Hands-on with Apple's new red iPhone 8 and 8 Plus

How red is the new red? We take a look. 

Apple announced new "Product Red" versions of the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus on Monday, April 9.

The phones are part of the Product Red program, meaning that a portion of the profits from the sale of the devices goes to the Global Fund, a charitable organization that funds programs that combat HIV and AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Unlike the white-on-red iPhone 7 and 7 Plus from last year, the new red iPhone 8 and 8 Plus models have a black front face. Here's an iPhone 7 Plus (upper right) and iPhone 8 Plus (lower left) for comparison.

Another angle.

The black front on the iPhone 8 makes a difference. The sides of the phones, however, have the same shade of red aluminum.

The glass back on the 2018 models (iPhone 8 Plus, bottom right) is glossier than last year's aluminum backed models (iPhone 7 Plus, upper left), too.

Can you tell the red iPhones apart? iPhone 8 Plus (left) and iPhone 7 Plus (right).

Here are the iPhone 8 (left) and iPhone 8 Plus.

If you had a case on the red iPhone, you might not know it's red.

The red color is a bit different, too. It's... close to CNET red.

The red iPhone 8 models are vivid.

And definitely glossy.

The color changes a bit depending on the light.

It catches more reflections (and fingerprints).

Next to Product Red Beats headphones and speakers, it's a darker tone.

Apple offers Product Red models across its line.

Against a red leather iPad sleeve.

There is no red iPhone X at the present time. But you can get two new cases: The iPhone X Folio Case ($99, £99 or AU$145) and the iPhone X Silicone Case ($39, £39 or AU$59).

Here's the Folio Case on the iPhone X. See, now it's red.

The folio case, closed.

The iPhone X leather folio case from the side.

And the iPhone X case from the back.

Side by side, the reds of the iPhone 8 and iPhone X case are pretty different.

There are already plenty of red iPhone cases, though...

...if you already have an iPhone 8 and 8 Plus or iPhone X.

A side view of the red phone's sides and back.

Another angle.

This would look good on an iPhone X, but oh well.

8 Plus, close up.

And, the 8.

But why doesn't the red iPhone have a red front?

Who knows?

A fully-red iPhone would look nice.

Actually, all these red iPhones make us wonder what a blue iPhone would look like.

Or green.

Or purple. 

Read our full hands-on impressions of the red iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus.