alongside the flagship iPhone X. Since then, Apple's most powerful iPhones have retained the general form of the iPhone X, with minor changes like a squared-off design marking newer models. The iPhone 8 form factor, which still includes thick bezels and a Touch-ID home button, has been relegated to the budget market of iPhones. Is it time to move on from the ancient design and push forward to the new iPhone 13?
It's easy to forget how old the iPhone 8 is since the design is still at the forefront of Apple's marketing strategy. Apple sold the smartphone for three years until 2020, when the iPhone SE (2nd-Generation) replaced it as the premier budget iPhone. Even that iPhone SE looked nearly identical to the iPhone 8, with the same casing, display and form factor. For s that appreciated the smaller, 4.7-inch display of the iPhone 8, the newer iPhone SE became a standout option to receive the latest processing power from Apple. The iPhone SE has been routinely refreshed since a four-year hiatus between the first and second generations, which is a testament to consumers' desire for an iPhone 8 style smartphone.
While the exterior of the Even the company's new display has an A13 Bionic processor, which is years ahead of the older A11 Bionic. Of course, the A11 Bionic and the iPhone 8 series are still ed by iOS 15, but Apple's mobile software is undoubtedly built for newer processors on modern smartphones. In addition, the iPhone 8 will stop receiving updates in the next couple of years. So, factoring in all of this, it may be time for an upgrade.
Upgrade Paths For iPhone 8 s
Perhaps the most straightforward upgrade path for iPhone 8 s looking to take the next leap is the iPhone 13 mini, which is a smaller version of the full iPhone 13. The iPhone 13 mini is roughly the same size as the iPhone 8, which is important because many s value the small size and reachability afforded by the older design. However, since the 13 mini has the minuscule bezels of modern iPhones, the screen is significantly larger than the iPhone 8. It's a 5.4-inch display with an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) , a notable improvement over the LED included in the iPhone 8. In addition, the A15 Bionic processor in the iPhone 13 mini is Apple's latest and greatest mobile chip, which will be a noticeable improvement over the A11 Bionic for even the most casual smartphone s. Finally, the price is even palatable: it comes in at $699, which undercuts all other flagship iPhones.
For other s fully embracing the larger form factor found in modern smartphones, the standard iPhone 13 includes all the key features of the 13 mini, but with a larger display. The 6.1-inch screen is full enough to watch videos during downtime or a morning commute comfortably, but the design is still small enough to fit comfortably in the 's hand. In addition, both the 13 and the 13 mini include a Face ID sensor, but it's important to note that the 'notch' caused by the sensors will look visually more prominent on smaller phones. Regardless, both the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini are exceptional options for iPhone 8 s looking to make an upgrade in 2022.