^ So basically Face ID is a band-aid feature but a very good one. Faster than 1st gen Touch ID but slower than 2nd gen. Definitely much more seamless than Samsung's iris scanner. Just not great partying for tonight.
Gen 1
2007 - iPhone
2008 - iPhone 3G
2009 - iPhone 3Gs
Gen 2
2010 - iPhone 4
2011 - iPhone 4s
2012 - iPhone 5
2013 - iPhone 5s
Gen 3
2014 - iPhone 6
2015 - iPhone 6s
2016 - iPhone 7
2017 - iPhone 8
Gen 4
2017 - iPhone X
2018 - iPhone Xs or XI
2019 - iPhone XI or XII
2020 - iPhone XIs or XIII
Gen 5?
2021?
In time, Face ID keeps improving like Touch ID did. Since when have they went backwards? I expect the screen ears to be gone by 2019 or 2021. Apple can use it to differentiate for now but can't use that style forever.
By 2021, no ports. Only power button. AirPower will improve by then and hopefully get much faster. Wireless charging and wireless headphones era revolution begins.
iPhone X is very, very polished for a Gen 1 new design / tick model.