(PRODUCT)RED iPhone 8 Plus Gets First Unboxing and Hands-on Video

[MacRumors]

Yesterday, Apple began taking pre-orders for new (PRODUCT)RED versions of the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus ahead of the smartphones' official launch this Friday.

Like it did with last year's (RED) iPhone 7, Apple has given YouTube tech reviewer Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) exclusive access to one of the phones ahead of launch to bring viewers the first obligatory unboxing and hands-on video of a 256GB iPhone 8 Plus.

As expected, the handset comes in a familiar box containing Lightning cable, wired headphones, and standard wall plug, with the only addition being a small card detailing the (RED) brand's aim of raising funds for HIV/AIDS programs - for each (RED) product sold, Apple makes a contribution to The Global Fund, raising over $160 million to date.

As for the handset itself, it has an anodized red aluminum band similar to last year's (RED) iPhone 7, but the glossy glass back to support wireless charging gives the iPhone 8 a deeper "Ferrari-like" candy red finish, as opposed to the matte look of the iPhone 7's brushed aluminum.

The other big change is the fact that Apple has gone with smart-looking black bezels on the front of the device. That should please users who skipped the (RED) iPhone 7 because they disliked the white bezels that gave the handset a candy cane-style color combination.

According to Brownlee, Apple wouldn't let on when asked whether it had a (PRODUCT)RED iPhone X planned. iMore's Rene Ritchie has suggested the current lack of one could be down to the manufacturing complexities involved in accurately coloring the iPhone X's stainless steel band via a vapor deposition process.

At the same time, the continued absence of a (RED) iPhone X going into the summer months could hint at the company's plans for its smartphone lineup. Apple is expected to discontinue the first-generation iPhone X when the second-generation model launches this year, which could mean a red iPhone X variant might not arrive until spring 2019 at the earliest.

(PRODUCT)RED editions of iPhone 8 are available with 64GB or 256GB storage for the same $699-$849 and $799-$949 prices as the equivalent iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus models in space gray, silver, and gold.

Article Link: (PRODUCT)RED iPhone 8 Plus Gets First Unboxing and Hands-on Video

 

[asdavis10]

Apple definitely nailed it with the colorway this time. The red looks better and the black face is much better than the white face of the (RED) iPhone 7/Plus.

Here's to hoping (although I doubt it) the red (and hopefully another color) release on launch day this year.

 

[Porco]

Looks great. Would love to see a metallic red SE.

Edit: I think I might buy a thin red case for my SE and donate to charity anyway, cheaper case for me, more money for a good cause!

 

[franzkfk]

Hmm. Probably more bright reed than I thought it would be.

 

[brgjoe]

Yep, they nailed it with this red and black color combo.

If I didn't buy an iPhone 8+ last month, I would be all over this one. Apple did a nice job with this one.

 

[Falhófnir]

I'm probably in the minority but I actually don't like the red/black aesthetic as much...

 

[44267547]

Although it looks nice, there is not really much to ‘Unbox’, as it’s just a red iPhone 8 (But for a good cause as well).

 

[^Tripper^]

The Wife just loves the Color red and black. She’s been waiting for this combo and she’s most definitely going to get one. It is a fantastic looking device no doubt. That and the whole product red concept is worth it.

 

[Aston441]

Ferrari finish iPhone.

Uh, OK.

 

[magicschoolbus]

Looks sharp. To bad there’s no X.

 

[0815]

Love it ... but I also would like to see every color they had for the iPod touch - especially the blue one, those colors were gorgeous.

 

[ascender]

Looks really nice, but its frustrating they don't release these on day one. I know there's logic behind the mid-lifecycle change meaning a bump in sales, but it would be nice to have the option to buy these at the start of the new release cycle.

 

[0815]

Looks really nice, but its frustrating they don't release these on day one. I know there's logic behind the mid-lifecycle change meaning a bump in sales, but it would be nice to have the option to buy these at the start of the new release cycle.

I agree - and launch day release would be a huge success for project (red) ... they should do red on launch day and more color option later (if that is really necessary - still would like all on launch day)

 

[Danoc]

-

 

[honglong1976]

It looks like a Beats edition iPhone!

 

[chinito77]

I am wondering if Apple did not make a red iPhone X because of the stainless steel frame.

That takes too much courage! Wait till 2019 when they have enough courage and charge you extra for this new "feature".

 

[obiwan]

Hopefully they added a headphone jack to this model - I might be tempted to buy it!!

 

[cardfan]

No thanks. Definitely wait til fall for a better deal. Even an old iPhone X is better than this. Apple would have to discount iPhone 8 at least 50 percent at this late stage.

 

[Eduardo1971]

I'm probably in the minority but I actually don't like the red/black aesthetic as much...

Yup; I love the red back and white front on the 7.

 

[newellj]

I am wondering if Apple did not make a red iPhone X because of the stainless steel frame.

I think that's it. It doesn't appear to be possible to do bright red with PVD. You would think that they could do the Ferrari red glass back and leave the edge bands dark space gray, which would give an effect almost like the black bezels on the 8 version.

 

[The Game 161]

Looks nice

 

[Rogifan]

I am wondering if Apple did not make a red iPhone X because of the stainless steel frame.

Or maybe this just indicates that the current X is going to be discontinued whereas the 8 will stay in the lineup (in the 7 slot and the 7 moves down to the 6S slot).

 

[maflynn]

Its just a red iPhone 8 plus, I'm not sure I see the value in an unboxing video ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Its nice, don't get me wrong, but the color doesn't really work for me.

 

[cocky jeremy]

Do we really need unboxing videos? It's just a red iPhone. It's nothing new or groundbreaking.

"Ok guys, lets see what this red iPhone looks like..... ok, well.. it's red. There you go."

 

[democracyrules]

Yesterday, Apple began taking pre-orders for new (PRODUCT)RED versions of the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus ahead of the smartphones' official launch this Friday.

Like it did with last year's (RED) iPhone 7, Apple has given YouTube tech reviewer Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) exclusive access to one of the phones ahead of launch to bring viewers the first obligatory unboxing and hands-on video of a 256GB iPhone 8 Plus.

As expected, the handset comes in a familiar box containing Lightning cable, wired headphones, and standard wall plug, with the only addition being a small card detailing the (RED) brand's aim of raising funds for HIV/AIDS programs - for each (RED) product sold, Apple makes a contribution to The Global Fund, raising over $160 million to date.

As for the handset itself, it has an anodized red aluminum band similar to last year's (RED) iPhone 7, but the glossy glass back to support wireless charging gives the iPhone 8 a deeper "Ferrari-like" candy red finish, as opposed to the matte look of the iPhone 7's brushed aluminum.

The other big change is the fact that Apple has gone with smart-looking black bezels on the front of the device. That should please users who skipped the (RED) iPhone 7 because they disliked the white bezels that gave the handset a candy cane-style color combination.

According to Brownlee, Apple wouldn't let on when asked whether it had a (PRODUCT)RED iPhone X planned. iMore's Rene Ritchie has suggested the current lack of one could be down to the manufacturing complexities involved in accurately coloring the iPhone X's stainless steel band via a vapor deposition process.

At the same time, the continued absence of a (RED) iPhone X going into the summer months could hint at the company's plans for its smartphone lineup. Apple is expected to discontinue the first-generation iPhone X when the second-generation model launches this year, which could mean a red iPhone X variant might not arrive until spring 2019 at the earliest.

(PRODUCT)RED editions of iPhone 8 are available with 64GB or 256GB storage for the same $699-$849 and $799-$949 prices as the equivalent iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus models in space gray, silver, and gold.

Article Link: (PRODUCT)RED iPhone 8 Plus Gets First Unboxing and Hands-on Video

As much as I love the sexy red color, the phone is a three year old design and an iPhone 7 with some minor improvements which are not worth of price.