iPhone X Is it me, or does Face ID suck? [MERGED]

[The.Glorious.Son]

Face ID is great for the majority I would assume and clearly is the future for Apple devices. I prefer Touch ID whether others considerate it inferior or archaic. I have both the 8 Plus and the Max. I have had to use my passcode more on the XS Max in the past month then I have in the past two years on the my 8 Plus. Sure, that comment will cause some to want to rush in and scream exaggeration/hyperbole...but it is not. I use my phone differently than others and I admit that. As I sit here typing on a computer while looking at the monitor, my Max sits around 7 inches off to the side on my desk. Even though I have Require Attention for Face ID turned off, If I tap to go into it for something, say a password or something else, face ID cannot detect me. Could I pick up my phone and hold it in front of my face? Could I lean over so that it can detect me? Sure. But with Touch ID, a less than a second finger rest and I am in. This situation happens in bed, when sitting at tables, etc. I don't like to always have to pick up my phone to use it. Doesn't make my situation any 'better' or 'worse' than anyone else's. Just different.

I am glad that Face ID works so well for so many. I absolutely do not hate it or feel it is inferior to Touch ID in any way. But conversely, I feel the same about Touch ID. As it works better for me in more instances. If I decide to continue with the Max as my daily driver, obviously I will make the necessary adjustments in my usage. Hell I remember the days when I didn't use a passcode because I found it to be annoying so I am grateful we have alternate ways of protection whether it be TID or FID.

 

[Cool Pup]

Again that’s simply not true. It’s why I question whether you actually have an Xs or not.

I do have the device and I don't have to prove anything to you, but are you really trying to say you can unlock your device flat on a table without leaning over against it or picking up the device to angle it? The camera is pointing at the roof and you are sitting down. You cannot and I have never been able to lean over against my desk to unlock it or by my bed (while flat), I've always had to pick it up and hold it over my face.

 

[FFR]

Second this - there's really no way to fully understand FaceID without living with it/using it day to day. Unless you have a defect, it should be seamless enough that it doesn't seem like you are authenticating to the phone, just using it naturally. TouchID works well but it feels rather like a forced action.

FaceID doesn't always result in a swipe up either - you can jump directly into an app from clicking on a notification. And requiring "attention" ie. looking at the phone, can be turned off if you don't want that extra level of security. Times where I find FaceID not allowing me in, I wasn't looking at the phone.

Exactly. Once you use Face ID, Touch ID seems archaic in comparison, it feels like one more added step.

I keep looking at my iPad and swiping up before realizing I have to touch the fingerprint sensor. Archaic indeed.

New iPads with Face ID should rectify that.

 

[ggibson913]

I upgrade from a 7 Plus to the XS, I like Face ID, I still don't quite have the knack for Apple Pay using it, pointers are appreciated if anyone has any.

 

[FFR]

I do have the device and I don't have to prove anything to you, but are you really trying to say you can unlock your device flat on a table without leaning over against it or picking up the device to angle it? The camera is pointing at the roof and you are sitting down. You cannot.

Pretty sure I can.

Just tried it sitting down with the iPhone X’s max flat on my desk with the camera pointing to the “Roof” as you put it, or ceiling. Every morning while still in bed and the phone is flat on the bedside table. No angling just tap the screen to look at notifications. Works great for me.

No need to get defensive haven’t asked you for any proof. If you have the device try it for yourself. It’s why I and a few other posters question your assertions, your not making much sense.

 

[Cool Pup]

Pretty sure I can.

Just tried it sitting down with the iPhone X’s max flat on my desk with the camera pointing to the “Roof” as you put it, or ceiling. Every morning while still in bed and the phone is flat on the bedside table. No angling just tap the screen to look at notifications. Works great for me.

No need to get defensive haven’t asked you for any proof. If you have the device try it for yourself. It’s why I and a few other posters question your assertions, your not making much sense.

That's simply impossible if the phone is flat on its back and you are sitting down without leering over it. It doesn't even initiate the face unlocking unless you prop it up for it to even notice a face in the camera trajectory, and the sensor only detects vertically oriented and not horizontally which can be a bit of a problem if you are using your phone in landscape a lot. Maybe your desks are different but I have never gotten it to even trigger the detection in my normal use cases on a desk or bedside.

My point is that I was able to use my phone efficiency without picking it up and angling my face for the sensor to work. Despite your defenses, Face ID absolutely is determinant on the angle you hold your phone at in ways that Touch ID never did — that is a problem that is rectified with the new iPad Pro version but it likely will not come to iPhones anytime soon, but maybe they will next year, who can say?

Anyway, I do a lot of calls with my speakerphone in regards to my phone sitting on my desk and initiating calls that way is altered because now to operate the phone it involves a process of picking it up to unlock or leaning over to get the face scan in. Not a big deal, in fact it just takes a few seconds at the very most, but still it is a quality of life difference that is altered from switching to an XS.

 

[FFR]

Swiping up isn't much easier. You have to move your fingers "away" from the bottom of the screen where they usually are.

No matter how much you guys say, TouchID did provide a much faster and simpler and more accurate user experience. You either have never used TouchID on an iPhone 8 or are just making stuff up. On iPhone 8, you didn't even need to click on the non-moving home button. It was that fast. You literally put your finger and you are on the home screen.

With TouchID, Your hand is "already" near the bottom of the screen and there is a very clear "physical" target to hit to authenticate. Everything is deterministic and clear. With FaceID, it is "may be". I have never been able to unlock using FaceID while in bed for example.

FaceID is a regression in my opinion. It is cool, when it works. But if it is going to replace touchID it must be better than TouchID, which it isn't.

As you put it you have to hit the target with Touch ID, Face ID all you be to do is swipe up from the same vicinity.

Uh sure. I have two iPhone 8 Plus’s , iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 6 Plus, and a couple of iPhone 5s.

Also have two iPhone X and two iPhone XS Max. If I wanted Touch ID all I have to do is use one of my many apple devices that have Touch ID, but I don’t even though I love my iPhone 8+s , can’t use the archaic Touch ID after getting used to Face ID. Face ID is one of the only reasons I’m getting the iPad Pro, nothings wrong with my 2017 10.5 512gb cellular iPad Pro....except Touch ID.

 

[KUKitch]

To answer the OP - it's just you

I do have the device and I don't have to prove anything to you, but are you really trying to say you can unlock your device flat on a table without leaning over against it or picking up the device to angle it? The camera is pointing at the roof and you are sitting down. You cannot and I have never been able to lean over against my desk to unlock it or by my bed (while flat), I've always had to pick it up and hold it over my face.

To answer this - I do this all the time, flat on a table, tap to wake up and while I do lean forward *some*, it's definitely not nearly directly over... I just tested to see where and it's just about with my nose aligned to the bottom of the phone, so not that crazy I'd say

 

[FFR]

That's simply impossible if the phone is flat on its back and you are sitting down without leering over it. It doesn't even initiate the face unlocking unless you prop it up for it to even notice a face in the camera trajectory, and the sensor only detects vertically oriented and not horizontally which can be a bit of a problem if you are using your phone in landscape a lot. Maybe your desks are different but I have never gotten it to even trigger the detection in my normal use cases on a desk or bedside.

Don’t know why you keep saying it’s impossible...just did it again.

All I did was tap on the screen if you can see the display the phone unlocks, no idea why that’s difficult for you to accept.

Don’t know where your getting your information from, but I no longer believe you have an Xs because I just tried and the device unlocked while tilted at a 35-40 angle, (to the left btw)

 

[Cool Pup]

To answer the OP - it's just you



To answer this - I do this all the time, flat on a table, tap to wake up and while I do lean forward *some*, it's definitely not nearly directly over... I just tested to see where and it's just about with my nose aligned to the bottom of the phone, so not that crazy I'd say

Of course it will work when you lean over it, I have no issues with that as well, it's just a minor gripe but it befits my point that Touch ID is a little more versatile when it comes to how people use their devices.

My complaints are not saying Face ID is bad (it is impressive 95 percent of the time), but nothing Face ID has done has beaten the ability to have my phone unlocked already by the time I pull my phone out of my pocket and it fails more commonly than Touch ID has, but that's to be expected because Face ID is in phase 1 of its release and I think when they bring out the next generation of it my complaints might be inert.

Don’t know why you keep saying it’s impossible...just did it again.

All I did was tap on the screen if you can see the display the phone unlocks, no idea why that’s difficult for you to accept.

Don’t know where your getting your information from, but I no longer believe you have an Xs because I just tried and the device unlocked while tilted at a 35-40 angle, (to the left btw)

You can believe what you want — I don't care. But acting like you don't have to have the phone angled that is required to unlock over Touch ID is fooling yourself. It's a discussion about unlocking methods and there are pros and cons of both, I am discussing the cons of Face ID, which there are many especially comparing the speed of Touch ID and the versatility of it.

 

[KUKitch]

I do have the device and I don't have to prove anything to you, but are you really trying to say you can unlock your device flat on a table without leaning over against it or picking up the device to angle it? The camera is pointing at the roof and you are sitting down. You cannot and I have never been able to lean over against my desk to unlock it or by my bed (while flat), I've always had to pick it up and hold it over my face.

Of course it will work when you lean over it, I have no issues with that as well, it's just a minor gripe but it befits my point that Touch ID is a little more versatile when it comes to how people use their devices.

My complaints are not saying Face ID is bad (it is impressive 95 percent of the time), but nothing Face ID has done has beaten the ability to have my phone unlocked already by the time I pull my phone out of my pocket and it fails more commonly than Touch ID has, but that's to be expected because Face ID is in phase 1 of its release and I think when they bring out the next generation of it my complaints might be inert.

I suppose I'm fortunate in that my Face ID works ~99% of the time - I very rarely have issues with it, definitely much less frequently than Touch ID with sweaty fingers, mis-placed fingers, etc. I also never had it already unlocked coming out of my pocket - so that isn't something I'd ever noticed.

However, I guess I misunderstood the bolded part - or it contradicts the sentence previous about leaning over it

 

[FFR]

Of course it will work when you lean over it, I have no issues with that as well, it's just a minor gripe but it befits my point that Touch ID is a little more versatile when it comes to how people use their devices.

My complaints are not saying Face ID is bad (it is impressive 95 percent of the time), but nothing Face ID has done has beaten the ability to have my phone unlocked already by the time I pull my phone out of my pocket and it fails more commonly than Touch ID has, but that's to be expected because Face ID is in phase 1 of its release and I think when they bring out the next generation of it my complaints might be inert.



You can believe what you want — I don't care. But acting like you don't have to have the phone angled that is required to unlock over Touch ID is fooling yourself. It's a discussion about unlocking methods and there are pros and cons of both, I am discussing the cons of Face ID, which there are many especially comparing the speed of Touch ID and the versatility of it.

Works flat on the desk, works flat on the bedside table, works tilted at angle.

You don’t have to care, it just sound like you havent used Face ID. Sure I’m fooling myself into making Face ID work in scenarios you claim to be impossible. That’s just hilarious. Enjoy whatever decide you are currently using.

 

[Cool Pup]

I suppose I'm fortunate in that my Face ID works ~99% of the time - I very rarely have issues with it, definitely much less frequently than Touch ID with sweaty fingers, mis-placed fingers, etc. I also never had it already unlocked coming out of my pocket - so that isn't something I'd ever noticed.

However, I guess I misunderstood the bolded part - or it contradicts the sentence previous about leaning over it

Oops, I meant to say that I was unable to unlock it without leaning over it. It works if I impose my face in the camera sensor!

Works flat on the desk, works flat on the bedside table, works tilted at angle.

You don’t have to care, it just sound like you havent used Face ID. Sure I’m fooling myself into making Face ID work in scenarios you claim to be impossible. That’s just hilarious. Enjoy whatever decide you are currently using.

It is impossible to unlock your device without being in range of the (limited) camera sensor. The screen has to be out and in range of your face for it to unlock. That is what I meant and it is a limitation until they open up the vision of the camera. You cannot unlock your device part-way pulled out of your pocket and have it ready for you on the home screen by the time you pull it up to your face. You cannot have the device already unlocked part-way out of your bag either. This is undeniable and factual and was my point the entire time as a benefit over Face ID.

For my use case, it does deter my inefficiency is all I was getting at. Face ID is impressive but it has limitations and flaws that will be addressed when you are able to unlock your device at more angles and a wider lens.

I enjoy my XS and love the OLED screen so yes I am enjoying my device but Face ID is not some perfect thing, it has room to grow and get better and I'm sure it will. It took Touch ID some years to get nearly perfect. Remember back when people complained that Touch ID unlocked devices too quickly around the 6s era? That was how good it was.

 

[FFR]

To answer the OP - it's just you



To answer this - I do this all the time, flat on a table, tap to wake up and while I do lean forward *some*, it's definitely not nearly directly over... I just tested to see where and it's just about with my nose aligned to the bottom of the phone, so not that crazy I'd say

Apparently that’s impossible Face ID only works when you pick up the phone or when positioned directly in front of you at a specific angle, or else Face ID won’t initiate.....according to some who apparently never used it.

If it a on your desk try it without leaning over you just have to look at it doesn’t have to be directly under you either.

 

[Cool Pup]

Apparently that’s impossible Face ID only works when you pick up the phone or when positioned directly in front of you at a specific angle, or else Face ID won’t initiate.....according to some who apparently never used it.

If it a on your desk try it without leaning over you just have to look at it doesn’t have to be directly under you either.

Put your phone in a purse and reach into it, where your thumb would already be placed over the Touch ID sensor in a natural place while you pick up the phone with your hand. Do you really think the phone will be unlocked by the time you pull it out with Face ID? This is such a ridiculous argument.

Will it unlock when you put it in range of your face? Yes. Will it be as fast as Touch ID scan when you already initiated the unlock sequence by touching the device in the bag or in your pocket? No. That is my point I am making here.

 

[FFR]

Oops, I meant to say that I was unable to unlock it without leaning over it. It works if I impose my face in the camera sensor!



It is impossible to unlock your device without being in range of the (limited) camera sensor. The screen has to be out and in range of your face for it to unlock. That is what I meant and it is a limitation until they open up the vision of the camera. You cannot unlock your device part-way pulled out of your pocket and have it ready for you on the home screen by the time you pull it up to your face. You cannot have the device already unlocked part-way out of your bag either. This is undeniable and factual and was my point the entire time as a benefit over Face ID.

For my use case, it does deter my inefficiency is all I was getting at. Face ID is impressive but it has limitations and flaws that will be addressed when you are able to unlock your device at more angles and a wider lens.

I enjoy my XS and love the OLED screen so yes I am enjoying my device but Face ID is not some perfect thing, it has room to grow and get better and I'm sure it will. It took Touch ID some years to get nearly perfect. Remember back when people complained that Touch ID unlocked devices too quickly around the 6s era? That was how good it was.

Reset your Face ID, for the first scan hold the phone as far away as possible the farther you hold it the farther away from you the device will unlock, for the second scan hold it as close as you can while getting your face in the virtual port hole. That should allow you to unlock your phone at a greater distance than you could before good luck.

 

[Cool Pup]

Reset your Face ID, for the first scan hold the phone as far away as possible the farther you hold it the farther away from you the device will unlock, for the second scan hold it as close as you can while getting your face in the virtual port hole. That should allow you to unlock your phone at a greater distance than you could before good luck.

That is a good tip and I will do that. But again, Face ID still requires the device being held out and facing the front camera. Whereas with Touch ID, you could unlock without looking at the device or it being in a position where the camera is obfuscated. It worked wonders in meetings where you can just take a quick peek at a message in your pocket without raising immediate attention to you having your phone out. This is something that Face ID will unable to replicate until it widens the camera lens and gets better at off-axis angles.

 

[FFR]

Put your phone in a purse and reach into it, where your thumb would already be placed over the Touch ID sensor in a natural place while you pick up the phone with your hand. Do you really think the phone will be unlocked by the time you pull it out with Face ID? This is such a ridiculous argument.

Will it unlock when you put it in range of your face? Yes. Will it be as fast as Touch ID scan when you already initiated the unlock sequence by touching the device in the bag or in your pocket? No. That is my point I am making here.

Usually do it from my pocket, don’t carry purses. I swipe up as I take the phone out of my pocket by the time i look at the display I’m already in the home screen, but only do that if I’m running around, most of the time I want to look at the notifications on the look screen or a widget.

 

[FFR]

That is a good tip and I will do that. But again, Face ID still requires the device being held out and facing the front camera. Whereas with Touch ID, you could unlock without looking at the device or it being in a position where the camera is obfuscated. It worked wonders in meetings where you can just take a quick peek at a message in your pocket without raising immediate attention to you having your phone out. This is something that Face ID will unable to replicate until it widens the camera lens and gets better at off-axis angles.

If you reset the Face ID, you will be shocked at the off axis angles that will allow you to unlock your phone.

Never peek at my phone even with my 8+, my Apple Watch takes care of that.

 

[UnifiedMelody]

So I have to be honest... I finally broke down and got the iPhone X... I'm coming from a 5s... So it was kind of overdue for me to get a new phone... While I think the new iPhone X is cool... I have to admit ID is pretty horrible compared to the touch ID. It's a step backwards. There were so many situations where it was easy to open my phone with Touch ID, where it's hard to open it with Face ID. And there are a too many situations where I just can't open the phone at all (because it doesn't recognize me...) unless I use my password... I'm disappointed... Is apple really getting rid of touch ID forever? Or are they going to introduce it back into the glass of the next iPhone? Also, can this face ID be improved with a software update? Or am I stuck with it like it is?

I'm jumping back and forth between an iPhone 8 Plus (my work phone) and my iPhone XS Max (my personal phone) on the fly. To be bloody honest, even though this was made in the iPhone X era, the same applies in this reply.

FaceID while has it limitations, you really can't keep complaining about it. I find both TouchID and FaceID spectacular I can't really put a winner vs all it depends.

For example, brand new app purchases: iPhone XS Max goes through more hoops. Press GET, press power button twice, faceID Scan, complete. iPhone 8 Plus, Press GET, TouchID, done. Not sure if this is a dealbreaker but i noticed the iPhone XS max has albiet of a longer step.

but that being said i can live with the limitations, i'm not one to toss a tantrum to be honest, people who do this feel way too entitled and encapsulates a sad mindset..... just use what you have and be happy with it honestly there's far more worse things to cry about than this personally.

and yes touchid is gone for good. faceid more secure in lieu of their reports.

 

[KUKitch]

Put your phone in a purse and reach into it, where your thumb would already be placed over the Touch ID sensor in a natural place while you pick up the phone with your hand. Do you really think the phone will be unlocked by the time you pull it out with Face ID? This is such a ridiculous argument.

Will it unlock when you put it in range of your face? Yes. Will it be as fast as Touch ID scan when you already initiated the unlock sequence by touching the device in the bag or in your pocket? No. That is my point I am making here.

While I don't carry a purse (also perhaps you had a non-Plus phone?), I've always pulled the phone out of my pocket by the sides - I feel a bit insecure pulling it out where my thumb would be on the sensor, like it wouldn't be a particularly good grip - but perhaps that's just because I'm not used to such a hold

 

[BugeyeSTI]

Do you seriously need that to be added? Dude, it's obviously my opinion. Newsflash: things I write are my opinion.
[doublepost=1540982140][/doublepost]

How did you figure? The quote in question was for the X. I'd hoped the XS would improve it. It hasn't. It still sucks.

I don’t know why you thought the Xs would be different. It’s the exact same Faceid hardware, the supposed faster performance comes from the new neural engine. You still have to pick it up and point it at your face and it doesn’t open the device to the homescreen which rules out unlocking the phone while laying flat on a table or getting to the homescreen faster than Touchid. If you can’t live with it then your only choices are to use your Max with passcode only, use older iPhones that still have Touchid or move to an android product that still uses a fingerprint sensor. Apple has stated it’s intentions to use Faceid as it’s future biometric security, Touchid is only going to be used on their entry level budget products not their flagship products.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Both effective unlocking and biometric methods that open the iPhone fast with minimal effect. Picking holes in the older option is just silly and as always these types of debates argue over petty details. ‘I could never place my finger on a button’ or ‘I could never swipe up’ lol. Christ on a bike.

 

[Ortiz83]

Face ID is rad for me.

 

[Compile 'em all]

As you put it you have to hit the target with Touch ID, Face ID all you be to do is swipe up from the same vicinity.Uh sure. I have two iPhone 8 Plus’s , iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 6 Plus, and a couple of iPhone 5s.

Also have two iPhone X and two iPhone XS Max. If I wanted Touch ID all I have to do is use one of my many apple devices that have Touch ID, but I don’t even though I love my iPhone 8+s , can’t use the archaic Touch ID after getting used to Face ID. Face ID is one of the only reasons I’m getting the iPad Pro, nothings wrong with my 2017 10.5 512gb cellular iPad Pro....except Touch ID.

The iPhone X+ has a "feel good" going for it compared to touchID, it is cool and with the full screen, the entire experience is cooler than on an "old looking" touchID device. This is why you keep going back to FaceID devices...not because TouchID is inferior. In actual practice, in reality, TouchID provided a faster, more accurate "unlocking" experience.

I have had to enter the passcode in the past two weeks than I have had to do in the past 3 years I have used several generations of touchID. With FaceID, I always have to "look at the lock icon" to see if I device is unlocked. It is like I became aware of something that I didn't even need to think about with TouchID. This is why TouchID provides a better and more seamless unlocking experience, because it is was so trust worthy that I didn't even see it. I just pressed and I knew I am in, it didn't feel like unlocking.

Conclusion: TouchID is better than FaceID. Not as cool, but better.