I've had the iPhone X at $ 999 for almost a year – here's what I think about it – The Motley Fool

Apples (NASDAQ: AAPL) The iPhone 2018 range includes three new versions of the iPhone X, which was the 10th anniversary edition of the smartphone, launched last year at a breakneck pace. The new iPhones include a remastered iPhone X called iPhone XS, a larger iPhone XS Max and a cheaper iPhone XR. The 5.8-inch XS starts at $ 999, the 6.5-inch XS Max starts at $ 1,099 and the 6.1-inch iPhone XR starts at $ 749.

By doubling its iPhone X model, Apple seems to welcome the sale of its original iPhone X this year. As a forerunner of this highly anticipated model of the iPhone X at $ 999, I have an experience of about a year with the device on which to base my opinion. While people are beginning to consider opening their wallets for any of the three updated models, I would like to know if I think my iPhone X was worth it.

What I love about the iPhone X

I will not lie: Removing the protective layer from my brand new iPhone X last November made me feel like I was a child on Christmas morning. The best feature of the phone is its superb high-resolution edge-to-edge display. Watching videos and watching pictures on the camera is a dream because of its bright and colorful display.

The edge-to-edge screen required Apple to remove the home button in favor of a quick move back home. One would think that after having used the traditional home button of my old iPhone for five years, I would have trouble adapting to this new motion. However, the movement felt natural from the start – and it is incredibly fast. Now, I prefer that this quick finger shortcut presses a button.

The missing home button also meant that Apple had to replace its Touch ID system to unlock smartphones with Face ID. This means that instead of scanning my fingerprint, the iPhone X scans my face. I thought this feature would be glitchy, working only 60% of the time, but I was wrong. Digitizing the face is incredibly convenient and works even in the dark. I remember that I had the habit of being frustrated with Touch ID because it did not work when my finger was wet or that it contained food residue, so it did not work. was a good update.

Finally, I can not list the benefits of the iPhone X without praising its camera, which includes a 12-megapixel rear camera and a 7-megapixel front camera. Last year, I became the designated photographer for the many trips I made, simply because of my phone.

The camera works well in low light conditions and portrait mode takes pictures worthy of a digital SLR. The best part is that I can always put it in my pocket. I have traveled to Switzerland, Iceland and Thailand this year. For each trip, I have just taken my iPhone X and I never found myself wishing to have lugged my DSLR camera abroad.

What I do not like with the iPhone X

What annoys me the most with the iPhone X is simply that it did not hit the spot. Nothing in the phone changed my life, so I felt that he was not responding to the hype that he had received before his release.

But specifically, there are two characteristics that I would like to emphasize. First of all, Apple was very happy to publish Animoji, or animated animated characters that you can send as text messages. The phone uses facial scanning technology to allow animals to mimic your own facial movements. I used this feature exactly once this year and it was the day I got the phone. For me, it's a useless feature and I do not see why anyone would use it regularly.

My second complaint is that it is too easy to accidentally take screenshots on the iPhone X by accidentally pressing the power button and the volume button at the same time. It's so natural to place your fingers in this position so I'm not sure why Apple made the move to capture your screen.

Conclusion: Would I buy it again?

As you can see, none of these reproaches is huge. But the main problem for me is that the iPhone X is a good phone, but nothing really revolutionary. I'm happy with the iPhone X, but I think I would have been just as happy with the iPhone 8 of $ 699 or the iPhone 8 Plus of $ 799 that came out at the same time time. The only major thing that I would have missed was the sleek design without bezel. But it would be nice to have a home button on my phone and save $ 200 to $ 300.

Looking at the specifications of the latest iPhones, it does not seem like Apple has made spectacular leaps compared to last year 's models. If you want the opinion of a seasoned owner of iPhone X, I recommend you choose one of the cheapest models to save money because it n & # 39; There is probably not enough difference between them to justify the price.

Natalie Walters has no position in the mentioned actions. The Motley Fool owns shares and recommends Apple. The Motley Fool offers the following options: long calls from January 2020 to $ 150 and short calls from January 2020 to $ 155 on Apple. Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.