Iphone 8 Plus Vs Galaxy S7 Is Upgrading Really Worth It In 2025

In 2025, both the iPhone 8 Plus and the Samsung Galaxy S7 are over seven years old. Once flagship devices that defined mobile excellence in their era, they now linger in the hands of users who value durability, simplicity, or simply haven’t seen a compelling reason to upgrade. But as technology accelerates, the question arises: if you're still using one of these phones, is it time to move on? More importantly, when comparing the two, does either offer enough staying power to justify holding out?

This analysis dives deep into hardware longevity, software support, real-world performance, and user experience in 2025—helping you decide whether upgrading is not just beneficial, but necessary.

Hardware Performance in 2025: Can They Keep Up?

The iPhone 8 Plus launched in 2017 with Apple’s A11 Bionic chip, while the Galaxy S7 arrived earlier with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 820 (or Exynos 8890 in some regions). At the time, both were top-tier processors. Today, however, they struggle with modern app demands.

Basic tasks like texting, calling, and light web browsing remain functional. However, loading complex websites, multitasking between social media apps, or streaming high-bitrate video often results in noticeable lag. The 3GB of RAM in the S7 and 3GB equivalent in the iPhone 8 Plus are insufficient for today’s background-heavy ecosystems.

Storage is another bottleneck. Neither device supports expandable memory, and used units typically come with degraded batteries and limited space. iOS updates alone can consume over 5GB, leaving little room for photos, apps, or system cache.

Tip: If you must keep an older device, disable background app refresh and automatic updates to preserve responsiveness.

Software Support: The End of the Line

Apple officially ended major iOS updates for the iPhone 8 Plus with iOS 16 in 2023. While it received security patches into early 2024, no further updates are expected. This means no iOS 17 or 18 features, no new privacy tools, and increasing incompatibility with updated apps that require newer OS versions.

Samsung discontinued Android updates for the Galaxy S7 after Nougat (Android 7), with security patches ceasing entirely by 2019. Even with custom ROMs like LineageOS, users face instability, missing drivers, and security vulnerabilities.

“Devices older than six years should be considered obsolete from a security standpoint.” — Dr. Lena Patel, Cybersecurity Researcher at MobileTrust Labs

Running outdated operating systems exposes users to unpatched exploits, phishing risks, and compatibility issues with banking, healthcare, and communication platforms that enforce minimum OS requirements.

Camera Quality: Nostalgia vs. Reality

The iPhone 8 Plus was praised for its dual-lens setup—wide and telephoto—enabling 2x optical zoom and Portrait Mode. In 2025, its 12MP sensors still capture decent daylight photos, but low-light performance is severely lacking. Noise reduction algorithms in modern apps often fail to compensate for the lack of Night Mode or computational photography.

The Galaxy S7 featured a 12MP rear sensor with Dual Pixel autofocus, which was revolutionary in 2016. Its dynamic range was excellent for its time, but without AI scene optimization or HDR10+ video, footage looks flat compared to even budget 2025 smartphones.

Front cameras on both devices max out at 7–8MP without stabilization, making video calls grainy and poorly lit. Apps like Zoom or Instagram apply heavy digital enhancement, which degrades image clarity further.

Detailed Comparison: iPhone 8 Plus vs Galaxy S7 in 2025

Feature	iPhone 8 Plus	Galaxy S7
Release Year	2017	2016
Latest OS	iOS 16 (Security updates ended)	Android 7.0 (No updates since 2019)
Processor	A11 Bionic	Snapdragon 820 / Exynos 8890
Rear Camera	Dual 12MP (f/1.8 + f/2.8)	Single 12MP (f/1.7, Dual Pixel)
Front Camera	7MP (f/2.2)	5MP (f/1.7)
Battery Capacity	2691 mAh	3000 mAh
Charging	Wired only (5W standard)	Wired + Wireless (Qi compatible)
Water Resistance	IP67	IP68
Current App Compatibility	Limited (Many apps dropping iOS 14–16 support)	Very Poor (Most apps require Android 8+)

Real-World Example: Two Users, One Dilemma

Consider Maria, a teacher using her iPhone 8 Plus since 2018. She relies on it for email, calendar, and grading via Google Classroom. In early 2024, she noticed the app began crashing during video uploads. After checking, she found that the latest version required iOS 17. Unable to update, she resorted to using a browser—slower and less secure.

Meanwhile, James uses a Galaxy S7 as a backup phone for his delivery job. He depends on GPS navigation and WhatsApp. By late 2024, Google Maps started freezing due to unsupported API calls, and WhatsApp notifications became unreliable. He eventually switched to an older Android device with at least Android 9 support.

These cases illustrate a growing trend: legacy devices may “work” until they suddenly don’t—often at critical moments.

Upgrade Checklist: Are You Ready?

Use this checklist to evaluate whether it's time to retire your iPhone 8 Plus or Galaxy S7:

• ✅ Does your phone fail to receive critical app updates?
• ✅ Have you experienced frequent crashes or freezes in common apps?
• ✅ Is battery life under 4 hours of screen-on time?
• ✅ Do you rely on services like mobile banking, health apps, or remote work tools?
• ✅ Are security warnings appearing during login or downloads?
• ✅ Can your current device support Wi-Fi 5 or Bluetooth 5.0+?

If three or more apply, upgrading isn't just advisable—it's essential for functionality and safety.

What Should You Upgrade To?

You don’t need a $1,000 flagship to escape obsolescence. In 2025, several affordable options deliver massive improvements:

1. iPhone SE (3rd Gen or later): Maintains the compact design iPhone 8 users love, but with A15 chip, Touch ID, and iOS 18 support through at least 2027.
2. Google Pixel 7a: Offers clean Android, five years of updates, excellent cameras, and Tensor G2 performance—all under $500.
3. Samsung Galaxy A34 or A54: Modern Exynos 1380, AMOLED display, IP67 rating, and four years of Android upgrades.

Even refurbished models of mid-tier 2022–2023 phones outperform the iPhone 8 Plus and Galaxy S7 in every category, including app launch speed, camera processing, and network connectivity (especially 5G and modern Wi-Fi standards).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still use my iPhone 8 Plus or Galaxy S7 in 2025?

Yes, but with significant limitations. Basic functions like calls, texts, and offline media playback will work. However, expect declining app compatibility, security risks, and poor performance in data-intensive tasks.

Is it safe to use a phone without security updates?

No. Without patches, known vulnerabilities remain unaddressed. This makes devices susceptible to malware, data theft, and phishing attacks—especially when logging into financial or personal accounts.

Will these phones support 5G or modern Wi-Fi?

No. Both devices predate widespread 5G adoption and lack the necessary hardware. They also only support up to Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), missing out on faster speeds and improved stability from Wi-Fi 6/6E.

Final Verdict: Yes, Upgrade—And Here’s Why

Holding onto the iPhone 8 Plus or Galaxy S7 in 2025 is less about loyalty and more about compromise. These devices served millions well, but their technological shelf life has expired. The cost of staying put—frustration, security exposure, missed opportunities—is far greater than the investment in a modern alternative.

Upgrading doesn’t mean buying the latest gadget. It means choosing reliability, safety, and access to tools that enrich daily life—from telehealth to smart home integration. For less than the price of a monthly subscription service, you gain years of smoother performance, better photos, and peace of mind.

💬 Still using an iPhone 8 Plus or Galaxy S7? Share your experience—what’s keeping you from upgrading, or what finally pushed you to switch?