Phone face off: iPhone X vs. Galaxy Note 8

Angelo Ilumba Senior Writer

Updated 31 July 2025

EDITOR'S NOTE: Since their release dates in 2017, the iPhone X and Samsung Galaxy Note 8 have been replaced by newer iPhone and Galaxy models. The iPhone X and Galaxy Note 8 are no longer supported with the latest iOS updates or Android software updates, and the Galaxy Note series has been discontinued entirely.

The information below reflects the data and pricing at the time of the devices' releases, and availability will differ from when we first reviewed them. You can upgrade to a newer iPhone or new Galaxy phone, or you may still be able to find refurbished models of this device through retailers such as Amazon or eBay.

We're pitting Apple's iPhone X up against its toughest competition: Samsung's newly-announced Galaxy Note 8. If you're undecided on iOS vs. Android, read on for a side-by-side comparison of each device.

Side by side

	iPhone X	Galaxy Note 8

Display	5.8-inch, 458 ppi	6.3-inch, 521ppi
Display tech	Super Retina HD	Quad HD+ Super AMOLED
Operating system	iOS 11	Android 7.11 Nougat
Camera	12 megapixel rear cameras 7 megapixel front camera	12 megapixel Dual Pixel rear camera 8 megapixel front camera
CPU/Chipset	Hexa-core A11 Bionic Chip	Octa-Core 2.3GHz + 1.7Ghz Exynos 9
RAM	3GB	6GB
Storage	64GB 256GB	64GB
MicroSD slot?	No	Up to 256GB
USB	3.0	3.1 Type-C 1.0
WiFi	802.11 ac with MIMO	802.11 b/g/n/ac
Battery	Li-Ion battery	Li-Ion 3300mAh battery
4G LTE	4G LTE Advanced	Cat.16
Dimensions	143.6 mm x 70.9 mm x 7.7 mm	162.5mm x 74.8mm x 8.6mm
Weight	174g	194g
Water/dust resistant?	Yes - IP67 certified	Yes - IP68 certified
Digital assistant	Siri	Bixby

Best features

iPhone X

The premium iPhone X features an edge-to-edge screen, cutting away the bezels and Home button of previous models. This gives Apple room for its biggest ever, 5.8-inch display, which includes a pixel density of 458ppi and a vivid OLED panel. As with the iPhone 8, you’ll also get True Tone white-balance screen technology, for perfect viewing both day and night.

Swiping the screen has replaced the Home button, so users will need to be comfortable with solely using gestures and touch to navigate the X’s interface. As the fingerprint scanner has been removed in order to incorporate the iPhone X’s all-screen design, you can now unlock your device via Face ID: an Apple-first feature that scans your face with the new TrueDepth front camera. You can use Face ID to unlock your device, authenticate Apple Pay, and much more.

The new facial recognition sensors also mean users can create animated emojis (or ‘Animojis’) based on your facial expressions. You’ll also get all the features of iOS 11, plus Qi wireless charging, water and dust resistance, and ultra-powerful processing, thanks to the new, superfast A11 Bionic chipset (which offers an upgrade in performance speed of up to 25%, compared to last year's A10 Fusion).

Galaxy Note 8

The Note 8 sees the return of the gorgeous 'Infinity' display found in the S8 and S8+, this time in a larger 6.3-inch screen. The supersized, edge-to-edge screen means the fingerprint reader is found in back, but as the Note 8 features facial and iris recognition to unlock in addition to fingerprints (plus passcode and pattern unlock), this isn't a huge deal.

The S-Pen stylus is again water-resistant and highly pressure sensitive, and allows for easy note-taking anytime via the Samsung Notes and screen-off memo features. Internally, the Note 8 is fast and furious, offering a 10nm processor for powerful performance and more efficient battery life.

Like the S8 and S8+, the Note 8 maximises audio with its included AKG earphones (and three months of free Google Play Music). It's screen size and fast internals make it an ideal device for on-the-go gaming, streaming and media, and like the S8 series, the Note also supports gigabit WiFi and LTE.

Camera comparison

iPhone X

The iPhone X features dual 12-megapixel cameras in front, with larger, faster sensors, deeper pixels, and an all-new colour filter. You’ll find both wide-angle and telephoto cameras with up to 10x digital zoom, plus Optical Image Stabilisation, for amazing, crisp shots even at a distance.

Portrait Mode has also been given a front facelift, with improved detail and better low-light performance. You’ll also enjoy all the filters and settings you’ve already come to love in the iPhone camera, such as Panorama, Slo-Mo, and 4K video.

Apple’s new front-facing TrueDepth camera is designed to not only authenticate your face (as part of its Face ID biometric security), it also delivers next-level selfies with its improved depth-of-field capabilities. Faces appear sharply in focus, while the new Portrait Lighting uses algorithms to create the perfect light effects for your facial structure.

Galaxy Note 8

The Note 8 includes two rear-facing cameras, both of which feature Optical Image Stabilisation. The second telephoto camera allows up to 2x optical zoom for clear close-ups, and with 12-megapixels, a bright f/1.7 lens, and features such as Live Focus and Dual Camera, bright images are guaranteed even in low light.

In front, the Note 8 packs an 8-megapixel selfie cam with Smart Auto Focus. If filters and advanced settings are important to you, the Note 8 offers specialised modes for a variety of shots - including Panorama, Food Mode, Pro Mode, and Slow Motion.

Prices and plans

iPhone X

One thing's for certain: the iPhone X is not cheap. The 64GB version retails for $999, while the 256GB goes for a staggering $1,149. Of course, you can also finance the device or find a dealfrom major carriers.

Galaxy Note 8

The Note 8 is slightly less expensive than the iPhone X at $950 for the 64GB version (the only model currently for sale on Samsung and Verizon's sites, incidentally). You can check out carrier installment pricing on WhistleOut's Note 8 page.

Angelo Ilumba

Senior Writer

Angelo is a highly experienced writer for WhistleOut, specializing in unraveling the complexities of the mobile and tech world so that readers can easily understand what is relevant to them. Angelo has been featured on several publications such as MoneyTalksNews, Yahoo Finance, NPR and more.

Read full bio