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iPhone 7 up close: Better camera, water-resistant -- and no headphone jack

Apple's newest 4.7-inch iPhone has some important changes inside and out, including two black finishes that join the color roster.

Scott Stein
I started with CNET reviewing laptops in 2009. Now I explore wearable tech, VR/AR, tablets, gaming and future/emerging trends in our changing world. Other obsessions include magic, immersive theater, puzzles, board games, cooking, improv and the New York Jets. My background includes an MFA in theater which I apply to thinking about immersive experiences of the future.
Scott Stein
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The iPhone 7 and larger, dual-camera iPhone 7 Plus are here -- let's take a close-up look.

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Two "new" colors join the lineup: glossy black and matte black. We haven't seen a shiny black iPhone in a long time...but buyer, beware. It could scratch easily.

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The iPhone 7 body is defined by a new 12-megapixel camera with optical image stabilization and an f/1.8 aperture.

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It sticks out more than on last year's iPhone 6S.

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Brace yourself: The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus are the first iPhones without a 3.5mm headphone jack. Instead, you connect wired headphones through the Lightning port, or through an adaptor that comes in the box.

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So, what's in the box? A wired EarPods headset (with a Lightning plug), a Lightning-to-USB charging cable, a USB power adapter and a Lightning-to-3.5mm headphone jack adapter.

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The iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are the first iPhones to be dust- and water-resistant.

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It has an International Protection rating of IP67.

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Left to right we have the iPhone 7 Plus, Apple Watch 2, wireless AirPods (sold separately) and iPhone 7.

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Between the diminutive iPhone SE and big-screen iPhone 7 Plus, the iPhone 7 is a regular Goldilocks.

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The class of 2016: Large-screen rivals from Apple, Huawei, LG, Motorola and Samsung.

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A look at both new black finishes for the 7 and 7 Plus.

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A closer look at that nonexistant headphone jack.

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They come with a pair of EarPods with a Lightning connector.

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Both phones also come with a Lightning-to-3.5mm headphone jack adapter.

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Apple is selling the optional wireless AirPods headphones (pictured top right) for $159 in the US, £159 in the UK and AU$229 in Australia.

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Apple claims that the iPhone 7 screen is 25 percent brighter than the screen on the iPhone 6S. That's a lot more nits!

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The iPhone 6S family and the iPhone 7 family. Notice any resemblance?

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Take a look at more photos of the iPhone 7 in action.

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Deciding between an iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus? For all the good and bad, check out my iPhone 7 review. (And my iPhone 7 Plus review!)

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