Should You Upgrade to IPhone 8?
It’s September now, and it can only mean one thing: Apple just announced several new iPhones. This year, the company unveiled the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus , which will launch later this month, as well as the refreshed iPhone X, due out in late October.
It can be tough to resist the allure of Apple’s shiny new device, but there are a few things to consider before you decide to opt for the iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus. Here’s a rundown of whether you should upgrade to the latest Apple, depending on what device you’re currently using and what you’re looking for in your new smartphone.
You have an iPhone 6s or older
If your current iPhone is two years old or older, you probably need to upgrade. The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus offer some useful improvements over earlier models, including wireless charging , an upgraded camera for studio lighting effects and improved slow-motion video, a faster processor, and the same True Tone display introduced on the iPad Pro last year.
Since you’re updating from an old device, you’ll also be able to take advantage of the iPhone 7 features your friends were showing off; Like last year’s model, the iPhone 8 is water resistant and allows you to shoot in portrait mode . In addition, it features an updated version of the stereo speakers featured on the iPhone 7.
The iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus are slightly more expensive than previous models, starting at $ 699 and $ 799 respectively, but they come with an upgraded 64GB storage (or 256GB for an additional $ 150). So if you just can’t live without a headphone jack , this is a pretty straightforward upgrade.
Do you have an iPhone 7
To be honest, Apple should have just called the iPhone 8 iPhone 7s. It’s a fairly minor upgrade over last year’s iPhone 7 and probably not worth the investment for a new device. The biggest change is wireless charging, which is good but not life-changing, and a new glass back design to support it.
But if you’re the type of person who needs to update their smartphone every year, you’re in luck. Apple has One More Thing … to reveal at the end of Tuesday’s presentation.
Are you waiting for the iPhone X
The iPhone X is a complete overhaul of the iPhone’s design and is arguably the biggest product change since its first introduction 10 years ago. If you are one of the first, this phone is for you.
The most notable change is the screen, which now covers almost the entire front of the device, with the exception of a small notch at the top for the front camera. It’s also the first iPhone to feature an OLED display, and it’s the largest 5.8-inch screen ever , although Apple claims it still sits comfortably in the hand.
Another big change is hidden in the front camera cutout: a multitude of sensors that work together to scan your face and automatically unlock the iPhone X. Apple calls this Face ID. He works in the dark, and the image will not deceive him.
The same sensors as Face ID also support some cool new augmented reality features. Apple showed off several super-realistic Snapchat filters that use an updated camera. There’s also Animoji, a fun (and slightly creepy) new Apple Messages feature that lets you record video messages with animated emojis that track your facial movements.
There are bound to be some bugs in any new technology – Apple did have a problem showing Face ID on stage . So it might be worth delaying the iPhone Xs next year (or whatever they call it) if you value smoothness over advanced features. Until then, there is the iPhone 8, or even a very similar iPhone 7 from last year.