iphones same size as 8 plus

Which One Should You Buy: The iPhone X or iPhone 8 Plus?

Last year was the first time that Apple didn't just launch a new iPhone in two different sizes, but two completely different iPhone models instead.

The iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus continue the tradition of the iPhone 6 and 7, as well as the Plus models, by including popular and now classic iPhone features such as the Retina display and Home button. The second model launched by Apple was the spectacular iPhone X, in which many things have changed.

The iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X are somewhat similar but they also have some pronounced differences. So, which one should you buy? We've put together a list of things to make the choice easier for you.

Size

The iPhone 8 Plus is larger than the iPhone X. However, when measured diagonally, the iPhone X has a larger display.

The iPhone 8 Plus has a 5.5-inch display, and in traditional iPhone fashion it is surrounded by bezels (the borders between the screen and the phone's frame) that contain the front camera at the top and the Home button at the bottom.

The iPhone X has a 5.8-inch display which goes from edge to edge: there are no bezels, and what's more – no Home button. The only thing distracting from the display is the notch at the top which conceals the TrueDepth camera system.

Quite frankly, the iPhone X is the most elegant smartphone on the market right now in terms of its size and display. The iPhone 8 Plus is great choice if you prefer the feel of a larger phone or you just like the classic Apple design with its bezels.

Display – Super Retina or Retina?

The biggest difference between the iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X is the display.

The iPhone 8 Plus has an LCD Retina display, which you may be familiar with from the earlier iPhone models. The Retina display is a term developed by Apple to refer to a display that has such a high resolution and pixel density that a person can't discern the individual pixels at a regular viewing distance.

The iPhone X uses completely new display technology, with its stunning OLED display extending from edge to edge. OLED provides far better contrast than any other display and it also supports HDR video. The pixel density of the OLED display is so high that calling it Retina isn't enough – Apple refers to the new display as "Super Retina".

When comparing the displays of the iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X next to each other, the iPhone X emerges as the clear winner. Its colours are rich, the text looks sharp and the black is so black that it's truly mesmerising.

This is by no means to say that the iPhone 8 Plus has a poor display – the iPhone LCD displays have been ranked as the best LCD displays on the market in many tests and comparisons.

Performance

The differences inside the iPhones aren't as noticeable. They both have the same 64-bit Apple A11 Bionic processor. Among other things, the powerful processor enables the phones to run AR technology apps smoothly.

According to Apple, the current processor is 75% faster than that of earlier models. This is easy to believe, as the iPhone X and iPhone 8 Plus run seamlessly and fast as lightning.

If all you want from your phone is fast performance and you don't care that much about the newest features and functions, you should pick the iPhone 8 Plus.

Battery

If good battery life is your number one priority, the iPhone 8 Plus' battery is slightly larger and so it gives you a little more time to watch videos and surf the internet.

Both phones can be charged wirelessly, which is a significant bonus. Both devices also support fast charging.

– iPhone 8 Plus: Up to 21 hours talk time, 13 hours internet use, 14 hours video streaming, 60 hours audio playback
– iPhone X: Up to 21 hours talk time, 12 hours internet use, 13 hours video streaming, 60 hours audio playback

Rear camera

The iPhone 8 Plus has a more advanced rear camera than the iPhone 8, but the iPhone X has the same dual-lens rear camera as the iPhone 8 Plus. The camera and video features are very similar.

One minor difference between the rear cameras is that the iPhone X uses dual optical image stabilisation, which means it functions for both of the rear lenses, while the iPhone 8 Plus only has optical image stabilisation.

Front camera

The front cameras of the iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X are so different that Apple has even opted to give them different names.

The iPhone 8 Plus has an improved version of the traditional FaceTime camera, which you may be familiar with from the earlier iPhones. It takes 7-megapixel photos and records 1080p video. The Retina Flash (the iPhone's screen is used as a flash) helps you get better lighting for your selfies.

The iPhone X's TrueDepth camera provides all the features listed above and much more. Since the iPhone X is unlocked using Face ID which recognises the user's face, the TrueDepth camera has special sensors to secure the facial recognition. A few examples of these are an infrared camera that sees you in the dark, a proximity sensor, a flood illuminator and a dot projector that helps make a 3D map of your face to make sure it's you – not just a photo of you.

The TrueDepth technology is located in the little notch at top of the iPhone X's display and it provides exceptional features for taking selfies as well. It supports Portrait mode photos and Portrait Lighting, which only the rear camera was capable of in former iPhones.

The iPhone X's front camera also lets you use Animoji – emoji that mimic the face and speech of the user. It's a funny way to send messages to your friends, and it's also very impressive technology.

Biometrics

The iPhone X is all screen on its front, which means there is no longer a Home button or Touch ID. Instead, the phone uses Face ID – facial recognition – for unlocking the phone and using Apple Pay, for example.

Face ID is very similar to Touch ID, the key difference being that instead of using a fingerprint to unlock the phone, it uses your face. The iPhone helps the user take photos of his or her face from every side to form a complete picture of it.

The iPhone 8 Plus has touch ID, which works safely and securely just like before. Sometimes it can even be a faster and more secure way to unlock the iPhone. When Face ID was released, Apple joked that an "evil twin" could unlock the iPhone with their completely identical face. This wouldn't be possible with Touch ID, because identical twins have different fingerprints.

It's hard to say which is better, Touch ID or Face ID: it depends on the user. Face ID has some minor limitations: it may not work when your phone is flat on a table or desk, sometimes low-light environments can cause difficulties and you may have to remove your sunglasses when using it outside.

Choose the iPhone 8 Plus, if

– Your current phone is an iPhone 6 or older – many of the iPhone 8 Plus' features will be completely new to you
– You want to pay less
– You are a big fan of Touch ID and Face ID doesn't interest you
– You want the familiar user experience but in a faster device and familiar Apple design
– You like the large size of Plus models

Choose the iPhone X, if

– You want the latest and greatest technology
– You want the OLED display and Face ID
– You want a new user experience but would like to stick with Apple