iPhone 7 Plus • Unlocked vs iPhone 8 Plus • Unlocked

The iPhone 7 Plus, released in September 2016, and the iPhone 8 Plus, launched in September 2017, are both large-format smartphones from Apple. While they share a similar physical design and display size, the iPhone 8 Plus introduced internal hardware upgrades and new features, building upon the foundation laid by its predecessor. Both devices operate on Apple's iOS platform, offering a consistent user experience.

When considering the longevity of these devices, their release timelines and software support are key factors.

• Release Timeline: The iPhone 7 Plus was released in September 2016, making it a year older than the iPhone 8 Plus, which launched in September 2017. This age difference directly impacts their remaining software support.
• Software Longevity: The iPhone 7 Plus received major iOS updates up to iOS 15.8.3, while the iPhone 8 Plus supports iOS 16.7.10. This means the iPhone 8 Plus benefits from an additional year of major software updates, potentially extending its practical usability for modern applications and security features.
• Repairability and Lifespan: Both models feature an aluminum unibody design for the iPhone 7 Plus and a glass back with an aluminum frame for the iPhone 8 Plus, contributing to their overall build quality. Both also offer IP67 water and dust resistance, providing protection against splashes and brief immersion. Users often report that with proper care and potential battery replacements, these devices can remain functional for several years beyond their last major software update.

The internal components of these smartphones dictate their speed and efficiency in handling various tasks.

• Processing Capabilities: The iPhone 7 Plus is equipped with a processor that handles everyday applications and multitasking smoothly. The iPhone 8 Plus features a newer generation processor, which provides a noticeable increase in speed and efficiency, particularly for more demanding applications, augmented reality experiences, and complex games.
• System Responsiveness: Users will find both devices responsive for general navigation and app launching. However, the iPhone 8 Plus offers a snappier experience, with quicker app loading times and smoother transitions, especially when juggling multiple applications simultaneously.
• Battery Behavior: The iPhone 7 Plus has a 2900 mAh battery, while the iPhone 8 Plus has a slightly smaller 2691 mAh battery. Despite this, user reports indicate that both phones generally offer a full day of use for average users. The iPhone 8 Plus's more efficient processor can help optimize its battery performance, sometimes leading to comparable or slightly better real-world battery life for certain tasks.

Both devices feature large displays designed for a clear viewing experience, though with some distinctions.

• Display Technology and Resolution: Both the iPhone 7 Plus and iPhone 8 Plus utilize a 5.5-inch Retina HD LCD display with a resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 401 pixels per inch. This provides sharp text and clear images for typical viewing distances.
• Brightness and Clarity: Both models offer a maximum brightness of 625 nits, ensuring good visibility in various lighting conditions, including outdoors.
• True Tone Technology: A key differentiator is the inclusion of True Tone technology on the iPhone 8 Plus. This feature automatically adjusts the display's white balance to match the ambient light, making colors appear more natural and reducing eye strain, a feature not present on the iPhone 7 Plus.

The camera systems on both Plus models offer dual rear lenses, but the iPhone 8 Plus brings enhancements.

• Rear Camera System: Both phones feature a dual 12-megapixel wide-angle and telephoto camera system, enabling optical zoom and Portrait Mode. The iPhone 7 Plus's Portrait Mode was a new feature at its release, allowing for depth-of-field effects. The iPhone 8 Plus refines this with improved sensors and introduces Portrait Lighting, which allows users to apply studio-like lighting effects to portrait photos.
• Photography Performance: In good lighting, both cameras produce detailed images with accurate color reproduction. The iPhone 8 Plus generally offers improved low-light performance and better dynamic range due to its newer sensor and image processing capabilities.
• Video Recording: Both devices support 4K video recording. However, the iPhone 8 Plus can record 4K video at up to 60 frames per second, offering smoother motion capture compared to the iPhone 7 Plus's 4K at 30 frames per second. The front-facing camera on both is 7 megapixels, suitable for selfies and video calls.