iPhone X first impressions: The highs, lows and quirks

iPhone X first impressions are looking good. The phone might be a slightly faster and more robust version of the iPhone 9 with the kicks of the 8. This apparently isn’t even the actual iPhone X this is the 10 which is styled like the X which will come out later next year. Again without knowing much about this iPhone X thats not an X the public is already excited to hand over a huge chuck of hard earned cash for this next model. One can only ask if this is even an improvement on the actual iPhone or just a profiteering scheme by the manufacturer.

iPhone X First Impressions: The Highs, Lows, Quirks

The newest features that have been added like facial recognition are sold as features but wreak of a Orwellian future we cannot escape from. Similar to other falls in liberty and personal rights this too is welcomed in with a cheer of celebration for the advance of technology. If we have no choice to join the ranks of the republic than by all means be it so. 

The Lows

The resistance is futile and your every move is now tracked and linked to your face. Did you want to pay extra for that feature? Oh wait you don’t have a choice. Would you mind having your face digitally stored and tracked.

Do you consider yourself especially careful? Then you don’t mind having a full face glass front as well as back of your phone to worry about not breaking.

The Highs

Be obviously better, more attractive, more successful and cooler than anyone with an older model iPhone. Annoy your friends when you ask if that’s the iPhone 8 or the 7 or what? No person, and I mean ANYONE, even your gf, can get in your phone (unless they are your identical twin).  Be a pioneer in the future of iPhones and Smartphones everywhere.

 

The Quirks

 

Possibly, when the government forces everyone to be chipped with an implant designed with an attachment to the new iPhone X not really an X you will be a few months ahead and already know how to take a screen shot. HINT: Might be useful. Also : when you decide to get the new iPhone you might actually get the new new X instead of the X thats really a 10 or something. idk. Last if you don’t love your iPhone X you can know for sure at least 12 people died in the making of it. You sir are involved in a world wide dark magic ritual of alchemy and blood sacrifice. How does your iPhone look now . . . Magical?

 

Oddest security issue

Apple hopes you don’t have an untrustworthy identical twin. The company says its face detection feature is far more secure than fingerprint sensors, with a one-in-a-million chance of someone fooling it. However, the company acknowledges that it can be tricked by identical twins. It’s also not as effective for children under 13. That could be disappointing for any pre-teens planning to drop a thousand dollars on a smartphone.

Most likely to be forgotten (a k a, The class clown)

Ironically, the under-13 set is the group most likely to enjoy texting animated pieces of sentient poop to their pals. Apple’s new Animoji feature uses the face detection technology to animate 12 popular emojis in Messages, including a robot, a unicorn, a pig and a fox. It’s cute!

 

Developers can use the same technology in their own apps. Snapchat is one of the first, with masks that map to your face. The Face ID camera has a ton of fun potential just waiting to be tapped by other apps, but I suspect the novelty of Apple’s Animoji will wear off quickly.

I could be wrong. We might be communicating entirely in animated emojis in five years, in which case I will apologize with an appropriately humbled animated unicorn head.

 

Most delightful detail you’ll never notice

To set it apart from the iPhone 8, the back of the X has an “optical layer” that adds a subtle glimmer to the glass surface, which is designed to work with inductive charging devices. Unfortunately, if you break the glass on either side, it will cost more to replace on the iPhone X than previous models. You’re safest keeping it in a case and missing out on the shine.

Related: iPhone X screen repair: That’ll be $275

 

 

Biggest inconvenience

The new and improved Control Center was my favorite addition in iOS 11. But things have shifted on the iPhone X to work around the missing Home button. To bring up the control center, you need to tap and drag down from the top right corner of the screen. It’s not thumb friendly, unless you have unusually long thumbs. When it appears, it’s higher on the screen than when you swipe up. One clumsy workaround is to use the Reachability setting, which moves everything on the screen down.

We’re still testing out the phone and will be back later with a full review and a camera comparison. The iPhone X arrives in stores Friday. There’s already a lengthy wait for online orders, but you might be able to get one in person at an Apple Store or retailer.