Iphone X Vs Iphone 8 Is The X Still Worth It Or Should I Just Get The 8

When the iPhone X launched in 2017, it was a game-changer—Apple’s first edge-to-edge OLED display, Face ID, and a radical redesign after years of incremental updates. The iPhone 8, released the same year, felt like a refinement of the past. Today, nearly seven years later, both phones are long discontinued and unsupported by modern iOS updates. Yet, they still surface in secondhand markets, refurbished listings, and family hand-me-downs. So if you're considering one over the other in 2024, which makes more sense: the futuristic iPhone X or the familiar iPhone 8?

The answer depends on your priorities—design, performance, longevity, and software support. While both devices once represented Apple's best, their relevance has shifted dramatically. Let’s break down the real differences today.

Design and Build: A Tale of Two Eras

The iPhone X introduced a design language that Apple still uses today: an all-glass body, stainless steel frame, and a nearly bezel-less front dominated by a 5.8-inch OLED display. It eliminated the home button, replacing it with gestures and Face ID. The result was sleek, modern, and unmistakably premium.

In contrast, the iPhone 8 sticks with the traditional iPhone 6/7 design—a flat aluminum frame, thick bezels, and a physical home button housing Touch ID. Its 4.7-inch LCD screen feels cramped by today’s standards, but some users appreciate its compact size and one-handed usability.

Tip: If you value pocketability and single-hand use, the iPhone 8 may suit you better despite its older look.

The X’s glass back enables wireless charging—something the 8 technically supports too—but the experience is smoother on the X due to better internal alignment and thermal management. Both are IP67 water-resistant, meaning they can survive brief submersion in up to 1 meter of water, though corrosion risks increase with age.

Display Quality: OLED vs LCD

This is where the iPhone X pulls significantly ahead. Its 5.8-inch Super Retina OLED display delivers true blacks, higher contrast (1,000,000:1), and richer colors compared to the iPhone 8’s 4.7-inch Retina HD LCD. OLED screens also consume less power when displaying dark content, extending battery life in certain scenarios.

While the iPhone 8’s LCD is sharp and color-accurate for its time, it lacks the depth and vibrancy of OLED. Blacks appear grayish, and viewing angles aren’t as consistent. For media consumption—especially videos, photos, or reading in low light—the X offers a noticeably superior experience.

“OLED changed how we perceive mobile displays. Once you’ve seen true black, going back to LCD feels like watching TV through a fog.” — David Kim, Display Analyst at MobileTech Review

Performance and Longevity

Both phones run the A11 Bionic chip, so raw processing power is identical. In 2017, this was blazing fast. By 2024 standards, it’s barely functional. Modern apps, especially social media platforms, streaming services, and web browsers, are optimized for newer hardware. On either device, expect frequent app reloads, slow loading times, and occasional crashes.

However, the iPhone X has a slight edge due to more RAM (3GB vs 2GB), allowing it to keep more apps open in the background and handle multitasking slightly better. This becomes noticeable when switching between Safari, Messages, and Maps.

Critically, neither phone receives iOS updates. The iPhone 8 topped out at iOS 16, while the X reached iOS 16.6.1. That means no security patches, no new features, and increasing incompatibility with updated apps. As of 2024, major apps like WhatsApp, Google Maps, and banking services are beginning to drop support for devices on iOS 16 and below.

Feature	iPhone X	iPhone 8
Release Year	2017	2017
Display	5.8\" OLED	4.7\" LCD
Resolution	2436×1125	1334×750
RAM	3GB	2GB
Fingerprint/Face ID	Face ID	Touch ID
Battery Life (Video)	13 hours	12 hours
Latest iOS	iOS 16.6.1	iOS 16
Wireless Charging	Yes	Yes

Camera Comparison: Still Relevant?

The iPhone X and 8 both feature 12MP rear cameras, but only the X has a dual-camera system—wide and telephoto lenses enabling 2x optical zoom and Portrait Mode with more lighting effects. The iPhone 8’s single-lens setup limits Portrait Mode to people and performs less accurately in low light.

Front cameras differ more drastically. The iPhone X includes the TrueDepth camera system, powering not only Face ID but also Animoji and superior portrait selfies with depth mapping. The iPhone 8’s 7MP front camera lacks these capabilities entirely.

In daylight, both take solid photos with good dynamic range and color accuracy. But in low light, the X’s sensor stabilization and better software tuning give it a clear advantage. Video recording is capped at 4K@60fps on both, but the X handles motion and stabilization slightly better.

Tip: If you take frequent selfies or video call, the iPhone X’s front camera is vastly superior.

Real-World Example: Sarah’s Upgrade Dilemma

Sarah inherited her brother’s iPhone X from 2018 and used it until 2023. When it finally died, she considered buying a refurbished iPhone 8 for $120—$50 cheaper than a working X. She chose the 8 for its smaller size and Touch ID, which she preferred over Face ID.

Within weeks, she regretted the decision. Apps like Instagram and TikTok ran sluggishly, and Safari constantly reloaded tabs. Her bank app stopped working after an update. She missed the X’s taller screen for reading and couldn’t use FaceTime Animoji with her kids. After two months, she upgraded to a used iPhone 11, spending extra but gaining four more years of support.

Sarah’s story highlights a key truth: in 2024, choosing between the X and 8 isn’t just about preference—it’s about functionality. The gap in daily usability matters more than ever.

Checklist: Should You Buy Either Phone in 2024?

• ✅ Need a temporary phone for emergencies or as a backup? Either could work short-term.
• ✅ Prefer small phones and don’t use many modern apps? iPhone 8 might suffice.
• ✅ Want Face ID, better display, and slightly longer multitasking life? Go for iPhone X.
• ❌ Need reliable banking, messaging, or social media access? Avoid both.
• ❌ Plan to keep the phone for more than 6–12 months? Consider a newer model.
• ❌ Use the phone for photography or video calls? Look beyond 2017-era hardware.

Expert Insight: What Industry Analysts Say

“Buying an iPhone X or 8 in 2024 is like buying a flip phone with 3G. It might turn on, but the ecosystem has moved on. App developers optimize for current hardware, leaving older devices behind.” — Lisa Tran, Senior Tech Analyst at GadgetWatch

Tran notes that even basic tasks like loading web pages or using GPS navigation have degraded on these models due to outdated JavaScript engines and lack of location service optimizations in older iOS versions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the iPhone X or 8 still receive security updates?

No. Apple ended security updates for both devices with the final iOS 16 releases. They are vulnerable to unpatched exploits and should not be used for sensitive activities like online banking.

Is the iPhone X battery still reliable in 2024?

Unlikely. Most original batteries have degraded to 60–70% capacity. Even if replaced, the aging components limit overall performance and charging efficiency.

Which has better resale value today?

Neither holds meaningful resale value. Refurbished units sell for $80–$150 depending on condition, but demand is minimal. The iPhone X typically fetches $20–30 more than the 8 due to its display and camera.

Conclusion: Is the iPhone X Still Worth It Over the 8?

The iPhone X was a landmark device. In 2017, it justified its $999 price with innovation. Today, it’s obsolete. Compared to the iPhone 8, it offers a better display, improved camera, and slightly better multitasking—but none of that compensates for the lack of software support, poor app compatibility, and inevitable hardware failure.

If forced to choose between the two, the iPhone X is the lesser of two outdated options. But the real answer isn’t choosing between them—it’s looking beyond them. For only $200–$250, you can get an iPhone SE (2020 or 2022) or iPhone XR, both of which run current iOS versions, receive updates, and offer dramatically better performance and security.

🚀 Don’t settle for yesterday’s tech. Even a modest investment in a supported iPhone will save you frustration, enhance security, and deliver a usable experience. Share your thoughts—have you held onto an old iPhone too long? What made you finally upgrade?