This September, Apple recently released its leading-edge iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, characterized by its lack of a headphone jack. The new iPhone 7 is virtually identical in size and shape to the iPhone 6 and 6s. The one difference in the outer display, though rather minuscule, is that the camera nub is more rounded. The identical size and shape of the iPhone is an advantage in accommodating users to the new models. However, those who hoped for a fresh outward appearance face significant disappointment.

The lack of a headphone jack in the iPhone 7 is the most noteworthy distinction from previous models. Was this a clever choice on the part of Apple? People around the world prefer to use wired headphones, often due to their belief that the audio quality is superior. However, newly developed wireless headphones by brands such as Bose and Sennheiser have become more popular because they create a fuller sound than previous models of wireless headphones. Apple removed the headphone jack to have space for an extra speaker, as well to allow their smartphones to have a thinner appearance. For clients who are accustomed to wired headphones, the company is selling Lightning Earpods and a small adapter alongside the iPhones 7 and 7 Plus. Lightning EarPods are compatible with other iOS devices as well. However, for many people the removal of the headphone jack is a major drawback.

On the bright side, with the iPhones 7 and 7 Plus, teens no longer need to fear damaging a phone by dropping it in the water as these latest smartphones are water-resistant! The 7 has the ability to withstand 30 whole minutes submerged in water, a characteristic which would  be beneficial to the thousands of clumsy teens — you know who you are — who lose their phones to sinks filled with water, puddles on the sidewalk, or pools during summer days.

The iPhone 7 is perfect for people who frequently drop their phone. Through various means of testing, the new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus have proven to be much more durable compared with their predecessors. After obtaining the new and shiny $650 phone, some people smash it, bend it, set it on fire, or find other creative ways to prove that it is destructible. However, across many tests, the iPhone 7 has prevailed to be the most resistant. For example, when dropped facedown from a height of 10 feet, the iPhone 6s’ screen shattered while the iPhone 7’s stayed intact. Say goodbye to those cracked screens!

The iPhone’s camera is one of its main selling points as it has evolved and developed a reputation for excellence. Photos taken in low light have noticeably better quality due to the wider aperture. Colors are more vibrant as the iPhone 7 processes color differently. The icing on the cake is the dual lens which won’t make your picture into a pixelated mess when zoomed in. But, if you’re a professional photographer who hopes to replace your $700 Olympus OM-D E-M10 II with the iPhone 7 Plus camera, then you’re out of luck. Try as you might, but the iPhone camera does not yet compare with a professional one.

Customer reviews of the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus have varied significantly. But whether these changes are an advancement or downgrade, you will never truly know unless you buy one yourself!