5 Reasons Why the iPhone X Is Still a Great Buy in 2023

You might remember some of the mania surrounding the iPhone X when it launched. It was such a giant leap forward that Apple skipped the iPhone 9 completely, going straight from the iPhone 8 to the iPhone X.

Although the iPhone X is several years old, it’s still a great device, especially if you’re on a tight budget but looking for an iPhone that still looks and feels modern.

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The iPhone X was the phone to get when it debuted in 2017, and there are many reasons why you might still want to pick one up today.

1. It’s Super Affordable

When it launched back in 2017, the iPhone X made headlines for being the first $1,000 flagship phone from Apple. These days we’re used to seeing $1,000 phones, and a few phones are even cutting it close to $2,000, like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4. But when the iPhone X launched, the sticker shock was real.

Thankfully, these days you can pick up the iPhone X for a lot less. Apple stopped selling the iPhone X in 2018, and you won’t find it new from any carriers anymore, but you can pick one up on the second-hand market for $250 or even less. Buying an iPhone X now means getting a sweet deal on a phone that once broke the bank.

2. It Can Run iOS 16

One thing people love about Apple is that it has dedicated to supporting older iPhones for the long haul. And despite its age, the iPhone X can still handle Apple’s latest software, iOS 16. But you should remember that the iPhone X came out several years ago, so it might only be supported for one or two more iOS versions.

While you can take advantage of many great hidden features in iOS 16, your experience with the iPhone X won’t be as snappy as the latest iPhones. The A11 Bionic processor inside the iPhone X was a beast when it was new, but it isn’t the powerhouse it used to be.

You might feel the phone slow down if you’ve got too many apps open or while running a graphically intensive game like Genshin Impact or Apex Legends Mobile.

3. The iPhone X’s Design Is Still Modern in 2022

Although Apple has evolved the design of the iPhone since the iPhone X came out, the phone still manages to look and feel modern. The iPhone X was the first all-screen iPhone, the first iPhone to ditch the Home button, and it was the device that introduced us to the now infamous iPhone notch.

To be fair, Apple has made some changes to the design since the iPhone X’s inception. With the release of the iPhone 12, the iPhone’s screen size grew slightly, from 5.8 inches to 6.1 inches, and the phone’s edges went from rounded to the flat, squared-off design we have today. With the iPhone 13, the iPhone got a little thicker and heavier, and we finally got a slightly smaller notch.

Even though the iPhone 14 Pro evolved the notch into the Dynamic Island, many people aren’t sure if Dynamic Island is worth the extra cost. And don’t forget that the base iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus still have notches. That means the iPhone X doesn’t look out of place, even among Apple’s latest iPhone lineup.

4. It Has a Dual-Lens Camera

Although the iPhone X is no longer the king of cameras, its dual-lens setup is more than enough for most mobile photographers. The iPhone X packs a 12MP camera with a dedicated telephoto lens. Having that extra lens means you can zoom into your photos without sacrificing image quality.

The iPhone X is also great for shooting video; you even capture 4K video at 60 frames per second. Of course, in the years since the iPhone X’s release, Apple has made improvements to its iPhone camera tech.

Newer iPhones have much larger sensors that can take in more light, pack macro lenses, and have optical image stabilization. But while these features are nice to have, you can still take great photos without them. And although the iPhone 14 Pro has an impressive 48MP camera sensor, the base iPhone 14s still only packs 12MP cameras, just like the iPhone X.

5. It’s a Great Backup Phone

Even if you have the latest iPhone, it’s always a good idea to have a backup handy. Losing your phone while traveling can be a surefire way to make a trip unforgettable for the wrong reasons.

Not only did you lose an expensive device, but not having access to your phone can mean losing your plane tickets and itineraries and access to your bank accounts or credit cards. Plus, contacting someone to get the help you need becomes difficult.

A backup phone can be a great insurance policy when things don’t go to plan. And picking up an iPhone X as a backup phone means getting more peace of mind whether you’re at home or on the other side of the world.

Getting an extra phone can also be a great way to separate your work life from your personal life. iOS features like Do Not Disturb and Focus can help you get some of your time back, but there’s nothing better than a good old-fashioned work phone. Having a separate work device means when you clock out, so does your phone.

The iPhone X Is Still Worth Buying in 2023

If you’re looking for an iPhone with a modern design, great features, and an attractive price, the iPhone X might be right for you. Buying an iPhone X in 2023 means getting an iPhone without bezels, a camera that’s no slouch, and the latest version of iOS.

Even the latest iPhones are still an evolution of the design that debuted on the iPhone X. Plus, in many ways, the base iPhone 14 still feels remarkably similar to the iPhone X. The iPhone X blew people’s minds when it was new, but it can still be a great phone today.