1 Screen size
If you're upgrading from the 6/6S/7, then the screen size of the X will simply be stretched. If however you're upgrading from a Plus model, your screen will be narrower, albeit longer. This to me is a deal breaker. I am a Plus owner, I don't want to be watching media on a narrower but stretched screen.
I've only just upgraded to the + model and I love it, screen isn't the biggest issue for me!
2 The notch.
Have you ever had dinner with someone and as they're talking to you you lose focus of what they're saying because you noticed they have sauce or food stuck to the side of their lip? Well the notch is not too dissimilar. My eyes are drawn to it. If it bothers me, it will bother you. To those who say it won't bother you, you haven't got the device yet.
Agree. It's UGLY. The next models won't have it for sure, I'd rather wait for a perfected product, rather than a half-arsed one that looks rushed.
3 It is not edge to edge display
I still see bezels. They may be thinner, but they're still there. Rumours early on suggested the X would be like a slate of glass. Sorry, but it's not. Far from it. There are bezels there. Throw in the notch, throw in the black borders that the software will put in, throw in the narrower screen size to the Plus, and you're not really watching content on this magnifificent edge to edge giant screen, are you? You will be disappointed.
I actually prefer bezels, just makes it easier to hold the phone when watching things without touching the screen.
4 No home button
For 10 years you have used the home button. Up until the 5, it was a push and then a slide across. From the 5s, it was simply a push. Worked beautifully. I myself never registered all of my fingers for touch ID, I never registered my two little fingers, so if I just wanted to see the time or a notification without opening the phone, I'd use my little finger. That will be no more with the X. Now you got to get used to making sure the phone sees you, wait a little bit, then swipe up. Don't underestimate how this will force you to change your habits, when you''re driving, when you're in a meeting, when you're half asleep or in any situation when you shouldn't be looking at your phone. You will not be able to discreetly unlock your X. Think about it, for 10 years you touched a button, now you got to look at it, wait a couple of seconds, and swipe up. I'm sure there will be many other instances which will play out when you use the device.
Love the home button!!! It's perfect. It wasn't broke, no idea why they fixed it. They should have kept it and just reduced the bezels at the top of the phone.
5 Face ID
Following on from point 4, Face ID was not Apple's preference. It is simply the technology Apple had to fall back on when they realised that their preference would not be workable in time for the launch. They wanted touch ID under the screen. This in itself is an admission from Apple that touching your phone is still the best and securest method to unlock your phone, though Apple will never publicly admit it, except of course when screen touch id is available in a future phone and they will spend half the keynote talking about how it pisses all over Face ID. Apple wanted screen touch id, we all wanted screen touch id , but not to be. Instead, you will be getting a product which Apple added as a compromise. Basically, if Apple could have got screen touch ID to work, it would have been in the X. Samsung couldn't get touch screen ID to work, so it put the touch ID button at the back. Apple couldn't get screen touch id to work, so it went with Face id. What's the difference, they are both inferior compromises? The 8 Plus will still have the trusty home button with touch ID that you have all grown to love.
I don't like the concept of this, then again I haven't tried it - it might completely life changing? Difficult to judge it without having tried it. But I also agree it was a backup solution, just more evidence this launch was rushed. Again, I'd rather wait a couple years for better models to come out!
6 Two handed use
When the 6 Plus was released 3 years ago, this place was in meltdown about the iPhone no longer being a one handed device. Well the X will take it to another level. The screen is now longer, yes shorter bezels at the top and bottom, but unbelievably, the X won't come with reachability. Expect to see that back in a future software update or device once Apple realises that they screwed up in getting rid of reachability. But, and this is a huge but, you have to swipe down right of the notch for control centre and left of the notch for notifications. Good luck with your one handed use X owners.
I use my 8+ with one hand, reachability is great and I was worried about getting the + because I have tiny hands, but it's actually very nice to use (if a little heavy). Reachability is great on all the phones (again, little hands) so the X would just be a pain to use. But again, we haven't tried it yet, so can't really judge based on that. But it does sound like it wouldn't be that great reachability wise.
7 Specs
There is alot of similarities between the 8 Plus and the X. Both will have similar cameras, the same glass back, wireless charging, same storage capacity, same water resistant rating, both will have 3 gigs of ram, both will have the same A11 chip and both will have augmented reality. To me, the only benefit you're gonna get with the X over the 8 Plus is a little bit more with the camera and Animojis. But the 8 Plus camera will be a beast and I'm tipping after 2 weeks, if not 2 days, X users will over the animojis. But you see, the 8 Plus will have its own advantages, a wider screen and touch id. Honestly, is the X that much of a superior device?
Yeah, tbh the people who are gonna get the X aren't just getting it for the specs, they're getting it for what it looks like.
8 Colours
Not a biggy, but the gold colour the 8s will come in is probably the sleekest colour I have seen on an iphone. It looks magnificent. For those who still see the iphone as a fashion accessory, which I personally don't, you won't get the X in that colour.
True, I have the Gold 8+ and it's BEAUTIFUL. I'm not content with black/silver phones anymore! BUT another reason to wait, because they'll definitely release other colours of the X in due time.
9 Price.
The X will be the most expensive iphone in history. If you live in Australia like me, you'll be forking out $1,800 for the 256g model. That is not only insane, it is a rip off. If you want to fork out that much for a phone with a narrower screen than a Plus, a notch which will block your content, a device you cannot use with one hand, no trusted touch id home button and Face Id which was Apple's second choice because it was not good enough to make screen id work, then be my guest, you've got more dollars than sense.
Yep. Too expensive. Another reason to wait, in a couple of years, this will be the norm and the price will either come down or the economy will do better and it'll look like the price is coming down. Even if it doesn't, in a few years it'll be NORMAL to spend that much on a phone, right now it isn't. And why spend upwards of £/$1000 on a rushed, unperfected model when if you wait a year or two, you'll get a much more refined (possibly notch free) phone!
10 First Gen
It is a first gen device. Buyer beware. Beware beware beware. I'm sure in years to come the notch will go, reachability will be back, the bezels will be thinner, the width of the screen will be equal to the Plus and touch id will be back bigger and better than ever, under the screen.. and then I will get myself an X...but until then, beware the X.
You have been warned.
^ Agree.
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To summarise, I agree mostly with the OP. The X is rushed just to get it out on the 10year anniversary. I'd rather have a 'dated' phone for a couple more years and get a refined, well thought out model.
