TBH, The iPhone 8 Should Really Be Called The 7S

Get the Full StoryDat glasss.

I want to be clear. I’m not an iPhone H8r.

But I’m going to call the iPhone 8 what it really is: the 7s that never was.

Every other year, Apple has, historically, released an “S” version of the iPhone, like the 5s and 6s. The “s” stands for “better, but mostly the Same” which I made up but doesn’t take away from its truth . This year, Apple skipped the “S” model of the 7, and went straight to 8.

BuzzFeed News; Apple

The screen size and resolution

Its water- and dust- resistance

Its non-physical home button with Touch ID

No headphone jack RIP

The camera megapixels and aperture

3D Touch

Wireless charging support cool, but not perfect

A new copper-y gold color which ultimately doesn’t matter because you’ll put it in a case anyway unless you’re a monster

TrueTone display which makes the screen easier on your eyes, in a very subtle way

Dolby vision and HDR 10 support do you know what that is without having to look it up?

25 -louder speakers

Improved, more even flash

New chip A10 vs. A11

A new “color filter” and “deeper pixels” in the camera

1080p slo-mo videos at 240 fps

None of these updates are bad — together, they make the new iPhone 8 and 8 Plus slightly faster, more comfortable, more convenient, and better at taking photos compared to older iPhones. But make no mistake: if you were expecting the NEW! NEW! NEW! of a “whole” number iPhone A new kind of port with the 5! A new bigger phone with the 6! Water-resistant and no headphone jack with the 7! , you might be underwhelmed.

In terms of feeling New, the 8 pales in comparison to the iPhone X-pensive, the most significant redesign update to the iPhone ever. The iPhone X retires the home button in favor of more screen and a new form of biometric authentication that can recognize your FACE and replaces the ol’ LCD display with a stunning OLED one, for blacker blacks and more saturated, eye-popping colors.

Oh yeah, and it costs a grand. And it won’t be available until November. So, of course, it’s the iPhone you want. But, unless you’re a hardcore fangurl boi who needs the latest, the X probably isn't best phone for you.

Most humans in need of an upgrade — especially those with an iPhone 6 or older — should get the 8, which hits stores this Friday, Sept. 22. While the iPhone 8 doesn't wow, it's still the best iPhone for most people. For Android users looking to switch, it’s a little more complicated, because there’s a new Google Pixel coming just around the corner.

For an iPhone 8 and 8 Plus deep dive, don’t rest your weary eyes just yet. If you’re already saying to yourself, “PIXELS BLAH WHO CARES,” scroll to the bottom for the TL;DR.

Nicole Nguyen BuzzFeed News

View Entire List ›

Share: