iPhone 8 Plus vs iPhone Air
Shop iPhone
iPhone 8 Plus
Starting at
£100.56£399.00 new
iPhone Air
Starting at
£687.30£999.00 newWhat's the difference between the iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone Air?
iPhone 8 Plus vs Air comes down to the chipset, RAM and screen size. Refurbished, the iPhone 8 Plus starts at £100.56, £586.74 less than the iPhone Air. The iPhone Air is the newer model, released in 2025.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Screen size
Screen type
Main camera
- Chipset: Apple A11 Bionic on the iPhone 8 Plus, Apple A19 Pro on the iPhone Air.
- The iPhone Air has more RAM: 12 GB vs 3 GB.
- The iPhone Air has a bigger screen: 6.5 inch vs 5.5 inch.
iPhone 8 Plus vs iPhone Air specs
The iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone Air differ in several key areas that suit different types of users. The iPhone 8 Plus is simpler and well suited for everyday use with a smaller screen and 4G connectivity. It offers familiar features like a physical SIM and Lightning connector. The iPhone Air provides more power and modern features, including a larger and sharper screen, much more memory, 5G connectivity, and an eSIM. It also has a lighter and slimmer design with USB-C charging. Choose the iPhone 8 Plus if you prefer a straightforward device with a classic setup. The iPhone Air is better if you want more storage, a higher resolution display, and the latest network and connector options.
iPhone 8 Plus vs iPhone Air price
Colour
iPhone 8 Plus vs iPhone Air battery life and software updates
Durability here covers software updates and operating system compatibility, which affect how long a device stays current. Both run iOS.
Software Updates
This suits buyers who want a device that keeps up with current software or those who prefer a simpler iOS experience without the newest changes.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
iPhone 8 Plus vs iPhone Air performance
Chipset
RAM
iPhone 8 Plus vs iPhone Air screen
Screen quality affects how content looks and feels to use. The iPhone Air offers a larger and higher resolution display with a more advanced screen technology, while the iPhone 8 Plus has a smaller screen with a Retina IPS LCD.
Screen Size
The iPhone Air has a 6.5 inch screen, giving you more room for watching videos and browsing. The iPhone 8 Plus has a 5.5 inch screen, which is easier to handle one-handed and fits more comfortably in smaller pockets.
Resolution
The iPhone Air has a resolution of 2736 x 1260, delivering sharper images and more detail on screen. The iPhone 8 Plus has a resolution of 1080 x 1920, which still provides clear visuals but with fewer pixels overall.
Screen Type
The iPhone Air uses Super Retina XDR technology, which offers better contrast and brightness for a richer viewing experience. The iPhone 8 Plus uses Retina IPS LCD, which produces accurate colours and good clarity suitable for everyday use.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
iPhone 8 Plus vs iPhone Air camera
Camera quality affects how photos and video come out, and front camera performance matters for selfies and video calls. The iPhone Air has higher megapixel counts on both front and main cameras, which can capture more detail.
Front Camera
The iPhone Air has an 18 megapixel front camera, which is well suited for detailed selfies and video calls. The iPhone 8 Plus has a 7 megapixel front camera, suitable for basic selfies and calls.
Main Camera
The iPhone Air features a 48 megapixel main camera, capturing more detail in photos, which benefits users who want clearer and more detailed images. The iPhone 8 Plus has a 12 megapixel main camera, which works well for everyday photography.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
iPhone 8 Plus vs iPhone Air size and design
Other features include physical design, network compatibility, connectors, SIM types, and storage options. These affect how you use the phone day to day and what accessories and networks it works with.
Network and SIM
The iPhone Air supports 5G mobile networks and uses an eSIM, making it suitable if you want faster mobile data and a digital SIM card option. The iPhone 8 Plus supports 4G networks and uses a physical SIM card, which suits users who prefer a traditional SIM setup.
Connector Type
The iPhone Air uses a USB-C connector, offering compatibility with modern chargers and accessories. The iPhone 8 Plus uses a Lightning connector, which is common on earlier iPhones and works with existing Lightning accessories.
Dimensions and Weight
The iPhone Air is slimmer and lighter, measuring 5.6 mm deep and weighing 165 g, which makes it easier to carry and handle. The iPhone 8 Plus is thicker at 7.5 mm and heavier at 202 g, providing a more substantial feel in the hand.
Storage Options
The iPhone Air offers larger storage options of 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB, ideal if you need space for many apps, photos, and files. The iPhone 8 Plus comes with 64GB or 256GB, which suits users with moderate storage needs.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
iPhone 8 Plus or iPhone Air: which should you buy?
Buy the iPhone 8 Plus if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £100.56, £586.74 less than the iPhone Air
Buy the iPhone Air if
- you want more RAM (12 GB vs 3 GB)
- you want a bigger screen (6.5 inch vs 5.5 inch)
- you want a higher-resolution main camera (48 megapixels vs 12 megapixels)
What our customers say
Customers say the iPhone 8 Plus looks and works like new with very good condition overall. Some mention the device suits children or older users who want a simple phone for games and staying connected. A few note that the iOS no longer updates on this model, which affects downloading some apps. The screen and build quality receive positive comments, though some mention issues with battery life and unlocking. The phone suits those who want a straightforward device with a familiar setup.
Customers describe the iPhone Air as looking almost brand new and working perfectly with excellent battery health. The device receives praise for its quality, storage capacity, and smooth performance. Many appreciate the larger screen and the phone's light and slim design. It is a good match for users who want a premium feel, plenty of storage, and longer battery life for daily tasks and media.
Overall, the iPhone 8 Plus fits users who prefer a simpler device with classic features and a smaller screen. The iPhone Air suits buyers seeking more advanced features, higher storage, and modern connectivity in a lighter phone.
iPhone 8 Plus vs iPhone Air FAQs
iPhone 8 Plus vs Air comes down to the chipset, RAM and screen size. Chipset: Apple A11 Bionic on the iPhone 8 Plus, Apple A19 Pro on the iPhone Air. The iPhone Air has more RAM: 12 GB vs 3 GB.
The iPhone 8 Plus is cheaper refurbished, from £100.56 compared with £687.30 for the iPhone Air.
The iPhone Air has a higher-resolution main camera: 48 megapixels vs 12 megapixels.
Updates for the iPhone 8 Plus ended in Mar 2025. Its last version is iOS 16. The iPhone Air is still supported and can run iOS 27.
The iPhone Air adds more RAM (12 GB vs 3 GB), a bigger screen (6.5 inch vs 5.5 inch) and a higher-resolution main camera (48 megapixels vs 12 megapixels). Refurbished, it costs £586.74 more (from £687.30 vs £100.56).
Refurbished, the iPhone 8 Plus comes in 64GB and 256GB, and the iPhone Air in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB.
