iPhone X Supports Reachability With Swipe Down Gesture on Home Screen Indicator Once Enabled

[MacRumors]

Despite some speculation suggesting the iPhone X would not support Reachability, reviews of the device published today have confirmed that the feature can be enabled in the Settings app on the device.

Once enabled, Reachability can be invoked by swiping down on the bar that serves as a visual indicator for returning to the Home screen.

Skip to the 5:05 mark in Engadget's first impressions video to see Reachability in action. The tidbit was highlighted on Reddit by user Whert Ser Nert.

Reachability is designed to bring down the entire top portion of the iPhone's display so it is within thumb's reach for one-handed access to apps and content. The feature is invoked by double tapping the Home button on other iPhone models.

Article Link: iPhone X Supports Reachability With Swipe Down Gesture on Home Screen Indicator Once Enabled

 

[M_Json]

Actually a clever and intuitive way to do it..

 

[Zaft]

Very nic3, I’m glad it’s still there.

 

[Wowereit]

Actually a clever and intuitive way to do it..

I'm pulling down, UI is coming down.
I'm pulling up, UI is going up, revealing the thing 'under it' - the home screen.

Seems natural.

 

[GabrielMoro]

Great news. Usability seems more intuitive than the one on Touch ID.

 

[jmh600cbr]

As a plus user this was a major concern for me. Hopefully they refine the bar throughout future updates.

 

[iBanks]

Pretty much what I said to the ATP guys as it was my thought but no one seemed to think so.... but anyhow.

 

[GabrielMoro]

As a plus user this was a major concern for me. Hopefully they refine the bar throughout future updates.

I think they will make the bar optional in a few years. Just wait till people get used to it.

 

[fokmik]

FK YEAH...SO IT IS A FULL iPHONE DREAM FOR ME

 

[iapplelove]

Great news. Usability seems more intuitive than the one on Touch ID.

How is it more intuitive ? You tap twice on the Touch ID phones, simple. I say it’s equal

 

[Rogifan]

The minute someone says they haven’t had much time with a device I stop watching or reading their so-called review. I’d much rather read/see a review from someone who’s been using the device as their daily driver for a week or more.

 

[Oblivious.Robot]

That’s great for one handed usability!

 

[fokmik]

this guy says that you cannot swipe up to close the apps from app switcher menu...but at the apple event we clearly saw that you CAN
WTF i hope apple didnt exclude that possibility

 

[chucker23n1]

The minute someone says they haven’t had much time with a device I stop watching or reading their so-called review. I’d much rather read/see a review from someone who’s been using the device as their daily driver for a week or more.

There is no such person right now, so good luck with that, dude.

 

[358547]

..

 

[mrklaw]

I hadn't seen yet that you can no longer swipe up to dismiss apps from the task switcher, that's an unexpected UX change. Doesn't look great TBH. Still a pretty slick device, just a couple of UI/UX oddities.

that seems a bit odd. Once you've done the 'swipe up and pause' to bring the task switcher up, I don't see any reason you couldn't swipe the cards away like on current devices. You're in the middle of the screen so nowhere near the 'home bar'.

 

[webquake]

Reachability is just compensating poor ergonomic interface design. Using upside-down design instead could drastically increase smartphone usability, as outlined in my article "Ergonomics of scale".

 

[Wackery]

thank you apple gods, Steve Jobs would approve

 

[odedia]

Does it support home screen landscape mode?

Update: per Rene Richie the answer is no.

 

[358547]

..

 

[formerpc]

Ok so this has actually been one of my sticking points. Glad to see they included it, though having to reach for the *very* bottom of the phone still seems awkward to me. At this point, though, I'm still leaning heavily towards getting the 8 Plus.

 

[576316]

I gotta feeling the X is going to represent that best screen size for most people. I've had a Plus since the 6 because the 4.7" is too small, but then sometimes I feel like the Plus is too big. I know some people are begging for a larger X, but I think for most this will be the sweet spot. Looking forward to next year when this is the standard iPhone and everyone can get one.

 

[formerpc]

Does it support home screen landscape mode?

Update: per Rene Richie the answer is no.

Can't beat the usable screen space of the Plus models.

 

[chucker23n1]

The 8 is still too big for me. Maybe I’ll have to move to the SE.

 

[recoil80]

I gotta feeling the X is going to represent that best screen size for most people. I've had a Plus since the 6 because the 4.7" is too small, but then sometimes I feel like the Plus is too big. I know some people are begging for a larger X, but I think for most this will be the sweet spot. Looking forward to next year when this is the standard iPhone and everyone can get one.

I think you're right.
I have an 8+ now, I love the screen but the phone is big, I sometimes struggle to put it into the pocket.
X is the perfect phone for 4.7'' owners, you get more vertical space for your content with the same phone's dimensions. There's the notch, but you can get used to it and even if apps aren't update to get advantage of it you still get more vertical content. Landscape mode isn't great, but most of the time you use the phone in portrait mode so it isn't a big deal.

Next year I may change my phone and while I hope they'll release a plus version of X I may decide to go for the smaller model. My only concern is the keyboard, I'm used to the larger keyboard of X and I struggle when I type on my wife's iPhone with 4.7'' so I'd have the same experience on X. But I don't like having too much bezel on my phone, so I'll be happy to get rid of that.