Honestly, walking around with an iPhone 7 Plus in 2026 feels a bit like driving a vintage car. It’s got that classic "click" (well, haptic vibration) of the Home button and those massive "forehead and chin" bezels that modern phones killed off years ago.
But here's the thing. People keep asking if this phone is basically a paperweight now. The answer isn't a simple yes or no. It's complicated.
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The Reality of iOS 15 in a World of iOS 26
If you’re looking for the latest features, stop. Just stop. Apple officially cut the cord on major software updates for the iPhone 7 Plus years ago. While the current flagship crowd is playing with iOS 26 and all its AI-driven bells and whistles, the 7 Plus is frozen in time at iOS 15.8.3.
Is that a death sentence? Not exactly.
Most of the "big" apps still work for now. You can open Instagram, send a WhatsApp message, or scroll through TikTok without the phone exploding. But the walls are closing in. We’re seeing more and more "This app requires iOS 16 or later" messages in the App Store.
Security is the Real Elephant in the Room
Apple actually pushed a few surprise security patches as recently as late 2025, which was honestly shocking. They don’t want these devices becoming part of a massive botnet. However, you shouldn't count on that forever. Using an iPhone 7 Plus for your primary banking or high-security work in 2026 is, frankly, risky. Vulnerabilities that are common knowledge to hackers might never get patched on this hardware again.
That "Loop Disease" Nobody Mentions Anymore
If you’re buying one of these second-hand today, you need to know about the Audio IC failure. Tech nerds call it "Loop Disease."
Basically, the phone’s frame is just a little too bendy. Over years of being shoved into tight jeans, a tiny chip on the motherboard starts to lift.
You’ll know you have it if:
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- Your Voice Memos app icon is greyed out.
- People can't hear you on calls, but Bluetooth headphones work fine.
- The phone takes five minutes to turn on.
- It gets stuck on the Apple logo forever.
If you see a "bargain" 7 Plus on eBay for $40, it’s probably a Loop Disease victim. Avoid it. Unless you’re a pro at micro-soldering, it’s a total headache to fix.
Can the Cameras Actually Compete?
We have to be real here. The dual 12MP setup on the iPhone 7 Plus was revolutionary back in 2016. It was the first time we got Portrait Mode and that 2x optical zoom lens.
In bright daylight? The photos are still... okay. They look natural. Colors aren't over-saturated like some modern budget Androids.
But low light is a disaster.
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The sensor is tiny. There’s no Night Mode. If you try to take a photo at a dimly lit dinner, it’s going to look like a grainy mess from 2005. Compared to an iPhone 13 or even a modern SE, the 7 Plus camera feels like a toy once the sun goes down.
The Battery Struggle is Very Real
Most iPhone 7 Plus units still in the wild have original batteries that are hovering around 70% health. That’s bad. You’ll be lucky to get three hours of screen time before it hits the "Red Zone."
If you’re determined to use this thing, you basically have three choices for the battery:
- The DIY Route: You can get a kit for about $15. It’s finicky, and you’ll probably ruin the water-resistance seal, but it works.
- Third-Party Shops: Usually costs around $50-$70.
- The Power Bank Life: Just keep it plugged into a brick 24/7.
Should You Actually Use One Today?
It’s great for a "distraction-free" phone. Since it’s a bit slower and can’t run the most addictive new games, it’s actually a decent device for someone trying to cut back on screen time.
It’s also built like a tank. That aluminum back doesn’t shatter like the glass on an iPhone 15 or 16. Drop it? It gets a scuff. It doesn't cost $500 to repair the back.
The Actionable Checklist
If you’re holding onto an iPhone 7 Plus or thinking about grabbing one for a kid/backup, do this:
- Check the Audio: Open the Voice Memos app. If it won't record, the phone is dying.
- Update to 15.8.3: Even if it's the end of the road, make sure you have the last possible patches.
- Offload Photos: Use Google Photos or iCloud. The 32GB base storage model is a nightmare in 2026.
- Use Web Apps: If an app won't download from the Store, try using the Safari version. It’s often faster and uses less battery.
At the end of the day, the iPhone 7 Plus is a legend. It survived the removal of the headphone jack and outlasted almost every competitor from its era. But in 2026, it’s definitely entering its retirement phase. If you need a reliable daily driver that won't let you down, it's time to look at an iPhone 12 or 13. They're affordable now and actually run modern software safely.
For those keeping the 7 Plus alive for the nostalgia or as a secondary "gym phone," keep an eye on that battery health and enjoy the Home button while it still clicks. Once the apps stop opening entirely, you've officially got a very pretty calculator.