Paul Morris·

Meet iPhone X, The Biggest Leap For iPhone Since 2007 [Specs, Price, Release Date]

The wait is over. Apple has announced iPhone X specs, price and USA / UK release date, the tenth-anniversary model which is the biggest leap for iPhone since the original model’s release back in 2007.

It has been long time coming and it’s everything we expected it to be.

Here’s everything that you need to know about Apple’s new iPhone X model in full detail ahead of the device’s retail launch on this coming September 22. Ready? Here we go!

Specs / Features

Design

This is possibly the most important part of iPhone X. It comes with an all-new design and a stunning glass back to enable wireless charging and stainless steel frame around it. The edge-to-edge 5.8-inch bezel-less display features highest screen-to-body ratio in the market as a result of which we get even more space to play with thanks to the removal of the Home button and the underlying Touch ID sensor. Even though the screen is larger than Apple’s Plus model iPhones, the overall form-factor is much smaller and easy for one-handed use thanks to the bezel-less design.

Display

Analysts have been talking about this for literally months now and now it’s here. We now know that iPhone X has a 5.8-inch Super Retina OLED edge-to-edge bezel-less display with a notch at top (to house all important sensors – more on that later) and with a screen resolution of 2436×1125 pixels. With a 458ppi, the pixel density is the highest in any iPhone till now.

As expected, the iPhone X comes supporting High Dynamic Range (HDR) and is compatible with both Dolby Vision and HDR10 technologies.

The screen also features Apple’s True Tone display technology. The display also supports 3D Touch and haptic feedback through Apple’s Taptic Engine.

Face ID

Touch ID is gone, Face ID is in. This is by far the biggest selling point of iPhone X as the technology underneath Face ID facial scanning is the most advanced yet with some even calling it at least two years ahead of competing technologies. What this means is that you now get to use your face to unlock your device and provide authentication rather than your fingerprint. This level of functionality is provided by the TrueDepth camera which packs advanced 3D facial recognition sensors housed in the top notch of the display.

These sensors work in most environments, even pitch dark environments thanks to the infrared capabilities within it. Apple demonstrated on stage not only Face ID is most secure yet as it takes into equation thousands of points on one’s face for authentication, but also very fast and can authenticate within a millionth of a second without having to put the device right up on the face thanks to its ability to work from many different angles.

Face ID will not only be used for unlocking the device, but also for Apple Pay payments, iTunes/App Store purchases, as well as Safari Autofill for passwords.

The data which Face ID collects is securely saved in Secure Enclave inside the device and is never shared with any cloud-based servers.

Animoji via Face ID

Animoji is a new software feature based on Face ID tech which basically takes the regular emojis we use and love on day-to-day basis and converts them into 3D animated emoji characters based on facial expressions of a user obtained from the front-facing TrueDepth camera on iPhone X. These 3D animated emojis can then be shared with loved ones via iMessage or other mediums.

Software

The iPhone X runs a special version of iOS 11 which is tailor made. The gesture driven UI makes for an intuitive and natural navigation of the OS.

– The Home and App Switcher, are now invoked with a gentle swipe from the bottom. Similarly, to invoke the Control Center, simply swipe down from the top to reveal the iOS 11 Control Center.
-Side button is used for multiple things, including power/shut down, invoking Siri, and more thanks to its capacitive nature. For example, double-tapping the side button will invoke the process to make an Apple Pay transaction. If you wish to invoke Siri, simply hold down on the button.
-Status bar split on the top with left portion showing time and right portion showing signal bars, WiFi and other stuff. It can change dynamically depending on what is being done on the phone.

A11 Bionic Processor / M11 Co-Processor

Apple has moved to A11 Bionic with iPhone X which goes through a 10-nanometer manufacturing process to offer 90% faster processing performance and 70% improved graphical performance. Same goes for M11 co-processor.

A11 Bionic Neural engine

iPhone X’s A11 Bionic chip also houses Apple’s own-designed Neural engine for handling advanced AI in the device.

Wireless Charging

Apple has finally caved and introduced wireless charging on iPhone X through the Qi-standard. It does mean that you have to purchase a separate charging pad.

Fast Charging

If you don’t fancy investing in additional hardware to get wireless charging, but do like the sound of fast charging and getting more power into the device quickly, then you can with the iPhone X thanks to the faster Lightning port and the provided USB-C wall charger.

Improved Waterproofing

For one reason or another, you can release a piece of hardware with stunning features but a lot of consumers seem to only really care about whether or not they can dunk it safely into a tub of water. Well, with iPhone X, you can thanks to its IP68 rating compared to IP67 on iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus.

Camera

The camera, among other tech mentioned above, is also going to be a big selling point for a lot of photography fans. iPhone X features a vertically arranged 12MP iSight Duo camera, complete with OIS on both lenses for improved photos, better low-light performance, and advanced AR features. Coming down to the specs of the iSightDuo camera, we have a wide-angle lens with an f/1.8 aperture, while the telephoto lens packs a f/2.4 aperture.

For video recording, iPhone X adds in support for 1080p HD at 240 fps, 4K at 24 fps and 4K at crazy 60 fps. Support for 4K recording at 60 fps is crazy as only very high-end and expensive DSLRs, like Panasonic GH5, are capable of recording at that resolution and frame rate.

As for photos, Apple has now taken things one level up for its now famous Portrait Mode introduced with iPhone 7 Plus last year. iPhone X’s Portrait Mode now features Portrait Lighting which supports Contour Light, Natural Light, Stage Light, Stage Light Mono, and Studio Light modes for improved DSLR-like shots.

As for the front-facing option, the TrueDepth camera comes with a 7MP wide-angle experience, capable of 1080p recording. Not just that, the camera is now able to take selfies in Portrait Mode including the new Portrait Lighting feature supporting Contour Light, Natural Light, Stage Light, Stage Light Mono, and Studio Light modes.

Battery

Even though iPhone X packs a ton of new and advanced technology, improvements made with 10-nanometer A11 Bionic chip, optimization, and OLED display means that iPhone X provides better battery life than all previous iPhone models to date.

Storage Capacities

Apple is offering iPhone X in 64GB and 256GB storage configuration. This is the first time that an entry, base model iPhone has shipped with 64GB storage capacity.

Colors

iPhone X comes in Space Gray and Silver colors and the best part is that all these colors feature a black front, a first for iPhone since iPhone 3Gs and iPhone 5c models.

Accessories

For some people, accessories are sometimes as important as the device itself. This isn’t a device which comes with Apple’s Smart Connector so don’t expect an array of intelligent new accessories to accompany it. However, what you will be able to purchase is an updated range of silicone and leather cases in an array of stunning colors as well as a wireless charging pad directly from Apple, called the AirPower which lets you charge multiple devices.

Price

  • 64GB — $299 (on contract) or $999 (unlocked)
  • 256GB — $399 (on contract) or $1,150 (unlocked)

Release Date

Official pre-orders for iPhone X will begin on October 27, 2017. Apple will begin shipping devices starting Novermber 3, 2017, which incidentally will be the same day that consumers can queue up outside the stores to buy one in person.

Introducing the iPhone X

Meet the iPhone X

iPhone X

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