Apple’s ‘perfect 10’ is the most radical iphone yet

Twenty years ago, Apple’s slogan was ‘Think different’ – who knew it would be so appropriate two decades down the line? The new X is the biggest shake-up an iphone’s ever seen. It ditches the home button, bins the bezels and uses a face-scan to unlock instead of your fingers.

These changes aren’t just for show, though. They completely transform the way the iphone works, basically forcing you to forget a decade of muscle memory for swipes, taps and gestures. That might sound like a big ask, but it’s worth the effort: the X might not be without a few quirks, but it’s comfortably the best iphone to date.

By letting go of long-standing features such as a physical home button, Apple has modernised the iphone’s ageing design. The X has the best screen of any iphone and it looks the part too – even with that notch. It takes superb photos (if not quite as natural or detailed as Google’s algorithm-assisted Pixel 2 XL) and Faceid actually works. Most of the time.

Tear yourself away from the Animoji talking poos and you’ll notice other subtle features such as wireless charging and a wickedly fast processor. The X is seriously expensive, but it’s not like that ever put anyone off buying an Apple device before.

If you want the best phone running IOS, you’re going to have to find the cash. For everyone not handcuffed to Apple, it’s just short of being an S8-beater.