iPhone 8 versus iPhone 8 Plus: Key Differences You Should Know

Introduction

In 2017, Apple unveiled the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, marking the eleventh generation of their iconic smartphone. These devices, while now discontinued, represent a significant step in Apple's evolution, bridging the gap between the classic iPhone design with the Home button and the all-screen future ushered in by the iPhone X. This article aims to dissect the key distinctions between the iPhone 8 and the iPhone 8 Plus, helping you choose the best fit for your needs. Both phones initially launched with iOS 11 and, importantly, are still compatible with the latest operating systems, ensuring ongoing software support and a current user experience. This guide will delve into those details, equipping you with the knowledge to navigate the choices and ultimately decide which iPhone 8 model suits you best.

Performance Across Both Models

The most immediate difference between the iPhone 8 and the iPhone 8 Plus is size. This seemingly simple distinction has significant implications for usability and overall experience.

Camera Systems: Photography and Videography Showdown

The camera systems are where the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus diverge significantly. While both offer capable cameras, the iPhone 8 Plus gains a distinct advantage with its dual-lens setup.

iPhone 8: A Powerful Single-Lens System

The iPhone 8 features a single 12MP wide-angle camera with an f/1.8 aperture and Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). This camera captures detailed images and videos with excellent low-light performance.

iPhone 8 Plus: The Dual-Lens Advantage

The iPhone 8 Plus boasts a dual-lens system comprising a 12MP wide-angle lens (f/1.8, OIS) and a 12MP telephoto lens (f/2.8). This dual-lens setup unlocks features unavailable on the iPhone 8, notably Portrait Mode.

Key Camera Differences Explained

The inclusion of a telephoto lens on the iPhone 8 Plus enables 2x optical zoom, allowing you to get closer to your subject without sacrificing image quality. Digital zoom is available on both models but can result in some image degradation. The iPhone 8 Plus also features Portrait Mode, which uses the dual-lens system to create a depth-of-field effect, blurring the background and making your subject pop. Furthermore, Portrait Lighting on the 8 Plus offers various lighting effects for studio-quality portraits. Importantly, the telephoto lens on the 8 Plus lacks OIS, a distinction to consider for low-light zoom shots.

Video Recording Capabilities: Shared Excellence with Plus-Specific Enhancements

Both models can record 4K video at up to 60fps and offer various slow-motion recording options. However, the iPhone 8 Plus leverages its dual-lens system for enhanced video stabilization and improved zoom capabilities during recording.

Battery Life: Powering Your Day

While both phones offer all-day battery life for moderate usage, the iPhone 8 Plus holds a slight edge due to its larger battery capacity.

iPhone 8 Battery Performance: What to Expect

The iPhone 8 houses an 1821 mAh battery, which provides adequate power for a full day of typical use, including web browsing, social media, and light gaming.

iPhone 8 Plus Battery Performance: The Larger Capacity Advantage

The iPhone 8 Plus packs a larger 2675 mAh battery. This increased capacity translates to longer usage times, particularly for users who engage in more demanding activities like gaming, video streaming, or extended photography sessions. However, the larger screen of the 8 Plus also consumes more power, partially offsetting the advantage of the larger battery.

Practical Usage Scenarios: How Battery Life Impacts Daily Use

For light to moderate users, the iPhone 8's battery will likely suffice. However, power users who frequently use resource-intensive applications will benefit from the extended battery life of the iPhone 8 Plus.

Audio Experience: Sound and Immersion

Both the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus feature stereo speakers, providing a richer audio experience compared to previous generations. These speakers offer improved volume and clarity, enhancing media consumption and gaming.

Biometrics and Security: Touch ID at Its Finest

The most immediate difference between the iPhone 8 and the iPhone 8 Plus is size. This seemingly simple distinction has significant implications for usability and overall experience.

The Iconic Home Button: Design and Functionality

The iPhone 8, with its 4.7-inch Retina HD display, embodies the classic iPhone form factor. This size makes it ideal for one-handed operation, easily slipping into pockets and offering comfortable handling for extended periods.

Touch ID: Fast and Secure Authentication

The iPhone 8 Plus boasts a larger 5.5-inch Retina HD display. This increased screen real estate delivers a more immersive experience for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking. However, it comes at the cost of one-handed usability for some users.

Wireless and Connectivity: Staying Connected

Both models share a premium build quality, featuring a sleek aluminum frame sandwiched between durable glass panels. This glass back not only adds to the aesthetic appeal but also enables wireless charging, a new feature introduced with this generation.

Wireless Charging: A New Standard for Both

Both the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus are rated IP67 for water resistance. This means they can withstand submersion in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes, offering peace of mind against accidental spills and light rain. This shared feature provides practical protection in everyday scenarios.

Other Connectivity Features (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Cellular)

While both the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus utilize Retina HD technology, variations in size, pixel density, and features influence the overall visual experience.

Software and Operating System: iOS 11 and Beyond

Both iPhones offer crisp, vibrant Retina HD displays, delivering sharp text and vivid images. This shared technology ensures a high-quality viewing experience across both models.

Launching with iOS 11: Shared Software Foundation

As previously mentioned, the screen size is the most significant visual difference. The 4.7-inch display of the iPhone 8 prioritizes compactness, while the 5.5-inch display of the 8 Plus provides greater immersion.

How Features Like Augmented Reality (AR) are Experienced Differently

Though both displays are sharp, the iPhone 8 Plus, with its larger screen and higher resolution (1080x1920 pixels), boasts a slightly higher pixel density of ~401 pixels per inch (ppi) compared to the iPhone 8's ~326 ppi. This translates to a subtly sharper image on the Plus model, though the difference is negligible for most users.

Long-Term Software Support: The Benefit of Apple's Ecosystem

Both the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus benefit from True Tone technology. This feature dynamically adjusts the display's white balance to match the ambient lighting conditions, resulting in a more natural and comfortable viewing experience. Whether you're reading in warm indoor lighting or bright sunlight, True Tone ensures optimal color accuracy.

Who Should Buy Which iPhone?

At the heart of both the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus lies the A11 Bionic chip, a processing powerhouse that delivered significant performance gains over previous generations.

The iPhone 8: Ideal for the Compact-Carry User

The Apple A11 Bionic chip features a six-core CPU with two high-performance cores and four high-efficiency cores, working in tandem to balance power and battery life. Its integrated six-core GPU provides impressive graphics performance for demanding games and applications.

The iPhone 8 Plus: For the Photography Enthusiast and Larger Screen Lover

The A11 Bionic also incorporates a dedicated Neural Engine, a specialized processor designed for machine learning tasks. This engine plays a crucial role in powering features like augmented reality (AR) experiences and the iPhone 8 Plus's Portrait Mode.

Considering Your Budget and Needs

While both models share the A11 Bionic chip, a key difference lies in the RAM. The iPhone 8 features 2GB of RAM, while the iPhone 8 Plus has 3GB. This additional RAM provides the 8 Plus with a slight edge in multitasking performance, allowing it to handle more demanding applications and switch between them more smoothly.

Conclusion: Making Your Final Decision

Choosing between the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus depends on your individual needs and priorities. The iPhone 8 offers a compact, comfortable design ideal for one-handed use, while the iPhone 8 Plus boasts a larger, more immersive display and a superior dual-lens camera system with Portrait Mode and optical zoom. Both models share the powerful A11 Bionic chip, wireless charging capabilities, and water resistance. Ultimately, the decision hinges on whether you prioritize portability and affordability or a larger screen, enhanced photography features, and longer battery life. If you are in the UAE and looking for the best deals, check out Fonezone.ae for competitive pricing and availability of the iPhone 8 and the latest iPhone 8 Plus price in UAE.

FAQ - iPhone 8 vs iPhone 8 Plus

1. Which phone has a better camera, the iPhone 8 or the iPhone 8 Plus?

The iPhone 8 Plus has a superior camera with its dual-lens system, offering Portrait Mode and 2x optical zoom, which the single-lens iPhone 8 lacks.

2. Is the iPhone 8 Plus physically much larger than the iPhone 8?

Yes, the iPhone 8 Plus has a significantly larger 5.5-inch display compared to the iPhone 8's 4.7-inch display, making it heavier and less compact.

3. Which iPhone has a longer battery life, the 8 or 8 Plus?

The iPhone 8 Plus has a larger battery and provides a longer battery life, offering more hours of talk time and video playback compared to the standard iPhone 8.

4. What are the main design differences between the two models?

Both phones share a similar glass-back design, but the iPhone 8 Plus is noticeably bigger and heavier, and it features a dual camera module on the back.

5. Do both the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus support wireless charging?

Yes, both the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus have a glass back which enables them to support Qi-standard wireless charging.