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Compared to the radical redesign of the iPhone X, the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus look quite familiar. With the exception of a glass back and a few superficial changes, they employ the same form factor that Apple’s been using since the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. However, they do pack some serious internal upgrades that make a difference in day-to-day use.
I picked up the 8 Plus on launch day and, having used it for just over a week, here are my thoughts so far.
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0:00
Compared to the radical redesign of the iPhone 10, the iPhone 8 and 8 plus look quite familiar
0:08
With the exception of a glassback and some superficial changes, they employ the same design Apple's been using since the iPhone 6 and 6 plus
0:15
However, there are some significant internal changes that make a difference for day-to-day use
0:19
I picked up my iPhone 8 plus on launch day and having it for just under one week, here are my thoughts so far
0:30
Personally, I like this iPhone design, although it's feeling outdated and it has done
0:36
for some time. Samsung switches up the design of its flagship phones every year, and Apple's continued reliance
0:42
on a design that debuted in 2014 seems lazy in comparison. Keeping a very similar design means Apple should have no problem manufacturing millions
0:50
of the iPhone 8 and 8 plus, but saving the new, sexy, bezelless design for the iPhone
0:55
10 means a lot of people will be holding out for the latest, greatest Apple phone
0:59
The big noticeable change in the iPhone 8 and 8 plus is the return of the glass back for the device
1:04
This lets the phone be identified easily as an 8 model and actually improves the design aesthetically
1:09
It also adds some extra much needed grip. Plus, thankfully, fingerprints aren't a big deal on the glass back
1:14
I'm not wiping it on my t-shirts every few minutes, apart from that mirrored Apple logo
1:18
The big reason for the glass back is the presence of wireless charging, a first for an iPhone
1:24
Apple is playing catch-up here. Android handsets have had this feature for years
1:28
is also playing catch up with the air powered charging pad that will charge the iPhone 8
1:32
It won't be available until next year. However since the iPhone 8 and 8 plus support wireless charging using the Chi Open Wireless standard you can use dozens of products made by other companies For example I picked up the Samsung one for around The one thing you need to keep in mind when using Chi charging is that it can be a fair bit slower than using the good old lightning connector
1:51
For example, the iPhone 8 plus goes from 0 to 60% in about an hour with a lightning cable
1:56
In comparison, an hour of wireless charging only takes it to about 30%
2:00
So wireless charging at this point is more suited to popping your iPhone on a charging pad when
2:04
you go to bed, as opposed to hoping to get a quick boost
2:08
A big change in the iPhone 8 Plus is one that you won't see, but we'll definitely hear
2:12
The device is new speakers. Apple says these are 25% louder than those in the previous generation of phones
2:18
Without measuring it, I'd say Apple is spot on or even underrating the iPhone 8 Plus's speakers
2:23
They're surprisingly loud the first time you turn them up to the max, and the still super
2:27
crisp when on full. Here in 2017, cameras are one of the biggest features that sell smartphones, and iPhone
2:34
8 and 8 plus do not disappoint in that respect. With us with the previous generations, however, the 8 plus offers a superior camera to the
2:40
regular iPhone 8. On paper, the specs can be a bit deceiving
2:44
Both iPhone 8 and 8 plus has a 12 megapixel camera, just like the iPhone 7
2:49
And the 8 plus still packs the dual camera system, with wide angle and telephoto lenders for
2:54
extra photographic firepower. However, this year's model's got a major upgrade. They pack a bigger camera sensor
3:00
Although Apple hasn't revealed exactly how much bigger it is, this sensor boasts pixels
3:04
that are better at isolating incoming light and reducing cross-talk between pixels
3:09
On top of that, the iPhone 8 and 8 plus camera sensor is also smarter, while the A11
3:13
bionic chip makes the iPhone better at video stabilization. In addition, you can double the frame rate of 4K capture, which results in far smoother video
3:22
It impressive stuff and it adds up to one of the best smartphone cameras I ever had the pleasure of using The iPhone 8 Plus also introduces new portrait lighting effects to portrait mode the software enhancement that mimics the depth effects created by DSLR cameras
3:34
The new portrait lighting effects are designed to mimic lighting setups used in professional photoshoots
3:39
using the iPhone 8 Plus's death mapping technology to increase shadows while brightening other areas
3:44
It's perfect for your Kardashian-style selfies. The stage lighting preset, for instance, aims to mimic a dark backdrop
3:50
although results can be mixed using this preset. Sometimes it perfectly cuts out the foreground subject from the background, or the times it ends up looking like a bad Photoshop job
3:58
Keep in mind that these new lighting features are still in beta, so they could improve over time
4:03
The new iPhone 8 and 8 plus also raised a bar on shooting video. They shoot 240 frames at 1080p, which means you can get awesome shots like this
4:13
And it looks amazing. A frame rate this high at full HD is hard to find in a standalone video cameras worth three or four times the price
4:20
Inside the devices, you get Apple's new A11 bionic chip with a CPU up to 70% faster than the iPhone 7's A10 Fusion, and a three-core GPU that's up to 30% faster
4:32
In tests, I definitely notice switching apps was faster. The A11 bionic chip really comes into its own with augmented reality apps
4:39
Machines, a game that Apple demo during the iPhone 8 keynotes, is full of vast landscapes, particle effects and animations, and it runs almost flawlessly all while tracking my dining table
4:48
The display on the new iPhone 8 and 8 plus are almost identical to the previous generation
4:54
which isn't a bad thing. No, you don't get the iPhone 10's Super Retina OLED display
4:58
But the addition of TrueTone, Apple's white balance compensation system that gets the display
5:02
to look different under different lights makes a huge difference As a result the iPhone 8 line definitely retains its status as the best LCD display on the market So is it worth buying the iPhone 8 or 8 plus Personally I go for the plus size model since its dual lens camera makes light work of making any photograph look amazing
5:21
For most people, deciding between the two models will probably come down to the devices footprints
5:25
Just as in previous years, you'll need to weigh whether you prefer the one-handed ease of the iPhone 8
5:29
or the giant screener longer battery of the 8 plus. Obviously, I need to try out the iPhone 10 to make an in-depth comparison of Apple's 2,000
5:36
2017 iPhone lineup. From what we know about all three devices, you're definitely better off waiting for the iPhone
5:41
10 if you want to have all of the latest features. The iPhone 8 and 8 plus don't offer the super retina display, there's no face ID, and no depth
5:49
scent in camera. That means fans of animos, Apple's new animated emojis, which was shown off so wonderfully
5:55
by Apple's Craig Federigi during the iPhone 10 keynote, will be disappointed. If you've already got an iPhone 7 or 7 plus and don't want to upgrade to the iPhone
6:02
10, I'd say there's nothing that would compel me to upgrade to the iPhone 8 or 8
6:06
Heck, if the cheap wireless charging is so important to you, you can buy a case that supports
6:10
it and will work on your existing device. If you have a phone that's older than a couple of years, however, and you don't need the
6:16
latest features, I'd definitely recommend the iPhone 8 plus. You won't be disappointed by what adds up to a solid improvement of an already great device
6:24
Just be warned that you could find yourself fixing buyers' remorse once you start seeing the iPhone turn out and about
6:30
Well, let's it for this video. If you've already picked up your iPhone 8 or 8 plus, check out the link in the description down
6:35
below, as thanks to our friends over at Yesco, we're giving away 100 free iPhone 8 in 8 plus cases
6:41
Also if you enjoyed this video, go ahead and hit that like button and make sure to hit subscribe to no miss a single video from Cult of Mac
6:47
I'll catch you in the next one
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