iPhone 8 or X
March 14, 2018 10:45 AM Subscribe
I'm upgrading from an iPhone 6 and am thoroughly confused by the options. I know I want an iPhone, and am fairly sure I want either the 8 or the X. Help please?
I have a 6 that is at the end of its usable life. It's partially the battery, which I know I can replace, but it's also the audio when using it as a phone and a general slowing of response in the touch screen. I haven't even updated to iOS11 as I know that would kill it. It's ~ 3 years old so owes me nothing. I'm not typically an "upgrade because there's a new one" but rather a "it's dead/dying, I need a new phone".
I am not interested in switching from an iPhone at all. I'm happy with how they've worked for me (I switched from a Droid when the 4s was new-ish) and each has lasted me long enough to keep me happy.
I looked at Apple's guide and read this guide that someone posted here, and I'm not sure whether the X is worth the extra money. I have tiny hands so think the Plus is off the table. It seems silly to go with 7 or SE when they're already outdated.
Here's what I use my phone for, in relative order of importance:
-camera, but not video. Usually just digital use as I do own a camera if for some reason I needed a higher resolution image or want to shoot where I know cold will be an issue (hi, Iceland).
-run & diet tracking: MyFitnessPal, Strava, RunKeeper and TomTom. Assume these work with all though.
-social media posting & reading
-standard payment/loyalty apps: Starbucks, Dunkin
-random local & other varied apps: delivery.com, Receipt Hog, Just Salad
-games. Usual cross section: Candy Crack, Words with Friends
-FaceTime with kids in my family. I only do this on WiFi so could use my laptop. I see the X doesn't list a FaceTime camera, but I think maybe that's a rebrand vs. not offering that feature.
I don't do podcasts, and my music lives entirely on an old iPod/my TomTom Cardio. I have a Kindle, and while I don't currently have an iPad I'd be more likely to go that route vs. reading on my phone if my Kindle were to die.
I'll be sticking with Verizon and for the purposes of this question, assume 8 and X are within budget. I have a "x months, same as cash" offer on my Apple card and can pay off either before the period is over. I could almost but not quite pay up front and would prefer to spread it out since it won't cost me interest. I 'm leaning "go with top of line", but I don't know if I need it for my use.
Thoughts? Thanks
I have a 6 that is at the end of its usable life. It's partially the battery, which I know I can replace, but it's also the audio when using it as a phone and a general slowing of response in the touch screen. I haven't even updated to iOS11 as I know that would kill it. It's ~ 3 years old so owes me nothing. I'm not typically an "upgrade because there's a new one" but rather a "it's dead/dying, I need a new phone".
I am not interested in switching from an iPhone at all. I'm happy with how they've worked for me (I switched from a Droid when the 4s was new-ish) and each has lasted me long enough to keep me happy.
I looked at Apple's guide and read this guide that someone posted here, and I'm not sure whether the X is worth the extra money. I have tiny hands so think the Plus is off the table. It seems silly to go with 7 or SE when they're already outdated.
Here's what I use my phone for, in relative order of importance:
-camera, but not video. Usually just digital use as I do own a camera if for some reason I needed a higher resolution image or want to shoot where I know cold will be an issue (hi, Iceland).
-run & diet tracking: MyFitnessPal, Strava, RunKeeper and TomTom. Assume these work with all though.
-social media posting & reading
-standard payment/loyalty apps: Starbucks, Dunkin
-random local & other varied apps: delivery.com, Receipt Hog, Just Salad
-games. Usual cross section: Candy Crack, Words with Friends
-FaceTime with kids in my family. I only do this on WiFi so could use my laptop. I see the X doesn't list a FaceTime camera, but I think maybe that's a rebrand vs. not offering that feature.
I don't do podcasts, and my music lives entirely on an old iPod/my TomTom Cardio. I have a Kindle, and while I don't currently have an iPad I'd be more likely to go that route vs. reading on my phone if my Kindle were to die.
I'll be sticking with Verizon and for the purposes of this question, assume 8 and X are within budget. I have a "x months, same as cash" offer on my Apple card and can pay off either before the period is over. I could almost but not quite pay up front and would prefer to spread it out since it won't cost me interest. I 'm leaning "go with top of line", but I don't know if I need it for my use.
Thoughts? Thanks
If the camera is most important to you, then get the iPhone X. The iPhone 8 has one 12 megapixel rear camera. The iPhone X has the 12 megapixel rear camera but with optical image stabilization, plus a 12 Mp telephoto lens with optical image stabilization that does portrait mode.
posted by bluecore at 10:59 AM on March 14, 2018
posted by bluecore at 10:59 AM on March 14, 2018
I recently upgraded to the 8 from a 6 and it's more or less exactly the same, except the camera is better and the battery lasts all day. If the 6 was working for you before it started acting up, an 8 sounds like the way to go.
posted by something something at 11:00 AM on March 14, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by something something at 11:00 AM on March 14, 2018 [1 favorite]
The + phones have nice big screens but are too big to hold comfortably. The X is a perfect medium. I might get the next X phone they offer.
posted by bbqturtle at 11:07 AM on March 14, 2018
posted by bbqturtle at 11:07 AM on March 14, 2018
The only reason I personally want an X rather than an 8 (well actually I want to go back to Android but I don't like any of the current crop of Androids) is the camera. It's a significant step up from the 8. Otherwise I wouldn't bother.
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 11:09 AM on March 14, 2018
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 11:09 AM on March 14, 2018
I got the X after having a + and the extra screen real estate in a smaller package is nice. It didn’t take long to get used to not having the home button either
posted by SpaceWarp13 at 11:14 AM on March 14, 2018
posted by SpaceWarp13 at 11:14 AM on March 14, 2018
I made this call last week and ended up going with the 8. I use the camera but super high quality photos aren't important to me. Problems with FaceID have been the most common complaint I've heard about the X that I care about.
Anyway, I figure it's a good idea to let the X hardware mature another iteration. And with the Apple 0% interest lease/upgrade plan, I'll get to jump to the new model in a year.
posted by mullacc at 11:15 AM on March 14, 2018
Anyway, I figure it's a good idea to let the X hardware mature another iteration. And with the Apple 0% interest lease/upgrade plan, I'll get to jump to the new model in a year.
posted by mullacc at 11:15 AM on March 14, 2018
I had the same choice, and went with an 8 largely to ensure it would fit into my fancy Silca cycling phone case.
As a 30 year veteran of the tech world, I'm also still leery of year-one products. Apple has a better track record than most, but I kinda wanna see how facial rec shakes out before I give up my thumbprint option.
posted by uberchet at 11:19 AM on March 14, 2018
As a 30 year veteran of the tech world, I'm also still leery of year-one products. Apple has a better track record than most, but I kinda wanna see how facial rec shakes out before I give up my thumbprint option.
I recently upgraded to the 8 from a 6 and it's more or less exactly the same, except the camera is better and the battery lasts all day. If the 6 was working for you before it started acting up, an 8 sounds like the way to go.This is just not true. The 8 is dramatically faster. The screen is brighter. The front-facing camera is dramatically better (7mp vs 1). Using it feels much different, too, because the 8 has the "pseudobutton" that doesn't actually move, whereas the 6 still uses a physical button.
posted by uberchet at 11:19 AM on March 14, 2018
I upgraded just before the X was released and regret upgrading at all. Get your 6 professionally serviced, then decide if you really really want your need to spend $750 to $1K on a phone.
If you go for the upgrade, get the largest amount of memory offered. That's the only difference worth a fraction of the investment of a new phone.
posted by jbenben at 11:29 AM on March 14, 2018
If you go for the upgrade, get the largest amount of memory offered. That's the only difference worth a fraction of the investment of a new phone.
posted by jbenben at 11:29 AM on March 14, 2018
FaceID on the X is fantastic. I never realized how often my hands were little damp from cleaning (handwashing or doing dishes or whatever) until I got a phone with TouchID, which won't work unless your fingertip is perfectly clean and dry. FaceID completely eliminates that problem.
posted by exogenous at 11:33 AM on March 14, 2018
posted by exogenous at 11:33 AM on March 14, 2018
Best answer: I was faced with the same decision a couple of months ago, and after trying to convince myself to be conservative and get the 8, ultimately reached the conclusion that when I shell out that kind of money I want something that feels *new*. If I was going to be really conservative, I'd just have replaced the battery on my 6. While the X isn't dramatically different, I love the screen size, camera, and FaceID. You'll be blown away by the battery life whichever you choose, I think - I can use my X for more than a day without charging, and I believe the 8 is similar.
Also, since you wonder, the X's front facing camera works just fine for FaceTime (I think they renamed it because it's also the tool for FaceID).
posted by Kriesa at 11:50 AM on March 14, 2018 [2 favorites]
Also, since you wonder, the X's front facing camera works just fine for FaceTime (I think they renamed it because it's also the tool for FaceID).
posted by Kriesa at 11:50 AM on March 14, 2018 [2 favorites]
I had a 6+, now have the X which I'm so very happy with.
I got it specifically for the facial recognition because I've always struggled with the fingerprint ID, my fingers just weren't recognized (too soft/dry I think)! Now I just look at it and swipe, totally great. The only time it doesn't unlock is if I'm laying down and forget to raise ithigher to my face, it just doesn't recognize the underside of my chin. Simpler to click off and immediately back on after I raise it than to put in my password
Other things I like and don't like:
-the camera is utterly fantastic
-hold & press the flashlight or camera from the lock screen, so quick to get to 2 things I use a lot.
-Notch? no problem, the media made it a big thing for some reason....
-I read my kindle books & ibooks on this, I also have a kindle but find reading on the phone isn't a problem. The size is good and with the edge to edge screen there is plenty of space for a decent size page.
-I don't miss the audio port, I have a few different blue tooth earbuds now (Amazon has quite a few lower cost but decent quality) and now I dislike when I use a wired one when I sometimes use the old 6+ for listening to Audio books when I'm poolside etc.
-The app switcher is handy, but I still often close out the apps rather than leave them open as a few of the games I play need a re-set with a close.
posted by IpsoFacto at 11:53 AM on March 14, 2018
I got it specifically for the facial recognition because I've always struggled with the fingerprint ID, my fingers just weren't recognized (too soft/dry I think)! Now I just look at it and swipe, totally great. The only time it doesn't unlock is if I'm laying down and forget to raise ithigher to my face, it just doesn't recognize the underside of my chin. Simpler to click off and immediately back on after I raise it than to put in my password
Other things I like and don't like:
-the camera is utterly fantastic
-hold & press the flashlight or camera from the lock screen, so quick to get to 2 things I use a lot.
-Notch? no problem, the media made it a big thing for some reason....
-I read my kindle books & ibooks on this, I also have a kindle but find reading on the phone isn't a problem. The size is good and with the edge to edge screen there is plenty of space for a decent size page.
-I don't miss the audio port, I have a few different blue tooth earbuds now (Amazon has quite a few lower cost but decent quality) and now I dislike when I use a wired one when I sometimes use the old 6+ for listening to Audio books when I'm poolside etc.
-The app switcher is handy, but I still often close out the apps rather than leave them open as a few of the games I play need a re-set with a close.
posted by IpsoFacto at 11:53 AM on March 14, 2018
Faced with a similar decision (coming from a 6s), I went with an 8.
I'm slightly jealous of the better camera on the X, but I'm happy not to be dealing with first year bugs in a new product.
posted by herrtodd at 12:01 PM on March 14, 2018
I'm slightly jealous of the better camera on the X, but I'm happy not to be dealing with first year bugs in a new product.
posted by herrtodd at 12:01 PM on March 14, 2018
I just replaced my 6s for similar reasons. After a lot of indecision I ended up deciding to get a refurbished 7 from Apple. With more models/upgrades expected at some point, I just couldn’t justify the price of the 8 or X.
posted by Dip Flash at 12:32 PM on March 14, 2018
posted by Dip Flash at 12:32 PM on March 14, 2018
Counterpoint: I upgraded from 6s Plus to 8 Plus. Coming from the 6-series phones, the 8-series is already enough of an upgrade without shelling out more money for the X.
posted by emelenjr at 12:48 PM on March 14, 2018
posted by emelenjr at 12:48 PM on March 14, 2018
Response by poster: All of this super helpful so far, thank you. Lots of decision making help. I wish waiting on this year's models were an option, but I'm not sure my phone is going to make April, let alone June. Realized though that my phone does still have some trade-in value, a nice surprise
And a best answer to Kriesa for explaining better than Apple's own site that the FT camera was a rebrand in the X.
posted by TravellingCari at 12:48 PM on March 14, 2018
And a best answer to Kriesa for explaining better than Apple's own site that the FT camera was a rebrand in the X.
posted by TravellingCari at 12:48 PM on March 14, 2018
The main reason I picked an X over an 8 Plus was the sheer weight of the 8 Plus. They got even heavier than the already weighty 7 series and it was very noticeable to me.
posted by homesickness at 1:06 PM on March 14, 2018
posted by homesickness at 1:06 PM on March 14, 2018
I’m in the same boat. My plan is to get the battery on my 6 replaced (anecdotally, it can fix all of the problems you list) as soon as I can, to buy a bit of time. If it doesn’t help, I’ll get the 8+. If it does help, i’ll hold off on the upgrade until the next version of the X.
8+ because a better camera is worth the extra size to me, I prefer a button for now, and I’m just not sure about FaceID though I will probably give in sooner or later.
posted by third word on a random page at 1:17 PM on March 14, 2018 [1 favorite]
8+ because a better camera is worth the extra size to me, I prefer a button for now, and I’m just not sure about FaceID though I will probably give in sooner or later.
posted by third word on a random page at 1:17 PM on March 14, 2018 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: third word: My plan is to get the battery on my 6 replaced (anecdotally, it can fix all of the problems you list)
Interesting. Apple Store specifically told me they didn't think it would fix the slowness. While I think that was partially an upsell attempt to upgrade, they did seem to run some tests vs. "Nope. Time to buy a new one" when they saw it. I assume there's something just broken with the audio when not on speaker. Luckily, like many, I rarely use it as a phone.
posted by TravellingCari at 1:26 PM on March 14, 2018
Interesting. Apple Store specifically told me they didn't think it would fix the slowness. While I think that was partially an upsell attempt to upgrade, they did seem to run some tests vs. "Nope. Time to buy a new one" when they saw it. I assume there's something just broken with the audio when not on speaker. Luckily, like many, I rarely use it as a phone.
posted by TravellingCari at 1:26 PM on March 14, 2018
I recently got the battery replaced on my 6, and it absolutely sped things up. If you haven't gotten the battery replaced, the CPU is being throttled to about 40% of it's normal capacity. My 6 with a new battery and ios11 is great. (Also, I got a new screen after having a crack/unresponsive zone for about 18 months, so it feels like a completely new and magic piece of technology.)
Having played with an X recently, I'd definitely recommend going that direction if you care about photos. I was out hiking with friends, we took a group picture with the sun behind us, total lens flare, faces in shadow, and it LOOKS AMAZING.
posted by itesser at 5:31 PM on March 14, 2018 [1 favorite]
Having played with an X recently, I'd definitely recommend going that direction if you care about photos. I was out hiking with friends, we took a group picture with the sun behind us, total lens flare, faces in shadow, and it LOOKS AMAZING.
posted by itesser at 5:31 PM on March 14, 2018 [1 favorite]
Interesting. Apple Store specifically told me they didn't think it would fix the slowness.
I also have the iPhone 6, and am also hoping against hope that I can make it to the iPhone Xs (or whatever they will name this year's model).
I have a third party battery monitor on my phone, and it has read as low as 40% health; I have a third party CPU monitor, and it has shown my phone as operating at less than 1/2 of the rated mhz that was advertised for the iPhone 6. However, the genius at the Apple store tried to convince me that the battery was operating at 90%+, and that my phone was not getting slowed down. Oh, and they don't have any replacement batteries to install, anyway.
I've used Macs since 1990 and iPhones since 2008, and this iPhone 6 has been the most frustrating Apple device I've ever owned.
Personally, I'm going to wait to see what iOS 11.3 does for the phone and then reconsider my options. At this point in the year, October really doesn't seem that terribly far away...
posted by Admiral Haddock at 7:36 PM on March 14, 2018
I also have the iPhone 6, and am also hoping against hope that I can make it to the iPhone Xs (or whatever they will name this year's model).
I have a third party battery monitor on my phone, and it has read as low as 40% health; I have a third party CPU monitor, and it has shown my phone as operating at less than 1/2 of the rated mhz that was advertised for the iPhone 6. However, the genius at the Apple store tried to convince me that the battery was operating at 90%+, and that my phone was not getting slowed down. Oh, and they don't have any replacement batteries to install, anyway.
I've used Macs since 1990 and iPhones since 2008, and this iPhone 6 has been the most frustrating Apple device I've ever owned.
Personally, I'm going to wait to see what iOS 11.3 does for the phone and then reconsider my options. At this point in the year, October really doesn't seem that terribly far away...
posted by Admiral Haddock at 7:36 PM on March 14, 2018
I made the choice to get an 8+ when the new models came out. I'm seeing lots of the same reasons I used - I have no interest in being the guinea pig for year 1 items (especially FaceID vs TouchID), I was already making a jump in going from a regular 6S to an 8+, and for what I use it for (browsing, pick up gaming, Ingress/PoGo), I didn't see that much of a gain in spending the extra for the X.
It's been 6 months, and I don't regret my decision.
posted by neilbert at 8:38 PM on March 14, 2018 [1 favorite]
It's been 6 months, and I don't regret my decision.
posted by neilbert at 8:38 PM on March 14, 2018 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks all. Super helpful on all counts. I just made doubly sure everything was backed up tonight so I'm prepared with info and no data loss if it croaks before the weekend, although I'd prefer it not.
Anticipation, your "otherwise I wouldn't bother" is exactly how I generally feel about the next iPhones and why I went from the 4s to the 6 and will skip SE and 7 models, at minimum. Apple's incremental tweaks don't wow me, but at the same time they're durable enough that they last so you don't need to upgrade each September. I actually have a work 5s and while it's fine, I'm glad I never went to that from the 4s.
Admiral Haddock: October doesn't seem far away, but phone going from ~90% when I leave the office to ~30% when I get in after a 15m commute where it sits in my pocket other than to pay at Dunkin. And then it does. Then again, I didn't expect it to get this far either. Not sure what made it get appreciably worse though in last two weeks as I haven't added any new apps or upgraded the existing ones beyond one that needed a security fix. The 6 has otherwise been good to me, so glad I didn't have your issues. I'm a happy Mac "wear 'em out" person as you can tell from this old question. Unfortunately that tends to go hand in hand with not needing to be on top of all the new changes each model
homesickness: I'm leaning that way due to the height. I'm female and carry a purse so the weight isn't a huge issue, but I want it to fit nicely in what I call my phone compartment and I want to be able to text with one hand, although the Plus isn't as huge as it seems.
itesser: hmm, I may pop into another Apple store to see what they say re: battery. Benefit of NYC, 5 or 6 easily accessible and their answers change somewhat frequently.
posted by TravellingCari at 9:06 PM on March 14, 2018
Anticipation, your "otherwise I wouldn't bother" is exactly how I generally feel about the next iPhones and why I went from the 4s to the 6 and will skip SE and 7 models, at minimum. Apple's incremental tweaks don't wow me, but at the same time they're durable enough that they last so you don't need to upgrade each September. I actually have a work 5s and while it's fine, I'm glad I never went to that from the 4s.
Admiral Haddock: October doesn't seem far away, but phone going from ~90% when I leave the office to ~30% when I get in after a 15m commute where it sits in my pocket other than to pay at Dunkin. And then it does. Then again, I didn't expect it to get this far either. Not sure what made it get appreciably worse though in last two weeks as I haven't added any new apps or upgraded the existing ones beyond one that needed a security fix. The 6 has otherwise been good to me, so glad I didn't have your issues. I'm a happy Mac "wear 'em out" person as you can tell from this old question. Unfortunately that tends to go hand in hand with not needing to be on top of all the new changes each model
homesickness: I'm leaning that way due to the height. I'm female and carry a purse so the weight isn't a huge issue, but I want it to fit nicely in what I call my phone compartment and I want to be able to text with one hand, although the Plus isn't as huge as it seems.
itesser: hmm, I may pop into another Apple store to see what they say re: battery. Benefit of NYC, 5 or 6 easily accessible and their answers change somewhat frequently.
posted by TravellingCari at 9:06 PM on March 14, 2018
Response by poster: This is where a heavier iPhone user would comment: posting from my new iPhone, but while I read social media and news on it, I never really got around to reading long discussions. So posting this from my laptop which was also AskMe crowdsourced, so it counts.
Although this thread presented great reasons for both 8 models and the X (and I thank every one of you for your responses), I went with the X for a couple of reasons:
-I had the chance to play with both an X and an 8 at a work event the other night and it was my favorite kind of scene to photograph, weird light. (Orchid Evenings for anyone in the NYC area). The photo on the X was just magnitudes better. I really enjoyed this more than just looking at photos because I wanted to see what the camera could do, vs. what the apps could present. Since most of my phone use is as a camera, this was major selling point.
-Although I noted that I read more on a Kindle, I was intrigued by those of you who noted it was comfortable to read on the X. My eyes are getting older so more real estate for screen vs white space seemed a plus. Who knows, maybe I'll start to read MeFi on the phone.
So far (just got it late this afternoon), os11 is the bigger learning curve than no home button, but I'm figuring it out. Weeding through nearly 7 years of apps to decide which I needed to redownload? Not so fun.
Thanks again all!
posted by TravellingCari at 6:28 PM on March 17, 2018
Although this thread presented great reasons for both 8 models and the X (and I thank every one of you for your responses), I went with the X for a couple of reasons:
-I had the chance to play with both an X and an 8 at a work event the other night and it was my favorite kind of scene to photograph, weird light. (Orchid Evenings for anyone in the NYC area). The photo on the X was just magnitudes better. I really enjoyed this more than just looking at photos because I wanted to see what the camera could do, vs. what the apps could present. Since most of my phone use is as a camera, this was major selling point.
-Although I noted that I read more on a Kindle, I was intrigued by those of you who noted it was comfortable to read on the X. My eyes are getting older so more real estate for screen vs white space seemed a plus. Who knows, maybe I'll start to read MeFi on the phone.
So far (just got it late this afternoon), os11 is the bigger learning curve than no home button, but I'm figuring it out. Weeding through nearly 7 years of apps to decide which I needed to redownload? Not so fun.
Thanks again all!
posted by TravellingCari at 6:28 PM on March 17, 2018
Response by poster: A MeFi Mail reminded me to come back to this. Verdict: amazing.
The new method of closing apps has taken some getting used to, but I love the camera. At times it takes better photos than my recent model canon powershot (phone, camera - instagram, obvious self link)
I'm really glad for the tempered glass screen protector as I find the phone a little slidey, despite a case.
Thanks again all
posted by TravellingCari at 12:46 PM on April 20, 2018
The new method of closing apps has taken some getting used to, but I love the camera. At times it takes better photos than my recent model canon powershot (phone, camera - instagram, obvious self link)
I'm really glad for the tempered glass screen protector as I find the phone a little slidey, despite a case.
Thanks again all
posted by TravellingCari at 12:46 PM on April 20, 2018
This thread is closed to new comments.
i was facing the same decision about two months ago. i finally decided that i didn't have time to learn a bunch of new stuff just to be able to use my phone, face ID weirds me out, and i have no use for animoji. also, in my view, the X is kind of a 1.0 product in terms of HW changes, and i like to wait a bit for stuff to shake out bug-wise.
i ended up with the 8+, and have been completely happy with it. i use kindle on my phone in a pinch/when i'm stuck waiting somewhere unexpectedly, and the larger screen has been really nice. and due to the influence of my friend's teenagers, i got a popsocket, which has really helped with me being secure that my phone will stay in my hand while typing.
posted by koroshiya at 10:53 AM on March 14, 2018 [2 favorites]