Iphone Xs Vs 8 Plus Was Upgrading Really Worth It

When Apple released the iPhone XS in 2018, many users of the iPhone 8 Plus faced a tough decision. The 8 Plus had been praised for its solid build, excellent dual-camera system, and long battery life. The XS promised modernity—edge-to-edge OLED display, Face ID, improved water resistance, and a faster processor. But was the upgrade truly worth it? For some, the shift brought meaningful improvements. For others, it felt like paying a premium for subtle changes. This article breaks down the key differences, real-world usability, and long-term value to help answer that question.

Design and Build: A Shift in Philosophy

The most immediate difference between the iPhone XS and 8 Plus is design language. The 8 Plus sticks to Apple’s pre-2017 aesthetic: thick bezels, a home button with Touch ID, and an aluminum frame. In contrast, the XS embraces the future with a stainless steel frame, glass back, and a nearly borderless Super Retina OLED display.

The move to a taller, narrower form factor on the XS makes it more pocketable despite having a slightly smaller 5.8-inch screen than the 8 Plus’s 5.5 inches. However, the 8 Plus remains more comfortable for one-handed use due to its lower aspect ratio and physical home button.

Tip: If you rely heavily on Touch ID or prefer larger physical buttons, the 8 Plus may still suit your habits better than Face ID.

The glass back on the XS enables wireless charging—a feature absent on the 8 Plus. It also increases fragility. While both phones have IP67 water resistance, the XS’s glass is more prone to cracking upon impact. Users upgrading from the 8 Plus should consider investing in a protective case to offset this vulnerability.

Display Quality: OLED vs LCD

The display is where the iPhone XS pulls significantly ahead. Its 5.8-inch OLED panel delivers deeper blacks, higher contrast (up to 1,000,000:1), and more vibrant colors compared to the 8 Plus’s 5.5-inch LCD screen. True Tone and HDR10 support enhance media consumption, making streaming video noticeably sharper and more immersive.

While the 8 Plus’s display is perfectly functional and still sharp at 401 PPI, the XS’s 458 PPI OLED screen offers superior clarity and viewing angles. Text appears crisper, and dark mode interfaces look genuinely black rather than dark gray.

“OLED changed how I consume content on my phone. Nighttime reading and movie watching are now more comfortable and engaging.” — Mark Tran, Mobile Tech Reviewer

However, if your usage leans toward productivity and calls over media, the visual leap may not justify the cost of upgrading.

Performance and Software Longevity

Under the hood, both phones run Apple’s A12 Bionic chip—the first 7nm processor in a smartphone at the time. This means raw performance is nearly identical. Apps launch quickly, multitasking is smooth, and gaming performance is excellent on both devices.

Where the XS gains an edge is in graphics processing. With a four-core GPU versus the 8 Plus’s three-core setup, the XS handles graphically intensive games and AR applications more efficiently. Over time, this slight advantage contributed to longer software support. The XS received updates up to iOS 17, while the 8 Plus stopped at iOS 16.

This difference in update longevity matters. Longer support means better security, access to new features, and app compatibility. For users planning to keep their phone beyond three years, the XS offered better long-term value.

Camera Comparison: Subtle but Meaningful Gains

Both phones feature dual 12MP rear cameras: wide and telephoto. The hardware specs look similar, but Apple made several behind-the-scenes improvements in the XS.

• Better low-light performance thanks to larger sensor pixels and Smart HDR
• Faster autofocus and image processing
• Improved bokeh simulation in Portrait Mode
• Enhanced depth mapping using the TrueDepth front camera

In real-world use, the XS produces more balanced exposures, especially in high-contrast scenes. Smart HDR blends multiple exposures seamlessly, preserving highlight and shadow detail without looking overprocessed.

The front camera is another area of improvement. The XS upgraded to a 7MP TrueDepth camera with Portrait Mode and advanced facial recognition, enabling better selfies and more natural-looking depth effects.

Feature	iPhone 8 Plus	iPhone XS
Display	5.5\" LCD (401 PPI)	5.8\" OLED (458 PPI)
Processor	A12 Bionic (3-core GPU)	A12 Bionic (4-core GPU)
Front Camera	7MP, f/2.2	7MP, f/2.2 + Portrait Mode
Biometric Security	Touch ID	Face ID
Water Resistance	IP67 (up to 1m for 30 min)	IP67 (same)
Wireless Charging	No	Yes
Last Supported iOS	iOS 16	iOS 17

User Experience: Is the Upgrade Noticeable?

Here’s a realistic scenario: Sarah had used her iPhone 8 Plus since 2017. By 2022, she noticed slower app launches and occasional crashes with newer versions of Instagram and TikTok. Her battery health dropped to 78%, requiring a midday charge. She upgraded to a refurbished iPhone XS.

At first, she missed the tactile feedback of the home button. Face ID took a few days to get used to, especially when wearing masks. But within a week, she appreciated the slimmer profile, richer display, and faster wireless charging. Most importantly, apps ran smoother, and iOS updates felt snappier.

After six months, Sarah reported fewer app crashes and better camera performance in dim lighting. However, she did note that the XS’s battery life was slightly shorter than the 8 Plus’s—especially under heavy use. The 8 Plus still holds an advantage in endurance, lasting up to two hours longer in mixed-use scenarios.

Tip: Enable Optimized Battery Charging and reduce motion effects to extend daily battery life on the XS.

Cost-Benefit Analysis: Was It Worth It?

To determine whether the upgrade was worth it, consider these factors:

1. Usage intensity: Heavy media consumers benefit more from the OLED screen and better speakers.
2. Future-proofing: The XS received one additional iOS update, which matters for app compatibility.
3. Battery trade-off: You gain modern features but lose about 1–2 hours of battery life.
4. Price paid: If you bought the XS at full price ($999), the value proposition was weak. But at a discounted or refurbished rate, it becomes more justifiable.

For casual users who primarily make calls, text, and browse social media, the 8 Plus remains a capable device even today. The upgrade to the XS offers refinements, not revolutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the iPhone XS last all day on a single charge?

Yes, but barely. Under moderate use, expect 6–8 hours of screen time. Power users may need to charge by late afternoon. The 8 Plus generally lasts longer under the same conditions.

Is Face ID better than Touch ID?

It depends on context. Face ID is faster in ideal lighting and allows for more secure authentication (e.g., Apple Pay). However, it fails with masks, sunglasses, or low light. Touch ID is more reliable in those situations and works with wet fingers.

Should I upgrade from 8 Plus to XS in 2024?

Not unless you find the XS at a very low price. Both models are outdated by modern standards. Consider newer options like the iPhone 11 or 12 for better value and longer support.

Conclusion: Making the Right Choice for You

The iPhone XS represented a step forward in Apple’s smartphone evolution—slimmer design, better display, and enhanced software support. But for iPhone 8 Plus owners, the upgrade wasn’t transformative. The core experience remained familiar: same processor, similar cameras, and comparable durability.

If you valued design modernity, wireless charging, and an extra year of iOS updates, the XS was a reasonable upgrade. But if you prioritized battery life, physical buttons, and cost efficiency, staying with the 8 Plus—or skipping to a later model—was smarter.

Technology upgrades should serve your lifestyle, not the other way around. Before making any switch, ask: Does this improve my daily experience meaningfully? Or am I paying for change’s sake?

💬 Upgraded from 8 Plus to XS? Share your experience below. Did the changes make a real difference, or was it all hype?