The first reviews of Apple Inc’s eagerly awaited iPhone X unanimously judged it the best iPhone yet, although some reviewers pointed out potential glitches in FaceID, the company’s new face recognition system.
The run-up to the Nov. 3 release of the redesigned glass and stainless steel device has been dominated by concerns over the supply and accuracy of the new system, which aims to improve on Samsung’s face unlock feature.
At $999, the iPhone X is the most expensive phone the company has ever launched, but demand is already far outstripping supply, according to analysts.
“It’s thin, it’s powerful, it has ambitious ideas about what cameras on phones can be used for, and it pushes the design language of phones into a strange new place,” Verge reviewer Nilay Patel said.
Apple shares rose as much as 1.4 percent to a record high of $169.09 on Tuesday.
There is no home button on the iPhone X, a key feature in previous phones.
The fingerprint sensor is gone as well, replaced by FaceID, which unlocks the phone by recognizing a face with the help of a front-facing “TrueDepth” infrared camera.
So does the FaceID work? Reviewers had reservations.
While the feature works even if the user changes their appearance, wearing sunglasses for instance, it may not work as well if some key facial features are obscured.
“I tried the phone with at least five of my coworkers. None of their faces unlocked it - although none of them look remotely like me,” CNET reviewer Scott Stein said.
Reviewers said Apple had given guidance that the system works best at a distance of 25 to 50 centimeters away from your face.

iPhone X is best yet and FaceID works, mostly: Reviewers

The iPhone X is the most expensive phone the company has ever launched, but demand is already far outstripping supply, according to analysts. (AP)
Reuters
Tuesday 31 October 2017
Last Update: Wednesday, 20 May 2020 KSA 09:50 - GMT 06:50
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