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My trusty iPhone 7 took a tumble onto the pavement whilst I was working on my van, and the screen shattered. I was already planning to replace it this year, so it was not the end of the world, but it was a sad end for what must be the best piece of technology I have ever purchased.
Since the iPhone 3G I had bought each major new iPhone on launch day – 3G, 4, 5, 6 and 7. To me, the iPhone 7 was the sweet spot, a good-sized screen, with TouchID and the build quality was a big step up from the iPhone 6. I was so happy with my iPhone 7 that after 2 years of ownership, I did not feel the need to upgrade to the iPhone XS, nor did I feel the need to upgrade to the iPhone 11 after 3 years – my phone had been fitted with a new battery and had a new lease of life. When the iPhone 12, in particular, the 12 Mini came out, I was swayed, but I had plans to buy a new Mac and did not want to buy both within the space of a few months. In any case, the iPhone was still working well, so I decided to stick with it for a fifth year.
Seeing as this is the longest I have kept a phone, I am pretty sure that it must also be the camera I have used the most. I had my Canon 5D for ten years, but I know I have taken many more photos on the device that is always in my pocket. Therefore I thought I would share some of my favourite photos taken on my iPhone 7.
Owen was only a few months old when I bought the iPhone 7, this was taken shortly afterwards on our first trip away as a family of three, and became my phone screen background.
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Taking two months of parental leave before Owen’s first birthday provided lots of selfie opportunities. I especially liked the three generations one.
![](https://blog.lewiscraik.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/APC_0006-2.jpg)
When Henry was born, the first photos of him were taken on my iPhone 7. I had bought my Fuji X-T2 by this point, but when wrangling a small baby an iPhone is much easier.
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The first roof down drive in the MR2 was an important milestone for both the boys, so of course I had to take selfies!
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Whilst on the subject of my MR2 Roadster this is my favourite picture of it taken on the iPhone 7.
![](https://blog.lewiscraik.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/IMG_1077.jpg)
![](https://blog.lewiscraik.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IMG_0848-1.jpg)
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![](https://blog.lewiscraik.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/APC_0039-2.jpg)
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Now that the boys are a bit bigger we can go on bike adventures – some of my favourite times with the boys. I am sure that there will be long lasting memories from these trips, but in case not, my trusty iPhone was in my pocket to capture it all.
![](https://blog.lewiscraik.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/IMG_1147.jpg)
![](https://blog.lewiscraik.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IMG_0829.jpg)
![](https://blog.lewiscraik.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/IMG_2666.jpg)
Holidays are usually “big camera” time, but when you’re in a ball pit or having a van picnic the iPhone is less cumbersome.
This story has a happy ending as I bought an iPhone 12 Mini to replace it – the camera is a big step up, especially with portrait mode. So I am looking forward to more photos as the boys grow up, and we go on more bike adventures and hopefully on holidays!