Apple's iPhone 8 and 8 Plus launch overshadowed by iPhone X

Can't afford the iPhone X? Try the 'cheaper' iPhone 8 instead...

Apple's launch last night of the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus was overshadowed by the £999 tenth anniversary iPhone X. But the two devices will be very different from their predecessors.

The two smartphones feature a brand new aluminium-reinforced all-glass design that, Apple claims, is the most durable glass to ever feature on a smartphone, while both phones also offer IP67 certification for water resistance.

The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus are the first to pack Apple's new A11 processor, a six-core CPU that's divided into two low-performance, high-efficiency cores and four high-performance (but less energy efficient) cores. The regular cores are 25 per cent faster than the previous A10 chip, Apple claims, and the high-performance cores offer 75 per cent more performance than the A10 SoC.

This new A11 chip comes paired with the first Apple designed GPU, which explains why Apple dumped Imagination Technologies. This GPU offers a 30 per cent performance boost compared to the A10, according to Apple.

There's a Retina HD (1,334x750) screen with True Tone display at the forefront of the smartphones, measuring in at 4.7in and 5.1in, respectively, and you'll find a Home button sitting underneath and new stereo speakers at the top and button of the handset.

On the camera front, the iPhone 8 features an "all new" 12MP sensor, while the iPhone 8 Plus features new-and-improved f/1.8 and f/2.8 sensors.

Wireless charging support is also included and, while Apple tends to opt for its own proprietary tech, the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus will support the Qi standard, contrary to rumours that it would be incompatible, forcing hotels, cafés and Ikea to offer customers two different types of complementary charging technology.

The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus will be made available with 64GB or 256GB of storage, with the various models costing £689, £849, £749 and £949, respectively. Pre-orders will begin on 15 September before shipping begins on 22 September.

The highlight of the Apple launch, though, was the unveiling of the iPhone X, Apple's first smartphone to feature an edge-to-edge display and Face ID facial recognition technology.