Introduction: Why Are We Still Talking About the iPhone 7 Plus?
Phone 7 Plus in 2025: Still Worth Talking About? and the iPhone 7 Plus is still getting a surprising amount of attention. At first glance, this might seem odd. After all, we’ve had the iPhone 14, 15, and now the iPhone 16 series – all packed with incredible features like AI photo editing, satellite connectivity, and insane camera capabilities. So why is a phone released back in 2016 still relevant?
Well, the iPhone 7 Plus wasn’t just another iPhone when it came out. It was a turning point. It was Apple’s first dual-camera iPhone and the first to ditch the headphone jack – a controversial move at the time. But even today, its build quality, camera performance, and iOS support (until recently) still make it a great option for specific types of users.
Let’s break down everything that made – and in some ways, still makes – the iPhone 7 Plus such an iconic device, and why it might still be a smart pick in certain situations.
Design and Build: A Timeless Look That Still Holds Up
At a time when most smartphones are going all-in on glass backs and curved displays, the iPhone 7 Plus remains refreshingly solid. Its full aluminum unibody still feels premium, and while the bezels may look chunky by Phone 7 Plus 2025 standards, they’re actually a nice change from the all-screen fatigue.
Aluminum Unibody and That Classic Apple Finish
One of the best things about the iPhone 7 Plus is its build quality. The aluminum shell not only gives it a solid, premium feel but also makes it more durable than many glass-backed phones we see today. Sure, it might not support wireless charging, but you don’t have to worry as much about shattering the back after a minor drop.
The matte and jet black finishes were iconic in their time, and even now, there’s something clean and professional about the Phone 7 Plus 2025 design. It’s simple, symmetrical, and unmistakably Apple.
That Home Button and Touch ID
Another aspect that makes the 7 Plus special is the solid-state home button. Apple ditched the mechanical button and replaced it with a pressure-sensitive one that gives haptic feedback – a small but smart innovation. And of course, there’s Touch ID. While Face ID is the standard now, some users still prefer the speed and simplicity of a fingerprint scanner.
For those who miss having a dedicated home button and don’t like relying solely on gestures or Face ID, the iPhone 7 Plus offers that nostalgic but functional experience.
Water Resistance and No Headphone Jack
The Phone 7 Plus 2025 was Apple’s first iPhone with proper water resistance (IP67), and it really marked the beginning of Apple treating durability more seriously. On the flip side, it was also the first iPhone to eliminate the 3.5mm headphone jack – a move that sparked debates back then but seems totally normal now.
In hindsight, this decision pushed the wireless audio revolution forward. AirPods, now in their 4th or 5th generation, wouldn’t have been as successful if Apple hadn’t made that bold move with the 7 Plus.
Performance: Surprisingly Capable Even Years Later
Let’s be honest, no one’s expecting thePhone 7 Plus 2025 to outperform the latest iPhones or Android flagships. But for everyday tasks? It’s still very capable. With Apple’s A10 Fusion chip, the 7 Plus was ahead of its time – and that legacy carries forward even now.
A10 Fusion Chip – Still Kicking
When the A10 Fusion launched, it was Apple’s first quad-core processor with a mix of high-performance and high-efficiency cores. That sounds standard now, but it was a big deal back then. The chip holds up well even today for basic apps, web browsing, social media, and light gaming.
Multitasking is smooth, and app launching remains reasonably fast. Yes, you’ll notice a difference when switching from a newer iPhone, but the 7 Plus still runs circles around many budgetPhone 7 Plus 2025
iOS Updates – How Long Did It Last?
The Phone 7 Plus 2025 received iOS updates all the way up to iOS 15 and parts of 16 (unofficially through some tweaks). That’s nearly seven years of support – not many Android phones can match that. Even after the updates stopped, many developers kept their apps compatible, so it hasn’t turned into a brick.
Plus, the jailbreak community keeps it alive in different ways for those who want to unlock additional customization.
Battery Life and Efficiency
Battery life on the Phone 7 Plus 2025 was always better than the smaller iPhone 7 thanks to the larger 2900 mAh battery. Even now, with a healthy battery replacement, it can easily last a full day with light-to-medium use. That’s something a lot of newer mid-range phones can’t claim.
Camera System: The Birth of the Dual-Camera iPhone
When Apple introduced the dual-camera setup on the 7 Plus, it changed the game for smartphone photography. It wasn’t just about having more cameras – it was about what they could do.
Portrait Mode Was Born Here
The iPhone 7 Plus was the first iPhone with Portrait Mode, thanks to its secondary telephoto lens. This feature simulated depth of field using software and hardware together, giving you those nice, blurry backgrounds (bokeh) that mimic DSLR quality.
Sure, today’s portrait modes are much more advanced, but the 7 Plus did a solid job even back then. It was the first time people could take professional-looking shots right from their phone, and it made a huge impact.
Dual Cameras: Wide + Telephoto
The main camera is a 12MP f/1.8 wide lens, paired with a 12MP f/2.8 telephoto lens. That telephoto zoom was a big deal – it allowed for 2x optical zoom and better framing options, especially for portraits and street photography. It was the beginning of Apple’s journey toward camera versatility.
Even in 2025, if you’re not pixel peeping or zooming in heavily, the photos from the 7 Plus can still impress, especially in good lighting.
Video Capabilities
The iPhone 7 Plus can shoot 4K video at 30fps and 1080p at 60fps, which is still perfectly usable today for social media, vlogs, or casual video recording. The optical image stabilization (OIS) on the main lens helps keep videos steady, even without the fancy software enhancements newer iPhones have.
Who Is the iPhone 7 Plus For in 2025?
You might wonder – who’s actually using the iPhone 7 Plus in 2025? The truth is, it still has a solid niche audience.
Great for Minimalists and First-Time iPhone Users
If you’re someone who just wants a phone that does the basics well – calling, texting, social media, photos, and maybe YouTube – the iPhone 7 Plus still gets the job done. It’s also an excellent “first iPhone” for someone switching from Android or a younger person getting their first smartphone.
It has just enough modern features to keep you comfortable, without being overloaded with options you’ll never use.
Perfect Backup or Travel Phone
Many tech-savvy users keep a backup phone handy, and the 7 Plus is a popular pick. It’s reliable, easy to use, and still compatible with most apps. Also, for travelers, it makes a great international phone that won’t make you cry if you lose it or it gets stolen.
Budget-Friendly Option
Perhaps the biggest reason people still go for the iPhone 7 Plus is price. You can grab a used or refurbished model for under $100 – sometimes even less. That’s incredible value for a phone that still looks good, performs decently, and takes solid photos.
Conclusion: A Legacy That Still Matters
The iPhone 7 Plus might not be the flashiest phone in 2025, but it’s still worth talking about. It marked a turning point in Apple’s design and camera philosophy, and its solid build, dependable performance, and decent cameras still hold up surprisingly well for an older device.
Whether you’re a minimalist, a tech enthusiast nostalgic for the Touch ID days, or someone looking for a dependable secondary device, the iPhone 7 Plus still has a place in today’s smartphone world. It’s not about having the latest – it’s about having what works. And for a lot of people, the iPhone 7 Plus still works just fine.
