On the Fence: iPhone 8 Plus or X

EndersShadow

My 6Plus decided today was the day I was going to upgrade (it’s totally dead).

I’m debating between the X and the 8Plus and it’s a really tough call. Since I don’t upgrade often (as shown by the fact I was still using my trusty 6PLus), I’m thinking the X may be a better option as it’s the TOTL.

I am aware I could just replace my battery, or upgrade to the 7Plus, however I just think given how infrequent I update my phone, if I go with anything less than the 8Plus or X (which will get updated this year in a few months anyway), I will still be behind the curve on the tech, and getting some needed updates (camera, dust/waterproofing) are worth it.

More importantly, while with the X I will have to relearn how to use my phone (drat), I have a feeling the way you interact with the X will become the new “normal” for all new iterations of their phones. This means the learning/growing pains are going to happen at some point, and doing it now saves me trouble later.

The inverse of course is true, the 8Plus is just pick up and go for me as it’s got a home button, and all the same iOS feature as my 6Plus, plus the upgrades to the camera, chipset, etc.

I'm what I'd consider your basic phone user, I use it for streaming music (with regular headphones mostly, damn you apple) at work, playing some basic flash games, and lots of web usage. Any video usage is fairly limited to review on things (when I'm to lazy to use my laptop), and occasionally YouTube. Not a lot of Netflix or Plex usage on it, so I wouldnt say I'm a heavy video user.

I'm looking forward to the dust/waterproof features that are missing from my 6Plus, which has a result been in a Sedio waterproof case since I got it. I can now in theory use most iPhone cases and not need that extra layer of plastic over the front.

I also have for the most part stopped using my DSLR and use my phone instead, meaning the updated cameras (compared to my 6Plus) will be welcomed. I do NOT however take lots of selfies, or facetime often if ever, so I'm not too concerned with the updates to the front facing cameras.

Some of my “concerns” are that I am not sure if adding a case to the X (which I will do just to keep the glass from scratching/breaking will make the wireless charging not work as that’s one feature I was really hoping to use.

I also wear glasses and I dont know how well FaceID will work when I'm NOT wearing them, and I'm concerned with how easy it will be in the morning (pre-glasses) to get my phone to unlock.

I also am not sure if it’s been out in the wild long enough for most app developers to adjust their devices to the funky screen size.

I know mantis posted his thoughts a while back and I've already re-read that and most reviews I can find (launch day and then any updates after a few months), and I'm very torn.

Anyone that's been in a similar situation, I'd love your thoughts. What did you choose and why?

Danny (@A$$imilated) , I'd love your thoughts in general on this as I know you know a lot about these two models.

mlistens03

My suggestion would be to go with the 8, because I think it has just as much power, just as much battery, an about equal display, you don’t have to deal with the notch and you get to keep the home button. Seems like a win win win win win! Especially with the fact that it is cheaper.
The X is probably the better phone, and it looks better, better camera, etc. but if that’s not something that matters too much (aesthetics, camera quality) then I say 8.

EndersShadow

Yes, I'm leaning toward the 8Plus as of now. It may be a stop gap fix to learning what the new standard iOS will have, but its a jump of a few models for sure and will have a better battery life, better camera's, with form factor and usage that's familiar to my muscle memory...

And its a couple hundred cheaper to boot.

Side note: After 3+ hours of charging my existing phone just turned on. Charging it up and transferring everything off it and doing a iTunes backup with utmost haste.

oldrocker

No advice here brother.

I'm still using a flip phone....

EndersShadow

oldrocker wrote: »

No advice here brother.

I'm still using a flip phone....

So you upgraded from your rotary then I see!

oldrocker

Darn right.

I'm up to date on the whole tech thing!!

txcoastal1

i just replaced my 6plus battery a few weeks ago. I'm holding out to see what the Gen2 X will feature this fall. I'm sure Apple will work out a few of the kinks

EndersShadow

txcoastal1 wrote: »

i just replaced my 6plus battery a few weeks ago. I'm holding out to see what the Gen2 X will feature this fall. I'm sure Apple will work out a few of the kinks

I thought about doing that, but I think I'm just going to upgrade and get it over with. I'm tired of literally 1 hour of life on this thing, and also want the waterproof aspect as I use it a lot biking in all types of weather. Not worrying about rain (or my kid dropping it in a dog water bowl) will be a welcome change.

Clipdat

I'm not understanding what happened to your 6 plus.

Edit: Bad battery I read.

EndersShadow

Clipdat wrote: »

I'm not understanding what happened to your 6 plus.

Edit: Bad battery I read.

Yes. The battery has degraded and while I can replace it and keep it limping along, the time has probably come to upgrade.

sgmsmg

Don't forget the battery is only $29 to replace until December I think.

BlueFox

I don't know. $29 for a new battery, or $800 for a new phone. Hmmmmmm?????

txcoastal1

In 4 months the new stuff will be released, current devices will see a price drop
$29 is a no brainer IMHO

mantis

I had the 7 Plus then went to the 10 and hated it. Took it back after a few days and got the 8 plus. I think the 10 just isn't ready but some love that thing. I don't I much prefer the screen on the 8 plus and battery life.

EndersShadow

Ok, I think you guys are right....

For 50 bucks (at a local place so I dont have to deal with the wait at an Apple store 1 hour out of my way) I'm replacing the battery for now and letting my phone limp around till the next upgrade cycle and then potentially get the 8 Plus when the price drops....

AsSiMiLaTeD

There are two compelling reasons to get the X over the 8Plus, up to you if these matter.

First, Face ID is awesome and is more secure than Touch ID and it works in situations where Touch ID doesn’t work like coming out of a shower, when raining outside, cold weather, etc

Second, it’s nice having a larger screen in a smaller body. You can argue about the true size of the X with the notch, but you can’t argue that the screen is larger than the 8 in a body that’s about the same size.

There are other items too like the gestures, better camera, better more color accurate display, etc...but none of those are a generation better in the X than the 8.

EndersShadow

@AsSiMiLaTeD

Thank you for that quick rundown. Helps a lot. I can see the value in FaceID, I'm guessing glasses v no glasses isn't an issue? Also how accurate does the distance need to be for it to work? My vision is very bad so judging distance is not that fun in the morning when I first wakeup sans glasses, so that might present a problem for me.

I agree the screen is better and in a smaller form factor than the 8. Not too sure if that's a reason for me in my situation, but it is something I need to look at for sure.

For now I think will stand pat with a battery upgrade and see what WWDC on June 4th holds, and potentially wait a few more months for the next iteration to drop the prices on the X or the 8 Plus and buy then.

That way I also have my older 6Plus (with a new battery) as a backup should my MIL, FIL or wife break their phones, as I doubt the 6Plus will have any resale value at that point.

Thanks again for your insight.

AsSiMiLaTeD

Face ID works from about 6 inches or more away

Easy Runnin

Keep in mind both the 8 and X have glass back and crack a lot easier that the 6.

mpitogo

iPhone X.

EndersShadow

Easy Runnin wrote: »

Keep in mind both the 8 and X have glass back and crack a lot easier that the 6.

I’d still be getting a case to protect it, it just won’t have the plastic section over the screen and other input holes didn’t to the better dust and water protection.

EndersShadow

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

Face ID works from about 6 inches or more away

Thanks.

halen

Wanna buy my iPhone X? Went full on back to Apple ecosystem several months ago and ready to sell all of it. Mac mini, Apple 4K, iPad Pro, iPad 5th gen, Apple Watch and the iPhone X.

Not because they all are bad but I happen to use these devices for work and development as well.

If I were you I would replace the battery likely for the $30. And do nothing else for time being. Tech always change and if you are constantly waiting for the next newest, good luck... you will never change.

Halen

alucididea

Face ID does work really well. The only times I have any problems is when I’m wearing my sunglasses and it can’t detect my eyes. I’m sure that has to do with the couple settings I use and might work just fine if they’re turned off. For reference:



Otherwise I’ve been really enjoying my X. The inset for the instruments at the top of the screen hasn’t been a issue for me. And as far as a case, as long as it isn’t metal or too thick the wireless charging SHOULD be able to work just fine.

I would venture to suggest waiting until next week to decide on which phone you’ll go with, only because WWDC is on the 4th and it could give you some insight on where things are heading and therefore yourself.

AsSiMiLaTeD

What are you switching to Halen, moving back to the Samsung phones?

EndersShadow

halen wrote: »

Not because they all are bad but I happen to use these devices for work and development as well.

Yup, figured it was such. Knew you worked in IT.

halen wrote: »

Wanna buy my iPhone X? Went full on back to Apple ecosystem several months ago and ready to sell all of it. Mac mini, Apple 4K, iPad Pro, iPad 5th gen, Apple Watch and the iPhone X.

If I were you I would replace the battery likely for the $30. And do nothing else for time being. Tech always change and if you are constantly waiting for the next newest, good luck... you will never change.

For now like you said, I'm replacing the battery and waiting to see what comes out in the next 6 months. The only reason for waiting for the next version is to drop the price of the 8 Plus and the X, and unless something in the newer model is just that much better, I will be purchasing one of those (like the 8 Plus). Either will be a very decent upgrade for me and be able to keep up with iOS updates, etc for the next 4-5 years (I hope).

I'm not an early adopter, just trying to maximize my purchase by getting as close to "current" as possible while still being price minded. As you so aptly point out, with tech, the second something is released its already outdated as they likely have at least the next if not the next two iterations already in testing by then .

Shoot me a PM about that Apple Watch (and any thoughts you've got on it). I've been back and forth about buying one recently.

halen

Enders. Either go with iPhone X or nothing at all. Settle with the battery replacement. There are many things I like about the iPhone X. It is spectacular and ground breaking on many points. People that complain about the ‘notch’....... to be nice... yeah it takes away. To be honest... it has zero on performance and takes away nothing. To be straight forward. People saw the notch before they bought it. To complain about it is silly. The screen is wider than most pictures or movie formats to intrude. It is just silly to complain. Go with 8 or 8 plus? I would rather go with the 7.

halen

halen

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

What are you switching to Halen, moving back to the Samsung phones?

Hahahahaha. Let’s just say software side, I am getting deep into angular. Hardware and design wise I love the iPhone X. I will tell you what I am getting into if you tell me the new iPads have wireless charging. Lol

Cheers man!

halen

As for Apple Watch or probably any other smart watches. I don’t use any of them. I got it for my wife to play around with and my 30 month daughter one as well.

I am pretty big into watches or also known as time pieces. I don’t give a **** what people call them. I think it is stupid that you have to charge a watch every day. Maybe my mindset is to buy a watch to give me the time.change batteries maybe once a couple years. But not charging daily. Yeah I know what these smart watches do. They make me charge them daily. But the wife and daughter loves the novelty.

EndersShadow

@halen

I went with the battery upgrade for now and thats helped. Phone is still running slow so I plan to wipe it and then do a restore to see if that helps any.

AsSiMiLaTeD

iOS 12 is gonna speed up that old iPhone significantly if you can hold out that long. There aren’t a ton of new headline features but significant work was done around performance and speeding up older devices in particular. Everything back to the iPhone 5S will get iOS 12, so that covers back to 2013.