What is the difference between the iPhone 8 and the iPhone X?

If you didn’t already know, Apple recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of the iPhone by launching not one, but three new smartphones: The iPhone 8, the iPhone 8 Plus and the iPhone X. And we’ve got to admit – we’re stuck.

Sure, we expected to have to chose between the iPhone 8 and the 8 Plus. However, the introduction to the iPhone X has really thrown a spanner. Is the X really that different from the iPhone 8? Is it worth the extra money? What one should I go for? 

It may not be obvious at first but each device is extremely unique in terms of design, display and specification. So to help you to make the right decision, we’ve provided a quick summary of the key differences.

Design and Display

Size

Appearance-wise, there is an obvious difference between the new releases. The iPhone 8 is 4.7 inches, whilst the Plus is 5.5 inches. However, Apple has taken a massive leap with the iPhone X. At 5.8 inches, the X is the largest iPhone ever with it’s only competition being Samsung’s Galaxy Note 8.

Missing home button

Similarly, there is a stark contrast between each models’ display.

Whereas the display of the 8 runs parallel with previous iPhones, the iPhone X is noticeably missing the home button. Instead, Apple has given users a different way of navigating around the iPhone X. For example, swiping down will bring you to the control panel and double-tapping the side button will take you directly to Apple Pay. It might seem confusing at first, and it will certainly take some getting used to – but the absence of a home button will provide an edge-to-edge display that gives iPhone users more screen space than ever before.

Glass front – and back

There are of course some similarities between the X and 8 models. All three of the newly released phones feature the new design which includes a glass front AND back. Having gone through a six layer ink process, the new design allows for precise hues, opacity and rich depth of colour, providing a premium effect.

(The glass is engineered to resist water and dust. It also has an oleophobic coating which allows you to easily wipe off smudges and fingerprints – so you can keep your iPhone good-as-new).

Available colours

Strangely, the iPhone X is available in Silver and Space Grey whilst the iPhone 8’s have been released in the same Gold that has become so popular amongst older models.

It’s difficult to understand why Apple may have decided not to release a Gold version of the X, however Apple did launch the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus in red around six months after the phones launched, so we suspect that more variants of the X will be eventually be available.

Features

Face ID

The biggest difference between the iPhone 8 and the iPhone X is definitely the introduction of Face ID.

‘What could be more natural than a touch? A look. That was the insight behind Face ID, a powerful and secure authentication system that’s even more convenient than Touch ID. It makes unlocking and paying fast, easy and intuitive.’ This is how Apple have introduced this years most advanced security feature, which will feature on the iPhone X.

Face ID stores the intricate details of your face to allow you to unlock your phone simply by looking at it. It even features a ‘Flood Illuminator’ to help you to use the system in the dark. Not only that, but it’s so smart that it can ‘keep the screen lit when you’re reading, or lower the volume of an alarm or ringer.’

It’s our favourite feature to have been released by Apple for years, and we suspect that most will hold out for the iPhone X as a result.

Camera

There is a direct contrast between the camera quality of the iPhone 8 and the iPhone 8 Plus. Both the iPhone 8 Plus and the X feature a brand new dual-camera. On both phones, the first 12 megapixel camera is fitted with an extra telephoto lens that supports 10x optical zoom which is able to zoom ‘in closer to the action without any loss of image quality.’ The iPhone 8 Plus also has the same Portrait Lighting mode, as seen in the iPhone X. Made for selfie lovers, Portrait Mode enables the camera to work out who the subject of the camera is to dynamically lighten and darken the image in various ways, dramatically improving it’s overall effect.

Animoji

Another new feature that has come to the iPhone X, is the introduction of Animoji.

Animoji brings Apple’s Emoji’s alive using your facial expressions and voice. The facial-mapping sensors in the iPhone X’s Face ID make this possible by capturing and analysing more than 50 different muscle movements, then mirroring your expressions.

Conclusion

We have to admit, Face ID is the most exciting feature to have come to the iPhone in years. Being able to unlock your phone with a simple look is a bonus, yes. However, it is the iPhone X’s ability to sense when to silence notifications and when to keep the screen lit that has really won us round. I mean, is there anything more annoying then when your screen dims halfway through a Netflix episode? No!

Differently, for those who are not fussed by the high-technicality of the iPhone X – the iPhone 8 Plus is going to be the phone for you. ‘It’s got the processor. It’s got the wireless charging. It’s got dual cameras on the back and can do the same new Portrait Lighting effects as the iPhone X.’  Basically, the iPhone 8 Plus is the X just without the Face ID. It’s cheaper, available sooner and has the upgraded camera that everyone is talking about right now.

Businesses can pre-order the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus with us, here.