Apple announces iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus – here's what they'll cost you
Apple has tonight revealed the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, which go on sale in the UK on 16 September, with new features such as water and dust resistance and a beefed-up camera. Apple is also bringing its iPhone Upgrade Programme to the UK.
Of course, iPhones are not MoneySaving, and first adopters usually pay the highest prices, but if you're desperate to get your hands on the latest handset – or you just want to know what the fuss is about – we've a full rundown here.
UK handset prices have been announced (see below), with pre-orders starting from Friday 9 September, although UK contract tariffs are yet to be revealed by networks. We'll update our Cheap iPhones guide when we know more.
Prices have gone up for each model compared with the iPhone 6s at launch in 2015, though storage capacity has doubled at each price point:
iPhone 7 prices (including VAT)
£599 for the 32GB model
£699 for the 128GB model
£799 for the 256GB model
iPhone 7 Plus prices (including VAT)
£719 for the 32GB model
£819 for the 128GB model
£919 for the 256GB model
'iPhone Upgrade Programme' coming to the UK
Previously launched in the US, Apple is also introducing its upgrade programme to the UK, which lets you upgrade to the latest iPhone each year for an ongoing monthly payment.
Prices start from £33.45/month and include 'Applecare+' (insurance cover and technical support). We will provide a full analysis of the programme soon – for the time being, see Apple's website for more information.
iPhone 6s prices drop
For a cheaper version, consider going for the iPhone 6s or 6s Plus, new models of which, for the first time, will see an increase in storage in addition to a drop in price.
The iPhone 6s will cost £499 and £599 for the 32GB and 128GB models respectively, while the 6s Plus will cost £599 (32GB) and £699 (128GB). Apple will no longer sell the iPhone 6.
What's new with the iPhone 7?
Here's a rundown of the phone's new features – see below for a comparison with the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s.
Design
The designs of iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus aren't radically different from those of their predecessors, though both come in two new colours.
Both will come in a glossy 'Jet Black' (available with 128GB and 256GB only) – giving a 'seamless surface' between the glass front and aluminium back – as well as in matte black. The pre-existing Silver Gold and Rose Gold colours are also available, with Space Grey being dropped.
Notably the new handsets are water and dust resistant also, and the home button is now 'force sensitive' for a "more responsive" experience.
Audio hardware
The iPhone 7 also sees the removal of the headphone jack, with all audio now going via the 'Lightning port' (which will also be used for charging).
Compatible Lightning 'EarPods' (Apple headphones) will come with all handsets, along with a 3.5mm adapter – meaning you'll still be able to use your old headphones. New wireless 'AirPods' were also announced, though these will cost extra (£159).
This iPhone will also be the first to have stereo speakers – one at the top and one at the bottom.
Camera
The camera was one of the biggest features on show today, seeing some notable improvements.
Optical image stabilisation will come on all new iPhones, allowing for up to three times longer exposure. The camera also includes a wider aperture lens, with a 12-megapixel sensor that's 60% faster.
The iPhone 7 Plus only will see the introduction of two rear cameras with different lenses – one with a 2x optical zoom and 10x digital zoom – allowing for greater image quality on shots taken from further away.
Apple announces iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus
Performance & screen
The new model includes Apple's 'A10 Fusion' chip with two high-performance CPU cores (CPU stands for central processing unit – the part often referred to as the 'brains' of a computer or phone). These are each 40% faster than the A9 chip found in the 6s. It also has two 'high-performance' cores that operate on less power to save battery.
The phone's screen will also be 25% brighter, and incorporate a 'wide-colour gamut', providing a more vibrant and colourful image. Screen resolution remains at those of the 6 and 6s – 1334x750 and 1920x1080 on the Plus model.
iOS 10
Both devices will come pre-installed with Apple's latest mobile-operating system, iOS 10, which is being made available for download for those with older devices from Tuesday 13 September.
New features of iOS 10 include the ability to 'wake' your phone by picking it up (lighting the screen, allowing you to start using it), and increased compatibility for Home Kit, Apple's 'smart home' app, for controlling utilities and devices in your home.
For the Nintendo fans out there, Mario will also be available on iOS by the end of the year, in the form of a new game called 'Super Mario Run'.
iPhone 6 vs iPhone 6s vs iPhone 7
Here's a comparison of the iPhone 7 compared with those of 2014 and 2015 (we've excluded the Plus models to keep things simple):
iPhone model comparison
iPhone 6 (2014) | iPhone 6s (2015) | iPhone 7 (2016) | |
---|---|---|---|
Camera | 8MP/1080p video (rear); 1.2MP (front) | 12MP/4K video (rear); 5MP (front) | 12MP/4K video (rear); 7MP (front) |
Screen resolution | 1334x750 | 1334x750 | 1334x750 |
Chipset | Apple A8 (1GB RAM) | Apple A9 (2GB RAM) | A10 'Fusion' (2GB RAM) |
Battery | 1810MAh | 1715MAh | N/A (1) |
Headphone jack | Yes | Yes | No (adapter supplied) |
Thickness/weight | 6.9mm/129g | 7.1mm/143g | 7.1mm/138g |
Waterproof | No | No | Yes |
Storage options (2) | 16GB/64GB/128GB | 16GB/64GB/128GB | 32GB/128GB/256GB |
Colours (2) | Space Grey, Silver, Gold | Space Grey, Silver, Gold, Rose Gold | Silver, Gold, Rose Gold, Black, Jet Black |
(1) Not yet known. (2) Available at launch. |
Selling your old iPhone? Do it soon
Data from iPhone launches in previous years shows prices tend to drop following the announcement, and then fall further still shortly after the new models go on sale. So generally speaking, the longer you wait, the less you'll get for one.
When selling an old mobile, always compare the prices being offered using a mobile-phone recycling price-comparison service. See our Sell Old Mobiles guide for tips on ensuring you get the best price for yours.