When the iPhone 7 launched last year, it wasn’t automatically welcomed with open arms by fans and industry critics alike. What with its familiar design, and just about getting by battery life, it didn’t do quite enough to force those who were waiting for innovation from Apple to upgrade. Fast forward to 2017, and if the rumors are true, we could see the emergence of a 10th anniversary iPhone 8. A handset which could set the world of smartphones alight, with a unique design, fantastic features, and futuristic specs. Which begs the question, how will it compare to its predecessor?
iPhone 8 vs. iPhone 7
In this article, we’re going to compare the iPhone and what we know about the iPhone 8. To try and build a picture of how different the two handsets will be. Of course. Apple has yet to confirm anything about this year’s device. So, we will use information gathered from rumors and industry analyst to do so.
Design
While the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus largely stick with the same overall design as their predecessors the 6s and 6s Plus. It’s said that the iPhone 8 will deliver an entirely different design.
From the information that we’ve seen, the iPhone 8 will be much taller, and possibly wider and thicker. Additionally, whereas, the iPhone 7 has an aluminum chassis, the next handset will use forged steel. However, the biggest difference between the two from a design perspective could be the removal of the Home Button, with it and Touch ID being placed under the display. Which it too will be somewhat different, Apple is expected to follow Samsung’s lead and reduce the thickness of its top and bottom bezels. And that means while the display can grow, the overall size of the handset may not.
Design: Key Features
- iPhone 8 with a revolutionary desing compared to the iPhone 7
- Forged steel chassis
Display
When it comes to the screen, there are going to be significant changes, leaks from within Apple’s supply chain have already indicated so. However, when it comes to comparing the differences between the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 8’s display’s the elder may be no match.
Starting with the 7, it’s two different variants have 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch LCD panels. Both offer the same resolution, which is 1920 x 1080, with a pixel per inch density of 401.
As for what is being rumored about the iPhone 8, at its smallest the display could be 5.8-inches. However, Apple, it’s rumored has been striking deals with the likes of Samsung for the supply of OLED panels. Apparently, this increased size and switch of technologies will enable the iPhone to catch up with Android rivals. And also, allow the reduction of bezels around it with a curved look.
Lastly, it also looks as though the resolution of the next iPhone will get a boost to Quad HD levels, meaning that compared to the 401ppi of the iPhone 7. The iPhone 8 could have a resolution of 635ppi.
Display: Key Features
- Edge-to-edge display
- 5.8-inch OLED
- Resolution increased
- Reduced Bezells
Camera
Right now, there’s no doubt that the camera’s on the iPhone 7 and it’s larger sibling are their stand-out features. However, that does not mean there is no room for improvement. As it’s thought that the iPhone 8 will sport a dual-lens camera like the 7-Plus, but there will be differences. For starters, it will feature optical image stabilization, which is something Apple fans have been calling for.
Additionally, according to the latest rumors, a front facing camera could be hidden underneath the OLED display. However, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, recently predicted that this camera would be capable of iris or facial recognition. The problem here, is that while the iPhone 8 will have more advanced cameras, it’s not exactly clear in what form.
Camera: Key Features
- Invisible front-facing camera
- Optical image stabilization
- Increased megapixel count
- Facial recognition or Iris scanning built in
Chipset
Both the iPhone 7’s feature the same A10 Fusion chipset, and it has more than proven itself in testing against chips in Android handsets. Not, only is it powerful, but, it’s also efficient, which has led to battery life on the current flagships to keep pace, and in some cases surpass even the Galaxy S8.
However, what does the future hold, will an A11 Fusion chip carry on the great work of its predecessor? The answer is, of course, yes, it’s thought that a 10-nanometer A11 will be more powerful, faster. Yet, more power efficient, meaning even better battery life due to lower power consumption.
The question, however, is, will we again see a 40% performance increase? That’s the difference between the A9 in the iPhone 6s/Plus and the A10 in the iPhone 7. We do expect improvements, but, maybe this time around 40% is a step too far, probably half of that should be expected. Which after all, still means a massive increase in performance.
Chip: Key Features
- 10nm A11 chip
- Faster and more efficient
- 20% increase in performance
Final Thoughts
So there you have it, this is how we feel the iPhone 8 will be different from the iPhone 7, regarding design, display, camera, chipset, and features. Obviously, right now, nothing is certain, except that Apple will launch a new iPhone at some point this year. Probably in September, in fact, there could be as many as three new handsets launched. However, we expect the iPhone 8 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the handset line, and as such be the device many want it to be.
If not, we at least expect it to be different than the iPhone 7, due to power enhancements, and iOS 11. Although there’s no way of confirming anything at the moment, so for now, keep checking back. And we will keep you updated as and when we discover anything.
