Personal Short Review on the X

[Djentleman]

Having a few days with the X has both exceeded and fallen short of expectations.

The screen is gorgeously rich, with the colours just oozing depth.
The camera is as sharp and quick to focus as I had hoped, with the only drawback being portrait mode, which in low light just struggles immensely.

The screen real estate is great, but I feel the Plus-sized screen would be ideal. It's just a little on the narrow side. And coming from a Plus, texting has taken getting used to again.

The app switcher is a little awkward sometimes, considering you need a moment's pause so the windows align and stay in place instead of the phone thinking you just want to switch directly to the previous app. This goes along with closing apps. There's no reason for us to have to tap and hold the app switcher to initiate app closing. Let me pull up the app switcher and then immediately start flicking them closed.

FaceID works in a very particular way which for me limits its ability. I can't lie down and unlock my phone with it a few inches from my face like I've always done. It needs distance and your face cannot be buried in your pillow. I understand why, but it's annoying nonetheless. But on the positive side, it's worked almost every time on the first go.

Do not buy this for animoji's. I used it on the very first day as a "party trick" with the family, garnered a few chuckles and have completely forgotten about it until now. And no, I won't be using it now that I've remembered.
The battery sucks. I thought my 7 Plus was bad after a year, but the X might be on par with it. Everyone has different habits, though, so battery usage is a subjective thing.

Last but certainly not least - apps are not optimised. It's not Apple's fault, and it certainly isn't the X's fault, but its part of your user experience nonetheless. And the fact they won't be optimised for a while irks me and might do you.

Overall, I do love the phone. It doesn't feel like a rushed out beta product, and thankfully all of my grievances are software-based. The phone is great, but you'll have to be patient with the software catching up.

-
Edited by MacQork

 

[44267547]

Valid points in your post. And I do think the software is something that will just eventually mature alongside with the iPhone X. And applications are something that's just going to have to update overtime as well.

 

[tromboneaholic]

To your point about apps: I was really annoyed the Apple App Store promoted words with friends 2 for 3 days even though the game is not optimized for iPhone X screen.

I’m loving this phone. It’s like the first time I picked up an iPhone.

 

[Djentleman]

Valid points in your post. And I do think the software is something that will just eventually mature alongside with the iPhone X. And applications are something that's just going to have to update overtime as well.

Completely agree and it's why I know these are minor annoyances rather than permanent dealbreakers. It'll be ironed out.

To your point about apps: I was really annoyed the Apple App Store promoted words with friends 2 for 3 days even though the game is not optimized for iPhone X screen.

I’m loving this phone. It’s like the first time I picked up an iPhone.

That's actually weird. No clue how that'd make it past them. But agreed, it's almost a whole new experience.

 

[MacQork]

Having a few days with the X has both exceeded and fallen short of expectations.

The screen is gorgeously rich, with the colours just oozing depth.
The camera is as sharp and quick to focus as I had hoped, with the only drawback being portrait mode, which in low light just struggles immensely.

The screen real estate is great, but I feel the Plus-sized screen would be ideal. It's just a little on the narrow side. And coming from a Plus, texting has taken getting used to again.

The app switcher is a little awkward sometimes, considering you need a moment's pause so the windows align and stay in place instead of the phone thinking you just want to switch directly to the previous app. This goes along with closing apps. There's no reason for us to have to tap and hold the app switcher to initiate app closing. Let me pull up the app switcher and then immediately start flicking them closed.

FaceID works in a very particular way which for me limits its ability. I can't lie down and unlock my phone with it a few inches from my face like I've always done. It needs distance and your face cannot be buried in your pillow. I understand why, but it's annoying nonetheless. But on the positive side, it's worked almost every time on the first go.

Do not buy this for animoji's. I used it on the very first day as a "party trick" with the family, garnered a few chuckles and have completely forgotten about it until now. And no, I won't be using it now that I've remembered.
The battery sucks. I thought my 7 Plus was bad after a year, but the X might be on par with it. Everyone has different habits, though, so battery usage is a subjective thing.

Last but certainly not least - apps are not optimised. It's not Apple's fault, and it certainly isn't the X's fault, but its part of your user experience nonetheless. And the fact they won't be optimised for a while irks me and might do you.

Overall, I do love the phone. It doesn't feel like a rushed out beta product, and thankfully all of my grievances are software-based. The phone is great, but you'll have to be patient with the software catching up.

There, looks MUCH better. Please use paragraphs, thats high school stuff man

 

[Djentleman]

There, looks MUCH better. Please use paragraphs, thats high school stuff man

Thanks man! 🙂

 

[bmclaurin]

Regarding the app switcher, try using a swipe up and to the right from the bottom left of the display. No pause necessary.

 

[Djentleman]

Regarding the app switcher, try using a swipe up and to the right from the bottom left of the display. No pause necessary.

Oh my god! Thank you! Thats one of the more annoying bits taken care of.

 

[1096bimu]

The app switcher is a little awkward sometimes, considering you need a moment's pause so the windows align and stay in place instead of the phone thinking you just want to switch directly to the previous app. This goes along with closing apps. There's no reason for us to have to tap and hold the app switcher to initiate app closing. Let me pull up the app switcher and then immediately start flicking them closed.

-
Edited by MacQork

The reason is you don’t accidentally close apps when you want to do the home gesture, which can be very bad and cause you to loose data.
Another reason is there isn’t a reason to force close apps. Why would you make a very rarely used function very easily to access?

Also if you swipe and do a right turn you can bring up the multitask immediately.
[doublepost=1510695434][/doublepost]

FaceID works in a very particular way which for me limits its ability. I can't lie down and unlock my phone with it a few inches from my face like I've always done. It needs distance and your face cannot be buried in your pillow. I understand why, but it's annoying nonetheless. But on the positive side, it's worked almost every time on the first go.

Edited by MacQork

Looking at your phone while in bed a few inches away is extremely bad for your eyes, it’s good that the phone can’t unlock that way, even though I know it was just a technical limitation.

I myself have a habit of covering my mouth with a hand when I’m sitting at my desk and the phone won’t unlock, I find hat slightly inconvinient.

 

[MacQork]

Thanks man! 🙂

It's a really easy thing to do (and still a large percentage don't) and people will actually read your post instead of "wow that is a wall of text nobody got time fo' dat".

Furthermore you alternate between long sentences and short ones (and by alternate I don't mean 1:1) so thats good! Nice conclusion as well. I like the first sentence as it gives a look into whats coming and just a general start of the message. Looks great, just remember the paragraphs 😉

 

[DNichter]

Regarding the app switcher, try using a swipe up and to the right from the bottom left of the display. No pause necessary.

Yup, something I picked up on right away. Definitely better than the up and pause. Very natural. I really just pull to the right.

 

[Vermifuge]

FaceID works in a very particular way which for me limits its ability. I can't lie down and unlock my phone with it a few inches from my face like I've always done. It needs distance and your face cannot be buried in your pillow. I understand why, but it's annoying nonetheless. But on the positive side, it's worked almost every time on the first go.

Have you made any attempt to train FaceID? There have been some posts about entering your password and not adjusting your grip.

 

[Djentleman]

The reason is you don’t accidentally close apps when you want to do the home gesture, which can be very bad and cause you to loose data.
Another reason is there isn’t a reason to force close apps. Why would you make a very rarely used function very easily to access?

Also if you swipe and do a right turn you can bring up the multitask immediately.
[doublepost=1510695434][/doublepost]

It’s just something I’ve always preferred doing. I keep a couple apps I know I’m going to be switching between open, but the others I close after.

Looking at your phone while in bed a few inches away is extremely bad for your eyes, it’s good that the phone can’t unlock that way, even though I know it was just a technical limitation.

I myself have a habit of covering my mouth with a hand when I’m sitting at my desk and the phone won’t unlock, I find hat slightly inconvinient.

I’m incredibly short sighted so it’s another thing I’m just used to doing. I’m hoping they might expand upon the range it reads your face so you can get a little closer. I don’t suppose it’d be that hard?

But I do occasionally get a fail in normal situations. I’m happy giving it time to learn and eventually become more efficient.

It's a really easy thing to do (and still a large percentage don't) and people will actually read your post instead of "wow that is a wall of text nobody got time fo' dat".

Furthermore you alternate between long sentences and short ones (and by alternate I don't mean 1:1) so thats good! Nice conclusion as well. I like the first sentence as it gives a look into whats coming and just a general start of the message. Looks great, just remember the paragraphs 😉

Mrs. Sparks, is that you?

I don’t usually write like that. No idea why I just posted it in a rush. But thanks all the same. Always open to pointers 🙂

Yup, something I picked up on right away. Definitely better than the up and pause. Very natural. I really just pull to the right.

Kind of embarrassing I didn’t pick up on that. So simple yet efficient.

Have you made any attempt to train FaceID? There have been some posts about entering your password and not adjusting your grip.

You know, that’s a good thought. I forgot about entering the passcode to train it. I’ve got the habit from TouchID to either wait or hit the side button and try again.

I’ll use the passcode more.

 

[KingslayerG5]

It's a mature product hardware-wise with a few software quirks.

I just saw that Black Friday deal from Walmart. Comes with $300 gift card. Best BF deal for the X. Then use the gift card to buy an iPad, Apple Watch, Switch, Xbone S, or whatever.

Premium in silver

 

[MacQork]

Mrs. Sparks, is that you?

I don’t usually write like that. No idea why I just posted it in a rush. But thanks all the same. Always open to pointers 🙂

First stage is always denial.

 

[Gryzor]

Another reason is there isn’t a reason to force close apps. Why would you make a very rarely used function very easily to access?

It's because despite what you say, people are conditioned to closing apps on phones and computers, and for largely a good reason. Keeping every app you ever opened in the last month running in the background is not particularly efficient use of memory. I agree that closing apps on the X is not the slickest of processes (why no close all still I've no idea) but at least it's software like most of the stuff that's not quite there yet with this phone. As a piece of hardware, it's fantastic, loving the FaceID now, but I definitely agree that both the OS and a lot of the apps are lagging, which is to be expected.

 

[jbizzybeetle]

Re: mandatory press “-“ sign for multi-app closing technique has saved me from flicking the wrong one accidentally, which I have read is its purpose.

 

[Djentleman]

Re: mandatory press “-“ sign for multi-app closing technique has saved me from flicking the wrong one accidentally, which I have read is its purpose.

Never had an issue with closing wrong apps. But I can see how that would make sense for others.