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Here's what the 2007 iPhone's photos look like

Digital camera photography was a lot different 10 years ago. We dug the original iPhone out and shot some pics around New York City.

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 original iPhone had a basic camera, with no zoom, flash or any editing features.

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Indoor shots...well, this is the Ace Hotel looking like a misty dream sequence.

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Flowers by the Ace Hotel lobby.

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My fancy coffee is lacking some detail. The original iPhone camera didn't have HDR for helping balance contrast.

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No selfie camera (which was introduced on the iPhone 4), so I tried my best with the rear camera.

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This ended up looking like a scene from "Eyes Wide Shut." Photos in dim rooms are rough.

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Outdoor shots in decent light fare a bit better.

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Ornaments and lights.

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A shot of the Empire State Building, and I can't zoom in further.

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Close-up shots don't fare well, since the 2007 iPhone had no focus functions.

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Bonus: our Flatiron district looks like the 1970s.

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Monkey shot: that fur detail is awfully fuzzy.

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Lynn La looks OK, though!

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New York at night. Did we really take phone photos like this 10 years ago?

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The same shot, mostly, taken with an iPhone 7 Plus with no flash. What a difference 10 years makes.

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