iPhone 8 Plus vs iPhone X

The iPhone 8 Plus, released in September 2017, and the iPhone X, launched in November 2017, represent two distinct approaches to Apple's smartphone design from the same generation. While both devices share core internal components, the iPhone X introduced a significant design overhaul with an edge-to-edge display and facial recognition, contrasting with the iPhone 8 Plus's more traditional design featuring a physical home button and fingerprint sensor. Both run on the iOS operating system, offering a consistent software experience, though their hardware interactions differ notably.

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, their release timelines and subsequent software support are key factors. Both the iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X were released in late 2017, meaning they have followed similar update paths.

• OS Support: Both models launched with iOS 11 and received major operating system updates up to iOS 16. As of early 2026, neither device receives the latest major iOS versions, which means they will not benefit from new software features or security enhancements introduced in more recent iOS releases.
• Practical Lifespan: Users can expect these devices to continue functioning for everyday tasks, but the lack of current OS updates may lead to compatibility issues with newer applications over time. Their practical lifespan for essential functions like calls, messaging, and basic app usage remains, but advanced features and app performance may be limited.
• Repairability: Both devices feature glass backs, which can be prone to damage, though repairability scores are generally similar for models of this era.

Both the iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X are equipped with the same internal processing unit, providing comparable performance for daily tasks and demanding applications. This shared foundation means their raw processing power is largely identical.

• System Responsiveness: Both devices handle demanding applications and multitasking smoothly, allowing for efficient navigation between apps and responsive user interfaces.
• Storage Options: Both models were available with 64GB and 256GB storage capacities, with the iPhone 8 Plus also offering a 128GB option at one point.
• Battery Behavior: The iPhone 8 Plus features a 2691 mAh battery, while the iPhone X has a slightly larger 2716 mAh battery. In typical use, both offer a full day of power for moderate users, though heavy usage, especially with demanding applications or media consumption, may require more frequent charging. Both support wireless charging.

The display is one of the most significant differentiators between the iPhone 8 Plus and the iPhone X, impacting the overall visual experience and device interaction.

• Display Technology and Clarity: The iPhone 8 Plus features a 5.5-inch Retina HD IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels, resulting in 401 pixels per inch (ppi). The iPhone X, on the other hand, introduced a 5.8-inch Super Retina HD OLED display with a higher resolution of 2436x1125 pixels and 458 ppi. The OLED technology in the iPhone X provides deeper blacks and more vibrant colors compared to the LCD panel of the iPhone 8 Plus.
• Brightness and Viewing Experience: Both displays offer a maximum brightness of 625 nits and support True Tone technology, which adjusts the white balance to match ambient lighting for a more natural viewing experience. The iPhone X's edge-to-edge design and HDR support offer a more immersive viewing experience, especially for media consumption.
• Screen Size and Design: The iPhone 8 Plus retains traditional bezels and a physical home button, while the iPhone X features a nearly bezel-less design with a notch at the top housing its front-facing sensors.

Both the iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X offer capable camera systems for their generation, designed to capture quality photos and videos in various conditions.

• Rear Camera System: Both devices feature a dual 12-megapixel rear camera setup, including a wide-angle lens (f/1.8 aperture) and a telephoto lens. The iPhone X distinguishes itself by offering dual optical image stabilization (OIS) on both the wide and telephoto lenses, while the iPhone 8 Plus has OIS only on its wide-angle lens. Both support 2x optical zoom and up to 10x digital zoom, along with Portrait Mode and Portrait Lighting.
• Front Camera Capabilities: Both phones are equipped with a 7-megapixel front camera (f/2.2 aperture). The iPhone X's TrueDepth camera system enables advanced features like Portrait Mode and Portrait Lighting for selfies, as well as Animoji.
• Video Recording: Both models are capable of recording 4K video at up to 60 frames per second and 1080p slow-motion video at up to 240 frames per second, with optical image stabilization for video.