Consumer Reports Compares iPhone 7 To Earlier Models
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The iPhone 7 has been out for a couple of weeks now -- just enough time for Consumer Reports to give them the once-over.
So how does it stack up against earlier models?
Consumer Reports began testing the new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus on the same day they were released.
The phones tout a number of upgrades, including an enhanced camera and, for the first time, Apple says the iPhone 7 is water-resistant. Apple claims the phones can survive in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. So Consumer Reports put those claims to the test in a pressurized tank.
"Our water immersion tests indicate that the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus passed, but we will continue to check them for functionality," Maria Rerecich, head of electronics testing with Consumer Reports, said.
What's missing from the new iPhone is also getting a lot of attention. With no headphone jack, audio testers examined the new headphone connection using the lightning-charging port.
"As far as sound quality goes, we found no significant differences with the new wired headphone connection," Rerecich said.
Apple says the iPhone 7 Plus is a photographer's dream with more megapixels on the selfie camera and the addition of a second lens allowing for optical zoom on the main camera.
"In our preliminary testing, we found the telephoto lens was sharper and had better overall image performance than the primary lens, but that primary lens was pretty comparable to previous iPhones," Rerecich said.
Consumer Reports testers are still evaluating the new phones' voice quality and battery life.
Full results of those tests along with Consumer Reports' exclusive ratings on the iPhone 7 will be available in the next few weeks.
In the meantime, Apple's having trouble keeping up with demand for the iPhone 7 in "jetblack." In fact, tech insiders say if you order one in that color, it won't be delivered until November. Apparently, it has to do with case production. Only 60 to 70 percent of the cases that are made in "jetblack" meet quality standards.
Complete Ratings and recommendations on all kinds of products, including appliances, cars & trucks, and electronic gear, are available on Consumer Reports' website. Subscribe to ConsumerReports.org.
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