Teardown reveals just how similar the iPhone 8 is to the iPhone 7

There are some differences, but nothing drastic.
By Stan Schroeder  on 
Teardown reveals just how similar the iPhone 8 is to the iPhone 7
This is how the iPhone 8 looks like when you open it up. Credit: iFixit

The iPhone 8 is finally here -- and by here, we mean you can go and buy it in a store.

But is this the iPhone you've been waiting for? Or will you wait until Nov. 3 for the far more daring, big-screened, bezel-free iPhone X? It's a tough decision; but a new iFixit teardown of the iPhone 8 (its bigger sibling, the iPhone 8 Plus, will come later) might help you make up your mind.

This doesn't come as huge surprise, but on the inside, the iPhone 8 is eerily similar to the iPhone 7. Yes, there's that new A11 Bionic chip, more memory, a slightly improved camera, a wireless charging coil, and a glass back. But don't be fooled by the fact that Apple skipped the 7S version number and went straight for the "8": The iPhone 8 is just a finely tuned and slightly upgraded iPhone 7.

Mashable Light Speed
Want more out-of-this world tech, space and science stories?
Sign up for Mashable's weekly Light Speed newsletter.
By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up!
Mashable Image
Credit: iFixit

Not all news is good, either. The iPhone 8's battery has a little less juice than the battery inside its predecessor -- 6.96 watt-hours vs. 7.45 watt-hours, although according to Apple this should not result in worse battery life. And, on the whole, the iPhone 8 is a little bit harder to repair, though removing the display and the battery is doable, if not exactly easy.

Let's face it, the real star among these new iPhones is the iPhone X, but we'll have to wait a couple more weeks (or more) to see that one opened up.

Topics Apple iPhone

Stan Schroeder
Stan Schroeder
Senior Editor

Stan is a Senior Editor at Mashable, where he has worked since 2007. He's got more battery-powered gadgets and band t-shirts than you. He writes about the next groundbreaking thing. Typically, this is a phone, a coin, or a car. His ultimate goal is to know something about everything.


Recommended For You
Why does Mark Zuckerberg look... like that?
Three photos of Zuckerberg: one of him in a white tee, one of him in a blue tee and chain, and one of him in a shearling jacket.

TikTok ban passes the House (again), with a few major differences
Johnson wears a dark blue suit, white shirt, maroon tie, and spectacles. He stands at a podium/ microphone.

Audio app Airchat probably isn't worth the hype
The Airchat logo surrounded by positive headlines from online publications.

Snapchat will now watermark users' AI-generated images
A phone displays the Snapchat logo in front of a screen that reads "My AI".

Report finds that Big Tech's ad monitoring tools are failing miserably. X is the worst.
A person typing on a laptop with a variety of ad pop-ups hovering around their hands.

More in Tech
A running list of the best deals on Mother's Day flower delivery
'love you forever' bouquet from the bouqs co.

The Supreme Court bolsters age verification rules for porn sites
A pair of hands typing on a laptop in the dark.

FKA twigs creates deepfake of herself, calls for AI regulation
FKA twigs speaks at Congressional Testimony.

Save $215 on a bundle package of NFL Sunday Ticket and YouTube TV
a group of three people sit together on a couch while drinking orange beverages from cups

Get ready for summer with up to 47% off Coleman camping gear at Amazon
two people sit on red camping chair with skewers for hot dogs while a tent sits behind them and a cooler is in the foreground

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for May 3
A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'

'Wordle' today: Here's the answer hints for May 3
a phone displaying Wordle

T-Mobile, AT&T, Sprint, Verizon slapped with $200M fine — here’s what they illegally did with your data
User holding iPhone


NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for May 2
A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!