Is iPhone 7 Plus still supported in 2022?

Apple's decision not to support iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus when iOS 16 ships later this year is proving to be a controversial one. Owners of devices older than iPhone 8 will need to upgrade if they want to benefit from iOS 16's new features, and they're taking Apple and CEO Tim Cook to task over it.

Apple announced iOS 16 as part of its WWDC22 opening keynote on Monday and while it's true that the update was well-received, the news that iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus won't be supported wasn't. People have been taking to Twitter to complain, with Cook often feeling the full force of their frustration.

Why ,why,why?No iOS 16 support on iPhone 7,I was very nervous yesterday,even cried because no iOS 16 support for iPhone 7.I tested betas since iOS 14.6 and now I need to stay only on iOS 15💔😭😡😖Why ,why,why?No iOS 16 support on iPhone 7,I was very nervous yesterday,even cried because no iOS 16 support for iPhone 7.I tested betas since iOS 14.6 and now I need to stay only on iOS 15💔😭😡😖— Balogh Claudiu Gabriel (@Outland3r_2007) June 7, 2022June 7, 2022

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One person suggested that even if their iPhone 8 is dropped when iOS 17 launches next year, they won't upgrade. They don't like the large screen and lack of Home button, although switching to an iPhone SE is one option they could consider.

While Cook was on the receiving end of much descent, others just shouted into the void of Twitter, hoping for something better.

Apple not supporting ios 16 on iPhone 7 might be most weird thing i ever saw
Worst part is
Ipads that are LESS powerful than iphone 7 wilk get the new ios
What kind of logic is that apple?Apple not supporting ios 16 on iPhone 7 might be most weird thing i ever saw
Worst part is
Ipads that are LESS powerful than iphone 7 wilk get the new ios
What kind of logic is that apple?— Pracar (@Not_Prasar) June 6, 2022June 6, 2022

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And that, right there, is the crux of the problem. Apple often stops supporting older devices and the iPhone 7 lineup has been around since 2016, a time when iPhone 7 Plus was the undisputed best iPhone for photographers. But its A10 Fusion chip is also used in the sixth and seventh-generation iPad — devices that will get iOS 16 support this fall. With that in mind, the logic behind Apple's decision is a difficult one to follow. It's possible there are other factors at play, but until Apple explains its decision people are going to continue to complain.

Even if there is some specification that iPhone 7 is lacking, there is precedent for releasing an update and keeping some features for newer devices. Even iPhone 12 will miss out on the ability to use Face ID in landscape mode, for example. That's an iOS 16 feature that will only be offered on iPhone 13 for now — although iPhone 14 will surely be added to the mix this September.

But all these goodies will only be available to people with the iPhone 8 and later models. This means any phones introduced in 2016 or earlier, including the iPhone 6S, iPhone SE and iPhone 7, won't be getting Apple software updates anymore. It's not an unexpected move, given that the company regularly retires software support on older devices. 

To be clear, if you have an older device, it and all your apps should continue to work for now even without the update with all the shiny new features. But since you won't be getting new iOS updates, that could leave your device vulnerable to hacks and malware because software updates also often include patches for bugs. Apple may continue to offer some security updates to these older devices, as it's done with iPhone 5 and iPhone 6 devices. But even if it does, it's likely the updates will only include critical vulnerabilities, which could still leave devices open to attack. To keep up with potential vulnerabilities and to see what, if any, security updates will be available to you, be sure to keep your eye on Apple Security updates. 

TL;DR: If you’re looking for the absolute bare essentials, a used iPhone 7 is one of the best cheap phones you can get for the price. The iPhone 7 may look dated compared to an all-screen modern iPhone, but because it has a very low cost of entry, it is good for anyone on a tight budget, or anyone who only wants the basics.

We’re now in 2023, and Apple’s latest iPhones are still as expensive as ever. While some folks have no problem taking out a second mortgage to get the latest and greatest features, others would rather save their money by sticking to previous-gen iPhones instead. In this post, we’ll examine the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus in hopes that by the end, you should be in a much better position to decide if the iPhone 7 is still worth it in 2023.

Table of Contents

  • iPhone 7 price and iPhone 7 Plus price
  • What is the iPhone 7 missing?
  • iPhone 7 features, style, and build quality
    • Display
    • Size
    • Performance
    • Storage
    • Camera

iPhone 7 price and iPhone 7 Plus price

As we suggested in the TL;DR, one of the most attractive aspects of buying a used iPhone 7 or 7 Plus is the low price. It’s a great mix of core features and low pricing, which makes it good if you want a smartphone for the basics.

Is iPhone 7 Plus still supported in 2022?

Is iPhone 7 Plus still supported in 2022?

Apple iPhone 7

Unlocked

32

Is iPhone 7 Plus still supported in 2022?

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Is iPhone 7 Plus still supported in 2022?

Is iPhone 7 Plus still supported in 2022?

Is iPhone 7 Plus still supported in 2022?

Apple iPhone 7 Plus

Unlocked

32

CAPACITY

NETWORK

LISTINGS
START AT

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Is iPhone 7 Plus still supported in 2022?

What is the iPhone 7 missing?

The iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are over 7 years old, which means there’s been plenty of new advancements in mobile technology that has developed since then. If you’re wondering what you’ll be missing out on by going with an older iPhone 7 or 7 Plus, we’ve put together a quick list highlighting notable hardware and software features you’ll find on more recent iPhones.

  • Ultra-wide camera
  • Space Gray color option from iPhone 6S
  • Wireless charging
  • True Tone display
  • Portrait Mode (iPhone 7)
  • Portrait Lighting effects (iPhone 7 Plus)
  • Fast Charge
  • 4K recording at 60fps
  • Slo-mo 1080p at 240 fps
  • Dolby Vision support and HDR10 content
  • Smart HDR
  • Night Mode
  • Face ID

If these features are important to you, consider upgrading to something slightly newer such as an iPhone SE 2020 or iPhone SE 2022.

Is iPhone 7 Plus still supported in 2022?
Apple iPhone 8

$135+

Is iPhone 7 Plus still supported in 2022?
Apple iPhone 8 Plus

$169+

Is iPhone 7 Plus still supported in 2022?
Apple iPhone SE 2nd Gen

$170+

Is iPhone 7 Plus still supported in 2022?
Apple iPhone SE 3rd Gen 2022

$324+

Is the iPhone 7 still worth it?

As you can see from this post, the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus can still be worth buying in 2023. But, it really comes down to your expectations. Although they’re a far cry from the latest iPhones in terms of features and capabilities, they’re also a fraction of the price. In other words, the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus make great options for anyone who only requires the basics.

Don’t waste any more time — learn more in our iPhone 7 overview and iPhone 7 Buyer’s Guide, and then find the best iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus deals in the Swappa marketplace.

FIND YOUR NEXT IPHONE ON SWAPPA


iPhone 7 features, style, and build quality

Is iPhone 7 Plus still supported in 2022?

The iPhone 7 wasn’t a giant leap in design from the previous generation iPhone 6S. Instead, it was more of evolution. The design received minor tweaks, like a more streamlined hump around the camera lens and an entirely new color/finish: Jet Black. Easily one of the rarest iPhone colors, the Jet Black option was discontinued the following year (likely because it was prone to scratches). Other iPhone 7 colors include Silver, Gold, Rose Gold, and Matte Black.

Display

The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus displays are the same sizes as previous year’s models — 4.7 inches and 5.5 inches — but they were 25% brighter and show a wider range of colors. While this will probably only be noticeable when holding the iPhone 7 side-by-side with its predecessor, it is more noticeable when viewing photos snapped with the iPhone 7 camera (which also captures more color). The Retina displays also remain the same resolution as the previous year’s models, with the iPhone 7 equipped with a 720p screen, and the iPhone 7 Plus features a full HD 1080p screen.

Headphone jack

Unfortunately, the iPhone 7 was also the generation that removed the headphone jack, requiring a dongle to listen to music through the Lighting charging port. While it may not sound like a huge deal, you will carry the dongle with you whenever you want to use your wired headphones, or invest in wireless Bluetooth headphones (Apple AirPods are a safe bet).

Size

The overall size of the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus is also nearly identical to the last two generations of iPhones, dating back to the iPhone 6. The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus weighs in at 138g/188g, a tad lighter than the previous-gen iPhone 6S/6S Plus. Other than that, they are your standard iPhone sizes, measuring in at: 138.3 x 67.1 x 7.1mm for the iPhone 7 and 158.2 x 77.9 x 7.3mm for the iPhone 7 Plus.

Performance

Both the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus feature Apple’s A10 Fusion chip. It’s Apple’s first quad-core processor that features two high-performance cores, and two low-power cores that use less battery power for improved battery life. Otherwise, the iPhone 7 features the same 2GB of RAM as previous iPhones, and the iPhone 7 Plus is equipped with 3GB of RAM. This extra RAM in the iPhone 7 Plus helps immensely with multitasking — one of the iOS’s best features — allowing you to quickly resume opened apps without having them reload.

Storage

The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus comes in a few storage configurations: 32/128/256GB. While the 32GB model is the cheapest — and possibly the most enticing, you may find yourself running into low storage warnings faster than you’d think. Whether it’s Live Photos, 4K video, or the ever-growing size of apps and games, 32GB just wasn’t much storage in 2022. Since there isn’t a 64GB model, our advice would be to move up to the 128GB, or 256GB model for better future-proofing.

Software

When the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus first launched in 2016, they were both running iOS 10. It’s been a few years since then, which means there have been several major platform updates since then. Today, both devices support Apple’s iOS 15 software. The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus did not get upgraded to iOS 16 when it was released in late 2022.

Camera

The camera on the iPhone has long been considered one of the best mobile cameras available, something Apple further cemented when the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus were first launched. However, by 2023 standards, the iPhone 7’s low-light performance isn’t the best. Newer iPhones like the iPhone SE, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS take advantage of Apple’s Smart HDR to improve sharpness and clarity in medium-to-low lighting conditions, while the entire 2019 iPhone 11 lineup has access to Night Mode for extreme low lighting conditions. For the vast majority of people who enjoy shooting outdoors during the day, the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are perfectly adequate, even today.


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Is iPhone 7 Plus still good in 2022?

It's been a few years since then, which means there have been several major platform updates since then. Today, both devices support Apple's iOS 15 software. The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus did not get upgraded to iOS 16 when it was released in late 2022.

How many years iPhone 7 Plus will be supported?

Release
Released
Supported
iPhone 8 / 8 Plus
5 years ago (22 Sep 2017)
Yes
iPhone X
5 years ago (12 Sep 2017)
Yes
iPhone 7 / 7 Plus
6 years ago (16 Sep 2016)
Yes
iPhone SE (1st generation)
6 years and 9 months ago (31 Mar 2016)
Yes
Apple iPhone - endoflife.dateendoflife.date › iphonenull

What iphones will stop working in 2022?

The iPhone 6S was introduced in 2015, making it obsolete between 2020 and 2022. The iPhone 7 was introduced in 2016, making it obsolete between 2021 and 2023. The iPhone 8 was introduced in 2017, making it obsolete between 2022 and 2024.

How long will iPhone 7 Plus get updates?

iPhone 7 is not getting any further major iOS updates. Ios 15 is the last version it will run.