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So, youve still got an iPhone 6, and whats wrong with that? Although its not as powerful as the iPhone 6s, it looks pretty much the same from the outside and who needs Live Photos anyway? If, like me, you bought your iPhone 6 as soon as it came out, and immediately signed to a 24-month contract, youre now probably eyeing up the iPhone 7. And for good reason. Unlike the iPhone 6s, the iPhone 7 features a reworked handset design, and comes with all the features of the iPhone 6s, plus a few improvements of its own. So is it worth getting an iPhone 7? Here Ill analyse everything, from the new features and specs to the camera and overall design, so you can work out whether its finally time to ditch your trusty iPhone 6.
iPhone 7 vs iPhone 6: Design
The iPhone 6 was released in September 2014, and the iPhone 7 was released just a few weeks ago, so youd expect them to look pretty different, wouldnt you? However, when you put the iPhone 6 next to the iPhone 7, you wont find many changes. From the front, both handsets look almost identical minus the slightly tweaked home button but there are more noticeable changes at the rear of the handsets. The iPhone 7 uses an improved camera compared to the iPhone 6, and the new phones chassis bulges out slightly to accommodate it.
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Apart from that, theres not much else to notice. The iPhone 7 gets rid of the iPhone 6s antenna lines, and in addition to a slightly tweaked home button and missing headphone jack which Ill get to later Apple hasnt changed much.
However, the new iPhone 7 comes in more finishes, and they look much better than those available with the iPhone 6. Space Grey has been killed, and in its place Apple has given us a super glossy Jet Black finish and a matte black finish and both are great. However, the Jet Black iPhone 7 is only available on models with 128GB or more, and Apple says its prone to micro-abrasions, which isnt ideal.
iPhone 7 vs iPhone 6: Features
Camera
Although the iPhone 7s camera only looks slightly different to the one on the iPhone 6, its actually one of the places where the new iPhone packs in significant improvements. The iPhone 6 uses a 8-megapixel camera with a f/2.2 aperture, whereas the iPhone 7 uses a 12-megapixel sensor with f/1.8 aperture and optical image stabilisation. As for that dual-lens camera? It only appears on the iPhone 7 Plus, Im afraid.
The result? The iPhone 7 can give you higher-resolution pictures, and is much better at taking photos in low-light conditions. Optical image stabilisation means your photos are less likely to be blurry, too. The iPhone 7s shooting superiority also extends to video: Apples latest handset can record 4K video at 2160p at 30fps, while the iPhone 6 can only manage 1080p at 30fps.
If you use FaceTime HD or take selfies a lot, youll find huge benefits from the iPhone 7s front-facing camera. Apples latest handset uses a 7-megapixel camera for selfie duties, while the iPhone 6 has to make to do with a lowly 1.2-megapixel module. Of course, the iPhone 7 also brings the other features we saw introduced in the iPhone 6s, such as Live Photos but theyre not exactly standout features.
Audio
The iPhone 6 features one speaker at the rear of the device, but the iPhone 7 comes with two just like the iPad Pro. Of course, the most interesting thing about the iPhone 7 is its total lack of a headphone jack something the iPhone 6 retains. Regardless of what you think about headphone jacks, its removal changes how you use the iPhone 7. Those who want to use their existing wired headphones will need to use a free adapter in the iPhone 7, which does look a bit unsightly. Whats more, if youre listening to music you wont be able to charge your phone at the same time unless you buy a dock or accessory. While its not a game-changing difference, it is slightly annoying and something to consider before you hand over your 3.5mm-equipped iPhone 6. On the plus side, the iPhone 7s Lightning port means it will work with the same docks and cables as your iPhone 6, which is a bonus.
Water resistance
If you ever drop your iPhone 6 in water, its usually game over but the iPhone 7 is both water- and dust-resistant. IP67 certification means the phone will survive being submerged in one metre of water for 30 minutes but its probably best to avoid testing this, since Apple still doesnt cover water damage in the iPhone 7s warranty. Still, its better than nothing.
Home button
The home button has been a part of the iPhone since the very first handset, but the iPhone 7 gives it an overhaul. The new home button comes with haptic feedback, so although it may feel like a mechanical button, it isnt one. Apple says the new feature could be used across iOS 10 and third-party apps to add another layer to the UI. The iPhone 7s new home button is a revelation compared to that of the iPhone 6s. It might look like the home button you’re used to, but pressing it gives you a haptic nudge, just like using 3D Touch. As youd expect, the iPhone 7 also comes with the faster, improved version of Touch ID.
In contrast, the iPhone 6 comes with a straightforward home button without haptic touch, and it doesnt benefit from the next-generation Touch ID either, so itll take slightly longer to unlock.
iPhone 7 vs iPhone 6: Specs
Processor
The iPhone 7 uses a A10 Fusion processor, and that means its by far the most powerful iPhone ever; Apple states the new handset is twice as fast as the iPhone 6s A8 processor. Its a quad-core processor, but its actually split into two parts. Two high-performance processors handle the compute-intensive tasks, while two efficiency cores take care of lighter loads giving you better battery life.
Battery life
The iPhone 6 uses a 1,810mAh battery, while the iPhone 7 uses a larger 1,960mAh battery. The new A10 Fusion processor helps to give the new handset a speed boost over the iPhone 6, but it also increases the time between charges. Apple says the iPhone 7 will give you around two hours more than the iPhone 6s, so you should see a noticeable difference if you upgrade from the iPhone 6 to the latest handset.
Display
Both the iPhone 6 and iPhone 7 use a 4.7in screen with a resolution of 750 x 1,334. However, Apple says the new screen is around 25% brighter, and has a wider colour gamut. With both phones side by side, the differences are clear. Colours seem to pop more on the 7, and the screen also appears to be brighter although it’s still not a match for the exemplary Samsung Galaxy S7s Super AMOLED screen. The iPhone 7s display also uses 3D Touch, whereas the iPhone 7 uses 3D Touch technology first debuted on the iPhone 6s.
Storage and price
The iPhone 7 starts at £599 for the 32GB version, moving to £699 for the 128GB model and £799 for the top-of-the-range 256GB handset. Apple doesnt actually sell the iPhone 6 anymore, but it has updated the storage options on the iPhone 6s. That means you can now pick up a 32GB handset for £499 or a 128GB handset for £599.
iPhone 7 vs iPhone 6: Verdict
If youve already got an iPhone 6s, the iPhone 7 brings a host of incremental upgrades that make for a solid but optional upgrade. However, if youve got an iPhone 6, youll find the cumulative tweaks offer a significant step up in performance whether its processor speed, battery life or brand-new features such as water resistance or 3D Touch. There are some good iPhone 7 deals floating around right now, but you should expect to pay around £30-50 per month for the best-value handsets plus a bit of cash upfront. The only consolation? Your iPhone 6 is worth more than you think; if you take advantage of phone recycling comparison sites such as, you could get up to up to £250 for your two-year- old iPhone.
