With the recent release of the new iPhone SE 2020, the iPhone 8 has grown old. Here is some information about the iPhone 8 series: it was launched in 2017 along with the iPhone X and was available in the basic and Plus version. Do you know what we did? We analyzed the market to see if the iPhone 8 is worth buying in 2020.
With the introduction of the anniversary model known as the iPhone X, the Apple series of phones saw glass for the first time. Since then, all new iPhone models, including the iPhone 8, have been equipped with wireless charging courtesy of an induction coil that sits right under the glass. Until the arrival of the new iPhone SE, the iPhone 8 was the last Apple smartphone to sport a Home button without a notched display.
Read also: iPhone SE 2020 vs. iPhone 11: which one to choose?
The iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus are the direct successors of the iPhone 7. With this series, significant changes have been made compared to the iPhone 6 series. Among them, the dual camera setup with a telephoto lens. However, the iPhone 8 received no major modifications or changes, this is because the iPhone X with an OLED and notched display was released at the same time. The main features of the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus are:
- Both models have a glass back (wireless charging supported)
- The A11 Bionic chip, which also powers the iPhone X.
- Dual camera system with telephoto lens and portrait mode (Bokeh) on the Plus model
- Dust and splash water protection (IP67 protection degree)
Apple iPhone 8 vs Apple iPhone 8 Plus technical specifications
| APPLE IPHONE 8 | APPLE IPHONE 8 PLUS | |
|---|---|---|
| DIMENSIONS: | 138,4 x 67,3 x 7,3 mm | 158,4 x 78,1 x 7,5 mm |
| WEIGHT: | 148 g | 202 g |
| BATTERY SIZE: | 1821 mAh | 2675 mAh |
| DISPLAY: | 4,7 inches | 5,5 inches |
| DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY: | LCD | LCD |
| SCREEN: | 1334 x 750 pixel (326 ppi) | 1920 x 1080 pixel (401 ppi) |
| FRONT CAMERA: | 7 megapixel | 7 megapixel |
| REAR CAMERA: | 12 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
| ELECTRIC TORCH: | LED | LED |
| RAM: | 2 GB | 3 GB |
| INTERNAL MEMORY: | 64 GB 256 GB | 64 GB 256 GB |
| REMOVABLE MEMORY: | Not available | Not available |
| CHIPSET: | Apple A11 Bionic | Apple A11 Bionic |
| NUMBER OF CORE: | 6 | 6 |
| CONNECTIVITY: | HSPA, LTE, NFC, Bluetooth 5.0 | HSPA, LTE, NFC, Bluetooth 5.0 |
Is the iPhone 8 still getting updates?
Currently, the iPhone 8 runs on iOS 13.5.1 (as of June 2020). Therefore, the device is up to date in terms of software. The smartphone was released in 2017 with iOS 11 and therefore has already received two major updates. If Apple continues to uphold its robust update policy, the iPhone 8 is expected to receive at least three more updates - and that would likely include iOS 16 in 2022.
Read also: How to update your iPhone to the latest version of iOS
However, some features introduced with future software updates will likely not see the light on the iPhone 8 due to its hardware limitations. Examples we've encountered so far include Apple's FaceID unlocking and Animojis, which can only be used via the TrueDepth camera in iPhones that have a notch.
How much does the iPhone 8 cost?
Those who are still interested in the iPhone 8 at the time of writing, you should know that iPhone 8 256GB of internal storage costs € 889, while we find a much lower price for iPhone 8 64GB, even if it is no longer possible to find it new on Amazon but only refurbished at the price of 440 €.
Refurbished iPhone 8: Things to Consider Before Buying One
Here are some things to consider before buying a refurbished iPhone 8: You buy a refurbished device from certified resellers just because they offer a warranty on these devices. This is a guarantee that covers you against device defects. That's why Amazon offers you refurbished devices as part of the 1-year Amazon Renewed warranty. You can find more information about Amazon's Certified Refurbished Warranty online.
We don't recommend buying an iPhone 8 this year. There are new iPhone models such as iPhone XR, iPhone SE 2020 or iPhone X that offer more and are available at a similar price or may even cost a little less.
- iPhone X and later: The flagships offer OLED displays with notch and Face ID without any Home button
- iPhone 11 and later: The flagship models now offer a triple camera setup, complete with ultra wide-angle and night modes
- iPhone SE: Identical in construction to the iPhone 8, Apple's entry-level class now offers the latest processor
It is not possible to answer this question in general. The iPhone 8 will continue to receive software updates for a long time to come, but from a technical standpoint, it is old now. If you want something with more processing power, you can buy the iPhone SE 2020 which is identical in construction but boasts a superior processor and better camera, and you can use all the latest features implemented by Apple.
