In September 2017, Apple did something pretty weird. They stood on stage at the Steve Jobs Theater and announced three different phones at once. Most of the oxygen in the room went to the futuristic iPhone X with its $999 price tag and notch. But for the average person who just wanted a phone that worked, the real question was how much was the iphone 8?
It felt like the end of an era. The iPhone 8 was basically the last stand for the classic home button design before the world went all-in on swipes and Face ID. Honestly, looking back at the pricing now, it’s a fascinating glimpse into how Apple used to tier their devices before "Pro" and "Max" became the standard vocabulary.
The Original Launch Price Breakdown
When the iPhone 8 first hit the shelves on September 22, 2017, it didn't come cheap, even if it looked "old" compared to the iPhone X. Apple moved away from the 32GB base model that year, which was actually a huge win for users. They doubled the starting storage to 64GB.
The base iPhone 8 (64GB) launched at $699.
If you wanted the massive 256GB version, you had to cough up $849.
Then there was the big brother. The iPhone 8 Plus, with its dual cameras and bigger battery, added a $100 premium across the board. The 64GB Plus model started at $799, and the maxed-out 256GB Plus model topped out at $949. People often forget that for just fifty bucks more than that top-tier 8 Plus, you could have had the entry-level iPhone X. It created this strange internal competition where buyers had to choose between "tried and true" or "the future."
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A Timeline of Price Drops
Apple didn't just keep these prices static. They had a very predictable rhythm back then. Every time a new flagship launched, the iPhone 8 took a haircut.
- September 2018: When the iPhone XS and XR arrived, Apple slashed the iPhone 8 starting price to $599.
- September 2019: The iPhone 11 launch pushed it down even further to $449.
By the time 2020 rolled around, the iPhone 8 was officially discontinued to make room for the second-generation iPhone SE. That SE actually used the exact same body as the iPhone 8 but stuffed a faster chip inside for only $399. It’s funny how the design lived on even after the name was retired.
Why Was It So Expensive for an "Old" Design?
A lot of people balked at the $699 starting price. For years, the flagship iPhone had started at $649. That $50 jump felt personal. But Apple justified it with the materials. They moved from the aluminum back of the iPhone 7 to a glass back.
Why? Wireless charging.
That was the big selling point. You could finally plop your phone on a Qi mat and walk away. Plus, it had the A11 Bionic chip. At the time, that processor was absolutely destroying every Android flagship in benchmarks. You were paying for a "sleeper" hit—a phone that looked like 2014 on the outside but ran like 2020 on the inside.
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The Hidden Costs: Repairs and Extras
If you're wondering how much was the iphone 8 in total, you have to look at the accessories. This was the second year without a headphone jack. If you lost the little $9 dongle that came in the box, that was an extra expense.
And the glass back? That was a nightmare for your wallet.
While a screen replacement was one thing, if you shattered the back glass, Apple treated it as "other damage." Out-of-warranty, a shattered back on an iPhone 8 could cost you $349. On the 8 Plus, that jumped to $399. Basically, if you dropped your phone without a case, you were paying nearly half the price of a new one just to fix the aesthetics.
What is an iPhone 8 Worth Today?
If you're looking to buy one now for a kid or as a backup, don't pay more than $100. Honestly, even that is pushing it. You can find refurbished 64GB models on sites like Swappa or Back Market for anywhere between $75 and $95.
But there's a catch.
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The iPhone 8 is stuck on iOS 16. It didn't get the update to iOS 17 or the newer iOS 18. This means it's officially entering the "vintage" phase. Apps will still work for a while, but you’re missing out on all the newest security patches and features.
Is It Still a Good Buy?
Probably not for a primary phone. The battery life on the 4.7-inch model was never amazing, and after nearly a decade, most original batteries are cooked. You’d likely have to spend another $50 to $70 just to get a fresh battery installed.
However, as a dedicated music player for the gym or a cheap webcam using Continuity Camera, it’s still a solid piece of hardware. The True Tone display and the 12MP camera still hold up surprisingly well in good lighting. Just don't expect it to keep up with modern gaming or heavy multitasking.
If you're hunting for one, check the battery health in the settings before handing over any cash. If it's below 80%, keep walking. Or, better yet, look for a 2020 or 2022 iPhone SE. You get the same home button experience but with years of software support left in the tank.
Practical Next Steps:
- Check your current phone's trade-in value; most carriers no longer offer credit for the iPhone 8 toward new flagships.
- If you still own an iPhone 8, back up your photos to iCloud immediately, as these older logic boards can fail without warning.
- If you need a budget replacement, look specifically for the iPhone SE (3rd Gen) to ensure 5G compatibility and modern app support.