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iPhone 7 versus iPhone 7 Plus: What's the difference?

We help you decide which of Apple's new iPhones is best for you.

Patrick Holland Managing Editor
Patrick Holland has been a phone reviewer for CNET since 2016. He is a former theater director who occasionally makes short films. Patrick has an eye for photography and a passion for everything mobile. He is a colorful raconteur who will guide you through the ever-changing, fast-paced world of phones, especially the iPhone and iOS. He used to co-host CNET's I'm So Obsessed podcast and interviewed guests like Jeff Goldblum, Alfre Woodard, Stephen Merchant, Sam Jay, Edgar Wright and Roy Wood Jr.
Expertise Apple, iPhone, iOS, Android, Samsung, Sony, Google, Motorola, interviews, coffee equipment, cats Credentials
  • Patrick's play The Cowboy is included in the Best American Short Plays 2011-12 anthology. He co-wrote and starred in the short film Baden Krunk that won the Best Wisconsin Short Film award at the Milwaukee Short Film Festival.
Patrick Holland
2 min read
Watch this: Apple's iPhone 7 wants you to cut the cord

Today Apple revealed its latest iPhones: The iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus. Both have new body designs. Both shed the analog headphone jack. And both come in a variety of colors, including two new black finishes (one matte, one glossy). So which one should you buy?

We won't know until we test them both fully, but here's what's different: For $120, £120 or AU$190 more, the iPhone 7 Plus gets you a bigger screen, a second rear camera and slightly better battery life. If these features don't pique your interest, then the smaller iPhone 7 is likely a better option for you. Shutterbugs and those who value larger screens will probably prefer the iPhone 7 Plus.

iPhone 7 Plus in photos: Your first look at Apple's new flagship

See all photos

Camera: Both new iPhones have the same 12-megapixel wide angle camera. But the iPhone 7 Plus has a second 12-megapixel sensor with a telephoto lens.

This allows you to get sharper images of subjects that are farther away, and you can also slide your finger across the screen to zoom in up to 10X. (The iPhone 7 only has a 5X digital zoom.) Low-light performance should be the same for both phones. Here's an even closer look at what's going on with the camera.

Size: Like last year's models, the iPhone 7 Plus is larger than the iPhone 7. Apple claims that both screens are 25 percent brighter than last generation's iPhones.

Battery: Apple estimates that the iPhone 7 Plus gets slightly better battery life than the iPhone 7 -- about two or three hours depending on how you use it. And both phones are said to last a little longer than last year's models.

Price: The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus have three storage capacities. So, no matter which phone you choose, the Plus will always cost more than each iPhone 7 model.

Still haven't made up your mind? Once we get a chance to fully review both phones, we'll know for sure just how significant these differences are -- and which one we'd recommend most. Until then, know that Super Mario Run will work on both!

Drill down for more specs in the chart below, and check out everything Apple announced today.

iPhone 7 and 7 Plus specs

Apple iPhone 7Apple iPhone 7 Plus
Display size, resolution 4.7-inch; 1334x750 pixels5.5-inch; 1,920x1,080 pixels
Pixel density 326 ppi401 ppi
Dimensions (Inches) 5.44x2.64x0.28-inches6.23x 3.07x0.29-inches
Dimensions (Millimeters) 138.3x67.1x7.1 mm158.2x77.9x7.3 mm
Weight (Ounces, Grams) 4.87 oz; 138 g6.63 oz; 188 g
Mobile software Apple iOS 10Apple iOS 10
Camera(s) 12-megapixel (wide)12-megapixel (telephoto), 12-megapixel (wide)
Front-facing camera 7-megapixel7-megapixel
Video capture 4K4K
Processor Apple A10 chip (64-bit)Apple A10 chip (64-bit)
Storage 32GB, 128GB, 256GB32GB, 128GB, 256GB
RAM TBDTBD
Expandable storage NoneNone
Battery 14 hour talk time on 3G, 10 days standby, 12 hours internet use on LTE21 hours talk time on 3G, 16 days standby, 13 hours internet use LTE
Fingerprint sensor Home buttonHome button
Connector LightningLightning
Analog Audio Jack NoneNone
Special features Water and dust-resistant, Taptic Home buttonWater and dust-resistant, Taptic Home button, dual rear cameras, up to 10x camera zoom, Depth of Field mode
Price off-contract (USD) $649 (32GB); $749 (128GB); $849 (256GB)$769 (32GB); $869 (128GB); $969 (256GB)
Price (GBP) £599 (32GB); £699 (128GB); £799 (256GB) £719 (32GB); £819 (128GB); £919 (256GB)
Price (AUD) AU$1079 (32GB), AU$1229 (128GB), AU$1379 (256GBAU$1269 (32GB); AU$1419 (128GB); AU$1569 (256GB)