The iPhone 8 may not be what you expect it to be. Tomorrow, we may all be talking about iPhone X, the presumptive chart-topping handset in Apple’s mobile line-up. And thanks to firmware leaks, the world may even be privy to iPhone X specs and features.
Indeed, it’s starting to look like there are no surprises left. After the leak of the HomePod firmware back in August, 9to5Mac has now gotten its hands on iOS 11 GM, better known as the final build before the system is released to the public.
And there’s lots to unpack inside. In addition to confirming basically everything that was in the HomePod firmware, we’ve also learned a few new things about the next iPhone, and the picture of the new device has never been clearer. We even know the name. So we’re here to answer all of your questions about the new iPhone X.
So iPhone 8 is now called iPhone X?
One of the biggest questions we’ve had about the next iPhone has been what’s Apple going to call it. First it was the iPhone 8, then the iPhone Pro, then iPhone 8 again, then iPhone Edition. And now it appears as though they were all wrong. As evidenced by references in the iOS 11 code spotted by developer Steve Troughton-Smith, Apple’s new phone will actually be called iPhone X.
Why X? Well, we won’t know for sure until we hear it from Apple, but presumably it’s a reference to 2017 being the tenth anniversary of the handset. Remember, Apple shifted away from the ‘X’ branding last year in macOS Sierra, so there won’t be any confusion with the desktop. And besides, X is a super-cool letter.
Will there still be an iPhone 8?
Rumours say that Apple will be releasing an iPhone 8 and 8 Plus alongside the iPhone X, so it isn’t abandoning the old naming scheme altogether. The iPhone X is more like a special edition model like the iPhone SE or iPhone C.
But what about iPhone 9?
Hung up on names much? It all depends on what Apple plans to do with the lineup going forward, but remember, Microsoft jumped from Windows 8 to 10, so apparently tech companies just don’t like the number nine.
What does the iPhone X look like?
While nearly everything about the iPhone X will be different, all everyone will be talking about is the design. While we haven’t seen it in the flesh just yet (and please don’t count the dummy models made by case makers), identical icons inside the HomePod firmware and iOS 11 GM suggest it will be radically different from any iPhone that came before.
The iPhone X is presumed to feature a completely bezel-less, all-screen design, with a thin notch at the top (for the camera and other sensors) that juts into the top of the screen. It will likely be 5.8 inches, but with a significantly smaller form factor than the iPhone 7 Plus. With so much screen, you can say goodbye to the home button, a move that is sure to ruffle some feathers.
Elsewhere, the layout of the phone will be similar, with a power button on the right side (though it looks to be a bit longer than the iPhone 7’s) and volume buttons on the left, along with a dual camera on the back. This time, however, the camera array will likely be arranged vertically in the top left corner rather than horizontally.
The iPhone X, as revealed by the iOS 11 GM
What colours will iPhone X come in?
As far as colours go, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says iPhone X will come in three: silver, black, and a new coppery blush gold. Of note, he also says the front of the device will be black across all three colours, marking the first time Apple hasn’t offered a model of iPhone in white since the iPhone 3GS.
What about the iPhone X display?
Reliable reports say iPhone X will be Apple’s first OLED iPhone, meaning that each pixel directly produces light rather than being backlit like an LCD display. As we’ve seen in Android phones from Samsung, Google, and others, OLED colours are more vibrant with deeper blacks, greater brightness and superb contrast. In case you’ve never seen a Galaxy phone, you can see the benefits of OLED on the Apple Watch screen.
There are also battery benefits. With OLED screens, black pixels don’t produce any light, so the phone actually conserves energy by using dark colours. One drawback, however, might be supply. OLED screens are more difficult to manufacture, and Apple is going to need a lot of them. Recent rumours suggest there may be a long wait before the iPhone X gets into customers’ hands.
But it will likely be worth it. Along with OLED, 9to5Mac reports that the iOS 11 code references a True Tone display like the one in the iPad, which would make the iPhone X easy on the eyes.
Won’t the iPhone X camera notch get in the way of apps?
While the notch will jut into a significant portion of the top of the screen, based on analysis of the iOS 11 GM, it won’t actually affect useable space. Developer Steve Troughton-Smith has unearthed some interesting things about the status bar, which will split itself into two equal parts, with the time to the left of the notch and the cellular signal, Wi-Fi, and battery indicators to the right (no word on if Bluetooth or Location are going away).
So, while the background colour and image might extend to the top of the screen, it’s really just for looks. All useable space will be below the notch, including the ‘back’ button. However, while it would take some getting used to, the status bar might be more useful on the iPhone X. Troughton-Smith notes that developers will be “interactive,” and Apple will be using it to add activity indicators for things like recording and phone calls replacing the current method that adds a strip at the top of the screen.
The iPhone X status bar will be split and super-charged
How will the notch work in landscape mode?
It’s unclear, but presumably the screen will orient itself just short of the notch.
How will I use Touch ID without a home button?
Good question. According to the leaks, Apple will be dumping Touch ID in the iPhone X for a new system called FaceID.
What’s Face ID?
Face ID is the likely name of Apple’s new biometric system for unlocking and payments on the iPhone X. It will likely use a new 3D camera for accurate and secure scanning. In the iOS 11 GM, developer Guilherme Rambo found the full Face ID setup process, complete with toggles for using it to unlock, pay, and autofill; a screen that describes how it works; and authentication animation. Mark Gurman of Business Insider says the system will be “quicker, more secure, and more accurate” than Touch ID.
The iOS 11 GM shows how Face ID will be set up on the iPhone X
So I won’t be able to use my fingerprint to unlock my iPhone X?
Unless Apple is hiding something big – like under-the-display fingerprint authentication – then no, you won’t be able to unlock iPhone X with your finger.
So, how will I get back to the home screen?
iPhone X should feature a new navigation system, so there will be a learning curve. Instead of tapping the home button to get back to the home screen, 9to5Mac has confirmed that there will a new navigation bar on the bottom of the iPhone screen. Pulling up from the button of the screen will now bring you back to the home screen, and a longer pull will bring up the new app switcher-Control Center combo.
The iOS 11 GM (left) shows a new nav bar on the bottom of the screen. The images at the right show how the new dock and navigation bar will likely look on the iPhone X
How will I access Siri on iPhone X?
In addition to ‘Hey Siri,’ Guilherme Rambo discovered a new method of summoning Siri by holding the sleep/wake button.
What chip will the iPhone X have?
As expected, 9to5Mac is reporting that the iPhone X will rock the A11 Fusion chip, which promises to be a good deal faster than the iPhone 7’s A10 and the iPad Pro’s A10X. According to the site’s evaluation of the iOS 11 code, the new chip will be Apple’s first septa-core silicon, with “four high performance ‘Mistral’ cores and two battery efficient ‘Monsson’ cores.” The code also indicates that the iPhone X will have 3Gb of RAM.
What are iPhone X camera features?
Based on renders shared on Twitter, it’s all but certain that the iPhone X will sport a dual camera aligned vertically, but we don’t know if it will be better than the iPhone 7 Plus’ dual 12MP wide-angle and telephoto cameras. Fast Company has also reported that the new iPhone will feature a 3D laser system on the main camera to aid with augmented reality applications.
The biggest clues we’ve gotten come from the iOS 11 GM. According to 9to5Mac, there will be a new Portrait Lighting feature to go along with the wide-aperture Portrait Model that presumably uses the flash to adjust lighting. The settings the site found are Contour Light, Natural Light, Stage Light, Stage Light Mono, and Studio Light. Additionally, the camera will be able to record 4K video at 60 frames per second (up from 30fps on the iPhone 7) and 1080p HD at 240fps (up from 60fps).
The iPhone X will likely sport a vertical dual camera
Are there any cool iPhone X-only features?
The most interesting feature 9to5Mac has unearthed in the iOS 11 GM is called Animoji, and it seems as though it will be exclusive to iPhone X. According to the code, users will be able to create “custom animated messages that use your voice and reflect your facial expressions” using the iPhone X’s 3D camera to analyse the movement of your face and apply your expression to your emoji of choice. So if you’ve ever wanted to send a poop emoji that is animated with your personality, you might need to get an iPhone X.
What about iPhone X storage?
We don’t know for sure, but rumours have suggested that the iPhone X will start at 64Gb of storage, with 128Gb and 256Gb options.
What about the iPhone X battery?
We’ve heard nothing about the battery. In the iPhone X, but we’re willing to bet it will last at least as long as the iPhone 7 Plus. IFixit’s teardown revealed that the iPhone 7 Plus has a 2,900mAh, so the iPhone X will likely cross the 3,000mAh threshhold.
Will iPhone X support wireless charging?
Most likely, yes. References from the HomePod firmware suggest that the iPhone X will support wireless charging, but it’s unclear if it will work with third-party chargers. Likely not.
How much is the iPhone X going to cost?
The New York Times reported that the iPhone X will start at $999, but some reports have the upper end topping $1,200.
Will AirPods be included in the iPhone X box?
That would be nice, but we doubt it. The iPhone X will presumably come with the same Lightning EarPods and 3.5mm dongle in the iPhone 7 box. However, there will likely be a new model of AirPods coming, as evidenced by an animated GIF hidden in the iOS 11 GM code.
What is the iPhone X release date?
We’ll know more Tuesday, but assuming Apple follows the same schedule as prior years, preorders will start Friday. However, the design and OLED display could lead to massive supply shortfalls.
IDG News Service
Subscribers 0
Fans 0
Followers 0
Followers