iPhone X (2017): Face ID and the move beyond the Home button

IPHONE MODEL ARCHIVE · 2017

The iPhone X changed the face of the phone. Its significance is easier to understand as a shift in navigation and authentication than as a single step up in camera or processor specifications.

iPhone X. Product photograph: Apple; pictured finishes may include later additions.

Introduced 2017-09-12. Filed under the original announcement date. Retrospective guide prepared in November 2026.

The generation at a glance

Apple introduced iPhone X on 12 September 2017, with availability starting on 3 November. It combined a 5.8-inch OLED Super Retina display, Face ID and the A11 Bionic chip. The Home button gave way to a gesture-led interface.

The screen becomes the starting point

Removing a permanent button means the interface must teach another way to go Home, switch tasks and recover from an unfamiliar screen. That is the real design transition in this generation. Face authentication also changes the relationship between looking at the phone and unlocking it. When comparing an X with an 8, start with those everyday actions; a specification list cannot tell you which interaction style feels more natural.

Which version is which?

The X is distinct from the XS, XS Max and XR introduced later. Roman numerals and similar bodies can make used listings confusing. Confirm the exact model before comparing screen sizes or camera features. There is no need to invent an iPhone 9 to make the numbering sequence look continuous: Apple’s product names are the relevant identifiers.

What to check before choosing one

Demonstrate Face ID on the actual unit and inspect the display on light and dark backgrounds. Check touch response across the screen, not just in the middle. For a design collection, this model is most meaningful when its navigation change is explained alongside the hardware. A working screen alone does not establish that every sensor is functioning.

For a used handset, inspect the exact device rather than relying on stock photographs. Ask to see the cameras, charging and controls working. Check storage, battery condition and whether the previous owner has removed their account. Compare any repair quotation with the total purchase price. For daily use, verify the software and services you need on that model before buying.