The iPhone X (pronounced “iPhone Ten”) marked a significant milestone in Apple’s smartphone evolution, celebrating the company’s 10th anniversary with a bold design and a host of innovative features. Upon its release in 2017, the iPhone X was a major leap forward in the world of smartphones, but nearly a decade later, the question remains: Is the iPhone X still good? In this article, we’ll take a detailed look at its performance, design, and features to determine if it still holds up today.
1. Design and Display: A Timeless Aesthetic
The iPhone X’s design was revolutionary when it debuted. It was the first iPhone to feature an edge-to-edge OLED display, replacing the traditional home button with a near bezel-less screen. The 5.8-inch Super Retina display with a 1125 x 2436 resolution still provides sharp colors, deep blacks, and an immersive viewing experience. The OLED technology, in particular, offers higher contrast ratios compared to the LCD panels used in previous iPhones.
In terms of size, the iPhone X feels premium but compact, making it easy to hold with one hand. It also introduced a glass back, enabling wireless charging for the first time in iPhone history, a feature that’s now ubiquitous in newer models.
Still Good?
Yes, the iPhone X’s design remains elegant and modern. Although newer iPhones have larger screens and more advanced OLED displays, the iPhone X’s screen quality and form factor still make it a solid contender in the looks department.
2. Performance: Powered by the A11 Bionic Chip
When the iPhone X was released, it was powered by the A11 Bionic chip, which at the time was the most powerful processor in a smartphone. The A11 chip, paired with 3GB of RAM, handled tasks efficiently, from gaming to multitasking, without significant slowdowns.
However, over time, newer iPhones have launched with even more powerful chips, such as the A12, A13, and so on. That said, the iPhone X is still capable of running most apps and tasks smoothly, although you may notice slower performance when compared to more recent models.
Still Good?
For everyday tasks, such as browsing the web, social media, messaging, and even some gaming, the iPhone X still performs adequately. It’s not the speediest phone on the market anymore, but unless you’re looking to run resource-heavy applications or perform intensive tasks like video editing, the iPhone X is more than capable.
3. Camera: Solid, but Not Cutting-Edge
The iPhone X features a dual-camera system on the back, consisting of a 12MP wide-angle and telephoto lens. The camera can capture sharp, vibrant images, even in low-light conditions, thanks to its improved sensor and optical image stabilization (OIS). Portrait Mode, introduced with the iPhone X, is another standout feature, allowing users to take professional-looking photos with a blurred background effect.
However, it’s important to note that newer iPhones come with more advanced camera technology. With the introduction of computational photography in the iPhone 11 and beyond, newer iPhones offer better low-light performance, improved zoom capabilities, and more advanced features like Night Mode and Deep Fusion.
Still Good?
The iPhone X’s camera is still capable of taking excellent photos, but it lacks the refinements and features that newer iPhones offer. If photography is a top priority for you, you may want to consider a more recent model, but for casual shooters, the iPhone X’s camera is still more than sufficient.
4. Face ID: The Future of Unlocking
One of the standout features of the iPhone X was the introduction of Face ID, which replaced the fingerprint sensor (Touch ID) for unlocking the device. Face ID uses a TrueDepth camera system to map your face with incredible precision, providing a more secure and convenient way to unlock the phone.
While Face ID is now commonplace in Apple’s lineup, it was a groundbreaking feature back in 2017, and it remains one of the iPhone X’s most impressive elements.
Still Good?
Absolutely. Face ID remains one of the most secure and convenient biometric authentication methods, and the iPhone X’s implementation of it holds up well. The system is fast, reliable, and works in various lighting conditions, even in complete darkness.
5. Battery Life: Still Sufficient, but Showing Its Age
The iPhone X was equipped with a 2716mAh battery, which at the time provided a full day of usage on a single charge. However, as with all devices, battery health degrades over time, and after years of use, you may find yourself needing to charge the device more frequently.
Apple introduced battery health monitoring in iOS, so users can check the capacity of their battery, and it’s recommended to replace the battery once its health drops below 80% for optimal performance.
Still Good?
While the battery life may not be as impressive as it was at launch, the iPhone X’s battery is still sufficient for day-to-day use. However, if you rely heavily on your phone throughout the day, you might find yourself needing to charge more often, especially if the battery health has declined.
6. Software Support: Staying Up-to-Date
One of the key advantages of owning an iPhone, including the iPhone X, is the longevity of software updates. Apple regularly supports older iPhones with new iOS updates, ensuring that the device remains secure and functional. As of this writing, the iPhone X supports iOS 17, and Apple typically provides major software updates for 5-6 years, so the iPhone X should continue to receive updates for a couple more years.
Still Good?
Yes, the iPhone X still enjoys solid software support and is likely to continue receiving updates for the foreseeable future, making it a good long-term investment if you value timely security patches and new features.
7. Price: Is It Worth the Money Today?
Given that the iPhone X is no longer in production, finding one brand new may be difficult, though refurbished or pre-owned models are readily available. The price for a used iPhone X varies depending on its condition, but you can typically expect to pay around $200 to $300 for a well-maintained unit.
When comparing this to the prices of newer iPhones, the iPhone X offers good value for those who want a solid smartphone without breaking the bank. That said, if you’re willing to spend a little more, you might be able to get a model with better performance, camera capabilities, and battery life.
Still Good?
Yes, if you’re on a budget and don’t mind a slightly older model, the iPhone X still offers great value for the price. However, for those seeking cutting-edge technology and longevity, newer models like the iPhone 12 or iPhone 13 may be better options.
Conclusion: Is the iPhone X Still Good?
In conclusion, the iPhone X is still a solid choice for those seeking a high-quality, budget-friendly smartphone. It delivers a premium design, a reliable camera, fast performance for everyday tasks, and Face ID — all of which still hold up well today. However, it is important to consider the trade-offs, especially in terms of battery life, performance, and camera capabilities, which have been surpassed by newer iPhone models.
If you’re looking for the most cutting-edge features, it’s worth considering a more recent iPhone. But if you can find an iPhone X at a good price and don’t mind some compromises, it remains a fantastic phone that offers a great user experience in 2025.
