The iPhone 8 is kinda like that one reliable car you see in every suburban driveway. It doesn’t turn heads anymore, but it starts every single time. Honestly, when Apple dropped this back in 2017 alongside the "flashy" iPhone X, everyone treated it like a footnote. A relic. The last of the old guard.
You’ve probably seen it lately in the hands of a younger sibling or sitting in a "for sale" bin at a local repair shop. It looks dated. Those massive bezels at the top and bottom scream 2014. But here's the thing: people are still buying it. In 2026, the market for this specific glass-backed slab hasn't disappeared. It’s just evolved.
Why the iPhone 8 is basically the king of "good enough"
When the iPhone 8 arrived, it felt like a weird middle child. It had the same exact brain as the iPhone X—the A11 Bionic chip—but looked like an iPhone 6. This was Apple playing it safe. They knew half their audience wasn't ready to lose the home button.
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Turns out, they were right.
Even today, there’s a distinct segment of users who absolutely loathe Face ID. They want Touch ID. They want to unlock their phone while it’s sitting flat on a desk without performing a yoga pose to get their face in front of the camera. The iPhone 8 was the last "mainstream" flagship to offer that before the SE line took over the budget mantle.
The specs that actually matter now
Let’s be real. You aren’t buying an iPhone 8 for the 12MP camera. It’s fine, sure. It takes decent shots in broad daylight. But the moment the sun goes down, things get grainy fast.
The real value lies in the build. This was the first model to bring back the glass back since the iPhone 4S, which enabled Qi wireless charging. It’s a feature we take for granted now, but for a "legacy" device, it keeps it feeling somewhat modern. You can still plop this thing on a MagSafe puck (though it won’t stick magnetically) and it’ll juice up just fine.
- Weight: 148 grams. It’s light.
- Display: 4.7-inch Retina HD. Tiny by today's standards.
- Water Resistance: IP67. Don't go deep-sea diving, but a splash is fine.
The A11 Bionic was a monster in its day. It was the first time Apple used its own designed GPU. While it can’t handle high-end gaming in 2026 without heating up like a pocket warmer, it still flies through iMessage, Spotify, and basic browsing. It’s snappy. Sorta.
The iOS compatibility wall
Here is where we have to be honest. The iPhone 8 has officially hit the end of the road for major software updates.
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Apple stopped supporting it with iOS 17. That means if you're looking for the latest lock screen widgets or the newest system-wide AI features, you’re out of luck. It’s stuck on iOS 16. For most people, this is the dealbreaker. But should it be?
Not necessarily.
Apps don't just stop working the day a phone stops getting updates. Usually, you have a 2-3 year grace period before developers start requiring a higher iOS version. If you just need a device for WhatsApp, basic banking, and scrolling Reddit, the iPhone 8 is a functional tool. It’s the "budget" choice that actually feels like a premium object in your hand, unlike some of the plastic-heavy Android alternatives in the $100 price range.
Let’s talk about that battery
If there is a "villain" in the iPhone 8 story, it’s the 1,821 mAh battery.
It was small in 2017. In 2026, it's microscopic. If you are buying a used one today, the battery health is likely hovering around 75-80% unless it’s been replaced. You will not make it through a full day. Period.
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You’ll be looking for a Lightning cable by 3:00 PM. If you're a heavy user, this phone will drive you insane. But for someone who uses their phone as... well, a phone? It’s manageable.
The 2026 price check
Right now, you can find a refurbished iPhone 8 for somewhere between $90 and $120. That is basically "disposable" territory for a piece of tech.
Is it worth it?
If you’re a parent looking for a first phone for a middle-schooler, maybe. If you need a "burner" for travel or a dedicated music player for the gym, absolutely. But if this is going to be your primary device, you’re probably better off looking at a used iPhone 12 or an SE 3. The leap in battery life and 5G connectivity is worth the extra sixty bucks.
The iPhone 8 represents the end of an era. It’s the most refined version of the design Apple spent four years perfecting. No notch. No gestures. Just a button that clicks (well, vibrates to feel like a click) and a screen that works. It’s not exciting. It’s just an iPhone. And for a lot of people, that’s exactly what they’re looking for.
Actionable steps for iPhone 8 owners
If you are still rocking an iPhone 8 or just picked one up, here is how to keep it alive:
- Check the Battery Health: Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health. If it’s under 80%, spend the $50 to get a fresh one installed. It’ll feel like a new phone.
- Limit Background Refresh: Since the battery is small, go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and turn off anything you don't need.
- Stick to Lightweight Apps: Avoid heavy games like Genshin Impact. Stick to the basics to avoid the "thermal throttling" that happens when the old chip gets too hot.
- Use HEIC for Photos: It saves a ton of space on the 64GB base models.