Smartphone News

As expected, Apple today unveiled the eagerly anticipated iPhone 7, featuring a water-resistant design, dramatically improved battery life, a 25% brighter display, and what Apple calls “the most powerful chip ever in a phone.” But the real excitement for mobile photographers is an entirely new camera system with a powerful array of imaging features.

Key to the iPhone 7’s picture-taking capabilities is a 12-megapixel sensor, f/1.8 wide-to-tele 2x optical zoom (with 10 digital zoom), expanded color gamut, advanced optical image stabilization, a quad-LED flash, and a 7-megapixel front-facing HD camera for selfies and FaceTime..

The fast f/1.8 maximum aperture on the six-element lens has 50% more light gathering capabilities than the lens on the iPhone 6. In combination with the camera’s optical image stabilization capabilities, that means far greater low-light performance. Apple says the image stabilization system delivers sharp results with exposures up to 3X longer than those with the iPhone 6.

The iPhone 7 features a new flash with a 4-LED array that automatically compensates for ambient light levels and changes in color temperature. And a new 7-megapixel, front facing HD camera utilizes a “Retina Flash” for natural skin tones in your selfies.

Apple added enhanced video capabilities for the iPhone 7, which also utilize the camera’s image-stabilization system and include 4K video as well as both slo-mo and time lapse features.

The iPhone 7 features a 4.7-inch display for a price of $32.41/month with Apple’s upgrade program, or $649 as a new purchase. There’s also an iPhone 7 Plus with a 5.5-inch display, priced at $37.71/month as an upgrade, or $769 when purchased.

Pre-order begins at 12:01 am (PDT) on Friday, with delivery expected on September 16. You can read all the details on Apple’s website.