While some might consider both iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 inferior to their more modern iPhone counterparts, they are still great options — especially if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly phone. Both models can run the latest operating system, iOS 13, meaning you’ll still be able to use newer features like Dark Mode or the swipe keyboard.
But when it comes to deciding between iPhone 7 and iPhone 8, things get a little more complicated. Keep reading, and we’ll go over their differences and help you choose which phone is right for you.
What is the difference between iPhone 7 and iPhone 8?
Let’s get some of the more obvious considerations out of the way. iPhone 8 is the newer model of the two, with more RAM and a slightly faster processor, meaning it’s somewhat quicker overall. iPhone 8 also starts at a larger storage capacity of 64 GB compared to iPhone 7’s 32 GB.
iPhone 7 vs. iPhone 8: The camera
On paper, there’s not much difference between the cameras on iPhone 7 and iPhone 8. Both come packed with a 12-megapixel camera. But as the saying goes, you can’t always judge a book by its cover. The iPhone 8’s improved processors give it an edge when it comes to factors like taking pictures in low light and overall pixel processing. With an emphasis on faster auto-focusing and noise reduction, there’s no doubt which camera performs better.
iPhone 7 vs. iPhone 8: The battery life
The difference between iPhone 7 and iPhone 8’s batteries, much like that between their cameras, is easy to overlook on paper. In fact, the battery life is identical for both. The iPhone 8 improved in terms of how it charges and how fast it charges: iPhone 8 is Qi-enabled, which means it can be charged wirelessly with any Qi-compatible charger. iPhone 8 also added wired fast-charging, so if you have an 18w fast charger from Apple, you can charge your iPhone noticeably quicker.
Are iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 the same size?
Size is where you’ll notice the least amount of difference between these two iPhones. Both iPhones are almost the same size with identical display sizes. The downside, however, is that iPhone 8 is noticeably heavier, which is unfortunate because there is no distinct performance trade-off for the extra weight.
iPhone 7 vs. iPhone 8: The specs
iPhone 7 | iPhone 8 | |
Display | 4.7-inch Retina | 4.7-inch Retina |
CPU | Apple A10 Fusion | Apple A11 Bionic |
Storage Capacities | 32, 128, 256 GB | 64, 128 GB |
Battery | 1,960mAh | 1,821mAh |
Camera | 12MP | 12MP |
Size | 138.3 x 67.1 x 7.1 mm | 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm |
Weight | 138 grams | 148 grams |
Is iPhone 7 still a good phone compared to iPhone 8?
Comparatively speaking, iPhone 7 is still an excellent low-cost option. Despite iPhone 8’s name, it’s really more of an S-level upgrade with only minor bumps in performance. And even then, the performance upgrades between the two models are marginal at best. The two areas where iPhone 8 beats iPhone 7 are its camera and storage capacity. So, if you’re considering a new iPhone for any other reason than the camera or the storage size, you should seriously consider iPhone 7.
Hopefully, this article has helped answer some of the questions you may have had while looking at these iPhone models. And while you shouldn’t run out to upgrade to iPhone 8 if you already have an iPhone 7, it’s still a great option. These are still high-quality phones, and the fact that they can both run the latest iOS means you’ll still be up to date with the latest features and third-party apps.
