http://m.independent.ie/business/technology/peeling-back-the-hype-around-apple-iphone-7-is-it-worth-it-35037575.html
Peeling back the hype around Apple iPhone 7 . . . is it worth it?
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Apple boss Tim Cook launching the new range of products on Wednesday. Photo: AP
Adrian Weckler 10/09/2016 | 02:30
Is the new iPhone 7 all it's hyped up to be? Will it keep Apple in its
world-dominating position? This week, chief executive Tim Cook took a break
from answering questions about tax in Ireland to focus on what Apple is usually
best known for - must-have products.
The company's latest and greatest, the iPhone 7 landed with two defining
features.
The first thing is that you can't plug normal earphones into them without
Apple's supplied adapter. In the new models, Apple has ditched the traditional
round headphone slot, saying people should start switching to wireless
headphones instead. And by happy coincidence, it simultaneously launched its
own new wireless earphones, called AirPods. (They're pretty good but will cost
you an extra €180.)
The other major feature is a big upgrade to the camera on the iPhone 7 Plus,
which is the larger (and pricier) version of the new handset. Instead of one
camera on this 5.5-inch phone, you now get two. The new camera also performs
better in low light, meaning it's a big improvement at parties and night-time
occasions.
I've tried the new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus and they're mostly impressive.
But they haven't been universally praised. Apple's standards for defining the
'next big thing' are now so high that 'good' can be perceived by some as 'not
good enough'.
Critics have moaned about Apple keeping the same basic design as the last two
iPhones while rivals such as Samsung are forging ahead with attractive curved
glass shapes.
There's also the background clock ticking on when Apple is going to stun us
with the next jaw-dropping product. The last time this really happened was 2010
with the iPad. (Its smart 'Watch' device, which was also upgraded this week
with a new sports-friendly GPS waterproof version, is taking longer to find a
mass audience despite its launch in 2014.)
This has some people wondering whether Apple is settling into a new era as a
normal tech company that makes good, popular products but doesn't break the
mould any more.
Finally, there's the price. If you get squeamish about big numbers, look away
now: the iPhone 7 starts at a whopping €779 before subsidy for the basic 32GB
model. (The top-end iPhone 7 Plus, which is the one with the two cameras,
starts at an even more eye-watering €919.) It is by far the most expensive new
iPhone ever introduced.
Will it still rule the phone market? Probably. Despite the lack of a new case
design, it's still among the best made phones out there.
But there are already rumours of a major redesign for 2017's model, the
iPhone's tenth anniversary. For those who got an iPhone 6 two years ago, that
might be a tempting date to hold out for.
Irish Independent
Sent from my iPhone
