The release of the iPhone X marks the 10 anniversary of the release of the first ever iPhone back in 2007. This is the very reason, it’s also called iPhone 10.
The device brings some interesting talents up its sleeves which got the attention of tech experts and enthusiasts alike.
This iPhone X review will discover and explain those key features that make it a fantastic device in its category of smartphones.
From the new way to unlock the device to the new design to some smart hardware upgrades, there is a lot to discuss.
Let’s dive in.
iPhone X Design
The iPhone 10 or iPhone X features a premium design with a stainless steel frame sandwiched between smooth glass surfaces. The dimensions are identical to the iPhone XS, but the iPhone X weighs slightly less at 174 grams compared to the iPhone XS’s 177 grams. The iPhone 10 has a higher IP67 rating for water and dust resistance compared to the iPhone XS’s IP68 rating, which allows it to survive under 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. The iPhone X is available in two colours: silver and space grey, while the iPhone XS also comes in a third colour, gold.
FaceID Replacing the TouchID
The iPhone 10 features Face ID, a facial recognition system that replaces Touch ID. Face ID uses a combination of cameras and sensors at the top of the screen to authenticate the user. Here are some key points about Face ID on the iPhone X:
Setup: Face ID is set up by looking at the screen and swiping up from the bottom. It takes a few seconds to set up and can be done in a few steps.
Authentication: Face ID is used for unlocking the phone, making purchases, and authenticating in apps. It is fast and accurate, with a success rate of over 99%.
Security: Face ID is more secure than Touch ID because it uses a combination of cameras and sensors to recognize the user’s face. It is also more difficult to spoof than Touch ID.
Repair: Face ID can be repaired if it stops working. However, it requires a high level of technical expertise and specialized tools
Compatibility: Face ID is compatible with most apps that use Touch ID, including Apple Pay and password managers.
Limitations: Face ID has some limitations, such as not working in low light or with certain accessories. It also requires a clear view of the user’s face to work correctly.
Overall, Face ID is a secure and convenient way to authenticate on the iPhone 10. It is more advanced than Touch ID and provides a better user experience.
Is the new Design Durable?
The iPhone 10 features a premium design with a stainless steel frame sandwiched between smooth glass surfaces. The phone is constructed to provide a solid build quality, with a minor flex in the body when bent but no screen separation or body damage along the antenna lines. This indicates that the phone is well-built and should withstand normal use without significant damage.
However, the phone’s glass back is a major concern. While it is durable and resistant to scratches and burns, it is still prone to cracking if dropped. This is a significant drawback, especially considering the high price point of the iPhone X. Aftermarket glass replacements are available, but they can be expensive and may not match the original quality.
The phone’s screen is also a concern. While it is made of the toughest glass on the planet, it can still scratch easily. This is a bummer, especially considering the high price point of the phone.
Overall, the iPhone X has a solid build quality, but its glass back and screen are major concerns. It is essential to handle the phone with care and consider getting a case or skin for protection.
iPhone X: Home Button is Gone
The iPhone 10 does not have a physical home button, as Apple has removed it in favour of gesture-based navigation. Here are the key points about how to use the iPhone X without a home button:
Accessing the Home Screen
Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to go to the home screen
You can also swipe up and pause slightly to open the app switcher
Multitasking
Double-tap the side button to open the app switcher
Swipe left or right on the bottom bar to switch between apps
Siri and Accessibility
Press and hold the side button to activate Siri
Triple-click the side button to activate accessibility features
Reachability
Swipe down on the bottom half of the screen to bring content down
Useful for one-handed use on a large screen
Assistive Touch
You can enable an on-screen home button through Assistive Touch in Settings > Accessibility
Provides a virtual home button and other customizable gestures
So, in summary, while the physical home button is gone, Apple has implemented a series of intuitive gestures and shortcuts to navigate the iPhone 10. It takes some getting used to, but ultimately provides a clean, gesture-based experience.
New OLED Screen
The iPhone X features a new OLED screen that is a significant upgrade from the LCD screens used in previous iPhone models. Here are some key points about the iPhone X’s OLED screen:
Display Technology: The iPhone X uses an OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) display, which is a type of display technology that creates light within every pixel that makes up its picture, rather than using a separate backlighting system.
Contrast Ratio: The iPhone X’s OLED screen has an infinite contrast ratio, meaning that it can produce perfectly dark blacks and vivid colours.
Colour Gamut: The iPhone X’s OLED screen supports the DCI-P3 wide colour gamut, which is a wider colour range than the sRGB colour gamut used in most LCD screens.
Brightness: The iPhone X’s OLED screen is very bright, with a maximum brightness of 1,000 nits.
Viewing Angles: The iPhone X’s OLED screen has very wide viewing angles, meaning that the display remains clear and vibrant even when viewed from the side.
Burn-In: The iPhone X’s OLED screen is susceptible to burn-in, which is a phenomenon where an image remains on the screen even after it has been turned off.
3D Touch: The iPhone X’s OLED screen also features 3D Touch, which is a feature that allows users to interact with the screen by applying different levels of pressure.
Laminating Process: The iPhone X’s OLED screen has a more complicated laminating process than LCD screens, which involves laminating the OLED panel with the 3D Touch module and then with the glass lens
Cameras
The iPhone X features a dual-camera setup with a 12-megapixel wide-angle camera and a 12-megapixel telephoto camera. The cameras are capable of capturing high-quality photos and videos, with features such as:
Optical Zoom: 2x optical zoom and 10x digital zoom
Portrait Mode: Uses the telephoto lens to create images with “bokeh”-esque backgrounds and foregrounds
Portrait Lighting: Dynamically adjusts the lighting of the subject in Portrait Mode
Time Lapse: Records a period of time in a sped-up fashion
Slow Motion: Captures video at up to 240 frames per second
4K Video: Records video at up to 4K resolution
TrueDepth Camera: Used for Face ID and front-facing camera capabilities
Quad-LED Dual-Tone Flash: Provides a more natural and less contrasty flash
Deep Trench Isolation: Improves pixel isolation on the sensor for better photo quality
HDR: Supports High Dynamic Range for improved contrast and colour accuracy
The iPhone X also features advanced camera software capabilities, including:
Augmented Reality: Uses the cameras to superimpose digital information onto the real world
Flash: Supports flash for better low-light photography
Filters: Offers various filters for enhancing photos
Timed Photos: Allows for timed photos to capture specific moments
Body and Face Detection: Uses real-time image and motion analysis to detect and track subjects
Overall, the iPhone X cameras offer a range of advanced features and capabilities that make it a powerful tool for photography and videography.
Conclusion
Assuming that iPhone X’s FaceID continues to work as promised by Apple, the device has been a pretty solid phone for many years. Two of many reasons for saying so is a big enough screen and a device with a design you can easily use with one hand. Beyond these immediate advantages, there are impressive dual cameras that bring a lot of snapping power along with the fun Animoji feature.
