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I got an 8 Plus last year because the X bothered me in a few ways:

- screen was less wide than Plus models
- loss of Touch ID
- health concerns for long-term use of IR lasers (so far remains untested - no epidemiological long-term studies)
- the price crosses an obnoxious threshold
- PWM on the OLED screen and potential for eye strain
- shorter battery life than Plus models

This year I really thought I’d upgrade, but of the above concerns, only one has been definitively addressed (width). The others remain unknown or are definitely not addressed in the XS Max models.

Fortunately the 8 Plus is still an excellent, fast phone with a great camera. I’ll be reading reviews of the XS Max camera with interest though.
 
I'm just tired of starting over every year and never owning my phone. These lease programs are such a money trap. So I'm keeping my 8 plus and getting the 11 next year. It's a great phone and I'm getting the new Apple Watch instead.
 
I'm using a 6s on iOS 9. Battery life? Amazing (north of 8 hours, not much less than the 2017 X). Performance? Flawless (I've seen a few videos showing the 6s on iOS 9 to be faster than the X on app launch). It has a headphone jack and Touch ID is faster than Face ID. For now, I'm keeping it.
I don't use my phone much, so although I like new products, I have no need to upgrade now. Maybe I will in the future, I don't know.
 
My dad is still happy with his 7+ He see's no new features compelling enough to upgrade. He's in his 70s and I think the lack of home button and learning all new gestures is a bit of a turnoff.
 
So I have even more reason to hold off now, my 7+ battery is still at 100% 18 months in (and nearly 2 years after assembly). Not a power user by any means and I've been keeping my phone on low power whether I use it or not.

I'll see what iOS 12 brings and if there is a proper SE replacement. If I decide I want something new, as long as I can get $200-$200+ for this phone from Apple I'll consider that when the time comes. Have much more important things to deal with now.
 
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Apple hasn't made a one-handed device since the SE. I'm just not going to use two hands on my phone. Ever.
 
My dad is still happy with his 7+ He see's no new features compelling enough to upgrade. He's in his 70s and I think the lack of home button and learning all new gestures is a bit of a turnoff.

Actually (lol), I was thinking the same thing when my dad wanted to get a bit smaller phone and decided on the X this week (game him my old 6+ plus last year). So far, no phone calls on how the bleep do I do this, why isn't this working (esp w/ Touch ID). Actually, I think he prefers Face ID much much more than Touch ID. What I'm really surprised about is that he hasn't called me yet on how do I Get out of this app. I had numerous calls about that with the old phone.

You may be surprised and your dad may prefer the X (or XS) than the 7+.
 
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I've sung the praises of my 8 before, and will continue to do so - best phone I've ever had.

But the Xr is tempting since it's an upgrade from the 8 in every way, except the lack of 3D touch (although another year of 326 ppi should be criminal).

But therein lies the rub - I acknowledge that the Xr is a superior phone to the 8, but the 8 still feels like a flagship phone, even though it technically wasn't; it didn't give anything up over the phone that came before it, like the Xr does with 3D touch. That alone makes the Xr sort of a turn off, but it will be a great phone.

In some sick twisted way I'm almost considering trading my 8 in for...another 8, but in 256 GB and ride it out long term. Or an 8+ but the 8+ seems redundant now to me for some reason.

I think we might be in for a treat next year with the XI, but I kind of think they are going to not update the Xr next year and it'll become a multiyear run with no changes like the SE, which would be sort of a disappointment.
 
Apple hasn't made a one-handed device since the SE. I'm just not going to use two hands on my phone. Ever.

Good... stand your ground.

Though I gotta wonder what the billions of other people are doing since no other company makes one-handed phones anymore...

You're part of a very exclusive club nowadays. :p
 
I’ve never been able to use a phone one-handed - just cannot get myself used to texting with only one hand. Of course, there’s always talk to text if I’m not concerned that the person on the other end will actually be able to understand what I sent. ;-p
 
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