Early reviews paint Apple's iPhone 8 & 8 Plus as good devices overshadowed by iPhone X
Ahead of the devices' Sept. 22 launch, some reviews of the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus are already beginning to trickle in, comparing them against both earlier iPhone models and the elephant in the room, the OLED-based iPhone X shipping Nov. 3.
CNET called the iPhone 8 a "nice upgrade" from devices like the iPhone 6s, but described the phone as essentially the "iPhone 7s" it was once rumored to be, with changes including a faster A11 processor, better camera technology, wireless charging, and a glass back, as well as 64 gigabytes of base storage. The site was more enthusiastic about the iPhone 8 Plus, calling attention to camera features like its upgraded Portrait mode and cleaner low-light shots. The site commented though that people considering a Plus might want to wait for the iPhone X to see whether the latter's upgrades are worth it.
Engadget was more enthusiastic, insisting that the 8 and 8 Plus are "definitely much more" than "7s" models, packing "great cameras, improved software and absolutely first-rate performance" into what it admitted was a "less exciting" design.
"They might not have the X's style, but the 8 and 8 Plus are truly excellent phones that won't let Apple die-hards and new customers down," the site concluded.
The Verge said it couldn't think of a "single compelling reason" to upgrade from an iPhone 7, especially given software-based upgrades coming with iOS 11, cheap wireless charging cases, and third-party apps that can replicate the iPhone 8 Plus's Portrait Lighting technology. Like CNET, it suggested the phones would be worthwhile for people upgrading from pre-7 models, but that people eyeing an 8 Plus might want to consider stepping up to an X.
The iPhone 8 is "Apple's new default phone," it said, adding that while "it's pretty great that a default phone is actually this good," it's "not the future, and it's not the cutting edge."
TechCrunch noted that it was effectively doing a camera review, not just because of the typical demand for high-quality photos and video, but because of the importance of augmented reality and computer vision. The iPhone 8 is "still going to get you most of the way to 'the best' -- especially when it comes to the camera," the site said, specifically urging people to get an 8 Plus for its "really incredible" Portrait Lighting feature. Only people who automatically buy the highest-end iPhone every year should wait for the iPhone X, it remarked.
AppleInsider is currently at work on its own iPhone 8 review, coming soon.
CNET called the iPhone 8 a "nice upgrade" from devices like the iPhone 6s, but described the phone as essentially the "iPhone 7s" it was once rumored to be, with changes including a faster A11 processor, better camera technology, wireless charging, and a glass back, as well as 64 gigabytes of base storage. The site was more enthusiastic about the iPhone 8 Plus, calling attention to camera features like its upgraded Portrait mode and cleaner low-light shots. The site commented though that people considering a Plus might want to wait for the iPhone X to see whether the latter's upgrades are worth it.
Engadget was more enthusiastic, insisting that the 8 and 8 Plus are "definitely much more" than "7s" models, packing "great cameras, improved software and absolutely first-rate performance" into what it admitted was a "less exciting" design.
"They might not have the X's style, but the 8 and 8 Plus are truly excellent phones that won't let Apple die-hards and new customers down," the site concluded.
The Verge said it couldn't think of a "single compelling reason" to upgrade from an iPhone 7, especially given software-based upgrades coming with iOS 11, cheap wireless charging cases, and third-party apps that can replicate the iPhone 8 Plus's Portrait Lighting technology. Like CNET, it suggested the phones would be worthwhile for people upgrading from pre-7 models, but that people eyeing an 8 Plus might want to consider stepping up to an X.
The iPhone 8 is "Apple's new default phone," it said, adding that while "it's pretty great that a default phone is actually this good," it's "not the future, and it's not the cutting edge."
TechCrunch noted that it was effectively doing a camera review, not just because of the typical demand for high-quality photos and video, but because of the importance of augmented reality and computer vision. The iPhone 8 is "still going to get you most of the way to 'the best' -- especially when it comes to the camera," the site said, specifically urging people to get an 8 Plus for its "really incredible" Portrait Lighting feature. Only people who automatically buy the highest-end iPhone every year should wait for the iPhone X, it remarked.
AppleInsider is currently at work on its own iPhone 8 review, coming soon.
Comments
At the end of the day smartphones are now mature, just like MacBooks.
Sure they'll get speed bumps and slightly better this or that, but for me at least, the general excitement of new models is gone.
As for the iOS11 upgrade I am going to wait a bit before upgrading, as I still have 32 bit programs that won't work.
Pricing the (iPhone 7s) closer to last years model would have been a better move, most people don't care that a new chip which nobody was begging for cost more to include in the new model consumers like so level of consistency when it comes to pricing. Will the new iPhone 7s sell, sure will as well as the X when it is finally released. Something I am very curious about is what will the iPhone 9 will that arrive 2 years from now? Will next year be about the 8s? Do we have the iPhone Xs next year and finally will there be an iPone 10?
That said, It seems like in many ways smart phones are becoming a pretty mature technology. For many people, the primary incentive to upgrade is becoming the fact that their old phone wore out rather than that they really want/need the new features of the latest phone. Not good news for Apple or Samsung, honestly, but I'm sure that's also why Apple has broadened their offerings. With the updated SE and keeping the 6s in the line up, Apple now has 5 different phones in its lineup ranging from $350 to $1150 - something they've never had before and great news for consumers who get more choices.
I see some ‘designer’ put up some Medium post taking apart iOS 11. 9to5Mac has already linked to it. I’m sure the Verge and others will as it will be good for clicks.
- T-Mobile's 700MHz spectrum not supported this year. Probably next year.
- Wireless charging supported, but I'll wait for Apple to release their version before jumping on-board: usually when apple enters a field they do something to slightly tweak the standards and their version works better in their own ecosystem (W1 for headphones, homepod for speakers, etc). Risk is that next year's phone foregoes a lightning port entirely (yikes).
- Can we not be stuck with lossy bluetooth audio? Why not wireless Airplay headphones? I'll suffer the princess leia headbuns look if that's what it takes.
- I'll let someone else show me how great face ID works before I adopt it, thanks. Looks great, but still a version 1.0. Touch ID was so much better on the 6 than on the 5s.
Bottom line: iOS11 reminds me of OSX 10.6: Lots of stuff like "Grand Central" and "Open CL" that are building for the future. Similarly, the iPhoneX reminds me of the first retina macbook pro (which I'm typing this on right now): lots of really great "I see where Apple is going with this, and I like it" but it took another model year for the hardware (and battery life!) to really catch up to what the graphics wanted to do. Tech is always better "next year" but there are certain sweet spots every 3-5 years where the software and hardware align and the gizmo shines. Based on what I see, I think next year will be that year for a lot of different Apple products.