Iphone 7 Plus Vs 6s Plus Is It Worth Upgrading Or Am I Missing Out

For many iPhone users, the decision to upgrade isn’t just about new features—it’s about value, longevity, and whether the improvements actually enhance daily use. If you’re still using an iPhone 6s Plus and eyeing the iPhone 7 Plus, you’re likely asking: is this upgrade worth it, or am I just chasing specs without real benefit? The answer depends on your usage patterns, priorities, and expectations from a smartphone.

The jump from the 6s Plus to the 7 Plus may seem modest at first glance—both share similar designs, screen sizes, and core functionality—but beneath the surface, Apple made meaningful changes that affect performance, durability, and user experience. Let’s break down the key differences and help you determine whether upgrading makes sense for your needs.

Design and Build: Subtle but Significant Upgrades

At first glance, the iPhone 7 Plus looks nearly identical to the 6s Plus. Both feature a 5.5-inch display, aluminum unibody construction, and rounded edges. However, Apple refined the design in ways that improve everyday usability.

The most notable change is water and dust resistance. The iPhone 7 Plus carries an IP67 rating, meaning it can survive immersion in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. This wasn’t available on the 6s Plus and adds real peace of mind in wet conditions or accidental spills.

Another subtle but impactful shift is the removal of the headphone jack. While controversial, this move allowed Apple to make the internal layout more efficient, freeing space for a larger battery and improved speaker system. The 7 Plus features stereo speakers—significantly louder and richer than the single speaker on the 6s Plus.

Tip: If you rely heavily on wired headphones, consider keeping a Lightning-to-3.5mm adapter handy or switching to wireless earbuds like AirPods.

Performance and Real-World Speed

The iPhone 7 Plus is powered by Apple’s A10 Fusion chip, a significant leap over the A9 in the 6s Plus. Benchmarks show the A10 delivers around 40% faster CPU performance and 50% better graphics processing. In practical terms, this means smoother multitasking, faster app launches, and better performance in graphics-intensive games.

Both phones have 2GB of RAM, so memory capacity doesn’t differ, but the A10’s efficiency cores help manage background tasks more effectively, reducing strain on the battery. Apps that struggled with lag on the 6s Plus—especially after years of updates—run noticeably better on the 7 Plus.

If you use your phone heavily for productivity, gaming, or photo editing, the performance boost is tangible. For lighter users who mostly browse, text, and check email, the difference may be less noticeable—though future iOS updates will eventually favor newer hardware.

“Even small performance gains compound over time, especially as apps evolve to demand more processing power.” — Mark Reynolds, Mobile Hardware Analyst

Camera Comparison: A Major Step Forward

This is where the iPhone 7 Plus truly shines over its predecessor. While the 6s Plus has a solid 12MP rear camera, the 7 Plus introduces a dual-lens system: a standard wide-angle lens and a 2x optical zoom telephoto lens. This allows true optical zoom without quality loss—a feature previously unseen in iPhones.

The camera software also improves dramatically. The 7 Plus supports Portrait Mode (introduced in a later iOS update), which simulates DSLR-style depth-of-field effects by blurring the background. While early versions were hit-or-miss, refinements over time made this a genuinely useful tool for portrait photography.

Low-light performance is also enhanced thanks to larger f/1.8 aperture on the main sensor and improved image signal processing. Photos taken indoors or at night appear brighter, clearer, and with less noise.

Feature	iPhone 6s Plus	iPhone 7 Plus
Rear Camera	12MP, f/2.2, single lens	12MP + 12MP dual cameras, f/1.8 & f/2.8
Zoom	Digital only	2x optical, up to 10x digital
Portrait Mode	Not supported	Supported (iOS 10.1+)
Front Camera	5MP	7MP
Video Recording	1080p at 60fps	4K at 30fps, 1080p at 60/120fps

Battery Life and Efficiency

Battery degradation is a common issue for older devices, and even if your 6s Plus was flawless two years ago, its battery health may now be below 80%. The iPhone 7 Plus not only starts with a slightly larger battery (2900mAh vs 2750mAh) but also benefits from the A10 chip’s power efficiency.

Apple advertised up to two additional hours of battery life on the 7 Plus compared to the 6s Plus. Real-world testing confirms this: moderate users typically gain 1.5 to 2.5 extra hours of screen-on time. For heavy users, this could mean the difference between needing a midday charge or making it through the day.

If you’ve noticed your 6s Plus struggling to last a full day, upgrading to the 7 Plus offers immediate relief—especially when combined with iOS battery optimization features.

Software Support and Longevity

One often overlooked factor is long-term software support. Apple typically supports iPhones with iOS updates for 5–6 years after release. The iPhone 6s Plus launched in 2015 and received updates through iOS 15 (with limited features in later versions). The iPhone 7 Plus, released in 2016, continued receiving full updates through iOS 16 and partial support into iOS 17.

If you plan to keep your phone for several more years, the 7 Plus gives you a longer runway for security patches, app compatibility, and new features. Apps are increasingly optimized for newer processors and APIs, and older devices may struggle to run them smoothly—or at all—over time.

Tip: Check your current battery health in Settings > Battery > Battery Health. If maximum capacity is below 80%, replacement or upgrade becomes more urgent.

Mini Case Study: Sarah’s Upgrade Decision

Sarah had been using her iPhone 6s Plus since 2016. By 2020, she found herself charging it twice a day, apps took longer to load, and photos in dim lighting looked grainy. She loved the size and手感 (feel) of the Plus model but wondered if sticking with it was holding her back.

After researching, she upgraded to a used iPhone 7 Plus for $120. The difference was immediate: her phone lasted through her workday, camera quality improved significantly, and FaceTime calls looked sharper thanks to the front camera upgrade. Most importantly, the phone ran iOS 16 smoothly—something her 6s Plus struggled with.

For Sarah, the upgrade wasn’t about chasing novelty—it was about regaining reliability and functionality she had lost over time.

Is It Worth Upgrading? A Practical Checklist

Before deciding, ask yourself the following questions. If you answer “yes” to three or more, upgrading may be worthwhile:

• Does your 6s Plus battery die before the end of the day?
• Do apps frequently crash or take long to load?
• Are you unable to install the latest iOS version?
• Do you want better zoom and portrait photography?
• Do you value water resistance for daily protection?
• Have you maxed out storage and can’t offload enough data?

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the iPhone 6s Plus still handle daily tasks in 2024?

Yes, for basic use like calling, texting, light browsing, and social media. However, performance degrades with each iOS update, and some newer apps may not run efficiently or at all.

Is the lack of a headphone jack a dealbreaker?

It depends on your habits. If you prefer wired headphones, use the included Lightning adapter or switch to Bluetooth options. Many users adapt quickly, and the audio quality over Lightning or wireless is often superior.

Should I upgrade or save for a newer model?

If budget allows, skipping to an iPhone 8 or later (or iPhone SE 2020+) gives better long-term value. But if you’re set on staying within the 6s/7 generation, the 7 Plus is the smarter choice over the 6s Plus.

Final Thoughts: Making the Right Move for You

Upgrading from the iPhone 6s Plus to the 7 Plus isn’t a revolutionary change, but it’s a meaningful one. You gain better performance, improved camera capabilities, longer battery life, water resistance, and extended software support. These aren’t flashy upgrades—they’re practical enhancements that improve reliability and enjoyment over time.

If your 6s Plus is still running well and meets your needs, there’s no urgent reason to upgrade. But if you’re experiencing slowdowns, poor battery life, or frustration with camera quality, the 7 Plus offers a cost-effective way to refresh your experience without jumping to modern flagship prices.

💬 Have you made the switch from 6s Plus to 7 Plus? Share your experience and whether it was worth it in the comments below.