Apple iPhone 8
How long will it last?
Our estimateSupported until December 2026 · Buy-by December 2024
Apple doesn't publish an end date, but iPhones have a consistent ~7-year update track record — on that basis the iPhone 8 should be supported until around December 2026. Buying it today still gets you about 0.5 years of safe use (Apple's written legal minimum is 5 years).
Source: Apple's documentation · last verified 2026-06-12 · how we compute this
TrueCost
Street price ÷ months of safe use remaining — the number that makes cheap short-lived phones expensive, and well-supported ones cheap.
138% above the under-$300 median ($6.74/mo, dying phones excluded)
Our verdict
A compact, durable Home-button iPhone that keeps getting security patches well past its prime.
Pros
- Still receiving iOS 16 security updates (16.7.x) in 2026
- Pocketable 4.7-inch size with Touch ID
- Adds Qi wireless charging over the iPhone 7
Cons
- Capped at iOS 16 with no new features
- Small 1821 mAh battery that is usually degraded on used units
Full specifications
Display
💡 Bigger numbers = smoother scrolling (Hz) and easier outdoor reading (nits).
| Screen | 4.7-inch LCD (Retina HD IPS), 1334x750, 60Hz |
Performance
💡 The phone's brain — it decides speed today and how well it ages.
| Chipset | Apple A11 Bionic |
| RAM | 2GB |
| Storage | 64GB / 256GB |
Cameras
💡 Megapixels aren't everything — lens variety matters more day-to-day.
| main | 12MP |
| front | 7MP |
Battery & charging
💡 Capacity in mAh — bigger usually means longer between charges.
| Battery | 1,821 mAh |
| Charging | 15W wired (USB-PD via Lightning), Qi wireless |
Build
💡 Size, weight, and the materials between your phone and the floor.
| Dimensions | 138.4 × 67.3 × 7.3 mm |
| Weight | 148 g |
| Materials | Aluminum frame, glass front and back |
| Water resistance | IP67 |
Software & connectivity
💡 The software it ships with, and how far it can upgrade.
| Software | iOS 11 at launch |
| Connectivity | 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, Lightning |
| Update policy | ~6 years of updates (our estimate from Apple's track record — written minimum is 5 years) |
Better-value alternatives
Similar price, lower cost per month of safe ownership.
Frequently asked questions
How long will the iPhone 8 get updates?
It is limited to iOS 16, with Apple still shipping iOS 16 security patches (16.7.x) in 2026. Plan for support to end around late 2026.
Does the iPhone 8 have a headphone jack?
No. Like the iPhone 7 before it, the iPhone 8 dropped the 3.5mm headphone jack and relies on Lightning or wireless audio.
Is the iPhone 8 too small for everyday use?
Its 4.7-inch screen feels small next to modern phones, but many people love the compact size and one-handed use, especially as a secondary device.
Compare it
Specs are collected from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers and change often. Support end dates follow each brand's official policy (or, for Apple, its documented historical pattern). Last verified 2026-06-12.