Is $200 (for Plus) Really Worth Not Waiting for the X?

[LarryJoe33]

Just some general comments. I certainly was being presumptuous. I understand the screen is thinner but I and my friends are mostly looking for an increased screen size because of our old eyes without carrying around an iPad in out pocket. I just feel the 8 form factor and overall design is 3+ years old now, so why not wait to see what the X brings?

 

[iTom17]

I was first planning on going for the iPhone X, but decided to go for the iPhone 8 Plus. Two reasons: the $200 (or actually €240) difference and the fact that new generation iPhones always have had their problems. iPhone 4 with antennagate, iPhone 5 with scratchgate, iPhone 6 with bendgate. Now iPhone 7 didn't have anything as far as I'm aware, but that was basically an iPhone 6ss. And iPhone 8 feels kinda like an iPhone 6sss. As silly as it may sound, in terms of design and all it is quite the truth.

And it's not a bad thing at all. Because it's why I got the 8 Plus: the assurance that it just works. I love it so far and I'm glad I made the choice by not going for 'the phone from the future'.

At the other hand, the iPhone 8 Plus is definitely the smallest upgrade I've ever seen, but that's why I went for the Plus model instead of the regular one: since I previously had the iPhone 7, I get on top of the new features some of the stuff that only the 6/6s/7 Plus had. Such as the higher resolution, bigger battery and of course the dual camera system that allows for portrait mode with portrait lighting. I'd say that qualifies for a much more justified upgrade than the regular iPhone 8 would've been. 😛

Anyway, I think the 8 Plus is the better choice for me. I'm sure I'd love the iPhone X, but I rather wait another year so Apple can fix any potential problems with it.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

I have no interest in the X personally. That said, I have no interest in the 8 plus at full price. I'm still rocking an iPhone 6 and plan on using it until I see what the 2018 iPhone offerings are.

But if you really forced me to pick between the X and 8 plus. I'd pick the 8 plus. $200 is $200, and the screen on the 8 plus is way bigger for watching movies and playing games if you don't want that stupid notch to get in the way on the X.

Hopefully the notch is gone next year and we can all forget about this blunder.

 

[LarryJoe33]

I guess the moral of the story is to each his own.

 

[Macalway]

The X may be hard to get. That's something to consider.

 

[magbarn]

If you’re on IUP or NEXT it’s gonna cost an extra 4 payments if you upgrade every year. You’re going to have to continue making payments on a phone you’re going to trade in plus an extra 2 payments “phone lease fees” to upgrade early next year as the X(s) isn’t coming out as late as November. So for people who like 256gb models (like me) its almost an extra $400 difference if you factor in those payments.

 

[MsRandall]

My struggle is really just that the iPhone X would match my stainless steel series 3 watch.

That my dilemma do I go black or do I match my stainless steel watch

 

[Vanilla35]

Just some general comments. I certainly was being presumptuous. I understand the screen is thinner but I and my friends are mostly looking for an increased screen size because of our old eyes without carrying around an iPad in out pocket. I just feel the 8 form factor and overall design is 3+ years old now, so why not wait to see what the X brings?

I had that perspective until I saw how they handled the extra screen real estate with the X. It's not utilized well. If you want a big screen device, the 8+ is still by far (imo) the better choice.

I also happen to dislike the lack of a home button, and think the gestures are a load of crap, with control center on top right, and lock button used for Siri, and the bar which is just bad design, and takes up almost as much space as the home button could have if virtual.

I agree the X is a much more modern design, but I don't think it's a better one. Either way, we're all probably stuck with it come next year.

 

[eyedoc2020]

I refuse to pay $200 for a phone with the same specs with a notch.... I like using my phone in landscape mode and this is fugly... so the 8 plus wins out on this one.

 

[burntomaro]

I was all in on the X before the reveal. Then they revealed Face ID, upgraded front facing camera, and full OLED display and that’s it. The only thing appealing to me out of those new features is the full screen. I dont even care about OLED because in a device that small, it’s not going to be that much of a difference. I don’t take selfies, so the front camera means nothing to me. Doing away with Touch ID is a no go for me. To me the X is a major waste of money and I love spending money of gadgets. The only reason I upgraded to the 8 Plus is because I love my Series 2 AW.

 

[acorntoy]

I don’t like the X. I really don’t see why people can’t understand that the X just doesn’t appeal to some. It’s ridiciously expensive, and the way Apple approached it made the 5.8’ still lesser than the 5.5. The ppi of the x is barely above the 1080p screen of the + and the cameras are the same expect for OIS in the zoom lens. On the design aspect, ever since the 5 was released all I’ve wanted was a glass iPhone again, so the 8+ is a great and appreciated design change for me.

If I was gonna spend that much on a phone I’d have to go for the note 8. For $50 less you get a much bigger OLED screen. I’m really glad Apple didn’t just announce the X because I really don’t want to go back to Android.

 

[palmerc2]

I don't care about the pricing difference. My quarrel is with the device itself....

-Don't like the notch....at all
-Don't like there's no home button / Touch ID
-Not sold on Face ID yet
-Don't really care about OLED
-Availability will be low

I do like how white, and black have the same face though. If I were to get the X I'd get white to change it up.

 

[titrau]

does iphone X camera better than Plus ??
if it does then wait is right trip if not then wasting of time ...

 

[Starfyre]

I am not trying to be provocative here. I know a few people that got the 8 Plus yesterday going big and upgrading from regular 6. They asked my advice first and didn't take it.

The screen of the X is bigger than the plus and the body is pretty much the same as the regular 6/7/8. Not to mention new technologies that will surely become a staple of the product line.

I understand the material price difference of the 8 vs the X, but the 8 plus vs the X seems close enough and compelling to wait a month and get state of the art hardware vs an almost four year old form factor.

I have a feeling those people you mentioned.. if the iPhone X released a week after (if not the same day as the iPhone 8) they would have gone for the X. Not everyone has the patience to play Apple's new waiting game.

 

[brianric]

I have a feeling those people you mentioned.. if the iPhone X released a week after (if not the same day as the iPhone 8) they would have gone for the X. Not everyone has the patience to play Apple's new waiting game.

I do see even a bigger problem next year for those on the IUP program. One is already out two extra payments this year assuming you're able to get an X on November 3. Cough up another two payments next year if the X Plus or whatever it is called comes out on the normal September release. I'm looking at getting the X, but I got my 7 Plus free from Apple so there's no penalty on my part this year, but if the X isn't available to me by December I'll sit it out until next September.

 

[44267547]

I have no interest in the X personally. That said, I have no interest in the 8 plus at full price. I'm still rocking an iPhone 6 and plan on using it until I see what the 2018 iPhone offerings are.

But if you really forced me to pick between the X and 8 plus. I'd pick the 8 plus. $200 is $200, and the screen on the 8 plus is way bigger for watching movies and playing games if you don't want that stupid notch to get in the way on the X.

Hopefully the notch is gone next year and we can all forget about this blunder.

I don't know See the notch disappearing for 2018, but perhaps Apple could minimalize the notch or alter the uniformity of possible.

 

[Adelphos33]

I am not trying to be provocative here. I know a few people that got the 8 Plus yesterday going big and upgrading from regular 6. They asked my advice first and didn't take it.

The screen of the X is bigger than the plus and the body is pretty much the same as the regular 6/7/8. Not to mention new technologies that will surely become a staple of the product line.

I understand the material price difference of the 8 vs the X, but the 8 plus vs the X seems close enough and compelling to wait a month and get state of the art hardware vs an almost four year old form factor.

Think of your question another way - for a regular iPhone user, what does the X offer than the 8 doesn’t, other than a new design? Messages, Snapchat, instagram, uber, camera, etc are exactly the same on both models.

Also, the X may be available (meaning you can walk into a store and easily buy a model) for several months.

 

[democracyrules]

The X is not a plus sized phone. Horizontally it’s the same as the 4.7 iPhone - they’ve just made it taller so they can market it with a more impressive sounding screen size.

Next year they’ll release something comparative to the X+.

Once I worked this out I realised I’d rather not downgrade my screen size, lose the home button and Touch ID all at the same time. Next year will be a great year for iPhone.

Excellent points and well said. All incoming regular and plus flagship iPhones including next year ones will have iPhone X design.

 

[LarryJoe33]

Thanks for all the feedback. I definitely am thinking about it differently from a few perspectives. Yes, I bought into the display being bigger than the plus and now I am thinking about it differently. I am someone that has thought very hard about getting a plus phone next time around and contemplated it when I got the 7. All for my eyes, but, no offense, but it's just too damn big pocket-wize for what I do - which is email, social media, pictures and text. I do like my gadgets and have always bought the new releases every September. I don't really consider the 8 a new release as there is not even one temptation to get it even if the X wasn't announced.

I do like playing with the newest stuff and I am definitely in the camp of uncertainty with face ID and if it will be more cumbersome and annoying. I do want portrait mode bad. I do want to the newest phone even if I b!itch after I get it and even if it has bugs. Hell, the next September will be right around the corner.

I don't think I will care about the notch all that much for what I do, i.e. I don't watch video or game on my phone. I am excited to have a bigger higher quality display.

All this said, if I don't "get in" to the early shipments and it turns into February, I will definitely just keep my 7, pay it off (Apple Upgrade Program) and sell it myself and put the proceeds towards the X 2.0.

 

[LarryJoe33]

For some reason, one month into ownership of the X, I thought about this thread. It is funny to go back and read some of the statements about how people will have to wait until late Q1 2018 to get their hands on the X because of slow production and high demand. Just got my second one easily.

I remember telling my friends who ran out and got an 8+ to use it for two weeks, but strongly consider returning it and to wait for the X as I felt they would have buyers remorse. I know three people who got an 8+ after having a normal 6. They loved the upgrade until they played with my X and all have said I was right, buyers remorse. I think it is because they were never used to a a plus size phone and the size and form factor of the plus is daunting next to the X, especially with a case on the plus. Sure the screen is thinner, but definitely a worthwhile trade-off. I applaud them for being honest and not defensive. It is what it is, but I feel bad they are stuck with their decision. Full disclosure, I bought my daughter an 8 plus a few weeks ago. Why? She is 15 and needs to not expect the latest and greatest, but man, is that thing a ball and chain.

Just thought I would check in with the 8+ folks on this thread that provided rationale for buying the 8+ before they had their hands on the X or had exposure to real world experiences with FaceID, etc. vs vapor at the time I posted this.

Honestly, any change of heart?

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I bought my daughter an 8 plus a few weeks ago. Why? She is 15 and needs to not expect the latest and greatest, but man, is that thing a ball and chain.

Just thought I would check in with the 8+ folks on this thread that provided rationale for buying the 8+ before they had their hands on the X or had exposure to real world experiences with FaceID, etc. vs vapor at the time I posted this.

Honestly, any change of heart?

I’m sure the 8+ owners will really appreciate the ‘ball and chain’ comment and your rather bizarre claim the phone is not the ‘latest’ considering it only came out 2 months ago.

I wouldn’t go for a Plus myself but the standard 8 is a much more attractive buy to me at this point than the X. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[democracyrules]

I’m sure the 8+ owners will really appreciate the ‘ball and chain’ comment and your rather bizarre claim the phone is not the ‘latest’ considering it only came out 2 months ago.

I wouldn’t go for a Plus myself but the standard 8 is a much more attractive buy to me at this point than the X. Different strokes for different folks.

OP comments are factual. iPhone X is the latest and greatest which came last month compared to 8/8+ which came out two months ago, a month before iPhone X. iPhone X does indeed have bells and whistles or balls and chains compared to 8/8+ . 8/8+ design is 4 year outdated and equal to iPhone 7/7+ with minor tweaks: True Tone, back glass, wireless charging and some camera feature improvements, which all are no big deal.

 

[Vanilla35]

OP comments are factual. iPhone X is the latest and greatest which came last month compared to 8/8+ which came out two months ago, a month before iPhone X. iPhone X does indeed have bells and whistles or balls and chains compared to 8/8+ . 8/8+ design is 4 year outdated and equal to iPhone 7/7+ with minor tweaks: True Tone, back glass, wireless charging and some camera feature improvements, which all are no big deal.

iPhone X is the same to me, except for the OLED screen. Gestures are a downgrade imo, and will not look forward to them next year either when upgrading to the iPhone X S

 

[Earth45]

No change of heart here. In fact, I am more than happy than ever since reading up on all those iPhone X issues that are popping up. I have enough patience to wait until next year. Kudos for me. 😉 10 months, and that’s all until the next upgrade

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

OP comments are factual. iPhone X is the latest and greatest which came last month compared to 8/8+ which came out two months ago, a month before iPhone X. iPhone X does indeed have bells and whistles or balls and chains compared to 8/8+ . 8/8+ design is 4 year outdated and equal to iPhone 7/7+ with minor tweaks: True Tone, back glass, wireless charging and some camera feature improvements, which all are no big deal.

Whether the X was released for sale a month after the 8 is by the by. They were released at the same time and both are 2017 spec iPhones with identical processors and performance. The X just costs a lot more due to a few features, mostly cosmetic.

Neither phone particularly wows the consumer as far as I am concerned. They are just different variations of each other.