Apple’s next generation phones iPhone X, 8 and 8 Plus – the future is even more choice

Apple released its next generation of iPhones last night, skipping a 7s model, announcing an iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, and introducing a new flagship iPhone X model to mark 10 years since the launch of the original iPhone.

The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus are available from 22nd September and the iPhone X won’t be available until 3rd November, with prices starting at £699 ($699) and £799 ($799) respectively. The upgrades to the iPhone 8 models are incremental with wireless charging and a faster processor the headline features.

The iPhone X is the more interesting proposition if you have deep pockets with prices starting at £999 ($999). It has a new 5.8″ (versus 5.5″ on the 6/7/8 Plus) edge to edge OLED display, Face ID, and an improved camera with image stabilisation and a brighter lens (f2.4 versus f2.8 on the iPhone 7/8 Plus) on the telephoto lens.

The iPhone 7, 6s and SE remain in the line up with slightly reduced prices, giving a total of 8 iPhone models to choose from. That’s a staggering choice with prices ranging from £349 ($349) for the iPhone SE to £1149 ($1149) for the 256GB iPhone X.

So how do you choose your next iPhone, or is it time to jump ship? If you’re want an OLED, edge to edge display, look no further than the Samsung Galaxy S8/S8+ for “only” £579/619, or £869 for the new dual camera Samsung Note 8 with an even larger 6.3″ screen and a stylus.

If like myself, the camera is what you upgrade your smartphone for, then a dual camera setup makes a lot of sense. This starts to whittle down the choice to the iPhone 7 and 8 Plus or the iPhone X, all with a wide angle and short telephoto lens and all with some water and dust resistance (IP67 rated, although liquid damage is not covered under Apple warranty). The iPhone X and 8 Plus also have an improved sensor and offer 4K video at an impressive 60fps (30fps on the 7 Plus), if that’s useful to you.

Only the iPhone X offers the brighter telephoto lens with image stabilisation, but whether that’s worth an extra £200 will most likely depend on whether the other new features also appeal to you.