Both released in late 2017, the iPhone 8 and iPhone X have, unsurprisingly, cemented themselves as the flagship models for Apple (despite the latter not quite reaching the sales figures anticipated).

With each iteration of the iPhone, there are a few models to choose from, each one featuring different specifications. In total, including the Plus, there are 10 variations of iPhone 8, and already 5 in the X range.

This makes accurately detecting the exact specifications of a device a potential headache. The iPhone 8 Plus, for example, features a 1080 x 1920 screen, with the base iPhone 8 checking in at 750 x 1334.

The difference for the end user, for even the most basic of variables such as image clarity, can harm what could otherwise be a perfect user experience. If it affects a visitor/user, a potential customer, then it'll certainly affect your ROI, too. By identifying the exact model of phone, you can avoid these potential dips in user experience.

However, with Apple devices the User-Agent string only indicates the hardware type, not the model. By parsing UAs alone, all you'll know is whether you're dealing with an iPhone or an iPad.

The DeviceAtlas team solved this problem by identifying subtle differences between Apple devices using the client-side component. Now, accurate iPhone model detection is possible, with no impact on performance.

Detecting iPhone 8/X with DeviceAtlas

The following simple table shows how the DeviceAtlas client-side method can identify the exact model of iPhone:

Below is an example of just some of the further details and device characteristics available for the iPhone 8 Plus.