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Open up wallet, select card, phone should be unlocked by now. Press against reader. Payment is processed. DOME. I think you are taking extra steps.
No, I am not. I do not open the wallet, I do not select the card. I hold the locked phone against the sensor and wait. Step 1. The phone wakes up and I see the screen with my default card at the top, and the instructions to double-click the side button. Step 2. I double-click the side button and the FaceID icon swirls, Face ID recognizes my face, and the payment is completed. How easier could it get?
 
If they are truly having only 50% success then they have a defective iPhone and should get it replaced. FaceID is just as reliable as TouchID for me and many others. I also prefer the greater fluidity of the X interface. The home button just feels clunky to me now. I still have an iPad with TouchID that I use throughout the day. Both have situations where they don’t work, but most of the time they both work very reliably. FaceID feels faster and more convenient to me, although anyone claiming that one is faster than the other in any meaningful way is just splitting hairs. By more convenient I mean that the iPhone and my password protected apps just open without me having to think about it or lift a thumb. Not that TouchID was something I had to think about, but when you compare the two side by side all day long like I do, TouchID sticks out as this thing you have to do and FaceID does not. Perhaps that makes it more noticeable when FaceID does fail, but it does not mean FaceID fails more frequently. In my experience it does not. That said, both have their limits that require compensation in some situations. TouchID requires you to compensate while wearing gloves, sweating, any time hands are slightly wet. FaceID requires you to look at your iPhone by picking it up (or placing it on a stand) when you want to leave it on a flat surface. It also requires you to to pick your face up off the pillow when you are in bed. Other than that it works reliably for me whether I’m wearing glasses, sunglasses, no glasses, hat, hood, facial stubble, in the dark, etc.

Polls on this site show a high satisfaction rate for FaceID, but of course Apple enthusiasm skews the voting. So why the complaints from your friends? I have managed technical support staff for almost twenty years, and the one constant is that most people hate change when it comes to technology. Even if there are benefits that they appreciate, they don’t want to have to get used to something new. Even if their current tech isn’t perfect, they get used to it. They learn to compensate for its weaknesses to the point when they don’t even want those weaknesses addressed by an update if it means they will have to change their habits. People forget that TouchID was criticized for its weaknesses many years ago, because now those weaknesses are accepted. TouchID also had the advantage of being far more convenient than tapping out a passcode, so people forgave its misses. FaceID will continue to be criticized as more people adopt the X platform devices, but a year or so from now most of those who switch will no longer miss TouchID.
Their phones are not defective.
 
No, I am not. I do not open the wallet, I do not select the card. I hold the locked phone against the sensor and wait. Step 1. The phone wakes up and I see the screen with my default card at the top, and the instructions to double-click the side button. Step 2. I double-click the side button and the FaceID icon swirls, Face ID recognizes my face, and the payment is completed. How easier could it get?
  1. Double tap (phone unlocks /w scan)
  2. Hold against reader
Done
 
FID fails for me more often than Touch ID. However, I prefer the idea of FID better than using Touch ID. I just hope FID gets better in future iPhone’s. For me it feels like a beta on the X.
 
Someone else made an interesting post above mine when they commented that Face ID fails more often then touch ID does, but they prefer the method of Face ID to unlock their iPhone. I think it’s also fair to say that touch ID was a second generation technology, where Face ID is still a first generation technology. Face ID will Eventually mature to the point where it becomes more accurate and reliable when unlocking liking the iPhone on a more consistent basis, but it will never be perfect.
 
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Their phones are not defective.

Have they had them checked out? If FaceID failed on me that often, I’d get the phone checked out. If they are sure their iPhone is not defective then either they are exaggerating or they are refusing to look at the phone. I could say TouchID fails on me more frequently by stubbornly refusing to remove my gloves, but that’s not the phone’s fault. After twenty years of tech support I’ve heard a lot of hyperbole used to describe technical issues. People like to say the errors or problems they encounter happen more frequently than what the system logs actually show. I don’t blame them for it. When something frustrates you, it can certainly feel like it happens more frequently, and perception matters more than reality when it comes to customer satisfaction. I’m just surprised FaceID frustrates them so much when it works well for so many others. Assuming they verified with Apple that the hardware is fine, what was Apple’s response?
 
Have they had them checked out? If FaceID failed on me that often, I’d get the phone checked out. If they are sure their iPhone is not defective then either they are exaggerating or they are refusing to look at the phone. I could say TouchID fails on me more frequently by stubbornly refusing to remove my gloves, but that’s not the phone’s fault. After twenty years of tech support I’ve heard a lot of hyperbole used to describe technical issues. People like to say the errors or problems they encounter happen more frequently than what the system logs actually show. I don’t blame them for it. When something frustrates you, it can certainly feel like it happens more frequently, and perception matters more than reality when it comes to customer satisfaction. I’m just surprised FaceID frustrates them so much when it works well for so many others. Assuming they verified with Apple that the hardware is fine, what was Apple’s response?
Add two more from yesterday who say FID is good for about 50%. Phones aren’t defective. With raise to wake and rest to open there is no FID that will outperform TID on a speed or hit-rate basis. If you like FID that’s great but it isn’t ‘better’.
 
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........With raise to wake and rest to open there is no FID that will outperform TID on a speed or hit-rate basis. If you like FID that’s great but it isn’t ‘better’.
Current FaceID is not better than the 2nd Gen TouchID in my experience. But as someone else has pointed out, I do prefer what FaceID offers and how improved it will be in Gen2.
 
Add two more from yesterday who say FID is good for about 50%. Phones aren’t defective. With raise to wake and rest to open there is no FID that will outperform TID on a speed or hit-rate basis. If you like FID that’s great but it isn’t ‘better’.

I never said it was better. I just said there are situations where FaceID won't work, and situations where TouchID won't work. I did say that, as someone who uses both FaceID and TouchID all day every day on two separate devices, FaceID feels more convenient because TouchID now stands out as this thing I have to remember to do at times when FaceID requires me to do nothing. Both technologies perform much better than anyone saying "50%" would imply. If it was really no better than 50%, can you imagine the threads on this site calling for heads to roll at Apple?
 
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I never said it was better. I just said there are situations where FaceID won't work, and situations where TouchID won't work. I did say that, as someone who uses both FaceID and TouchID all day every day on two separate devices, FaceID feels more convenient because TouchID now stands out as this thing I have to remember to do at times when FaceID requires me to do nothing. Both technologies perform much better than anyone saying "50%" would imply. If it was really no better than 50%, can you imagine the threads on this site calling for heads to roll at Apple?
This site isn’t a normal sample.
I’m sure it’s not 50% for everyone but just read the replies to this FID ad on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/apple/status/979125331054428160?s=21
 
It does work with less extreme angles. I leave mine on my desk and have to just lean towards my X to get it to open. I am far from hovering over it. Still way better than TouchID for me

How is it better if you have to lean over to unlock vs just holding your finger and unlocking @ really any angle?

I like TouchID because it’s one less thing I have to think about on my 8 Plus. I don’t have to think about leaning in, holding it up, angles, etc.

I can unlock from my pocket, desk, in my hand, etc. and it works 99% of the time.
 
Doesn’t take much to pick up a damn phone. FaceID works fine. Don’t like it? There’s the perfect device for you with pretty much the exact same specs. It’s called the iPhone 8.

Sad that people have to choose between FaceID and TouchID. If the iPhone X had both that would be what I would be typing on instead of an iPhone 8 Plus.
 
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This site isn’t a normal sample.
I’m sure it’s not 50% for everyone but just read the replies to this FID ad on Twitter.

It may Not be a ‘normal sample’, but it doesn’t have to be for other tech enthusiasts to share their experiences. You’re likely going to find out more downfalls through technology (Face ID) through a site like this , because this is where others share their personal experiences. Most consumers outside a tech forum will never go into detail others share in here. So may not be a normal sample, but it is a relevant sample in reading both the positive and negatives to new technology with Face ID.
 
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It is relevant considering Touch ID didn’t have that problem. Don’t know how a product “Face ID” can be more secure when it doesn’t work with twins. Where Touch ID won’t work for anyone but that person.

That's not true. I was able to unlock a friend's 6s with my finger when they first got it and set it up*. I'm just the 1 in 25,000 (or was it 50,000?) Apple mentioned. Not sure where you got the idea that fingerprints are unique. Not even Apple has ever made that claim.

* Since I've been through this a number of times now... Yes, she set it up correctly. Yes, I'm telling the truth. No, she couldn't unlock my 6+. Yes, we did everything properly. This actually happened.
 
I set up FaceID on my X on 12-24-17. Since then I have grown a beard/mustache and have been wearing a hat a lot. FaceID works 99% of the time. In bed laying down, in the dark. I couldn't be happier with it. Awesome feature.
 
This site isn’t a normal sample.
I’m sure it’s not 50% for everyone but just read the replies to this FID ad on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/apple/status/979125331054428160?s=21

I know this site isn't a normal sample, but neither is that group responding via Twitter. The reason is that the people who have no issues with FaceID aren't going to bother to post. The people who do will complain loudly and are prone to hyperbole, and then there are the obvious troll responses. As an IT support manager I feel for the Apple employees trying to respond to people on that thread by offering help via DM. At least they are trying to help.

If you want to help your friends help themselves, suggest they log a few details about every FaceID failure they encounter for a day. Not even a whole day... just some details that they feel covers all the situations where it isn't working for them. Did it fail to unlock the phone? Unlock an app? How were they holding the phone? Or was it laying on a flat surface or at an angle? Was their face partially hidden by a hood or a pillow, or were they wearing something on their face/head they don't usually wear? If they can document situations where it doesn't work, but it should work, they will be able to provide Apple Support with enough detail to follow up on. It may also be that they are counting instances where FaceID can't work as failures. It can't recognize your face when half of it is buried in a pillow. It can't work in landscape mode (at least not yet), and it can't work at the kind of angle you might encounter when the iPhone is laying on a flat surface. If someone keeps their iPhone flat on a table and expects it to work from an angle, that's like me expecting my iPad's TouchID to work with my gloves on.

When my head isn't on a pillow, I have a seriously tough time getting FaceID to fail as long as I can look at my iPhone from a normal viewing angle and distance. If they can't say the same, they should document the problem and work with Apple Support until it is resolved or the Iphone is replaced. From what it sounds like they should have no trouble demonstrating the failures in an Apple Store. i seriously doubt I'm an outlier who just got lucky. On the other hand there might be some quality control issues when it comes to the dot projector, and perhaps that is something they can test for. If not, the next step (after trying to set up FaceID again) should be to replace the device.
 
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That's not true. I was able to unlock a friend's 6s with my finger when they first got it and set it up*. I'm just the 1 in 25,000 (or was it 50,000?) Apple mentioned. Not sure where you got the idea that fingerprints are unique. Not even Apple has ever made that claim.

* Since I've been through this a number of times now... Yes, she set it up correctly. Yes, I'm telling the truth. No, she couldn't unlock my 6+. Yes, we did everything properly. This actually happened.
Just cause you said it happened. Doesn’t mean it did. And even if it did she may of had a faulty Touch ID sensor. Face id has been consistent for unlocking for twins.
 
Just cause you said it happened. Doesn’t mean it did. And even if it did she may of had a faulty Touch ID sensor. Face id has been consistent for unlocking for twins.

It did happen. Not a faulty sensor either as she's been using it for 2-3 years now. Just because you say it didn't happen doesn't mean you're being truthful.
 
I know this site isn't a normal sample, but neither is that group responding via Twitter. The reason is that the people who have no issues with FaceID aren't going to bother to post. The people who do will complain loudly and are prone to hyperbole, and then there are the obvious troll responses. As an IT support manager I feel for the Apple employees trying to respond to people on that thread by offering help via DM. At least they are trying to help.

If you want to help your friends help themselves, suggest they log a few details about every FaceID failure they encounter for a day. Not even a whole day... just some details that they feel covers all the situations where it isn't working for them. Did it fail to unlock the phone? Unlock an app? How were they holding the phone? Or was it laying on a flat surface or at an angle? Was their face partially hidden by a hood or a pillow, or were they wearing something on their face/head they don't usually wear? If they can document situations where it doesn't work, but it should work, they will be able to provide Apple Support with enough detail to follow up on. It may also be that they are counting instances where FaceID can't work as failures. It can't recognize your face when half of it is buried in a pillow. It can't work in landscape mode (at least not yet), and it can't work at the kind of angle you might encounter when the iPhone is laying on a flat surface. If someone keeps their iPhone flat on a table and expects it to work from an angle, that's like me expecting my iPad's TouchID to work with my gloves on.

When my head isn't on a pillow, I have a seriously tough time getting FaceID to fail as long as I can look at my iPhone from a normal viewing angle and distance. If they can't say the same, they should document the problem and work with Apple Support until it is resolved. From what it sounds like they should have no trouble demonstrating the failures in an Apple Store. i seriously doubt I'm an outlier who just got lucky. On the other hand there might be some quality control issues when it comes to the dot projector, and perhaps that is something they can test for.
But see that’s the issue. We shouldn’t have to make sure our phones are turned ever so slightly. I mean it’s 2018 you would just think we could be able to unlock our phones even while there sitting on a table. This hunk of **** can’t even unlock when you have it barley turned. I mean I honestly could see this feature coming out before Touch ID was released not after. Your suppose to better your products not make them worse. Touch ID worked no matter if it was on the table. Or if the phone was turned even all the way sideways. And you could have it unlocked before it even got out of your pocket.
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It did happen. Not a faulty sensor either as she's been using it for 2-3 years now. Just because you say it didn't happen doesn't mean you're being truthful.
There’s no evidence to back that up. And also just cause she’s been using it 2-3 years doesn’t mean it’s not faulty. Hell it might unlock with anyone’s fingerprint.
 
But see that’s the issue. We shouldn’t have to make sure our phones are turned ever so slightly. I mean it’s 2018 you would just think we could be able to unlock our phones even while there sitting on a table. This hunk of **** can’t even unlock when you have it barley turned. I mean I honestly could see this feature coming out before Touch ID was released not after. Your suppose to better your products not make them worse. Touch ID worked no matter if it was on the table. Or if the phone was turned even all the way sideways. And you could have it unlocked before it even got out of your pocket.

It's not ever so slightly. I don't have to think about positioning my phone or my head to get FaceID to work. I just pick up my phone and look at it as I would to interact with it. Sure it would be nice if I didn't have to pick it up and could just leave it sitting on a table and unlock from an angle. It would also be nice if TouchID worked through gloves or with wet fingers. These systems have limitations. For me personally, FaceID beats TouchID. If the table thing is important for you, you can sell it and get the iPhone 8 instead. Perhaps they will combine FaceID and TouchID in a future model, or at least expand the dot projector so that it works at wider angles. I think they will do the latter.

As much as I prefer FaceID to the TouchID on my iPad, they will have to make a couple of advances to FaceID before it will be ready for the iPad: The iPad is meant to be as much of a tabletop device as it is meant to be handheld. It will need to work in landscape as well as portrait orientation, and it will need to work at a bit more of an angle. I often use my iPad on a table at a shallow angle. I don't really do that with my iPhone, because for me an iPhone is a handheld device. The only time my iPhone X is usually sitting on a flat surface, it's on a stand at a steeper angle on my desk. The stand makes it much more visible and easier to interact with when it comes to notifications. It also allows FaceID to work flawlessly. If I see a notification come in out of the corner of my eye, I can just look at my iPhone and it unlocks to display the full text. I get that we don't all use our iPhones the same way, but i'd say the way FaceID currently works is that it assumes you are holding your iPhone in your hand (or that it is at least mounted at a distance and angle that facilitates viewing and unlocking). If tabletop usage is important for you, waiting for a future version of FaceID with a hopefully more forgiving angle requirement might be necessary.
 
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I don't understand the large difference in the user experience with FID. Some people have problems others do not. It works great for me. In over three months, I have put in my passcode maybe 10 times and some of them were due to restarts for updates or power cycles. It works with sunglasses on/off, in the dark, in bright light, waking up and still in bed, sitting in a stand on the coffee table, blah, blah, blah. If it was failing anywhere near half of the time I would have exchanged it.
 
I don't understand the large difference in the user experience with FID. Some people have problems others do not. It works great for me. In over three months, I have put in my passcode maybe 10 times and some of them were due to restarts for updates or power cycles. It works with sunglasses on/off, in the dark, in bright light, waking up and still in bed, sitting in a stand on the coffee table, blah, blah, blah. If it was failing anywhere near half of the time I would have exchanged it.

Same here. I think some of the confusion comes from people expecting it to work in situations where it has known limitations: The angle thing for example. That's not really important to me, but I know it is for some people. I use my iPhone as a handheld device and it's usually in a pocket when I'm not using it. The angle thing is a limit just like the glove/wet thumb thing is a limit for TouchID. You can't call it a failure when you are expecting it to work outside of its normal operating conditions.
 
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