In my iPhone 8 review I point out that Apple just might be offering two new iPhone because the company realizes it just might have two kinds of customers: Those who want a familiar iPhone experience, only better; and those who an all-new iPhone experience. iPhone X will appeal to the latter. iPhone 8, the former.
I've gotten a lot of feedback on that premise now, and I think it's held up. Here are some examples.
The horns
Apple is all-in on the horns. The industrial design team could have extended the forehead all the way across. The software team could have hidden the horns in deep, OLED black. Instead, Apple's engineers did the much more difficult job of sculpting those horns and filling them with pixels. They owned them.
But that doesn't mean you have to. Not if you go with iPhone 8 instead.
Exactly. Want to see how a year plays out first, let the apps update for the notch, etc.Exactly. Want to see how a year plays out first, let the apps update for the notch, etc.— Josh Biggs (@biggsjm) September 23, 2017September 23, 2017
The Home button
Every iPhone has had a Home button since launch. Even iPhone 7 had a virtual Home button all but indistinguishable from a physical Home button. It's the escape hatch that, no matter how confused you get in an app, you can always click and be taken swiftly, safe to the Home screen.
iPhone X deletes the Home button and replaces it with a swipe up, and shifts Control Center to the top right to compensate. If that's not for you, you might want to stick with the still-buttoned iPhone 8.
I went from my iPhone 6 to the 8 Plus BECAUSE I don't want FaceID and I want my home button.I went from my iPhone 6 to the 8 Plus BECAUSE I don't want FaceID and I want my home button.— Jonathan Giglio (@JonathanGiglio) September 24, 2017September 24, 2017
Face ID phobia
As goes the Home button, so goes Touch ID, Apple's biometric fingerprint identity sensor. In its place, iPhone X offers Face ID, Apple's biometric face identity sensor. But, unlike Touch ID, which works with up to 5 fingers, Face ID currently only works with one face. It also doesn't work from as many extended angles, and it doesn't work for people who simply don't want their faces scanned.
iPhone 8 has Touch ID.
I went from 7 to 8+ for battery and camera. Wasn't willing to give up Touch ID or pay the extra $ for what I feel are not superior features.I went from 7 to 8+ for battery and camera. Wasn't willing to give up Touch ID or pay the extra $ for what I feel are not superior features.— Matt Vest (@mvest20) September 24, 2017September 24, 2017
Gold finish
iPhone X will only be available in silver/white and space gray. iPhone 8 has silver and space gray options as well, but it also comes in gold. The gold is a single hue this year, somewhere between champagne, rose, and copper, but it still looks great.
If you want a gold iPhone, you'll have to get a gold iPhone 8.
And gold glassAnd gold glass— Wickson (@louisewickson) September 23, 2017September 23, 2017
Saving C-notes
Why would you buy iPhone 8 now instead of iPhone X later? Here's what some customers are saying.
iPhone 8 has almost all the same features as iPhone X. The telephoto camera isn't quite as big or as stabilized, its selfie camera isn't True Depth, and its display isn't OLED. But, when it comes to chipsets, True Tone, and dozens of other features, iPhone 8 matches iPhone X step for step. And for $200 less ($300 if you go for the non-Plus).
That's an extra $200 (or $300) in your pocket if you go with iPhone 8.
And $300 in your pocket?And $300 in your pocket?— Paul Zammit 🐨 (@zammpaul) September 23, 2017September 23, 2017
Supply vs. demand
iPhone 8 is available now and in relatively plentiful supply. iPhone X is coming on November 3 and many analysts believe it'll be constrained until early- or mid-2018. That means, if you don't manage to snag one immediately at pre-order, you might be left waiting for days if not weeks.
If you'd rather be using your iPhone than waiting for your iPhone, get an iPhone 8 now.
I got an 8 Plus b/c I don't buy 1st-gen hardware. X is close enough to a 1st-gen product for it to count for me.I got an 8 Plus b/c I don't buy 1st-gen hardware. X is close enough to a 1st-gen product for it to count for me.— Jason Martin (@jasonact) September 23, 2017September 23, 2017
Two iPhones, some waiting
Offering iPhone 8 is a smart move by Apple for many reasons. It helps mitigate against the higher price point and expected lower availability of iPhone X. And it also gives customers who aren't ready for that much change a year's safety to get more comfortable with it, even as Apple readies it's 2018 lineup.
There will absolutely be some customers who are ready (and waiting) for something new — iPhone X. But there are other customers who still want something trusted and familiar. And iPhone 8 is here for them now.
