Iphone 8 Plus Camera Vs Iphone 7 Plus Is The Upgrade Worth It For Photos

When Apple released the iPhone 8 Plus in 2017, it arrived as a refined evolution rather than a radical reinvention. For owners of the iPhone 7 Plus—still a capable shooter—the decision to upgrade hinged on whether the improvements translated into meaningful gains in photo quality. While both phones share a dual-camera system with wide and telephoto lenses, subtle but significant upgrades in hardware and software make the iPhone 8 Plus a stronger contender, especially for photography enthusiasts. But is the jump worth it just for better photos?

Camera Hardware: What Changed Between Models

The iPhone 7 Plus introduced Apple’s first dual-lens setup: a 12MP f/1.8 wide-angle lens and a 12MP f/2.8 telephoto lens enabling 2x optical zoom. The iPhone 8 Plus retains this same sensor resolution and aperture configuration. On paper, the specs look nearly identical. However, under the surface, Apple made critical improvements.

The most notable upgrade is the move to a larger and faster sensor. While still 12 megapixels, the wide-angle sensor in the iPhone 8 Plus captures more light due to improved pixel efficiency and reduced noise. Combined with a new image signal processor (ISP) inside the A11 Bionic chip, the 8 Plus delivers better dynamic range, color accuracy, and detail retention in high-contrast scenes.

Tip: In low-light conditions, stabilize your iPhone 8 Plus against a surface or use a tripod app to reduce blur—its improved sensor benefits from longer exposure times.

Low-Light Performance: A Clear Step Up

One of the most tangible differences between the two models is how they handle dim lighting. The iPhone 8 Plus features optical image stabilization (OIS) on the wide-angle lens—a feature previously limited to the telephoto lens in the iPhone 7 Plus. This change allows for longer shutter speeds without introducing motion blur, resulting in brighter, cleaner night shots.

In practical terms, when shooting indoors or during dusk, the 8 Plus produces images with less grain, better shadow detail, and more accurate white balance. The combination of OIS and the A11’s smarter noise reduction means you can push ISO levels higher before losing clarity. For users who frequently take indoor family photos or capture cityscapes at twilight, this improvement is substantial.

“Even small advancements in sensor technology and processing can dramatically improve real-world photo usability, especially after dark.” — David Kim, Mobile Imaging Analyst at DXOMARK

Portrait Mode Evolution: Depth and Lighting

Both phones support Portrait Mode, which uses depth mapping to simulate a DSLR-style bokeh effect. However, the iPhone 8 Plus introduces **Portrait Lighting**—a real-time feature that applies studio-quality lighting effects like Natural Light, Studio Light, and Contour Light. This isn’t just a filter; it analyzes facial geometry and adjusts shadows and highlights accordingly.

While the iPhone 7 Plus received a software update to support basic Portrait Mode, its depth sensing was less consistent, particularly around fine details like hair or glasses. The 8 Plus, powered by the A11 chip’s neural engine, creates more accurate edge detection and smoother background blur. Over time, users reported fewer artifacts and more natural-looking portraits.

If portrait photography is a priority—especially for social media or personal branding—the enhanced reliability and creative flexibility of the 8 Plus are compelling reasons to upgrade.

Performance Comparison Table

Feature	iPhone 7 Plus	iPhone 8 Plus
Wide Lens Aperture	f/1.8	f/1.8
Telephoto Lens Aperture	f/2.8	f/2.8
OIS (Optical Image Stabilization)	Telephoto only	Wide-angle only
Processor	A10 Fusion	A11 Bionic (Neural Engine)
Portrait Lighting Effects	No	Yes (5 modes)
Slow-Motion Video	1080p at 120fps	1080p at 240fps
True Tone Flash	Yes	Yes
Smart HDR Support	No	Limited (via later iOS updates)

Real-World Example: Family Photography Upgrade

Sarah, a parent and amateur photographer in Portland, upgraded from the iPhone 7 Plus to the 8 Plus primarily for capturing her children’s activities. She noticed immediate improvements during a school recital held under warm stage lighting—an environment where the 7 Plus often produced yellow-tinted, grainy images.

With the 8 Plus, she found that her photos retained truer skin tones and showed clearer facial expressions, even in motion. The improved autofocus tracking and reduced shutter lag meant fewer missed moments. “I didn’t realize how much I was editing out noise before,” she said. “Now, my gallery looks more professional with almost no post-processing.”

This scenario reflects a common use case: everyday photography in imperfect lighting. For users who rely on their phone as their primary camera, these incremental gains compound into noticeably better results over time.

Step-by-Step: Maximizing Photo Quality on Either Device

Whether you’re using a 7 Plus or upgrading to the 8 Plus, follow these steps to get the most from your camera:

1. Enable HDR Automatically: Go to Settings > Camera > Smart HDR (if available) or toggle on “Auto HDR” to preserve detail in bright skies and dark shadows.
2. Use Grid Lines: Enable the rule-of-thirds grid in Settings > Camera > Grid for better composition.
3. Tap to Focus and Expose: Tap your subject on-screen to set focus and adjust brightness by sliding up or down after tapping.
4. Leverage Portrait Mode Thoughtfully: Ensure adequate lighting and keep subjects 2–8 feet from the camera for best depth effect.
5. Edit In-Camera When Possible: Use Apple’s built-in editing tools to adjust light, contrast, and warmth without degrading original quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the iPhone 7 Plus take good photos today?

Absolutely. The 7 Plus remains capable of producing excellent daylight photos and solid portraits. Its camera performs well in good lighting and is still suitable for social media, casual snapshots, and travel documentation. However, it struggles more in low light and lacks advanced features like Portrait Lighting.

Is Portrait Lighting on the 8 Plus worth the upgrade?

If you regularly take headshots, selfies, or professional-looking portraits, yes. Portrait Lighting adds creative control and polish that can eliminate the need for third-party apps. It won’t replace professional lighting, but it brings studio-like options to your pocket.

Does the 8 Plus support Night Mode?

No. Night Mode was introduced with the iPhone 11 series. However, the 8 Plus’s improved low-light performance through better OIS and processing offers a partial workaround in moderately dark environments—just not full darkness.

Final Verdict: Is the Upgrade Worth It for Photos?

For users deeply invested in mobile photography, the iPhone 8 Plus represents a worthwhile upgrade over the 7 Plus—not because of revolutionary changes, but due to meaningful refinements. The shift of OIS to the wide-angle lens, superior low-light clarity, enhanced Portrait Mode, and faster processing collectively elevate the photo experience.

However, if you’re satisfied with your 7 Plus in daylight photography and don’t shoot often in dim conditions, the difference may not justify the cost of upgrading—especially given the availability of newer, more advanced models. But if you're holding onto a 7 Plus purely for its camera and want noticeably better results without jumping to a modern flagship, the 8 Plus delivers exactly that: refinement, reliability, and real photographic improvement.

💬 Have you upgraded from the iPhone 7 Plus to the 8 Plus? Share your experience with camera performance—did the photo improvements make a difference in your daily use?