The iPhone 7 generation is old enough that most people buying accessories for one are working with a hand-me-down, a backup phone, or a device they simply refuse to replace because it still works. All good reasons. Here is what fits what.
iPhone 7 vs iPhone 7 Plus: the specs that matter
- iPhone 7: 4.7-inch Retina HD display at 1334×750, one rear 12 MP camera, IP67 (1 metre for 30 minutes), roughly 1,960 mAh battery.
- iPhone 7 Plus: 5.5-inch Retina HD display at 1920×1080, two rear 12 MP cameras (wide plus 2x telephoto), IP67, roughly 2,900 mAh battery.
This was the first iPhone generation with any official water rating at all, and the first with a dual camera on the Plus. Both facts still shape accessory choice.
Do iPhone 7 and 7 Plus cases interchange?
No, in either direction. The 7 Plus is a full size class larger — taller, wider and heavier. An iPhone 7 will not stay put in a 7 Plus case, and a 7 Plus will not enter an iPhone 7 case.
The camera is the second barrier. The iPhone 7's single round lens cutout cannot accommodate the 7 Plus's oval dual-camera housing, and the Plus's larger cutout leaves the iPhone 7's lens with no protective rim.
The overlap that does work: iPhone 6s, 7, 8 and SE
This is the useful part. Apple kept the 4.7-inch chassis nearly unchanged for several years:
- iPhone 6s, iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 share the same 4.7-inch footprint, and many cases are listed for all three. The camera bump differs slightly in size between the 6s and 7/8, so a snug case cut for a 6s may pinch on a 7. Check the listing.
- iPhone SE (2020) and SE (2022) use the iPhone 8 body. Cases for those generally fit an iPhone 7 and 8 too.
- iPhone 6s Plus, 7 Plus and 8 Plus share the 5.5-inch footprint the same way.
Screen protectors follow the same logic — a 4.7-inch protector covers the 6s, 7, 8 and both SE models; a 5.5-inch protector covers the Plus family.
Best cases for the iPhone 7
IP67 was a 2016 rating on a phone that is now approaching a decade of seal degradation. If this phone goes anywhere near water, a sealed case is not paranoia — it is the only real protection left.
The same case comes in a pink finish. For drop protection without sealing, the iPhone 7 Extreme case is the rugged option.
Best cases for the iPhone 7 Plus
The 5.5-inch Plus is a big, slippery slab with rounded aluminium sides — a phone that slides off sofa arms. A metal shockproof case fixes both the grip and the frame protection.
The iPhone 7 Plus waterproof case is the sealed equivalent of the iPhone 7 version above, cut for the larger body.
Screen protectors: clear, black-bordered or privacy
All three types here are 9H tempered glass. What differs is the border and the filter:
- Clear 3-pack for iPhone 7 — edge-to-edge transparency, most forgiving to install.
- Black-bordered 2-pack for iPhone 7 — the printed border hides the adhesive edge and blends with the black bezel.
- Privacy glass 2-pack for iPhone 7 — a micro-louvre filter blacks out the screen beyond roughly 30 degrees off-axis. Excellent on public transport; it does cost you some perceived brightness.
Plus owners want the iPhone 7 Plus clear 3-pack or the black-bordered 2-pack. There is also a rose gold bordered version if the phone is a lighter colour.
Frequently asked questions
Is the iPhone 7 still water resistant? It shipped at IP67 — one metre for 30 minutes, on a new device, in fresh water. That was 2016. Apple never covered liquid damage under warranty, and adhesive seals do not improve with age. Assume splash resistance at best.
Will an iPhone 8 case fit my iPhone 7? Generally yes — same 4.7-inch body and same camera bump size. Confirm the listing mentions the iPhone 7.
Do these phones support wireless charging? The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus do not — Qi charging arrived with the iPhone 8. That means no MagSafe either.
Does the 7 Plus dual camera need extra protection? The housing sits proud of the back, so a case with a raised rim around it is worth having. A scratched telephoto lens is not economically repairable on a phone this age.
How do I confirm which model I have? Open Settings → General → About and read the Model Name. Or count the lenses — one is a 7, two is a 7 Plus.
Bottom line
iPhone 7 and 7 Plus cases do not swap. But an iPhone 7 case usually fits a 6s, an 8 and both SE generations, and the same overlap applies across the Plus family. Count the lenses, check the size class, and buy accordingly.
Need help matching an older iPhone? Contact us at the Gorilla Cases Contact page or call 978-797-0223.