Honestly, walking into an Apple Store in March 2017 felt different. Usually, the "new" iPhone hype is a September thing, a ritual of autumn leaves and expensive glass. But then Apple dropped the iPhone 7 Plus in red, and suddenly everyone was talking about a phone that had technically been out for six months. It wasn't just a color swap. It was a statement.
The (PRODUCT)RED special edition was the first time Apple ever gave their flagship phone the crimson treatment. Before this, red was reserved for iPod Nanos, shuffles, and some leather cases. Seeing that vibrant, matte aluminum finish on a 5.5-inch slab of tech was—kinda jarring in a good way.
The Design Choice That Divided Everyone
Most people don't remember the controversy. Or maybe they do. When the iPhone 7 Plus in red launched, it featured a white front bezel. The internet basically melted. Tech enthusiasts on forums like MacRumors were screaming for a "blood red" version with a black front. They thought the white glass made it look like a toy.
But in person? It was striking. The silver Apple logo on the back caught the light perfectly against that deep, saturated red. It didn't look like a toy; it looked like a collector's item. Because it was. Apple only sold it for about six months. They quietly yanked it from the shelves when the iPhone 8 and iPhone X arrived in September 2017. If you have one now, you're holding a piece of weird, specific Apple history.
What Actually Happened Under the Hood
Let’s be real for a second. Internally, the red version was identical to the Black, Jet Black, Silver, Gold, and Rose Gold models. You weren't getting a faster chip or a better screen just because it was red.
It still ran the A10 Fusion chip. At the time, this was a beast. It was a quad-core setup—two high-performance cores for gaming and two high-efficiency cores for just scrolling through Twitter. It was the first time an iPhone used this "big.LITTLE" architecture, and it’s why these phones still feel surprisingly snappy today for basic tasks.
- RAM: 3GB (The regular iPhone 7 only had 2GB, which is a huge reason the Plus aged better).
- Storage: 128GB or 256GB only. You couldn't get the cheap 32GB version in red.
- Screen: 5.5-inch Retina HD. 1080p. 401 ppi.
- Battery: 2900 mAh.
The dual-camera system was the real star. That 12MP wide-angle paired with the 12MP telephoto lens gave us the first iteration of "Portrait Mode." It wasn't perfect. It struggled with hair and glasses, blurring them into the background like a messy Photoshop job. But for 2017? It was magic.
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The Charity Factor
We can't talk about this phone without mentioning the (RED) partnership. Every single purchase contributed to the Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS. Apple has been the world’s largest corporate donor to this cause, contributing over $250 million since they started working with (RED) in 2006.
When you bought the iPhone 7 Plus in red, you weren't just buying a gadget. You were funding ARV medication in sub-Saharan Africa. Specifically, the money went toward programs that help prevent the transmission of the virus from mothers to their babies. It was tech with a conscience, which is a rare thing to find in a market dominated by profit margins and planned obsolescence.
Buying One in 2026: Is It a Bad Idea?
Look, I love the aesthetic. I really do. But we have to be honest about the hardware limitations in 2026. This phone is almost a decade old.
The iPhone 7 Plus officially lost support for the latest iOS updates a while ago. It’s stuck on iOS 15. While that sounds "old," most apps still work. You can still download Spotify, Instagram, and YouTube. But you aren't getting the latest security patches or the fancy new AI features Apple is pushing today.
The battery is likely the biggest hurdle. If you're buying one used—and that's the only way you're getting one—the lithium-ion cell is probably tired. Expect about 3-4 hours of screen-on time before it starts begging for a Lightning cable.
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Why People Still Hunt for It
Collectibility. Pure and simple. Because Apple stopped making the red 7 Plus so quickly, they are harder to find in good condition than the standard Gold or Black models. Collectors look for the ones with the original box.
If you're a "minimalist" or someone who just wants a secondary phone for calls and music, the iPhone 7 Plus in red is a vibe. The matte finish doesn't show fingerprints like the modern glass backs. It’s durable. It has that satisfying "clunk" when you put it on a table.
- Current Price (Used): You can usually find these on eBay or Swappa for anywhere between $90 and $130 depending on the condition.
- The "Hissgate" Risk: Some early iPhone 7 Plus models had a "hissing" sound when the processor was under heavy load. If you're buying one, ask the seller about it.
- The Button: Remember, this doesn't have a physical home button. It’s a solid-state piece of glass that vibrates using the Taptic Engine to mimic a click. If the phone is off, the button doesn't move. It's weirdly cool.
Common Misconceptions
People think the red finish scratches easily. It doesn't. Unlike the Jet Black model—which Apple literally warned people would scratch if they looked at it wrong—the red aluminum is tough. It’s anodized.
Another myth is that the red version had better water resistance. Nope. It’s IP67. This means it can survive a drop in a meter of water for 30 minutes. But don't go swimming with it. The seals degrade over time, and by 2026, those rubber gaskets are almost certainly brittle. If it gets wet now, it’s probably game over.
What to Check Before You Buy
If you're scouring the secondary market for this specific model, don't just look at the photos. Check the Battery Health in the settings. If it's below 80%, the phone will throttle the CPU to prevent it from shutting down. You'll feel the lag.
Also, look at the screen carefully. The 7 Plus used an LCD, not an OLED. Look for "backlight bleed" or white spots on the display, which are common as these units age. And for the love of everything, make sure it isn't iCloud locked. A locked iPhone is just a very pretty, very red paperweight.
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Actionable Next Steps
If you've decided you need this piece of history in your pocket, here is how to do it right.
- Check the Model Number: Look for A1661 if you want the best compatibility. It has the Qualcomm modem which generally performs better than the Intel version found in other models.
- Verify Storage: Since this phone doesn't have a microSD slot and 4K video eats space, stick to the 256GB version if you can find it.
- Inspect the Lightning Port: These didn't have wireless charging. If the port is loose or dirty, you can't charge the phone. Use a toothpick to gently clear out pocket lint if it's not holding a cable properly.
- Replace the Battery: Budget an extra $50 to have a local shop swap in a fresh battery. It will make the phone feel twice as fast because the software won't be trying to "save" a dying power cell.
The iPhone 7 Plus in red remains one of the most iconic designs Apple ever released. It represents a transition point—the end of the home button era and the beginning of Apple’s serious commitment to global health. Whether it's a backup phone or a display piece, it still turns heads.