First impressions of my iPhone X

When the iPhone X was announced in September, I was very torn about whether I would order it.  I really do love my iPhone 7 Plus, especially its screen size and its camera's portrait mode.  I didn't feel that I needed an upgrade, and certainly didn't want to pay the seemingly exorbitant cost of $1579 for the 64GB version, or $1829 for the 256GB.

I wasn't sure I wanted to get the first version of this new generation of iPhone - that maybe I should wait until any problems are ironed out in the second version.

However, being in the business I am in, I decided that it really is important for me to keep up to date with the latest innovations from Apple.  (Yes, that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it - but I'm just not sure my husband is convinced.)

Cost of new iPhone X on a Telstra plan

I decided to look into using my Telstra Plan's 'New Phone Feeling' to upgrade to the iPhone X, to see what change there would be to my monthly mobile phone bill.

I was paying $121 per month for my iPhone 7 Plus 256GB, with 3GB data allowance per month.  

I saw that I could upgrade to the iPhone X 256GB for an increase of only $3/month ($124/month), if I took a drop in my monthly data to 2GB.  Paying $136/month would give me 5GB of data. 

Arrival of the new iPhone X

So I did it! I ordered the iPhone X, still not fully convinced I was doing the right thing.

On completion of the order process, I was told they were out of stock and my own order would be placed on backorder.  I fully expected to wait a month or so for my new phone to arrive.

To my great surprise (and just a little excitement, I must confess), I received a notification 4 days later that my phone was on the way - and it arrived on Friday Nov 10, only 5 days after it was ordered.

First Impressions
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The unboxing was the usual pleasure gained from opening Apple packaging. They do it so well.

From the moment that I turned on that new iPhone X, I knew it was something quite extraordinary. The black print on white background looked like a piece of paper on the screen - amazingly crisp and clear.

I just had to sit it alongside my iPhone 7 Plus, and it was able to establish all the settings that applied on that phone - making the initial setup so easy.

The setup of the facial recognition was incredibly easy - Jim's video of me doing this is shown below. 

The edge-to-edge 'True Tone' display is beautiful, and you quickly become used to the 'notch' at the top. It's really not a bit deal.

The size is perfect in my hand - very close to the width of the smaller iPhone 6, 6S, 7 and 8, but with a larger display size. My iPhone 7 Plus now seem bulky and cumbersome in comparison, and the screen lacking in clarity.

Learning to live without a Home Button 

I didn't think I wanted to give up the Home Button on the iPhone, and really liked my fingerprint security. Having experience a couple of days without the Home Button, I am a now convert to the new gestures of the iPhone X.

They are so easy to use - and feel so natural. The ability to swipe along the bottom to switch between apps is particularly handy. 

Here's is Apple's web page describing the various gestures that can be used on the iPhone X:

• Use gestures to navigate your iPhone X

Using Facial Recognition instead of Fingerprint security

Having seen some early criticisms of the Facial Recognition feature, and having watched the big fail during the keynote in September, I was dubious about whether I wanted to switch from fingerprint security to this new form of security.

In these first couple of days of use of my iPhone X, I have found Facial Recognition  really responsive and reliable. My phone usually unlocks without me even thinking about security.

I have only had to enter my passcode a few times, usually when my face was 'out of range' of the camera, or I wasn't 'eyeballing' the phone at the time.

And then there's the camera!

Wow. In the first hour of use of the iPhone X, I quickly took the below photos, using the 'Portrait' feature of this new phone.

The first one was good, but I was already a fan of the portrait mode on the iPhone 7 Plus.  However, the second one gave a real 'wow' moment.  I chose the Stage Light portrait mode and got the result on the right.  It blacked out the background and just left the objects in the foreground - amazing.

I haven't done a lot further in terms of experimenting with the camera, but I have read that it really is an amazing camera - here's an article about it.

• Gozmodo.com: The iPhone X Is The Best Phone For Photos Ever​                                                                

Would I recommend this new iPhone?

I know I have only been using it for a short time, but so far my answer is a resounding 'Yes'. I love it!

I happily sent my iPhone 7 Plus back to Telstra in the return satchel that they sent to me.

Need advice?

If you would like some advice on what iPhone (or iPad) to get, iTandCoffee can help.  Call 1300 885 420 to make an appointment, email [email protected], or book online here.