2025 Apple iPhone 8 Plus Review: Is It Still a Good Deal?

When Apple iPhone 8 Plus was released in September 2017, it was a major leap in smartphone technology. Now, in 2025, the iPhone 8 Plus remains a popular choice for users who want a reliable iPhone without breaking the bank for the latest model. Despite being several years old, the device still holds up well in terms of performance, camera quality, and overall functionality. In this review, we’ll dive into the pros and cons of the iPhone 8 Plus, looking at its performance, camera, battery life, and design to help you decide if it’s still a good option in 2025.

Apple iPhone 8 Plus Key Specifications

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iPhone 8 Plus Design

The iPhone 8 Plus sports a classic design that blends a glass front and glass back with an aluminum frame. It was one of the first iPhones to introduce wireless charging, thanks to its glass back. The build quality feels premium and solid, and while the design might feel a bit invalid in comparison to newer iPhones, it still holds a timeless appeal.

Key Design Features:

• Premium Build: Glass front and back with an aluminum frame.
• Colors: Gold, Space Gray, Silver, and Red.
• Display: 5.5-inch Retina HD display with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels, delivering sharp images and vibrant colors.
• Water and Dust Resistance: The iPhone 8 Plus comes with an IP67 rating, meaning it is resistant to dust and water (can be submerged in 1-meter-deep water for up to 30 minutes).
• Wireless Charging: The glass back allows Qi wireless charging, a feature that remains a major selling point.

Although the iPhone 8 Plus has a noticeable bezel around the screen, its design remains sleek and comfortable to hold. The glistening gold back gives it a luxurious feel that continues to best among modern smartphones.

Powered by the A11 Bionic Chip

The Apple A11 Bionic chip in the iPhone 8 Plus provides smooth, responsive performance for everyday tasks. While newer iPhones have since launched with more powerful chips, the A11 Bionic is still capable of handling most tasks confidently. Whether you’re browsing the web, watching videos, or playing graphically intensive games, the iPhone 8 Plus delivers excellent performance.

Performance Specifications:

• Chipset: Apple A11 Bionic (10 nm)
• CPU: Hexa-core (2x Monsoon + 4x Mistral)
• GPU: Apple GPU (three-core graphics)
• RAM: 3GB

Is the iPhone 8 Plus Fast Enough in 2025?

Yes, the iPhone 8 Plus still performed impressively in 2025. The A11 Bionic chip makes the device responsive even when multitasking or using demanding apps. It’s still great for social media, productivity apps, and light gaming. However, for very high-end gaming or professional video editing, newer iPhones will be faster due to the more advanced A12 Bionic or A14 Bionic chips. Still, for most users, the iPhone 8 Plus offers great performance.

Camera and Image Quality

One of the biggest selling points of the iPhone 8 Plus is its dual-camera system. The iPhone 8 Plus offers a 12 MP primary camera with a wide-angle lens (f/1.8) and a 12 MP telephoto lens (f/2.8) that provides 2x optical zoom. This dual-camera setup allows for stunning photos, whether you’re capturing a beautiful landscape or taking portrait shots.

Camera Features:

• Dual 12 MP Cameras

1. Wide Lens (f/1.8): Optical image stabilization (OIS) and phase detection autofocus (PDAF).
2. Telephoto Lens (f/2.8): 2x optical zoom for more detailed shots.

• Portrait Mode: Creates a stunning blur effect, blurring the background and keeping the subject in sharp focus.
• Portrait Lighting: Introduced with the iPhone 8 Plus, this feature adds lighting effects to your portraits, simulating professional studio lighting.
• 4K Video: Record high-quality video at up to 60fps in 4K.
• Selfie Camera: The 7 MP front camera with HDR is perfect for clear selfies and video calls.

Camera Samples:

• Low-light Performance: Thanks to its f/1.8 aperture and optical image stabilization, the iPhone 8 Plus performs exceptionally well in low-light situations, capturing sharp and bright photos.
• Portrait Mode: The Portrait Mode on the iPhone 8 Plus creates professional-looking photos with impressive background blur, making it ideal for capturing portraits or close-up shots.

Though newer iPhones like the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 offer more advanced camera systems with additional lenses and improved software, the iPhone 8 Plus camera still holds up for most users, providing excellent results for everyday use.

Battery Life: All-Day Power

The Apple iPhone 8 Plus comes with a 2691mAh battery, which can provide up to 21 hours of talk time or 81 hours of audio playback. For regular usage, the iPhone 8 Plus offers impressive battery life that can last you throughout the day without the need for a recharge.

Key Battery Features:

• Battery Type: Li-Ion, non-removable
• Charging: 15W wired charging (up to 50% charge in 30 minutes).
• Wireless Charging: Qi wireless charging for convenient, cable-free recharging.
• Battery Endurance: Despite its age, the battery can easily handle a full day of social media use, video streaming, and web browsing.

One thing to keep in mind, however, is that the battery capacity may degrade over time due to the non-removable design. If you’re purchasing a used model, it’s a good idea to check the battery health in the device’s settings.

The Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Classic Design: Premium glass and aluminum build with wireless charging.
• Solid Performance: A11 Bionic chip handles multitasking and gaming with ease.
• Excellent Camera: Dual 12 MP cameras with Portrait Mode and Portrait Lighting.
• Affordable: The iPhone 8 Plus is more budget-friendly compared to newer models.
• Good Battery Life: Long-lasting battery with fast charging and wireless charging.

Cons:

• Old Design: The bezels are noticeable when compared to newer edge-to-edge screens.
• No Face ID: Relies on Touch ID, which is not as modern as Face ID.
• Smaller Display: The 5.5-inch screen may feel small compared to larger, bezel-less displays of newer models.

iPhone 8 Plus: Is It Still Worth Buying in 2025?

The Apple iPhone 8 Plus remains a solid option in 2025 for users who want a reliable iPhone without paying top dollar for the newest models. While it may not have the latest technology like Face ID, 5G, or an OLED screen, it still offers great performance, camera quality, and battery life.

The device also provides excellent value for those who don’t need the most cutting-edge features but still want an iPhone that performs well for daily tasks.

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly iPhone with a great camera, solid performance, and reliable battery life, the iPhone 8 Plus is still a good choice. However, if you want the latest features like 5G, an OLED display, or the newest camera innovations, you might want to consider a newer model like the iPhone 12 or iPhone 13.

Comparison: iPhone 8 Plus vs iPhone X vs11

Here’s a detailed, SEO-optimized comparison of the iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, and iPhone 11, focusing on key specifications to help you decide which iPhone suits your needs.

Final Thought:

Choose the Apple iPhone 8 Plus for budget and simplicity, the iPhone X for premium design, and the iPhone 11 for performance and advanced camera features.

Conclusion: Should You Buy the iPhone 8 Plus?

The Apple iPhone 8 Plus is a great option for those looking for an affordable iPhone with decent features. Its performance is still strong, the camera system is impressive, and the battery life is solid. While it may not offer the latest advancements in smartphone technology, it remains a valuable and reliable choice in 2025.

FAQs: Apple iPhone 8 Plus Review