X

iPhone X: Up close and personal with Apple's new phone

Apple's most premium iPhone fetches for a $1,000 and has the looks to match.

Scott Stein
I started with CNET reviewing laptops in 2009. Now I explore wearable tech, VR/AR, tablets, gaming and future/emerging trends in our changing world. Other obsessions include magic, immersive theater, puzzles, board games, cooking, improv and the New York Jets. My background includes an MFA in theater which I apply to thinking about immersive experiences of the future.
Scott Stein
iphone-x-18
1 of 57 CNET

The iPhone X, Apple's most high-end and expensive phone yet, has standout looks, with a notched, edge-to-edge display and no home button.

For more info, read CNET's iPhone X review.

iphone-x-comparisons-01
2 of 57 CNET

The iPhone X (center) leads a trio of new iPhones, flanked by the iPhone 8 (left) and iPhone 8 Plus (right). Aramis, Athos and Porthos?

iphone-x-17
3 of 57 CNET

Though the iPhone X is physically smaller than the iPhone 8 Plus, its near bezel-less display lends it a bigger, 5.8-inch screen.

iphone-x-unboxing-10
4 of 57 CNET

This is Apple's first iPhone with an OLED display. One caveat with the screen is the large blacked-out notch that sits on top of the display. It's where the phone's cameras and sensors live.

iphone-x-54
5 of 57 CNET

Response to the notch has been mixed; while some don't mind it (like CNET's own Scott Stein, for example), others consider it an eyesore.

iphone-x-25
6 of 57 CNET

The 5.8-inch screen (and notch) displaying the CNET website.

iphone-x-59
7 of 57 CNET

Another look at the display with the weather app.

iphone-x-12
8 of 57 CNET

The glass back features a vertical dual camera.

iphone-x-07
9 of 57 CNET

Due to the glass, the back of the iPhone X is very reflective. Here, a ceiling's chandelier reflects back on the surface.

iphone-x-60
10 of 57 CNET

The phone measures 5.7 by 2.8 by 0.3 inches (144 by 71 by 7.7 mm) and weighs 6.14 ounces (174 grams).

iphone-x-64
11 of 57 CNET

The right edge of the phone.

iphone-x-unboxing-08
12 of 57 CNET

The bottom edge houses dual audio speakers and a Lightning port for charging and file transfers. Like previous iPhones, it does not have a headphone jack.

iphone-x-14
13 of 57 CNET

The phone's left edge.

iphone-x-unboxing-11
14 of 57 CNET

A closer look at the phone's silent/ring toggle and volume rocker.

iphone-x-charging-01
15 of 57 CNET

Like previous iPhones, the iPhone X is water resistant.

iphone-x-charging-03
16 of 57 CNET

In addition to charging through the Lightning cable, the iPhone X allows wireless charging.

iphone-x-05
17 of 57 CNET

The phone has a 2,436x1,125-pixel resolution with a pixel density of 458ppi.

112-iphone-x
18 of 57 CNET

Another look at the iPhone X's HDR display.

114-iphone-x
19 of 57 CNET

Comparing the iPhone X's display colors (bottom) with the iPhone 8 Plus (top). Note the Plus has a slightly larger effective display for this video, due to the X's notch.

iphone-x-63
20 of 57 CNET

Powering the device is Apple's proprietary A11 Bionic processor. 

103-iphone-x
21 of 57 CNET

The 64-bit processor has an M11 motion coprocessor and a neural engine to execute AI-related algorithms. 

iphone-x-35
22 of 57 CNET

New to the iPhone is Face ID, which uses facial recognition software to verify your face to unlock the phone.

iphone-x-39
23 of 57 CNET

You can also use Face ID for the digital payment system Apple Pay, purchase music and movies on iTunes and autofill forms in the Safari browser.

iphone-x-31
24 of 57 CNET

Setting up Face ID.

iphone-x-40
25 of 57 CNET

To begin, you'll need to move your face at different angles.

iphone-x-face-detection-06
26 of 57 CNET

Face ID can register some changes to your face, like this funky pair of glasses.

iphone-x-face-detection-16
27 of 57 CNET

It won't register every change, however. If you decide to grow a huge mustache, for example, Face ID may not work. 

iphone-x-69
28 of 57 CNET

On the back of the phone are two 12-megapixel cameras.

iphone-x-42
29 of 57 CNET

The dual-camera setup features OIS, 4K video recording and includes a wide-angle and telephoto lens.

iphone-x-46
30 of 57 CNET

The iPhone X still has Live Photos, which are short "moving" pictures that loop.

iphone-x-portrait-mode-selfies-02
31 of 57 CNET

The front has a 7-megapixel camera with 1080p HD video recording.

iphone-x-28
32 of 57 CNET

With the front-facing camera, you can take Portrait photos with different lighting tools.

iphone-x-29
33 of 57 CNET

Here, a dramatic Stage Lighting mode is selected.

iphone-x-portrait-mode-selfies-03
34 of 57 CNET

A selfie with the Stage Lighting mode applied.

107-iphone-x
35 of 57 CNET

The front-facing camera can also apply facial filters.

109-iphone-x
36 of 57 CNET

Here, a Sketchbook filter is applied.

iphone-x-emojis-03
37 of 57 CNET

The front camera lets you send out animated emojis, or "animojis," stickers that move with your facial expression.

iphone-x-emojis-01
38 of 57 CNET

Another look at the animoji feature.

iphone-x-49
39 of 57 CNET

The iPhone X runs Apple's latest mobile operating system, iOS 11.

iphone-x-61
40 of 57 CNET

iOS 11 includes a Do Not Disturb While Driving mode, a hidden dark mode and new screenshot tools.

iphone-x-09
41 of 57 CNET

Another look at the iPhone X with iOS 11.

iphone-x-30
42 of 57 CNET

With iOS 11, the Control Center received a facelift.

iphone-x-55
43 of 57 CNET

Control Center now features sliders and toggles that make tinkering with your Settings easier.

iphone-x-58
44 of 57 CNET

Switching from app to app on iOS 11.

iphone-x-56
45 of 57 CNET

Another look at switching apps on iOS 11.

iphone-x-siri-03
46 of 57 CNET

Apple's digital voice assistant Siri now has "cards" similar to Google Android and a type-to-Siri function.

116-iphone-x
47 of 57 CNET

There's also the digital payment system Apple Pay, which allows you to pay for items using a tap of your phone.

iphone-x-unboxing-02
48 of 57 CNET

The iPhone X in its packaged box.

iphone-x-unboxing-03
49 of 57 CNET

Here's what you get with the iPhone X: a charger, a headphone dongle, a Lightning Port pair of earbuds, stickers and the phone itself.

100-iphone-x
50 of 57 CNET

Apple faces stiff competition from its main Android rival, Samsung, whose Galaxy Note 8 (right) features a 6.3-inch screen, an embedded stylus and dual cameras.

iphone-x-comparisons-02
51 of 57 CNET

Another look at the iPhone X (left) and the Note 8 (right).

iphone-x-10
52 of 57 CNET

Click or swipe through for more photos of the iPhone X.

iphone-x-66
53 of 57 CNET
iphone-x-20
54 of 57 CNET
iphone-x-62
55 of 57 CNET
iphone-x-16
56 of 57 CNET

Apple iPhone X

iphone-x-22
57 of 57 CNET

You can order the iPhone X now, which starts out at $999, £999 or AU$1,579 for 64GB. The 256GB model costs $1,149, £1,149 or AU$1,829.

For more info, check out CNET's iPhone X review.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos