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| The Vintage Appeal of the iPhone 7 Plus and Why It's Suddenly Popular for Artsy Photos |
Love it or hate it, vintage photography is back in style. That washed out, dreamy quality combined with soft focus and faded colors strikes a chord with photography enthusiasts looking to emulate the past. Surprisingly, one way artists are capturing the vintage aesthetic is with the iPhone 7 Plus.
The iPhone 7 Plus Camera - A Blast From the Past
Released back in 2016, the iPhone 7 Plus was the first Apple phone to sport a dual-lens rear camera. At the time, it was revolutionary. Now in 2024, while the iPhone 7 Plus lacks many modern camera capabilities, its older sensor and lenses create a truly vintage look.
The key to the iPhone 7 Plus camera magic is its dual 12MP lenses. You get a wide angle lens for standard shots and a 2x optical zoom telephoto lens for portraits with background blur. The 7 Plus was also the first iPhone with Apple's Portrait Mode and advanced machine learning for computational photography.
After nearly 10 years, the camera hardware is dated. Details and dynamic range suffer compared to today's iPhone 16 Pro Max and other flagship phones. However, the 7 Plus adds character. The images have a soft, dreamy quality. Colors are muted. Highlights and shadows lose details creating a flattened, vintage look.
The iPhone 7 Plus Display - Small But Mighty
Today's phones keep getting bigger. The iPhone 7 Plus features a 5.5 inch screen, tiny by 2024 standards. However, at 1080 x 1920 resolution with a density of 401 pixels per inch, the 7 Plus display holds up remarkably well.
The LCD screen renders vivid colors and crisp details. It's brighter at 625 nits than many budget android phones like the Nokia G10 (500 nits max). The 7 Plus display has plenty of resolution for social media photography. It may be small, but the 7 Plus screen quality exceeds expectations.
Smooth Performance Despite Dated Hardware
Inside, the iPhone 7 Plus is powered by Apple's A10 Fusion chip based on an old 16nm process. It definitely can't keep up with the A14 Bionic in the iPhone 12. However, iOS optimization means the 7 Plus runs smoothly for many tasks.
The A10 handles web browsing, photo editing, and lighter games without issue. Heavier games like PUBG Mobile will crash frequently though. As long as you aren't pushing the processor limits, the iPhone 7 Plus runs well with iOS 15. Just don't expect to update to iOS 17.
Decent Battery Life With Some Caveats
Apple packed a decent 2900 mAh battery into the iPhone 7 Plus. Back in 2016, it powered the phone all day no problem. In 2024, battery wear means you'll need to top up for heavy use.
Expect around 5-6 hours of screen time from a 7 Plus with a battery at 80% original capacity. Performance takes a hit once the battery degrades past that point. Factoring in used batteries, moderate use should still get you through a full day. Just bring a portable charger for peace of mind.
Vintage Appeal Trumps Modern Features
Compared to a brand new budget phone like the Nokia G22, the iPhone 7 Plus has tradeoffs. You lose conveniences like multi-day battery life, ultra wide angle lenses, night photography modes, and 5G. But you gain charm and character that delight photographers.
The 7 Plus camera doesn't pretend to be technically perfect. It has a delicate appeal missing from sterile computational photography. Paired with vintage camera apps like Huji, the iPhone 7 Plus achieves a film-like quality not possible with newer iPhones.
Buy Used or Refurbished - But Choose Wisely
Since the iPhone 7 series launched years ago, buying new old stock doesn't make sense. Instead opt for used, refurbished, or renewed condition. Prices range from $100 to $150 for 32GB models in good shape. Even 128GB versions cost only $200-$250.
Just know that buying old iPhones can be risky. Without warranty protections, you may encounter devices rebuilt with scrap parts. Thoroughly vet sellers and inspect your purchase upon arrival. When buying used, expect to replace the battery too.
Enjoy the Vintage Look - But Don't Plan to Keep It Forever
The iPhone 7 Plus makes for an inexpensive way to dip your toes into film photography. At well under $200, it's a cost effective creative tool. Just don't expect to use a 7 Plus for 5 more years.
With the 7 Plus missing iOS 16 and 17 updates, app support will decline. Services like mobile banking and ride sharing may stop working. And it will become impossible to trade in as value drops.
Think of the iPhone 7 Plus as a charming vintage camera, not a smartphone for the long haul. For artists and photographers, it captures the past through a soft focus lens. Just craft your photographic vision and enjoy the experience. Because nothing conjures nostalgia quite like an old iPhone lens.