Apple iPhone X review

08 November 2017
The anniversary iPhone is here. The iPhone X. Or the iPhone 10. The name is as confusing as the product itself is game-changing. Tim Cook's vision finally overwhelmed Steve Jobs ideological remnants. A new dawn for the iPhones has begun, free of the iconic Home key and the notorious screen bezels.

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  • I
  • Iskander
  • iE7
  • 13 Nov 2017

AnonD-711468, 13 Nov 2017From last to first No, its main improvemnt is not the ki... moreTo you kinekt-on-an-iPhone is not it's greatest feature? Then we disagree there, fine.

The screen-on time feat however, we disagree far more. The best way to measure how long a display can hold on is by letting it run videoloops, just like Gsmarena does. Same video, over and over, with the display on the same brightness as any other and see how long it lasts.

Fact is, with it's (marginally) bigger battery and smaller surface area for the screen, it lasts 3 hours shorter than the iPhone 8+. Same goes for the browser test. Even the iPhone 8, which has a battery only 66% the capacity of the iPhone X, lasts longer in browsing and almost as long in video playback.
Just don't keep staring at that one number of the endurance rating, look further.

About the aspect ratio. Do you see any weird empty spaces on Android phones with 'weird' aspect ratio's, when running apps? Is stuff breaking down instantly? I mean, for me, 16:9 is perfectly fine, no need for the longer screens, but I'm curious if all of the play store's apps are dysfunctional on those phones.

My index finger is on the fingerprint scanner even before it is out of the pocket. It's unlocked far before it can reach my face. You tell me that's slower than lifting it to your face to unlock it? Having to authorize something with fingerprint scanner? My index finger is still at the back of the phone, it's no hassle.

The pipe dream that Oled is so much more power efficient than Led should die some day. It just isn't the case. Development of LED hasn't stopped either. Did you even read what Gsmarena has written on the display test at all? Let me copy it for you:

[i]The X scored similar scores in the 3G call and standby tests as the iPhone 8 Plus but lagged about 3 hours behind the 8 Plus in video playback and web browsing. This means the AMOLED screen is more power hungry than the LCD unit on the iPhone 8 Plus.[/i]

They use the same SoC and everything else of importance is the same as well. The display just does not last as long, unless maybe, you do everything with very dark colours to avoid the bright ones that drain Oled so much faster.

    • I
    • Iskander
    • iE7
    • 13 Nov 2017

    Anonymous, 13 Nov 2017Exactly, if you want options stick with Android.. It's win ... moreI'm not going to make any statements on how things are globally, but I do know that around me, plenty of people use an SD card to save their photo's and video's they shoot with their device to. Others use the SD card to store music and movies/series on to watch back on their device when they feel like it. Having the ability, is what is nice.

    How many people actually use it that way? Don't know.

      • D
      • AnonD-711468
      • 6jr
      • 13 Nov 2017

      Anonymous, 13 Nov 2017Half are ifs and buts. Do reply when it happens Now to fps... moreNot really *ifs*. I'm using historical data. The transition from iphone 4s to iphone 5's new aspect ratio was a few months at most. There is a precedent.

      As there is a precedent for android's fragmentation (I hate that word) and how long it takes for particular features to becore trully useful. It's not an if to expect that the full screen would be used on iphone X *very* soon, it's what history taught us.

      Also obviously you have to release the new aspect ratio *first* and then software developers would follow. There's no two ways about it, that's how it'd always happen. I don't understand what people are complaing about, the same exact thing happened between iphone 4s and iphone 5 ... you hear nobody complaining (back when iphone 5 was released everybody was complaining). It's honestly a non-issue.

      Fingerpring, needs to do an extra move. Even if the phone is unlocked before it's on eye level, it still required an extra move. Like I said, it would go the way of the dodo, people are reaaally impressed by face unlock already, it works like magic for most ... it's a matter of prestige as well (passive biometrics is a far more advanced technology than active biometrics).

      Lastly being the first iphone to post screen-on-time similar to top android is not a small thing. Iphones could have excellent battery but elected not to so that to keep their size as slim and small as possible.

      So it *is* a thing that they achieved to get so much battery (screen-on-time) in such a small package ... it does show technological advantage compared to the rest...

        • ?
        • Anonymous
        • XPp
        • 13 Nov 2017

        AnonD-711468, 13 Nov 2017From last to first No, its main improvemnt is not the ki... moreHalf are ifs and buts. Do reply when it happens
        Now to fps vs face unlock
        My phone is unlocked before its in front of me in case of fps. Don't think it can be with face id
        1 video doesn't prove anything. Most of the video reviews have said battery life is great for an iPhone which was much lesser than flagship androids since long time.
        As long as content is created in 16:9 apps won't be doing anything anyways
        Also I don't think notch looks good for majority of apps. Leave the signal bars and other WiFi logo somewhere will you?
        It doesn't help that software is unfinished right now out of the Box. I don't expect this to happen on a 1000$ device of all things

          AnonD-715389, 13 Nov 2017Hi, All iPhone X is better OR Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Kindl... moreHaha I see you trying to spark some flames...So let me fall for this one. Both a solid phones, iphone x software is still ios so if you want straightforward and simple go for apple. Samsung take on android has a lot of extra gimmicks but I imagine at least one is waiting for you, software is arguably more convoluted yet you can customize it to your liking. Note 8 is downright big, very tall and will make you an expert in hand gymnastics, Iphone x is a one handed device in comparison. I have a note 8 and loudspeaker is probably worse than the IX, as itis one measly bottom firing speaker. Lastly note 8 has headphone jack if you still care about that one

            • D
            • AnonD-715389
            • KI9
            • 13 Nov 2017

            Hi, All
            iPhone X is better OR Samsung Galaxy Note 8
            Kindly advise
            Regards!

              • D
              • AnonD-711468
              • 6jr
              • 13 Nov 2017

              Iskander, 12 Nov 2017To look at your points, the following. Albeit not ideal,... moreFrom last to first

              No, its main improvemnt is not the kinect on top. At least not yet, it will be proved so in the future.

              Its main improvements is the far better screen on time, the far better raw performance, the far better image quality (finally almost life-like OLED display), the far lower screen to body ratio (finally a pocketable phablet from Apple), the top 3 camera (previous iphones were lagging behind in that department).

              It's one of the biggest overhauls in the history of phones.

              Now onto the aspect ratio. iPhone loses nothing from its screen estate once all main apps would support (which is *soon*). The part of the screen that is cutout was never used by iOS really (it had the time, which is now shown a bit to the right big deal).

              It is basically a phone sized phablet (again once most main apps support it fully).

              The 18:9 on android is attrocious because of the far slower times for android apps to make use of a new feature, especially when it is such a departure from the norm. I don't mind when Apple's doing it because they *enforce* their standards, Android not so.

              Fingerpring unlock is slower (you still have to make an extra move). It looks positively ancient by comparison, it will soon be thought as an obsolete feature, by 2020 it would be in the graveyard along with all the failed features of the past (hardware keyboards, cell doors, etc).

              The video I gave use the same brightness (in Nits) for all. You can see the way the phones are set up in videos that he explains at the beginning. It's not sponsored by Apple, Apple phones always end up last in those tests for months. iPhone X is simply that much better (it makes sense too, it has the same power requirement of Iphone 8 yet 50% more battery in Mah).

              GSMArena mostly tests standby times (nobody uses a screen of a phone 2 hours a day). In standby tests the phone with most battery (in raw Mah) always wins. It's not a good test anymore (unless you leave your phone sleeping for 85% of the day)...

              Try better next time.

                I think it is a great direction apple is moving in, but many choices they keep up are unfriendly to consumers, they should have kept Touch ID as it is a better bio-metric for day to day use. Also the green line problem cropping up seems sloppy on apple's part. They claimed in the presentation that AMOLED only now is ready for them yet even using Samsung panels they aren't keeping up with QA as a $1K device should be.

                  • ?
                  • Anonymous
                  • Hq5
                  • 13 Nov 2017

                  Iskander, 13 Nov 2017I can agree that wireless technology will take over more an... moreExactly, if you want options stick with Android.. It's win win and yes the average consumer doesn't file transfer with Sd cards or would rather not.. If you dont think so your kidding yourself buddy.
                  So your not the average consumer hence android.
                  See win win

                    • I
                    • Iskander
                    • iE7
                    • 13 Nov 2017

                    Anonymous, 13 Nov 2017Also pretty sure other audio brands are doing Bluetooth.. L... moreI can agree that wireless technology will take over more and more of the market, but removing something that still is being used a lot by many people, while there is no direct need, is nothing but an economic decision to save a dime and force people to spend many more dimes. Wireless buds still have quite a way to go before they have both the sound quality and the battery life on a level that people really feel happy with.

                    Talking about bias, the fact that you did not ever use an sd-card in your Android device, does not say anything about what the average consumer does. I assume you do not have a scientific poll on the matter. But that's not even the point in the end. Having such slot is about freedom and choice. You can chose to use an sd-card, or you can chose not to. I find it odd how people can fight the freedom of choice.

                      • D
                      • AnonD-715338
                      • kC3
                      • 13 Nov 2017

                      I always find it amusing to read these iOS vs Android debates. I am lucky enough to own an LG V30 and an iPhone X with a smart watch paired to each. I consider these to be top tier flagship devices. Both are amazing. Each operating system has it’s advantages.

                      At this level along with Samsung Galaxy S8 series, Huawei Mate 10 Pro, Pixel 2 series along with a few others we should appreciate the brilliant engineers who make keeping a super computer in your pocket a reality. Of course within the category we can discuss the pros and cons of different models but let’s try to keep it in perspective.

                      My first smartphone was the Kyocera 6035 over 17 years ago. It was not very good even then. Until 2007 and the first iPhone smartphones were pretty bad. Now we have choices that are so good to denigrate the top tier choices seems a bit childish.

                      Bottom line, I love my new iPhone X and my Android LG V30! Smartphones have come a long way.

                        • ?
                        • Anonymous
                        • Hq5
                        • 13 Nov 2017

                        AnonD-80334, 13 Nov 2017Enterpize level decisions are based on several factors and ... moreAlso pretty sure other audio brands are doing Bluetooth.. Like all of them.. Wired tech is coming to an end in general NOT just mobile devices. Google got rid of theirs but I'm tipping your not in those threads?
                        Sd card, I've used android on and off for the last 6-7 years.. Guess what never used one.. The general consumer does not, fact.
                        Take a leaf from your own book
                        Hard to be critical when your bias from the beginning

                          • ?
                          • Anonymous
                          • Hq5
                          • 13 Nov 2017

                          AnonD-80334, 13 Nov 2017Enterpize level decisions are based on several factors and ... moreHere's an idea then.. Don't buy apple products. Sorted.. Yayyyyyyy
                          Wow

                            • D
                            • AnonD-80334
                            • 0dr
                            • 13 Nov 2017

                            Verne, 11 Nov 2017Basically, Apple hardware is generally at least as good as ... moreEnterpize level decisions are based on several factors and are not permanent. I can give innumerable big names of companies who still use windows, there's a reason to that, it works on a variety of hardware based on the usage. Not every company is going to have SSDs in their machines, at least not yet. But I wasn't even referring to that, Apple is a giant company today mainly due to its consumer market products, first iPod and then iPhone.

                            As for support, it may be stellar in the US but that's not the case everywhere. As I mentioned I had an iPod and to simply get it replaced(within warranty), I needed to go through the agonizing amount of followups and a lot of wait time. It took a whopping month to get my replacement. The experience wasn't anywhere near hassle-less I have not experienced same with Sony home theatre which I bought from the same wholesaler but when I needed a repair I got it with 1 phone call. Just as an example. And in My country people definitely don't buy Apple products for their support, they buy to have it as a status symbol (coz Apple products are pricey) or they like the outer pretty shell of that product. It still is valid to some extent in the US too as I currently see it in person.

                            The removal of touch id is a very counterintuitive move. I have LG G5 which also has face unlock, maybe not the similar tech but same functionality. It registers your face and then unlocks it when you look at the front cam. 9 out of 10 times it gets me quick and correct but I still don't use it, because it's inconvenient. Every time I need to pick up the phone from the desk just to glance at notifications. Granted, the speed of Apple's Face ID would improve but it still requires additional interaction, it's not passive, you need to swipe up, with touch ID, authentication and interaction was the same step, i.e. putting your finger on the touch ID. which was faster and convenient. when you unlock your phone 50 times a day this inconvenience adds up. There was no need to remove it. Which brings me to my next and most important point.

                            Apple has from beginning kept removable storage out of their products such as iPods or iPhones. Not having that SD card slot is a highly questionable decision, and to those who see beyond the official words from Apple on the matter, will see it as clearly a money milking tactic. There is no reason why a phone can't have an SD card slot. Every company that omits it and sells more than one storage option for same phone models is an example of profiteering at the expense of ethics. Apple went beyond the line and started soldering SSDs into motherboards for MacBook Pro. People can't upgrade their PCs or get a better deal than Apple provides on incremental storage. For example, to upgrade storage from 256Gig to 1TB, it's a whopping 600$ increase for 750Gig SSD space on Apple.com, whereas a brand new 1TB 960 Evo could be easily had around 400$. So basically Apple asks 200$ more for 750Gig SSD space vs a powerful brand new 1TB SSD itself. RAM is soldered too. 1 after another questionable removals of useful features, e.g. 3.5mm Jack removed, why? has iPhone got any slimmer? nope, they acquired Beats headphones for whopping 3.5$ Bn and started making wireless headsets themselves too, they want those products to be sold so you get to live a dongle life or stuck with the average headphones they ship with iPhone or pay them 160$ for the same average headphones(in terms of audio quality). 6s is probably slimmest iPhone yet and that too had the same headphone jack, if they wanted to make and sell wireless headphones, having headphone jack wouldn't get in way of people who want to use wireless headphones but removal gives enough push for some who don't consider wireless as need. They don't even care what will happen if they launch wireless headphones same year they removed the jack, coz Apple fans mostly will buy into their hogwash. They mostly won't use their logical skills to think beyond what's apple telling them, coz logic fails to convince any fanboy, be it Android or Apple. Fanboys are beyond logical reasoning, they don't see these things, and yes to quote you "there are none so blind as those who will not see".

                            I see these things and I can't ignore these things, which brings me to my conclusion, Apple is an overpriced and overhyped brand. You always get less compared to what you pay for. There are better alternatives for each apple product out there and those who are not willing to see will never see it.

                              I totally agree with you and interestingly i use 6s for work and pixel xl as my personal mobile. Once you use both, there's no comparison of iphone with pixel. Pixels software really shines. Right from very small things to important notifications, it's very customisable, intuitive and intelligent, which i dont find in iphone. When 6s was launched, similar to faceid a hue cry was raised about the 3d touch and now what happened? No one speaks about it. It all looks like a fashion statement and this too would pass....

                                • ?
                                • Anonymous
                                • Hq5
                                • 12 Nov 2017

                                Seriously, everyone's clutching at straws to bash the iPhone x.. No it doesn't bring anything new to the table, well that's been actually usable at least. Nor has any other phone manufacturer for the last couple years..
                                Yes it's expensive, apple always has been so why shoked? It's Apple, it's business and people are clearly more than willing to pay that kind of cash for them, blame the consumers not Apple.. At least now hardware speaking it sits on top
                                Yes you can buy similar specd phones cheaper.. No ones forcing you to buy the iPhone x are they? Knock yourself out
                                Yeah but the notch though... Seriously lol try harder.. most people clearly are not bothered by it nor am I
                                Fact remains its done something Samsung could not,nor any other manufacturer to date and it brings at least an attempt to bring something new to the table while all other brands become more and more alike
                                And even it brings absolutely nothing new to the table it still brings, one of if not the best screens, the fastest more powerful chip, some of the best on board speakers, one of the top camera performers.. Great build, better siri the list continues. No other brand has put together a phone that sits so highly on pretty much every single component.. Period.
                                Yes it's expensive, at least it's somewhat justified this time round.. and at least apple is trying to separate it self from what is a somewhat staling pack

                                  jtrogr, 12 Nov 2017But you are forgetting one thing. A big part of 'the whole ... moreYou are absolutely right about this one. For a lot of people an iPhone "last model" is a way to show their "wealth" (especially where the phones are not subsidized by carrier) and would buy any brand that is expensive enough to let them "make a statement". They generally put them ostentatiously in the middle of the table when meeting with friends or are speaking loudly into the crowd to attract attention.
                                  I deliberately was not speaking about this because I didn't want to imply that it's done purposely by those whom are praising Apple like that and give them benefit of the doubt and imply that they are only liking the ecosystem, feel and experience with iPhones.
                                  For me, Apple OS is not offering enough as Android does. I like back button, for example. This way I don't "have to learn" where is the back button in every application and there are a lot of examples where Android is better. Of course, Apple OS has its strong points too, but I consider that due to evolution in software and hardware we arrived at a point where it's stupid to say that one is better than another and we have to simply acknowledge that everyone's tastes are different and there's a phone for everyone that fulfill their needs and are affordable for their pockets.
                                  One of the reasons that i like GSMArena's reviews is that they are not strongly biased for/against one device and they try to be as fair as possible. The conclusion about iPhone X was very interesting. They said that for the first time hardware is better than software and that's basically the "trademark" of a lot of android Chinese phone where they trow the best in hardware in a poorly developed OS.

                                    • S
                                    • Sigil
                                    • ixu
                                    • 12 Nov 2017

                                    2 sides of the coin, looking at it objectively it has a high standard in most areas (good processor, good screen, good features like wireless charging etc.) so if you are after Apple then it's a good standard for apple phones but the truth is it's a revolutionary price for a behind the times phone. How does it do anything the Samsung galaxy 8 or 8+ or note 8 can't do? I have to sigh in despair at the idea that face time is revolutionary, it's gimmicky crap that just barely improves on the speed of a very simple task of pressing a few buttons. I suppose it voids the idea of a password but we will be doing this on our computers, tablets and other devices for years to come and I doubt anyone seriously cares. It's a bit of a lame duck feature, it has some benefit and it's nice but the alternative isn't all that bad or anything people will not be used to so it's really not a saving grace for the rest of the phone which is merely playing catch up. Wireless charging? Done before. Bezel-less screen? Thanks for he catch up Apple. Amoled? Happy you was able to get here for the last few hours of the party at least Apple. If Any of these features were as important or hallmarking as iphone users would want to suddenly protest it would only bring into question why Apple was so late to the party and apple fans were willing to go without them in the first place?

                                    In the end the entire tech is done before and done better elsewhere (such as the notch on the phone being poorly designed and creating an eyesore) and the only saving grace is face time. A feature we can all objectively and constructively observe as a mere convenience that will be in the next lot of iphones anyway apparently (thereby making any patience render this phone an expensive catchup phone with a timer on it's saving graces worth). It's a great phone objectively speaking but for the price it's also objectively a poor phone with lacking vision or revolutionary features. It's a catch up phone feature wise minus one debatable feature (as seen in review with bad gestures, gonna be in future phones anyway so why waste money just to be the first and it replaces an already quite convenient process anyway). On it's own it's a good phone, compare it to the rest of the market and it's just about caught up and thrown out one minor addition at a big cost with a few problematic implementations.

                                      • j
                                      • jtrogr
                                      • sv7
                                      • 12 Nov 2017

                                      Adi.Ilie, 12 Nov 2017Well, I think that you have a shrine home and pray to Steve... moreBut you are forgetting one thing. A big part of 'the whole world' has android only because it is widespread and they can afford it. Apple is different and people want it to feel different and with the X this is getting even more visible. Go into any mixed mobile store and see where the lines are only to see the device. I have the X and people stare at me like I have f* horns on my head and not a mobile phone device. I have the phone because of years of adaptation and the ecosystem and I like how everything works fluidly but many others like the popularity and the hype.

                                      Never forget that popularity is getting more important than meaning.

                                        • i
                                        • iLoveEeEe
                                        • uJ5
                                        • 12 Nov 2017

                                        I don't find the wireless charging concept be useful for me as I am always on the move and the touch feeling from X is quiet disappointing, thicker and heavier, too smooth to hold it in palm without casing.
                                        Hoping that there be a 7x with just a full display screen and nothing extra...