iPhone 7 vs iPhone 8: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
Upgrade or hold on? That’s the question behind this matchup, because the iPhone 8 directly follows the iPhone 7. The data doesn’t leave much room for doubt: 1 of 4 areas go to the iPhone 8, and the gap is widest in memory & storage.
At a glance
- Display Tie
- Memory & Storage iPhone 8 wins
- Camera Tie
- Battery & Charging Tie
- Price iPhone 7 wins
- Display0.0
- Memory & Storage0.0
- Camera0.0
- Display0.0
- Memory & Storage0.4
- Camera0.0
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The iPhone 8 has 64 GB of base storage instead of 32 GB
On base storage, the iPhone 8 posts 64 GB against 32 GB for the iPhone 7, a gap big enough to feel in everyday use. Base storage is what you get without paying extra. Photos, videos and apps add up quickly, so more space at the entry price is real value.
-
The iPhone 7 has a 0.35 oz lighter build
The iPhone 7 gets a small bonus on weight, with 4.87 oz against the iPhone 8’s 5.22 oz. The iPhone 7 is easier on your wrist during long reading or gaming sessions.
Design & Size
- iPhone 7 5.44 in × 2.64 in × 0.28 in
- iPhone 8 5.45 in × 2.65 in × 0.29 in
The official dimensions put the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 8 within a whisker of each other. Weight goes to the iPhone 7, which sheds 0.35 oz compared with the iPhone 8.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 7 | iPhone 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.44 in | 5.45 in |
| Width | 2.64 in | 2.65 in |
| Thickness | 0.28 in | 0.29 in |
| Weight | 4.87 oz (winner) Lightest in class | 5.22 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Display
Too close to call
Neither the iPhone 7 nor the iPhone 8 has a real advantage in the display category. Either phone will serve you equally well on display.
Performance
The performance comparison is about what’s inside rather than how much. See the table for the iPhone 7’s and the iPhone 8’s entries.
Memory & Storage
iPhone 8 leads
The iPhone 8 dominates the memory & storage section, and the gaps are large enough to matter in daily use. The iPhone 8 comes with 64 GB of base storage instead of 32 GB. If you shoot a lot of video or keep music and maps offline, base storage is one of the specs you’ll feel most over the years. If this section decides it for you, choose the iPhone 8.
Base storage
iPhone 7: 32 GB iPhone 8: 64 GB The iPhone 8 starts with more room, which means fewer “storage full” warnings and less time deleting old videos.
Camera
Too close to call
The camera section is even. Any gaps here are within the range you’d never notice. Net result on camera: level.
Battery & Charging
Too close to call
Both the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 8 cover battery & charging equally well on paper. The takeaway: battery & charging is not where these two differ.
Software & Updates
For software & updates, the differences are in the specifics (component names and types), so the table is the place to look.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPhone 7 | iPhone 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 4.7 in | 4.7 in |
| Panel type | LCD (Retina HD) | LCD (Retina HD) |
| Resolution | 1334 x 750 | 1334 x 750 |
| Pixel density | 326 ppi | 326 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 625 nits | 625 nits |
| Always-on display | No | No |
Performance
| Spec | iPhone 7 | iPhone 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A10 Fusion | A11 Bionic |
| CPU cores | N/A (not specified) | 6 |
| Process node | N/A (not specified) | 10 nm Oldest chip process |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPhone 7 | iPhone 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 32 GB Least base storage | 64 GB (winner) |
| Max storage | 256 GB | 256 GB |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | iPhone 7 | iPhone 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Rear cameras | 1 | 1 |
| Front camera | 7 MP | 7 MP |
| Max video | 4K30 | 4K60 |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | iPhone 7 | iPhone 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Rated video playbackManufacturer rating | 13 h | 13 h |
| Wireless charging | N/A (not specified) | 8 W |
| Port | Lightning | Lightning |
Software & Updates
| Spec | iPhone 7 | iPhone 8 |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | iOS 10 | iOS 11 |
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 7 | iPhone 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.44 in | 5.45 in |
| Width | 2.64 in | 2.65 in |
| Thickness | 0.28 in | 0.29 in |
| Weight | 4.87 oz (winner) Lightest in class | 5.22 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Price
| Spec | iPhone 7 | iPhone 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $649 (winner) | $699 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
At launch, the difference was a modest $50, with the iPhone 7 slightly more affordable. The extra $50 for the iPhone 8 buys 64 GB of base storage instead of 32 GB.
All prices are official US launch prices, last checked September 2017. Actual prices at stores may differ.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPhone 7 if…
- you want the lighter phone (4.87 oz vs 5.22 oz)
- you’d put the $50 saving toward something else
- you’re fine skipping this generation’s changes
Choose the iPhone 8 if…
- you want more storage without paying for an upgrade (64 GB vs 32 GB)
- you find that the improvements in the iPhone 8 match what you need
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the iPhone 7 or the iPhone 8?
We’d point most buyers to the iPhone 8. The main exception is if the iPhone 7 you own hasn’t given you a reason to switch.
Is the iPhone 8 worth it over the iPhone 7?
The iPhone 8 adds 64 GB of base storage instead of 32 GB. That’s welcome, but owners of the iPhone 7 who are happy with it can reasonably wait.
Which has better battery life, the iPhone 7 or the iPhone 8?
It’s effectively a tie. The battery figures for the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 8 are too close to call.
Is the iPhone 7 bigger than the iPhone 8?
Size is essentially a tie. The official dimensions of the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 8 differ only marginally.
Which is faster, the iPhone 7 or the iPhone 8?
The iPhone 7 uses A10 Fusion, while the iPhone 8 uses A11 Bionic. How that translates into speed depends on the workloads you care about.
Is the iPhone 7 cheaper than the iPhone 8?
The iPhone 8 launched at $50 more than the iPhone 7, based on prices as of September 2017.
Executive Summary
I always go into a successor comparison a little skeptical, and the iPhone 8 versus the iPhone 7 was no different. The single spec I’d point a friend to is this: the iPhone 8 has 64 GB of base storage instead of 32 GB. Still, if you care most about a 0.35 oz lighter build, the iPhone 7 deserves a look.
Your priorities do the choosing here: portability points to the iPhone 7, memory & storage to the iPhone 8.
My pick: the iPhone 8. If you own the iPhone 7, only upgrade if one of the changes above really speaks to you.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.