iPhone 8 Plus: Key Features and Specs Overview

iPhone 8 Plus

Basic Overview

The iPhone 8 Plus is a premium smartphone developed and marketed by Apple Inc., released on September 22, 2017, alongside the iPhone 8 and the iPhone X. Positioned as the larger-screen variant of the iPhone 8 lineup, it retained the iconic aluminum unibody design of the iPhone 7 Plus while introducing key upgrades, including wireless charging support, a more powerful A11 Bionic chip, and an improved rear dual-camera system. Targeted at users seeking a balance of traditional iPhone design, enhanced performance, and advanced camera capabilities, the iPhone 8 Plus was a transitional model bridging Apple’s classic home-button era and the full-screen, Face ID-equipped iPhone X generation.

Key Specifications

Category	Details
Display	5.5-inch Retina HD display with IPS LCD technologyResolution: 1920 × 1080 pixels (401 ppi)Features: 625 nits max brightness, 1300:1 contrast ratio, Wide Color (P3) gamut, 3D Touch support
Processor	Apple A11 Bionic chip (6-core 64-bit ARM-based processor)CPU: 2 high-performance cores (Monsoon) + 4 energy-efficient cores (Mistral)GPU: Apple-designed 3-core GPU (up to 30% faster than A10 Fusion)Neural Engine: 2-core dedicated AI processor for machine learning tasks
Storage Options	64GB / 256GB (non-expandable via external storage)
Cameras	Rear Dual Camera System– Wide-angle lens: 12MP, f/1.8 aperture, optical image stabilization (OIS), 1.22μm pixels, phase-detection autofocus (PDAF)- Telephoto lens: 12MP, f/2.8 aperture, 2× optical zoom, 10× digital zoom- Features: Portrait Mode (with Depth Control and Portrait Lighting effects), 4K video recording at 24/30/60 fps, 1080p HD video at 30/60/120/240 fps, slow-motion video (1080p at 120/240 fps)Front Camera– 7MP, f/2.2 aperture, Retina Flash, 1080p HD video recording at 30 fps, Portrait Mode support
Battery & Charging	Non-removable lithium-ion battery- Capacity: 2691 mAh- Battery Life: Up to 21 hours of talk time, up to 14 hours of internet use, up to 60 hours of audio playback- Charging: Wired charging via Lightning port (18W fast charging support, requires separate adapter), Qi wireless charging (first iPhone model with this feature)
Design & Build	Aluminum unibody with a glass back (enabling wireless charging)Dimensions: 158.4 × 78.1 × 7.5 mmWeight: 202 gramsWater and dust resistance: IP67 rating (up to 1 meter depth for 30 minutes)Color Options: Silver, Space Gray, Gold, Product (RED)
Operating System	Initially launched with iOS 11; upgradable to iOS 16 (final supported version, released in 2022; no support for iOS 17 and later)
Connectivity	4G LTE Advanced, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (MIMO), Bluetooth 5.0, NFC (for Apple Pay), GPS/GNSS, Lightning port (supports USB 2.0 speeds)
Biometric Authentication	Touch ID fingerprint sensor integrated into the Home button (last iPhone Plus model to feature Touch ID; succeeded by Face ID in later Plus/Pro Max models)
Other Features	Stereo speakers, Lightning EarPods (included), Siri voice assistant, dual-band GPS, barometer, accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor

Core Features & Innovations

A11 Bionic Chip & Neural EngineThe A11 Bionic marked a significant leap in mobile computing performance, delivering 25% faster CPU speeds and 30% faster GPU performance than the A10 Fusion in the iPhone 7 Plus. The integrated 2-core Neural Engine enabled advanced machine learning tasks, such as real-time image processing for Portrait Mode and facial recognition in photos—laying the groundwork for the AI capabilities introduced in later iPhones.
Qi Wireless ChargingThe iPhone 8 Plus was the first iPhone to support Qi-standard wireless charging, made possible by its glass back design. Users could charge the device by placing it on any Qi-certified wireless charging pad, eliminating the need for a Lightning cable connection for daily charging. It also supported 18W wired fast charging, though the required adapter was sold separately.
Enhanced Dual-Camera SystemBuilding on the iPhone 7 Plus’s dual-camera setup, the iPhone 8 Plus improved Portrait Mode with Depth Control (allowing users to adjust the aperture effect before or after taking a photo) and Portrait Lighting (simulating studio lighting effects like Natural Light, Studio Light, and Stage Light). The rear cameras also supported 4K video recording at 60 fps, a first for iPhone models at the time.
IP67 Water & Dust ResistanceLike its predecessor, the iPhone 8 Plus featured an IP67 rating, making it resistant to accidental spills, splashes, and dust exposure. It could withstand immersion in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes, enhancing durability for daily use.
3D Touch SupportRetaining the 3D Touch technology from earlier models, the iPhone 8 Plus allowed users to interact with apps via pressure-sensitive taps—enabling features like peek-and-pop previews, quick actions, and variable keyboard press sensitivity.

Limitations & Criticisms

Outdated DesignCompared to the iPhone X (released the same year), the iPhone 8 Plus retained the aging home-button design and thick bezels, which were seen as less modern than the X’s edge-to-edge OLED display and Face ID system.
No Expandable StorageSimilar to all modern iPhones, the iPhone 8 Plus lacked a microSD card slot, forcing users to choose between 64GB and 256GB storage options at purchase—with no way to upgrade later.
Limited Software SupportWhile the iPhone 8 Plus received iOS updates for 5 years (from iOS 11 to iOS 16), it was excluded from iOS 17 (2023) and subsequent versions, meaning it no longer gets security patches or new features beyond 2022.
No 5G ConnectivityAs a 2017 model, the iPhone 8 Plus only supports 4G LTE networks, making it incompatible with 5G— a key limitation for users in regions with widespread 5G coverage.

Legacy & Market Position

The iPhone 8 Plus was a popular choice for users who preferred the familiarity of the Touch ID home button and larger LCD display over the iPhone X’s new design and higher price point. It remained in Apple’s product lineup until April 2020, serving as a mid-range premium option for budget-conscious consumers. Its introduction of wireless charging set a precedent for all subsequent iPhone models, and the A11 Bionic chip established Apple’s dominance in mobile processor performance.