Introduction
The Apple iPhone 8 marks the latest evolution in the iPhone series. While it may not be garnering as much attention as the soon-to-be-released iPhone 10, the iPhone 8 deserves a detailed examination of its features and capabilities. This review aims to shed light on everything you need to know about the iPhone 8, from its design and display to its camera, performance, and beyond.
Sporting a design reminiscent of the iPhone 7, the iPhone 8 introduces a new glass back, primarily to facilitate wireless charging. This compatibility with Qi-enabled wireless charging pads enhances convenience, allowing for charging at numerous locations without the need for traditional cables.
The design of the iPhone 8 might not turn heads, but where it truly shines is in its performance. Powered by the A11 Bionic chip, the iPhone 8 boasts the fastest processor found in a smartphone at the time of its release. This chip is not only about speed; it also enhances the phone's battery efficiency, making the iPhone 8 a dependable device for those who use their phone extensively throughout the day.
Camera upgrades are a significant highlight of the iPhone 8. It offers superior photography and videography capabilities, including 4K video recording at 60 frames per second and 1080p slow-motion video at 240 frames per second. While its design might seem somewhat dated compared to other 2017 smartphones, the iPhone 8 compensates with its robust performance and advanced camera features.
Despite the buzz around the upcoming iPhone 10, the iPhone 8 stands out as a strong contender, particularly for those looking to save money or who prefer a more compact smartphone. In the sections that follow, we will delve into the intricacies of the iPhone 8's design, display, camera, performance, and other key elements, providing you with the insights needed to make a well-informed decision.
Design and Features
The Apple iPhone 8 maintains a design and size similar to the iPhone 7, making it comfortably familiar for users of the previous model. However, a significant update in the iPhone 8 is its glass back, which is not just an aesthetic enhancement but also a functional one. This new feature enables wireless charging, a capability absent in earlier iPhone models.
The iPhone 8's compatibility with Qi wireless charging means that users can charge their phones by simply placing them on a wireless charging pad. These pads are increasingly available in public spaces like Starbucks and are integrated into products like IKEA furniture, offering great convenience by eliminating the need for charging cables.
The benefits of Qi-enabled wireless charging are noteworthy. It offers a simpler charging process since there's no need to connect a cable, it reduces wear on the phone's charging port, thereby potentially extending the device's lifespan, and it can charge the phone faster than traditional wired methods.
The inclusion of wireless charging in the iPhone 8 is likely to boost the popularity and availability of wireless charging accessories. As wireless charging technology becomes more common in various devices, consumers can expect a growing market for diverse wireless charging products, including pads, stands, and other innovative accessories.
Display and Audio
The Apple iPhone 8 continues to be a notable player in the smartphone market with its display and audio capabilities, albeit with certain limitations when compared to other contemporary devices.
• IPS Display with True Tone Technology
Maintaining the IPS display technology seen in the iPhone 7, the iPhone 8 introduces True Tone technology. This addition adjusts the screen's color temperature in response to the ambient lighting, aiming for a consistent visual experience. This feature, while enhancing visual comfort, might slightly compromise color accuracy.
• Impact of True Tone on Color Perception
True Tone technology in the iPhone 8 dynamically aligns the screen's color balance with the surrounding light conditions. This means the display can shift towards a yellower hue under certain lights and a bluer tint under others. This approach prioritizes a more natural and comfortable viewing experience over strict color fidelity.
• No OLED Display or Resolution Upgrade
In contrast to several high-end smartphones, the iPhone 8 doesn't incorporate an OLED screen and retains the same 1080p resolution as its predecessor. Despite this, its IPS display is still highly regarded, although it may not match the performance of the more sophisticated displays found in some rival models.
• Enhanced Audio through Improved Speakers
Audio performance is a strong suit for the iPhone 8, with a 25% increase in speaker volume over the iPhone 7. This improvement is not just in loudness; the clarity of audio output has also seen noticeable enhancement. The refined speaker system of the iPhone 8 enriches the overall audio experience, whether for music, video playback, or voice calls.
Performance and Battery Life
The Apple iPhone 8 stands out for its notable performance and enduring battery life, attributes largely attributable to the formidable A11 Bionic chip and its efficiency.
• Introduction to the A11 Bionic Chip's Capabilities
At the heart of the iPhone 8's performance prowess is the A11 Bionic chip, which currently holds the title of the fastest chip in any smartphone. This powerhouse chip ensures that the iPhone 8 operates smoothly, without any lag, whether the user is engaged in multitasking or playing games that demand high graphical fidelity.
• Enhanced Battery Life through Chip Efficiency
One of the key benefits of the A11 Bionic chip is its efficient power management. This not only aids in providing a seamless user experience but also significantly boosts the battery life. For those who heavily use their phone, the iPhone 8 promises to last an entire day, with upwards of five hours of screen-on time being a reasonable expectation.
• Optimized Performance with iOS 11
The synergy between iOS 11 and the A11 Bionic chip cannot be overstated. This combination leads to an exceptional level of everyday performance. Users will notice quick app launches, smooth animations, and effortless navigation, all thanks to the optimization of the operating system to leverage the full potential of the chip.
• Future-Proofing with the A11 Bionic Chip
Another significant aspect of the A11 Bionic chip is its future-proofing capability. As applications and services evolve, becoming more resource-intensive, the chip's robust processing power will ensure that the iPhone 8 continues to meet these increasing demands. Users can rest assured that their device will remain highly performant for years, a testament to the foresight in its design.
Camera
The Apple iPhone 8's camera represents a significant advancement in smartphone photography, earning it recognition as one of the best in its category for the year.
Equipped with superior 12-megapixel sensors, the iPhone 8 captures extraordinarily detailed and color-accurate images. The iPhone 8 Plus enhances these capabilities further by incorporating a secondary telephoto camera, introducing optical zoom and the much-appreciated portrait mode.
A notable improvement is also seen in its video recording abilities, courtesy of the A11 Bionic chip. This advancement facilitates ultra-high-definition 4K video recording at a smooth 60 frames per second, along with super slow-motion videos at 1080p and 240 frames per second.
The A11 Bionic chip's contribution extends beyond general performance enhancements; it significantly boosts the camera's prowess. The chip's advanced image processing results in photos that exhibit minimal noise, outstanding dynamic range, and remarkable clarity.
The iPhone 8's camera has not only been lauded by users but has also received critical acclaim, evidenced by its high scores on DxOMark, a respected camera evaluation website.
Summarizing, the Apple iPhone 8's camera is a distinguishing feature of the device. Its combination of a powerful sensor, dual-camera system, improved video recording quality, and top-tier DxOMark score makes it an excellent option for photography enthusiasts.
Drawbacks
The Apple iPhone 8, despite its many impressive features, comes with certain limitations that potential users should consider.
• Design Similarity to the iPhone 7:
One notable issue is its design, which has not seen significant changes from the iPhone 7. It retains the traditional bezels and a physical home button, missing out on the modern edge-to-edge screen design that other 2017 flagship smartphones offer.
• Heat Issue with Wireless Charging:
Users might also find the iPhone 8 heating up more than usual during wireless charging. This warmth, while common in wireless charging technology, seems to be more pronounced in the iPhone 8 compared to other smartphones.
• Absence of a USB-C Fast Charger:
In contrast to its competitors, the iPhone 8 doesn’t include a USB-C fast charger in its package. To utilize the device's fast charging feature, buyers need to purchase this charger separately.
• Front-Facing Speaker Performance:
There's a sense of dissatisfaction among some users regarding the iPhone 8’s front-facing speaker. Although it represents an upgrade over its predecessors, it doesn't quite match the loudness and clarity of speakers in other smartphones.
• Display and Resolution:
Finally, the iPhone 8 does not feature an OLED display or a very high resolution. While its existing IPS display is still among the market's best, the allure of the richer colors and sharper quality of OLED displays in other devices is something it misses out on.
Conclusion
In light of the upcoming launch of the iPhone 10, it's worthwhile to revisit the enduring appeal of the iPhone 8. This earlier model retains several key strengths that continue to make it an attractive option for many consumers. Recognizing these strengths is essential for anyone weighing their choices between these two models.
To begin with, the iPhone 8 features a design that's both classic and elegant, highlighted by the inclusion of a glass back to facilitate wireless charging. While some may view its design as less contemporary compared to other 2017 smartphone models, the iPhone 8 nonetheless offers a highly satisfactory user experience.
Performance-wise, the iPhone 8 is a standout with its A11 Bionic chip. This chip not only makes it the fastest among its contemporaries but also enhances its battery life, a crucial factor for users who rely heavily on their phones.
The camera improvements in the iPhone 8 are also significant, especially for those passionate about photography. Its capabilities in capturing 4K video at 60 frames per second and 1080p slow-motion video at 240 frames per second are particularly noteworthy.
When juxtaposing the iPhone 8 with the forthcoming iPhone 10, it's important to consider individual preferences and priorities. While the iPhone 10 may boast a larger display and cutting-edge features, the affordability and compact size of the iPhone 8 might be more appealing to certain users.
Apple's approach to offering iPhones at varied price points is a strategic move to appeal to a broad consumer base. With options like the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and the iPhone 10, Apple ensures there's a model for every budget and need.
In summary, unless you have specific needs like preferring a smaller device or budget constraints, it might be advisable to wait for the iPhone 10. Its advancements in design, display, camera, and other features make it a more innovative and modern choice. However, for those who value the iPhone 8's established strengths and seek a dependable, high-performance smartphone, the iPhone 8 remains a compelling choice.
FAQ
Here are some commonly asked questions about the Apple iPhone 8:
1. What distinguishes the iPhone 8 from the iPhone 10?
There are several key distinctions between the iPhone 8 and the iPhone 10, such as their design, display quality, and various features. The iPhone 10 introduces a bezel-less design and incorporates a larger, more vibrant OLED screen. In contrast, the iPhone 8 retains a more classic look with a smaller, IPS display. Additionally, the iPhone 10 adopts Face ID for facial recognition, replacing the Touch ID fingerprint system found in the iPhone 8.
2. Can the iPhone 8 be charged wirelessly?
Indeed, the iPhone 8 is equipped with wireless charging capabilities. Thanks to its glass back design, it supports Qi-standard wireless charging, allowing you to charge the device simply by placing it on a compatible wireless charging pad.
3. How has the camera been enhanced in the iPhone 8?
The iPhone 8 boasts significant camera improvements, featuring new 12-megapixel sensors and advanced image processing. This upgrade results in superior photo and video quality, including the ability to shoot 4K video at 60 frames per second and 1080p slow-motion video at 240 frames per second. The iPhone 8 Plus further enhances photography with its secondary telephoto lens, enabling optical zoom and portrait mode.
4. Is it worth buying an iPhone 8 when the iPhone 10 is about to be released?
Deciding whether to purchase the iPhone 8 or wait for the iPhone 10 depends on individual preferences and needs. The iPhone 8 offers a familiar design, robust performance, and high-quality camera features, all at a more accessible price point than the iPhone 10. However, if you're drawn to the latest advancements in technology and design, the iPhone 10 might be more appealing. Consider your specific requirements and budget when making your choice.
