Lake Como and the IPhone 7 Plus

I remember a time when the only function of a mobile phone was to make phone calls. In fact, I remember a time when only the very wealthy had a mobile phone and if you could afford one it was the size of a bus. Things have, of course, changed. 

Now I am a complete Apple convert, I make no excuses for it. Everything seamlessly integrates between products, the user interface is intuitive,  and it's virtually impossible to get a virus on a Macbook.  I have an iPhone 6, a MacBook Air, an Ipad, and love all of them more than Mr W. Ok, maybe not more than, wait, let me think... 

However, iPhones are expensive, so when I was given the opportunity by ThreeUK to review the Apple iPhone 7 Plus I felt it was important to review it as objectively as possible. After all, it's an expensive bit of kit and I wouldn't want readers parting with their cash if I couldn't wholeheartedly recommend it. To cover the phone in depth would take forever so here are the best features of the iPhone 7 Plus that I have found on my recent loan from ThreeUK.



All the photos to illustrate this post were taken in and around the beautiful town of Bellagio in Lake Como, Italy. They were taken on the iPhone7 Plus with the exception of the last photo. The photos have not been edited or filtered in any way, other than reduced in size to upload to the blog.

Size 

Firstly one of the great yet obvious features on the iPhone 7 plus is the size, with a 5.5inch full HD screen. I have never used a phone this size before but found it incredibly easy to get used to and to be honest I wouldn't go back now to the smaller iPhone 6.

Water resistance



How many of us use our phones in the bath - go on admit it? Well, some of the worry of a submerged phone can now be taken away as the iPhone 7 Plus is splash and water resistant.

I did find I wasn't so worried when using my phone on a boat trip in Italy. Also, the worry of using the phone in the rain has now diminished.


According to CNET, there is some truth in the claim of water resistance although Apple's support page says that liquid damage is not covered under the warranty so I don't think you are going to be diving with the phone anytime soon!

Headphone jack

Now one of these reasons they can make this phone water resistant is the lack of the headphone jack. Some would say it's forward thinking as Apple are trying to get its customers to use wireless headphones. However, it still doesn't solve your problem if you have bought an iPhone 7, you just have to buy wireless headphones or listen to your music on a speake
r.


Zoom 

Now sometime you just want a quick zoom in and on the old Apple phones, you have to pinch the screen to zoom. Now they have an x 2 optical zoom that is easy to use. Open the iPhone camera, go to the photo mode and tap the (1x) circle at the bottom, the camera will now display the (2x) symbol indicating its twice as close. 


Mr W 
Extreme close up with (2x) zoom

If you keep your finger down on the (2x) you can access the 10x digital zoom on the sliding scale. Sorry for scaring you with a close up of Mr W who hasn't shaved!

Home button

The home button is not now a button at all, it's a pad and it recognises your fingers in the same way a touchscreen does. Which is strange when you first try it, as it has a slightly different feel.


Colour rendition



The iPhone 7 Plus has a full HD screen and the wide colour gamut.  Personally, I think the quality of the photos and the colour are excellent for a phone. I mean look at the photos above.


Video


 

So I don't edit and make videos myself, I leave this all to Mr W, however, I decided to film a little clip with the phone in Lake Como. I think the clip above shows how good the iPhone 7 Plus is for optimal image stabilisation. This was taken on a boat which was moving up and down.  The video is also in 4K and hasn't been edited at all other than to add music to it.

As you can see the iPhone 7 Plus is perfectly acceptable to use as a video camera for YouTube. In fact, my husband uses the older iPhone 6 on our YouTube channel Fly Drive Explore on a regular basis.

Battery Life

The battery life was certainly longer than with the iPhone 6. I found with a lot of use I had to charge it at the end of the day. 

Feel At Home



I used a £20 Pay As You Go Sim from Three UK for the entire trip. The Feel At Home scheme from Three UK means you can use your phone abroad to over 60 destinations including the USA and Austrailia without roaming charges. 

The iPhone 7 Plus is available from ThreeUK from £36 a month and £149 upfront. As soon as I get a chance I'm genuinely upgrading to the iPhone 7 plus and changing over to ThreeUK. As a travel blogger, the Feel At Home scheme will save me a fortune on my roaming charges, especially when we travel to the USA, which we do at least once a year. 

Tell me, what do you think of the iPhone 7 Plus? Do you use the ThreeUK mobile network?


25 comments

  1. Wow such an impressive camera and so convenient for out and about too!

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  2. I love my iPhone 7 But so wish the screen was more resilient. I always use my phone in the bath lol and am so worried about dropping it, I've got this kind of tray now that goes over the bath and I can stand it on it. I use my iPhone 7 camera loads i think its just as good as My Sony camera.

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  3. Wow that's amazing! I have the iPhone 7 but not the plus, those are gorgeous photos and so professional!

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  4. im on three and never had any problems, get good reception and I love my iphone so easy to use

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  5. I use android but seeing the latest iPhone I might be converted.
    I've been with 3 for a few years and like their feel at home and prices.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for the comment! Feel At Home is a super service.

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  6. I have the iPhone SE and need to upgrade & this is what I was thinking. It looks exactly what I need :) X

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  7. I love Como lake, I've visited it a few years ago and would absolutely love to go back.

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    Replies
    1. It is such a beautiful area isn't it Evelina?

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  8. I love my iphone 7 plus - so many brilliant features on it but it takes a while to get used to a bigger phone

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    Replies
    1. As I get older my eyesight is getting worse so I loved the bigger screen.

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  9. it's definitely a phone I have considered for my next upgrade, particularly because it's splash proof!

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  10. How gorgeous is lake Cumo though?! :o I've never been but your pics look beautiful.

    Three's sim card deal sounds excellent. I was torn between them and GiffGaff for my current plan but ended up going with GiffGaff because I'm not travelling atm. After reading this though, I'll be switching over to make the most of the Feel At Home scheme next time I travel.

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    Replies
    1. My husband was paying £ 3-4 a day on EE when he used his phone abroad so he is considering changing too.

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  11. I have the iPhone 7 and love it but wish I had opted for the 7 plus as my ageing eyes would have benefited from the bigger display. Fab pictures x

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  12. This may likely be my next phone. I like the size of it.

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  13. I am a total apple convert and manage to take more pictures on my phone than camera. I love my iPhone 6 Plus and ready to upgrade to the 7 but not with threeUK. The network is guide bad in my area

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    1. I do too these day Anosa! Shame the network for Three isn't great where you live.

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  14. Lots of great features but not sure i can justify the expense at the moment! Will keep it in mind next time I need an upgrade

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  15. My mummy wants to upgrade to an iPhone 7 from the 6. This has sold it to her with the only negative for her being the price. The 2x zoom sounds great!

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  16. That's great, there doesn't look like there is any distortion when zoomed in

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    Replies
    1. I didn't think there was but experts may say otherwise.

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  17. I have always been happy with all apple products, I have the iPhone 7 and would not change it for any other phone. We have a mobile internet dongle with 3 and that's good value for money as well.
    (Hubby helping out)

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