<P> John McCann of TechRadar wrote that for the first time, the phablet - sized iPhone 7 Plus was "markedly better" than the smaller model . He highlighted improved battery life and praised the camera, calling the Plus' dual cameras "excellent" for point - and - shoot, and "much improved" for low - light performance . McCann wrote that the lack of a headphone jack was "initially frustrating", but noted that it was a "positive step forward for the mobile industry", despite the "short - term effects...making the most noise for now". </P> <P> Criticism of the iPhone 7 centered around the removal of the headphone jack, including the inability to use wired headphones with the included adapter and charge the device simultaneously . </P> <P> In a particularly scathing article, Nilay Patel of The Verge wrote that removing the headphone jack - "ditching a deeply established standard" - would be "user - hostile and stupid". He goes on to list reasons why removing the port is negative, concluding with "No one is asking for this" and "Vote with your dollars". </P> <P> Gordon Kelly of Forbes noted that wireless audio technology was immature at the moment, with Bluetooth audio quality being inferior while Lightning audio reliability was still in question . The removal of the headphone jack meant "you're being pushed into an era where you will have to pay more for decent headphones due to their need for an integrated DAC and / or Lightning licensing", and pointed out that "the only company to profit from this situation is Apple, who will now be charging licensing fees to millions of headphone companies". </P>

What is the back of the iphone 7 made of