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Apple iPhone X review: The future of iPhone

By James Lu - 10 Dec 2017
Launch SRP: S$1888

Benchmark Performance, Imaging, Battery life, and Conclusion

Benchmark Performance

Like the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, the iPhone X uses Apple's new A11 Bionic processor, a hexa-core chip with two performance cores that are 25 percent faster than the A10, and four high-efficiency cores that the company says are 70 percent faster than the old model. There’s also a new Apple-designed GPU that’s 30 percent faster, with the same performance as the A10, but only consumes half the power.

Like the 8 Plus, the iPhone X has 3GB RAM. While that doesn't sound like much compared to the 6GB or even 8GB RAM we've started seeing on Android phones, smartphones really don't need that much RAM.

I mentioned this in my iPhone 8 review but it's worth repeating here: unlike a PC where opening a ton of browser tabs can severely slow down your computer, iOS and Android have automatic memory management that offloads inactive tabs from active RAM usage. While you can split-screen multitask on most smartphones, you're still generally limited to just two side-by-side windows, which limits the amount of RAM you require. Mobile games also tend to be optimized to only require 1 or 2GB of RAM, which is why we didn't see much performance improvement from phones with huge amounts of RAM like the 8GB OnePlus 5.

  Apple iPhone X (256GB) Apple iPhone 8 Plus (256GB) Google Pixel 2 XL Samsung Galaxy Note8 OnePlus 5 (8GB RAM/128GB) HTC U11 Xiaomi Mi MIX 2
  Apple iPhone X (256GB) Apple iPhone 8 Plus (256GB) Google Pixel 2 XL Samsung Galaxy Note8 OnePlus 5 (8GB RAM/128GB) HTC U11 Xiaomi Mi MIX 2
Launch SRP
  • From S$1888
  • From S$1548
  • From S$1398
  • From S$799
  • From S$998
  • From S$699
Operating system
  • iOS 11.1
  • iOS 11
  • Android 8.0 Oreo
  • Android 7.1.1 Nougat with Dream UX
  • Android 7.0.1 (Nougat) with Oxygen OS 4.5
  • Android 7.0 Nougat with HTC Sense
  • Android 7.1.1 (Nougat) with MIUI 8
Processor
  • Apple A11 Bionic hexa-core
  • Apple A11 Bionic hexa-core
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo)
  • Samsung Exynos 8895 octa-core (4x2.3 GHz & 4x1.7 GHz), 10nm process
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 Octa-core (4 x 2.45GHz Kryo & 4 x 1.9GHz Kryo)
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
Built-in Memory
  • 3GB RAM
  • 3GB RAM
  • 4GB RAM
  • 6GB RAM
  • 8GB RAM
  • 6GB
  • 6GB RAM
Display
  • 5.8-inch Super Retina HD / 2,436 x 1,125 pixels (458ppi) / OLED
  • 5.5-inch Retina HD / 1,920 x 1,080 pixels (401ppi) / IPS
  • 6.0-inch / 2,880 x 1,440 pixels (538 ppi) / pOLED Display
  • Always-On Display
  • 6.3-inch / 2,560 x 1,440 pixels (522 ppi) / Super AMOLED Infinity Display
  • Always-On Display
  • 5.5-inch / 1,920 x 1,080 pixels (401 ppi) / AMOLED
  • 5.5-inch Main / 2,560 x 1,440 pixels (~550 ppi) / Super LCD 5
  • 5.99-inch / 2,160 x 1,080 pixels (402 ppi) / IPS
Camera
  • Rear: Dual 12-megapixel, (f/1.8, 28mm & f/2.4, 56mm) with phase detection autofocus, OIS, and quad LED (dual-tone) flash
  • Front: 7-megapixel, f/2.2 FaceTime HD camera
  • Rear: Dual 12-megapixel, (f/1.8, 28mm & f/2.8, 56mm) with phase detection autofocus, OIS, and quad LED (dual-tone) flash
  • Front: 7-megapixel, f/2.2 FaceTime HD camera
  • Rear: 12.2-megapixel, f/1.8, OIS, phase detection & laser autofocus, dual-LED flash
  • Front: 8-megapixel, f/2.4
  • Rear: Dual 12-megapixel telephoto f/2.4 and 12-megapixel wide-angle f/1.7, OIS, 2x optical zoom
  • Front: 8-megapixel, f/1.7
  • Primary Rear: 16-megapixel, f/1.7, contrast detection autofocus, EIS, LED flash, 1.12 µm pixel size
  • Secondary Rear: 20-megapixel, f/2.6, phase detection autofocus, LED flash, 1.00 µm pixel size
  • Front: 16-megapixel, f/2.0, 1.0 µm pixel size
  • Rear: 12-megapixel, f/1.7, phase detection autofocus, OIS, dual-LED flash
  • Front: 16-megapixel, f/2.0
  • Rear: 12-megapixel, f/2.0, PDAF, two-tone flash, 4-axis OIS, 1.25µm pixel size
  • Front: 5-megapixel
Connectivity
  • Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 4G+ LTE Cat 12 (up to 600Mbps), dual-band, hotspot, Bluetooth v5.0, A2DP, LE, GPS, GLONASS, Lightning connector
  • Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 4G+ LTE Cat 12 (up to 600Mbps), dual-band, hotspot, Bluetooth v5.0, A2DP, LE, GPS, GLONASS, Lightning connector
  • Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 + 5GHz), 4G+ LTE Cat 15 (up to 800Mbps), Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, GLONASS, NFC
  • Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 + 5GHz), 4G+ LTE Cat 16 (up to 1Gbps), Bluetooth 5.0, VHT80, MIMO (2x2), GPS, GLONASS, NFC, Screen Mirroring
  • Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (dual band), Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, DLNA, USB Type-C, USB 2.0
  • Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (dual band), Bluetooth 4.2, NFC, DLNA, USB Type-C, USB 3.1 Gen 1
  • Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (dual band), Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display, USB Type-C 2.0
Storage Type
  • 256GB internal storage
  • 256GB internal storage
  • 64GB internal storage
  • 64GB internal storage (UFS 2.0)
  • 256GB (MicroSD)
  • 128GB internal storage
  • 128GB internal storage
  • microSD support up to 256GB
  • 256GB internal storage
Battery
  • 2,716mAh
  • 2,675mAh
  • 3,520mAh
  • Fast Charging
  • 3,300mAh
  • Samsung Adaptive Fast Charging
  • Wireless charging
  • 3,300mAh
  • Dash Charge
  • 3,000mAh
  • Quick Charge 3.0
  • 3,400mAh
  • Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0
Dimensions
  • 143.6 x 70.9 x 7.7 mm
  • 158.4 x 78.1 x 7.5 mm
  • 157.9 x 76.7 x 7.9 mm
  • 162.5 x 74.8 x 8.6 mm
  • 154.2 x 74.1 x 7.25 mm
  • 153.9 x 75.9 x 7.9mm
  • 150.5 x 74.6 x 7.7 mm
Weight
  • 174g
  • 202g
  • 175g
  • 195g
  • 153g
  • 169g
  • 187g

 

Sunspider Javascript

SunSpider JavaScript measures the browsing performance of a device when processing JavaScript. It not only takes into consideration the underlying hardware performance, but also assesses how optimized a particular platform is at delivering a high-speed web browsing experience. 

Apple has always performed really well on this benchmark due to how well optimized Safari is for Apple's processors and that trend continues with the X. Apple remains the only manufacturer to record sub-150 ms results in this benchmark! In terms of actual user experience, the web browsing experience on the X is lightning fast, smooth and lag-free.

 

Antutu

AnTuTu is an all-in-one benchmark that tests CPU, GPU, memory, and storage. The CPU benchmark evaluates both integer and floating-point performance, the GPU tests assess 2D and 3D performance, the memory test measures available memory bandwidth and latency, and the storage tests gauge the read and write speeds of a device's flash memory. 

Surprisingly, the X scored a little higher than the 8 Plus, despite running on essentially identical specs. It's possible that the A11 was actually built with the X in mind, and is therefore slightly better optimized for it, or iOS 11.1 (which the X is running on) gives a slight performance boost over iOS 11 (which the 8 Plus is currently running on). When the iOS 11.1 update is available for the 8 Plus we'll re-test it to see if its score changes.

Both the 8 Plus and X were way ahead of all of our Android devices.

 

Basemark OS II

Basemark OS II is an all-in-one benchmarking tool that measures overall performance through a comprehensive suite of tests including system, internal and external memory, graphics, web browsing, and CPU consumption.

We saw the X pull even further ahead of the 8 Plus here. Once again no Android device even came close to Apple's scores. 

 

3DMark Sling Shot

3DMark Sling Shot is an advanced 3D graphics benchmark that tests the full range of OpenGL ES 3.0 API features including multiple render targets, instanced rendering, uniform buffers and transform feedback. The test also includes impressive volumetric lighting and post-processing effects. We're running this benchmark in Unlimited mode, which ignores screen resolutions.

The X was once again dominant in this benchmark, and again posted a slightly better score than the 8 Plus.

 

GFXBench Manhattan

GFXBench Manhattan is a complex OpenGL ES 3.0-based test that uses a deferred shading graphics pipeline. The benchmark employs multiple render targets (MRTS) and diffuse and specular lighting calculated for more than 60 lights. The test also features cube map reflection and emission, triplanar mapping, instanced mesh rendering, and a Theora-based video playback system that leverages asynchronous texture streaming. We're running this test in Offscreen mode at 1080p to eliminate differences in screen resolution.

As we saw in Basemark OS II, the X once again scored significantly higher than the 8 Plus, making me wonder if Apple really did build the A11 with the X's architecture in mind. As usual, no Android device even came close to the X.

 

Imaging

Like the 8 Plus, the iPhone X has a dual rear camera system, only this time, both 12-megapixel cameras have OIS. The wide-angle lens is the same f/1.8 lens you'll find on the 8 Plus, but the telephoto lens is an upgraded f/2.4 shooter (the 8 Plus has an f/2.8 telephoto lens). The benefit of both lenses being optically stabilized is that there's now no downside to shooting in zoom mode.

Like the 8 Plus, you get Portrait Mode, as well as Portrait Lighting. Another nice benefit of the TrueDepth camera on the iPhone X is that the front camera now also supports Portrait Mode and Portrait Lighting.

Image quality from the X is excellent with natural colors, good contrast and sharp details across the image. Both the wide-angle and telephoto lens produce excellent results, although I personally can't see much difference between it and the 8 Plus. 

Click for full-size image

This picture is taken from the same distance with the x2 telephoto lens. Click for full-size image

Stay tuned for a full in-depth camera review of the iPhone X and how it compares to the competition - coming soon!

 

Battery Life

Our standard battery test for mobile phones has the following parameters:

  • Looping a 720p video with screen brightness and volume at 100%
  • Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity turned on
  • Constant data streaming through email and Twitter

The iPhone X actually has the largest capacity battery out of the three 2017 iPhones, with a 2,716mAh capacity unit. It also has a more power efficient, albeit larger and higher resolution, OLED display. Despite this, the X didn't last as long as the 8 Plus in our battery life benchmark, although it was still very good, running for twelve and a half hours. That's nearly two hours longer than the iPhone 8.

So given its larger battery and more power efficient display, why didn't the X last longer than the 8 Plus? Apple's batteries are actually relatively small compared to its Android competition, but even with a smaller battery, they've fared really well. This is a testament to how power efficient Apple's processors are and how well optimized the iPhones run. It's possible that the A11 and iOS are so well optimized that even the addition of an OLED screen can't squeeze extra battery life out of the iPhone X.

The other likely culprit is the TrueDepth camera. While Face ID isn't on all the time, it does appear to be always on while the screen is in use - even when you're just watching a video like in our battery benchmark. I suspect this is the main reason the iPhone X doesn't last as long as the 8 Plus. 

Like the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, the iPhone X supports wireless charging. Apple has also informed me that wireless fast charging will soon be enabled for all three phones in an upcoming software update.

 

Conclusion

The iPhone X is the iPhone we've been waiting for. After three years of basically the same design, the X finally delivers an ambitious and forward-facing take on what an iPhone can be. But like a lot of first-generation hardware, it's not without its flaws. Face ID works, but it's not the finely-tuned perfection that is Touch ID; the new Super Retina HD display looks amazing, but it's spoiled by that notch. 

If you've been holding onto an iPhone 6 this whole time, waiting for 'the next big thing', this is it, but for everyone else, I don't think you should be worried about missing out. Compared to the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, the only features you're really missing out on is Animoji and a taller display that often ends up being much shorter thanks to unoptimized apps.

New things come at a price too: the iPhone X is extremely expensive. For a lot of people, that price won't matter - it'll be worth it to have the latest and greatest iPhone. For others, that price will just seem ridiculous. If you're on the fence and you're not sure you want to fork out that much money for the X, you probably shouldn't. Stick with whatever iPhone you already have or go for an 8 or 8 Plus instead, they basically have most of the same features, for a more reasonable price. And in the meantime, you can wait for Apple to fine-tune Face ID and work out how to cram all of those TrueDepth camera sensors into a smaller package.

Remember the first iPhone, the first iPad, the first MacBook Air and the first Apple Watch? They all had a lot of promise, but those first products weren't perfect. Fortunately, Apple is one of the best around when it comes to improving its designs and refining its products, and today those product lines are all class leaders.

The iPhone X is the first-generation of a new line of iPhones. It isn't a one off; eventually all iPhones will look like this. Unless Animoji is a feature you absolutely have to have right now, it's worth waiting for Apple to perfect it.

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8.5
  • Design 9
  • Features 8.5
  • User-Friendliness 8
  • Performance 9
  • Value 7
The Good
Beautiful OLED display
Face ID is good enough to replace Touch ID
Animojis
Amazing benchmark performance
OIS on both rear cameras
Portrait mode/lighting on front camera
The Bad
Notch in display causes issues with many apps
Face ID still has some issues
Really expensive
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