The New Apple iPhone 7: Buyer Beware

The new Apple AirPods are not included with purchase.
Photo Courtesy of The Telegraph

Apple has been renowned in the past for its innovative and forward-thinking technological advances. Apple, as a company, was one of the first to introduce a home computer, wireless technology for the general population, and bring us the joys of music and video entertainment in ways previously unheard of. But does the new iPhone, fresh off of the production line, measure up to the high standards that Apple has been known for? The answer might surprise you.

    To begin with, I am trying to remain as unbiased as possible since I own a Galaxy S7, but what I will be doing is taking into comparison Samsung’s latest phone, the S7, to the newest iPhone. Let’s take a look at the specifications.

    For starters, in the press release given by Apple, which can be found at http://www.apple.com/newsroom/2016/09/apple-introduces-iphone-7-iphone-7-plus.html, repeatedly states that this iPhone will have a battery life that is “the longest battery life ever in an iPhone”, without ever actually giving data about how long the battery actually lasts. According to staff at knowyourmobile.com, who conduct analyses of the latest mobile devices, the Galaxy S7 currently has the longest lasting battery life at just shy of 18 hours after continuous usage. There are no reports yet of exactly how long the battery lasts in the iPhone 7, but I urge consumers to beware.

    The next most important thing to everyone is how much space you have on your phone to store all of your data: photos, movies, games, important documents, etc. Again, the S7 already has the iPhone 7 beat. According to knowyourmobile.com, the iPhone 7 Plus that is being released alongside the regular iPhone 7 has only 3GB of RAM, whereas the Galaxy S7 has 4GB. That can mean a difference of up to 715 pictures, depending on the camera quality.

    Speaking of camera quality, the iPhone is just barely beaten in that aspect as well. Both the Galaxy S7 and the new iPhone 7 offer a 12 megapixel camera, but in terms of aperture, Samsung’s is just slightly better, being at an f/1.7 as opposed to the iPhone’s f/1.8. For more information on how aperture affects picture quality, visit photographylife.com.

    One other major point that the iPhone press release kept emphasizing was the iPhone’s resistance to dust and water. Unfortunately for the iPhone, it’s been common knowledge that Samsung’s Galaxy S7 is already water resistant. And, in case anyone wasn’t aware, Samsung confirms on their website that the Galaxy S7 is waterproof in up to 5 feet.

    Finally, we have what knowyourmobile.com calls “the silliest thing Apple’s ever released”: the Airpods. Wireless ear buds for each ear in lieu of a standard 3.5 mm audio jack are Apple’s idea of being innovative. I don’t feel it’s right to give an opinionated statement on this considering the Galaxy S7 doesn’t have any kind of equivalent. However, Apple is being lenient in this regard by including an adapter to allow people to use their old headphones. 

    So what about price? Sorry Apple, but your Airpods are simply too expensive. Although the Galaxy is just above the pricing of the regular phone at $649 for the Iphone and $649.99 for the Galaxy, it offers either a free VR simulator or a free 256 GB memory card, which are $149.99 and $249.99 respectively. From what the press release shows, the iPhone 7 will not be including the $159 Airpods with purchase, since those will not be released until October.

    I am not one to judge anybody for brand loyalty, since I am just as guilty of it. I merely wish to educate the masses, and from what I can tell, the iPhone 7 is not a good buy. I would highly recommend the Galaxy S7, which at this point people might be able to find used on eBay for a cheaper price than a new one. But, if you really want the new iPhone, then let the buyer beware.