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Check Out Apple's New Water-Resistant iPhone 7

Sept. 07, 2016
2 min read
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Check Out Apple's New Water-Resistant iPhone 7
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Update: Apple has confirmed pricing for the new devices. The iPhone 7 will cost $649 for 32GB, $749 for 128GB and $849 for 256GB of storage. The larger iPhone 7 Plus will cost you $769 for 32GB, $869 for 128GB and $969 for 256GB of storage.

This afternoon, Apple unveiled the much-anticipated iPhone 7 (and larger iPhone 7 Plus). Many current iPhone loyalists were hoping for something entirely different this time around — that isn't exactly what they got. Instead, the iPhone 7 is much like the 6 and 6S, which launched in 2014 and 2015, respectively. What the 7 does offer, though, is a water-resistant design, making it an especially good fit for frequent travelers (who might find themselves near a pool, at a beach or, say, stuck in an unexpected monsoon 10,000 miles from home).

Photo courtesy of Apple.

Both models also have new rear-facing cameras — definitely a much-appreciated feature for those of us who prefer to leave a dedicated cam at home. The 12-megapixel cameras have f/1.8 lenses with optical image stabilization, which will help minimize blur caused by shaky hands when you're shooting indoors or at night. There's also a 7-megapixel front-facing camera (for sharper selfies) and a new flash that's 50% brighter than the previous version. Additionally, the 7 Plus offers a 2x optical zoom. Oh, and no, there isn't a headphone jack, which means you won't be able to plug in wired headphones and charge your phone at the same time (although there are several compelling Bluetooth options, such as the Bose QuietComfort 35).

The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus will be available for purchase on September 16, and you can pre-order them beginning September 9. Pricing has yet to be confirmed. Remember to use a card that offers purchase and extended warranty protection, such as the recently announced Chase Sapphire Reserve. Additionally, you might want to consider paying your phone bill with a Wells Fargo card to take advantage of that issuer's free cell phone protection.

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