[The Hooded Claw]

One of the big things I'd like hearing about is whether Apple has the accidental touch problem licked, i.e. wigh the small bezels, how easy is it to inadvertently launch an app.

So far it hasn't been a problem at all, though a few hours is to short to make a pronouncement. I don't think it will be a problem. My hands aren't big enough to wrap around both sides and easily curve inwards and touch the screen. Also my case (so far I'm using a light Spigham one rather than the big Otterbox) has a lip extending up that creates another barrier to touching the screen. I'll report back later with a review based on actual experience, but I'm not expecting a problem. I'm setting my phone on the charger and going to bed for now!

 

[The Hooded Claw]

So far it hasn't been a problem at all, though a few hours is to short to make a pronouncement. I don't think it will be a problem. My hands aren't big enough to wrap around both sides and easily curve inwards and touch the screen. Also my case (so far I'm using a light Spigham one rather than the big Otterbox) has a lip extending up that creates another barrier to touching the screen. I'll report back later with a review based on actual experience, but I'm not expecting a problem. I'm setting my phone on the charger and going to bed for now!

Here is a photo of me holding the phone, probably gripping it tighter than I normally would. Between the remaining bezel, and the case edges sticking up slightly past the screen, I've never had a problem with unwanted touches, or even felt like I was close to that happening.

Face ID is still working well, the only time I have a problem is holding the phone too close, increasing the distance fixes the problem immediately. I've gotten good at opening up the phone from sleep, and this is pretty smooth now. I just go ahead and swipe with my thumb, no need to wait for Face ID to complete. Once in awhile there is a slight delay, but long enough to be noticeable. This is the first generation of Face ID, while we were on at least the second gen of using fingerprints, and it shows, but I am fine with it as it exists. I'm not going to say that it is better than the touch system, but it is more than good enough.

The screen is narrower than the last couple of generations. For viewing video, the new phone is not as good as the old. Fortunately, I don't use my phone for video much. The color and brightness of the screen are fine, but I'm not oohing and aching over it like some reviewers. One place I can tell a difference is in the blackness of the blacks. Reading in the kindle app with black page and white text looks really cool, though I can't say it actually improves the reading experience.

Wireless charging works well, though not a good choice for a quick top off. My inexpensive wireless charger at least, is slow. But plenty fine for overnight.

I am keeping the OtterBox case for Travel or times when dropping and breaking my phone would be intolerable, but I just can't bear to put the smaller phone in that much bulk. But I do want better protection than the minimalist case I've been using (same style that I've used on my last two iPhones). I've ordered a more protective, but still thin case for everyday use and will hope for the best. After viewing various drop tests, I'm in agreement with those who feel that having AppleCare or other high quality warranty is a good idea for this phone unless you keep it in an OtterBox or similar case at all times.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[The Hooded Claw]

Incidentally, the phone uses Face ID to notice when you look at a ringing phone, and turns the volume of the ring down.  Very cool! Also, it uses it to tell when you are looking at the phone and dims the screen faster if you aren’t actively looking. Beth good ideas.

 

[Mike D. aka jmiked]

I'm still having trouble getting past the price of the thing. Total with tax and Applecare is pretty much $1500. I buy my phones outright, so I can't pretend it's only $XX a month.

It helps to tell myself it's not really a phone (typically less than 30 minutes a month of usage), but a powerful handheld computer on which I do all my email work and a significant part of my internet usage.

It appears that the Face ID has already been cracked by a team of Vietnamese "security researchers", using a 3D printed face. Sigh.

 

[jkingrph]

I just upgraded from a 5s to a 7 at Verizon.  $649 and entered for a $200 rebate for veterans so it is a good deal.  Quadrupled my memory from 32 to 128

 

[Mike D. aka jmiked]

I just upgraded from a 5s to a 7 at Verizon. $649 and entered for a $200 rebate for veterans so it is a good deal. Quadrupled my memory from 32 to 128

That's quite a nice upgrade. And kudos to Verizon for offering veteran's discounts.

 

[The Hooded Claw]

I wouldn't panic over the Vietnamese hack. They are suspiciously vague on details, but admit their hack was delicate and time consuming. It presumably required a very detailed 3D scan of the subject's face which few of us would cooperate with. And there are questions about whether they turned off having FaceID check for active eye movements.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-apple-vietnam-hack/vietnamese-researcher-shows-iphone-x-face-id-hack-idUSKBN1DE1TH

https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2017/11/hackers-say-they-broke-apples-face-id-heres-why-were-not-convinced/

This may be a genuine hack, but it isn't clear it is doable in the real world,

A more legitimate worry (IMHO) is that apparently close relatives (not just twins) with similar face structures can reportedly beat FaceID in some cases. That is definitely real, and for many people is a genuine worry.

https://www.wired.com/story/10-year-old-face-id-unlocks-mothers-iphone-x/

Having said that, I must agree that there is nothing on the iPhone X that anyone must have. I'm okay with spending the money for it. People who have more sense than I do may be fine with the iPhone 8 or an earlier iPhone, especially if they don't depend on the phone for a camera. I'm still happy with mine, even if it isn't life changing. I'll try to be back tonight and post more after using the phone for over a week.

 

[The Hooded Claw]

More on using the new iPhone for over a week:

In short, I’m happy with the phone. The biggest negative is not just the learning curve of difference from my iPhone 7 Plus, but the fact that I have a nice iPad Pro that still uses TouchID, and still has the gestures we’ve been using for several years makes switching back and forth a little tough to get used to. The gestures are the problem more than TouchID vs FaceID.

FaceID works well, and is generally more convenient than TouchID, but it does have glitches more often in regular use. Not often enough that I’m crying to go back, but often enough to be a noticeable difference. The one thing more reliable is the problem of having damp hands when using the fingerprint. TouchID was famously useless in that situation, but that problem has gone away. The features that dim the phone screen when you’re not paying attention, and turn down ringers and alarms when you are paying attention work very well, but aren’t huge advantages.

The famous OLED screen is fine, but I don’t routinely notice it as better than LCD screens. Black areas  are dramatically darker,  it otherwise I don’t notice a difference most times. One place I do notice is reading in the Kindle app with white text on black background. That is better.

I don’t like the length to width ratio of this screen as well as the classic screen, but it isn't really a major problem.

I do like the smaller size a lot! This is probably the best thing about the phone compared to my Seven Plus.

Cordless charging works great! I bought an inexpensive base that works well, I’ll post a link to it. Though I suppose any compatible wireless charger will do. I haven’t used any of the fast charging options, and don’t need them, so I can’t speak to the fast charging feature.

As I mentioned before, I am happy with my purchase, but don’t feel it is a huge step up from my iPhone Seven Plus. Unless you desperately want smaller dimensions with a huge screen, I imagine the Eight or Eight Plus would compare even more favorably and still  at lower cost. Because of the cost of repairs to screen or body, I recommend AppleCare with either the X or the iPhone Eight.

 

[Mike D. aka jmiked]

One of the reasons I was thinking about a new phone was to get a better camera. I may decide to get a modestly-priced DSLR instead, and keep the phones I have. That way I won't have to make a decision on a new phone. 

 

[Quspo]

I love apple products, but sorry I don't understand that hype to stand in line to buy it first

 

[Meemo]

Just to mention a couple of things:  Battery life & wireless charging.

DH got the X, I didn’t plan on upgrading from my 6S Plus, but AT&T had an offer for a free 8 with the purchase of the X. So we paid $10/month to upgrade the free 64g 8 to the 256g 8+ for me. He’s loving his X, I’m loving my 8+.

We’re both really happy with the greatly improved battery life on both, especially the X. He streams a lot of podcasts and radio. He’s been using his phone more than usual because he teaches classes about iThings and wanted to be able to provide info. He’s gone all day, every day without needing to charge, and one night went to bed with 77% battery remaining. I’ve gone through most days without needing to recharge but I don’t get the kind of battery life he does. (Then again, he doesn’t play Candy Crush.)

The other thing we really like is the wireless charging, especially on the nightstand. It’s so convenient to just lay it down (or pop it on a stand) and even more convenient if a call or text comes while you’re sleeping - no fumbling with the cable. And for me, I work from home and take a lot of photos with my phone. I can have it topping off on the charger, and still easily grab it to take pictures. We’ve now got 4 different wireless chargers, all were under $15.

All in all, we’re both very happy with our new models.

ETA:  Can’t say I’m thrilled with the ? in place of the apostrophe that’s happening on Kboards though! 

 

[Mike D. aka jmiked]

ETA: Can't say I'm thrilled with the ? in place of the apostrophe that's happening on Kboards though!

Interesting that the ? marks don't show up in the edit window, only the published message.

 

[NightReader]

I was going to try to get another year out of my 6, but I'm not sure it's up to the task. 

One of the things that has kept me from ordering an X (other than the price) is that I've seen reports that the OLED screen is triggering eye strain and/or migraines in some users.  And, being a migraine sufferer, I'm kind of leery.  On the one hand, I want to avoid any possible new trigger, but on the other hand I know there are always people out there who find "something" wrong with any new technology. 

So, have you had any problems?  Do you stare at the screen for long periods (games, movies, reading) that would probably trigger an issue?

Honestly, if we could still buy the 256K 7, I would probably just get that to get by until the technologies under the X mature for a year or two. 

 

[Mike D. aka jmiked]

I decided to pass on the 8/X for this year, and got a 128G 7. It's a significant upgrade from my 64G 6.

 

[The Hooded Claw]

I do more web surfing and gaming on my X than I should, and I’ve never had any migraine or headache issues. I’m not as enchanted with the color of the display as many reviewers, but it is certainly a fine display. The one thing that impresses me is how truly BLACK the blacks are.

A further update on FaceId after over a month of use—I’m quite content with it, though there are glitches. When I hold my phone in landscape mode, FaceId always fails. I still have annoying failures from time to time, usually because I’m holding the phone too close to my face. The whole process works better than fingerprint ID did for Apple Pay. I occasionally had embarrassing failures or slow approval on my iPhone Seven Plus, but it almost never fails to work smoothly on the new phone. FaceID usually checks me out before inputting my passwords that I’ve stored, which is a security improvement, though occasionally it seems to omit checking for no reason I can see. Overall I’m content with FaceID, but if I could keep the smaller size of my phone, I wouldn’t complain about going back to fingerprint ID.

Other than that, I do like the smaller size of the phone, and am quite happy with the new phone. It didn’t change my life or anything, though!

 

[jonathonwalsh]

I got the new iphone and so far I am actually very happy with it. I had to get a new one because the battery on my old one (3 years old) did not even last one day. If I have been on my phone for about 1 hour battery would be down to like 40%! Really hope that this won't be the case with the new iphone.

 

[Mike D. aka jmiked]

You could have gotten a new battery for your phone for a lot less than the cost of a new phone. Or a case with an extra battery built into it.


Sounds like somebody just wanted a new phone! 


Enjoy.

 

[inmymind]

it's getting exciting! the phone is soon to be announced...

However, the nomenclature at Apple is really bad. For X, XR, XS and 11 I really needed to be able to put them in a chronological order without looking them up. With the iPads I'm getting out completely anyway. I'd prefer to have a year (e.g. early/mid/late 2020), but I realize that the marketing department cries out because such technical terms are not suitable for headlines. A middle way would have been good, e.g. consistent numbering