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8 Plus versus X Thoughts

PBz

PBz

macrumors 68030
Original poster
Nov 3, 2005
2,616
1,577
SoCal
This is not a right/wrong thread.. the intent is to provide people on the fence about either good feedback or comments based on experience with the devices..

So I own an 8+ and I love it. Before this phone the 6S+ was my favorite iPhone.

Initially, I was in no way interested in the X. I didn’t like the Notch from images on the information superhighway. I did not like losing 7mm of screen width. I did not like the idea of buying Apple’s first OLED. I REALLY didn’t.. and don’t like the idea of FaceID.

So I have spent about 2 hours comparing the phones at my local Apple Store and here are some thoughts.. in concise rambling form...

I prefer the weight of the X over my 8+. I haven’t lifted in a while but I will bet I can hang with or best most people here.. This isn’t an I-am-too-weak-to-hold-my-phone-up comment.. X just feels nice and balanced in one hand.

I prefer the brightness of the 8+ over the X. I tried everything.. disabling/enabling auto-brightness.. My 8+ seems brighter. Turned on/off True Tone.. the Apple employee definitely did not agree with me and at angles the X looks brighter but straight-on.. My 8+ seemed to have the edge.

I prefer the text on screen of the X. More crisp. I can tell a difference. I thought it was interesting that even at the smallest text setting it was still fine. On my 8+ I use the second to smallest. On the X I could go a step below the smallest.

The screen of the X seems ‘closer’. The only way I know how to explain this is the iPad Air vs the iPad Air 2.

Camera.. not really a fair comparison since I could only do in the store.. with that said my 8+ took better images. I specifically, tested in good light and bad. I even took a shot facing the entrance to the store with the sun shining in. Both images were great. However, my 8+ pulled more detail in shadows and on subjects in the distance. For example, there wa a lady sitting outside with brown hair and sunglasses. In the X image, even zoomed you wouldn’t see the sunglasses unless you looked for them. In the 8+ image, the contrast was there to see them. The tree and leaves showed much more detail in the image from the 8+. Like I said.. both images were great shots.. but the 8+ ,on these limited shots, really beat the X pretty good. In the bad backlit images.. the 8+ also showed better detail within the store (tables). It was these images that made me start checking all the display settings as I was thinking there is no way the X wasn’t capturing the detail.. I really thought it was just a darker screen on the X.. not the case.. it was the images IMO.

Landscape.. I have to admit I don’t use it that often. I don’t do Mail or Safari in Landscape and don’t play any games in Landscape. I do watch some movies. Movies were bigger (obvious) on the 8+. Movies were NOT that bad on the X.. looked good and it looks like YT has made some updates. My limited use of Landscape has the X in consideration.


I have started taking an assessment of ‘unused’ space on the Plus. In apps like Notes, Safari, etc that are mainly text.. there is often a good bit of unused space on the edges.. and it’s the width of the Plus that is an advantage. So is it really an advantage outside of movies? I don’t know.

Hardware.. I will get blasted for this but the X does not feel as solid as the 8+. While I like the lightness..something doesn’t feel as rock solid as the Plus. It’s like shutting a door on a Lexus versus a Yaris... I am so going to get blasted... and the camera just looks funky.

Overall..
Obvoulsly both are great phones with great cameras and internals. In just the 2 hours I did start to prefer the gestures over the Home Button..being honest.

I am soooooo close to wanting the X.. but something keeps from pushing me over the top. I don’t think it’s the screen alone... I honestly think it’s that I love the 8+ so much and it feels so solid.. and the camera is so bad@$$.. that I can’t risk going to the X.. then part of me just wants shiny and new..

Hope this helps.
 
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PBz said:
This is not a right/wrong thread.. the intent is to provide people on the fence about either good feedback or comments based on experience with the devices..

So I own an 8+ and I love it. Before this phone the 6S+ was my favorite iPhone.

Initially, I was in no way interested in the X. I didn’t like the Notch from images on the information superhighway. I did not like losing 7mm of screen width. I did not like the idea of buying Apple’s first OLED. I REALLY didn’t.. and don’t like the idea of FaceID.

So I have spent about 2 hours comparing the phones at my local Apple Store and here are some thoughts.. in concise rambling form...

I prefer the weight of the X over my 8+. I haven’t lifted in a while but I will bet I can hang with or best most people here.. This isn’t an I-am-too-weak-to-hold-my-phone-up comment.. X just feels nice and balanced in one hand.

I prefer the brightness of the 8+ over the X. I tried everything.. disabling/enabling auto-brightness.. My 8+ seems brighter. Turned on/off True Tone.. the Apple employee definitely did not agree with me and at angles the X looks brighter but straight-on.. My 8+ seemed to have the edge.

I prefer the text on screen of the X. More crisp. I can tell a difference. I thought it was interesting that even at the smallest text setting it was still fine. On my 8+ I use the second to smallest. On the X I could go a step below the smallest.

The screen of the X seems ‘closer’. The only way I know how to explain this is the iPad Air vs the iPad Air 2.

Camera.. not really a fair comparison since I could only do in the store.. with that said my 8+ took better images. I specifically, tested in good light and bad. I even took a shot facing the entrance to the store with the sun shining in. Both images were great. However, my 8+ pulled more detail in shadows and on subjects in the distance. For example, there wa a lady sitting outside with brown hair and sunglasses. In the X image, even zoomed you wouldn’t see the sunglasses unless you looked for them. In the 8+ image, the contrast was there to see them. The tree and leaves showed much more detail in the image from the 8+. Like I said.. both images were great shots.. but the 8+ ,on these limited shots, really beat the X pretty good. In the bad backlit images.. the 8+ also showed better detail within the store (tables). It was these images that made me start checking all the display settings as I was thinking there is no way the X wasn’t capturing the detail.. I really thought it was just a darker screen on the X.. not the case.. it was the images IMO.

Landscape.. I have to admit I don’t use it that often. I don’t do Mail or Safari in Landscape and don’t play any games in Landscape. I do watch some movies. Movies were bigger (obvious) on the 8+. Movies were NOT that bad on the X.. looked good and it looks like YT has made some updates. My limited use of Landscape has the X in consideration.


I have started taking an assessment of ‘unused’ space on the Plus. In apps like Notes, Safari, etc that are mainly text.. there is often a good bit of unused space on the edges.. and it’s the width of the Plus that is an advantage. So is it really an advantage outside of movies? I don’t know.

Hardware.. I will get blasted for this but the X does not feel as solid as the 8+. While I like the lightness..something doesn’t feel as rock solid as the Plus. It’s like shutting a door on a Lexus versus a Yaris... I am so going to get blasted... and the camera just looks funky.

Overall..
Obvoulsly both are great phones with great cameras and internals. In just the 2 hours I did start to prefer the gestures over the Home Button..being honest.

I am soooooo close to wanting the X.. but something keeps from pushing me over the top. I don’t think it’s the screen alone... I honestly think it’s that I love the 8+ so much and it feels so solid.. and the camera is so bad@$$.. that I can’t risk going to the X.. then part of me just wants shiny and new..

Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

You've got 14 days, if you don't like it, take it back.
 
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Enhancer4004 said:
You've got 14 days, if you don't like it, take it back.
Click to expand...
True.. I try to minimize this although I have done it. In fact, my 8+ is my third as I had one replaced to confirm in-app speaker issue (worked with Lead Tech) and then I returned a fully paid iPhone so I could pay off a stolen iPhone in upgrade program and buy Apple Watch with savings...

Apple is super patient but I think my next move will be for a year.
 
SpitUK said:
I swapped my 8+ for the X and as soon as I started using the X all my concerns just melted away. Love the X it’s the best phone I have ever owned.

My last 4 phones have been 6+ 6S+ 7+ and 8+
Click to expand...
This is helpful. What do you miss most from the Plus?
 
PBz said:
This is helpful. What do you miss most from the Plus?
Click to expand...
Honestly, nothing. I stressed about swapping for a month before the X came out. I thought the screen would be too small, battery not good enough and of course losing Touch ID. I picked up my 8+ earlier for the first time since Friday and it felt like an old brick and just looked really dated. Using the X with gestures just feels like the future.
 
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I appreciate your thoughts and review. Kudos for coming across as intended - not to bash one over the other, but just your observations comparing the two. I was in the Apple Store for an unrelated reason on X launch day and spent some time messing with it - not a 2 hour comparison test, but just to go through what would be "ordinary daily functions" with the new gestures, etc.

Good post
 
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SpitUK said:
Honestly, nothing. I stressed about swapping for a month before the X came out. I thought the screen would be too small, battery not good enough and of course losing Touch ID. I picked up my 8+ earlier for the first time since Friday and it felt like an old brick and just looked really dated. Using the X with gestures just feels like the future.
Click to expand...
Interesting that you say that.. I don’t think it came out as a major issue in my original post but weight was so nice on the X.
 
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Both are great phones. Here's the real reasons why it's so difficult for people to choose.

The X is the first of a new generation. There will be some teething problems.
- Apps are not yet optimized for it
- Devs/Designers still learning how to use the space available (lots of weird layouts and empty spaces wasted)
- FaceID is fast, but not always as fast as muscle memory + TouchID in its final form
- New experience is great and fun
- New usage patterns also means some getting used to. I enjoy this, you may not.
- For people who like upgrading on the standard cycle - Gen 1/3G/4/5/6/7

The 8+ is the best iteration of an established design. It's the best it can possibly be for its generation.
- Apps are made for that screen
- The 16:9 screen is perfect for video
- Huge battery
- Bezels = comfortable place to hold the device
- Lower price = better value
- For people who like upgrading on the S cycle - 3GS/4S/5S/6S/7S(8)

If you prefer the X, then you are an Early Adopter. You like experiencing New things, and accepts the fact that Gen 1 issues are what they are. Being first is fun, and you enjoy experimenting with new things, and challenging status quo.

If you prefer the 8+, then you are a Power User. You like using something familiar and powerful. You like knowing that the tool you are using is as good as it can be. When the X has its bugs ironed out, and perhaps gains a larger sibling, you may even jump on that wagon - knowing full well that it's tried and tested.





I've used iPhones since 2007. And have always jumped on the Standard cycle, because I want the new new. I got a 5S once, and learned an important lesson when the 6 came out. I'm an early adopter.

My pattern:
Gen 1 -> 3G -> 4 -> 5S -> 6 -> 7+ -> X

The only deviation was 5S because I was not convinced a taller screen, in 5, was enough of an upgrade, everything else being mostly equal to the 4. When I went to 6 to 7+, it was also driven by the need to experience something new, the phablet form. Which turns out to be something I love, and got used to immediately. This was surprising because I was always for the smaller sizes.
 
Last edited:
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Ryan1524 said:
Both are great phones. Here's the real reasons why it's so difficult for people to choose.

The X is the first of a new generation. There will be some teething problems.
- Apps are not yet optimized for it
- Devs/Designers still learning how to use the space available (lots of weird layouts and empty spaces wasted)
- FaceID is fast, but not always as fast as muscle memory + TouchID in its final form
- New experience is great and fun
- New usage patterns also means some getting used to. I enjoy this, you may not.
- For people who like upgrading on the standard cycle - Gen 1/3G/4/5/6/7

The 8+ is the best iteration of an established design. It's the best it can possibly be for its generation.
- Apps are made for that screen
- The 16:9 screen is perfect for video
- Huge battery
- Bezels = comfortable place to hold the device
- Lower price = better value
- For people who like upgrading on the S cycle - 3GS/4S/5S/6S/7S(8)

If you prefer the X, then you are an Early Adopter. You like experiencing New things, and accepts the fact that Gen 1 issues are what they are. Being first is fun, and you enjoy experimenting with new things, and challenging status quo.

If you prefer the 8+, then you are a Power User. You like using something familiar and powerful. You like knowing that the tool you are using is as good as it can be. When the X has its bugs ironed out, and perhaps gains a larger sibling, you may even jump on that wagon - knowing full well that it's tried and tested.





I've used iPhones since 2007. And have always jumped on the Standard cycle, because I want the new new. I got a 5S once, and learned an important lesson when the 6 came out. I'm an early adopter.

My pattern:
Gen 1 -> 3G -> 4 -> 5S -> 6 -> 7+ -> X

The only deviation was 5S because I was not convinced a taller screen, in 5, was enough of an upgrade, everything else being mostly equal to the 4. When I went to 6 to 7+, it was also driven by the need to experience something new, the phablet form. Which turns out to be something I love, and got used to immediately. This was surprising because I was always for the smaller sizes.
Click to expand...
Same. I used to get paid to test them. Was on device team when iPhone launched (not on super secret iPhone team). Historically I upgraded every year.
 
I will say a couple of things. One you did only test the X with a display unit in the store. Not sure that is completely far to gather a consensus on the X. Secondly I think this has something to do with your the display unit. There is no way the 8+ takes better pictures. That has been proven over and Over with reviews. That’s all.
 
bmac4 said:
I will say a couple of things. One you did only test the X with a display unit in the store. Not sure that is completely far to gather a consensus on the X. Secondly I think this has something to do with your the display unit. There is no way the 8+ takes better pictures. That has been proven over and Over with reviews. That’s all.
Click to expand...
Agreed.
 
I have had Plus phones since they were first introduced in the 6.

I don't mind the reduced width.

I just wish Apple would have incorporated some of the Plus UI (landscape mode, keyboard).
That is the hardest to get used to.
 
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Zimmy68 said:
I have had Plus phones since they were first introduced in the 6.

I don't mind the reduced width.

I just wish Apple would have incorporated some of the Plus UI (landscape mode, keyboard).
That is the hardest to get used to.
Click to expand...

If you use the landscape mode often, it's something missing from the X.

Personally, I barely ever used my 7+ in landscape, so the X was fine for me. However, I am looking forward to the X Plus next year for bigger video. Now that's going to be a tough choice. The X screen isn't exactly small. The jump will be less significant/obvious from 5.8 to 6.4 than it would be from 4.7 to 5.5.
 
Ive had my X for a little over 24 hrs now. I have been stressing about it all month, having loved my plus models. And I love pretty much everything about the X, but in the back of my mind Im always thinking that whatever Im doing would be bigger on my plus. In my unscientific testing , my X lasted about 30-40 minutes less than my 7 plus. True tone takes awhile to get used to. But the X is just such a joy to use, I think Im going to keep it
 
bmac4 said:
I will say a couple of things. One you did only test the X with a display unit in the store. Not sure that is completely far to gather a consensus on the X. Secondly I think this has something to do with your the display unit. There is no way the 8+ takes better pictures. That has been proven over and Over with reviews. That’s all.
Click to expand...
It isn’t all. Tested on two different occasions & two different X. Camera isn’t different on display model. Limited sample but with horrible backlight, 8+ won the shots.
 
PBz said:
It isn’t all. Tested on two different occasions & two different X. Camera isn’t different on display model. Limited sample but with horrible backlight, 8+ won the shots.
Click to expand...

I am just telling you that no one else, I mean no one else shares this same view of the camera. I am not sure if you are trying to justify buying the 8+, but something was either wrong or done wrong.
 
Fair enough OP

I've been waiting since the 6s for an OLED display on an iPhone

Am so very pleased with the result. iPhone X for me is the iPhone I have wanted for a long time

8/8+ are both still fantastic phones. X is a different experience, not better nor worse

Touch ID is still great, fast.
 
I would rather wait for the xPlus so that I get all of the other features of the X but the larger width of the Plus. Maybe that will come out next 4th quarter. Hope so.

QUOTE="PBz, post: 25421187, member: 61361"]This is not a right/wrong thread.. the intent is to provide people on the fence about either good feedback or comments based on experience with the devices..

So I own an 8+ and I love it. Before this phone the 6S+ was my favorite iPhone.

Initially, I was in no way interested in the X. I didn’t like the Notch from images on the information superhighway. I did not like losing 7mm of screen width. I did not like the idea of buying Apple’s first OLED. I REALLY didn’t.. and don’t like the idea of FaceID.

So I have spent about 2 hours comparing the phones at my local Apple Store and here are some thoughts.. in concise rambling form...

I prefer the weight of the X over my 8+. I haven’t lifted in a while but I will bet I can hang with or best most people here.. This isn’t an I-am-too-weak-to-hold-my-phone-up comment.. X just feels nice and balanced in one hand.

I prefer the brightness of the 8+ over the X. I tried everything.. disabling/enabling auto-brightness.. My 8+ seems brighter. Turned on/off True Tone.. the Apple employee definitely did not agree with me and at angles the X looks brighter but straight-on.. My 8+ seemed to have the edge.

I prefer the text on screen of the X. More crisp. I can tell a difference. I thought it was interesting that even at the smallest text setting it was still fine. On my 8+ I use the second to smallest. On the X I could go a step below the smallest.

The screen of the X seems ‘closer’. The only way I know how to explain this is the iPad Air vs the iPad Air 2.

Camera.. not really a fair comparison since I could only do in the store.. with that said my 8+ took better images. I specifically, tested in good light and bad. I even took a shot facing the entrance to the store with the sun shining in. Both images were great. However, my 8+ pulled more detail in shadows and on subjects in the distance. For example, there wa a lady sitting outside with brown hair and sunglasses. In the X image, even zoomed you wouldn’t see the sunglasses unless you looked for them. In the 8+ image, the contrast was there to see them. The tree and leaves showed much more detail in the image from the 8+. Like I said.. both images were great shots.. but the 8+ ,on these limited shots, really beat the X pretty good. In the bad backlit images.. the 8+ also showed better detail within the store (tables). It was these images that made me start checking all the display settings as I was thinking there is no way the X wasn’t capturing the detail.. I really thought it was just a darker screen on the X.. not the case.. it was the images IMO.

Landscape.. I have to admit I don’t use it that often. I don’t do Mail or Safari in Landscape and don’t play any games in Landscape. I do watch some movies. Movies were bigger (obvious) on the 8+. Movies were NOT that bad on the X.. looked good and it looks like YT has made some updates. My limited use of Landscape has the X in consideration.


I have started taking an assessment of ‘unused’ space on the Plus. In apps like Notes, Safari, etc that are mainly text.. there is often a good bit of unused space on the edges.. and it’s the width of the Plus that is an advantage. So is it really an advantage outside of movies? I don’t know.

Hardware.. I will get blasted for this but the X does not feel as solid as the 8+. While I like the lightness..something doesn’t feel as rock solid as the Plus. It’s like shutting a door on a Lexus versus a Yaris... I am so going to get blasted... and the camera just looks funky.

Overall..
Obvoulsly both are great phones with great cameras and internals. In just the 2 hours I did start to prefer the gestures over the Home Button..being honest.

I am soooooo close to wanting the X.. but something keeps from pushing me over the top. I don’t think it’s the screen alone... I honestly think it’s that I love the 8+ so much and it feels so solid.. and the camera is so bad@$$.. that I can’t risk going to the X.. then part of me just wants shiny and new..

Hope this helps.[/QUOTE]
 
SpitUK said:
Honestly, nothing. I stressed about swapping for a month before the X came out. I thought the screen would be too small, battery not good enough and of course losing Touch ID. I picked up my 8+ earlier for the first time since Friday and it felt like an old brick and just looked really dated. Using the X with gestures just feels like the future.
Click to expand...
Gestures yes, screen and the way its OS is presented no ...
 
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