iPhone 8 vs. iPhone 8 Plus

[A4orce84]

Hey Guys,

I am finally upgrading my aging iPhone 5s (which still runs iOS 11 pretty well surprisingly) for an iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus. I don't have particularly super large hands, so the only thing that worries me is trying to do things one-handed. But besides that I am open to either option at this point for the upgrade from my iPhone 5s 4inch screen. I plan on going to the Apple Store and playing with each one more in person, but wanted to ask the community as well.

So, basically I am looking for pros vs. cons for each iPhone model, and your opinion on why you chose the model you did.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Pede]

I got the 8 Plus model, coming from 6S Plus.

Love the big screen, better camera, better battery life, and bigger keyboard!

Cons: Little big for one hand use (not impossible), and the weight.

 

[Mikeeee]

I upgraded from the iPhone 6 to the 8+. The battery, screen, performance brought my phone experience to a new level. The only caveat is the plus size can be awkward at times. I ended up taking back the 8+ only because I felt compelled to try the X. If the X wasn't an option I would have been happy to stay with the 8+ and probably remained at that size phone going forward.

If you appreciate a beautiful display, incredible battery life, superior camera and smooth like butter performance, go plus size.

 

[44267547]

Hey Guys,

I am finally upgrading my aging iPhone 5s (which still runs iOS 11 pretty well surprisingly) for an iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus. I don't have particularly super large hands, so the only thing that worries me is trying to do things one-handed. But besides that I am open to either option at this point for the upgrade from my iPhone 5s 4inch screen. I plan on going to the Apple Store and playing with each one more in person, but wanted to ask the community as well.

So, basically I am looking for pros vs. cons for each iPhone model, and your opinion on why you chose the model you did.

Thanks in advance!

You will have the advantages with the 1080 P display, larger battery dual camera and other features and capabilities. But it really comes down to is how comfortable it is with you using it and holding it. And then factor how much you actually care about those other features the iPhone Plus has that the 4.7 iPhone 8 does not.

 

[ABC5S]

Got the 8+ and I use it with two hands. In fact I used the 7 and I used that with two hands as well. Some people really like to use one hand and others like two hands, but I will never go back to a smaller screen.

 

[Volusia]

Traded in a 6 for the 8 Plus. I have bigger hands so for me it has been great! Love the bigger screen, easier to read, brighter display, battery life (my phone has been on for slightly over 39 hours and I am at 57%, some calls, probably an hour or two of music, and a couple of photos). Speaking of photos, love the camera on the 8 Plus; have just started playing with it, but it is amazing - no need to carry my DSLR around!

 

[ssl0408]

I had an 8 Plus for a week but it was just too heavy and large overall so now I'm waiting to preorder the X. I was using a 6S and a Galaxy S8, and I couldn't get used to the 8 Plus size. I would not recommend it. Sure the battery life was great, but it was a pain to use.

 

[jjamesv]

I had an 8+ and I wouldn't disagree with the benefits that were rattled off. It's just a big ungainly device though.

 

[oplix]

8 plus isnt hard to 1 hand. i dont have giant hands.

 

[rugmankc]

go with the plus, the phone only felt large for a couple weeks. then it felt like it belonged in my hand. i look at it and it doesn't look large to me. videos are great on it and text will be easier to read.

 

[MacDevil7334]

I did the plus for 2 years before deciding it was just too large and unwieldy to be worth it. Downsized with the 7 and haven’t looked back. At the end of the day, having a phone that fits comfortably in my hand and my pocket was worth more to me than the other benefits of the plus. I have an iPad and a Mac for those times I need a bigger screen. Only you can decide what’s best for you though!

 

[staggerlee41]

I went 8+ this time, it's my first Plus model. I have absolutely no regrets. The pros and cons are well detailed here. My top priority was a better camera and the 8+ does not disappoint in that regard, it is pretty incredible! Everything else was secondary but I've been thoroughly appreciating the amazing battery life. It's almost unbelievable in fact. My aging eyes really have come to love the larger screen, it's great for just about everything.

I had some serious reservations of going with a plus sized iPhone, but realized before purchasing that I often used my 6s with two hands. Going from the 5s to 6s took a little to get used to, as the 6s was larger than what I was accustomed to with 5s. I figured that I'd adapt to the 8+ and I have.

The form factor of the standard size is excellent and much easier to handle and deal with, but the plus isn't by any means difficult to use--again I've adapted to it. I think you'll know which is the right one for you when you visit the Apple Store and get your hands on them. I don't mind the extra weight at all, so that's not a con for me. Think about what's important to you, put both of them in your hands and make a decision. Either one will serve you very well! Follow up with us and let us know what you end up with please.

 

[WhatTheFox]

Hey Guys,

I am finally upgrading my aging iPhone 5s (which still runs iOS 11 pretty well surprisingly) for an iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus. I don't have particularly super large hands, so the only thing that worries me is trying to do things one-handed. But besides that I am open to either option at this point for the upgrade from my iPhone 5s 4inch screen. I plan on going to the Apple Store and playing with each one more in person, but wanted to ask the community as well.

So, basically I am looking for pros vs. cons for each iPhone model, and your opinion on why you chose the model you did.

Thanks in advance!

I am in your exact situation as a current 5s owner. Curious to know what you picked.

 

[cracksoup]

Definitely get the plus. Nowadays, they’re only $100 more than the regular iPhone anyway. I’m coming from a 6S+ and the camera and battery life is astonishing on this new phone. With medium usage, I can go over 24 hours on a charge(!)

 

[saltd]

Plus is better, but bigger.

 

[The.Glorious.Son]

I had the 6, 6S, and 7 before moving to the 8+. I honestly could not go back to a smaller screen. For me the experience is far less enjoyable on a 4.7” screen. That said, I’m 6’7” and I rarely cannot do things one handed. And the weight of the bother doesn’t bother me a bit.

Perhaps I am not a good gauge, but I could never recommend a phone (the 8) that is still stuck on a sub 1080p screen (326ppi), smaller battery, smaller screen, single camera, etc in almost 2018.

 

[Faelan]

8+ is without a doubt the better phone and more future proof because of the extra RAM it has over the 8. Everything considered, I think the 8+ is well worth the higher price.

Making the jump from a 4” to a 5.5” phone is going to take some getting used to though. It really is a big jump. The phone will feel large and unwieldy at first. While it is possible to use the 8+ one handed, I don’t find it very comfortable to use that way and reaching certain areas feel like a bit of a balancing act where the slightest bump or mistake could result in dropping the phone while trying to reach. If using the phone one handed often is really important to you, then you may end up regretting getting the 8+. If you just need to use it one handed occasionally and you’re not a clumsy person, then you’ll probably be fine.

Going to a store and trying it out may not give you enough time to figure out if you can adapt to the size of the 8+. If you buy it though, then make sure that you can at least return it. Give it a week or so. If you find that it’s just a bit too big, but you really like the bigger display and more premium features of the 8+, then you may want to consider the X as a good but expensive compromise between the 8 and 8+. Assuming it’s going be possible to even get the X that is...

 

[joeblow7777]

I have to say, I used a regular 6 for 3 years and have now had an 8+ for about 3 days, and I've already gotten used to the size. Yes, one-handed use is more awkward, but other than that, I love it! A big beautiful screen and it feels good in my hand. Fits comfortably in my jean pockets, which is something I was worried about. Zero regrets moving to a Plus.

 

[Jabar18]

I was a day one iPhone 6 user and had that phone for two years until the battery crapped out. Apple gave me a replacement iPhone 6 for $99, which I used for one more year. LOVED the iPhone 6. Honestly had no issues with it but my battery was starting to go and it was getting sluggish with every passing iOS update. Three years is about my personal limit with an iPhone. I used the iPhone 4 for three years before I got the 6 and at that point I replaced the battery myself, it was pretty much toast. iPhone 6, same deal. Three years.

I thought it would be great to step up to an iPhone 8+, and I ended up buying a 64gb 8+ in Space Grey, but I couldn’t handle the larger size. I enjoyed the bigger screen but HATED the size and weight of the the Plus, and I came from a 6! I ended up returning it for an iPhone 8, 64gb. I probably will keep this for two years and then see what Apple’s releasing in 2019. I always thought a Plus would be better due to the larger screen and better battery. Honestly, I hated carrying it in my pocket and ended up leaving it at home for times during the week I had it, like when walking my dog. I couldn't get used to the sheer weight and size of the phone in my hand or pocket.

I don’t feel like I’m compromising at all with the 8. The specs are pretty much the same as the 8+ or the X except the camera, and screen size (screen quality for the X). I don’t care about enough to either justify having a phone where I hate the size of it, or spending $300 more just to get a slightly bigger screen with the same form factor.

Don't listen to those people that say "try on the Plus sized iPhone in the store, you'll know immediately if it's too big or not." No, you won't. I did the same thing, tried them in the store, held it in my hand, even put it in my pocket to get a sense how it would feel. You actually need to HAVE it with you and USE it for a few days to really get a sense of whether or not it's too big for you. I thought the 4.7 sized screen for my 6 was too small, that's why I got the 8+. I knew after 2-3 days when I had to keep justifying to myself why I should keep it, that it was too big.

Definitely happy I listened to my gut and returned the 8+ to go with the 8. It’s a fantastic upgrade from a 6. You'll see it even more coming from a 5S.

Love the 8. Zero regrets about sticking with the 4.7 inch sized iPhone this go-round.

 

[WhatTheFox]

Thanks all for your input. The nicer camera and more RAM definitely are tempting. But I also share the concern that it might be too big for me. I think I might go for it but with a way to return it in a week/so (like someone here mentioned) if I didn't like it. Gives me a longer test drive.

 

[QCassidy352]

I can't do the plus size phones. Too big to use one handed (for me; hand size may vary), and that's primarily how I use my phone. Also too big to comfortably fit in some of my clothing pockets. Nothing else really matters.

But, if you have bigger hands and/or are ok with constant two handed use, it has lots of pros (battery life, camera, etc.).

 

[Bethanie21]

The plus phones are just way too big for me. I have really small hands, and can barely fit my hand round a plus my parents both have pluses though, they like the size and the bigger screen. I just stick to the smaller phone, and have the 8.

 

[Tom G.]

One thing to keep in mind is that with iOS 11 came the ability to shift the keyboard left or right to aid in using the larger keyboards one handed. If you have iOS 11 installed and want to shift the keyboard just press and hold the globe key on the keyboard. This will bring up a window that will allow you to make changes to the keyboard. At the bottom of the window you can shift the keyboard to the left or right.

Try it, you may like it.

 

[oplix]

8 plus feels like the perfect phone

 

[rocksyoursock]

I have the 8 Plus and my girlfriend has the 8. I think everyone here outlined the differences - Bigger/higher res screen and a second camera lens for zooming in on the plus. Portrait mode is neat and only on the plus as well. Standard wide angle camera is the same. Performance appears to be the same. The 8 is easier to hold. That's about it!