I haven’t written much in a while.
There is a question that keeps dropping in front of me. So now is time to say a few things.
It is time to upgrade my phone, do I get an 8, an 8 Plus or a X?
I am not going to debate iOS vs Android. By now you have made a commitment to one environment or another. The only reason to change is because there is something you cant do in your current environment. It is not a reason to change because someone says their phone is better.
We call it a phone but it is more of a window or a portal into your selected environment. It is not easy to select a ‘phone’ because it is a good ‘phone’. My Nokia 6310 was the best phone ever. But I no longer want only a phone.
There is a question that keeps dropping in front of me. So now is time to say a few things.
It is time to upgrade my phone, do I get an 8, an 8 Plus or a X?
I am not going to debate iOS vs Android. By now you have made a commitment to one environment or another. The only reason to change is because there is something you cant do in your current environment. It is not a reason to change because someone says their phone is better.
We call it a phone but it is more of a window or a portal into your selected environment. It is not easy to select a ‘phone’ because it is a good ‘phone’. My Nokia 6310 was the best phone ever. But I no longer want only a phone.
So I will assume you are in the iOS camp. And that you want something to do more than make phone calls.
Is the 8 a good new phone choice?
The 8 is a great phone, no doubt. If you have a 6s or prior it is well worth the upgrade. If you have a 7 there is less real benefit. Fast charging and wireless charging are nice but not enough to upgrade from a 7.
And the 8 Plus?
I was not a fan of the plus size phones when they first appeared. I tried a 6 plus and a 6s plus and kept falling back to the standard size phone. Now I use a 7 plus. After a year with it I am sold. The larger device allows for more stuff. You see more. With ageing eyes you see more easily. But it is the camera! Portrait mode is unbelievable and only on a Plus and a X.
Lets be honest, the smart phone has destroyed the need for a point and shoot camera. I have excellent cameras about the place but they rarely get an excursion these days. I take almost all my pictures on my 7 Plus. It is excellent. Take the time to look at a plus and bank the better battery life.
Yes it is bigger, yes it is harder to hold if you have small hands. Yes one handed use is not so easy. (I know about reachability. I have used it) But as a multifunction device, it is better for multifunctioning once you make the choice. And I pocket my plus without concern in my front pocket.
So much for the 8s
If you have less than a 7 then an 8 is a great idea. If your phone is your main camera, the plus is the right choice.
Do you need a X?
I get my X next month. The X is the next generation. You don't need a X. But you want it. Here are my 5 reasons.
1. It is smaller with a bigger screen than a Plus.
How can you get a bigger screen in a smaller package? less bezels. It is all screen. Bit like a Tardis phone I guess. Yeh I know about the notch. But from reviews I have read this becomes a nothing after a few moments of use. It is smaller and lighter too.
2. A better screen technology. Apple waited a long time to get to OLED screens. Waited till the screens met their specifications. Waited till they became available in Apple scale quantities. Yes Samsung makes the screen. But it is not a screen you will find on any Samsung phone.
3. Face ID. I love touch ID on my 7 plus. It is fast and accurate. The reviews say FaceID is faster and way safer. Safe enough to do Apple Pay.
(Oh and a quiet little aside. If you are not using Apple Pay on your phone yet, find out about it. I have not used cash at all in 18 months. All my purchasing happens on my phone. It is excellent. (should write that one up too I guess))
4. And the Camera. The camera is a little better on the X. Well not the camera but the lens. Wider aperture on the X.
5. The 8 is a great phone (mobile device). The plus is a superior device. But both are incremental steps above the 7 and 7 Plus. The X is the next generation of technology.
New can be scary.
You will need to master a few new techniques with a X. The lack of a home button will be a challenge. But only for a day or two. Likely a moment or two.
Summary.
If you are still using a 6 or less you are going to be very happy with an 8. Look at the Plus and think about getting it. It is not too big and it is so much better for all the things we do with a phone, other than phone.
If you have a 7 don't bother with an 8. Keep your 7 another year then make the jump or choose a X now.
Get a X if you want the best available today and start your journey into the new style of device. You are going to have to learn the new gestures one day. Get into it now.
The X costs a lot more. But if you keep your phone for 2 years it is the cost of the froth on your coffee per day.
If you are still confused get an 8 plus.
If you are no longer confused, you have already chosen a X.
Is the 8 a good new phone choice?
The 8 is a great phone, no doubt. If you have a 6s or prior it is well worth the upgrade. If you have a 7 there is less real benefit. Fast charging and wireless charging are nice but not enough to upgrade from a 7.
And the 8 Plus?
I was not a fan of the plus size phones when they first appeared. I tried a 6 plus and a 6s plus and kept falling back to the standard size phone. Now I use a 7 plus. After a year with it I am sold. The larger device allows for more stuff. You see more. With ageing eyes you see more easily. But it is the camera! Portrait mode is unbelievable and only on a Plus and a X.
Lets be honest, the smart phone has destroyed the need for a point and shoot camera. I have excellent cameras about the place but they rarely get an excursion these days. I take almost all my pictures on my 7 Plus. It is excellent. Take the time to look at a plus and bank the better battery life.
Yes it is bigger, yes it is harder to hold if you have small hands. Yes one handed use is not so easy. (I know about reachability. I have used it) But as a multifunction device, it is better for multifunctioning once you make the choice. And I pocket my plus without concern in my front pocket.
So much for the 8s
If you have less than a 7 then an 8 is a great idea. If your phone is your main camera, the plus is the right choice.
Do you need a X?
I get my X next month. The X is the next generation. You don't need a X. But you want it. Here are my 5 reasons.
1. It is smaller with a bigger screen than a Plus.
How can you get a bigger screen in a smaller package? less bezels. It is all screen. Bit like a Tardis phone I guess. Yeh I know about the notch. But from reviews I have read this becomes a nothing after a few moments of use. It is smaller and lighter too.
2. A better screen technology. Apple waited a long time to get to OLED screens. Waited till the screens met their specifications. Waited till they became available in Apple scale quantities. Yes Samsung makes the screen. But it is not a screen you will find on any Samsung phone.
3. Face ID. I love touch ID on my 7 plus. It is fast and accurate. The reviews say FaceID is faster and way safer. Safe enough to do Apple Pay.
(Oh and a quiet little aside. If you are not using Apple Pay on your phone yet, find out about it. I have not used cash at all in 18 months. All my purchasing happens on my phone. It is excellent. (should write that one up too I guess))
4. And the Camera. The camera is a little better on the X. Well not the camera but the lens. Wider aperture on the X.
5. The 8 is a great phone (mobile device). The plus is a superior device. But both are incremental steps above the 7 and 7 Plus. The X is the next generation of technology.
New can be scary.
You will need to master a few new techniques with a X. The lack of a home button will be a challenge. But only for a day or two. Likely a moment or two.
Summary.
If you are still using a 6 or less you are going to be very happy with an 8. Look at the Plus and think about getting it. It is not too big and it is so much better for all the things we do with a phone, other than phone.
If you have a 7 don't bother with an 8. Keep your 7 another year then make the jump or choose a X now.
Get a X if you want the best available today and start your journey into the new style of device. You are going to have to learn the new gestures one day. Get into it now.
The X costs a lot more. But if you keep your phone for 2 years it is the cost of the froth on your coffee per day.
If you are still confused get an 8 plus.
If you are no longer confused, you have already chosen a X.
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