Compare Apple iPhone 8 Plus deals and contracts

The iPhone 8 Plus sees some solid improvements over the iPhone 7 Plus, with major new camera features and super-fast performance. Even with the revolutionary iPhone X hot on its heels, it still holds its own in the iPhone stakes.

Reviewers liked

• Excellent camera with exciting new features
• Large, vibrant display
• Ultra-fast, efficient performance thanks to the new A11 Bionic chip
• Wireless charging

Reviewers disliked

• Design looks outdated next to the iPhone X
• LCD display doesn't match up to OLED competitors

The Apple iPhone 8 Plus: in more detail

The larger version of Apple's September 2017 offering is a great device, and whilst it's not in the same league as the upcoming iPhone X, it's still 'very much worth looking at', according to TechRadar. Its brilliant camera, superb performance and big, beautiful display make it an excellent choice for Apple fans who don't want to pay the iPhone X's hefty price tag. On the surface it may seem like a minor upgrade from the iPhone 7 Plus, but as Stuff pointed out, 'the steps forward from last year are subtle, but amount to a greater whole'.

Performance and battery

The iPhone 8 Plus is equipped with the new super-fast A11 Bionic chip, a six-core CPU that improves on the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus' superb performance and efficiency across the board.

All that extra power really comes into its own when gaming or exploring the iPhone 8 Plus' advanced AR capabilities, and whilst it's probably overkill for most everyday apps, it results in an incredibly slick user experience.

The 8 Plus' larger size means there's room for a slightly larger battery compared to the iPhone 8, which is likely to give it a slight advantage in terms of battery life. Apple claims its battery life is around the same as the 7 Plus, which most reviewers agreed could easily last a day on a single charge.

Design

The design of the iPhone 8 Plus is largely similar to the 7 Plus, its most notable difference being an all-new glass back replacing the traditional aluminium.

The glass panel looks premium and makes the phone feel lighter (despite a 14g increase in weight), although some reviewers were concerned it would make the phone more breakable.

The switch to glass isn't just aesthetic: it enables wireless charging, meaning all you have to do is stick the phone on a charging pad when it's running low on juice.

Display

The iPhone 8 Plus features a 5.5-inch display, matching the iPhone 7 Plus for screen size and resolution. However, it's been slightly upgraded from the 7 Plus.

The improvement comes in the form of Apple's True Tone technology, which uses the phone's sensors to match screen colour temperature to ambient lighting conditions. The display is bright and sharp, with great colour reproduction, and is easily viewable outdoors.

Camera

The camera on the iPhone 8 Plus is one of its standout features, and is the phone's biggest difference from its smaller sibling, the iPhone 8.

Like the iPhone 7 Plus, the 8 Plus features two 12MP sensors (a step up from the 8's single-lens setup), and on paper, the specs look the same as those of the 7 Plus. However, the 8 Plus features a larger, faster sensor for quicker shooting and improved low-light photography, a new colour filter for better saturation and automatic HDR.

It reprises the Portrait mode seen on the iPhone 7 Plus, this time with a few additions, and also adds the impressive Portrait Lighting mode, which results in some fantastic effects.

Overall, it's an excellent camera. Stuff praised it as 'one of the best smartphone cameras we've ever tested', saying that 'in good light, pictures are detailed and well-balanced, with impressive dynamic range'. TechRadar said 'the image quality and detail is exquisite in bright light'.

Interface

iOS 11 adds lots of new features to the familiar iOS landscape, so you'll get plenty of fresh functionality without getting lost.

Apple has focused on machine learning this time around, improving Siri's artificial intelligence. No longer just a voice assistant, Siri now controls the software too, and is able to recommend music and news stories it thinks you'll be interested in.

Other new features include a redesigned control centre that lets you access a host of handy options by swiping up from the screen, a file system, screenshot editing functions and new note-taking tools.

What the critics say (scores are out of 100)

100	What Hi-Fi? Small upgrades can make a big difference, and Apple's largest phone now leads the pack. Owners of the 7 Plus may want to hang on for the X, or even next year's model, but anyone upgrading from before the 7, or from the smaller design, will find a lot to love here. Read full review
100	Stuff | Mark Wilson With its superb camera, larger screen and better battery life, the 8 Plus is the iPhone to buy right now. Read full review
93	ZDNet | Jason Cipriani In every sense, the iPhone 8 Plus is the best iPhone I have ever used. Yet, I haven't ordered one because of the iPhone X. Read full review
92	phoneArena | Stephen S. While it feels like a much lesser step forward than the 7 Plus itself was, some of the new features here could really end up being surprise hits, and we've especially got our eye on how wireless charging is received. Read full review
92	Engadget | Chris Velazco The iPhone 8 Plus shares a powerful foundation with the iPhone 8, but a few features give it a distinct advantage over its little brother. While it's easily the best big phone Apple has ever made, its slightly longer, slightly heavier body make it feel a little unwieldy compared to some of its biggest rivals. Read full review
90	Pickr | Leigh Stark The iPhone 8 Plus is the best iPhone you can find today, even though we suspect most of its buyers would prefer the more future-friendly iPhone X, which is pretty close except for that lovely screen. Read full review
90	TechPP (Technology Personalized) | Nimish Dubey The iPhone 8 Plus is a great device for those who love the phablet side of the iPhone. And there are many of those out there. It is many things, but a bridesmaid to the iPhone X it is not. Would we recommend it to those with a 7 Plus? Definitely. Would we recommend it over the Pixel 2 XL? We would... Read full review
90	Macworld | Leah Yamshon With a killer camera, wireless charging, a speedy new processor, and a familiar design, the iPhone 8 feels like your trusty iPhone-only better. Read full review
90	VentureBeat | John Brandon They are well worth the price, although I could see waiting for the iPhone X in November if you really want a more colorful, brighter screen as well. Read full review
90	Firstpost | Nimish Sawant iPhone 8 Plus performance in every department is stellar and barring the minor niggles and some low light photography issues, there isn't really anything that takes away from the 8 Plus. Read full review
90	Digital Spy | Matt Hill The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus are the textbook Apple incremental upgrades that many have become blase to, but are undeniably and fundamentally excellent phones. But it IS familiar. There's little wow factor of the new here. Read full review
90	Recombu | Chris Barraclough A lack of HDR support aside, this is still a solid premium handset that impresses in pretty much every area. If you're still rocking an older iPhone however, or tempted to swing over to Apple's vine, then the 8 Plus is bound to satisfy. Read full review
90	TechRadar | Gareth Beavis A solid iPhone, but a clear evolution from previous Plus models. Compared to the iPhone X it's unexciting, but it offers the far better experience over the iPhone 8. Read full review
90	NDTV Gadgets | Kunal Dua The iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus might seem 'boring' in comparison, but with their improved cameras, A11 Bionic chip, wireless charging, and a whole lot more, either one of them could happily be your designated driver for the next couple of years - or until your head is turned by the new 'X' in town. Read full review
88	CNET UK | Scott Stein The iPhone 8 Plus is a superlative phone with a spectacular camera, but wait for the upcoming iPhone X before buying: it promises to fold all of the key features of the 8 Plus into a smaller, sexier package. Read full review
85	Mobile Syrup | Patrick O'Rourke Despite how solid of a device the iPhone 8 is, it's still overshadowed by the impending iPhone X. If you're an iPhone 7 or even an iPhone 6s owner, the iPhone 8 likely doesn't offer enough to justify an upgrade - the 8 is perhaps a little too reminiscent of the past. Read full review
84	pocketnow | Juan Carlos Bagnell Plenty powerful, and more than capable. The iPhone 8 Plus is a testament to future Apple apps and services. All great positives for daily use, IF you can overlook the worn out design. Read full review
80	GadgetMatch | Michael Josh Villanueva if you're an Android user looking to switch. I'd pass on the iPhone 8 but consider the iPhone X - it's the closest feature-for-feature to what the best Android phones today have to offer. Read full review
80	Gadgets Now | Sulabh Puri ... if you are using iPhone 6S/6S Plus or lesser, picking up the iPhone 8 Plus does make a lot of sense. Read full review
80	AndroidPit | Luca Zaninello As a phone it's great and works really well. It does everything it promises without any problems but if you're thinking about spending and you're looking for a phone with the latest technology, you'd do better to look elsewhere or wait for iPhone X. Read full review
80	91mobiles | Swapnil Mathur The iPhone 7 Plus isn't a bad phone by any metric and there's not a whole lot of incentive here to upgrade. If you're an Android lover, the iPhone 8 Plus may not draw you in, with its lack of bezel-less display and the Quad HD resolution. Read full review
80	Wired | David Pierce This isn't 2017's most exciting iPhone. But the iPhone 8 shines even in the shadow of the iPhone X. If you want an awesome iPhone, this is it. I'd recommend the 8 Plus, if you can stomach the size, because the added camera power and battery life are really nice to have. Read full review
80	The Mirror | Sophie Curtis The iPhone 8 Plus is an extremely attractive phone that not only looks but also behaves like the quality device it is. It's not quite the iPhone X, but boasting a faster processor, new camera features and support for wireless charging, the iPhone 8 Plus is an excellent device in its own right. A beautiful consolation prize. Read full review
80	Neowin | Rich Woods Ultimately though, aside from some bugs and some issues with the camera, the iPhone 8 Plus is a pretty great phone. If you're not all in on the iPhone X, you'll be pretty happy with it. Read full review
80	S21 Don't choose the iPhone 8+ if you want value for money or a compact phone. Choose it if you value Apple's ease of use, if screen size matters, and if you're a keen photographer. But be prepared to carry something huge in your pocket. Read full review
80	IT PRO | Victoria Woollaston We'd be lying if I said the iPhone 8 Plus had enough to offer anyone looking to upgrade from the 7 Plus, especially given its price tag. Not a particularly exciting upgrade, or an essential one, but the iPhone 8 Plus is still a very fine phone. You have to switch to Android to get a better phone. Read full review
80	AVForums | David Phelan Overall the Apple iPhone 8 and 8 Plus remain excellent smartphones that offer plenty of great features for their asking price and certainly come recommended. Read full review
80	Pocket-lint | Stuart Miles Overall, the iPhone 8 Plus is Apple's everyman phone. It's the perfect big phone for the masses; for the people who don't need a future-facing face-reading smartphone; for those who want that large scale familiarity and known strengths that will get the job done. For those people, the iPhone 8 delivers in droves. Read full review
80	PC Mag | Sascha Segan The iPhone 8 Plus may promise better augmented reality experiences than its smaller counterpart thanks to its dual cameras. Read full review
80	Phone Scoop | Eric M. Zeman If you have a lot of iPhone 7 Plus accessories, prefer Touch ID, and want to save $200, then the iPhone 8 Plus is a fine - but not necessary - upgrade. If you're seeking something entirely new and don't care how pricey it is, then perhaps waiting for the iPhone X would be best. Read full review
80	Trusted Reviews | Max Parker The iPhone 8 Plus is familiar – but sometimes that's a good thing. I really like the iPhone 8 Plus, but I have a feeling I'm going to like the iPhone X more. Read full review
80	Alphr | Victoria Woollaston Not a particularly exciting upgrade, or an essential one, but the iPhone 8 Plus is still a very fine phone. If you're already locked into Apple's ecosystem, though, and you're moving up from an iPhone 6 or 6s, the iPhone 8 Plus is the model that makes the most sense in Apple's new range. It is one of the best phones Apple has ever made, packs in more features than the regular iPhone 8 and costs £200 less than the upcoming Apple iPhone X. Read full review
80	Expert Reviews | Jonathan Bray The iPhone 8 Plus is one of the best phones Apple has ever produced, and for Apple diehards, it offers the most bang per buck of the new range. But if you're going to spend big on an Apple smartphone, wouldn't you rather wait for the iPhone X? Read full review
80	Wired UK | Jeremy White It's not exciting, and doesn't make my socks roll up and down, but the 8 plays its part - for now anyway. Read full review
80	Digital Trends | Julian Chokkattu The iPhone 8 Plus' updates don't warrant a full number bump, but they're welcome improvements that make it another great iPhone. Read full review
80	Tom's Guide | Mark Spoonauer The iPhone 8 is well worth it if you prefer a smaller phone, offering fantastic performance, a great camera and a growing number of exciting AR apps. Read full review
80	news.com.au | Jennifer Dudley-Nicholson Apple's iPhone 8 and 8 Plus are likeable phones, and a step up on the models they replace. There are also solid reasons to buy them. Read full review
80	Mashable | Lance Ulanoff The iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus move the needle forward in all the right ways, but the only substantive change from the iPhone 7 is wireless charging. If you own the 7, don't bother, but everyone else should seriously consider upgrading. Read full review
80	The Telegraph | James Titcomb So the 8 improves enough on the most important aspects of a phone - the display, the camera, performance and reliability - to make me recommend it over the iPhone 7, even if you can pick up the latter for less. Should you rush out and buy it? Probably not. If you need a new iPhone, is it a worthy upgrade? Certainly. Read full review
80	The Verge | Nilay Patel And yet, a lot of people are going to buy an iPhone 8. It's Apple's new default phone, and it's pretty great that a default phone is actually this good. But it's not the future, and it's not the cutting edge. It's just the default. It's an iPhone. Read full review
75	The Independent | Micah Singleton The Moto G5S Plus is better than the G5 Plus in tangible ways. If you want a bigger screen, the G5S Plus is the answer. For everyone else, the G5 Plus is still good enough. Premium design at a budget price. Read full review

Compare Apple iPhone 8 Plus specs side-by-side with other phones COMPARE SPECS

Dimensions & Form	Form factor: Touchscreen bar Dimensions 158.4 x 78.1 x 7.5 mm (6.24 x 3.07 x 0.3 in) Weight: 202 g (7.13 oz)
Screen	Size: 5.5 inches diagonal Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels Screen Density: 401 ppi Screen-to-Body Ratio: 67.4 % Display Type: LED-backlit IPS LCD
Runs
Performance	Chipset: Apple A11 Bionic CPU: Hexa-core (2x Monsoon + 4x Mistral) GPU: Apple GPU (three-core graphics) RAM: 3GB
Camera	Main Camera: Dual 12 megapixel lenses with Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS),2x Optical Zoom, Shallow Depth of Field 'Portrait' Mode, and Quad LED True Tone flash Secondary Camera: 7 megapixels with Retina Flash
Storage	Built-in Storage: 64GB, 256GB Expandable Storage: Not Available
Battery & Charging	Capacity: 2691 mAh Removable Battery: No Wireless Charging: Yes Quick Charge: Yes (v2)
SIM standard	Micro SIM Compare SIM Only deals
Water & Dust Resistance	IP67 Rating: Protection from contact with harmful dust, and protection from immersion in water up to a depth of 1m for up to 30 minutes
Fingerprint Reader	Front
References & More info	Official website GSMArena specs page

Photos taken with the Apple iPhone 8 Plus

We've used Flickr to find a selection of pictures taken by the Apple iPhone 8 Plus camera. Here is a selection of photos taken by users from around the world so you can see what kind of picture quality you can expect from real-world use of the Apple iPhone 8 Plus.

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All images shown are used under the rights and terms specified by the Creative Commons.