TL;DR: Is it worth buying an iPhone 8 in 2023? If you are looking for an affordable iPhone that is still able to do most of the things you need it to do, then an iPhone 8 could be a good option for you. You can easily find an iPhone 8 for under $100. That low price may have you tempted, but there are other factors to consider.
Price can be a big factor when it comes to deciding whether a phone is worth buying. And, with current-generation flagships often topping the $1,000 price point, it often makes more sense to look for a gently used iPhone as a way to save money. Today, we’ll be taking a look at the pros and cons of buying an iPhone 8 in 2023 — so continue scrolling to learn more.
Is it worth buying an iPhone 8 in 2023?
Pros:
- With a starting price of around $100 — the iPhone 8 is very affordable
- The iPhone 8 runs iOS 16 and still has a lot of the features of newer iPhones
- The iPhone 8 is expected to get upgraded to iOS 17 in late 2023
Cons:
- The iPhone 8 is a nearly 6-year-old phone, so it is not as fast as newer iPhones
- The iPhone does not have a high-resolution display or a 5G modem
Smartphones are, well, they are phones. And more generally, they are internet-connected devices that fit in your pocket — but they also serve as primary cameras for lots of people. If you regularly rely on your iPhone to capture special moments, or you just want an iPhone that will last longer into the future — you’ll likely be better served with a newer iPhone.
Read more: Swappa’s iPhone Buyers Guide
iPhone 8: Overview & Specs Comparison
Apple originally released the iPhone 8 in September 2017 and it remained available from Apple through mid-April 2020.
It is easy to see that the iPhone landscape has changed since Apple originally released the iPhone 8. Bezels have shrunk, the display size has grown, and Apple has moved from Touch ID to Face ID.
Some people are happy to adopt these changes, but not everyone is a fan of larger devices and Face ID. And because not everyone is a fan of these changes — the iPhone 8 remains a popular option on Swappa.
The table below shows how the iPhone 8 stacks up against the iPhone Xr, the iPhone 11, and the iPhone 12. And if you’re looking for an iPhone with a home button and Touch ID, details for the 2nd-gen iPhone SE (2020) and the 3rd-gen iPhone SE (2022) are included.
| iPhone 8 | iPhone Xr | iPhone 11 | iPhone 12 | iPhone SE (2020) | iPhone SE (2022) | |
| Display | 4.7″ Retina HD (1344 x 750, 326 ppi) | 6.1″ Liquid Retina HD (1792 x 828, 326ppi) | 6.1″ Liquid Retina HD (1792 x 828, 326ppi) | 6.1″ Super Retina XDR (2532 x 1170, 460 ppi) | 4.7″ Retina HD (1334 x 750, 326 ppi) | 4.7″ Retina HD (1334 x 750, 326 ppi) |
| Front Camera | 7MP FaceTime HD | 7MP TrueDepth | 12MP TrueDepth | 12MP TrueDepth | 7MP FaceTime HD | 7MP FaceTime HD |
| Rear Camera | Single 12MP wide camera | Single 12MP wide camera | Dual 12MP ultra-wide and wide cameras | Dual 12MP ultra-wide and wide cameras | Single 12MP wide camera | Single 12MP wide camera |
| Processor | Apple A11 Bionic chip | Apple A12 Bionic chip with Second-generation Neural Engine | Apple A13 Bionic chip with Third-generation Neural Engine | Apple A14 Bionic chip with 16-core Neural Engine | Apple A13 Bionic chip with 8-core Neural Engine | Apple A15 Bionic chip with 16-core Neural Engine |
| RAM | 2GB | 3GB | 4GB | 4GB | 3GB | 4GB |
| Storage | 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB | 64GB or 128GB | 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB | 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB | 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB | 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB |
| Battery | 1,821 mAh | 2,942 mAh | 3,110 mAh | 2,815 mAh | 1,821 mAh | 2,018 mAh |
| Wireless Charging | Yes (Qi) | Yes (Qi) | Yes (Qi) | Yes (Qi and MagSafe) | Yes (Qi) | Yes (Qi) |
| Fast Charging | Yes (up to 50% charge in 30 minutes with an Apple 20W power adapter) | Yes (up to 50% charge in 30 minutes with an Apple 20W power adapter) | Yes (up to 50% charge in 30 minutes with an Apple 20W power adapter) | Yes (up to 50% charge in 30 minutes with an Apple 20W power adapter) | Yes (up to 50% charge in 30 minutes with an Apple 20W power adapter) | Yes (up to 50% charge in 30 minutes with an Apple 20W power adapter) |
| Size & Weight | 5.45 (H) x 2.65 (W) x 0.29 (D) (in inches) / 5.2 ounces | 5.94 (H) x 2.98 (W) x 0.33 (D) (in inches) / 6.84 ounces | 5.94 (H) x 2.98 (W) x 0.33 (D) (in inches) / 6.84 ounces | 5.78 (H) x 2.82 (W) x 0.29 (D) (in inches) / 5.78 ounces | 5.45 (H) x 2.65 (W) x 0.29 (D) (in inches) / 5.22 ounces | 5.45 (H) x 2.65 (W) x 0.29 (D) (in inches) / 5.09 ounces |
| Water Resistance | IP67 | IP67 | IP68 | IP68 | IP67 | IP67 |
| Colors | Space Gray, Silver, Gold, or PRODUCT(RED) | Blue, White, Black, Yellow, Coral, PRODUCT(RED) | Purple, Yellow, Green, Black, White, PRODUCT(RED) | Purple, Blue, Green, White, Black, PRODUCT(RED) | Black, White, PRODUCT(RED) | Midnight, Starlight, PRODUCT(RED) |
| Buy Now | iPhone 8 | iPhone Xr | iPhone 11 | iPhone 12 | iPhone SE (2020) | iPhone SE (2022) |
iPhone 8 in 2023: What you will get
- A cheap iPhone that can handle the basics with ease
- The most recent version of iOS (as of late 2022 with iOS 16)
- A small form factor iPhone with a home button and Touch ID (as opposed to Face ID)
iPhone 8 in 2023: What you will not get
- An iPhone that will easily last several years into the future
- An iPhone that features a modern higher-resolution display
The iPhone 8 is expected to support iOS 17 when it is released in late 2023, but that could be the last iOS update it receives (aside from a possible small security update).
Another important aspect to consider is battery life. While the iPhone 8 had great battery life when it was brand new — all phones will see a decrease in battery life over time. Basically, this is to say that if you are buying an iPhone 8 in 2023 you should expect some degradation in battery life, and possibly even make plans to get the battery replaced immediately.
If you’re concerned about battery life or future software updates, you should consider a newer iPhone. And, if you really like the smaller form factor of the iPhone 8 or want to keep the Touch ID and home button, the iPhone SE (2020) or the iPhone SE (2022) are both great options.
Read more: Swappa’s iPhone Buyer Guide
