Whether you are an Android, or iPhone fan, the iPhone X almost encapsulates Steve Job’s ideal image of an all-screen phone as he envisioned a sole piece of glass in a user’s hand. Notably, the iPhone X marks the tenth anniversary of the iPhone. The X strives to replicate the feeling of innovation that Apple fans have missed over the past few years. However, this innovation comes with a hefty price tag as the cheapest model costs $999.

Of all the improvements made from last year’s iPhone, the iPhone 7, the iPhone X boasts a front facing screen with almost no bezels, making it over 90% screen. Global critics, however, accuse Apple of not innovating, but rather, imitating. Many cite the Samsung Galaxy S8 for being the first phone to be almost fully-screen on its front, due to the fact that it debuted seven months before the X. The company has not commented on any similarities, though some believe that Apple, feeling the heat of the new S8, chose to copy Samsung. Nihal Kurki ‘20 reflects that “since Apple purchased the iPhone X’s OLED screen from Samsung, Apple has blatantly copied Samsung.” An OLED screen gives the new iPhone X better color display, such as deeper blacks. Kurki suggests that many critics point out the irony of Apple buying its screens from their largest competitor. The iPhone X also has face recognition, or the ability to unlock a phone by showing your face to the camera, a feature also released with the Galaxy S8. Wireless and fast charging features introduced to the iPhone X closely mirror the S8 model.

Controversy over Apple’s alleged copying aside, there are many other features and improvements from the iPhone 8 (released September 2017) to the iPhoneX. The screen spans 5.65 inches, with a fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating, and super retina HD display. Apple’s newest Iphone also boasts Apple’s 3D touch, a piece of technology that allows for faster access to features within apps, which Samsung has yet to integrate into their phones. The phone also has Apple’s best processor: the A11 chip. This chip allows for the phone to have a battery for two more hours than that of the iPhone 7.

Some critics of the iPhone X also point out features that it lacks. Similar to Apple’s most recent models, the X does not have a headphone jack. This clearly indicates that Apple will not be returning to the headphone jack, despite the uproar that occurred over its disappearance one year ago. Anjini Mathur ‘18 comments that “the lack of a headphone jack in the recent iPhone models directly causes a lifestyle change for most people. For example, almost all cars are optimized to work with the headphone jack, including the auxiliary cord.” Sentiments such as these specifically display how the cell phone industry continues to become more and more polarized. Whether one believes that the iPhone X innovates, imitates, or neither, one thing is certain; as technology pushes forward, not all people will be pleased.