Review: The iPhone 7 is just fine, even if it doesn't wow

Encryption has also been weakened to allow the FBI to access your data more easily.

Pros: Anyone?

-- no more headphone jack I don't need

If ya don't need it, ya don't have to use it.

(I don't need or use the volume buttons in the side of the iPhone too.)

I like options. Options are good. Options are features.

I like my computers to still have the Aux Out jack as well.

Apple seem to be hoping that reducing the capabilities of their phones will increase sales.

No capabilities have been reduced. You can still listen to music, even with wired headphones.

Apple seem to be following the Sony path of using their own proprietary sockets, file formats etc. We all know how well that worked out for Sony.

The difference being that they aren't Sony. The Jet Black model of the iPhone 7+ is already sold out world-wide, you can't even pre-order it.

Apple seem to be hoping that reducing the capabilities of their phones will increase sales. I can't see it myself. Wireless headphones are just one more thing to charge, and I really can't be bothered with that. You could buy some headphones with a lightning plug, but your choice will be limited. You could use an adaptor with your existing headphones, but then you can't charge your phone and use the headphones at the same time. Removing the headphone socket can only lead to increased aggravation.

Apple seem to be following the Sony path of using their own proprietary sockets, file formats etc. We all know how well that worked out for Sony.

Don't get me wrong... I actually agree with you but my point was more meant to be about it being completely unnecessary on modern digital devices, especially when the lightning jack and even micro usb are more than capable of providing the function that the traditional headphone jack provides.

Apple are actually doing us a favor by making the push I think, but as you said it needs to be accepted by the people. I do know of some Sennheiser staff who are very keen for the iPhone 7.

Haaa, there is tons of ancient tech that we still use and it's superior to any new or trying to be innovative tech! Few examples - amps, speakers, even record players are back with the best sales after 15 or so years! So the question is not if it is modern or ancient - if it works well and is of high quality it'll be adopted and eventually will become the norm.

I'm not Apple fan but I like what they do - basically they are not pioneers of invention but everything they took, they made better and it became popular because of their implementation. So let's see - I think only time will tell but basically they are going in the right direction.

Funny thing is all the people complaining about the lack of innovation from Apple and the removing of the headphone jack which is ancient tech and completely unnecessary on modern digital devices. The only thing which makes it necessary is the people who still have their old ear and headphones which use the ancient tech as well. Apple are obliging and providing the adapter to satisfy those people, but companies such as Sennheiser are working on their own lightning headphones already so it's really not even an issue. It's just people being pathetic.

Yep. For my Android, I use a collection of Sennheiser and Audio-Technica mics and headphones for videos and sound recording for my job. No way I'd give them up.

You wouldn't need to - it comes with an adapter.

"No jack makes it wack."

Yep. For my Android, I use a collection of Sennheiser and Audio-Technica mics and headphones for videos and sound recording for my job. No way I'd give them up.

I guess more Apple users who also need quality audio-visual will be going Google.

Citizen2012 is correct. The whole point of the article is there is no great innovation that excites anyone. I've owned iPhones for years and been happy with them, but I think we're seeing the tail end of smartphone innovation period. They pretty much do everything we need, and a lot more we don't.

The rest is nerd talk for nerds.

To charge your phone while listening, you need a $99 battery case or a third-party adapter.

Or Bluetooth headphones.

Also, your iPhone 7 headphones won’t work with any other device that uses the old-fashioned jack.

My Bluetooth headphones work with all other devices.

Pros: Anyone?

-- no more headphone jack I don't need

-- extra speaker

Let's do a pros and cons about removing the headphone jack.

Cons: No more option unless ya have to bring yet another adapter. To charge your phone while listening, you need a $99 battery case or a third-party adapter. Neither is included. Also, your iPhone 7 headphones won’t work with any other device that uses the old-fashioned jack.

Pros: Anyone?

I'm disappointed that the new iPhone 7 did not come with either a dual SIM tray or at least an internal embedded like the iPad Pro. That wold have been a real nice feature that would have prompted me to buy it, but now I will wait until next year. This feature would have been handy for people who travel frequently such as myself. Oh well...another year with my Galaxy Note 2 brick.

One of the rumors on youtube I saw was that they had invented wireless charging for the iphone.

One day we'll have wireless microwaves, computers, TV's, etc. not sure how long it's gonna take though.

I'll wait until things die down a bit. All the people who bought chargers recently for Pokemon, and like their regular headphones, etc., are going to need the Lightning adaptor.

Gogogo: what's funny is your need to jump on any Apple-related thread and lash out, as I've pointed out before. Why do superior products threaten you so? Angry about the Galaxy recall?

Seems a bit of a yawn.

This is the first time in a long time where the iPhone doesn't have a complete overhaul. the 4 was a HUGE improvement over the 3 adding the front camera and facetime. 5 was bigger and 6 introduced 2 sizes; one which was a phablet. It will be interesting to see in the next couple of months if the 7 really makes that big of an impact..

One of the rumors on youtube I saw was that they had invented wireless charging for the iphone. I was a bit disappointed when that feature wasn't available. I would also like them to introduce a feature where an iphone stops charging by itself once its full so it doesn't weaken the battery. I had that on the very first phone I bought which was a nokia.

BTW, does anyone know if the 7 is more durable than the previous models, or does the screen break just as easily?

No jack makes it wack.

Aren't jack and wack the same thing?

Anyway... I won't be getting a 7... not because I don't like it but because I've only had my 6s for a little less than a year and I don't need to. The no jack thing makes no difference to me and I honestly can't see what all the fuss is about.

Never says a bad thing about Apple.

Nor android.

No jack makes it wack.

Personally, I'm glad they got rid of it. It was a useless extraneous thing for me that I haven't used in two years. I'd rather it be gone and replaced with something else I will actually use - like the new speaker that they've added. That will actually serve a purpose for me. The headphone jack was useless.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.

Never says a bad thing about Apple.

I'm all for updating to wireless earphones anyway. Everything that can be wireless should be as far as I'm concerned. Though I do feel this time they should have implemented wireless charging and just get rid of the lightning port and earphone jack all together. Though I still wish they'd just work on getting some nice edge to edge screen display like some of the other phone companies are doing here. As much as I like the iphone, it still feel it looks outdated due to the thick borders.

A big problem I see on the horizon is the wear & tear of the lightning port.Using it to charge your phone as well as headphones I'd imagine it won't be long before you have trouble with that port.

Don't listen to music so much with the phone, plus my ear canals are small so they don't stay in very well. But I still think its a great idea, and the zoom too. Have a 6S +, happy with it except for the "sign into iTunes" every friggen 30 seconds..sometimes.

So, can we use the new earpieces for conversations too?

What's that a reply to? The article didn't even use the word innovation.

Schooled...LOL

What do Apple people do with microphones? My Android's jack is dual headphone and mic, which I use for high quality videos and audio recordings. I'd hate to lose this feature.

Apple's headphone jack was the same. My bluetooth headphones (and the airpods) also function as both headphones and a mic. So it doesn't appear to be something you would lose, unless you bought headphones that don't have a mic.

What do Apple people do with microphones? My Android's jack is dual headphone and mic, which I use for high quality videos and audio recordings. I'd hate to lose this feature.

Innovation in the size of the screen and the removal of the headphone jack ?

What's that a reply to? The article didn't even use the word innovation.

Smartphone design seems stuck in circle.

Not really, each version of smartphones (iphone and android) adds new and more features giving the phones more functionality and capability. The iphone 7 does way more than my first iphone, the iphone 3.

Do we get the same jumps in amazing functionality? No, of course not. It's the law of diminishing returns. The first iphone was such a jump beyond anything else on the market, of course it was an amazing innovation. Since then it has simply progressed in functionality. The ipad was another impressive innovation. But subsequent releases have simply been increases in functionality. Innovation comes when someone comes up with a new thing, or an impressive new way of doing things. New releases of smartphone OSes simply improve the ways that the phones can be used with the technology they use.

Probably the biggest 'innovation' the iphone has had since it was first released was the fingerprint reader for unlocking the phone. That was definitely a new way of using the button. And even then, it was really just finding newer and better ways to use the existing iphone, not a true innovation like a new smartphone.

Innovation in the size of the screen and the removal of the headphone jack ? Apple will never cease to amaze me (not that the other makers are doing better thought). Smartphone design seems stuck in circle.