iPhone 8/Plus Xr vs. 8 Plus

[franzkfk]

I would like to upgrade from my 5s and originally I was choosing between those two and last year X but the aspect ratio and slower Face ID than Xr just delete it from the list.

I am more leaning towards the 8 Plus but I would like to hear more thoughts about it from other people - cons and pros.
Of course I will wait till I put my hands on the Xr but anyway ... shoot your thoughts please. Thank you.

 

[PBandJon]

Depends on what you prioritize in a phone.

I am coming from a 6, and I am leaning XR for its battery life, newer processor, and (slightly) smaller size. 8+ is a great option for anyone who NEEDS a 2X camera module or watches a lot of video content and can't stand the cropping from the X series.

XR seems to have more advantages, and is only $50 more at the 64GB option.

 

[Wig321]

I would like to upgrade from my 5s and originally I was choosing between those two and last year X but the aspect ratio and slower Face ID than Xr just delete it from the list.

I am more leaning towards the 8 Plus but I would like to hear more thoughts about it from other people - cons and pros.
Of course I will wait till I put my hands on the Xr but anyway ... shoot your thoughts please. Thank you.

iPhone 8+ 256gb red edition

 

[pika2000]

XR is the better value all around. If you look, the price difference between the 8 Plus and the XR is not that much, and with the XR, you get the A12 and longer support. Apple truly puts the XR in a position to replace the 8 Plus.

 

[nutmac]

IMO, you should pick iPhone 8 Plus ($699 and up) if you must have telephoto lens but cannot justify iPhone XS Max's price tag ($1099 and up).

Although Face ID is slower than Touch ID, it is plenty fast still and a game changer. Once you learn to position your face at a proper distance, it is just far more convenient not having to place your finger on the bottom of the phone. In most cases, placing your finger on the Touch ID home button takes far longer than Face ID unlock.

I am not sure why the aspect ratio matters as you are essentially gaining additional display areas. Almost all video streaming apps let you see the entire contents.

If telephoto lens is not important, I just can't justify iPhone 8 Plus. For only $50 more, you get:

• Larger overall display area (414 by 896 points vs. 414 by 736 points)
• Smaller overall footprint (0.3" shorter, 0.09" narrower, 0.03" thicker)
  
• Face ID
• Faster processor
• Dramatically improved wide angle lens with smart HDR and extended dynamic range for video
• Stereo video recording
• Animoji and Memoji
• Improved speakers
• Additional LTE bands (particularly nice for T-Mobile)
• 30 minutes faster wireless charging
• Longer battery life: 4 hours longer talk time, 2 hours longer Internet use, 2 hours longer video playback, 5 hours longer audio playback
• Dual SIM

What you lose:

• Telephoto lens
• Lower pixel density screen (326 vs 401 pixels per inch)
• 3D Touch
• Touch ID
• $50 more expensive

And frankly, I think iPhone XR will have longer usable life as it is faster with more future proof form factor.

 

[gumbyjunior1]

@franzkfk
Here is what you do:
Buy a refurb 8 plus and a refurb Apple Watch Series 3.
That way you can have two Apple devices for less than a grand.

 

[nordique]

I would like to upgrade from my 5s and originally I was choosing between those two and last year X but the aspect ratio and slower Face ID than Xr just delete it from the list.

I am more leaning towards the 8 Plus but I would like to hear more thoughts about it from other people - cons and pros.
Of course I will wait till I put my hands on the Xr but anyway ... shoot your thoughts please. Thank you.

My advice for you is to wait until the XR is released, and get both the 8 Plus and XR...take both home and spend quality time with each one, using them. Then return the one that after using it, you feel isn't the better model.

I know you have to get two of them which is cumbersome, but people will be surprised which model suits their own needs sometimes

 

[EugW]

My advice for you is to wait until the XR is released, and get both the 8 Plus and XR...take both home and spend quality time with each one, using them. Then return the one that after using it, you feel isn't the better model.

I know you have to get two of them which is cumbersome, but people will be surprised which model suits their own needs sometimes

I agree, although I'm not a fan of buying two with the intention of then returning one, just because. Spend an hour or two in the store and then decide.

In any case, overall I'd lean toward the XR, but the 8 Plus does have some distinct advantages. The problem with the 8 Plus though is the weird pricing.

XR:
US$749 64 GB
US$799 128 GB

8 Plus:
US$699 64 GB
US$849 256 GB

The best bang for the buck overall IMO is the XR 128 GB at $799 for a lot of people, but with the caveat that while the XR screen is better than your 5S' screen, it's not as good as the 8 Plus screen. It's also missing 2X telephoto lens. It's missing 3D Touch too, but IMO that's not a big deal.

Coming from a 5S, 128 GB may seem like a lot, but if you take a lot of pictures - Live Photos - and videos - 4K - that can get used up quite quickly. That said, 64 GB s a reasonable starting point as it is sufficient for some people.

 

[profmjh]

I had the same choice and went with an 8+.

I got a couple of discounts on the price, thought that was not a major factor.

I made my decision based on:

1. I prefer the dual lens camera
2. I prefer Touch ID to FaceID
3. I prefer the aspect ratio — I use Microsoft Excel on the phone and a short fat screen is better than a tall thin one

I quite like 3D Touch, but it wasn’t a huge factor in the decision — though it is a feature I use.

I’m not bothered about the processor. Especially now with iOS 12, the 8+ is plenty speedy. I’m never staring at it shouting “hurry up!”

I’m not bothered about wireless charging. I just charge my phone overnight. Have occasionally got nervous about remaining battery time, but maybe I should use the phone less! The Screen Time app certainly thinks so!

I got the Product Red — I think the whole thing is beautiful. Love the screen, love the back.

Oh yeah. I should be completely honest. The 8+ scored bonus points because it was available immediately. The XR required me to wait!

 

[nordique]

I agree, although I'm not a fan of buying two with the intention of then returning one, just because. Spend an hour or two in the store and then decide.

In any case, overall I'd lean toward the XR, but the 8 Plus does have some distinct advantages. The problem with the 8 Plus though is the weird pricing.

XR:
US$749 64 GB
US$799 128 GB

8 Plus:
US$699 64 GB
US$849 256 GB

The best bang for the buck overall IMO is the XR 128 GB at $799 for a lot of people, but with the caveat that while the XR screen is better than your 5S' screen, it's not as good as the 8 Plus screen. It's also missing 2X telephoto lens. It's missing 3D Touch too, but IMO that's not a big deal.

Coming from a 5S, 128 GB may seem like a lot, but if you take a lot of pictures - Live Photos - and videos - 4K - that can get used up quite quickly. That said, 64 GB s a reasonable starting point as it is sufficient for some people.

That's fair! Good points too. I must confess I am also leaning towards the XR as a recommendation given its simply newer and carries Apples future design language over the 8 plus

Another option OP is instead of getting them both, just get one you want and give it a good go. If you have hesitations or reservations, you can always return it or exchange it for the other device and see if it suits your needs better

 

[nutmac]

3. I prefer the aspect ratio — I use Microsoft Excel on the phone and a short fat screen is better than a tall thin one

iPhone 8 Plus has point resolution of 414 by 736 points. iPhone XR has point resolution of 414 by 896 points.

In other words, XR will show more than 8 Plus, even with the notch and rounded corners. I don't get how seeing less on a larger physical phone is a good thing.

 

[tonybarnaby]

I bought a max at launch, but the pwm messed with my head and I had to return it. If I had kept my 8+, I would have kept using it happily. Of course, I had sold it to a friend so I had no phone at all and needed one the day I returned my max. I also needed a new line for my daughter, so I paid $699 for a red 8+ and got another 8+ in red for free. I also got a free line for life for opening a 3rd line(buy a 3rd line and get a 4th free)

So I got 2 new 8+ for $699, considering I needed a new line and could take advantage of the bogo deal T-Mobile offered. I won’t lie, I’m curious about the xr and will probably pick one up. I can sell my 8+ red for $500 or so and then come out of pocket $250 for a newer phone.

I always buy a phone with the intention of keeping it for years. It never happens and I always upgrade at least once per year. Maybe I’ll wait for 2019 to see if apple has fixed their pwm, or if they even offer an lcd model again. To be honest, I didn’t notice any speed bump at all on my max compared to 8+. I miss the larger screen, but not so much the oled aspect.

 

[EugW]

iPhone 8 Plus has point resolution of 414 by 736 points. iPhone XR has point resolution of 414 by 896 points.

In other words, XR will show more than 8 Plus, even with the notch and rounded corners. I don't get how seeing less on a larger physical phone is a good thing.

I wondered too, but just a nitpick: The XR in landscape mode with Excel won't show 896 points.

I'm not sure but I think on the XR/Max you'll lose something like 176 points, bringing it to 720 points.

On the iPhone 8 Plus, I think you only lose about 36 points, which works out to 700 points.

Don't quote me on those numbers, but in any case, it seems in landscape mode like with a spreadsheet, the usable screen resolution is closer between the XR/Max and 8 Plus than you might think.

Also, the text size would be bigger on the 8 Plus than the XR.

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Perhaps a developer with Xcode 10 can chime in here. Or else someone with a Max can demonstrate.