The iPhone X, released in 2017 to mark Apple’s 10th anniversary of the iPhone, wasn’t just an incremental upgrade—it was a bold reimagining of what a smartphone could be. With its edge-to-edge Super Retina display, removal of the home button, and introduction of Face ID, the iPhone X set a new benchmark for design and user experience. It bridged the gap between future-forward technology and everyday usability, influencing not only subsequent iPhones but the entire smartphone industry. Here are ten standout features that made the iPhone X a landmark device.
1. All-Screen OLED Display
The most visually striking change in the iPhone X was the elimination of bezels and the adoption of a 5.8-inch Super Retina OLED display. Unlike traditional LCDs used in earlier models, OLED technology delivers deeper blacks, higher contrast ratios (up to 1,000,000:1), and more vibrant colors. This meant richer photos, sharper text, and a truly immersive viewing experience for videos and games.
Apple also introduced HDR10 and Dolby Vision support, making it one of the first smartphones capable of playing high-dynamic-range content natively. The screen curved subtly at the edges, enhancing grip and giving the phone a sleek, modern profile.
2. Face ID – A New Era of Authentication
Replacing the Touch ID fingerprint sensor, Face ID was Apple’s ambitious leap into facial recognition. Powered by the TrueDepth camera system, it projects over 30,000 invisible infrared dots to create a precise 3D map of the user’s face. This depth mapping makes it highly secure—Apple claimed a 1 in 1,000,000 chance of a random person unlocking your phone.
Face ID works in the dark, adapts to changes in appearance like hats or glasses, and activates as soon as you lift the phone. It’s seamlessly integrated into daily use: unlocking the device, authorizing Apple Pay, logging into apps, and even animating Animoji.
“Face ID isn’t just convenient—it’s a privacy-first biometric system built with on-device processing.” — Craig Federighi, Senior Vice President of Software Engineering, Apple
3. TrueDepth Camera System
Beyond Face ID, the TrueDepth front-facing camera opened up new creative and functional possibilities. Positioned in the notch at the top of the screen, it includes an infrared camera, dot projector, flood illuminator, and ambient light sensor. This setup enabled Portrait Mode selfies with real-time depth control and advanced bokeh effects, rivaling DSLR-quality results.
It also powered Animoji and Memoji—animated avatars that mirror your facial expressions in real time. These weren’t just novelties; they became popular tools for expressive communication in Messages and social media.
4. Gesture-Based Navigation
With the physical home button gone, Apple introduced a new gesture-based navigation system. Swiping up from the bottom of the screen returns to the Home screen. Swiping up and holding reveals the app switcher. A quick swipe from the right edge brings back in Safari or Mail.
This minimalist approach maximized screen space and encouraged fluid, natural interaction. Though there was a learning curve for longtime iPhone users, the gestures quickly became second nature and laid the foundation for iOS navigation on all future models.
5. Premium Build with Surgical-Grade Stainless Steel and Glass
The iPhone X featured a polished stainless steel frame—more durable and luxurious than aluminum—paired with glass on both the front and back. This design allowed for wireless charging, a first for iPhone, while maintaining IP67 water and dust resistance.
The materials gave the phone a premium feel, though the glossy finish did attract fingerprints. Still, the symmetry, weight balance, and refined craftsmanship made it one of the most elegant smartphones of its time.
| Feature | iPhone X | iPhone 8 (Comparison) |
|---|---|---|
| Display Type | OLED | LCD |
| Front Biometrics | Face ID | Touch ID |
| Back Material | Glass (supports Qi charging) | Glass |
| Water Resistance | IP67 (up to 1m for 30 mins) | IP67 |
| Navigation | Gesture-based | Home button |
6. Dual 12MP Rear Cameras with Portrait Mode and Lighting Effects
The rear camera system included a wide and telephoto lens, both 12MP, enabling 2x optical zoom and up to 10x digital zoom. But the real innovation was in software. Portrait Mode now worked on people and objects, and Apple introduced six studio-quality lighting effects—Natural, Studio, Contour, Stage, Stage Mono, and High-Key Light—that could be applied in real time or after capture.
These effects used machine learning to simulate professional lighting setups, giving amateur photographers greater creative control without post-processing.
7. A11 Bionic Chip with Neural Engine
At the heart of the iPhone X was the A11 Bionic chip—the first in a mobile processor to include a dedicated Neural Engine. This six-core chip could perform up to 600 billion operations per second, powering machine learning tasks like Face ID, augmented reality, and camera enhancements.
The second-generation performance cores were 25% faster, and the efficiency cores used 50% less power. This translated into smooth multitasking, longer battery optimization, and responsive gaming—even years after release.
8. Wireless Charging and Improved Battery Efficiency
For the first time, iPhone embraced Qi wireless charging. Simply placing the iPhone X on any Qi-compatible pad initiated charging—no cables required. While not the fastest method, it added convenience, especially on desks or nightstands.
Combined with the energy-efficient OLED display and A11 chip, the iPhone X offered better battery life than the iPhone 8 Plus despite its smaller physical battery. Real-world usage often reached 12–14 hours of mixed use.
9. Stereo Sound and Audio Enhancements
The iPhone X delivered significantly improved stereo sound compared to previous models. The earpiece speaker doubled as a second audio channel, creating a wider soundstage. Volume was 25% louder than iPhone 7, ideal for watching videos or taking speakerphone calls.
It also supported adaptive audio features, automatically adjusting EQ based on listening environment and offering spatial audio cues in supported apps—a precursor to today’s immersive audio experiences.
10. iOS Integration and Long-Term Software Support
As a flagship device, the iPhone X received five major iOS updates—from iOS 11 to iOS 16—ensuring access to new features, security patches, and performance improvements for over five years. This longevity is rare in the smartphone world and reflects Apple’s commitment to long-term usability.
Features like Screen Time, App Library, Focus Modes, and enhanced privacy controls were rolled out seamlessly, proving that great hardware paired with consistent software evolution creates lasting value.
Real-World Example: How a Photographer Leveraged iPhone X Features
Sophia Lin, a freelance travel photographer, relied on her iPhone X during a three-month Southeast Asia trip. Without room for bulky gear, she used Portrait Mode with lighting effects to capture local artisans in dramatic lighting. She enabled Night mode via third-party apps optimized for A11 processing and used wireless charging at cafes across Thailand. “The combination of camera quality and portability made it my primary storytelling tool,” she said. “I even edited and posted entire photo essays directly from the phone.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the iPhone X still worth buying in 2024?
While no longer sold new, the iPhone X remains functional for basic tasks and light photography. However, it lacks support for newer iOS features, has slower charging, and limited repair availability. For most users, upgrading to an iPhone 12 or later is recommended for performance and security.
Can Face ID work if I wear a mask?
Originally, Face ID required full facial visibility. Later iOS updates introduced “Face ID with Mask” for compatible models, but this feature was not available on the iPhone X due to hardware limitations.
Why was the notch controversial?
The notch housed essential sensors for Face ID and the front camera. While criticized initially for interrupting the screen, it became a widely adopted design element across the industry. Apple gradually reduced its size in later models, but the iPhone X established its necessity for advanced front-facing technology.
Conclusion
The iPhone X wasn’t just another smartphone—it was a vision of the future made real. From its boundary-pushing OLED display to the intelligence of the A11 Bionic chip and the elegance of gesture navigation, each feature was designed to enhance usability without compromising beauty. It proved that innovation doesn’t have to sacrifice practicality. Even years later, its influence echoes in every modern iPhone and countless Android devices.
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