Iphone X Vs 8 Camera Is The Upgrade Really Worth It For Photos

The iPhone X and iPhone 8 were released simultaneously in 2017, representing two different design philosophies from Apple—one embracing a future-forward edge-to-edge display, the other staying true to classic form. While both phones share the same 12MP rear sensor resolution, their photographic capabilities differ in subtle but meaningful ways. For users deciding whether to upgrade from the iPhone 8 to the iPhone X—or choosing between them secondhand—the real question isn’t just about megapixels, but whether the camera improvements translate into noticeably better photos.

This analysis dives into hardware differences, software enhancements, low-light performance, portrait capabilities, and real-world usability to determine if the iPhone X’s camera is truly worth the leap over the iPhone 8.

Hardware Differences That Matter

At first glance, the specs seem nearly identical: both devices feature a 12MP wide-angle rear camera with optical image stabilization (OIS), f/1.8 aperture, and 4K video recording. However, the critical distinction lies in the front-facing camera and dual-camera setup.

The iPhone 8 has a single rear camera and a 7MP FaceTime HD front camera. In contrast, the iPhone X introduces a dual rear camera system—adding a second 12MP telephoto lens with f/2.4 aperture and 2x optical zoom. This enables 2x lossless zoom and improved depth sensing, which directly impacts portrait photography.

Additionally, the iPhone X’s TrueDepth front camera system, designed for Face ID, also enhances selfie quality through better facial mapping, improved HDR, and more accurate skin tone reproduction.

“While pixel count doesn’t change, the addition of a telephoto lens and advanced depth processing on the iPhone X opens up creative possibilities the iPhone 8 simply can’t match.” — Mark Chen, Mobile Photography Analyst at TechLens Review

Portrait Mode and Depth Control: A Clear Advantage

One of the most significant upgrades in the iPhone X is its ability to deliver high-quality Portrait Mode shots from both the rear and front cameras. The iPhone 8 supports Portrait Mode only on the rear camera—and even then, it relies solely on software-based depth estimation due to its single-lens setup. The iPhone X, with its dual-lens system and TrueDepth front camera, captures far more accurate depth maps.

This difference becomes evident in edge detection around hair, glasses, or complex backgrounds. The iPhone X consistently produces cleaner subject separation and more natural bokeh (background blur). Moreover, starting with iOS 12, the iPhone X supports Depth Control, allowing users to adjust the intensity of background blur after taking a photo—a feature absent on the iPhone 8.

Tip: Use Depth Control in Photos app to fine-tune portrait shots—especially useful when the default blur level feels too strong or too weak.

Low-Light and HDR Performance Comparison

In well-lit conditions, both phones produce excellent, nearly indistinguishable images. But under challenging lighting—such as dim indoor settings or backlit scenes—the iPhone X pulls ahead thanks to smarter HDR processing and tighter integration between its dual cameras and A11 Bionic chip.

The iPhone X applies Smart HDR more effectively by combining multiple exposures faster and blending shadows and highlights with greater precision. This results in richer detail in dark areas without blowing out bright spots. While the iPhone 8 does support HDR, it’s less aggressive and sometimes misses subtle tonal gradations.

For night photography, neither phone has Night Mode (introduced later in iPhone 11), but the iPhone X’s optical image stabilization combined with better noise reduction algorithms gives it a slight edge in handheld low-light shots.

Real-World Example: Concert Photo Test

A music blogger tested both phones at a dimly lit indie concert. Using only ambient stage lighting, she took several shots from the same position. The iPhone 8 captured usable images, but with noticeable grain and muted colors. The iPhone X preserved more color accuracy, retained facial details under dynamic lighting, and produced cleaner edges around moving subjects. Though not perfect, the X’s output was deemed “publishable” for blog use, while the 8’s required heavy editing.

Video Quality and Stabilization

Both phones record 4K video at 30fps and 1080p at 60fps, with optical and electronic image stabilization on the rear camera. However, the iPhone X benefits from enhanced video stabilization algorithms that leverage data from both rear lenses and the gyroscope more efficiently.

In side-by-side walking tests, the iPhone X delivered smoother footage with fewer jitters, especially during quick pans. Additionally, the front camera on the iPhone X records 1080p at 60fps (vs. 30fps on the iPhone 8), making selfies and vlogs significantly more fluid.

Audio recording is also slightly improved on the iPhone X due to refined noise suppression during video capture—useful when filming in moderately noisy environments like cafes or city streets.

Detailed Feature Comparison Table

Feature	iPhone 8	iPhone X
Rear Cameras	Single 12MP, f/1.8, OIS	Dual 12MP: Wide (f/1.8) + Telephoto (f/2.4), OIS on both
Front Camera	7MP, f/2.2	7MP TrueDepth, f/2.2, Portrait Mode & Depth Control
Portrait Mode	Rear only, software-based depth	Rear and front, depth-sensing via dual cameras / TrueDepth
Zoom	Up to 5x digital	2x optical, up to 10x digital
HDR Photos	Auto HDR, moderate blending	Smart HDR, multi-frame fusion
Low-Light Performance	Good with minor noise	Better noise control, improved shadow detail
Front Video	1080p at 30fps	1080p at 60fps

Is the Upgrade Worth It for Photography?

If your primary concern is still photography—especially portraits, zoomed compositions, or creative depth effects—the iPhone X offers tangible advantages. The dual-camera system unlocks flexibility the iPhone 8 lacks. Being able to shoot Portrait Mode selfies with adjustable blur post-capture adds a professional touch many casual photographers appreciate.

However, if you mostly take photos in daylight, share casually on social media, or prioritize battery life and compact size, the iPhone 8 remains highly capable. Its single camera produces sharp, vibrant images in good light and handles everyday scenarios admirably.

Ultimately, the value of the upgrade depends on how much you push your phone’s camera beyond point-and-shoot usage. For hobbyists, content creators, or those who enjoy experimenting with depth and composition, the iPhone X is worth the jump. For average users, the improvement may feel incremental rather than revolutionary.

Tip: If buying secondhand, consider that the iPhone X’s OLED screen also improves photo review accuracy—helping you judge exposure and color more reliably than the LCD on the iPhone 8.

Practical Checklist: Should You Upgrade?

• ✅ Do you frequently take portrait-style photos?
• ✅ Are you interested in using optical zoom without quality loss?
• ✅ Do you shoot videos at 60fps, especially selfies or vlogs?
• ✅ Do you edit photos and value finer control over depth effects?
• ✅ Are you upgrading from an older iPhone and want the best possible camera in the 2017 lineup?

If you answered “yes” to three or more, the iPhone X’s camera upgrade is likely worth it. Otherwise, the iPhone 8 delivers strong performance for daily use at a lower price point.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the iPhone 8 take Portrait Mode photos?

Yes, but only with the rear camera and only on compatible subjects (primarily people). It uses software to simulate depth, so results are less accurate than the iPhone X, especially around fine details like hair or glasses.

Does the iPhone X have better zoom than the iPhone 8?

Yes. The iPhone X includes a dedicated telephoto lens for 2x optical zoom, preserving image quality. The iPhone 8 relies entirely on digital zoom, which crops and enlarges the image, leading to detail loss beyond 1.5x.

Which phone has better battery life with heavy camera use?

The iPhone 8 typically lasts slightly longer under comparable camera workloads due to its smaller LCD screen and lower processing demands. However, the difference is modest—around 10–15% in real-world testing.

Final Verdict: Make the Choice That Fits Your Lens

The iPhone X’s camera isn’t a radical overhaul—it’s an evolution. It builds on the solid foundation of the iPhone 8 with smarter hardware pairing, better depth sensing, and enhanced computational photography. For users passionate about mobile photography, these refinements add up to a more versatile and expressive tool.

But technological superiority doesn’t always equal practical necessity. If your needs are simple and your environment well-lit, the iPhone 8 continues to deliver excellent photos at a more accessible price. The upgrade is most justified when creativity, control, and consistency in diverse shooting conditions matter.

🚀 Ready to test the difference? Try borrowing both models or checking sample galleries online before deciding. Sometimes, seeing is believing.