iPhone 7 Plus: Still a Powerful & Affordable iPhone for USA Users in 2024

⭐ Reason for Purchase

My flip phone finally died and grandkids insisted I 'join this century.'

📌 Purchase Motivation

Wanted something simple but capable for photos of my garden and video calls with family.

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

AT&T store rep recommended this over newer models since I don't need fancy features.

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

AT&T store - they set everything up for me and enlarged the text before I left.

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

Felt overwhelmed but my granddaughter labeled all the icons for me. Siri confused me at first.

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

Heavier than expected but the screen is beautiful for my old eyes. Miss the tactile buttons though.

⭐ First Week Usage

Learned to use FaceTime to see my great-grandbaby. Accidentally took 200 photos of my roses trying to figure out the camera.

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

Mostly use it for weather checks, solitaire, and the occasional Google search. The 'bedtime' feature helps my insomnia.

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

Zooming in on photos to see plant details. Medical ID info my daughter added gives me peace of mind.

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

Still hit the wrong apps sometimes. Wish the ringtone was louder for my hearing.

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

Like going from a bicycle to a spaceship! Can finally see photos my kids text me clearly.

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

Book club loves when I email clear pics of book covers. Doctor says the step counter motivates me.

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

Started texting more than calling. Neighbors ask me to photograph their gardens now.

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

Got a lanyard case so I don't drop it. Magnifying glass attachment helps with small text.

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

7/10 - Does more than I need but I'm learning. Great for seniors with patient teachers.

⭐ Reason for Purchase

My Galaxy Note 5's GPS was lagging badly causing missed turns and angry passengers.

📌 Purchase Motivation

Needed reliable navigation with good brightness for daytime driving.

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

Compared with Pixel 3 but chose this for better ride-share app optimization.

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

OfferUp - got a great deal from a guy upgrading to iPhone 12. Met at a police station parking lot for safety.

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

Had some minor scuffs but screen was perfect. Uber driver app transferred all my data automatically.

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

The size is perfect for my dashboard mount. Miss the pen for quick notes but the voice memos help.

⭐ First Week Usage

No more 'GPS signal lost' in downtown tunnels. Passengers compliment the clean CarPlay interface.

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

Essential for Waze, Spotify playlists, and checking my earnings. Use guided access so riders can't mess with settings.

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

Hey Siri for hands-free messaging. Automatic night mode saves my eyes during late shifts.

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

Heat makes the screen dim sometimes. Charging port is loose from constant plugging/unplugging.

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

Tips increased 15% since ratings show I take better routes now. Apps don't freeze during surge pricing.

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

Can finally accept Apple Pay rides. Family likes Find My Friends when I work nights.

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

Started an LA foodie Instagram with pics from pickups. Met a regular who's now my mechanic.

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

Magnetic AC vent mount is a game changer. Anker power bank stays in the glovebox.

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

9.5/10 - Best investment for rideshare drivers. Just replace the battery yearly.

⭐ Reason for Purchase

My iPhone 6s battery was dying by noon and I needed more storage for lecture recordings.

📌 Purchase Motivation

Found a mint condition used 7 Plus for cheap on Facebook Marketplace - perfect for my budget.

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

Compared storage options - got the 128GB model since I hoard Spotify playlists and biology lab videos.

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

Local seller met me at Starbucks. Checked IMEI and battery health (87%) before buying.

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

Previous owner kept the original box! Setup took forever because I have 20GB of memes to transfer.

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

The matte black hides fingerprints well. Missed the headphone jack immediately during my bus ride home.

⭐ First Week Usage

Battery lasts through morning classes to my closing shift. Snapchat filters look better with the better front camera.

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

Use it for everything - scanning textbook pages, mobile orders at work, and late-night TikTok binges. The screen is great for reading PDFs sideways.

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

The extra screen real estate makes split-screen notetaking possible. Live Photos capture funny moments at the coffee shop.

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

No fast charging hurts when I forget to plug in overnight. Wish it had Night Mode for dorm room pics.

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

Way faster when switching between Grubhub and Maps during deliveries. Storage anxiety is gone!

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

Customers compliment how quick I can look up drink recipes. Mom loves the clearer video calls.

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

Became the group photographer since my phone has the best camera. Friends borrow it for concert videos.

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

PopSocket helps with the size. Bought a waterproof pouch for rainy campus walks. Need a better power bank.

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

8/10 - Amazing value used. Perfect for broke students who want flagship features.

⭐ Reason for Purchase

Dropped my iPhone SE in a Himalayan salt bath during a retreat (oops).

📌 Purchase Motivation

Wanted something with better battery for filming long meditation sequences.

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

Chose this over the 8 Plus because the price drop made more sense for my budget.

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

Gazelle refurbished - eco-friendly and they plant trees with each purchase.

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

Packaging was minimalist which I appreciated. Loved that it came with a recycled fiber cloth.

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

The silver matches my aesthetic. Bigger than I'm used to but good for yoga demos.

⭐ First Week Usage

Filmed a 90-minute yin class and still had 30% battery. Students say they can hear cues better on recordings now.

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

Mostly for scheduling privates, playing ambient sounds, and tracking my own practice with Down Dog app.

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

Portrait mode for pose tutorials. Water resistance gives peace of mind near the studio's essential oil diffusers.

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

Hard to use during arm balances - need voice commands more. Wireless charging is slower than I'd like.

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

Wider angle lens captures full poses better. Doesn't overheat during long video sessions.

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

Created an on-demand class library. My chakras app runs smoother too.

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

More present without constant charging anxiety. Sangha members ask for tech advice now.

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

Loopy case helps during handstands. Mandala skin for good vibes. Need a waterproof Bluetooth mic.

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

8.5/10 - Aligns with my values (pun intended). Great for wellness professionals.

⭐ Reason for Purchase

Needed a waterproof phone that could survive kitchen splashes and last through festivals.

📌 Purchase Motivation

Saw other vendors using iPhones with Square readers - wanted that reliability.

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

Almost got a rugged Android but chose this for better resale value and accessory support.

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

Swappa - found a seller who included a Lifeproof case which saved me $50.

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

Smelled faintly of disinfectant (previous owner was a nurse). Transferring my contacts took two tries.

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

Slippery without the case but felt premium. Screen was way brighter than my old Moto G for outdoor use.

⭐ First Week Usage

Survived a spilled horchata incident thanks to the water resistance. Square reader connects faster than before.

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

Essential for inventory lists, social media promo, and playing Spotify all day. Stylus helps with greasy fingers.

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

Quick camera access for Instagramming specials. Siri reminders for ingredient orders while my hands are full.

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

Touch ID struggles when my fingers are floury. Miss having an SD card for food photography backups.

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

Transactions process 3x faster. Customers compliment how professional the Square interface looks.

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

Increased online orders thanks to better food pics. GPS helps at new locations.

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

Started a TikTok for the truck - the stabilization makes my cooking videos look smooth.

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

Lifeproof case is a lifesaver. Magnetic vent mount for GPS. Need a better portable charger.

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

9/10 - Workhorse for small businesses. Only wish the battery degraded slower.

⭐ Reason for Purchase

Needed a reliable phone for work and personal use after my old Android started lagging badly.

📌 Purchase Motivation

Wanted a phone with a great camera for capturing design inspirations and a smooth performance for multitasking.

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

I compared the iPhone 7 Plus with the Samsung Galaxy S8 but chose the iPhone because of its optimized software and better app ecosystem for designers.

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

Bought it refurbished from Amazon Renewed because it was cheaper and came with a warranty.

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

The unboxing felt premium even though it was refurbished. Setting it up was a breeze with iCloud backup from my old iPad.

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

Loved the sleek jet black finish and the weight felt solid. The home button with haptic feedback was a nice surprise.

⭐ First Week Usage

Took some time getting used to iOS after years on Android, but the fluidity won me over. The camera was amazing for quick snaps of textures and colors.

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

It's my go-to for checking emails, sketching ideas on Procreate Pocket, and scrolling Pinterest. The battery lasts me through a workday with moderate use.

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

The dual-camera system is perfect for depth shots of my artwork. 3D Touch for quick actions is super handy when I'm in a rush.

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

Missed the back button from Android at first. Had to buy a Lightning to headphone jack adapter which was annoying.

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

Way smoother than my old LG G5. Apps don't crash mid-presentation anymore which is a lifesaver.

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

Clients compliment the quality when I show them portfolio shots. Personal photos have that 'iPhone look' everyone loves.

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

Started an Instagram for my designs thanks to the great camera. Friends tease me about joining 'Team iPhone' though.

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

Got a Spigen case for protection and a magnetic car mount. Considering a battery case for travel days.

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

9/10 - Would tell fellow creatives to get one refurbished. Only wish it had USB-C like my other devices.

⭐ Reason for Purchase

Needed to replace my cracked iPhone 6 before the school year started.

📌 Purchase Motivation

Wanted something durable with good battery life for grading papers and communicating with students.

⭐ Research or Comparison Before Buying

Almost got the SE for the size but chose the 7 Plus for the bigger screen when reviewing student submissions.

⭐ Place of Purchase & Why

Best Buy during a back-to-school sale - they threw in a free screen protector.

⭐ First Unboxing & Setup Reaction

My daughter helped me set it up. She laughed at how excited I was about the water resistance feature.

⭐ Initial Impressions (Look & Feel)

The rose gold looked more professional than I expected. Screen size made reading emails much easier.

⭐ First Week Usage

Battery lasted through parent-teacher conferences which was huge. The speakers were surprisingly good for playing educational videos.

🚀 Daily Usage Experience

Perfect for checking Google Classroom notifications and taking quick pics of whiteboard notes. The home button never gets stuck like my old one.

⭐ Features Found Most Useful

Split-screen multitasking when I need to reference lesson plans while emailing. Touch ID is faster than typing passwords between classes.

⭐ Any Difficulties Faced

Reaching the top corners is tough one-handed. Had to learn all the iOS 15 gestures which confused me at first.

⭐ Experience Compared to Previous Device

Night and day difference in speed. My old phone would freeze when too many Chrome tabs were open.

⭐ Performance in Profession or Personal Life

Saved me during remote learning days when I needed to hotspot. Family appreciates the better FaceTime quality.

⭐ Social or Lifestyle Impact

Started using Apple Pay more which is convenient. Colleagues ask me to take group photos since the portrait mode flatters everyone.

⭐ Any Accessories Used or Needed

OtterBox Defender case is a must - kids bump into me in hallways constantly. Wish I'd gotten a stylus for grading PDFs.

⭐ Overall Satisfaction & Personal Recommendation

8.5/10 - Great for educators on a budget. Just needs better one-handed use for when I'm holding a coffee.

Benchmark Scores

The iPhone 7 Plus still holds up decently in benchmarks thanks to its A10 Fusion chip. In Geekbench 5, it scores around 3300 (multi-core), which is impressive for its age but noticeably slower than modern mid-range phones. For everyday tasks, it’s smooth, but heavy apps or multitasking can show its

Build Quality & Materials

The aluminum unibody design feels premium even today, with a solid heft and smooth finish. The antenna lines are subtle, and the Jet Black variant still looks sleek. However, the glossy finish scratches easily, and the home button isn’t as tactile as newer iPhones.

Display Quality

The 5.5-inch Retina HD LCD is bright and color-accurate, but it lacks True Tone and the deep blacks of OLED. Watching videos is enjoyable, but side-by-side with newer iPhones, the difference in contrast is obvious. The 1080p resolution is sharp enough for most users.

Camera System & Performance

The dual 12MP cameras (wide + telephoto) were groundbreaking in 2016. Daylight photos are still detailed, but low-light performance struggles compared to modern sensors. Portrait mode works well, though edge detection isn’t as refined as newer iPhones. 4K video recording is smooth but lacks stabiliz

Software & User Experience

iOS 15 runs surprisingly well, but don’t expect iOS 16 or later. The lack of updates is a downside, and some newer apps may slow it down. The home button’s haptic feedback is clever but feels dated compared to gesture navigation.

Battery Life & Charging

The 2900mAh battery lasts a day with light use, but heavy users will need a top-up. It supports fast charging (with a separate adapter) but no wireless charging. Battery health is likely degraded on used models.

Gaming & Graphics Performance

The A10 Fusion handles casual games like Candy Crush fine, but demanding titles like Genshin Impact stutter at low settings. The GPU is showing its age, and thermal throttling can kick in during extended sessions.

Connectivity & Ports

The Lightning port is reliable but feels outdated in a USB-C world. No headphone jack (RIP). LTE speeds are decent, but no 5G. Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2 are functional but not future-proof.

Durability & Protection

IP67 water resistance is still handy, but older units may have worn seals. The screen is prone to scratches without a protector, and the aluminum back dents easily. A case is highly recommended.

Price & Value Proposition

At around $150-$200 used, it’s a budget-friendly iPhone for light users or as a backup. But spending a bit more on an iPhone SE (2020) or XR gets you better longevity. Great for iOS beginners or those clinging to Touch ID.

Benchmark Scores

In 2023, the iPhone 7 Plus’s A10 Fusion chip scores about 1700 (single-core) and 3300 (multi-core) in Geekbench 5—respectable for its era but half the speed of an A15. Antutu hits ~200K, showing its limitations for intensive tasks.

Build Quality & Materials

The aerospace-grade aluminum feels sturdy, and the matte black option hides wear well. The non-protruding cameras are a plus, but the home button’s lack of physical click takes getting used to. Weight distribution is comfortable for one-handed use.

Display Quality

The LCD panel has accurate colors (P3 wide color) and good brightness (625 nits), but blacks look gray compared to OLED. No HDR support hurts streaming quality. The 1080p resolution is crisp, though.

Camera System & Performance

The telephoto lens enables 2x optical zoom, still useful for portraits. Daylight shots have natural colors, but Night Mode’s absence makes low-light photos noisy. Video stabilization is excellent for its time.

Software & User Experience

iOS 15 is the end of the line, meaning no security updates soon. Apps load fine, but background refreshes slow it down. Touch ID is fast but feels archaic next to Face ID.

Battery Life & Charging

A new battery gives 5-6 hours of screen time, but most used models hover at 4 hours. 15W fast charging helps, but no MagSafe or Qi charging is a bummer.

Gaming & Graphics Performance

Playable for casual games (e.g., Among Us), but PUBG Mobile requires low settings at 30fps. The Metal 2 API helps, but the GPU can’t keep up with modern titles.

Connectivity & Ports

Lightning is a pain for cable sharing in 2023. Bluetooth 4.2 means no AirPods Pro spatial audio. LTE speeds cap at 450Mbps—fine for streaming but not future-proof.

Durability & Protection

IP67 rating survives spills, but saltwater or drops can damage it. The screen’s oleophobic coating wears off over time, making it a fingerprint magnet.

Price & Value Proposition

At ~$200 used, it’s a cheap entry to iOS but lacks long-term support. Better for kids or as a backup than a daily driver. The iPhone SE (2022) is a smarter buy for $50 more.