The iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus: A Misleading Upgrade?

When it comes to new iPhone releases, many people assume that upgrading to the latest model is always the best decision. However, as we'll explore, this may not be the case for everyone.

First, let's take a closer look at the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus themselves. They are upgrades to the existing iPhone lineup in an incremental manner, with just enough features to entice users to switch from their current device. The camera has been bumped up in performance, but not by new cameras, rather by the process that can create better images using software. The processor itself is snappier, with a 25% boost in speaker volume, and battery life is better as well. While these upgrades may be nice, they don't necessarily make them worth upgrading to if you're already on the last generation of iPhone, which in this case would be the iPhone 7.

However, for those who are two or more generations behind, like the iPhone 6 or 6S, it may make more sense to upgrade. This year, though, something is different. The design of these new iPhones has not changed much compared to previous years, and they look a bit dated next to other devices on the market.

Apple's Decision Not to Update the Design

One thing that sets Apple apart from other manufacturers is its consistent design language, but this year they have decided to break with tradition by finally updating their design. It appears that there was pressure from seeing other manufacturers updating their designs and worried iPhone users questioning why Apple hadn't done so before. The new iPhone 10 has taken the best improvements found in the iPhone 8 Plus and incorporated them into a new device.

The New Design Features

One of the main changes is the removal of the bezels, which have been replaced with an edge-to-edge OLED display. This not only looks sleek but also provides better colors and a higher pixel density. The front-facing portrait mode has also been added, and there will be vision support, dual optical stabilization on the cameras, and animated emojis.

But What About the Price?

One of the main concerns when it comes to upgrading to a new iPhone is the price tag. And this year, that concern is amplified with the release of the iPhone 10, which starts at $1000. As one parent overheard while walking down the street, "There's no way we're getting that." However, as David notes, he will be testing the facial unlocking feature to see if it justifies the price.

The Verdict

While the new design features of the iPhone 10 are exciting, the question remains whether they are worth the $1000 price tag. For those who are already on the last generation of iPhone or have been for a while, it may not be necessary to upgrade. The incremental upgrades of the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus may still be enough for them. However, for those who want the latest and greatest features and design language, the iPhone 10 may be the way to go.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: en- I don't see why anybodythat was gonna go getan iPhone eight or an eight pluswouldn't just wait for the 10 instead.Let me explain.First up, the iPhone eight and eight plusare upgrades to the iPhonein very much the same waythat most new iPhones are.Incremental and with just enough featuresto try and entice you toditch your current iPhonefor the latest one.And they definitely are upgradesto the existing iPhone line up.Gee, wireless charging is great,the camera is bumped up in performancenot by the new camerasbut by the processorthat can create betterimages using their software.The processor itself is snappier,there's a 25% boost in speaker volume,battery life is better and afew other minor things as well.So my same recommendationsthat I usually giveabout iPhones still hold true.If you're on the last generation,in this case the iPhone seventhen it doesn't necessarilymake sense for youto jump to the iPhone eight.But if you are twogenerations or further backlike the iPhone six or 6S,then maybe it makes a little more sense.This year though, something's different.I can't recommend either option.With all of the phone manufacturerspushing the design oftheir phones drasticallyover the last couple of years,Apple hasn't changed that much.Next to these other devices on the marketit's sort of looking a little dated.Now of course it's an iPhoneand not those other phoneswhich most likely meansthat if you have an iPhoneand you're looking to get a new phone,you could care lessabout those other phonesbecause they're not iPhones.The iPhone for you is simplycompeting against other iPhonesand so the choice is usuallypretty easy every yearbecause Apple only makesone new phone every yeardepending on your choice of size.Except that this year they didn't.With the 10, Apple has decidedto finally update their designpotentially from pressure fromseeing other manufacturersand worried iPhone users my questionwhy Apple hasn't updatedtheir design, who knows.They're taking all the seam improvementsfound in the new eightplus, but gone bezelless.Removed touch ID and added a new hardwareto do what they are promotingas better facial unlocking instead,which I'll be testing whenit comes out of course.Added front facing portrait modeand OLED display witha higher pixel densityand better colors.HDR 10 and there'll be vision support,dual optical stabilization of the camerasand animojis, the new animated emojisthat we all know willabsolutely be everywhereas soon as that phone releases.I can hear you already,more features David but it's a $1000.About that.I was walking down thestreet the other dayand overheard a mom talking to her childabout the new iPhones.She interrupted him was like,wait is that the new iPhonethat cost a thousand dollars?There's no way we're getting that.To which he replied, \"No,no, no, it's the iPhone 8+,\"it's the cheaper one.\"Which for some odd reason,totally calmed her down.It took a little self-controlto not turn aroundand try to jump into this conversationlike the nerd that I am.Did she not realizethat the cheaper iPhonehe's referring to is also $800?Or that the fact that if sheever bought him a plus modelin the past, because of thefact that a lot of peopleuse way too much storage on their iPhonesif she got him one in a higher capacity,she was probably actually pushing closeto that thousand dollar range already.Of course not, because herein the states at least,we rarely if ever buy our phonesat that full retail price.For the most part, we nevereven see that retail price.So if weren't for the media pushing aroundthis thousand dollar price tag,nobody would probably even ever know.Instead, it used to besubsidized by our contractswith our carriers.And now is just a separate payment planfrom the carrier instead.More on why that's a bad ideain another video maybe.But, we never see the retail cost at allbecause all we see is sign here,keep service long enoughor use this payment planand it's yours for thissmall amount per month.Often zero interest andjust taxes up front,so long as you're on postpaidplan and you keep service.So what matters to most people hereis are you eligible for an upgradeor are you willing to swapyour phone out for a new phonedepending on the type of plan you haveand what does it cost per month.So in that respect, whatis the price differencebetween the eight, 8+ and the 10?Well let's use AT&T for an example,but all the major carriersare gonna be similar.The iPhone eight is beingadvertised for about $24 a monthon a 30 month agreement.The iPhone 8+ is about27 for the same termand the 10, it's $34 a month.So that cheaper iPhone 8+ ischeaper by six dollars a month.So I've heard other people saythat well those models, thoseare for people overseas then,that's probably what they're for.Okay maybe.So I asked you guys on YouTubeto tell me what the lastphone you bought was,when you bought it, howmuch you paid for itand what country you are in.And firstly, was amazedby the participation,thank you guys that was awesome.But then, I went throughthe over 350 comments,put the data into a spreadsheetand started to take a look.It turns out that what I was expectingwas kinda being shown in the data.The iPhone's most popular marketsare the US, China, Europe and Japan.All places that the carrier subsidizeor atleast have paymentplans for their phones.Outside of those markets without ability,it's a lot less popular orat least the latest model,a new model is when it comes out.The average cost per phoneoutside of those majormarkets in my poll, was $491.Which puts you at an iPhone 6Sif you were buying brand-new,not any of the newer models at all.And also keep in mind that of coursethis is not very scientificpoll just due to the sample sizebut also that the peoplewho answer this polland people that are watchingmy very nerdy YouTube channel,thank you by the way, I appreciate it,and they're most likelya little more tech savvythey like phones, and areprobably willing to paya little bit more for theirphones if they can afford tothan your average person.So by that, the peoplein the major marketswhere most iPhones are soldare getting the same payment plans,so the same thing applies.And the ones that arenot in those markets,well their budgets for the most partdon't allow for theiPhone8, 8+ or 10 regardlessat least when they're new.So if you're in a major marketthat subsidizes the price,the difference is negligible.And if you're outside of that market,none of these phones are reallya viable option for youanyway for the most partso I have to ask,who is the iPhone eight and 8+ even for?If you're already thinking about buyingan iPhone eight or an 8+,why wouldn't you spend the tiny bit extraon your payment plan to get the onethat has the drasticallyupdated design, extra features,bigger battery, larger screen than the 8+in a much smaller formfactor et cetera, et cetera.I can only think of one reasonwhy you would get the eightand the 8+ over the 10.If you really, really didn'twanna give up touch ID.There guys, a bit of a rant, sorry.Hope you guys enjoy that though.Let me know in the commentsbelow what you thinkof this type of video first off,and then also what you thinkof the eight in the 8+.Try to be constructive,don't just yell at me,I appreciate it.I am honestly interestedfor a different opinion.So if you guys have a good reasonwhy you think the eight and 8+makes a lot more sense than a 10 et ceteraor whatever, put in the comments.I would love to check it out and read it,and I think other peoplewould like to hearthe counter argument again,so long as you keep it simple please.Thanks.If you like this videothough, please thumbs up it,or share it, it's greatly appreciatedand if you want more videos like this,please check out the rest of my channel.And if you like what yousee there, please subscribe.Also, if you are subscribed,or you're about to subscribe,thank you.But, click the little bellon the side of the subscribe buttonto be notified aboutnew videos as I do them,that would also be greatly appreciated.As always though, regardless,thanks for watching.\n"