Everything you need to know about the iPhone X and iPhone 8
With Apple’s latest launch, how much have the digital goalposts shifted?
Each year, Apple teases a radical redesign of their iconic iPhone and, every year, consumers are left a little disappointed. From the fallen-flat merging of headphone and charging jack to the destined-to-be-doomed stylus, the last few years have been a string of misfires for the global megapower. But, with this the first launch to take place in the brand’s new ‘spaceship’ Apple Park headquarters, have things started to look up?
The two new models, yes two, are named the iPhone X (pronounced ‘ten’) and the iPhone 8 (what happened to the iPhone 9, we hear you cry?!) The 8 predictably comes in both regular and Plus sizes, and looks to be a more linear progression of the iPhone line. With an improved screen, better speakers, the 8 retains the Touch ID 2 fingerprint scanner seen on previous models but introduces Bluetooth 5.0 and, excitingly, wireless charging.
The iPhone X, however, has been self-hailed by CEO Tim Cook as ‘the biggest leap forward since the original iPhone’. Instead of a home button – which has been done away with – users tap the screen or lift the phone, and swipe up to begin using the handset. iOS 11 software makes its debut, a neat new physical home screen that uses ‘animoji’ creates a new look home screen and the Touch ID is replaced by Face ID – a face scanner allegedly 20 times more capable and secure than the fingerprint-based predecessor.
Get ready to wince. Apple have decided to market the phones with pound to dollar equality, meaning that the iPhone X storms in at a wallet-draining £999 and $999 alike. The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus come in a little lower, at £699/$699 and £799/$799 respectively, but still a hefty investment awaits for those looking to upgrade.
On the face of things, an iPhone is and iPhone. The brand would likely lose much of their user base if they decided on too radical a redesign, so the general ‘look’ of the handsets has remained the same. What is new, however, is the move away from an all-metal handset. The new iPhones make use of glass backs, a material they claim is the more durable ever fitted to a smartphone – but some customers still fear it may be less hardy than the 7.
Colour-wise, the 8s will come in three colours; black, silver and rose gold. The X will come in either space grey or silver.
The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus both have Apple’s new A11 Bionic chip, but without the Neural Engine of that fitted to the iPhone X, have improved screens with the company’s True Tone feature, improved speakers and keep its current form with a home button with Touch ID 2 fingerprint scanner, but lack facial recognition and an all-screen design. A 256GB storage option will also be available.
The X is a little more exciting. With a battery life 2 hours longer than the current 7, wireless charging and the A11 Bionic with an integrated Neural Engine for face recognition, Apple claim that the X will be 30% faster in graphics and up to 70% faster processing than previous models. It also carries over the 7 Plus’ dual camera system, with new 12-megapixel sensors, optical image stabilisation and a computational photography system to produce better, more detailed images.
The iPhone X will be available for pre-order on 27 October, and ship by 3 November. The 8 and 8 Plus are available to pre-order from 15 September and will ship a week later on 22 September.
Sadly no. Get researching the best Bluetooth headphones.
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