9 Reasons To Give iPhone 7 A Miss

Like a lot of people, I was anticipating Apple’s worldwide presentation to show the world what the new iPhone has in store. And I have to admit that it was… meh…

I’m a user of iPhone and I have tried Android-powered Samsungs before.

I was waiting for iPhone’s new version for the last 6 months. But now I realize that I have waited in vain. Because I will not be buying iPhone 7. Maybe next year… until consumers like me are hopefully taken more seriously.

If you are like me, you would probably find affiliation with the following reasons not to buy iPhone 7 or 7 Plus.

1) No auxiliary 3.5mm headphone input jack

If there was a design change that said the most about how Apple’s corporate strategy has detoured, it is this.

This is not like changing their 30-pin connectors to lightning. The connector serves the primary function of battery charging and connecting to other devices. You don’t have to change your computer in order to connect it to your iPhone.

It is not like shrinking the size of standard sim cards that made people mad. For a while consumers like me actually believed that it was to make space for better hardware.

It is not like omitting a slot for an external storage drive. The internal memory is often more than enough for regular use.

But removing the 3.5mm audio jack?

When I was watching the presentation and heard the presenter say that a lightning connection will provide a better audio experience, I was curious at how good it would be.

But when the AirPod was introduced to skip the lightning slot altogether, Apple’s real agenda revealed itself. It would have presented a different story if Apple didn’t create the AirPods at all. The fact is that they did. And it’s an extra accessory you have to buy with extra money instead of it being bundled into the new smartphone.

Wireless headphones are nothing new. I remember that I got my first wireless bluetooth earphones in 2008. In fact, a lot of iPhone users are probably already using them.

But even if I’m using a wireless headset, I would like to have the peace of mind in knowing there is the standard jack to fall back on should the wireless set stop working.

2) Apple is milking their customers

Now to experience the “full potential” of the iPhone, you will have to buy the AirPods separately at $169. I can see a huge number of loyal fans buying them because they pretty much buys anything Apple puts out.

Instead of what we have come to identify Apple as in the past decade – A company that creates better products that people want. Apple has now gone down the road of – A company that create products for the sake of maximizing profits.

This is a great textbook example of maximizing revenue via building brand loyalty by the way. They should use this as a case study in business school.

For some reason, I cannot see Steve Jobs going down his road if he was still around.

The better example of this revenue-maximizing behavior can be observed in the Jet Black version of iPhone 7. As you can intuitively expect that this color will be a popular choice, Apple has decided not to sell it at the lower end price range that comes with 32gb.

Or can an engineer explain why the iPhone 7 don’t have enough space inside it to fit in a 32gb drive when it can be fitted with 64gb? Especially now that the 3.5mm jack has been removed to make more space for “hardware upgrades”?

3) Idea of using lightning slot for headphones may not work

I don’t know if this is just me. But I can see a number of potential problems with using the lightning slot for headphones.

• Frequent plugging in and out can wear it out quickly.
• Being plugged-in in crowded spaces might easily damage the slot when you knock into something or someone
• A pint-sized adapter can be easily misplaced when carried around

So wary of these possible problems that if I were to get the iPhone 7, I’d probably stop using a jack and go wireless when listening to music… Which is exactly what Apple wants…

4) You can’t charge the phone while using the headphones

If you’re not convinced about my skepticism, this is a great example of problems with solely using lightning for headphones.

While listening to your favorite songs on your phone, you will no longer be able to charge it at the same time because… the slot is being used by the headphones.

Most Apple adapters have an additional input for charging. I wonder why the adapter that comes with iPhone 7 doesn’t…

Oh right… we need to buy an additional dock to do that. Good idea…

5) We are guinea pigs to this test

Although the removal of the 3.5mm jack is disruptive, it is not the type of disruptive technology that moves mountains. So at this point, I wouldn’t say that Apple has unleashed everything they have hidden under the hood yet.

Apple will be closely monitoring the response of how receptive consumers really are about going wireless and tailor their next moves accordingly.

The really good stuff, in my opinion, should only be coming out next year or the year after.

6) The camera is the only real technological leap

Even though I was pulling my hair out on the 3.5mm jack, I must say that the new camera looks amazing. And the demonstrations of it on stage were breathtaking.

If you really need a good reason to buy iPhone 7 Plus, this is the reason that should convince you.

This also means that if you don’t really need such a good camera, it might be a better decision to keep your wallet closed.

7) Jet black finishing can be easily scratched

I came across this when reading through the news of iPhone. You can’t blame Tim Cook for leaving this little detail out during his presentation. It is after all explained in the fine print.

Beauty without substance seems to be the theme of iPhone 7.

8) Give the after market time to catch up

A lot of manufacturers will now be cracking their heads at designing new accessories for the lightning jack.

Because this news of replacing the 3.5mm jack with lightning has only been confirmed now, a lot of these manufacturers will be starting from scratch with new product design.

By the time they beta test new products and release to market, it could already be time for iPhone 8! And the new iPhone 8 might have even better capabilities for better accessories!

So if you are a pragmatic person, I suggest that you hold that urge to get the new iPhone just to see the envious faces of your friends and colleagues.

Patience is a virtue.

9) It’s the best time to get iPhone 6s Plus

Let’s forget about the shortcomings of iPhone 7. It’s not compulsory to buy them.

The good news is that market forces will pull down the prices of iPhone 6s Plus. So if you held your horses before because of the high price of 6s Plus, the opportunity has come for you to grab one.

It’s after all, the best iPhone Apple has ever created that includes a headphone jack.

And remember, you can still get a new set now. But soon it will be sold out as production has stopped. And if you don’t act now, all you will be left with will be used phones. Surely you’d prefer a new phone than a used one.