The iPhone 8 came out in September 2017, and both the 8 and the 8 Plus are more affordable alternatives to the equally new iPhone X. But while the X may have some extras, many online entrepreneurs choose the Apple iPhone 8 because of the lower price and because it still has plenty of the features that make Apple’s latest smartphone generation a good pick for internet businesses.
The IP67 Rating
The IP code is the International Protection Marking, a standardized set of tests performed on electronics to find out how safe they keep their insides. After all, not every entrepreneur spends all day in a sterile office; many spend their time in workshops assembling things on commission or traveling from one client to the next, and it helps to have a smartphone that can handle anything that could happen to it.
The Apple iPhone 8 has an IP67 rating. The six means the interior is safe against any dust and objects, from fingers and insects down to even the smallest dust particles. The seven means you can drop the iPhone 8 into a tank of water up to 1 meter deep and leave it there for 30 minutes without hurting the electronics.
The Augmented Reality Optimization
Augmented reality (AR) is becoming increasingly common thanks to mobile technology, sophisticated cameras, real-time scanning, and the fact that AR can be incredibly useful to all kinds of businesses. You can have a blueprint that comes with a complete scale model using AR, or you can program a self-guided tour app that superimposes points of interest and historical information over real buildings. The iPhone 8 comes with a powerful A11 bionic chip and an AR-optimized camera, making it perfect for any online entrepreneur who uses AR daily.
The Retina HD Display
Image via Flickr by Aaron Yoo
The iPhone Retina display has been part of the smartphone’s design since the fourth generation, and with the iPhone 6, 7, and 8, you can get an HD display that’s 4.7 or 5.5 inches along the diagonal depending on the model. These screens come with incredible pixel density, so users see a clear and realistic image whether they’re searching online or using FaceTime with their business partners.
Something else that helps with online video chat is connecting the Apple iPhone 8 to T-Mobile’s 4G LTE network. According to a recent study by OpenSignal, T-Mobile’s network is faster than the competition by nearly 2 Mbps.
The Fingerprint ID
The Touch ID system has been part of Apple’s iPhone and iPad products since 2013, and even now there are only a few competing phones that use fingerprints to unlock phones. The iPhone 8 can use your fingerprint or a passcode for unlocking the phone and for paying online in an instant, making it a useful function once you set up your Wallet and payment preferences. Businesspeople are particularly fond of Touch ID thanks to the extra layer of biometric security that helps keep the critical information on their mobile devices safe.
The Battery Life
Image via Flickr by Aaron Yoo
Both the iPhone 8 and the 8 Plus come with smaller batteries than the last two generations, but thanks to solid designs, they can last quite a bit longer. That means you can spend more time talking to clients, streaming videos, or taking photos for your blog or news section without worrying about having to find a charger. That’s especially handy when you realize the iPhone 8 can record 4K videos at 60 fps, which is enough detail to impress a conference room while using a big-screen monitor.
Another new feature comes in handy once the battery is low. The iPhone 8 is the first generation to offer wireless charging, so you can set your phone on a Qi-based charger and leave your wires at home.
Smartphones are a big help to all kinds of businesses, especially small internet companies that don’t have the funds or time to spare on a fast desktop computer that doesn’t leave the office. The Apple iPhone 8 lets you capture and play video, talk to others, make online connections, and keep your information safe while you’re out and about all day, making it a perfect companion for any online entrepreneur.
