There are three new iPhones this year.
- Ultra-chic, all-screen iPhone X (Pre-order 10/27/2017)
- Updated iPhone 8
- 8 Plus.
Tough decision…….
Should you upgrade to the expensive iPhone X, settle for the cheaper but less exciting iPhone 8, or stick with what you have? If you’re wondering what the differences are between these options and should you make the investment in a new phone, here’s some details to help you decide.
Design Changes:
The iPhone X has a dramatically different look compared to other iPhones. The screen to body ratio has changed. By slimming down the bezels and removing the home button, Apple has accomplished a 5.8-inch display into a body smaller than the iPhone 7 Plus and iPhone 8 Plus.
Apple is using new materials on the iPhone X.
- Glass on both front and back, replacing the aluminum frame Apple has used since the iPhone 6. The glass is the most durable ever in a smartphone, however glass is a fragile material, meaning that not only do you have to contend with potentially cracking your display when you drop your phone, but also the rear too.
- Also, a “medical grade” stainless steel is used on the iPhone X. T
- he iPhone 8, 8 PLUS and X will also support Qi wireless charging.
Meanwhile, the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus look nearly identical to the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus at first glance, which in turn look just like the iPhone 6. All the models come with the traditional home button. However, if you’re coming from an iPhone 5S, the iPhone 8 design with its larger display is a dramatic change.
Does Size Matter?
Some people are very attached to easy-to-use-in-one-hand dimensions of the iPhone 7. The good news is that despite its larger screen, the ‘no bezel’ design means the overall size of the iPhone X is closer to the iPhone 8 than the 8 Plus. The iPhone X is about the same size as a Samsung Galaxy S8.
How does the iPhone X work without a home button?
One word – SWIPES
- To go back to the home screen – Swipe UP from the bottom of the screen.
- To get to the Control Center – Swipe DOWN from the top of the screen on the left side.
- To open notifications – Swipe DOWN from the right side.
They’re small changes, so they shouldn’t be too difficult to learn. TouchID, which was built into the home button, has been replaced by FaceID on the iPhone X but TouchID remains on the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus.
What is FaceID?
Apple removed the home button from the iPhone X and with it the fingerprint sensor. Enter FaceID, a facial-recognition security system that allows you to unlock your phone with your face. Unlike Samsung’s take on the concept, which debuted in the Galaxy Note 7, FaceID uses the iPhone X’s new depth sensing camera to verify your features, meaning it can’t be fooled with a photo in the same way Samsung’s system can.
FaceID isn’t really an upgrade over TouchID—it’s more of a replacement. Since the iPhone 8 and iPhone Plus lack the iPhone X’s 3D camera, they don’t support FaceID.
What’s so great about iOS 11?
Many of the features are part of iOS and not hardware. Some of the ones you may find interesting: (These are available on all iOS 11 compatible devices.)
- Person-to-person payments via Apple Pay
- Improved lock screen, Notification Center, and Control Center
- Do Not Disturb while driving
Are the new iPhones faster?
The iPhone X and iPhone 8 have a new six-core A11 chip. This means by shrinking the process, Apple can pack more transistors into a smaller space, boosting performance and battery life. Initial claims are the iPhone X lasts two hours longer on a charge than the iPhone 7. If your day to day phone usage is Facebook and snap photos, you’re unlikely to notice the difference over the iPhone 7, or even iPhone 6S.
Both the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus have the same A11 chip as the iPhone X.
Users of the iPhone 5S, 5C, or iPhone 6 may notice a significant boost in app loading times and responsiveness with the latest phones. It’s worth noting that iOS 11, the latest and greatest version of the iPhone software, is only being made available to iPhone 5S devices or newer. If you’re still holding onto an iPhone 5, now’s the time to upgrade.
Should I upgrade?
iPhone 7/7Plus Users:
- The upgrade path for those coming from an iPhone 7 or 7 Plus is less clear. Neither the iPhone 8 or the iPhone X appear to bring a huge improvement in photography, while 4K/60FPS video recording alone isn’t worth the price.
iPhone 5/5S or 6/6S Users:
- the iPhone X has a strikingly different design- not since the iPhone 4 has Apple so dramatically overhauled Its flagship device.
- The near bezel-free display, super-fast processor and 4K/60FPS video recording make it a huge upgrade for anyone still using an iPhone 5, 5S, or 6. If you’d rather not spend so much money, the iPhone 8 remains a compelling option, particularly for iPhone 5 and 5S users. Not only do the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus feature larger displays, but their cameras and general responsiveness are far superior. Still photos will be just as good on the iPhone 8 as they are on the iPhone X too.
Finally, if you are the person who just must have the latest greatest device at any cost, then the iPhone X is for you.
It’s pretty cool!

