (wired) charging, which is another feature that was not available with the iPhone 7. Otherwise, the iPhone 8 also had a newer processor, as compared to the iPhone 7, which means the phone will offer better performance in day-to-day use.
The current iPhone 8 pricing can be seen below, and you can learn more about how the iPhone 8 compares to the iPhone 7 in our comparison guide.
START AT
iPhone 7 vs 7 Plus
Upgrading from an iPhone 7 to an iPhone 7 Plus is not a common upgrade path. However, it would be a good option for someone who is currently using, and currently happy with an iPhone 7 — but wants a slightly bigger phone. Both models are powered by the same Apple A10 Fusion chip so the overall performance would be the same. Both also allow for up to 128GB of internal storage, and both use Touch ID and a home button for device security.
| iPhone 7 | iPhone 7 Plus | |
| Processor | Apple A10 Fusion | Apple A10 Fusion |
| RAM | 2GB | 3GB |
| Storage | 32GB, 128GB, 256GB | 32GB, 128GB, 256GB |
| Display | 4.7-inch Retina HD display (1334 x 750) | 5.5-inch Retina HD display (1920 x 1080) |
| Front Camera | 7MP FaceTime HD | 7MP FaceTime HD |
| Rear Camera | Single 12MP Wide camera | Dual 12MP Wide and Telephoto |
| Water Resistance | IP67 | IP67 |
| Battery | 1,960 mAh | 2,900 mAh |
| Original Retail Price | Starting at $649 | Starting at $769 |
The most notable difference is the size of the phone, and the size of the display, both of which are bigger on the iPhone 7 Plus. The iPhone 7 Plus has a 5.5-inch display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080, and the iPhone 7 has a 4.7-inch display with a resolution of 1334 x 750. The measurements of the 7 Plus are 6.23 (H) by 3.07 (W) by 0.29 (D), and the measurements of the 7 are 5.44 (H) by 2.64 (W) by 0.28 (D).
The other change coming from the iPhone 7 to 7 Plus deals with the rear-camera. The iPhone 7 has a single 12MP wide-angle camera, and the 7 Plus has a dual 12MP wide-angle and telephoto setup. This additional camera lens on the back allowed for Portrait Mode, which was not available on the regular iPhone 7.
The current iPhone 7 Plus pricing can be seen below, and you can learn more about how the iPhone 7 Plus compares to the iPhone 7 in our comparison guide.
START AT
Apple recently released the iPhone 12 lineup, which serves as the 14th generation of the iPhone. Upgrading from the iPhone 7 to an iPhone 12 would be an upgrade path that gives you a significant boost in terms of performance and features. However, it should also be said that every generation released since the iPhone 7 has brought improvements.
A brand new iPhone 12 would certainly make a nice upgrade, but it would also be an expensive upgrade. Choosing to buy newish from the Swappa marketplace, and picking up a model that isn’t the newest is a great way to save money. You can also take comfort in knowing the Swappa marketplace is safe, secure, and easy-to-use.
Snag the best deals on used iPhones wherever you go. Download the Swappa App today!
