8 things Apple didn’t tell you about the iPhone 7 and AirPods

All the buzz surrounding the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus have left many consumers with questions regarding the devices. At its two-hour long event on Wednesday, Apple went through many of the core new features the iPhones pack. But with time limited during the event, there are probably many questions you’re still asking. Let’s take a look at eight keynotes that Apple failed to provide you with:

1. The new Jet Black Color is only available in two storage models

The glossy Jet Black iPhone 7 and 7 Plus will likely be the most desired amongst all of the color options, but it will only be available in the 128GB or 256GB storage models. For those who want this color, you’ll need to pay $749 (128GB) or $849 (256GB) for the 7 and $869 (128GB) or $969 (256GB) for the 7 Plus.

2. The Jet Black finish scratches easily

If you read Apple’s fine print, you’ll see that it says the Jet Black finish is more prone to “fine micro-abrasions.” This could mean more hairline scratches. Note: the Jet Black gloss is just a finish and not strengthened Gorilla Glass that is less prone to scratching.

3. There is no in-between optical zoom on the iPhone 7 Plus

The iPhone 7 Plus has dual 12-megapixel cameras on the back — one wide-angle and one telephoto. The second one allows you to zoom 2x as close optically without losing any image quality when compared to digital zoom, which uses software to enhance a photo. While this sounds ideal, there is one catch: you only get 1x or 2x, no zoom range in between. What this means is you get 1x (wide-angle), 2x (telephoto), and up to 10x through digital zoom (shudder).

4. The new devices are lighter

The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus have the exact dimensions that the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus have, not counting the camera bump. Somehow, Apple managed to make them even lighter. The iPhone 7 weighs 4.87 ounces compared to the iPhone 6S at 5.01 ounces, and the iPhone 7 Plus weighs 6.63 ounces versus the 6S Plus at 6.77 ounces.

5. The devices have more battery life, but also less battery life

When unveiling the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, Apple proudly announced that the smartphones would have a longer battery life. While this is true, it’s only for internet use over 3G, LTE, and Wi-Fi. If you look at Apple’s iPhone comparison on its website, you’ll see that talk time dropped from 24 hours on 3G on the iPhone 6S Plus to 21 hours on the iPhone 7 Plus. The 6S and 7 remain at 14 hours of talk time over 3G.

6. No quick charging will be available

Almost all of Android’s flagship devices have a rapid charging option as they are baked into Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processors. This allows smartphones to be charged up extremely fast and “topped off” throughout the day to extend battery life. For example, the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 can charge from 0% to 40% in approximately 30 minutes.

Apple did not mention anything about quick charging during its press conference. While you can charge an iPhone faster with an adapter that outputs more power (such as the iPad’s 12-Watt charger rather than the iPhone’s 5-Watt charger), it’s still not as quick of a charge as flagship Android phones.

7. You cannot simultaneously listen to music and charge your phone

Apple boasted about removing the headphone jack, deeming it a “courageous” move. But you know what that means? You won’t be able to charge your phone and listen to music at the same time, unless you use the wireless headphones. The company recommends that you purchase its iPhone dock for $39, which has a 3.5-mm headphone jack.

Another workaround is to purchase a device like Apple’s official Smart Battery Case, which plugs into the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus’s Lightning port and has a pass-through dock for the headphones.

8. The new AirPods are not water-resistant

If they live up to the hype, Apple’s AirPod earbuds could be a game changer despite costing $159. One thing Apple didn’t tell us at its event is that they’re not water-resistant. So for those who want to wear them out for a run, you may want to rethink that idea, because when you run, you sweat, and well, you know what that means.

Via Mashable