You probably remember the outrage. People were literally losing their minds because Apple decided to kill the headphone jack. It felt like the end of the world back in 2016, didn't it? Yet, walk through any crowded city today in 2026, and you’ll still spot that familiar, horizontal dual-camera bump.
The iPhone 7 Plus shouldn't really be a thing anymore. It’s ancient in tech years. But honestly, it refuses to die.
There’s something kinda weird about how this specific model aged. While its siblings have mostly ended up in desk drawers or recycling bins, the 7 Plus is still pulling shifts as a "first phone" for kids or a reliable backup for hikers who don't want to risk their $1,500 iPhone 17 Pro Max in the woods.
The Dual Camera Gamble That Actually Paid Off
Before the iPhone 7 Plus, if you wanted a "blurry background" in your photos, you needed a bulky DSLR. Apple changed that. They slapped two 12-megapixel sensors on the back—one wide and one telephoto—and called it "Portrait Mode."
It was buggy at first. Sometimes it would accidentally blur out a person's ear or a strand of hair, making them look like a weird digital ghost. But it started a revolution.
Every single multi-lens phone you see today? You can trace its DNA right back to this slab of aluminum. The 2x optical zoom was a massive deal too. No more grainy, digital-zoom messes when you tried to take a picture of your cat from across the room.
✨ Don't miss: Descargar video de Instagram: Lo que casi nadie te dice sobre la calidad y los derechos
What’s under the hood?
- A10 Fusion Chip: The first time Apple used a "big.LITTLE" architecture. Two cores for power, two for efficiency.
- 3GB of RAM: This is the secret sauce. The standard iPhone 7 only had 2GB, which is why the Plus still feels usable while the smaller one chugs.
- The Taptic Engine: That solid-state Home button. It doesn’t actually click, but it feels like it does.
Seriously, if you turn the phone off and try to press the Home button, it’s just a flat piece of glass. It’s a trip.
Why the iPhone 7 Plus is the King of the Used Market
You can pick one of these up for less than the price of a fancy steak dinner these days. We’re talking $25 to $40 on sites like BankMyCell or eBay. For a device that can still browse the web, play basic games, and take decent daylight photos, that’s almost daylight robbery.
But let’s be real for a second.
You aren't getting the latest software. Apple officially cut off major iOS updates for the iPhone 7 Plus a while ago. It’s stuck on iOS 15. While Apple has been surprisingly cool about releasing the occasional security patch (like they did in late 2025), you aren't getting the fancy new AI features or the latest emoji.
Does that matter? For a burner phone or a dedicated music player for the gym? Probably not.
The "Audio IC" Ghost in the Machine
If you’re thinking about digging your old iPhone 7 Plus out of a drawer, you need to know about "Loop Disease."
It sounds like a sci-fi virus, but it’s actually a hardware flaw. The Audio IC chip—the thing that handles your microphone and speakers—can sometimes come loose from the motherboard.
Symptoms? Your phone takes forever to boot up. The Voice Memos app won't record. You try to call someone, and the "Speaker" button is greyed out. It’s a frustrating way for a phone to die, and honestly, it’s the main reason most of these units finally hit the scrap heap.
Common 2026 Issues:
- Battery Health: Most original batteries are sitting at 60% capacity or less. It'll die by lunch.
- App Compatibility: Some heavy hitters like banking apps or new games are starting to require iOS 16 or 17.
- The Lightning Port: After ten years of plugging and unplugging, those pins get loose.
The "No Headphone Jack" Legacy
It’s funny looking back. Phil Schiller called the removal of the jack "courage." The internet called it a cash grab for AirPods.
Looking around today, Apple won. Everyone followed suit. Even the budget Android phones that mocked Apple eventually ditched the port. The iPhone 7 Plus was the sacrificial lamb that forced us all into the wireless era.
If you still have one, you’re probably used to the "dongle life." It’s a nuisance, but that extra space inside the phone is what allowed Apple to put in that massive Taptic Engine and a slightly bigger 2,900mAh battery.
Is it actually usable in 2026?
Honestly, yeah. Sorta.
If you’re just texting on iMessage, checking emails, and scrolling through a lighter version of Instagram, it’s fine. The A10 Fusion chip was way ahead of its time. It handles basic tasks with a weirdly smooth grace that puts modern budget phones to shame.
But don't try to play Genshin Impact or edit 4K video on it. It’ll get hot enough to fry an egg, and the battery will drain faster than a bathtub with the plug pulled out.
The screen is still great, though. That 5.5-inch Retina display might not have a 120Hz refresh rate or OLED blacks, but the colors are accurate. It’s a 1080p panel that still looks sharp.
How to Keep an iPhone 7 Plus Alive
If you’re determined to keep using your iPhone 7 Plus, there are a few things you’ve gotta do.
First, get the battery replaced. A fresh cell makes the phone feel brand new because iOS won't have to throttle the CPU to keep the lights on. You can do this yourself if you’re brave with a screwdriver, but taking it to a local shop is safer.
Second, stay on top of your storage. The 32GB base model is a nightmare in 2026. System data alone takes up half of that. Use iCloud for your photos or you’ll be deleting apps every three days just to make room for a software patch.
Lastly, be gentle with the chassis. These phones are made of Series 7000 aluminum, so they don't bend easily, but the Jet Black version? It scratches if you even look at it wrong. Keep it in a case.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check your Battery Health: Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health. If it’s under 80%, you’re losing performance.
- Offload Unused Apps: Use the "Offload Unused Apps" feature in settings to save space without losing your data.
- Invest in a Quality Dongle: If you’re an audiophile, skip the cheap $2 knockoffs. The official Apple Lightning-to-3.5mm adapter actually has a decent DAC inside.
- Back Up Your Photos: Since hardware failure (like the Audio IC issue) can happen anytime, make sure your memories aren't just sitting on the device storage.
The iPhone 7 Plus isn't the powerhouse it used to be, but it's a fascinating piece of tech history that still works. It proved that a bigger screen and a better camera were what people actually wanted, even if it meant giving up their favorite port. It’s a survivor.
Whether it's sitting in your pocket or at the bottom of a junk drawer, it remains one of the most influential designs Apple ever shipped. Just don't forget where you put that dongle.