Iphone 7 Plus Vs Galaxy S8 Plus Looking Back Was The Upgrade Worth It

In 2017, smartphone buyers faced a pivotal decision: stick with Apple’s reliable ecosystem or leap into Samsung’s bold new vision with the Galaxy S8 Plus. The iPhone 7 Plus, released in late 2016, had already set a high bar for dual-camera systems and iOS optimization. Just months later, Samsung responded with the Galaxy S8 Plus—an edge-to-edge display pioneer with a sleek glass body and powerful hardware. Fast forward to today, with both devices now retired from flagship status, we can objectively assess: was switching from the iPhone 7 Plus to the Galaxy S8 Plus—or choosing the S8 Plus over the iPhone—actually worth it?

Design and Build: A Clash of Philosophies

The iPhone 7 Plus represented Apple’s mature industrial design language: aluminum unibody, prominent antenna lines, and a familiar home button with Touch ID. It was sturdy, water-resistant (IP67), and comfortable in hand, though its 5.5-inch display felt increasingly compact compared to emerging phablets.

Samsung took a different route. The Galaxy S8 Plus featured a 6.2-inch Quad HD+ “Infinity Display” that curved at the edges, minimizing bezels and maximizing screen real estate. Its glass-and-metal construction gave it a premium feel but made it more fragile without a case. While also IP68-rated (slightly better than the iPhone), the larger size and slippery back demanded more careful handling.

Tip: If you prioritized durability and pocketability, the iPhone 7 Plus remained a smarter daily driver. For immersive media and futuristic aesthetics, the S8 Plus led the pack.

Display and Visual Experience

This is where the Galaxy S8 Plus pulled decisively ahead. Its Dynamic AMOLED panel delivered deeper blacks, richer colors, and higher resolution (1440 x 2960) than the iPhone 7 Plus’s Retina LCD (1080 x 1920). HDR support on select apps and videos enhanced contrast, making movies and games far more engaging.

Apple’s display was still excellent—bright, color-accurate, and well-calibrated—but it couldn’t match the visual drama of Samsung’s near-bezel-less design. For users upgrading from older iPhones, the jump to the S8 Plus screen felt like stepping into the future.

“Samsung redefined what a smartphone display could be in 2017. The S8 series wasn’t just an upgrade—it was a statement.” — David Kim, Mobile Tech Analyst at TechPulse Weekly

Performance and Software Ecosystem

Under the hood, both phones were powerhouses for their time. The iPhone 7 Plus used Apple’s A10 Fusion chip, which delivered exceptional single-core performance and unmatched app optimization. iOS 10 (and later iOS 11) ran smoothly, with minimal lag even after years of use.

The Galaxy S8 Plus launched with either the Snapdragon 835 or Exynos 8895 (depending on region), both offering strong multi-core performance and excellent graphics. However, Android 7.0 Nougat, while feature-rich, didn’t always feel as snappy in day-to-day tasks—especially when multitasking or switching between heavy apps.

Where Apple shined was longevity. iPhones typically receive 5–6 years of OS updates. The iPhone 7 Plus got updates up to iOS 16, released in 2022. In contrast, the Galaxy S8 Plus stopped at Android 9 Pie with limited security patches afterward. This means that, over time, the iPhone retained functionality and security longer.

Software Longevity Comparison

Device	Launch OS	Final Major Update	Total Update Years
iPhone 7 Plus	iOS 10	iOS 16 (2022)	6 years
Galaxy S8 Plus	Android 7.0	Android 9 (2019)	2 years

For users who keep phones beyond two years, this difference became critical. The iPhone 7 Plus remained functional and secure well into the 2020s, while the S8 Plus began showing signs of obsolescence by 2020.

Camera: Portrait Mode Pioneer vs Low-Light Innovator

The iPhone 7 Plus introduced Apple’s first dual-lens system: a 12MP wide and 12MP telephoto setup. Its portrait mode, launched via software update, offered convincing depth effects and natural bokeh. Color science was true-to-life, and video recording supported 4K at 60fps—a standout feature at the time.

The Galaxy S8 Plus used a single 12MP sensor with Dual Pixel autofocus and an f/1.7 aperture, excelling in low-light conditions. While it lacked native optical zoom, its software-based zoom and HDR processing produced vibrant, detailed shots. Samsung added portrait mode later via update, but it never matched Apple’s consistency in edge detection and background blur.

In side-by-side comparisons, the iPhone delivered more reliable results across lighting conditions. The S8 Plus impressed in bright daylight and dim environments but sometimes oversaturated skies or struggled with complex hair details in portraits.

Mini Case Study: Travel Photographer’s Dilemma

Mark T., a travel blogger in 2017, owned an iPhone 7 Plus but switched to the Galaxy S8 Plus for a Southeast Asia tour. He loved the larger screen for reviewing photos and the improved low-light performance in night markets. However, he found iOS apps like Lightroom Mobile ran faster and more reliably than their Android counterparts. After six months, he reverted to iPhone, citing ecosystem continuity and longer-term software support as deciding factors—even if the display wasn’t as flashy.

Battery Life and Charging

The Galaxy S8 Plus packed a 3500mAh battery, slightly larger than the iPhone 7 Plus’s 2900mAh. Yet real-world usage told a mixed story. The S8’s higher-resolution screen and always-on display feature drained power quickly, often requiring midday charging. Adaptive battery modes helped, but heavy users rarely made it through a full day.

The iPhone 7 Plus, thanks to efficient hardware-software integration, consistently delivered all-day battery life for moderate users. It lacked fast charging out of the box (Apple sold the adapter separately), and wireless charging wasn’t supported—unlike the S8 Plus, which embraced Qi charging from launch.

Tip: If you relied on wireless charging or needed quick top-ups, the S8 Plus offered modern conveniences. But for consistent daily endurance without accessories, the iPhone held an edge.

Was the Upgrade Worth It? A Balanced Verdict

The answer depends on what you valued most.

• For tech enthusiasts and early adopters: Yes, the Galaxy S8 Plus was worth it. The display alone justified the switch, and features like Bixby, DeX (with dock), and iris scanning felt innovative.
• For practical, long-term users: Probably not. The iPhone 7 Plus aged better, received more updates, and maintained resale value longer. Many who upgraded to the S8 Plus found themselves replacing it sooner due to software stagnation.
• For Android converts: If you were coming from another platform, the S8 Plus was arguably the best Android experience of 2017. But switching from iPhone meant adjusting to less consistent app quality and shorter update cycles.

Checklist: Questions to Ask Before Making a Similar Upgrade

1. Do I prioritize display size and immersion over pocket comfort?
2. How important is long-term software support (3+ years)?
3. Am I invested in Apple’s ecosystem (iCloud, AirPods, Mac integration)?
4. Do I need wireless charging or advanced biometrics (face unlock, iris scan)?
5. Will I resell this device in 2–3 years? (Apple holds value better.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Could the Galaxy S8 Plus run modern apps in 2024?

Most basic apps still function, but performance is sluggish. Security vulnerabilities exist due to lack of patches. It’s not recommended for daily use, especially for banking or messaging.

Did the iPhone 7 Plus get left behind after the S8 Plus launch?

No. Despite lacking cutting-edge design, the iPhone 7 Plus continued to perform well. Its camera, build quality, and iOS updates kept it relevant long after the S8 Plus faded from support.

Which phone had better resale value?

The iPhone 7 Plus retained significantly higher resale value. Even in 2020, used models fetched 2–3 times more than equivalent-condition S8 Plus units.

Conclusion: Looking Back with Clarity

In the moment, the Galaxy S8 Plus felt revolutionary. Its design influenced the entire industry, pushing Apple toward edge-to-edge screens with the iPhone X later that year. But innovation doesn’t always equal longevity. When evaluating whether the upgrade was “worth it,” the cold truth is that the iPhone 7 Plus offered better sustained value.

The S8 Plus was a glimpse of the future—beautiful, ambitious, and ultimately constrained by Android’s fragmented update model. The iPhone 7 Plus was evolutionary, not revolutionary, but its strength lay in consistency, support, and ecosystem cohesion.

🚀 Still using a phone from this era? Consider how software support and repairability impact your next upgrade. Share your experience—was your switch worth it?