Looking to replace my old 6 Plus with a new phone. I keep my phones for a long time so trying to figure out the best phone to get now. My carrier is Cricket which means I’ll have to purchase the phone outright. I’m use to the plus size of a phone and mainly use my phone for normal calling, texting and emailing. I do a lot of web browsing and watching YouTube videos. Also like to use the camera for different pics. So if you had to purchase one phone that you would keep for at least the next 3 years which would it be?
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Other 8 Plus, XR or XS Max
- Thread starter PearlWhiteGT
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For 3 years I’d say 8 Plus or XS Max. The screen on the XR in my opinion is more for 6/6s/7/8 users and not for Plus users as it has a lower ppi. Also, keep in mind that some users have reported eye strain/headaches from the OLED screens on the X/XS/XS MAX.
If you can I’d recommend purchasing through Apple directly as they have a 14-day return policy with no restocking fee. While they do have demos available in the store, I’ve found that they all look/feel great in the store but you really need to test them out yourself to see if it will work for your use case.
I bought a XR and XS Max. Both are excellent and you only know the difference if you sit with both together. The price would be where I decided. The XR is much cheaper.
I recently upgraded and decided the lack of 3DTouch was a deal breaker on the XR so went for the 8+ which I have to say is a wicked phone. It’s up to you OP, compare the specs and decide what you want out of the phone I say. I couldn’t justify an XS personally and don’t need to spend that much when an 8+ runs iOS nicely anyway.
I would recommend the max, then the 8 plus and then the Xr in that order.
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I second this opinion. I just traded in my 8+ for the Xs Max. Size wise it's about the same size as the 8+ however the display is much sharper and better than the 8+. It's hands down way faster than the 8+. The camera is worlds better than the 8+ or the XR. If I had to have one for 3 years I would get the Xs max.
Get the XR or the Max. Both of them provide larger display area than a Plus series phone.
Forget the 8 Plus or the nonsense about PPI. The bezel design on the 8 Plus is from a decade ago. For things that count, like battery life and camera quality, the XR beats the 8 Plus significantly and matches the Max.
If you are willing to pay for 2x optical zoom and want an even larger display, choose the Max.
Forget the 8 Plus or the nonsense about PPI. The bezel design on the 8 Plus is from a decade ago. For things that count, like battery life and camera quality, the XR beats the 8 Plus significantly and matches the Max.
If you are willing to pay for 2x optical zoom and want an even larger display, choose the Max.
The 8+ is barely a year old not 10 years old. I really don’t know why so many people hate the classic design all of a sudden? Its a great phone that the vast majority of people won’t look down their nose at you for owning. All three of these iPhones are good in their own right.
The 8 Plus is a good device, but for what Apple is asking - $699 - I think it offers relatively poor value. I have no problem recommending an Apple refurbished iPhone 8 Plus, however. Most consumers consider the display, camera, and battery life. The XR wins in each of those departments by a fair margin, especially for anyone coming from iPhone 6 Plus.
Fair enough, I came from a 6S so it was much more of a no brained from my perspective. Plus I got a great deal so I’m happy (not from Apple).
I genuinely don’t think consumers care about design as much in terms versus the performance and battery life. I think the 8+ is still very strong performing phone with the A11 and the battery life will always be variable depending on usage/settings for every user. For the price, the 8 Plus is still enticing.
I mean, even if you compare the features that offers with the 8+ and XR, it’s extremely close with True Tone/ wireless charging/water resistance/stereo speakers, etc. Both phones have more than adequate camera quality and features.
I personally wouldn’t even consider an 8+.
Sure, you could use it and be happy with its performance and features, but the design is just not appealing in the slightest and hasn’t been for years (for me).
I also have owned an XS Max and swapped it for my XR and they are so close in performance that for the saving of an R compared to an X, it’s a no brainer.
This 3D Touch stuff depends on your use with it. I used it all the time to move the cursor when typing and the XR still does it, same with the camera and flashlight buttons on the lock screen. It also still works on all buttons in the control centre panel.
I can honestly say I never used 3D Touch on an actual app, so where the XR applies haptic is basically all the places I need it and used it on phones with 3D Touch previously, but that might not be true for others / you.
The XR is my favourite iPhone to date.
Sure, you could use it and be happy with its performance and features, but the design is just not appealing in the slightest and hasn’t been for years (for me).
I also have owned an XS Max and swapped it for my XR and they are so close in performance that for the saving of an R compared to an X, it’s a no brainer.
This 3D Touch stuff depends on your use with it. I used it all the time to move the cursor when typing and the XR still does it, same with the camera and flashlight buttons on the lock screen. It also still works on all buttons in the control centre panel.
I can honestly say I never used 3D Touch on an actual app, so where the XR applies haptic is basically all the places I need it and used it on phones with 3D Touch previously, but that might not be true for others / you.
The XR is my favourite iPhone to date.
I think a lot of the views against the 8+ here are because it doesn’t share the current form factor but that’s really a subjective point of view whether you like it or not. I like the classic design personally, and in the black spigen case I have for my 8+ it looks as sleek and modern as any other smartphone. If you hang around with tech buffs or trendy coffee shops where everybody is admiring the latest tech, then the XR is the phone for you. If you’re in the boardroom, or among young mums and dads on the school run, nobody gives a toss what model phone you have. It’s what it can do and what it provides that counts.
Here is something to consider, while the A12 and A11 don’t seem to perform much differently right now, I would say there is a good chance software will take advantage of the A12 extras in the future and the difference will be more apparent. Based on this I would put the 8 last. Then with the two phones left over, it would be a question of price vs features. If the Xs Max specific features are worth the $350 extra to you (and also worth some things you’ll miss like extra battery life), go for the Xs Max, otherwise Xr.
10R without question for me. And you'll love the battery life.
I have both 8+ for work and Xr for personal use. They are both really good phones and at the end of the day your satisfaction with the phone you've picked is all that matters. Battery life on the 8+ has always been really good, not quite as good as the Xr, but close enough. The wider screen you may prefer over the more narrow and longer screen. My eyes really don't see much difference between the 326ppi and 401ppi, but some say they can tell a difference and I surely won't argue that point. Enjoy your phone and congrats! 
Yeah and that’s why I said ‘for me’ and ‘imo’ in my posts.
We know you love your 8+ as you defend your purchase in every thread almost and it’s fine that you like it and everyone you work with had an iPhone that’s older than the X style. It’s fine.
I’ll say again - “for me”, I don’t like the old form factor. That’s why I’ve spent so long with Android devices despite liking iOS a lot, because for so long Android has been ahead in hardware until recently when this new iPhone form factor has caught up.
It has become a much more appealing device now. For me.
And that’s my opinion to the op on his question. Same way yours is all about the 8+.
Yeah and that’s why I said ‘for me’ and ‘imo’ in my posts.
We know you love your 8+ as you defend your purchase in every thread almost and it’s fine that you like it and everyone you work with had an iPhone that’s older than the X style. It’s fine.
I’ll say again - “for me”, I don’t like the old form factor. That’s why I’ve spent so long with Android devices despite liking iOS a lot, because for so long Android has been ahead in hardware until recently when this new iPhone form factor has caught up.
It has become a much more appealing device now. For me.
And that’s my opinion to the op on his question. Same way yours is all about the 8+.
Chill out, I knew it was purely your opinion. I was stating mine again like we all do over and over again in these threads.
Personally I don’t like the classic design and only stuck with for so long as it was my only choice if I wanted an iOS based phone.
I far prefer the new design and to me it looks much nicer and is far more appealing. Also to me Face ID is far superior and better then Touch ID and is far more efficient for me. I also like the upgraded features on the Xs Max.
To me the Xs Max gives me the best of both worlds when looking at the older plus size phones and the X which I had before. I’m glad Apple has finally come to their senses after being behind Android for so long regards the form factor.
I far prefer the new design and to me it looks much nicer and is far more appealing. Also to me Face ID is far superior and better then Touch ID and is far more efficient for me. I also like the upgraded features on the Xs Max.
To me the Xs Max gives me the best of both worlds when looking at the older plus size phones and the X which I had before. I’m glad Apple has finally come to their senses after being behind Android for so long regards the form factor.
Max > 8+ > XR
If your used to the 1080p display of the 6+ the XR not a good choice. (I know alot of people are happy with the slightly lower price and don't care how sharp their display appears.)
8+ a good upgrade over 6+, especially if you can find a deal. Speed and battery life will be felt.
Max holds the throne as Apples very best iphone. If you can afford it then go for it.
If your used to the 1080p display of the 6+ the XR not a good choice. (I know alot of people are happy with the slightly lower price and don't care how sharp their display appears.)
8+ a good upgrade over 6+, especially if you can find a deal. Speed and battery life will be felt.
Max holds the throne as Apples very best iphone. If you can afford it then go for it.
You can’t go wrong with any of these phones really, they are all iPhones so look and feel premium and iOS runs pretty much the same on all of them. I think a lot of it comes down to which design you prefer the look of or how you want to unlock your phone. That’s the feel I get from this thread. I do dislike how as a community phones are ridiculed if they are slightly older though but I guess we don’t see that on the outside world and the internet is the best place for it.