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iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 8 Plus

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iPhone 16 Pro Max

Starting at

£840.13£1,399.00 new
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iPhone 8 Plus

Starting at

£100.56£399.00 new
See options
(476 reviews)
(422 reviews)

What's the difference between the iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 8 Plus?

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs 8 Plus comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the iPhone 8 Plus starts at £100.56, £739.57 less than the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is the newer model, released in 2024.

Refurbished from

£840.13£100.56

Chipset

Apple A18 ProApple A11 Bionic

RAM

8 GB3 GB

Battery

4685 mAh2691 mAh

Screen size

6.9 inch5.5 inch

Screen type

LTPO Super Retina XDR OLEDRetina IPS LCD
  • Chipset: Apple A18 Pro on the iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple A11 Bionic on the iPhone 8 Plus.
  • The iPhone 16 Pro Max has more RAM: 8 GB vs 3 GB.
  • The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a bigger battery: 4685 mAh vs 2691 mAh.

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 8 Plus specs

The iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 8 Plus differ in many key areas, making each suitable for different users. The iPhone 16 Pro Max offers a larger and higher-resolution screen, a more powerful chipset with greater RAM, and advanced camera systems that capture more detail. The iPhone 8 Plus provides a simpler experience with a smaller screen and fewer camera lenses. It uses a physical SIM and the Lightning connector. Choose the iPhone 16 Pro Max if you want a device with extensive features and responsiveness for demanding tasks. The iPhone 8 Plus fits well for everyday use where a straightforward, familiar device is preferred.

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 8 Plus price

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 8 Plus battery life and software updates

Durability covers battery capacity, software support, and overall device resilience. The two devices have notable differences that affect how long they can be used without needing replacement or software updates.

Battery Capacity

The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a 4685 mAh battery, which is substantially larger than the iPhone 8 Plus's 2691 mAh. This means the 16 Pro Max can support longer usage between charges, benefiting users who rely on their phone throughout the day without frequent recharging.

Battery

4685 mAh2691 mAh

Foldable

NoNo

Ip rating

IP68IP67

OS at launch

iOS 18N/A

Software updates

Supported, up to iOS 27Ended Mar 2025, last iOS 16

Wireless charging

YesYes

Year of release

20242017

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 8 Plus performance

Performance depends on the chipset, RAM, and storage options. These determine how smoothly apps run, multitasking ability, and storage for your files and apps.

Processor and RAM

The iPhone 16 Pro Max runs on the Apple A18 Pro chipset with 8 GB of RAM, which helps keep everyday apps running smoothly and supports more intensive tasks. The iPhone 8 Plus has the Apple A11 Bionic chipset with 3 GB of RAM, suited to everyday use and simpler workloads.

Storage Choices

The iPhone 16 Pro Max offers storage options of 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB, giving you more room for apps, photos, and media. The iPhone 8 Plus comes with 64GB or 256GB storage, which fits users who need less space or primarily use cloud storage.

Chipset

Apple A18 ProApple A11 Bionic

RAM

8 GB3 GB

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 8 Plus screen

Screen quality impacts how you view photos, videos, and interact with apps. Size, resolution, and screen type all affect clarity and comfort.

Screen Size and Resolution

The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a 6.9 inch display with a resolution of 1320 x 2868, offering a larger and sharper viewing area. This suits users who watch videos or multitask on their phone. The iPhone 8 Plus features a 5.5 inch screen with 1080 x 1920 resolution, providing a comfortable size for everyday use and easier one-handed handling.

Screen Technology

The iPhone 16 Pro Max uses an LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED screen, which delivers deeper blacks and more vibrant colours. The iPhone 8 Plus has a Retina IPS LCD screen, offering good colour accuracy and brightness for its class.

Refresh rate

120 HzN/A

Resolution

1320 x 28681080 x 1920

Screen size

6.9 inch5.5 inch

Screen type

LTPO Super Retina XDR OLEDRetina IPS LCD

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 8 Plus camera

Audiovisual features cover camera capabilities and front camera quality. These affect the detail and quality of photos and video calls.

Camera Setup

The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a triple camera system with a 48 megapixel main camera, offering more detailed photos and versatile shooting options. The iPhone 8 Plus features a double 12 megapixel camera setup, well suited for straightforward photography and everyday snapshots.

Front Camera

The iPhone 16 Pro Max includes a 12 megapixel front camera, which can capture sharper selfies and clearer video calls. The iPhone 8 Plus has a 7 megapixel front camera, suitable for standard video calls and photos.

Camera type

TripleDouble (2x)

Front camera

12 megapixels7 megapixels

Main camera

48 megapixels12 megapixels

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 8 Plus size and design

Miscellaneous features include connectors, network compatibility, SIM types, and physical dimensions, all of which affect convenience and compatibility.

Connector Type

The iPhone 8 Plus uses the Lightning connector, common on many iPhone models before USB-C became standard.

Network and SIM

The iPhone 16 Pro Max supports 5G networks and uses an eSIM, which offers flexibility without a physical SIM card. The iPhone 8 Plus supports 4G and uses a physical SIM card, fitting users who prefer a traditional SIM setup.

Physical Size and Weight

The iPhone 16 Pro Max is larger at 163 mm tall and 77.6 mm wide, weighing 227 g, suitable for users comfortable with a bigger device. The iPhone 8 Plus measures 158.4 mm tall and 78.1 mm wide, weighing 202 g, making it easier to handle for those wanting a smaller phone.

Carrier compatibility

UnlockedUnlocked

Connector

USB-CLightning

Depth

8.3 mm7.5 mm

Height

163 mm158.4 mm

Mobile network

5G4G

Release date

20 September 202422 September 2017

SD card slot

NoNo

SIM card

eSIMPhysical SIM

Weight

227 g202 g

Width

77.6 mm78.1 mm

iPhone 16 Pro Max or iPhone 8 Plus: which should you buy?

Buy the iPhone 16 Pro Max if

  • you want more RAM (8 GB vs 3 GB)
  • you want a bigger battery (4685 mAh vs 2691 mAh)
  • you want a bigger screen (6.9 inch vs 5.5 inch)

Buy the iPhone 8 Plus if

  • you want to spend less: it starts at £100.56, £739.57 less than the iPhone 16 Pro Max
  • you want a lighter build (202 g vs 227 g)

What our customers say

Customers who bought the iPhone 16 Pro Max praise its condition, often describing it as looking and feeling like new with very good battery health close to 100%. The screen responsiveness and display quality are noted as excellent, supporting smooth daily use. The phone's performance with the 8 GB RAM and Apple A18 Pro chipset meets expectations for demanding apps. Some customers mention the phone's premium feel and appreciate its large screen and camera capabilities, highlighting satisfaction with the device's features and battery longevity.

Buyers of the iPhone 8 Plus report that the phone works well and is in good condition, with some noting excellent screen quality and appearance. Battery life varies more among buyers, with some experiencing shorter battery duration. Several customers find it suitable for everyday use, including for children or simple tasks, although a few mention challenges with software updates and app compatibility due to its iOS version. The physical SIM and familiar Lightning connector make it straightforward for users comfortable with these features.

Overall, the iPhone 16 Pro Max suits users who want a feature-rich, high-performance device with a large screen and advanced camera system. The iPhone 8 Plus fits those looking for a reliable phone for everyday tasks with a smaller display and simpler setup.

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 8 Plus FAQs

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs 8 Plus comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Apple A18 Pro on the iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple A11 Bionic on the iPhone 8 Plus. The iPhone 16 Pro Max has more RAM: 8 GB vs 3 GB.

The iPhone 8 Plus is cheaper refurbished, from £100.56 compared with £840.13 for the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a bigger battery: 4685 mAh vs 2691 mAh.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a higher-resolution main camera: 48 megapixels vs 12 megapixels.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max is still supported and can run iOS 27. Updates for the iPhone 8 Plus ended in Mar 2025. Its last version is iOS 16.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max adds more RAM (8 GB vs 3 GB), a bigger battery (4685 mAh vs 2691 mAh) and a bigger screen (6.9 inch vs 5.5 inch). Refurbished, it costs £739.57 more (from £840.13 vs £100.56).

Refurbished, the iPhone 16 Pro Max comes in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB, and the iPhone 8 Plus in 64GB and 256GB.

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