iPhone 7 vs iPhone 7 Plus vs iPhone 7 Pro: Which Is Best To Buy?

Updated on

It seems increasingly likely that Apple will release three variants of its iconic iPhone range simultaneously for the first time in 2016. As Apple attempts to provide a wider range of iPhone options in order to meet consumer demand, in what is a balkanizing marketplace, the iPhone 7 Pro will be introduced for the first time. This will mean that Apple fans have a big dilemma over which iPhone 7 unit to purchase, so how will these three models compare and contrast?

iPhone 7 vs iPhone 7 Plus vs iPhone 7 Pro: Which Is Best To Buy?

iPhone 7 vs iPhone 7 Plus vs iPhone 7 Pro – Size

The general consensus of opinion is that the iPhone 7 will follow the design lead from last year’s iPhone 6S. This should mean that this year’s handset is extremely similar in size to the iPhone 6S, although Apple always concentrates on attempting to slim down its devices where possible. So although there is no official data available on the size of the iPhone 7, measurements around 138.3 x 67.1 x 6.5 mm for the smartphone version of the iPhone 7 are possible. The iPhone 7 Plus and iPhone 7 Pro will both likely be the same size, so consumers should expect dimensions of approximately 158.2 x 77.9 x 6.8 mm for these phablets.

Weight

With the slimmed down size of the iPhone 7, Apple will also be looking to reduce the weight of its iconic handset. Thus, possible weights of 138g for the smartphone model and 187g for the two phablets should be expected.

Display size

Apple is unlikely to change the display size of either the phablet version of the iPhone 7 or the smartphone, which will mean that the iPhone 7 has a 4.7-inch display, with the iPhone 7 Plus featuring a 5.5-inch screen. The iPhone 7 Pro is likely to follow the lead of the iPhone 7 Plus in this department.

Resolution

While Apple fans would undoubtedly love to see the consumer electronics giant increase the resolution of the iPhone 7 display, this is unlikely in reality. We can expect both the iPhone 7 Plus and iPhone 7 Pro to feature full HD resolution, with the smaller iPhone 7 variants sticking to the 750 x 1,334 pixels of last year.

Camera

This particular aspect of the iPhone 7 has probably caused the biggest amount of disagreement among analysts and Apple observers, and thus it is difficult to conclude precisely what the California-based company will opt for when the iPhone 7 is released.

What is strongly anticipated is that at least one model of the iPhone 7 will feature new dual-camera technology. There is just conflict over precisely which version(s) of the handset this will be. Recent rumors indicate that the iPhone 7 Pro alone may benefit from this technology, with the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus armed with more standard technology.

However, the photographic capabilities of the two more affordable smartphones will not be neglected. Leaked images suggest that both models will benefit from a new image sensor, with pictures indicating that the standard iPhone 7 will have a significantly larger space for the camera than is the case in the current model of the series. So we should see improved photographic capabilities in each of the iPhone 7 releases, but it is possible that the iPhone 7 Pro will particularly benefit from better shooting in dark conditions from the dual-lens setup.

iPhone 7 iPhone 7 Plus iPhone 7 Pro
Size 138.3 x 67.1 x 6.5 mm 158.2 x 77.9 x 6.8 mm 158.2 x 77.9 x 6.8 mm
Weight 138g 187g 187g
Display Size 4.7 inches 5.5 inches 5.5 inches
Resolution 750 x 1,334 1,080 x 1,920 1,080 x 1,920
Camera Single-lens 12MP Single-lens 12MP Dual-Camera
Smart Connector No No Yes
Processor 2.37 GHz quad-core 2.37 GHz quad-core 2.6 GHz quad-core
Battery 1,735 mAh 2,810 mAh 3,000 mAh
Memory 3GB 3GB 4GB
Storage 32GB / 128GB 32GB / 128GB 32GB / 256GB

Smart Connector

A leaked image of the new iPhone 7 Pro suggests that it could feature a Smart Connector; a technology already present in the iPad range. This would be a unique aspect of the new iPhone model, and not something present in either the iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus.

Processor

Some supposed benchmark tests for the iPhone 7 processor have already been leaked, hinting at a 2.37 GHz spec in this department, but these were later outed as being fake. Meanwhile, reports have suggested that the processor included in the iPhone 7 generation will deliver 2.6 GHz of computing power. And it is also believed by some analysts that the iPhone 7 will be the first smartphone in this range to deliver a true quad-core processing experience.

What this ultimately means for the processor in the iPhone 7 range is debatable, but the leaks at least give us a clue that the iPhone 7 Pro may feature a slightly more powerful processor than the other two models.

Battery

This could be an area in which Apple chooses to create a distinction between the iPhone 7 Plus and iPhone 7 Pro. Early rumors have suggested that the smallest iPhone 7 smartphone will feature a 1,735 mAh battery, while the iPhone 7 Plus is expected to be powered by a 2,810 mAh unit. With Apple looking to attract new consumers, particularly in the corporate sector, to the iPhone 7 Pro, it is therefore possible that this will feature a larger battery still, possibly in excess of 3,000 mAh.

Memory

In previous iPhone generations, the smartphone-sized model and the Plus phablet have both been endowed with the same amount of memory. This is likely to increase to 3GB in the iPhone 7 generation, but it is possible that Apple could provide the iPhone 7 Pro with an extra gigabyte in order to make it more attractive to consumers.

Storage

Apple is likely to eliminate the 16GB version of the iPhone when the iPhone 7 is released. This will mean that the entry-level version of the handset will be set at 32GB, and this will apply across the range of all three devices.

As with memory, both the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus featured the same storage options last time out. This is likely to continue into the iPhone 7 generation, but it is possible that Apple will bump up the storage quantity in the iPhone 7 Pro to 256GB.

Conclusion

The pricing of these three devices is very hazy at the moment, but Apple will surely plump for three different price point for the three models. The iPhone 7 Pro is likely to be significantly expensive, and this will dissuade some consumers, despite its superior specs and new camera technology. The standard iPhone 7 is likely to remain the mass market model, while the smaller size of this device appeals to those wanting a compact and convenient phone.

The big challenge for Apple will be demonstrating that the iPhone 7 Plus and iPhone 7 Pro can co-exist and offer different things to different people. With the iPhone 6C having been released earlier this year, Apple will never have had so many iPhone units available at one time, and with the corporation predicting that iPhone sales will stagnate, one must wonder whether each of these handsets can really find a suitable market niche.

Leave a Comment