Apple does not reveal the RAM and battery size of its flagship smartphones. At its September 12 event, the tech giant made no mention of how much RAM and how big a battery the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus offer. However, Tim Cook & Company did not forget to tell you that they had bumped up the starting price to $699 for the iPhone 8 and $799 for the iPhone 8 Plus. Despite a higher price tag, the iPhone 8 battery is smaller than the iPhone 7.
iPhone 8 battery still lasts about the same as iPhone 7
You expect the latest models – especially when they cost more – to have better features and specs than their predecessors. In most aspects, the iPhone 8 offers a minor improvement over the iPhone 7. But it is a downgrade when it comes to battery. A listing on the Chinese certification site TENAA has revealed the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus battery size and RAM. Noted tipster Steve Hemmerstoffer shared the listing on Twitter.
For those how cares about, Tenaa just confirmed #iPhone8 and #iPhone8Plus comes with 2GB and 3GB of RAM, reveals 1821mAh and 2675mAh battery pic.twitter.com/NnIvYkVuAk
— Steve H.McFly (@OnLeaks) September 14, 2017
The 4.7-inch iPhone 8 packs a 1,821mAh battery, which is smaller than the iPhone 7’s 1,960mAh. The 5.5-inch iPhone 8 Plus offers a 2,675mAh battery where the last year’s iPhone 7 Plus was powered by a bigger 2900mAh battery. The battery size of the 10th anniversary iPhone X is not yet known, though Apple claims it will last about two hours longer than the iPhone 7.
Steve Hemmerstoffer added that the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus include 2GB and 3GB RAM, respectively. That’s same as the last year’s iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. Apple claims on its website that the iPhone 8 battery would last “about the same as iPhone 7.” The Cupertino company does a pretty good job at offering better battery life even with a smaller battery by optimizing software. That’s why the iPhones offer about the same battery life as flagship Android phones, even though Android devices pack bigger batteries. For instance, the Galaxy S8 Plus packs a 3,500mAh battery.
Increase the price and trim the size of iPhone 8 battery
It’s not going to go down well with consumers that these more expensive phones have a battery downgrade. Battery life is crucial for every smartphone user. Apple could have kept the iPhone 8 battery size same as the iPhone 7, and optimized software to offer a few more hours of battery life.
How you gonna go reduce the battery size on the iPhone 8, and then hike the price up $50 more than last year?
— K (@UppercaseKayS) September 14, 2017
So iPhone 8 has smaller battery but same battery life? So they could have kept the same battery and given us extended battery life… pic.twitter.com/1a5Q62RXDE
— Bulent ⛰ (@bulentm) September 14, 2017
Fortunately, the new iPhones come with fast charging and wireless charging capabilities. The fast-charging technology gives you up to 50% charge in just 30 minutes. The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus have a glass back to facilitate Qi-based wireless charging, which Android vendors have been supporting for years. Apple claims the glass used on the iPhone 8 is the strongest glass ever on any smartphone.
iPhone 8 gets better camera, faster processor, wireless charging
In terms of design, the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus are similar to the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. The iPhone 8 has a 12-megapixel rear camera with an f/1.8 aperture. The 8 Plus has dual 12MP sensors on the back. The dual camera offers a new feature called Portrait Lighting. The new devices have an improved image signal processor that allows for better pixel processing, noise reduction, and faster low-light autofocus.
The iPhone 8 can shoot 4K videos at up to 60fps, and slo-mo videos at 1080p resolution and 240fps. Apple has also calibrated them for augmented reality apps and games. The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus are powered by the A11 Bionic hexa-core processor and a custom GPU. The A11 Bionic consists of four high-efficiency and two high-performance cores. Apple claims the new chipset is up to 70% faster than last year’s A10 Fusion chip.
The iPhone 8 includes stereo speakers that are 25% louder than the speakers on the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. Just like last year’s models, the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus have a physical home button with Touch ID fingerprint sensor, an IP67-rating for splash- and dust-resistance, and 3D Touch support. Again, all the new iPhones lack the 3.5mm headphone jack.
iPhone 8 and 8 Plus now up for pre-order
The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus are available in 64GB and 256GB storage options. The 64GB iPhone 8 costs $699 while the 256GB variant will set you back by $849. The iPhone 8 Plus has been priced at $799 for the 64GB version and $949 for the 256GB model. It means the top-tier iPhone 8 Plus costs only $50 less than the much-hyped iPhone X. If you are currently using the iPhone 7 or 7 Plus, it makes little sense to upgrade to the iPhone 8 or 8 Plus.
Pre-orders for the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus went live today on Apple’s website and partner retailers’ sites. You can also place orders through the App Store app. The devices will start shipping on September 22. They will remain the most powerful iPhones until the arrival of the iPhone X on November 3rd. Pre-orders for the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus aren’t expected to be huge because many Apple fans will be waiting for the iPhone X. However, popular color options and screen sizes will remain in demand.
