No smartphone launch is perfect. Launching a new smartphone with a glitch or flaw is very common place nowadays, but it is still frustrating to see it happening because people pay good money for smartphones. When I shell out close to a thousand dollars for a smartphone, I expect it to work well and without a hitch. The most prominent flaw of any smartphone right now is the exploding batteries in the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 which was shaping up to be a very well rounded smartphone, but so it goes. When the iPhone 7 was launched, it looked liked a smartphone without any blemish or imperfection, until everyday reviewers and consumers got their hands on it. So is Apple flying or dying with their new iPhone 7?

So far the biggest imperfection of the new iPhone 7 can be seen on the outside of the phone. The new Jet Black color option is prone to microscratches and microabrasions. According to Apple’s website, “the high gloss finish of the Jet Black iPhone 7 is achieved through a precision nine step anodization and polishing process. Its surface is equally as hard as other anodized Apple products; however, its high shine may show fine microabrasions with use. If you are concerned about this, we suggest you use one of the many cases available to protect your iPhone.” That is not something a consumer wants to hear about their new $800 phone. The Jet Black iPhone 7 was suppose to be the best color Apple has ever released, but now it’s looking like a total flop. I would personally recommend purchasing the regular black iPhone 7 because it is more of a matte black and won’t show scratches or abrasions.

Now this next flaw pertains to some people more than others. The 3.5mm headphone jack is gone. This 100 year old technology has worked perfectly fine for many, many years, but Apple and their infinite wisdom has decided that it was time to leave it on the side of the road. This is a big problem for consumers that have spent a lot of money for headphones that connect via the 3.5 mm headphone jack. There are now two options to get music to headphones with the new iPhone 7. The first option is that  people will have to buy Bluetooth headphones that are expensive or the other option will be to use a Lighting to 3.5 mm dongle. Both of these options are not favorable, but it is what it is. I suggest, if this is a big issue to you, to buy the Samsung Galaxy S7 which still has a headphone jack.

The last biggest flaw is on the iPhone 7 exclusively, not the Plus model. The iPhone 7’s screen isn’t terrible, by any means, but in terms of resolution, it’s hardly high-end. Its resolution is a measly 750p. While the iPhone 7 Plus has a 1080p display, the standard falls well behind much of the competition. Samsung’s Galaxy S7 boast a 1440p display, outshining both the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. Other phones, such as Sony’s Z5 Premium, are releasing with 4K UHD displays. 750p is child’s play in the current phone market, and a pretty massive letdown for the iPhone 7.

Some other letdowns or flaws include the exclusion of wireless charging, a feature that many Android phones have, no USB – C connectivity, no expandable storage, and there isn’t a ‘wow” factor. Sure the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus have a few flaws, but is it still a good smartphone? Well the answer to that is yes. The cameras are great, battery life is fantastic, the app ecosystem couldn’t be better, and iOS 10 has added so many new features for iOS.

This iPhone is more of a “stepping stone” toward the iPhone 8 which will be the 10 year anniversary for iPhone, so holding out for that iPhone might not be a bad idea.