iPhone X Review Roundup: Face ID Works Well as Life Without Home Button Takes Getting Used To

[iosuser]

Oh no the screen uses pentile pixel arrangement This means edges will have a fuzzy look to it. It remains to be seen how visible it will be until I see it in person, but I am very sensitive to this and at 458ppi I think it will be visible. Samsung went with RGB pixel array on the S8. Maybe Samsung is not letting Apple have its best...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PenTile_matrix_family

 

[kdarling]

Hmmm....after looking at various ‘reviews’ Im getting nervous on FaceID

Just avoid IR sources behind your head

Perhaps, in the same way that gloves appeared that allowed TouchId, we'll see hats and sunglasses designed specifically to help with FaceId. Perhaps even IR reflective fake beauty marks you can wear to help it recognize you (only half joking!).

 

[Ant2369]

Sorry I didn't get more than 10 seconds into the video with the guy who calls it iPhone Ex, and mentions "this crazy notch thingy".

Good choices Apple. Real class acts here.

Seriously!!! How is he given a first look opportunity and doesn't even know the name of the device

 

[falainber]

Lol. Literally exactly what you should never do is not a 'non-starter'. iPhones are not shared devices. And certainly not shared so often that you would need to get in with Face ID.

LOL. Some people.

I do not think you have enough life experience to comment on what people should and should not do. There are plenty of situations where sharing the phone is very convenient. Not everyone stores naked selfies on their phones, you know.

 

[zombiecoops]

I'd like to see it used with a life proof case on it. I know with my iPhone 7 sometimes swiping up to access the control center takes a few tries. since there isn't a home butter to go back with I'm curious how the swipe and gestures work with a case on.

 

[ssl0408]

While I agree with you, take a look at a thread that is currently 1315 posts deep all arguing over the "delay" in the home button. LOL https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...on-interactions.2067278/page-53#post-25331008

Apple slowed down the software for Touch ID to make Face ID on par with with Touch ID. Touch ID on the iPhone 7 running iOS 10 is much faster than the iPhone 8 running iOS 11. It was done deliberately to make Face ID look better.

 

[KingslayerG5]

There is a reason my LGs from 2016 are my personal favorites.

Wake screen: Power button. Double tap. KnockCode. Fingerprint scanner on back.

Turn off screen: Power button. Double tap on notification shade. Swipe up at homescreen linking Screen Off & Lock with Nova Prime gesture.

I generally use double tap or press the fingerprint scanner on the back.

The iPhone SE is actually the most perfect iPhone for me.

Wake screen: Power button. Physical home button/Touch ID. Raise to wake.

Turn off screen: Power button. Asssistive Touch.

All I want Apple to do is add gesture control for older iPhones by 11.3 because I hate pressing the home button or needing Assistive Touch on. And add a double tap gesture to turn off the screen because I hate using AT or the power button.

By eliminating pressing any mechanical button constantly, the better to use. I also have volume toggles onscreen. Think of BlackBerry with physical QWERTY or any keyboard for your desktop. It will wear out.

Even my Sony PSP buttons started to get stuck and took awhile for it to work smoothly again. Too many mechanical buttons is archaic on touchscreen phones but practical with gaming.

 

[falainber]

That is called anecdotal evidence and it does not say "requires" moving to shade -- says he had issues while moving. Maybe he needed to stand still? Reading all of the reviews, the overall comments from the reviewers do not indicate any sort of major issue and it sounds like it works pretty much as well as touch ID.

Have there ever been any initial iPhone reviews from pre-approved reviewers that identified any phone issues? No. This one is possibly the closest case of a reviewer finding a potential problem. Obviously, we'll know more soon but this is a little bit alarming.

 

[Cloudane]

Having seen the iPhone 4 to 5 transition the software bezel issue will mean some old 'abandonware' apps and games will always look terrible and you'll have to look for alternatives but one way or another it'll be alright after a year or so.

FaceID sounds awful so far - I often use my phone when walking and don't want to stop to get steady enough for unlock to work!
Current plan is to stick with the last TouchID iPhones until my Apple Watch is obsolete, then see if the Android manufacturers have done the usual "Apple knows best" and followed suit, or been brave enough to retain fingerprint sensors. If the latter, that may be my switch back time.

 

[redneckitengineer]

I don't understand how a split second difference in unlocking your phone means that much to you....Are you really always in that much of a heated rush to get your phone unlocked and at the home screen? I guess I just don't get how you can be in that much of a rush to get into your phone......first world problems I guess...

Let me give a great example of where I see FaceID being a hinderence. Sitting down at a dinner table at a restaurant with others, phone's in pocket. I need to unlock it and check something.

TouchID: As I pull my phone from my right front pocket, my thumb touches the pad and has already authenticated, and the phone has already loaded the home screen. By the time it reaches my visible area below the table out of view of the other guests, I can check my item.

FaceID: (assumed until I actually try it) As I pull my phone from my right front pocket, I must click the power button on the upper right on the phone to wake it. I then must bring the phone into view of my face, most likely above the table to get the correct angle, therefore showing my phone being used inconsiderately to other guests, then once I look at the phone (however short it is), I then must swipe up on the screen with the same or more likely, other hand. I then can bring the phone back down below the table to check my item.

There are 2 additional steps in FaceID vs TouchID. The power click, and the swipe up. This cannot be faster than a single push of my finger upon a sensor which does not necessarily have to be aimed at my face. Imagine this scenario in a meeting, in a theater, on a date, heck I definitely don't condone phones and driving having CarPlay, but it's easier in a car to unlock. I again reserve my true final comments until after Friday when people actually start using the phone, and I'm not just trolling as I bought two of them with the intent of hopefully upgrading my 7 Plus to one of them. I'm just seeing real world situations where FaceID scares me.

 

[caesarp]

Why are you so dogmatic in your defense of iPhone X? 'Maybe he needed to stand still?' You can't be serious. If Face ID only works well if the subject is stationary, that is likely going to be a problem.

Because this nit picking of face ID is ridiculous. Of course it won't work 100% of the time -- neither does touchID. Big whoop. Clearly it works well enough, it's not like reviewers are like, OMG, I have to enter my pass code constantly. Yes, it's not perfect. So what? Looks good to go though -- not some beta product. I'm sure for 99% of the time, it will be fine.

 

[falainber]

Apple slowed down the software for Touch ID to make Face ID on par with with Touch ID. Touch ID on the iPhone 7 running iOS 10 is much faster than the iPhone 8 running iOS 11. It was done deliberately to make Face ID look better.

Too bad they can't slow down Android phones.
[doublepost=1509465701][/doublepost]

Because this nit picking of face ID is ridiculous. Of course it won't work 100% of the time -- neither does touchID. Big whoop. Clearly it works well enough, it's not like reviewers are like, OMG, I have to enter my pass code constantly. Yes, it's not perfect. So what? Looks good to go though -- not some beta product. I'm sure for 99% of the time, it will be fine.

It's a problem if the new phone is worse at something than the previous one. Remember there are still plenty of phones (Android phones) with finger print sensors. If they works better than iPhones, it's a trouble.

 

[pweicks]

Interesting. So, Face ID actually adapts as a beard grows over time. That's pretty cool actually. What about if someone decides to suddenly shave it off? Guess we'll be hearing lots of complaints on December 1st when No Shave November is over

 

[spinedoc77]

So you can trust the Verge because they had some issues, but anyone with positive impressions is a paid Apple shill? Ok.
[doublepost=1509463551][/doublepost]


You can just swipe, and it’ll unlock after faceID recognises you - no need to wait for the padlock

Yep, but it's that swipe AFTER faceID recognizes you that I predict will become very annoying very quickly.

 

[caesarp]

Let me give a great example of where I see FaceID being a hinderence. Sitting down at a dinner table at a restaurant with others, phone's in pocket. I need to unlock it and check something.

TouchID: As I pull my phone from my right front pocket, my thumb touches the pad and has already authenticated, and the phone has already loaded the home screen. By the time it reaches my visible area below the table out of view of the other guests, I can check my item.

FaceID: (assumed until I actually try it) As I pull my phone from my right front pocket, I must click the power button on the upper right on the phone to wake it. I then must bring the phone into view of my face, most likely above the table to get the correct angle, therefore showing my phone being used inconsiderately to other guests, then once I look at the phone (however short it is), I then must swipe up on the screen with the same or more likely, other hand. I then can bring the phone back down below the table to check my item.

There are 2 additional steps in FaceID vs TouchID. The power click, and the swipe up. This cannot be faster than a single push of my finger upon a sensor which does not necessarily have to be aimed at my face. Imagine this scenario in a meeting, in a theater, on a date, heck I definitely don't condone phones and driving having CarPlay, but it's easier in a car to unlock. I again reserve my true final comments until after Friday when people actually start using the phone, and I'm not just trolling as I bought two of them with the intent of hopefully upgrading my 7 Plus to one of them. I'm just seeing real world situations where FaceID scares me.

Enter your passcode as you hold the phone under the table -- problem solved.

 

[AT&T representative]

When Steve Jobs introduced the iPad, he was proud to say that anyone with an iPhone would be able to use it. Not the case anymore. You’ll have to learn one way of how to use your iPhone and another way to use your iPad.

 

[AppleMad98004]

There is one idiot who put on a fake beard and complained it didn't recognize him. What he does realize is one grows a beard over time and it is the changes that FaceID recognizes using machine learning not an immediate disguise. Let call out these people on Twitter for the stupid stuff they post.

 

[falainber]

Having seen the iPhone 4 to 5 transition the software bezel issue will mean some old 'abandonware' apps and games will always look terrible and you'll have to look for alternatives but one way or another it'll be alright after a year or so.

FaceID sounds awful so far - I often use my phone when walking and don't want to stop to get steady enough for unlock to work!
Current plan is to stick with the last TouchID iPhones until my Apple Watch is obsolete, then see if the Android manufacturers have done the usual "Apple knows best" and followed suit, or been brave enough to retain fingerprint sensors. If the latter, that may be my switch back time.

The Verge review's description of the problem is not very clear though. It is clear that the reviewer had problems using Face ID when walking outside. It is less clear if the problem was caused solely by the sun or the movement also contributed. Both issues would be a problem. If movement is an issue then, most likely, it also means that one has to keep the hand very steady even in stationary position and there probably is a delay (if it was instantaneous then movement could not affect the feature)

 

[redneckitengineer]

Enter your passcode as you hold the phone under the table -- problem solved.

Gee...that's progress moving forward.

 

[thadoggfather]

Hmmm....after looking at various ‘reviews’ Im getting nervous on FaceID

Only
Looked at verge are most people
Saying face ID is finicky?

 

[The Game 161]

Yep, but it's that swipe AFTER faceID recognizes you that I predict will become very annoying very quickly.

Why though? Not different than putting your finger on the home button
[doublepost=1509466620][/doublepost]Apple insider yet another reviewer saying no problems in direct sunlight

Verge are just looking for attention..no credibility at all

 

[DTECHQUE]

It sounds like the lack of home button is a bigger issue than FaceID.

Edge gestures from the top/bottom are not convenient or comfortable. If I’m walking, holding the phone in one hand, it’s going to take some extreme bravery to reach down to the very bottom for the home “bar”.

I was already inclined to skip this phone, and now I’m absolutely sure that I don’t want one. Cool. On with my day...

Try to use reachability.

 

[BootsWalking]

And how well does Touch ID work with wet or very dry/cracked fingers? I’m not expecting Face ID to work under every conceivable situation. I don’t think Apple has promised that either.

I'm in varied lighting conditions much more frequently than the number of times my fingers are wet.

 

[kemal]

The future of smartphones today: $550 to repair a broken volume down switch.

 

[Baymowe335]

Sounds like FaceID is exactly as a lot of us predicted. Hit or miss. I honestly doubt it's functionality is better than TouchID. I'll leave my two in box this Friday until some real world reviews come out before I open it and get buyers remorse.

You honestly got "hit or miss" from these reviews about FaceID?

Get out of here. It's been overwhelmingly positive. People like you are looking for a superior technology to fail because you have a security blanket with 90s tech fingerprint scanners. TouchID is not as secure, it's not as convenient in many situations, and is not the future. Welcome to the future.

Get a Samsung with the fingerprint scanner on the back by the camera where you can't reach it...or use the Iris scanner that doesn't work with Samsung Pay and can be fooled by a picture.

OR OR OR

Get an iPhone 8 until FaceID is "perfected" in your eyes.
[doublepost=1509466963][/doublepost]

I'm in varied lighting conditions much more frequently than the number of times my fingers are wet.

And where are the multiple confirmed reviews FaceID consistently fails in varied lighting conditions?

One sentence from an Android biased reviewer and you're declaring an emergency on FaceID. Look at you already stating "varied lighting conditions" are a problem.