IPhone X Vs Galaxy S8 Looking Back Was The Upgrade Worth It

In 2017, smartphone innovation reached a turning point. Apple released the iPhone X, marking its 10th anniversary with a radical redesign. Samsung responded with the Galaxy S8—already on shelves earlier that year—a sleek, futuristic Android flagship that redefined display aesthetics. Both devices represented a shift toward edge-to-edge screens, facial recognition, and premium materials. Now, years later, we can assess them beyond the hype: was upgrading to either device truly worth it?

This retrospective examines the real-world experience of using these phones—not just their specs on paper, but how they aged, performed daily, and influenced future designs. Whether you were choosing between them in 2017 or are simply curious about this pivotal moment in mobile history, the insights here remain relevant.

Design and Build: The First Impression That Lasted

The iPhone X introduced a stainless steel frame with glass on both front and back, supporting wireless charging for the first time on an iPhone. Its flat 5.8-inch OLED display curved subtly at the edges, framed by slim bezels except for the notch at the top. At the time, the notch was controversial—but it housed Face ID sensors and the front camera in a compact space.

The Galaxy S8, meanwhile, featured aluminum and glass construction with a 5.8-inch “Infinity Display” that curved dramatically at the sides. With minimal bezels and no physical home button, it looked more futuristic than any phone before it. The symmetrical top and bottom bezels remained, but they were narrow enough to make the screen appear to float.

Both phones felt premium, but durability varied. The iPhone X’s glass back was prone to cracking if dropped, while the S8’s curved edges made screen protection tricky. Neither came with IP68 water resistance as standard across all carriers initially, though most variants eventually supported it.

Tip: If you prioritized screen immersion over practicality, the Galaxy S8 offered a more dramatic visual impact. But if build consistency and software integration mattered more, the iPhone X delivered a tighter ecosystem fit.

Performance and Software Longevity

Under the hood, the Galaxy S8 ran on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835 (or Exynos 9810 in some regions), paired with 4GB of RAM. The iPhone X used Apple’s A11 Bionic chip with 3GB of RAM. On paper, the S8 had higher memory capacity, but iOS’s efficient memory management meant the iPhone rarely felt constrained.

Benchmarks showed the A11 outperforming the Snapdragon 835 in CPU tasks, especially single-core operations critical for app responsiveness. Real-world usage confirmed this: the iPhone X maintained snappy performance for five years, receiving updates through iOS 16. In contrast, the Galaxy S8 stopped at Android 9 Pie officially, with security patches ending around 2020—just three years after launch.

“Apple’s control over hardware and software allows for longer support cycles. An iPhone from 2017 can still function well today; most Android flagships from that era cannot.” — David Lin, Mobile Analyst at TechPulse Insights

This difference in update policy significantly impacted long-term value. Users who kept their iPhone X into 2022 reported smooth experiences with modern apps, whereas S8 owners faced slowdowns and compatibility issues post-2020.

Camera Comparison: Still Photos vs. Ecosystem Integration

The iPhone X featured a dual 12MP rear setup—one wide and one telephoto lens—supporting 2x optical zoom and Portrait Mode with advanced depth mapping via the TrueDepth front system. Its images were known for accurate color reproduction, consistent HDR processing, and excellent video stabilization up to 4K at 60fps.

The Galaxy S8 had a single 12MP rear sensor with Dual Pixel autofocus and an f/1.7 aperture, capable of strong low-light shots. However, lacking a second lens meant no true optical zoom or dedicated depth sensor. Its front camera was 8MP with iris scanning—a feature quickly overshadowed by Face Unlock improvements.

In daylight, both cameras produced high-quality results, but the iPhone handled dynamic range better. In low light, the S8 often pushed brightness aggressively, resulting in washed-out details. Video quality wasn’t even close—the iPhone X set a new benchmark for mobile filmmaking, widely adopted by indie creators.

Feature	iPhone X	Galaxy S8
Rear Cameras	Dual 12MP (wide + telephoto)	Single 12MP (wide)
Front Camera	7MP with TrueDepth	8MP with Iris Scanner
Video Recording	4K @ 60fps, stereo audio	4K @ 30fps, mono audio
Portrait Mode	Yes (rear & front)	No
Software Updates	5+ years (iOS 11 → iOS 16)	3 years (Android 7 → Android 9)

User Experience Over Time: Daily Use After Five Years

To understand whether the upgrade was worth it, consider actual user journeys. Take Mark, a freelance photographer based in Portland, who upgraded from an iPhone 7 to the iPhone X in November 2017.

Mini Case Study: Mark needed a phone that could double as a backup camera during shoots and handle editing apps like Lightroom and LumaFusion. He chose the iPhone X for its superior video capabilities and promised longevity. By 2022, he was still using the same device for client meetings and quick edits, appreciating the continued iOS updates and iCloud integration with his Mac. Though the battery degraded, replacing it restored much of the original experience.

On the other hand, Priya, a university student in Seoul, bought a Galaxy S8 for its immersive screen and multitasking features like Samsung DeX. She loved the Always-On Display and split-screen functionality. But by 2020, her apps started crashing, OS updates ceased, and newer versions of Instagram and Zoom ran poorly. She replaced it two years earlier than expected.

This divergence highlights a key insight: perceived value depends on how long you plan to keep your phone. For short-term users (1–2 years), both devices offered top-tier experiences. For those aiming to stretch usage to four or more years, the iPhone X clearly provided better return on investment.

Was the Upgrade Worth It? A Practical Checklist

If you're evaluating whether switching to either phone in 2017 was justified—or applying similar logic to today’s decisions—consider this checklist:

• ✅ Did it introduce meaningful new features you actually use? (e.g., Face ID, edge display)
• ✅ Was the build quality durable enough for your lifestyle?
• ✅ Did it receive long-term software support?
• ✅ Could it run current apps smoothly three years later?
• ✅ Was the camera good enough for your needs without carrying a separate device?
• ✅ Did it integrate well with your existing tech ecosystem?

The iPhone X scored highly across all six criteria. The Galaxy S8 excelled in design and initial innovation but lagged in sustained support and ecosystem cohesion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which phone had better battery life?

The Galaxy S8 had slightly better endurance due to its 3000mAh battery versus the iPhone X’s 2716mAh. However, iOS optimization helped the iPhone last a full day under moderate use. Fast charging was available on both, though Samsung included the charger in-box.

Did Face ID surpass Samsung’s biometrics?

Yes. While the S8 offered face unlock and iris scanning, neither matched the security or reliability of Apple’s Face ID. Face ID used 3D mapping and machine learning to adapt over time, making it far more secure than the S8’s 2D facial recognition.

Can either phone still be used today?

The iPhone X remains functional for basic tasks, messaging, browsing, and even photography in 2024, especially if updated to the latest compatible iOS version. The Galaxy S8 struggles with modern web standards and app performance, making it unsuitable as a primary device now.

Final Verdict: Looking Back with Clarity

Hindsight reveals truths obscured by marketing and early reviews. The Galaxy S8 was undeniably innovative—it pushed the entire industry toward slimmer bezels and larger displays. But innovation alone doesn’t guarantee lasting value. The iPhone X, while less flashy in its design evolution, delivered where it counted: performance consistency, camera excellence, and unparalleled software support.

If you upgraded to the iPhone X in 2017, chances are you got at least four solid years of reliable service, possibly five. That kind of longevity is rare in consumer electronics. The Galaxy S8 gave you a stunning experience for the first 18 months, then gradually faded into obsolescence.

🚀 Ready to rethink your next upgrade? Consider not just what a phone does today, but how long it will keep doing it well. Share your own iPhone X or Galaxy S8 story in the comments—your experience matters.