The headphone jack takes a hike

One of the more Popular speculations on the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus was that the analog headphone jack was doomed. The event confirmed it. Replacing it is Apple’s own proprietary Lightning interface, one highlighted feature of which is its ability to power a device like a USB port while carrying audio. Analog headphones will still work with the new phones though through a Lightning-to-analog adaptor that comes packed-in with the devices.

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Users have one other option: wireless audio devices. Apple introduced the AirPods which Apple trumpeted for its ease-of-use. The company claimed that there is “no step 2” to connecting. You just tap connect, and you’re connected to all your Apple devices – computer, phone, or tablet. It switches automatically to the device you’re currently using. It’s said to last for 5 hours on a single charge, and will retail for $160.

Apple also touts its new stereo speakers, a first for the line.

Performance

The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus come with the A10 Fusion Chip, the company’s latest and greatest yet.

Apple claims its the fastest smartphone on the market. Its new graphics chip is also said to be 50% faster than its predecessor, allowing for real-time reflections, weather effects, and particle effects. Translation: mobile razmatazz on a whole new level. Game developer, Heather Price, certainly feels so. She presented their game, the role-playing title Broken Kingdom, which she noted ran flawlessly on the iPhone 7 while rendering “400 flying monkeys” with nary a dip in framerate.

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While processing power has been increased, the battery of the iPhone 7 models is said to last an hour or two longer than the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus.

The 6s, 6s Plus and the SE will continue to be in Apple’s phone rotation. The 6s and the 6s Plus have been given a bump in memory capacity, with 16GB models moving up to 32GB, and 64GB models doubling to 128GB. The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus will come in 32, 128 and 256 GB variants