Apple iPhone 7 and Apple iPhone 7 Plus Car and Motorcycle Mounts

The Arkon Vent Mount will fit the Apple iPhone 7 and Apple iPhone 7 Plus quite wellThe Apple iPhone 7 and Apple iPhone 7 Plus are now available.  That means it’s time for our semi-annual article on mounts to fit the latest and greatest iPhone model.

The most notable change, and it’s one that I’m  not a fan of is the elimination of the 3.5 mm headphone jack.  Sure, you can use a Bluetooth headset, but some would prefer not to.  While Apple provides a 3.5 mm to Lightning port adapter, that eliminates the ability to use a headphone jack and charge it at the same time.  I guess this makes it easier to mount the Apple iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus since you don’t need to worry about making room for the two ports.  Got to look at the bright side.

The other notable difference is the improvement in the camera.  While the placement has not changed, the quality of the lens and corresponding software has improved a lot.

I almost forgot the other difference.  The Apple iPhone 7 is weatherproof.  It’s rated as IP67 which means it’s protected against the effect of water up to one meter deep.  Note the term weatherproof.  Don’t turn your phone into a submarine nor go swimming with it.

Check out the dimensions of the phone before selecting a mount. The Apple iPhone 7 is the same size as the Apple iPhone 6s.  With a 4.7 inch diagonal screen this phone is 5.44 inches tall by 2.64 inches wide by .28 inches deep. The larger iPhone 7 Plus is larger but the same physical size as the older iPhone 6s Plus.  Sporting a 5.5 inch diagonal screen, this iPhone is 6.23 inches tall, 3.07 inches wide and .29 inches deep.

These are important measurements to keep in mind when selecting your mount.  Be sure to include the dimensions if adding a case or skin.

Since these phones are expensive, I recommend going with a good case for these phones.  We like Otterbox a lot and we have an article to help select the right Otterbox Case.  The cases are a bit more expensive than some others.  I lost count of the number of times I dropped my phone only to be saved by my Otterbox.  Just get one.  You’ll thank us later.

Like so many other generations of iPhone before it, the likely use for an Apple iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus in the car is going to be as a GPS.  I like Waze a lot.  You may also be using it for music streaming using a service such as Pandora or Spotify.  Regardless of the app in use, a good mount is suggested to accompany your phone.

You may have an older mount that was used with your former phone.  It may fit the Apple iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus just fine.  Be sure to check that it opens wide enough to accommodate your phone.  While I think most universal cradles should fit the smaller Apple iPhone 7, it may not fit the larger iPhone 7 Plus.

So let’s check out some good mounts.

The most popular location for mounting your phone is the windshield.  After all these years, the Arkon Windshield and Dash Mount continues to be my favorite for mounting a phone.  The included cradle opens at a press of the side button to 3.4 inches.  It’s large enough for the iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus.  A vacuum base is included that attaches by pressing down the lever.  Your phone can swivel and pivot as needed.  An included adhesive dash disk will facilitate mounting to your dashboard if preferred.  This is great for drivers in states that do not permit windshield mounting.

Big fans here of car air vent mounts.  The Arkon SmartPhone Vent Mount is a great mount for placing your phone on the air vent.  This mount features the same cradle as the previously mentioned mount.  It will attach to your vent slats using a pair of arms that grab onto the slats and works best in cars with horizontal vents.  This vent mount places the Apple iPhone 7 or 7 Plus near eye level.  It’s not as visible as a windshield mount so it stays out of the view of potential thieves.

Some car models no longer include a CD player.  Makes sense.  I can’t remember the last time I use it.  Why not use that worthless CD player slot as a mounting point for your phone?  Consider the Mpow CD Slot Mount for SmartPhones.  Be sure to follow the included instructions for a secure fit.  The included cradle opens to 3.4 inches to fit your fit your iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus.  The cradle swivels into any orientation.

For motorcycle use, we continue to recommend the RAM X-Grip series of cradles coupled with one of their metal mounts.  The RAM X-Grip cradles have been a favorite for a long time and you can read our overview of this series. These are heavy-duty mounts that are mostly constructed of metal.  The mount has gone through some rigorous shake tests and holds up well on a motorcycle.  The RAM X-Grip Motorcycle Handlebar Mount combines the X-Grip cradle with a metal motorcycle mount that fits up to 1.25 inch handlebars and features two adjustment points with the ability to pivot and swivel.  The iPhone 7 Plus needs a larger cradle so select the RAM X-Grip IV Motorcycle Mount.  Both of these mounting kits expand sufficiently to handle your phone with or without a case or skin.  Lifetime warranty on both of these mounts.