The first iPhone arrived in 2007, and Apple has released at least one new model every year since. The most recent release is the iPhone 12 family and it is the 14th generation. We’re pretty certain you are not still using one of the original models from 2007, but regardless of the model you have in your hand — you’ve probably wondered whether it is still worth it, or whether it still meets your needs and expectations. Continue reading to find out if the iPhone 7 Plus is worth it in 2021.
Table of contents:
- When was the iPhone 7 Plus released?
- What are the specs for the iPhone 7 Plus?
- Is the iPhone 7 Plus worth it in 2021?
Read our iPhone 7 Plus Buyer’s Guide and our iPhone 7 Plus Upgrade/Comparison Guide
When was the iPhone 7 Plus released?
Apple released the iPhone 7 Plus in September 2016. The iPhone 7 Plus was released along with the iPhone 7, and these two models make up the 10th generation iPhone lineup. The 11th generation iPhone lineup, consisting of the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X, was released in September 2017. However, Apple didn’t immediately discontinue the iPhone 7 Plus. The iPhone 7 Plus remained available from Apple until September 2019. Today, in 2021, you can easily find gently used models selling at low prices.
What are the iPhone 7 Plus specs?
The iPhone 7 Plus overall style is very similar to the iPhone 6 Plus and the iPhone 6s Plus, but there were some key improvements in specs. Of course, there was also a bit of controversy surrounding the launch of the iPhone 7 Plus. The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus were the first iPhones to ship without a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Some of the key improvements coming from those earlier models included the newer and more powerful Apple A10 Fusion chip, an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, and a dual 12MP wide and telephoto camera setup on the back. It isn’t really a surprise that the iPhone 7 Plus saw improvements compared to the previous generation iPhones, but perhaps the bigger question is how the iPhone 7 Plus stands up against newer models such as the iPhone 8 Plus and the 2nd generation iPhone SE.
| iPhone 7 Plus specs | iPhone 8 Plus specs | iPhone SE (2020) specs | |
| Display | 5.5-inch Retina HD | 5.5-inch Retina HD | 4.7-inch Retina HD |
| Processor | Apple A10 Fusion | Apple A11 Bionic | Apple A13 Bionic |
| RAM | 3GB | 3GB | 3GB |
| Storage | 32GB, 128GB, 256GB | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
| Front Camera | 7MP FaceTime HD | 7MP FaceTime HD | 7MP FaceTime HD |
| Rear Camera | Dual 12MP wide and telephoto | Dual 12MP wide and telephoto | Single 12MP wide |
| Water Resistance | IP67 | IP67 | IP67 |
| Battery | 2,900 mAh | 2,691 mAh | 1,821 mAh |
Aside from the specs that were outlined in the table above, the iPhone 8 Plus added support for a few new features such as Qi wireless charging, and fast wired charging which means you can get a 50% charge in 30 minutes using an Apple 20W power adapter. The iPhone 8 Plus also added Portrait Lighting and a True Tone display.
The iPhone SE (2020) is a newer phone, and as suggested by the name, it was released in 2020, which means it has a newer and more powerful processor. The iPhone SE (2020) is powered by the Apple A13 Bionic chip with a third-generation Neural Engine — the same chip that powers the iPhone 11.
You will also notice quite a few similarities when you compare the specs of the iPhone 7 Plus and the iPhone SE (2020), and in some cases, it may appear as if you are being downgraded. For example, the rear camera goes from a dual 12MP setup to a single 12MP wide camera. But while the iPhone SE (2020) only has a single 12MP wide camera, the key features such as next-generation Smart HDR, Portrait Mode, and Portrait Lighting are included.
Is the iPhone 7 Plus worth it in 2021?
Here at Swappa, we believe the iPhone 7 Plus is worth buying in 2021. And while the iPhone 7 Plus isn’t always amongst the top 10 selling phones on Swappa, the iPhone 7 (released at the same time) is almost always on the top-selling list — often sitting right near the top of the list. The main difference between the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus is the size.
The iPhone 7 (and 7 Plus) are still in demand, and the bottom line is simple: If you are looking for a smartphone that can handle day-to-day needs such as making phone calls, handling text messages and emails, and maybe some social media — the iPhone 7 Plus can deliver at a really affordable price.
Learn more about the iPhone 7 Plus in our iPhone 7 Plus Overview and iPhone 7 Plus Comparison Guide. Then, begin your search for a gently used iPhone 7 Plus by tapping the widget below.
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