Which one is easier? iPhone 10 or later? Or iPhone 8 or older.

I use an 8 plus and like it just fine. However others might like the swipe gestures better. Perhaps you can get a look at an iPhone 10 or later and compare the two models.

A lot of people have different opinions. Whatever works for you is what I say. If you get a chance to try one of the new phones, go for it. I love my iPhone X without the home button and with face ID.

I love my iPhone 11 with Face ID. Keep in mind also if you go for an older phone, you are going to lose out on support that much quicker than if you go for a newer phone.

If you want to learn more commands than you need to, then get the older iPhone because, when it's obsolete in the next year or three, you will then have to buy a newer device and learn new commands. The operating systems are the same. The only difference are a few commands, how fast or slow each device is, and how soon or long it will be until the device is obsolete. Oh, and as for the price, you will have to pay for 2 devices sooner if you buy an older model.

To me, the answer is simple.

Joy!

Bruce

There's definitely some adjustment necessary to learning and using the gestures, but it's not difficult. In fact, it might be easier for us in the blind community than for sighted folks simply because we're already used to using gestures.

I'm happy with my iPhone 8 and don't plan to upgrade anytime soon. That's not because I'm avoiding phones without a home button, but simply because I'm happy with my current phone and see no need or benefit to upgrading at this time.

On the other hand, my sighted wife just traded in her iPhone 8 Plus for the iPhone 11 Pro Max because she likes the better display and the Face ID. Touch ID was not reliable for her on her iPhone 8 Plus and she was constantly frustrated with it. She absolutely loves Face ID. So far, it's been perfectly reliable and super convenient for her.

It's been a bit of a challenge for her to learn and remember the new gestures she must use now that she has no home button, but she accepts it and feels it's worth the effort just for the Face ID and the larger/better display. I don't think she's mastered all of the new gestures yet, but as she uses them more and more, they will become more natural for her, I'm sure. She insists she has no regrets regarding her upgrade.

I've read comments from a few blind folks that say they miss the home button and Touch ID because they sometimes wanted to unlock their phone without removing it from a pocket or purse. So if you're someone who finds this ability useful, then you may want to hang onto a phone with Touch ID for as long as you can. The second gen iPhone SE is rumored to retain the home button with Touch ID, so that might be an option if it proves to be true.

Bottom line from an accessability viewpoint, there's no reason to avoid phones without a home button. It's simply a matter of personal preference and how one uses the phone.