iPhone 7 vs. iPhone 6s – Should You Upgrade?

Apple has launched the new iPhone model and as expected, the iPhone 7 is here. And the new iPhone 7 has no great design change in comparison to the previous models. So fans can’t expect a huge leap over the older models, but still there are some interesting new features and great improvements, which could convince you in buying the iPhone 7. So we help you to answer the big question whether you should or should not upgrade your iPhone 6s. So let’s see what is new.

Design: familiar look, new color options

Who expected that Apple would bring a completely new design to the iPhone, what they usually did every two years, could be a little bit disappointed. The new iPhone 7 is very similar in comparison to the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s. The metal-clad slab with curved sides and a flat back remains. The biggest design change Apple did was altering the antenna lines, so that they are less obvious. So now you just can see them around the sides and not around the rear. But if you want to let people know, they you have the iPhone 7, you should get one of the new color options. The two new colours are “Jet Black” and “Black”. With “Jet Black” you will get a glossy Black, which reminds us on the iPhone 3GS. If you choose “Black” you will get a dark black, which could be compared to the color of the iPhone 5. Further you can choose the known colours: Silver, Gold and Rose Gold.

So if you would buy the iPhone 7 for a new design, we would consider waiting for the next generation. Even the dimensions of the new iPhone haven’t changed and it just got 0.16 ounces lighter. So you would feel no difference in the hand.

“A10 Fusion” chip: faster performance and longer battery life

With the new A10 Fusion chip Apple has given the iPhone 7 an impressive powerful and energery-efficent processor. The new tetranuclear 64-bit chip is up to 40 percent faster than the A9 and as twice as powerful as the A8 Chip. Fun fact: The new iPhone 7 is 120 times faster than the first iPhone model. And thanks to the new processor, the graphics performance has grown up to 50 percent in comparison to the previous model.

In addition to its better performance, Apple claims the iPhone 7 has much improved battery life, which give you up to 2 hours more of active using the iPhone without the need to recharge.

So if you would like to get improvements in speed and graphics, you should get the iPhone 7 to have to full immersion in every game and app.

iPhone 7 vs. iPhone 6S camera comparison

With the iPhone 6s Apple increased the megapixels from the rear cam from 8 MP to 12 MP. With the iPhone 7 the megapixels remain at 12 MP, and it’s still capable of shooting 4K video at 30fps and 1080p at 60fp and the slow motion also remains at max 240fps. But at least Apple has finally added optical image stabilisation, a feature that was formerly exclusive to the Plus version of the iPhone, and this should help steady shots and video, and further improve low-light performance. There the iPhone 7 got Quad-LED True flash tone that gives 50 percent more light.

But if you want to get the real great camera experience, you will have to buy the iPhone 7 Plus, because the biggest camera alterations come to the iPhone 7 Plus model. It has an dual lens arrangement for the first time, which allows a 2x optical Zoom and a 10x digital Zoom with a four-times higher quality than the iPhone 6s.

The front camera in both models improved from 5 MP to 7 MP, which allows Full-HD-Video recording.

Lightning Headphones & Wireless AirPods: optimized sound & wireless audio transmission

The iPhone 7 is the first iPhone to ditch the headphone port. That means that you will be unable to plug any old pair of headphones to the iPhone 7, unless you are using an adapter (that will be included in the iPhone 7 box).

However, the whole thing has its advantages, because with the included Lightning headphones the sound quality is further improved. This is achieved by integrating DACs (digital-to-analog converter) to the headphones. Optionally, you will be able to use Apple´s new wireless AirPods. You can connect them with just one tap. And thanks to a special sensor, those headphones are just activated if you put them in your ears, otherwise they pause. With a double-tap on one of the AirPods you can start Siri. This allows you to control the music or start calls without taking the iPhone out of your pocket. It has a battery duration of 5 hours with a single charge. You can also charge them on the way with the included charging case, which includes 24 hours duration. Unluckily the AirPods and its charging case are not included and you will have to pay 159$ extra.

Who attaches great importance to high-quality sound, should benefit from the new digital transmission mode. So if you have no problem with the new lightning-audio-connection or of using the included adapter, the greater sound experience is an absolute argument to update to the iPhone 7.

Stereo Speaker System: unlimited music enjoyment

The iPhone 7 is the first iPhone to features a dual speaker system, such as the one from the iPod pro. So if you hold your iPhone in landscape mode, you will have a stereo sound experience. Furthermore, the speakers are as twice as loud as those from the iPhone 6s, thanks to the new sound system. So if you want to watch movies, video clips or play games without headphones, but still want to have a great sound experience, you should also update on the iPhone 7.

Conclusion

“The best iPhone ever”, with these words has CEO Tim Cook announced the iPhone 7. Although the new iPhone didn’t came with a design revolution, it still has some remarkable new features that would justify the upgrade from the iPhone 6s to the 7 series model. Starting with the faster performance, graphics and longer battery life, thanks to the new A10 Fusion chip. The new dual lens camera system will give you much more opportunities to get some great shots, which can compete to pictures taken by DSLRs.

One point that could split the options of the iPhone 7 is the missing headphone port, because you feel forced to buy expensive new headphones, if you want to get the real sound experience.

All things considered, we would not say that an upgrade is necessary, but if you want to have the greatest smartphone experience, the iPhone 7 will give it to you.