Iphone 8 Plus Vs 7 Plus Is The Upgrade Really Worth It For The Size Difference

When Apple released the iPhone 8 Plus in 2017, many iPhone 7 Plus owners were left wondering whether the new model was truly worth upgrading to—especially since both phones shared nearly identical dimensions, weight, and overall design language. At first glance, the two devices look almost indistinguishable. But beneath the surface, subtle yet meaningful upgrades could influence long-term satisfaction. For users still on the fence, the decision isn’t just about hardware—it’s about value, longevity, and how much those incremental improvements translate into daily use.

Design and Build: Nearly Identical, But Not Quite

One of the most striking aspects of comparing the iPhone 8 Plus and 7 Plus is their visual similarity. Both models feature a 5.5-inch display, aluminum frame (on the 7 Plus) versus glass back (on the 8 Plus), and similar button placements. The 8 Plus reintroduced a glass back, which allowed for wireless charging—a feature absent in the 7 Plus. While the physical footprint remains nearly the same (the 8 Plus is just 0.2mm taller and 0.3mm thicker), that glass construction gives the newer model a more premium feel and slightly increased weight at 200g compared to the 7 Plus’s 188g.

The change in materials wasn’t merely aesthetic. The glass back enabled future-proofing with Qi-compatible wireless charging, something the 7 Plus could never support due to its aluminum shell. However, this also made the 8 Plus more prone to cracking if dropped, despite Apple’s claim of “the most durable glass ever used in a smartphone.”

Tip: If you're upgrading from the 7 Plus to the 8 Plus, invest in a quality case that protects the glass back—especially if you frequently place your phone face-down or on hard surfaces.

Performance: A Noticeable Leap Under the Hood

The most significant upgrade lies inside. The iPhone 8 Plus is powered by Apple’s A11 Bionic chip, while the 7 Plus uses the A10 Fusion. Though both processors were excellent in their time, the A11 brought a 25% improvement in CPU performance and a dramatic 30% boost in GPU speed. This translated into smoother multitasking, faster app launches, and better performance in graphics-intensive games and AR applications.

In real-world usage, the difference may not be immediately obvious when browsing social media or sending emails. But over time, especially as apps become more demanding, the 8 Plus maintained better responsiveness. Users reported fewer app reloads and quicker Face ID-like performance in camera processing—even though neither device had Face ID.

“Even without a redesigned exterior, the A11 chip gave the iPhone 8 series a generational leap in efficiency and machine learning capabilities.” — Mark Gurman, Bloomberg Senior Tech Reporter

Camera Comparison: Subtle Improvements, Same Dual-Lens Setup

Both phones feature dual 12MP rear cameras: one wide-angle and one telephoto, supporting 2x optical zoom and Portrait Mode. However, the 8 Plus introduced a crucial enhancement—larger and faster sensors, along with improved image signal processing. This resulted in better low-light performance, reduced noise, and more accurate color reproduction.

Portrait Mode also received an upgrade. The 8 Plus added Portrait Lighting (beta at launch), allowing users to simulate studio lighting effects like natural light, studio light, and contour light. While the 7 Plus later received software updates to support basic Portrait Mode, it lacked the computational photography features that made the 8 Plus stand out.

Front-facing cameras remained unchanged at 7MP, but the 8 Plus benefited from better tone mapping and dynamic range thanks to the A11’s image processing.

Camera Feature Breakdown

Feature	iPhone 7 Plus	iPhone 8 Plus
Rear Cameras	Dual 12MP (f/1.8 + f/2.8)	Dual 12MP (f/1.8 + f/2.8), larger sensors
Portrait Mode	Yes (software-based)	Yes, with Portrait Lighting (beta)
Low-Light Performance	Good	Better (improved sensor & ISP)
Front Camera	7MP, f/2.2	7MP, f/2.2, better HDR
Video Recording	4K at 30fps	4K at 60fps, 1080p at 240fps slo-mo

Battery Life and Charging: Incremental Gains

Battery capacity is nearly identical—the 7 Plus has a 2900mAh battery, while the 8 Plus has a slightly smaller 2691mAh unit. Yet, Apple claimed equal or better battery life on the 8 Plus due to the A11 chip’s power efficiency. In practice, most users experienced comparable endurance: around 12–13 hours of mixed usage.

The key difference? Wireless charging. The 8 Plus supports Qi wireless charging, opening up new convenience options. You could now drop your phone on a charging pad at night or in the car without plugging in a cable. While not revolutionary, this small addition enhanced daily usability, especially in homes or offices equipped with wireless stations.

Tip: Pair your iPhone 8 Plus with a MagSafe-compatible wireless charger (via adapter) for faster, more reliable charging alignment.

Real-World Example: Sarah’s Upgrade Dilemma

Sarah had been using her iPhone 7 Plus since 2016. By late 2018, she noticed her phone slowing down—apps took longer to open, photos loaded sluggishly, and iOS updates felt heavier. She considered waiting for the iPhone X but found it too expensive and the screen too different from what she was used to. When she saw the iPhone 8 Plus on sale for $50 less than new, she decided to test it in-store.

After using the demo model for 15 minutes, she noticed the camera focused faster in low light, and switching between Instagram and Maps felt snappier. The wireless charging intrigued her, especially since her new car had a built-in charging pad. She upgraded—and three years later, she’s still using the 8 Plus without major slowdowns, while her old 7 Plus struggled with iOS 14.

For Sarah, the upgrade wasn’t about size or screen changes. It was about sustained performance and future readiness.

Is the Upgrade Worth It? A Practical Checklist

If you’re still using an iPhone 7 Plus and considering the 8 Plus, ask yourself the following:

• Do you want wireless charging capability?
• Are you experiencing lag with current apps or recent iOS updates?
• Do you take a lot of photos, especially in low light?
• Do you plan to keep your phone for 2+ more years?
• Is the price difference minimal (e.g., refurbished or secondhand)?

If you answered “yes” to two or more, the upgrade likely makes sense—not because of size, but because of long-term usability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the iPhone 8 Plus noticeably faster than the 7 Plus?

Yes, particularly in app loading, gaming, and camera processing. The A11 Bionic chip provides tangible improvements in multitasking and future OS compatibility.

Can the iPhone 7 Plus get Portrait Lighting?

No. Portrait Lighting was exclusive to the iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, and newer models due to hardware-level depth mapping and processing requirements.

Are the sizes really the same?

Virtually. The 8 Plus is only 0.2mm taller and 0.3mm thicker, with a nearly identical width. The weight difference (12g) is noticeable only if held side by side.

Final Verdict: Value Over Size

The iPhone 8 Plus isn’t a radical redesign. It doesn’t offer a bigger screen or slimmer bezels. But its internal upgrades—A11 chip, better camera processing, wireless charging, and improved durability—add up to a more capable, longer-lasting device. For iPhone 7 Plus users, the upgrade isn’t justified by size differences, because there are none. Instead, it’s justified by performance, longevity, and subtle quality-of-life enhancements that matter over time.

If you’re buying secondhand or trading in your 7 Plus at a low cost, the 8 Plus delivers measurable improvements. But if you’re paying full price today or barely notice slowdowns, sticking with the 7 Plus is still viable—especially if you use lightweight apps and don’t mind slower camera focus or no wireless charging.

💬 Have you upgraded from the 7 Plus to the 8 Plus? Share your experience—was the bump in performance worth it for you? Join the conversation below.