Iphone 8 Vs Galaxy Note 8 Three Years Later Is The Note 8 Still Worth It

Released within weeks of each other in 2017, the iPhone 8 and Galaxy Note 8 represented two very different philosophies in smartphone design. Apple doubled down on premium build quality and iOS simplicity, while Samsung embraced larger displays, advanced multitasking, and stylus integration with the S Pen. Three years later, both devices are well beyond their prime support lifecycle—but for budget-conscious users or collectors, the question remains: is the Galaxy Note 8 still a viable choice compared to the iPhone 8?

This article dives deep into real-world performance, software updates, battery longevity, camera quality, and user experience as of 2023. Whether you're considering buying one secondhand or holding onto your old device, this analysis will help you decide which aging flagship holds up better today.

Performance and Hardware Longevity

The Galaxy Note 8 launched with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835 (or Exynos 9810 in some regions), paired with 6GB of RAM—considerable power at the time. The iPhone 8 used Apple’s A11 Bionic chip with 3GB of RAM. On paper, Samsung had the edge in memory, but Apple’s tight hardware-software integration has historically delivered longer functional relevance.

In 2023, neither phone handles modern apps with ease. However, the A11 Bionic still outperforms the Snapdragon 835 in single-core tasks, which affects app launch speed and responsiveness in lighter workloads. iOS 16 dropped support for the iPhone 8, capping it at iOS 15.6.1—the final update released in late 2022. Meanwhile, the Note 8 stopped receiving security patches after 2020 and runs Android 9 (Pie) at best.

Tip: If you must use either device daily, disable background app refresh and automatic updates to reduce strain on aging storage and RAM.

Users report that the iPhone 8 feels snappier in everyday navigation, while the Note 8 often stutters when switching between apps or loading media-heavy websites. This isn’t just about raw specs—it’s about how efficiently the operating system manages resources over time.

Software Support and Security

Software support is where the gap widens significantly. Apple provided five major iOS updates for the iPhone 8, ending with iOS 15. While it no longer receives feature updates, iOS 15 still benefits from occasional security patches. In contrast, Samsung offered only two major Android upgrades (from Nougat to Pie) and limited monthly security updates that ceased entirely by 2020.

“Devices stuck on outdated OS versions become increasingly vulnerable, especially when handling sensitive data like banking or email.” — David Lin, Mobile Security Analyst at CyberShield Labs

Running Android 9 without security patches means the Note 8 is exposed to known exploits. Public Wi-Fi networks, untrusted apps, or even malicious websites can compromise the device more easily than an iPhone 8 on iOS 15. For anyone using the phone for messaging, shopping, or logging into accounts, this is a serious concern.

iOS also continues to support core services like iCloud, Find My, and iMessage encryption, giving the iPhone 8 a functional edge in ecosystem reliability.

Camera Comparison: Then vs. Now

In 2017, the Note 8 was one of the first smartphones with dual rear cameras—a 12MP wide and 12MP telephoto setup with 2x optical zoom. The iPhone 8 featured a single 12MP sensor but leveraged Apple’s image signal processing for strong color accuracy and dynamic range.

Today, both cameras struggle in low light and lack computational photography features like Night Mode or Deep Fusion. However, the Note 8’s zoom capability still offers practical value for distant subjects, something the iPhone 8 cannot match without digital cropping.

Feature	iPhone 8	Galaxy Note 8
Rear Camera	12MP f/1.8 (single)	12MP f/1.7 + 12MP f/2.4 (dual)
Front Camera	7MP f/2.2	8MP f/1.7
Video Recording	4K @ 60fps	4K @ 30fps
Low-Light Performance	Moderate, natural tones	Noisy, over-sharpened
Zoom Capability	Digital only	2x optical, 10x digital

The iPhone 8 produces more consistent results with accurate skin tones and balanced exposure. The Note 8 tends to oversharpen images and introduce noise in dim environments. Neither supports modern AI-enhanced photography, but if you prioritize portrait shots with depth control, the Note 8’s dual-camera system still offers slight flexibility.

Battery Life and Charging Experience

Both phones suffer from degraded batteries after three years, especially if they’ve endured frequent charging cycles. The Note 8 came with a 3,300mAh battery; the iPhone 8 had a smaller 1,821mAh unit. Despite the difference, actual endurance is surprisingly similar due to screen size and software efficiency.

On average, users report 4–5 hours of screen-on time from either device when fully charged—barely enough for a full day of moderate use. Fast charging works on both (via USB Power Delivery on iPhone, Adaptive Fast Charging on Note 8), but wireless charging is where the Note 8 shines. It supports both Qi and PMA standards, while the iPhone 8 only supports Qi.

Tip: Replace the battery if possible. A fresh battery can add 2–3 extra hours of usage and improve overall responsiveness.

However, third-party battery replacements vary in quality. For the iPhone 8, genuine Apple service ensures compatibility with iOS battery health reporting. For the Note 8, aftermarket batteries may not calibrate properly with the system, leading to inaccurate charge readings.

Real-World Use Case: Can You Still Use These Phones Daily?

Consider Maria, a freelance writer who inherited her brother’s iPhone 8 in 2021. She uses it primarily for emails, web research, and audiobook playback. With Safari, Gmail, and Pocket installed, she finds the phone “slow but usable.” She avoids social media apps due to lag and keeps iOS restrictions enabled to minimize background activity.

Meanwhile, James, a high school teacher, held onto his Galaxy Note 8 for its S Pen. He uses it to annotate PDFs, sketch diagrams for lessons, and jot down quick notes during meetings. While he acknowledges the sluggish interface, the stylus functionality gives it niche utility that newer budget phones don’t offer.

These examples highlight a key insight: usability depends heavily on use case. For basic communication and light browsing, the iPhone 8 performs more reliably. For creative input or productivity tasks involving handwriting, the Note 8 retains unique value.

Checklist: Is Your Old Flagship Still Viable?

• ✅ Does it power on consistently without freezing?
• ✅ Can it install and run essential apps (e.g., WhatsApp, Google Maps)?
• ✅ Is the battery life sufficient for half a day of use?
• ✅ Are critical services like messaging and email functioning securely?
• ✅ Have you replaced the battery recently for optimal performance?
• ✅ Are you avoiding public Wi-Fi and sideloading apps?

If you answered “no” to two or more, the device is likely past its functional lifespan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still get apps on the iPhone 8 and Galaxy Note 8?

Most major apps still install, but many have dropped support for older OS versions. Apps like Instagram, TikTok, and banking platforms may crash or refuse to launch. Chrome stopped supporting Android 9 in 2023, limiting browsing options on the Note 8.

Is the S Pen on the Note 8 still useful today?

Yes—for specific tasks. If you need handwriting input, note-taking, or screen markup, the S Pen offers precision unmatched by fingers or generic styli. However, newer Note models and the Galaxy S22 Ultra provide far better latency and palm rejection.

Which phone holds resale value better?

Neither holds significant resale value in 2023. Most secondhand listings range from $40–$80 depending on condition. The iPhone 8 typically fetches slightly more due to stronger brand perception and longer software support history.

Final Verdict: Is the Note 8 Still Worth It?

In direct comparison, the iPhone 8 edges out the Galaxy Note 8 in 2023—not because it’s inherently superior, but because Apple’s software stewardship extends usability further. The combination of iOS 15 stability, better app optimization, and ongoing (though limited) security updates makes the iPhone 8 the safer bet for continued use.

The Note 8 excels only in specialized scenarios: if you rely on the S Pen, prefer a large display for reading, or enjoy modding Android devices for custom ROMs (LineageOS support exists for some variants). But for general consumers seeking reliability, the iPhone 8 is the more sustainable option—even with its smaller screen and lack of expandable storage.

Ultimately, both phones are relics of a previous generation. If you’re relying on either as a primary device, consider upgrading. But if you’re repurposing one as a backup, music player, or dedicated e-reader, they can still serve a role—with proper precautions.

🚀 Still using an iPhone 8 or Galaxy Note 8? Share your experience—what keeps you loyal, or what finally made you upgrade? Join the conversation below.