You've probably spent twenty minutes scrolling through eBay or refurbished tech sites looking for a "pink" iPhone 8 Plus. It's frustrating. You see photos that look undeniably like a soft, milky carnation pink, but then the listing says "Gold."
Honestly? You aren't crazy.
Apple technically never released a color called "pink" for the iPhone 8 Plus. Instead, they took the previous Rose Gold and Yellow Gold options and smashed them together into a weird, translucent glass finish they simply called Gold. Depending on the light in your kitchen or the time of day, that phone is basically a chameleon.
The Mystery of the Pink iPhone 8 Plus Finish
When Apple launched the 8 Plus in September 2017, they moved away from the aluminum backs of the iPhone 7. This changed everything for the color science. Because they were using a seven-layer color process under glass, the "Gold" finish took on a creamy, nude, and—yes—distinctly pinkish hue.
In a bright showroom, it looks like a rich cream. Under warm LED bulbs at home? It's a "dusty rose" or "blush pink."
Many people were actually pretty mad about this. If you were a guy expecting a "blingy" yellow gold phone like the iPhone 5s, opening the box to find what looked like a bottle of Pepto-Bismol was a shock. But for those of us who missed the dedicated pink iPhones of the past, it was a lucky accident.
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Why the Pink iPhone 8 Plus Color Still Holds Up
There is something about that specific glass back that newer iPhones haven't quite replicated. Even the "Pink" iPhone 15 or the later "Rose Gold" iterations feel different because the 8 Plus had that thick, heavy glass that gave the color depth. It feels less like a gadget and more like a piece of jewelry.
The Specs That Actually Matter Now
Let's be real for a second. It's 2026.
If you are buying this phone today, you aren't doing it to play the latest AAA mobile games or to edit 4K 60fps video for a living. You're buying it because you want a reliable backup, a kid’s first phone, or you just really love that Home button.
- The Display: You're looking at a 5.5-inch Retina HD screen. It’s got True Tone, which was a huge deal back then. It adjusts the white balance to match the light around you.
- The Processor: The A11 Bionic chip. It was a beast in its day. Now? It’s a workhorse for texting, Spotify, and light Instagram browsing.
- Battery Life: The 2691 mAh battery was great when it was new. If you're buying one used, check the "Battery Health" in settings. Anything under 80% is going to feel like a tether to the wall.
The dual-camera setup on the back still takes surprisingly decent photos in daylight. The "Portrait Mode" on the pink iPhone 8 Plus was one of the first to really nail that blurry background (bokeh) look without needing a massive DSLR.
The Red Variant Confusion
Sometimes people search for the pink iPhone 8 Plus and stumble across the (PRODUCT)RED Special Edition.
That one isn't pink.
It’s a deep, aggressive cherry red with a black front. It was released in April 2018 to help fight HIV/AIDS. While it's a stunning collector's item, it doesn't have that soft, feminine vibe of the "Gold" model. If you want the pink look, stick to the standard Gold.
Is it Still Usable?
This is where it gets a bit tricky. Apple officially cut off iOS updates for the iPhone 8 series a while ago. You’re stuck on iOS 16.
For most people, that’s fine. Most apps still support iOS 16, and they will for a couple more years. But eventually, things like banking apps or Netflix might stop updating. You also miss out on the latest security patches.
If you just need a phone that makes calls, takes "good enough" photos, and looks beautiful in a clear case, the pink iPhone 8 Plus is a steal on the secondhand market. Just don't expect it to keep up with a modern Pro Max.
What to Look for When Buying
If you're hunting for one right now, don't just search for "pink." You'll get better results searching for iPhone 8 Plus Gold.
- Check the Glass: The back is glass. It cracks easily if dropped. Replacing that back glass is often more expensive than the phone itself because of how the internals are glued in.
- Verify the Model: Make sure it’s the "Plus." The standard iPhone 8 is much smaller and has a tiny screen.
- Storage Check: Stay away from the 64GB version if you can. iOS takes up a huge chunk of that, and once you download a few apps, you'll be constantly deleting photos to make room. Look for the 256GB model.
Actionable Next Steps
If you're sold on the aesthetic of the pink iPhone 8 Plus, your best bet is to check platforms like Swappa or Back Market. These sites usually have better quality control than a random person on Facebook Marketplace.
Once you get it, buy a high-quality clear case. There is no point in buying this specific color just to hide it under a thick black rubber brick. Brands like Spigen or OtterBox make clear versions that won't yellow too quickly.
Keep an eye on that battery health, and if it starts dying at 20%, take it to a local repair shop for a fresh cell. It’ll give the phone a whole new lease on life for under $60.