The iStore announced on Friday, October 13 that pre-orders for the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus are now open. But how much will they cost? Surprisingly, less than the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ at launch…

Over the past few years, the majority of Apple iPhones have been more expensive than current-gen flagships from other brands. But with the focus on the iPhone X as the new pioneer for the brand, the iPhone 8 is actually slightly cheaper than one of its biggest competitors — the Galaxy S8 — was at launch.

The Galacy S8 was R15 499 at launch, while the S8+ was R17 499. However the devices have had their prices significantly reduced recently due to the launch of Samsung’s Galaxy Note 8.

So how much does the iPhone 8 cost? Well, the starting price for the iPhone 8 (64GB) is R13 499, while the iPhone 8 Plus (64GB) will be R15 499.

If you want a variant with higher storage, the 256GB versions of the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus are R16 499 and R18 499 respectively.

But what are you getting for this? See below for a refresher on the iPhone 8 specs…

iPhone 8 Specifications

Much like with the iPhone 7 and its larger companion, the iPhone 8 Plus is the more powerful of the two devices. As with its predecessor, it is also the only variant that has a dual camera.

If you were hoping for a bezel-less or edge-to-edge display, you’ll be disappointed, as Apple has reserved this for their iPhone X instead.

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But there are a few other noteworthy features of the phone, so don’t discount it just yet. It could make for a great alternative for iPhone fans who just don’t have R20 000 to spend on a phone.

The specifications of each model are included in the table below:

Is it Worth The Price?

Nothing definitive can be said until enough people have had hands-on experience with the handset. While US customers have had the chance to do this, unfortunately SA consumers have to wait until October 20.

It is the same price as the Galaxy S8 at the time of its release; but the iPhone 8 has a smaller battery, a lower display resolution, and less RAM.

What does work in Apple’s favour is the dual camera of the iPhone 8 Plus. Currently, Samsung’s only dual camera phone is the Note 8, which has a price starting from R18 499. Of course, there are other cheaper dual camera Android phones on the market.

The iPhone 8, and even the iPhone X, will be facing stiff competition from the likes of Xiaomi and Google. The Pixel 2 was recently announced by Google, with a noticeably lower price tag that similar flagships. Of course, the SA market may never see this phone.

It can be said though, from a specs perspective, that the iPhone 8 Plus will offer customers one of the best hardware-to-price ratios of any recent iPhone models. In fact, it looks like in terms of value-for-money, the iPhone 8 might even beat out its upcoming sibling. Of course, we have to wait and see what the local price for the iPhone X will be.

Between the iPhone 8 and the iPhone 8 Plus, if I had to suggest a variant based on specs alone (without experiencing the device) – the larger version is definitely the better deal.

Does the iPhone 8 pique your interest? What do you think of Apple’s latest phone? Let me know in the comments below…