After the Apple presentation, many probably had a desire to buy a new iPhone. But purchasing a smartphone, especially from an Apple company, is clearly not the cheapest pleasure, which is why many try to guess the period for the best purchase. Some people think that the New Year is the best time: stores reduce prices and give cases, headphones and similar accessories to orders. Others are sure of the opposite: retailers inflate the cost of gadgets in advance for fake promotions, and offer only trinkets as gifts.
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We decided not to guess on tea leaves and not to listen to the experience of Uncle Vanya from the third entrance, but to analyze the indicators of last year. To do this, we have collected graphs of price changes in 2018 for the then popular smartphones: iPhone XS (64 GB, Gold), iPhone 8 (64 GB, Space Gray), Samsung Galaxy S9 (64 GB, black and ultraviolet), Samsung Galaxy A7 2018 (64 GB, blue) and Xiaomi Mi A2 (64 GB, black). It was not by chance that we chose these devices: this selection includes top models from last year (iPhone XS and Galaxy S9), a mid-range gadget (Galaxy A7 2018), an old flagship (iPhone 8), and a “people’s” smartphone (Xiaomi Mi A2 is one of the most popular and cheapest gadgets of the Chinese company). We tracked last year's prices for the above-mentioned devices in M.Video and Eldorado through the MvMonitor service, and also used the graph of changes in average prices in 2018 in Ukrainian stores through the Hotline service (unfortunately, we cannot find a service for tracking the corresponding indicator in Russian We were unable to find any sellers - however, this is not critical, since, as a rule, retailers in neighboring countries reduce or increase prices at the same time).
How the price of the iPhone XS changed after the start of sales
Price change chart for iPhone XS 64 GB Gold in M.Video
In M.Video, the cost of Apple’s flagship remained at 87,890 rubles from the start of sales until the first days of December. But from December 4 to December 18, the store reduced the price to 85,890 rubles, then for several days it increased it to the previous level, after which it reduced it even more: in the period from December 24 to January 11, you could buy an iPhone XS for 83,990 rubles. After this, the price of the smartphone jumped again and, if you do not take into account January 18, remained at a high level until the end of January. But already on February 1, it fell to 80,990 rubles and remained at this level for 6 months.
Unfortunately, we were unable to track the price change for the iPhone XS at Eldorado - this is the only such case from today’s article.
Chart of changes in the average price for iPhone XS 64 GB Gold in Ukrainian stores
The Hotline service displays a graph of changes in the average price (in dollars) for the iPhone XS in Ukrainian stores, so it looks more uniform, without jumps. Official sales of the smartphone in the country began in mid-October, so we used this period as a starting point - then the gadget was sold for an average of $1,190. By the beginning of November, its average cost had decreased by $18, and by the end of the last month of autumn it had fallen to $1,120. In December, the average price of the iPhone XS began to gradually rise and on January 13 reached its highest figure for the winter - then it was sold for an average of $1,185. But then its value began to decline and on February 18 reached $1,070.
Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro
A very popular “Chinese” on the Russian market, and you’ve probably heard a lot of interesting things about it. This is one of the cheapest phones with powerful hardware from Qualcomm.
✅Why is it better than iPhone 8:
- OLED screen with HDR and maximum contrast and a fingerprint scanner at the bottom; resolution – FHD+
- Powerful 7nm Snapdragon 855 processor
- 4000 mAh battery + fast charging out of the box. In terms of autonomy, Mi 9T Pro is much cooler than iPhone 8
- 48 MP Sony IMX 586 camera + optics with f/1.8 aperture. Even with the stock camera app, the Mi 9T Pro takes better pictures, but you can install GCam and upgrade the camera. Examples of pictures – in the review of Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro
- There are wide-angle and telephoto cameras
- There is a headphone jack
And now about the shortcomings. The iPhone 8, for example, has stereo speakers, water protection, and wireless charging. The Mi 9T Pro lacks all this, but, you see, it has much more advantages.
How the price of iPhone 8 changed for the New Year
Price change chart for iPhone 8 64 GB Space Gray in M.Video
Since the iPhone 8 was last year's model, there wasn't much hype around it like the iPhone XS. This is clearly visible on the graph of price changes in M.Video: on October 13, its price increased by a thousand and amounted to 46,990 rubles, after which it remained that way until January 31, and then fell to 44,990 rubles.
Price change chart for iPhone 8 64 GB Space Gray at Eldorado
In Eldorado, the price of the iPhone 8 also did not fluctuate much: in early November it was 47 thousand rubles, closer to the new year it rose to 50 thousand rubles (although a few days before the holiday it dropped to the previous level) and fell to 45 thousand rubles only in mid-February.
Graph of changes in the average price for iPhone 8 64 GB Space Gray in Ukrainian stores
In Ukrainian stores the situation is somewhat different. At the end of September, the average cost of the iPhone 8 reached its autumn peak, amounting to $712, and then gradually decreased - on December 16, the smartphone could be purchased for an average of $700. For unknown reasons, on January 11 its average price increased by $12, but after that it constantly fell: on February 6 it was already worth an average of $675.
Comparison of iPhone 8 and iPhone XR cameras: is there a difference?
The main difference is that the eighth version has two 12-megapixel photo modules, which makes it possible to achieve a 2x optical zoom. The advantages of this solution are as follows:
- optical zoom is always better than digital zoom - the picture does not disintegrate into pixels;
- natural and attractive bokeh (background blur) when shooting portraits;
- There is phase autofocus, which facilitates the photography process.
The iPhone XR solved the lack of a second camera using software methods. It is now possible to record stereo sound when shooting video and achieve cinematic image stabilization. The old version of iPhone does not have such functions. However, people who do semi-professional phone photography still prefer the iPhone 8 Plus due to the presence of two lenses. If on the XR bokeh processing occurs programmatically (via the “Depth” function), then on the 8 Plus no processing as such is required (thanks to the telephoto lens). In any case, professional retouching is only possible on PC software; a mobile phone is poorly suited for this. As for ordinary users, they are unlikely to notice any differences - both smartphones provide excellent photo quality.
As for the front camera, both devices use the same modules. This is a 7-megapixel camera with an f/2.2 aperture. Selfies turn out well only in sufficient lighting; noise begins to creep out at dusk.
How the price of the Galaxy S9 changed after the start of sales
Price change chart for Galaxy S9 64 GB Black in M.Video
The price change for last year's flagship from Samsung is not similar to that of the iPhone XS. Since April, the price of the Galaxy S9 in M.Video has remained virtually unchanged, almost constantly remaining at around 59,990 rubles. On November 9, it fell by 5 thousand and stayed that way until January, after which it increased by 1 thousand rubles. In mid-January, the price of the smartphone returned to its original level of 60 thousand rubles, but on February 1 it fell by 10 thousand.
Price change chart for Galaxy S9 64 GB Ultraviolet in Eldorado
In Eldorado, the situation is the same: in November, the price of the Galaxy S9 fell by 5 thousand rubles and remained at around 54,990 rubles until January 1. But then it grew by 1 thousand rubles, after which, on February 15, it fell to 49,990 rubles.
Graph of changes in the average price for Galaxy S9 64 GB Black in Ukrainian stores
But in Ukrainian stores, the average price for the Galaxy S9 fluctuated quite often: from the end of October to the end of November it fell by as much as $70, but by mid-December it had risen to approximately the same level and amounted to $610. By January 1, the average price of a smartphone fell by only $10, by the end of the month it dropped by another $20, and on February 12, the average price of a gadget was $530, after which by the beginning of March it fell by another $30.
The main differences between the iPhone 8 Plus and the iPhone XR
The new device design and frameless screen are the main differences of the new product. Instead of a wide stripe, there is a “monobrow” at the top, that is, a cutout in the center of the display with sensors and a front camera. From below, the black frame has become almost invisible. This technology doesn’t just increase the usable area of the device - you really feel like you’re holding a new generation smartphone in your hands.
| iPhone XR | iPhone 8 Plus | |
| Screen diagonal | 6.1″ | 5.5″ |
| Screen resolution | 828×1792 | 1080×1920 |
| Screen technology | IPS | IPS |
| Number of screen colors | 16 million | 16 million |
| Resolution | 326 ppi | 401 ppi |
| Aspect Ratio | 19.5:9 | 16:9 |
As for the display, in both models it is made using IPS technology. Modern smartphones are increasingly being produced with OLED screens, which are an order of magnitude better than their analogues. All iPhones of the tenth series, except the XR, are equipped with these displays.
iPhone 8 Plus has a 5.5-inch display with a resolution of 1080×1920 and a pixel density of 401 ppi. The G8 screen is technically superior to the XR, which has a resolution of 828x1792 with a density of 326 ppi. The eighth iPhone model displays colors better and more accurately, making it more pleasant to watch videos and photos. Despite the fact that the XR has a diagonal of 6.1 inches, this does not provide any noticeable advantages.
The large size of both smartphones does not allow them to be used normally with one hand - these are classic shovel-palms. You need to get used to the dimensions of the device. If we compare the iPhone 8 Plus and XR, the “eight” is even larger in size, despite the smaller screen diagonal.
| iPhone XR | iPhone 8 Plus | |
| Length | 150.9 mm | 158.4 mm |
| Width | 75.7 mm | 78.1 mm |
| Thickness | 8.3 mm | 7.5 mm |
| Weight | 194 g | 202 g |
Case color
A large selection of body colors is the only thing the XR can boast of. Apple decided to repeat the experiment it conducted with the 5c model and offered users six color options. Users appreciated it. Many are already tired of the strict colors, and therefore are actively buying up bright yellow, turquoise and red smartphones. So the “ten” in this regard looks more advantageous than the “eight”.
Performance
Both devices are equipped with three gigabytes of RAM. But they differ very much in processors. The tenth model began to install the promising A12 Bionic chipset, which is 70% more powerful than the 11th generation (found in the iPhone 8 Plus). In addition, the 12th generation of processors is more energy-intensive, as it is manufactured using 7 nm technology (rather than 10 nm).
But the gain in power is relative. So, even the seventh iPhone model can handle the heaviest games and applications that are available at the beginning of 2020. The reserve will last for at least two years, and for the “ten” - for three. Whether it is worth overpaying for unnecessary power is a moot point.
How the price of Galaxy A7 2020 changed for the New Year
Price change chart for Galaxy A7 2020 64 GB Blue in M.Video
Unlike all the smartphones described above, the Galaxy A7 was never a flagship - it was initially positioned as a middle-class gadget. It is not surprising that M.Video did not rely on it and manipulate prices: from the very beginning of sales, this model was sold at a price of 26,990 rubles. Her price tag fell only on February 3, but immediately by 7 thousand.
Price change chart for Galaxy A7 2020 64 GB Blue at Eldorado
But Eldorado had a different approach. Initially, this company also sold a smartphone for 26,990 rubles, but temporarily reduced the price by 3 thousand - first at the end of November, and then on December 8. On January 2, the cost of the Galaxy A7 2020 increased by 1 thousand, but not for long: after 15 days it fell to 21,990 rubles, and on February 15 it fell to 19,990 rubles.
Chart of changes in the average price for Galaxy A7 2018 64 GB Blue in Ukrainian stores
At the start of sales, the Galaxy A7 2020 was sold in Ukrainian stores for an average of $360. Over the course of a month, this level managed to fall and rise after the fall, but then it constantly decreased: in November, a smartphone was sold for an average of $350, and in December – for $335–340. At the beginning of January, the average price did not change much, but in the middle of the month it began to fall: by February 14, the average cost of a gadget was $300.
Price
The iPhone XR performs better than last year's iPhone 8. Not all changes are created equal, so you should judge based on your needs. But you will have to pay more for improvements. Here are the prices for the basic models:
- iPhone XR : from RUB 64,990
- iPhone 8 : from RUB 51,990
Note that in both cases we are talking about a modification with 64 GB of internal memory.
What do you think of the iPhone XR? Would you like to upgrade to it from iPhone 8 or iPhone 7? Share your opinion in the comments!
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How the price of Xiaomi Mi A2 changed for the New Year
Price change chart for Xiaomi Mi A2 64 GB Black in M.Video
In M.Video, the price of Xiaomi Mi A2 remained at the same level from November 8 to mid-December - the smartphone could be purchased for 21,990 rubles. On December 18, its price increased by 2 thousand, but already on the 22nd it dropped to 20 thousand rubles. The gadget was sold for this price until January 11, after which it almost constantly remained at around 23,990 rubles until February 7, when the price dropped again to 20 thousand. rubles
Price change chart for Xiaomi Mi A2 64 GB Black in Eldorado
There were no price hikes for smartphones at Eldorado. Until November 8, it was sold for 23,990 rubles, then the price dropped to 22 thousand rubles and was available for this price until December 22. In the last days of the year, it fell in price by another 2 thousand and maintained this price until mid-March.
Chart of changes in the average price for Xiaomi Mi A2 64 GB Black in Ukrainian stores
In Ukrainian stores, the average price for Xiaomi Mi A2 almost constantly fell. At the end of September, a smartphone was selling for an average of $270. For a month and a half, it practically did not fall in price, but from mid-October the average price of $263 began to fall. On December 29, the lowest average price of Xiaomi Mi A2 was recorded in 2018 - the gadget could be purchased for an average of $233. In mid-January, this figure rose by almost $10, but began to fall again in February.
What do i do?
If you need a brand new iPhone, then there is no need to rush into purchasing. Before running headlong to the store, it’s better to wait until the hype dies down and all the problems with iOS 12 are fixed. Yandex.Market recommends holding your money until February or March: at this time prices will more or less stabilize.
However, we cannot guarantee normal prices. The example of the iPhone 6 showed us that in just one month the cost can double for reasons beyond Apple’s control. This is especially true now: on August 1, the dollar was worth 60 rubles, and in September it rose to 70. Perhaps another terrible cycle of the foreign exchange market awaits us.
The most interesting news about Apple technology and more.
Bottom line: when is it more profitable to buy a smartphone?
Having analyzed last year's indicators, we came to the following conclusions (they are very obvious based on the graphs published above):
- If you want to buy a new smartphone for yourself (and not as a gift to someone for the New Year), then it will be most profitable to do this in mid-February or after the twentieth. As statistics have shown, the cost of absolutely all smartphones we studied dropped significantly in the middle of the second month of the new year.
- If you need to buy a smartphone for the New Year, then it is best to do it at the beginning of December or in the last days of the month (December 25–28). In mid-December, stores sometimes increase the price of devices, knowing that they will still be bought as gifts.
- If you are interested in a budget smartphone, a gadget in the mid-price segment, or not the latest device, then testing your patience in the hope of waiting for a reduced price is not always worth it: the cost does not change as significantly as in the case of flagships.
Camera specifications
We all love high-quality photographs. Let's compare the parameters that determine them.
| iPhone 8 | iPhone XR | |
| Main camera | ||
| Matrix resolution | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Digital zoom | 5x digital zoom | 5x digital zoom |
| Front-camera | ||
| Matrix resolution | 7 MP | 7 MP |
The basic parameters of the iPhone 8 and iPhone XR cameras are the same. There may be a difference in additional parameters - you can find them in the last section of the review.
Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite
Photo source: GSMArena
One of the new phones of the Korean brand, which is not a flagship and occupies a niche between “mid-range” and TOP gadgets.
✅How is it better than iPhone 8:
- Cool OLED screen with maximum contrast and HDR support (however, there are questions about HDR; all services provide relevant content)
- More powerful 7nm Snapdragon 855 processor
- 48 MP main camera with optical stabilization + 12 MP wide-angle and 5 MP macro. The photo quality is higher than that of the iPhone 8. Examples are in the review of the Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite
- Extra large 4500 mAh battery. The smartphone can withstand 35.5 hours of talk time or 19 hours of video playback. This is one of the most battery-powered phones in its price segment
- There is a slot for a memory card
iPhone 8 takes advantage of stereo sound, wireless charging and water protection . In addition, it is more compact, but is guaranteed to lose in performance, photo quality, battery life and screen size.
