Other Need to decide asap: iphone 7 or 8?

[heycal]

I'm coming from iphone 6, and need to get a new phone asap. Any opinions on whether to get a 7 or 8 and why? (Not interested in plusses or X). I've heard 8 is heavier and the glass is more prone to breaking, and the wireless charging isn't necessary and you'll need to pay for it too. On the other hand, if the 8 is faster and better in meaningiful ways, I can do that too. And I guess the latest phone is often the smartest choice?

Are there any significant differences in features or performance? I believe both offer "hey siri" without being connected to power, which my iphone 6 doesn't have and which sounds nice. Anything else? I'd like something that holds me for three years or so.

 

[nburwell]

You'll get more base storage with the 8 along with a faster processor, True Tone display and wireless charging capabilities.

If you're looking to save some cash, the 7 is still a damn good device.

 

[C DM]

I'm coming from iphone 6, and need to get a new phone asap. Any opinions on whether to get a 7 or 8 and why? (Not interested in plusses or X). I've heard 8 is heavier and the glass is more prone to breaking, and the wireless charging isn't necessary and you'll need to pay for it too. On the other hand, if the 8 is faster and better in meaningiful ways, I can do that too. And I guess the latest phone is often the smartest choice?

Are there any significant differences in features or performance? I believe both offer "hey siri" without being connected to power, which my iphone 6 doesn't have and which sounds nice. Anything else? I'd like something that holds me for three years or so.

iPhone 8 or 7?

 

[nia820]

iPhone 8. You'll get latest specs. Iphone 7 is coming up to be 2 years old soon. Better to get the 8.

 

[BugeyeSTI]

They’re both great phones but, if you’re not planning on upgrading for awhile after this purchase I’d go for the 8.

 

[44267547]

I'm coming from iphone 6, and need to get a new phone asap. Any opinions on whether to get a 7 or 8 and why? (Not interested in plusses or X). I've heard 8 is heavier and the glass is more prone to breaking, and the wireless charging isn't necessary and you'll need to pay for it too. On the other hand, if the 8 is faster and better in meaningiful ways, I can do that too. And I guess the latest phone is often the smartest choice?.

I wouldn’t say the iPhone 8 is that much heavier over the iPhone 7, especially if you’re _not_opting for the Plus model. If you’re concerned about it breaking, then look at a case, which would help reduce that concern. The iPhone 8 is obviously faster than iPhone 7, because it does have more updated specifications with the A11 bionic processor. I was charging a nice convenience, but it’s optional as well.

Are there any significant differences in features or performance? I believe both offer "hey siri" without being connected to power, which my iphone 6 doesn't have and which sounds nice. Anything else? I'd like something that holds me for three years or so.

The biggest differences between iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 is the glass back, wireless charging capability and true tone display. The iPhone 7/8 both share the same water resistance and stereo speakers.

And yes, due to the coprocessor, you can use ‘Hey Siri’ hands-free when you do not have low power mode activated.

 

[heycal]

I use a case with any phone I have, since I drop them frequently. The glass should be ok as long as I have a case?

If it's not that much heavier, I guess I'll live. And for $100(?) more, sounds like I'll get a better and faster phone all around if I go with the 8?

No one making an argument for going with the 7 yet...

Oh, if it matters in pricing and decision making, I want at least 64 gb storage, preferrably 128. My 16 gb iphone 6 has been maxed for a long time now and it's been a real problem... Don't want to face that issue ever again.

 

[iOSUser7]

You need to give us more details if you want us to give you some advices :

-Is cash a factor in your buying decision?
-Are you able to get these two devices with a discount?
-Are you looking for a quick replacement before the release of something else or are you the type of person that upgrade his/her phone every 3-4 years?
-Are there any features that you are actually interested in and are only available in the iPhone 8?

 

[MacDevil7334]

I use a case with any phone I have, since I drop them frequently. The glass should be ok as long as I have a case?

If it's not that much heavier, I guess I'll live. And for $100(?) more, sounds like I'll get a better and faster phone all around if I go with the 8?

No one making an argument for going with the 7 yet...

You haven’t given us much information on how you use your phone. So it’s hard to make an informed recommendation. Is price a big concern? I’d say honestly the 7 is probably the best value in the iPhone lineup right now. If you’re just a casual user (calling, texting, light web browsing, and a few apps) I’d say the 7 is a no brainer for the amount of money you’re saving. Otherwise, get the 8. It will last you longer with the newer processor, and the True Tone screen is quite nice.

 

[heycal]

More info: I guess I might qualify as fairly casual user, a lot of texting, some apps, but no games or anything. Don't take a ton of photos, but would like to maybe take more videos and/or download a few if there is room. I'd like to put some more music on my phone as well. As mentioned, I've been living with 16 gb for a while now, and not easily or happily. I definitely want a lot more storage, and peace of mind in that department is important to me.

Speed and battery life matter to me, and feel and size, camera quality not important at all. As for whether there are any features one phone has that the other doesn't that I may want, I'm not sure: Is there anything the 7 does that the 8 does not for some reason? Anything the 8 does that the 7 doesn't? (Other than wireless charging, which I don't care about.)

Since I can't imagine living without at least 64 gb storage -- IF that is enough to not max out in a couple of years -- my choices with Verizon seem to be a 7 with 128 gb for $649 or an 8 with 64 gb for $699. Price is not super important to me, but not willing to pay $850 for the 264 gb iphone 8.

I think I would keep the phone for about 2 to 4 years. Not one of those people who needs to get the very latest.

 

[iOSUser7]

More info: I guess I might qualify as fairly casual user, a lot of texting, some apps, but no games or anything. Don't take a ton of photos, but would like to maybe take more videos and/or download a few if there is room. I'd like to put some more music on my phone as well. As mentioned, I've been living with 16 gb for a while now, and not easily or happily. I definitely want a lot more storage, and peace of mind in that department is important to me.

Speed and battery life matter to me, and feel and size, camera quality not important at all. As for whether there are any features one phone has that the other doesn't that I may want, I'm not sure: Is there anything the 7 does that the 8 does not for some reason? Anything the 8 does that the 7 doesn't? (Other than wireless charging, which I don't care about.)

Since I can't imagine living without at least 64 gb storage -- IF that is enough to not max out in a couple of years -- my choices with Verizon seem to be a 7 with 128 gb for $649 or an 8 with 64 gb for $699. Price is not super important to me, but not willing to pay $850 for the 264 gb iphone 8.

I think I would keep the phone for about 2 to 4 years. Not one of those people who needs to get the very latest.

Everything you said make me think that you’ll be perfectly fine with an iPhone 7 :

-You don’t take a ton of photos and both iPhone 7 & 8 cameras are actually very similar.

-You don’t care about wireless charging.

-Finally, unless you forgot about this feature, you dont’ seem to care about the True Tone display aswell.

However, because you could potentially keep this new phone for 4 years, you might want to go iPhone 8 instead. Let me explain why.

The A11 chip is a lot faster than the A10, plus it features a custom Apple made GPU which is a first in the iPhone history so it will easily handle future iOS versions (at least before it’s time for a new phone purchase). A10 is no slouch of course but it’s already 1.5 years old so adding another (potentially) 4 years to that could result in a very slow and hardly usable phone.

 

[heycal]

Everything you said make me think that you’ll be perfectly fine with an iPhone 7 :

-You don’t take a ton of photos and both iPhone 7 & 8 cameras are actually very similar.

-You don’t care about wireless charging.

-Finally, unless you forgot about this feature, you dont’ seem to care about the True Tone display aswell.

However, because you could potentially keep this new phone for 4 years, you might want to go iPhone 8 instead. Let me explain why.

The A11 chip is a lot faster than the A10, plus it features a custom Apple made GPU which is a first in the iPhone history so it will easily handle future iOS versions (at least before it’s time for a new phone purchase). A10 is no slouch of course but it’s already 1.5 years old so adding another (potentially) 4 years to that could result in a very slow and hardly usable phone.

Seems a tough call. As you say, I may be fine with the 7. I do prefer the smaller size and weight of the 7, and the less chance of breaking it due to my frequent dropping of the phone (I do use a case), and I would rather have 128 gb than the 64 gb I'd get with the 8 I'd buy. But if the 8 is otherwise better and faster and will perform better three years from now (probably the max I'd keep it judging by my history), that may be the one to get. I can tell you now that my three year old 6 with its maxed out storage is as slow as molasses and drives me crazy... And I may not even need 64 gb, let alone 128 (though do like it psychologically.)?

 

[eoblaed]

The 7 is already 1.75 years old.

I'd still say get the X, but if the choice is truly limited to the 7 or the 8, you're going to be satisfied for longer with the 8 than the 7.

 

[rui no onna]

Are you paying cash or will it be on device payment plan? If on installment, the iPhone 8 is a no-brainer for the extra $6/mo. Mind, even if paying cash the $150 seems fairly small savings given the length of ownership.

Granted, at this point in time, even the iPhone 6S (A9) is more than fast enough for typical usage. I have a launch-day iPhone 7 (A10) and quite honestly, as long as battery holds, I reckon its performance will be more than fine for my use for the next 3 years (although I might upgrade earlier for 5G). I don't have a 6S but we do have the SE and 2017 iPad. No performance complaints on either. Even the Air 2 is holding up fairly well until now.

 

[EssModelsRule]

Not to further complicate your decision, but retailers like Target and Best Buy routinely offer deals if you sign up through them. This week at Target you can get a $250 Target gift card with a new iPhone 7 if you sign up for Verizon’s installment plan through them. Assuming you can use that, it’s like getting the phone for $400. Deals on the 8 aren’t unheard of either.

 

[heycal]

Not to further complicate your decision, but retailers like Target and Best Buy routinely offer deals if you sign up through them. This week at Target you can get a $250 Target gift card with a new iPhone 7 if you sign up for Verizon’s installment plan through them. Assuming you can use that, it’s like getting the phone for $400. Deals on the 8 aren’t unheard of either.

I'm already on Verizon, so I wonder if I would qualify. Speaking of which, is there any reason to buy from a Verizon store or an Apple store? I probably don't the time or energy to go to Target.

Are you paying cash or will it be on device payment plan? If on installment, the iPhone 8 is a no-brainer for the extra $6/mo. Mind, even if paying cash the $150 seems fairly small savings given the length of ownership.

Granted, at this point in time, even the iPhone 6S (A9) is more than fast enough for typical usage. I have a launch-day iPhone 7 (A10) and quite honestly, as long as battery holds, I reckon its performance will be more than fine for my use for the next 3 years (although I might upgrade earlier for 5G). I don't have a 6S but we do have the SE and 2017 iPad. No performance complaints on either. Even the Air 2 is holding up fairly well until now.

I'll likely pay on installment. And at this point, it's really a difference of $50 in price if I'm reading right, since I've narrowed it down to the 7 with 128 gb vs the 8 with 64 gb. (Don't want to go with 32 gb, don't want to pay more for the 256 gb with an 8.)

So the money is a non-issue pretty much at this point. My reasoing for going with the 7 would be that I like that's its lighter and smaller, even if a little bit, not glass, and I'll be getting twice the storage. Those are attractive reasons. The 8 lures me because it's newer and likely to to perform a bit better both now and in three years.

 

[EssModelsRule]

I'm already on Verizon, so I wonder if I would qualify. Speaking of which, is there any reason to buy from a Verizon store or an Apple store? I probably don't the time or energy to go to Target.



I'll likely pay on installment. And at this point, it's really a difference of $50 in price if I'm reading right, since I've narrowed it down to the 7 with 128 gb vs the 8 with 64 gb. (Don't want to go with 32 gb, don't want to pay more for the 256 gb with an 8.)

So the money is a non-issue pretty much at this point. My reasoing for going with the 7 would be that I like that's its lighter and smaller, even if a little bit, not glass, and I'll be getting twice the storage. Those are attractive reasons. The 8 lures me because it's newer and likely to to perform a bit better both now and in three years.

The Target deal is for existing Verizon customers eligible for upgrade, which sounds like you. If that’s too inconvenient, maybe get a refurb 7 shipped from Apple directly to you? Pop your existing sim in and go, and no monthly payment to worry about as you’d buy it outright.

 

[PhoneMe1]

8, bargains out there now. Have Bought 2 in last month 1 week old less than half retail.

 

[EM2013]

iPhone 8 or 7?

If I had a dollar for every “iPhone 7 or iPhone 8” thread....

 

[tonybarnaby]

8

 

[Dodgeman]

Had to pick between those two devices and money is not an issue then I would go for the 8

 

[heycal]

The extra weight of the 8 bugs me. I can feel the difference. And the glass... but if the performance/longevity is better, it may be worth it. In the other direction, the 6S is tempting becuase of price and the 'click' feel of the home button I'm used to and prefer. I guess the 7 and 8's have that more smooth home button? Boo.

Does the 6S have the "hey siri" ability without being connected to power? The 7 has it, right? That feature is very attractive to me.

Also, is it true the speaker on the iphone 8 is louder than the 7? And would that also mean the phone is louder when I'm talking on it or listening to podcasts with earbuds? On my iphone 6, I constantly wish I could boost the volume when on a phone call with the phone to my ear. Occasionally with podcasts and music too.

 

[rui no onna]

The extra weight of the 8 bugs me. I can feel the difference. And the glass... but if the performance is better, it may be worth it.

The performance is better but quite honestly, you'd be hard pressed to actually notice the difference in day to day use. Besides, mobile chipsets aren't becoming obsolete as quickly as they used to. Just look at the basic iPads. Apple's confident enough about performance that last year they used the A9 (first released 2015) while this year they used the A10 (first released 2016).

If the weight and extra storage space is a big consideration for you, then the iPhone 7 is still quite a good phone (and should be decent for the next 3 years).

 

[Septembersrain]

I think I would go for the 8. Only because it's newer and will have a longer time before it hits EOL. Also because of wireless charging.

For me, I've got the 7 Plus and I've had so many problems. Data, calls, etc. I still have it but use a V30+ as my current daily driver.

Good luck on what you decide.

 

[heycal]

I think I would go for the 8. Only because it's newer and will have a longer time before it hits EOL. Also because of wireless charging.

For me, I've got the 7 Plus and I've had so many problems. Data, calls, etc. I still have it but use a V30+ as my current daily driver.

Good luck on what you decide.

I've had tons of problems with iphone 6 from day one, so I sympathize. I'll buy whichever one want give me problems, the 7 or 8!

The performance is better but quite honestly, you'd be hard pressed to actually notice the difference in day to day use. Besides, mobile chipsets aren't becoming obsolete as quickly as they used to. Just look at the basic iPads. Apple's confident enough about performance that last year they used the A9 (first released 2015) while this year they used the A10 (first released 2016).

If the weight and extra storage space is a big consideration for you, then the iPhone 7 is still quite a good phone (and should be decent for the next 3 years).

If if I really want notice any peformances differences, and it will work just as well and as quickly without slowdown or sluggishness three years from now, that's an argument for going with the 7 with increased storage and lighter weight, and also saving 50 bucks. (Which I guess isn't a big enough savings to factor much in a decision like this...) Plus I drop my phone at least once a month, and either the durability of my 6 my cheap case has saved me every time. Dropped on carpets, floors, streets, everywhere....

All the reviews of the 8 talk about the increased likelyhood of breaking it, but has that borne out in the real world? Are people breaking a lot more 8's compared to 7's and 6's? Especially if one uses a case, as I would?