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Apple Announces iPhone 8 and 8 Plus RED Special Editions

iPhone X owners get a RED Leather Folio case to help show their support.

 & Matthew Humphries Former Senior Editor

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If you've been holding off purchasing a new iPhone, from tomorrow there's another option in the form of the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus RED Special Edition.

Apple has been working with (RED) for 11 years now and in that time raised over $160 million through the sale of (RED) Apple products. From tomorrow, that total is set to increase significantly as Apple is launching special editions of its iPhone 8 smartphone models, which ship in a "stunning red finish."

iPhone X RED Leather Folio Case

iPhone X is not getting the same special edition treatment, though. Instead, Apple decided to offer a special iPhone X Leather Folio for existing X owners to help show their support. Whether you buy a special edition phone, the folio for iPhone X, or one of the other (RED) Apple accessories, part of the purchase price will go directly to Global Fund HIV/AIDS grants.

(RED) was founded by Bono and Bobby Shriver in 2006 to help fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. The grants are targeted at people in Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, and Zambia. The money helps to provide testing, counseling, treatment, and prevention measures to be implemented.

Apple is set to offer both 64GB and 256GB special editions of the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus with prices starting at $699. You'll be able to order either smartphone direct from Apple beginning tomorrow, Tuesday, April 10 from 5:30am PT. They will arrive in stores on Friday, April 13 in all major Apple locations worldwide. The only exceptions are Chile, Colombia, India, Israel, and Turkey who will get the new handsets in May.

The iPhone X Leather Folio will be available both online and in store from tomorrow for $99. You can also opt to purchase a range of (RED) version accessories including the Beats Solo3 Wireless On-Ear headphones and Beats Pill+ Portable Speaker. There's also an Apple Watch Sport Band and Classic Buckle, as well as more leather and silicone cases for iPhone, and a Smart Cover for iPad.

About Our Expert

Matthew Humphries

Matthew Humphries

Former Senior Editor

My Experience

I started working at PCMag in November 2016, covering all areas of technology and video game news. Before that I spent nearly 15 years working at Geek.com as a writer and editor. I also spent the first six years after leaving university as a professional game designer working with Disney, Games Workshop, 20th Century Fox, and Vivendi.

I hold two degrees: a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and a Master's degree in Games Development. My first book, Make Your Own Pixel Art, is available from all good book shops.

My Areas of Expertise

  • PC components and system building
  • Raspberry Pi
  • Software development
  • Storage technology
  • Video games and gaming hardware

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