Estimated read time: 7-8 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — iPhone users tend to fall into two distinct camps.
The larger group isn’t much concerned with state-of-the-art technology and loves the iPhone primarily because of the large app store and the fact that the iOS operating system is simple to use.
The smaller, second group has become frustrated in recent years by Apple’s seeming lack of innovation and have been frustrated by Android devices offering features not found on the iPhone.
As the iPhone’s tenth anniversary approached this year, Apple die-hards were hopeful the iPhone X (pronounced “ten”) would finally narrow the technological gap between the iPhone and popular Android devices made by Samsung, LG, Motorola and others, perhaps even offer something bold and unpredicted.
After looking at some of the iPhone X’s new features, it seems catching up to Android was the priority, but the jury is still out deciding whether the few unique improvements are enough to impress die-hard fans.
The choices
Apple’s upcharges for additional memory have long been the worst deal in all of consumer electronics. While Apple fans have long enjoyed the most diverse color options in the smartphone world, the combination of color and memory SKUs have made for chaotic phone launches and lengthy backorders.
Apple is the best marketer in the world, so the long lines and anticipation caused by inventory shortages could have been part of the company’s marketing strategy. It was wise, however, to limit the X to only two color choices and two memory options. While it hasn’t seemed to help the supply chain much at launch time, this strategy should pay off in the long run.
iPhone X first impressions: The highs, lows and quirks
Will the iPhone X change your life for the better and usher you into the future, face first? Or is it just another smartphone with a giant screen and a strange little rectangle on top?The design
Apple has made design changes for the X that, ironically, make the device look more like a model from Samsung than Apple. In fact, the new OLED screen, a vast improvement over past iPhone models, is rumored to have been manufactured by Samsung. The 5.5-inch screen quality, with excellent color contrast and brightness, is an immediate win for Apple regardless of who manufactured it.
The X is thin, light and beautifully designed. For the first time, the iPhone no longer has a home button, and the front bezel is virtually absent. The glass back, common on high-end smartphones now, is hopefully more durable than Apple’s past attempts.
The tech
Several manufacturers beat Apple to the wireless charging game, but Apple finally joined the fray, which could mean big things for the technology as a whole. The third-party market for iPhone-related products has always exceeded that of Android models and everyone may benefit from new wireless charging options.
While Apple did not announce an actual wireless charging hardware for the phones this year, the tech giant said it's working on a charging mat called AirPower that'll charge, not only iPhones, but Apple Watches and AirPods as well — and all at the same time.
Image stabilization on the two rear cameras is a feature not included in the new iPhone 8 and 8 Plus and is not unique to Apple. It is a noteworthy feature, though, and is an improvement on what has already been good cameras on iPhone models.
How secure is iPhone X's new Face ID tech?
The new iPhone X can be unlocked with your face. But how secure is the technology?The innovations
The list of innovations is likely shorter than iPhone fans had hoped. Near Field Communications (NFC) technology — which allows portable devices to pass data from one device to another with a touch — is still not part of the new smartphone. A few innovations, however, are unique and are improvements over past iPhone models.
Emojis, like them or not, are one of the features that have set iPhone apart in the past and remain popular with users of all ages. In iMessage, the Animoji app allows users to layer animated emoji over their own moving face and include them in a message.
Facial recognition is something both Microsoft and Samsung debuted prior to Apple, but the X takes the technology a step further. The device utilizes facial recognition, not only to unlock the iPhone, but also for ApplePay. Samsung’s iris and facial scans aren’t considered secure enough for payments.
The face unlock feature on the iPhone was also simpler to use than iris technology, which is less precise in terms of the position of the user’s face. I did find, however, that holding the iPhone too closely could cause errors.
An improved notifications process allows the excellent front-facing camera, combined with facial recognition, to show live notifications immediately upon recognizing the phone’s owner. iOS has long lagged behind Android devices in getting users to important information in as few steps as possible. This is a marked improvement.
Conclusion
It’s difficult to argue that anything the iPhone X offers is the game changer many had hoped for, particularly when it’s the most expensive iPhone ever offered. iOS still has its foibles, including less-than-accurate touch features and a less user-friendly interface that requires too many steps to perform simple tasks.
But Apple has maintained its reputation for great design, and the adage that every new iPhone is still technologically two years behind current Android devices has been put to bed — for now. I’m betting iPhone fans will be willing to pay the increased price for the best iPhone ever, though Samsung still rules the roost for me.
The innovations
The list of innovations is likely shorter than iPhone fans had hoped. Near Field Communications (NFC) technology — which allows portable devices to pass data from one device to another with a touch — is still not part of the new smartphone. A few innovations, however, are unique and are improvements over past iPhone models.
Emojis, like them or not, are one of the features that have set iPhone apart in the past and remain popular with users of all ages. In iMessage, the Animoji app allows users to layer animated emoji over their own moving face and include them in a message.
Facial recognition is something both Microsoft and Samsung debuted prior to Apple, but the X takes the technology a step further. The device utilizes facial recognition, not only to unlock the iPhone, but also for ApplePay. Samsung’s iris and facial scans aren’t considered secure enough for payments.
The face unlock feature on the iPhone was also simpler to use than iris technology, which is less precise in terms of the position of the user’s face. I did find, however, that holding the iPhone too closely could cause errors.
An improved notifications process allows the excellent front-facing camera, combined with facial recognition, to show live notifications immediately upon recognizing the phone’s owner. iOS has long lagged behind Android devices in getting users to important information in as few steps as possible. This is a marked improvement.
Conclusion
It’s difficult to argue that anything the iPhone X offers is the game changer many had hoped for, particularly when it’s the most expensive iPhone ever offered. iOS still has its foibles, including less-than-accurate touch features and a less user-friendly interface that requires too many steps to perform simple tasks.
But Apple has maintained its reputation for great design, and the adage that every new iPhone is still technologically two years behind current Android devices has been put to bed — for now. I’m betting iPhone fans will be willing to pay the increased price for the best iPhone ever, though Samsung still rules the roost for me.
