Apple announces iPhone 7, iOS 10

Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller.

(Image credit: Stephen Lam/Getty Images)

Apple announced the iPhone 7 on Wednesday, a redesigned version of the phone that will be water- and dust-resistant and feature an aluminum body and a high gloss finish. The new device will also boast two back cameras that allow for 10x digital zoom, live photo cropping and editing capabilities, and a new force-sensitive home button.

As rumored, however, the iPhone 7 will not have a traditional headphone jack. Apple will include a converter with every new iPhone to enable customers to continue using traditional headphones; alternately, users can purchase wireless or Lightning-enabled headphones. Apple also announced wireless AirPod earbuds (retailing for $159) to go with the iPhone 7, although Walt Mossberg notes for The Verge that their battery life leaves much to be desired: "Five hours of battery life between charges on the new AirPods won't likely get you through a cross country flight."

Also Wednesday, Apple CEO Tim Cook announced iOS 10, which will enable iPhones to "wake up" when they are lifted, and will include stickers and full-screen animations in iMessaging, a redesigned Maps app, and expansive home kit features. Preorders start Wednesday, with the phone available in stores Sept. 16.

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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.