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Hands-On With Apple's New Glass-Backed iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus

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Apple today at the Steve Jobs Theater introduced the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus with an all-new aluminum and glass design.

iphone 8 and 8 plus

iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus via The Verge

The Verge managed to get some hands-on time with the two new smartphones, which look more or less the same as the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, beyond their glossier looking glass-backed finishes.

The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus look pretty much the same as their predecessors, but they have a new back cover that’s coated in glass and gives them a somewhat fresher look. The glass blends into the sides of the phone incredibly well, better than we’ve seen on other phones. There’s a subtle density to the glass, too, and overall it looks a lot better than the back of the 7. That glass back allows for wireless charging, which is one of the big new features here.

iphone 8 and 8 plus slashgear

iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus via SlashGear

Those who owned an iPhone 4 may be concerned about Apple's return to a glass back, but it said the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus have "the most durable glass ever in a smartphone, front and back."

Engadget's Chris Velazco held the iPhone 8 and felt it had a "bit of extra density" compared to previous models. Fortunately, SlashGear's Chris Burns said the difference is "near-impossibly-perceivable."


Apple's tech specs confirm the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus are slightly heavier at 5.22 ounces and 7.13 ounces respectively, compared to 4.87 ounces and 6.63 ounces for the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus respectively.

iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus are also 0.2mm thicker than the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus respectively, so only the tightest of current cases may not fit.

Beyond their slightly thicker, glass designs, the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus still have Touch ID, Lightning connectors, side Lock buttons, and no headphone jacks. And unlike the iPhone X, both still have bezels on the front.

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Top Rated Comments

SvenLorenz1975 Avatar
SvenLorenz1975
118 months ago
Didn't expect to say this, but I'll probably go for the 8 plus. Bezels don't matter to me, Face ID and the OLED screen are first generation technologies that are bound to be buggy and since the 8 plus has the same CPU and RAM as the X, it'll outperform the X easily because of it's screen. And most apps, apart from the really big ones, are going to take forever to update to the new screen on the X anyway.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
P
profets
118 months ago
Incredible how the bezels on these phones instantly look dated next to the iPhone X.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
E
eatrains
118 months ago
I just want a new small phone...
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
navaira Avatar
navaira
118 months ago
That's correct it would seem.
I can't believe I am saying this, but I feel Xiaomi got this better (obviously I only mean the design, not tech specs and Hair ID)

MacRumors content image
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
C
cmwade77
118 months ago
Incredible how the bezels on these phones instantly look dated next to the iPhone X.
Funny I was just thinking about how dated the iPhone X looks compared to my Note 8.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
G
ghanwani
118 months ago
I want an iPhone SE update with latest processors and fast charging. Fast charging (not wireless charging) is about the only feature I care about.

The new phones, all of them, are too big/heavy -- the 8 is heavier than the 7 (which had tried to improve on the 6s)
5.22 vs 4.87 vs 5.04.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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