Fun Fact: My Red 7+ is newer than my SG 8+

[Jawnathin]

So I preordered an SG 8+ to replace my 6S. While waiting for the 8+ to come out I found a nice deal on a NIB/Sealed Product Red 7+. I picked up my preordered 8+ on launch day and got the 7+ today. Checked the serial numbers on both and was surprised the manufacturing date of my 7+ was after the SG 8+.

SG 8+ = 31st week (early August)
PR 7+ = 34th week (late August)

I know they're still making the 7s but the PR 7s has been discontinued and no longer sold I was surprised to see one manufactured after they already started production on the 8. This has gotta be one of the last batches of the PR they've made.

Still not sure which to keep. Can resell the 7+ for what I paid or return the 8+. The 8+ is a better phone than the 7+ in just about every way but the Red on the 7+ is incredibly good looking. I love the glass back on the 8 as I think it makes it the best version of the 6-7-8 family but the Product Red aluminum has gotta be the best finish on any iPhone ever. If they made a PR 8+, I'd totally scoop that up.

First world problems.

 

[Synergie]

So I preordered an SG 8+ to replace my 6S. While waiting for the 8+ to come out I found a nice deal on a NIB/Sealed Product Red 7+. I picked up my preordered 8+ on launch day and got the 7+ today. Checked the serial numbers on both and was surprised the manufacturing date of my 7+ was after the SG 8+.

SG 8+ = 31st week (early August)
PR 7+ = 34th week (late August)

I know they're still making the 7s but the PR 7s has been discontinued and no longer sold I was surprised to see one manufactured after they already started production on the 8. This has gotta be one of the last batches of the PR they've made.

Still not sure which to keep. Can resell the 7+ for what I paid or return the 8+. The 8+ is a better phone than the 7+ in just about every way but the Red on the 7+ is incredibly good looking. I love the glass back on the 8 as I think it makes it the best version of the 6-7-8 family but the Product Red aluminum has gotta be the best finish on any iPhone ever. If they made a PR 8+, I'd totally scoop that up.

First world problems.

Ask yourself in real world usage, will those differences between 8+ and 7+ really be noticeable? Most of the time we get caught up in specs. But in real world usage never notice them. Case in point, I was wowed by better front camera in IPP 12.9 2017 version vs the first one when I upgraded. In realty, I have not done one single FaceTime with it all yet LOL.

 

[bkends35]

Ask yourself in real world usage, will those differences between 8+ and 7+ really be noticeable? Most of the time we get caught up in specs. But in real world usage never notice them. Case in point, I was wowed by better front camera in IPP 12.9 2017 version vs the first one when I upgraded. In realty, I have not done one single FaceTime with it all yet LOL.

Short answer: no

 

[bambooshots]

That's pretty cool.

Why not keep both since it's a interesting happenstance.

 

[Jawnathin]

That's pretty cool.

Why not keep both since it's a interesting happenstance.

That would be awesome but will only be keeping one. One new phone was expensive, two is overdoing it!

I used the 8 over the weekend and was very happy with it and its performance. I will use the 7 over the next few days to see if I notice any differences, then make a decision.

 

[bambooshots]

FWIW I think I'd definitely keep the 8.

 

[Jawnathin]

Thanks. I’m pretty torn between the two. Cost difference ends up being about $225. $375 if I return the 8 and don’t get AppleCare+ on the 7.

Not a huge deal but enough that it’s worth spending time to figure out if it’s worth it. I was pretty happy with the 8 during few days I used it. Gotta see if the 7 can keep up.

I’ll report back with an update to this thread once I get some more time with the 7 and make a decision.

 

[DcGamer05]

My iPhone 8+ 64Gb Verizon was made on July 31st!! I can’t believe they were making them then! Seriously it must’ve been one of the first off the line.

 

[ricktat]

That would be awesome but will only be keeping one. One new phone was expensive, two is overdoing it!

I used the 8 over the weekend and was very happy with it and its performance. I will use the 7 over the next few days to see if I notice any differences, then make a decision.

Keep the Red.... in 2054 it will be worth at least twice as much as today. Sell it then

 

[iOSUser7]

Interesting thread, keep us updated on your final decision. And if I can give you an advice, I think @Synergie already covered what I think : don't get too excited about the specs and the A11 Bionic faster blah blah blah, ask yourself what you really need and what you really are going to use. For example, if you are really serious about photography I would say keep the iPhone 8 Plus because the brand new dual cameras and the new software features that goes along them are a huge improvement over the iPhone 7 Plus ones.

 

[macTW]

That would be awesome but will only be keeping one. One new phone was expensive, two is overdoing it!

I used the 8 over the weekend and was very happy with it and its performance. I will use the 7 over the next few days to see if I notice any differences, then make a decision.

I have the red 7plus. The main reasons I’m keeping it over an 8 or even the X

Love the color
Aluminum feels and looks better imo
Also hides dirt and fingerprints
Price

 

[pdxmatts]

Keep the Red.... in 2054 it will be worth at least twice as much as today. Sell it then

2054? lol. Wonder what my mint 5 black/slate would be worth then

 

[Nozuka]

If you care about the camera, i would take the 8. otherwise the 7.

IMHO

the red looks amazing from the back.. i just wish it had a black front.

 

[Synergie]

Interesting thread, keep us updated on your final decision. And if I can give you an advice, I think @Synergie already covered what I think : don't get too excited about the specs and the A11 Bionic faster blah blah blah, ask yourself what you really need and what you really are going to use. For example, if you are really serious about photography I would say keep the iPhone 8 Plus because the brand new dual cameras and the new software features that goes along them are a huge improvement over the iPhone 7 Plus ones.

As I said don’t get caught up in specs. None of Apples iterations involve ‘huge’ leaps when it comes to real world results. You might think they do based on the specs alone. But remember a few things... remember the megapixel wars with cameras? Some of the best bridge cameras the ones professionals use actually have lower megapixel count. What I mean is take the same photo on 7 plus and 8 under the same exact conditions and same exact settings and how much difference will you really see in the end??? Likely very minimal. Also remember that you can get olio lens kits for iPhones which basically render any built in spec differences moot. That is if you are serious about photography but then, any serious photographer won’t be using their phone anyway. They’d use an SLR.

Same with the processor. It’s nice to say this processor beats that one based on benchmarks but in real life how many apps work at that level? So is it really noticeable? Certainly an iPhone 5 compared to an iPhone 8 you’d notice in real life scenarios but comparing two recent models you really won’t notice in day to day usage checking emails, messaging, surfing etc. It’s only extreme hardcore games etc you might notice it.

 

[iOSUser7]

As I said don’t get caught up in specs. None of Apples iterations involve ‘huge’ leaps when it comes to real world results. You might think they do based on the specs alone. But remember a few things... remember the megapixel wars with cameras? Some of the best bridge cameras the ones professionals use actually have lower megapixel count. What I mean is take the same photo on 7 plus and 8 under the same exact conditions and same exact settings and how much difference will you really see in the end??? Likely very minimal. Also remember that you can get olio lens kits for iPhones which basically render any built in spec differences moot. That is if you are serious about photography but then, any serious photographer won’t be using their phone anyway. They’d use an SLR.

Same with the processor. It’s nice to say this processor beats that one based on benchmarks but in real life how many apps work at that level? So is it really noticeable? Certainly an iPhone 5 compared to an iPhone 8 you’d notice in real life scenarios but comparing two recent models you really won’t notice in day to day usage checking emails, messaging, surfing etc. It’s only extreme hardcore games etc you might notice it.

I might have exaggerated about the « huge improvement » but you have to admit the new Portrait features are awesome for serious photography work. And that’s something the iPhone 7 Plus can’t do.

Also I don’t really count third party accessories because they can be a hassle to bring with you everywhere you go and will never beat an out of the box experience.

 

[Jawnathin]

Thanks all, some really great discussion here. I am half way through the 2nd day with the 7+. Like the 8+, so far the experience has been very good, been pretty happy with it.

Quick things I noticed is that the 8 is a touch snappier than the 7 just about everywhere. Both are very fast, but the 8 was just a bit quicker everywhere. The biggest improvement was on start up time, where the 8 was done about 5 or so seconds sooner. Overall I appreciate the extra speed but I think with today's software we won't see the true advantages for an A11 until we get higher demanding apps like the new AR stuff we're seeing. Today they're both very good and the performance of the 7+ is still great despite being older. As we make progress to future versions of iOS like iOS12 or 13, it'll have longer legs than the 7. I can foresee a release where the 7 is slow and the 8 is still good.

The 8 does have number of things that make it just a touch nicer to use than the 7. For example, I like the haptic engine better on the 8, it tends to trigger in more places like the camera shutter button. The glass back is super solid feeling and nice, a real throwback to the 4. The glass back seems to help it not get as warm as the 7 does when in use. It can charge faster and in more ways than the 7. True Tone is nice and was a noticeable omission when I was using the 7 last night. The camera shoots instantly instead of a slight delay like on the 7. I found that the stereo speakers are pretty loud on both the 7 and the 8, I didn't do a side by side so I couldn't really tell if one was noticeably louder than the other, but assuming that claim is true, its another point to the 8. In the end I do think individually they're all pretty minor stuff but they do add up to a more polished product than the 7.

Regarding the camera, I rather have a better one than worse one but I have dedicated photo equipment so it isn't a huge priority for me since if I was doing any real serious shooting I'd use that instead. I have a larger investment in my Nikon system than I do in on my Apple stuff. I tend to use the phone's camera more for quick shooting than anything serious. With that said, both cameras are really good, a nice step up from my 6S, the 8 being a touch better of course. Portrait Mode on both the 7 and 8 is really neat, as a photography hobbyist and technology geek, I'm more intrigued/impressed by how they pull it off than having any practical use for it. Portrait Lighting on the 8 is cool but I think you can get most of the tweaks/filters by editing in other ways. Exception being the 'stage lighting' or whatever that blacks out the background, that is pretty neat and not easy to do in editing apps, but pretty limited practical use for me. I think a completely white background would be cool for product shots (when selling an item on CL or eBay). Maybe they'll add that one day.

Anyway, I'm blabbing a bunch. No doubt the 8 is a better phone than the 7, but I'm still trying to figure out if these things are worth the price difference. I'm going to give the 7 another day or so but wanted to share what I think so far.

 

[5105973]

I have a red HTC 10. It's almost the same red as the iPhone's red. I loved the color, but the funny thing is, eventually I stopped "seeing" the color. I'd just pick it up and focus on the functions. It has black bezels, btw. It's an amazing stunning phone but there were things Samsung and Apple did better, so I have it used as a music player because it excels at that with its excellent DAC.

Similarly I have a gorgeous purple colored Samsung S8+. I enjoy the color very much. But I prefer the overall way my much plainer looking iPhone 7Plus works for me, so it's the iPhone that bears the sim of my main phone number. I do use both phones, but my lot is currently cast with the iPHone upgrade path for the foreseeable future. I had an opportunity to upgrade to the Note 8 and decided not to.

Anyway, at some point some people really do stop "feeling the color" and start feeling the way the phone functions and small things we were willing to overlook in the glow of its beauty become more noticeable after awhile.

It sounds like it's super close between your two choices, and that cost is a factor. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[pdxmatts]

Do you hear crackling in the earpiece on the 8+? Do you hear a buzzing sound when you take video on the 7+? Does the speaker sound louder on the 8+? Can you put the 7+ in night shift to come on at a certain time at night? Which one do you think has a better display if you turn off true tone on the 8+

 

[predation]

Keep the Red.... in 2054 it will be worth at least twice as much as today. Sell it then

Nope. He opened it. Lol

 

[Nanotyrns]

So I preordered an SG 8+ to replace my 6S. While waiting for the 8+ to come out I found a nice deal on a NIB/Sealed Product Red 7+. I picked up my preordered 8+ on launch day and got the 7+ today. Checked the serial numbers on both and was surprised the manufacturing date of my 7+ was after the SG 8+.

SG 8+ = 31st week (early August)
PR 7+ = 34th week (late August)

I know they're still making the 7s but the PR 7s has been discontinued and no longer sold I was surprised to see one manufactured after they already started production on the 8. This has gotta be one of the last batches of the PR they've made.

Still not sure which to keep. Can resell the 7+ for what I paid or return the 8+. The 8+ is a better phone than the 7+ in just about every way but the Red on the 7+ is incredibly good looking. I love the glass back on the 8 as I think it makes it the best version of the 6-7-8 family but the Product Red aluminum has gotta be the best finish on any iPhone ever. If they made a PR 8+, I'd totally scoop that up.

First world problems.

I would go with the 8. Bumped camera and inductive charging. I know these aren't important to everyone but I think they are an edge over the PR. Also you seem like someone that doesn't upgrade every cycle. The innards on the 8 might future proof you on updated features to iOS down the road. Just my two cents

 

[44267547]

My iPhone 8+ 64Gb Verizon was made on July 31st!! I can’t believe they were making them then! Seriously it must’ve been one of the first off the line.

iPhone production is usually slated somewhere between the end of June and mid July when it starts for the new iPhones. Then the first round of shipments are usually completed and prepared for deployment around the end of August Right before the Apple KeyNote.

 

[shootertwist14]

based on the reviews, i dont think the difference between the two cameras are subtle, its a sure win for the 8+ based on seeing the samples by reviewers. That slow sync flash by itself will make me use flash from hereon, the difference is very obvious, at least based on the side by side photos i've seen from early reviewers, i dont have so cant really personally comment since i only use a 7+

 

[pdxmatts]

I'm going to give the 7 another day or so but wanted to share what I think so far.

What did you decide?

 

[Jawnathin]

So the 8+ is a better phone for sure but I am keeping the 7+ and have returned the 8+. This was primarily for a few reasons...

1.) While I was really impressed with the glass body of the 8 (best version of the 6-7-8 design) I really like the red finish of the PR 7+. Its my favorite finish of any iPhone of any generation and the red is a bit unique since it isn't a common color. It was tough decide between the glass back and the red, but I did prefer the red. This alone wasn't important enough to choose one over the other but I do have a preference. The black bezel is very sleek but I don't mind the white front. I tend to mix it up every few years. My 2G-4 was black, my 5 and 5s was white, my 6 and 6s was black, my iPad 2 and 4 were black, my Air 2 was white, my Pro is black. Anyway, you get the idea, I'm good with changing it up.

2.) While the 8 was better at everything it was kind of hard to tell in day to day use. I never once thought the 7+ was bad at anything I used it for. Apps were snappy and responsive on both phones, battery life was very similar, the 8+ had a better camera but the 7+ was still good. The 8+ will probably show its speed advantage with iOS 12 or 13 but it was pretty hard to see any meaningful difference with what we have using iOS 11 today.

3.) Cost and limited availability highly favored the 7+. I ended up getting a 7+ for a pretty significant discount compared to the 8+ and I felt the experience was similar enough for what I use it for that I had a hard time justifying the additional cost of the 8+. Additionally if my needs change and the 7+ is no longer cutting it, I can always pick up an 8+ again at any time. On the other hand a PR 7+ in the condition/cost I found it in will be a little harder to come by. I don't think it'll an issue since by that time I'll probably be looking at the 2018 or 2019 iPhone but knowing I could always get an 8+ again very easily made it easier for me to decide to return it. It was easy to 'turn back' if I change my mind later.

Anyway, thanks all for the advice and input.