Students ambivalent about features of the new iPhone

New iPhone features cause controversy

Emily Challenger, Online Editor

With the new iPhone 7, has Apple pushed the limits with what they can and cannot improve?

Each year, Apple strives to release a new product with a bang. Something is always changed, whether it’s phone shape, color, glass, or other features.

The iPhone 7 was a shock to all Apple users as well as everyone across the world. While the style and shape of the new iPhone is relatively similar to the previous generation, they have changed a few key features.

Unlike previous generations, a new color has been added to the commonly known four that iPhone users have: black, silver, gold, and rose gold, and now matte black.

They have also installed a dual camera into the phone, added a waterproof backing, a complete touch home button, faster features for apps and software, and even an improved battery life. But that was not what surprised and angered people around the world.

Since 2007, Apple has been promoting apple music through the iconic image of a person wearing headphones.

This image is widely distributed throughout the world on gift cards and commercials, but with the release of their next generation iPhone, people are appalled at the removal of the headphone jack.

Is it worth spending another $1,000 for a phone that has barely changed and taken away one of the many features all Apple users love? Senior Peter Schmisek said, “It seems impractical. I don’t think the new iPhone is worth it; AUX is life.” But he’s not the only one who misses the faithful headphone jack. Junior, Maya Mistrik explained, “I don’t like the missing headphone jack, I think that’s something that should never have been changed.”

Senior Hasti Movafaghi added the problems she noticed with the iPhone 7 converting completely to Bluetooth, “I don’t like the missing earphone jack. Especially since my car doesn’t have Bluetooth or aux, I use a tape recorder chord. So my friends with the 7 have no way of playing music in my car.”

Yet, despite these reviews, there are still a few people who feel good about the iPhone 7 and their purchase.

Kasia Kolanko, a senior, said, “The missing headphone jack hasn’t bothered me all that much because when you buy the iPhone it comes with headphones that have a USB cord instead of the jack, and you also get an adapter if you want to use old headphones.”

Apple has made it their mission to constantly come out with better products and new features each year. Mistrik agreed saying, “Apple always does a great job improving their products.”

While the prospect of a waterproof phone is interesting, Schmisek thinks differently, “I like that it’s waterproof but it’s a little late for that update,” He said.

Kolanko agreed saying, “The iPhone 7 is water resistant which is really cool, but I’ve dropped my old iPhone 6 in water and it was fine after putting it in rice, so I’m not sure how great that is.”

Still, there are mixed reviews if the iPhone 7 is worth the money. Mistrik said, “I don’t love it but I also don’t hate it.” Movafaghi agreed saying, “It’s pretty similar to the 6, so I feel like there isn’t much benefit.”