iPhone 8 Plus vs. iPhone X: What's the difference, which one to get and why?
Just because you’re in the market for a new iPhone doesn’t mean you have to go broke buying the priciest device. And if you’re not the type of person who simply must have the latest and greatest, you can easily pick up an older model for a fraction of the cost. Models like iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X can run the most recent operating system, iOS 13, which means you’ll still be able to use most of the new features and apps.
This article outlines what sets these phones apart from each other. Hopefully, we can help answer some of the questions you might have so you can decide on your next iPhone.
What’s the difference between iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X?
Releasing the iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X in the same year was Apple’s way of holding on to classic iPhone traits while also pushing the device forward. iPhone 8 looked and felt very similar to iPhones of the past, while its X counterpart was more of a departure, replacing physical buttons in favor of new touch-based gestures.
Notable features of iPhone X:
- Smaller and lighter than iPhone 8 Plus
- 5.8-inch OLED screen
- No home button
- First iPhone with Face ID
How iPhone 8 Plus differs:
- 5.5-inch LCD screen
- Home button
- Still uses Touch ID to unlock the screen and for Apple Pay
iPhone 8 Plus vs. iPhone X: The size
There are quite a few noticeable physical differences between iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X. Despite the iPhone 8 Plus being physically larger, the iPhone X has a bigger screen. Thanks to the iPhone X not having a home button, Apple was able to put in a 5.8-inch screen that nearly touches the edge of the phone. For reference, the dimensions of both iPhones are:
- iPhone 8 Plus: 6.24 x 3.07 x 0.30 inches
- iPhone X: 5.65 x 2.79 x 0.30 inches
iPhone X vs. iPhone 8 Plus: Face ID
While Touch ID was a favorite feature that is still available on iPhone 8 Plus, without a home button, iPhone X had to introduce a new feature for security and to unlock the device. Enter Face ID. Using the front camera, iPhone X scans your face to unlock your phone, enable certain security features like Apple Pay, and show saved passwords.
iPhone X vs. iPhone 8 Plus: The camera
Comparing the camera on iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X is actually pretty easy since they are virtually identical. They both have dual 12-megapixel sensors and a wide-angle telephoto lens. They differ, however, in that iPhone 8 Plus only has optical image stabilization when you’re using the wide-angle lens, whereas iPhone X offers it on both lenses.
How do iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X compare?
In many ways, comparing iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X is like comparing apples and oranges. The two devices are very different and serve very different purposes. iPhone 8 Plus proves to be more akin to what an iPhone 7S Plus model might have been, rather than a true upgrade, while iPhone X lived up to the definition of being a next-generation iPhone and forged the path for current-model iPhones. The differences between iPhone X and iPhone XS, for example, aren't as striking, because those two belong to the next generation.
So which should you get: iPhone 8 Plus or iPhone X?
If you’re deciding between these two phones, it’s probably helpful to keep in mind why Apple released both of them at the same time. iPhone 8 Plus held on to the things that make an iPhone an iPhone, while iPhone X was designed to push the product line forward and change things up.
If cost is your primary concern, then iPhone 8 Plus is the way to go, but if you’re looking for a device that will last you a little bit longer and will have more updated features, then your best bet is iPhone X.
Now that you’ve read this, you will hopefully have an easier time deciding on your new iPhone. The reality of it is, they’re both great phones, so there really is no wrong answer. Especially if you’re upgrading from an iPhone 6s or older, any newer iPhone will be a major leap forward.
