It's a question many of us ponder when eyeing an upgrade: how much has really changed between the iPhone 7 Plus and its successor, the 8 Plus? If you're holding onto that 7 Plus, or just curious about the evolution, let's break down what sets them apart, beyond just the shiny new exterior.
At first glance, especially from the front, the two phones look remarkably similar. Both sport that familiar 5.5-inch Retina HD display and share nearly identical dimensions and screen resolution. The real visual shift happens when you turn them over. The iPhone 8 Plus embraced a full glass sandwich design, front and back, a departure from the 7 Plus's aluminum unibody. This not only gave it a different feel in the hand but also paved the way for a significant new feature: wireless charging. And speaking of looks, the 8 Plus introduced some fresh color options, including a lovely 'blush gold' alongside updated shades of space gray and silver, all with a more refined, layered finish.
But the story isn't just about aesthetics. Under the hood is where the 8 Plus truly flexes its muscles. It packs Apple's A11 Bionic chip, a six-core powerhouse that significantly outpaces the A10 Fusion found in the 7 Plus. We're talking about a noticeable jump in processing speed – around 25% faster – and a 30% boost in graphics performance. This translates to smoother multitasking, more responsive apps, and a generally snappier experience, especially for demanding tasks like augmented reality applications or graphics-intensive games.
When it comes to photography, both phones boast impressive dual 12MP rear cameras. However, the 8 Plus takes things a step further. While the 7 Plus offered Portrait Mode, the 8 Plus introduced Portrait Lighting, giving you more creative control over the lighting effects in your portraits. Video recording also saw an upgrade, with the 8 Plus supporting 4K video at 24, 30, and 60 frames per second, and an enhanced 1080p slow-motion capture at 240fps. The front-facing camera remains a solid 7MP on both.
Now, let's talk about battery life. This is an area where the numbers might seem a bit confusing at first. The 7 Plus has a slightly larger battery capacity (2900 mAh) compared to the 8 Plus (around 2675 mAh). However, battery performance isn't just about raw capacity. The more efficient A11 Bionic chip in the 8 Plus, built on a more advanced manufacturing process, means it can do more with less power. In real-world testing, this often translates to a modest but noticeable improvement in screen-on time, giving you that extra bit of juice to get through the day.
Storage options also saw an evolution. The 7 Plus typically came in 32GB and 128GB configurations, while the 8 Plus shifted to 64GB and 128GB, with a higher 256GB option becoming available for those who need ample space. And yes, like its predecessor, the 8 Plus also ditched the traditional headphone jack in favor of wireless audio or using the Lightning port.
So, is the upgrade worth it? If you're looking for a more refined design with that glass finish and wireless charging, a significant performance boost for demanding apps, and enhanced camera capabilities, the 8 Plus certainly offers compelling improvements. But if your current 7 Plus is still serving you well for everyday tasks, the core experience remains remarkably similar, with the older model still holding its own.
