Thursday, March 28, 2024

Which Apple iPhone should you buy?

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You’re on the edge of becoming an iPhone owner, except the choice of phones is causing a dilemma. The iPhone X is so tempting, but the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus is so lovely and large, and you could always save a little money and just get the more pocket-friendly iPhone 8. Then there’s the amount of storage space, and the color to consider.

It’s not a decision to be taken lightly. This is an expensive purchase, so which model is the right one for you? Here’s our easy guide to help you make the right choice, quickly.

Specifications

Regardless of whether you choose the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, or iPhone X, they all come with the same version of Apple’s iOS operating system installed, and they will all get the same software updates, at the same time, for the next couple of years. So don’t worry about software, you’re covered.

The battery size differs, but the average performance remains the same because each model has different power requirements. Don’t expect more than a day of heavy use out of any iPhone, but you should survive without charging during a long day if use is only average. There’s no best choice here, just keep in mind that none will be winning any awards for long battery life. All three of these models support wireless charging, so make sure you pick up a wireless charging pad for added convenience.

Each iPhone comes with the option of two different sizes of internal memory — 64GB or 256GB — and none have a MicroSD card slot. You can pay for extra iCloud storage — 5GB is included and free — which can free up internal storage space on the device later on. We always recommend paying for as much storage as you can afford, due to the inability to physically increase it on an iPhone.

Design

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus are evolutions of the iPhone 7. They’re iPhone 7S models in all but name. On the back, only the camera lens — single on the iPhone 8, and double on the iPhone 8 Plus — separates them outside of size. Neither phone has a bezel-less display, and the don’t look as modern as many Android devices. The iPhone 8 Plus is 50 grams heavier than the iPhone 8, and it’s very noticeable.

Take a good look at the iPhone X. It’s representative of how future iPhone models will look, with a screen notch and an otherwise bezel-less design. We think it’s a great-looking phone, and the notch isn’t as evil as it’s made out to be. At 174 grams, it’s between the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus in weight, and is very manageable in-hand. On the back, the dual-camera lenses are stacked vertically, a decision that kicked off another industry trend.

The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus look old. The iPhone X looks cutting-edge, and it’s the one we’d choose.

Screens

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The screen sizes vary between the three phones. The small 4.7-inch, 1,334 x 750 pixel iPhone 8 is exactly that — a bit small these days. Great if you have small hands, or never carry a bag, but if you’re coming from any modern Android phone, it’ll look miniature in comparison. The 5.5-inch, 1,920 x 1,080 pixel iPhone 8 Plus is more spacious, but it’s also a larger phone to handle. Finally, the 5.8-inch, 2,436 x 1,125 pixel iPhone X fits in the middle — because it has a taller, thinner 19.5:9 aspect ratio, it doesn’t look as big as the iPhone 8 Plus, despite being “larger.”

It’s an OLED screen on the iPhone X, compared to LCD screens on the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, and it does look superb. The black levels are stunning, and video performance is excellent. The LCD iPhone screens are still some of the best available, and only by comparing them side-by-side will you really notice the difference. Yes, the iPhone X has a notch, which has become a symbol of hate and derision, but the truth is once you’ve used the phone for a week, you’ll forget it’s there.

Not only that, but you’ll be quietly thankful because the notch makes the iPhone X’s Face ID security system work. It’s currently the best face-recognition system in the business, and while we don’t think it’s a reason to buy the phone, it’s natural, fast, and reliable to use on a daily basis. On the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, you have Touch ID for your fingerprint as the security system.

This is the first major decision you’re going to have to make before settling on which iPhone to buy — the size of the screen that suits you. In reality, the best way to judge this is to visit a store that carries all three and hold them. You’ll quickly know which one is right. We’d usually recommend getting the iPhone 8 Plus, as the larger, higher-resolution screen improves the user experience a lot. However, the iPhone X is very tempting due to its modern look and that glorious OLED panel.

Camera

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

If you’re still not sure after looking at the screens, or are now stuck between two models, then it’s time to turn you attention to the camera. Apple makes excellent, capable cameras that take great photos you’ll want to show off, but it’s worth going for a dual-lens iPhone over the iPhone 8. The iPhone 8’s 12-megapixel, f/1.8 aperture single-lens camera is rather feature-light by today’s standards. It’s still good, but definitely not that exciting on a creative level, unlike its sister phones.

The iPhone 8 Plus and the iPhone X have the same dual-lens 12-megapixel camera array. The main lens has an f/1.8 aperture, while the secondary telephoto lens has an f/2.8 aperture. These lenses give a 2x hybrid zoom, and produce a portrait mode with some special lighting effects. It’s excellent, and consistently performs well in head-to-head tests. You’ll get a lot more enjoyment out of taking photos with the 8 Plus or the iPhone X than you will with the iPhone 8.

Price

Perhaps the most important decision you’ll make is how much you want to spend on a new iPhone. The cheapest is the iPhone 8 with 64GB for $700 without a contract, directly through Apple. The most expensive is the iPhone X with 256GB, which costs $1,150. In the middle is the cheapest iPhone 8 Plus with 64GB at $800. It costs an extra $150 to buy a 256GB iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus, and if you just want the cheapest 64GB iPhone X, then you’ll hand over $1,000.

Which one is best?

For photographs: Either the iPhone X or the iPhone 8 Plus will satisfy those looking to take great photos. They both have the same rear cameras; but the front camera in conjunction with the depth sensor on the iPhone X has the ability to generate Animoji and Memoji — a selling point, if we ever heard one.

For business: The iPhone X is going to turn more heads in the boardroom, but the iPhone 8 Plus’s big screen makes reading and typing easier than on the X or iPhone 8’s smaller screens. It’s still got the better camera too, so it’s not just going to be useful at work. We’d pay up for the 256GB model though, if it has to deal with more apps and digital content.

For the first-time iPhone owner: If this is going to be your first iPhone and you need to stretch your budget, or perhaps you don’t need the latest tech, Apple still sells the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 6S. A 128GB iPhone 7 Plus is $770, while a 128GB iPhone 6S Plus is $650. While neither are cheap, you’re getting a higher specification for a lower price than purchasing an iPhone 8 or 8 Plus. We’d suggest ignoring the iPhone 6S, as the design is dated now, while the iPhone 7 — especially in jet black — still looks good.

For the stuck-in-the-past: We’ve not mentioned the iPhone SE yet, and that’s because it’s not really worth buying if you’re seriously considering any of the other current iPhone models. However, if you’re committed to never owning an iPhone with a screen larger than 4-inches, then it’s your only choice. It’s small, two years old, and has a camera that was decent three years ago. And yes, that’s us “selling” it.

Money no object, best iPhone purchase: If you’re happy to pay $1,000 or more, then we say buy the iPhone X. It’s better-looking, lighter, and more compact than the iPhone 8 Plus, and still comes with the great camera. The OLED screen is a winner, and you get to play with features only enabled with Face ID, such as Animoji. Additionally, it’ll always be desirable and will retain a high percentage of its value, so you’ll be able to sell it easily and for a decent price when you want to upgrade again in the future.

Anything else to know?

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

It’s preferable to buy an iPhone unlocked and without a contract, if you can afford it, so it’s easier to sell it in the future. However, there are some strong carrier deals where it’s possible to upgrade your phone after a year without incurring a hefty penalty. This would be an acceptable alternative.

Finally, if you’re settled on an iPhone to buy, then the last decision to make is the color. There is no right or wrong choice here, although the Product Red iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus model may end up being slightly more desirable if you decide to resell it in the future. Otherwise, you’re left with a silver, gold, or black version. The iPhone X only comes in silver or black, and we prefer the silver model with its classy polished metal chassis.

Ready to buy?

Is that the end? No. The last question you should be considering are whether you really need a new iPhone right now, or if you’d be happy with an older iPhone? Apple refreshes its iPhone models every year, usually around September or October, meaning that time is drawing near now. If you can wait for a few months, you may be able to grab a brand-new, just released iPhone instead. That’s always cool, right?

Whichever iPhone you end up buying, we’re positive you’ll enjoy it.

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