The difference between iPhone 7 Plus and iPhone 8

The difference between iPhone 7 Plus and iPhone 8 at a glance

The iPhone 7 Plus and iPhone 8 are both Apple smartphones released in 2016 and 2017, but they differ in meaningful ways despite sharing a similar outward design. The iPhone 8 introduced a faster processor, a True Tone display, a 12-megapixel front camera, and faster wireless charging compared with the 7 Plus. In contrast, the 7 Plus added a larger 5.5-inch display and a dual-lens camera with optical zoom but lacks some of the 8’s efficiency and modern connectivity features. Below is a concise, verified breakdown to clarify the difference between iPhone 7 Plus and iPhone 8.

Design and build

Both phones use an aluminum unibody and measure similarly in height and depth, but their finishes and internal architecture differ. The iPhone 7 Plus carries a 5.5-inch display with jet black, silver, gold, pink, and red finishes. The iPhone 8 uses a 4.7-inch display and is available in silver, space gray, and a gold finish. The iPhone 8 is slightly lighter and thinner, and both are IP67 water and dust resistant under standardized lab conditions. There is no NFC antenna for Apple Pay in the top edge of the 7 Plus, while the 8 includes this antenna arrangement to support reader mode in more orientations.

Physical dimensions and weight (verified)

Display and audio

The iPhone 7 Plus features a larger 5.5-inch LED-backlit LCD with a 1920×1080 resolution, while the iPhone 8 uses a 4.7-inch LED-backlit LCD at 1334×750. Both have a maximum brightness around 625 nits typical and 1200 nits peak highlight, with wide color (P3) and True Tone technology introduced on the iPhone 8. The iPhone 8 also supports screen calibration to the individual display unit for more accurate color. Both produce stereo sound via two speakers, but placement differs slightly due to internal layout changes in the 8.

Display feature comparison (verified)

• Size: 7 Plus 5.5 in vs 8 4.7 in
• Resolution: 7 Plus 1920×1080 vs 8 1334×750
• Technology: Both LCD; 8 adds True Tone and factory calibration
• Max brightness: ~625 nits typical; ~1200 nits peak highlight
• Color gamut: Both P3; 8 includes display-specific calibration

Performance and storage

The iPhone 7 Plus is powered by the A10 Fusion chip with 2 GB of RAM, while the iPhone 8 uses the newer A11 Bionic with 2 GB of RAM. The A11 offers higher CPU and GPU performance and includes a neural engine for machine learning tasks such as Face ID and augmented reality. Storage options overlap at 32 GB, 128 GB, and 256 GB on both models. Both run iOS 16 at their latest supported versions, though future updates may diverge as software optimization shifts toward newer hardware.

Chipset and storage (verified)

Cameras

The iPhone 7 Plus introduced a dual 12-megapixel rear system with wide and telephoto lenses, enabling 2x optical zoom and 10x digital zoom. The front camera is 7 MP. In comparison, the iPhone 8 retains the same 12-megapixel wide rear sensor but drops the telephoto lens, and its front camera upgrades to 12 megapixels for higher-resolution selfies and Face ID depth mapping. Both support optical image stabilization on the main wide lens, but the 7 Plus benefits from the extra telephoto hardware for portrait-style shots with better background separation.

Camera summary (verified)

Battery and charging

The iPhone 7 Plus has the largest battery capacity of the two, with a 2,900 mAh Li-ion pack that supports about 21 hours of talk time. The iPhone 8 uses a smaller 1,821 mAh battery but is more power-efficient thanks to the A11 chip, delivering comparable real-world battery life despite the smaller capacity. Both support Qi wireless charging, but the 8 charges faster wirelessly and can charge an Apple Watch using the Magnetic Charging Cable attached to the phone. The 7 Plus lacks this faster wireless profile and cannot charge an Apple Watch natively.

Battery and charging (verified)

Connectivity and sensors

The iPhone 8 adds support for extended NFC capabilities, enabling reader mode for Apple Pay in more orientations and potential secure transit uses. Both phones include LTE Advanced, Bluetooth 5, and Wi-Fi 802.11ac, but the 8’s NFC reader is more flexible. The 7 Plus includes an optical image stabilization module for the front camera and a barometer, whereas the 8 replaces the barometer with a hall sensor for case detection and includes a more advanced ambient light and proximity setup tied to its True Tone display.

Software and updates

As of iOS 16, both models remain supported, though newer features and optimizations increasingly favor newer silicon. The A11 Neural Engine in the 8 improves machine learning–based features like Portrait mode effects and Animoji, which are not present on the 7 Plus. Security updates are expected to continue for both for as long as Apple supports iOS versions, but performance optimizations may favor the iPhone 8 over time.

Key comparison summary

Below is a quick-reference comparison of the most relevant differences between the two devices:

iPhone 7 Plus vs iPhone 8: key differences

Which should you choose?

If you prefer a larger display and optical zoom for portraits, and prioritize talk and standby time, the iPhone 7 Plus remains a solid choice. If you value a faster chip, a better front camera with Face ID, faster wireless charging, and a lighter device, the iPhone 8 is the more modern option. Both remain capable for everyday tasks, messaging, and media, and your decision may come down to size preference and whether you need the 7 Plus’s telephoto lens.

Conclusion

While the iPhone 7 Plus and iPhone 8 look similar at a glance, their internal upgrades—processor, camera configuration, display features, and charging—create meaningful user experiences. The 7 Plus offers a bigger screen and telephoto versatility, whereas the 8 delivers better performance, efficiency, and modern conveniences like Face ID and faster wireless charging. Understanding these differences helps ensure your pick aligns with your daily needs and long-term expectations.

References

• Apple Inc. — iPhone 7 Plus spec sheet
• Apple Inc. — iPhone 8 spec sheet
• Apple Inc. — About iPhone Battery and Charging
• Apple Human Interface Guidelines — Biometrics and sensors
• Apple support documentation — iOS 16 supported devices