Should you buy an iPhone 7 Plus in 2020
Should you buy an iPhone 7 Plus in 2020
Best answer: We don't recommend getting an iPhone 7 Plus right now because Apple no longer sells it. If you craving that big and chunky chassis with Touch ID, the iPhone 8 Plus is a better buy. There are other options if you're looking for something newer as well, like the iPhone XR or iPhone 11 Pro Max.Cheapest big iPhone: iPhone 8 Plus (From $549 at Apple)Face ID for just a little more: iPhone XR (From $599 at Apple)Big with lots of cameras: iPhone 11 Pro Max (From $1049 at Apple)
If you want the cheapest big phone — get the iPhone 8 Plus
The iPhone 8 Plus is just a better version of the iPhone 7 Plus. The processor is upgraded, the cameras got a slight upgrade, the water-resistance rating got a bump, and it has a glass back, meaning it can charge wirelessly. The good news? The iPhone 8 Plus still has Touch ID and the old iPhone form factor, so if you're not a fan of the notch or don't want Face ID, you don't have to get it.
Although its older, the snappy responsiveness that the A11 Bionic chip gives you on the iPhone 8 Plus still performs well today. Plus, it really is a mammoth of a phone. It's big in your pocket, big in your hand, but the big screen makes it a great device to game and watch movies.
Face ID for a little extra money — get the iPhone XR
The iPhone XR features quite a few upgrades over the iPhone 8 Plus, including the new design, a bigger display, Face ID, and dual-SIM support, but still has some of the same features like wireless charging and an LCD display.
While the iPhone XR won't feel as big or bulky in your hand as the iPhone 8 Plus, it does have a larger screen, clocking in at 6.1-inches compared to the 5.5-inches of the iPhone 8 Plus. The iPhone XR does only have a single rear-facing 12 MP camera, but thanks to the software are can still take portrait mode photos and use Smart HDR — you won't even miss that second lens.
The iPhone XR is a great option for those who don't mind spending a little more to get a more updated and modern looking device.
More cameras and more money — iPhone 11 Pro Max
If money isn't your main concern and you want a massive phone, the iPhone 11 Pro Max is for you. It's just about the same dimensions as the iPhone 8 Plus, but because of the near-bezeless design, the screen is a gigantic 6.5-inches.
If you thought the two camera array on the iPhone 8 Plus was good, the iPhone 11 Pro Max has three cameras, giving you more options when you go shooting. It has the same 12MP wide-angle and telephoto lens you're used to, but with the addition of an ultra-wide-angle, meaning you can get some truly impressive landscape photos.
Master your iPhone in minutes
iMore offers spot-on advice and guidance from our team of experts, with decades of Apple device experience to lean on. Learn more with iMore!
A bonus of getting Apple's newest phone is you know that it will be supported with updated for years to come, so you won't have to worry about maybe needed an upgrade in two years if you don't want to.
Cheapest big iPhone
Just plain better than the iPhone 7 Plus
If you like big and chunky phones, the iPhone 8 Plus is for you. With a bigger screen, bigger footprint, and dual-cameras, it is an improvement over the normal iPhone 8 and still the cheapest iPhone that features a dual-camera setup.
Face ID at the lowest price
Face ID, TrueDepth selfie camera, and minimal bezel design.
If you're looking for that new design look that offers an edge-to-edge display, Face ID, and the TrueDepth front-facing camera that allows you to take portrait mode selfies, the iPhone XR is the cheapest way to do it.
Go big or go home
Beastly powerhouse
The iPhone 11 Pro Max is a workhorse. With great battery life, a phenomenal triple camera system, and the newest and fastest chip from Apple, there's nothing you can throw at the Phone 11 Pro Max that it can't handle.
Luke Filipowicz has been a writer at iMore, covering Apple for nearly a decade now. He writes a lot about Apple Watch and iPad but covers the iPhone and Mac as well. He often describes himself as an "Apple user on a budget" and firmly believes that great technology can be affordable if you know where to look. Luke also heads up the iMore Show — a weekly podcast focusing on Apple news, rumors, and products but likes to have some fun along the way.
Luke knows he spends more time on Twitter than he probably should, so feel free to follow him or give him a shout on social media @LukeFilipowicz.