📱 G.O.A.T. Smartphone #5: iPhone X – The Bold Leap Into the Future

In 2017, Apple did something radical — it killed the home button. The iPhone X, launched to mark the 10th anniversary of the iPhone, wasn't just an upgrade — it was a bold reinvention of everything users had grown accustomed to.
It wasn’t the first bezel-less phone, but it was the first to make the future feel inevitable.

🔹 Launched by Apple Inc.

Unveiled in September 2017, the iPhone X was Apple’s most daring product since the original iPhone. It was a visual and functional revolution — featuring an all-screen front, no Touch ID, and a completely new gesture-based UI.

The world watched in awe as Apple made a $999 smartphone desirable and iconic.

🔹 Total Units Sold

Despite its high price point, the iPhone X sold over 63 million units globally. It was an instant best-seller, proving that users were ready to embrace bold innovation when paired with Apple’s design language and user experience.

🔹 Signature Features

The iPhone X was packed with innovations that would shape the next generation of smartphones:

• Super Retina OLED Display – Apple’s first OLED screen with vibrant contrast and HDR

• Face ID – Secure facial recognition using TrueDepth camera

• Animoji – Real-time emoji animation using facial tracking

• A11 Bionic Chip – Neural engine designed for AI tasks and Face ID

• No Home Button – Entirely gesture-based navigation

• Surgical-Grade Stainless Steel Frame – Premium, durable construction

The notch might have been polarizing, but it was a symbol of Apple’s boldness.

🔹 Industry Impact

The iPhone X did more than change Apple’s roadmap — it changed the industry:

• Triggered the bezel-less phone race

• Made Face ID the new gold standard of mobile security

• Ended the era of fingerprint sensors on the front

• Introduced a gesture-based UI later adopted by Android

In short, it was the template for the next decade of smartphone design.

🔹 Longevity & Updates

The iPhone X launched with iOS 11 and continues to receive updates as of iOS 17 in 2025. It remains usable, responsive, and stylish even eight years later — showcasing Apple’s commitment to long-term value.

🔹 Fan Following & Community

The iPhone X was love at first swipe. Its design, performance, and elegance earned it a cult following. For many users, it was the perfect iPhone — the one that looked and felt futuristic, without being too far ahead of its time.

It is still widely used today and often praised in retrospectives by reviewers and enthusiasts alike.

🔹 Awards & Recognition

• TIME Magazine: Listed in Best Inventions of 2017

• DisplayMate: Rated it the best smartphone display of its time

• Tech reviewers across the globe hailed it as “the most advanced iPhone ever made”

🔹 Resale & Vintage Value

• Launch Price: ₹89,000 (64GB) in India / $999 globally

• Resale Price Today: ₹20,000–₹35,000 depending on condition

• Considered a collectible due to its milestone status and premium design

🔹 Memorable Campaign / Tagline

"Say hello to the future."

This wasn’t just marketing. The iPhone X genuinely introduced a new way to interact with a smartphone — face-first, edge-to-edge, and completely touch-driven.

🔹 Why It’s a G.O.A.T.

The iPhone X was the bridge between the past and the future. It honored the original iPhone while reinventing how we use phones in a world dominated by facial recognition, AI, and full-screen experiences.

It was Apple at its boldest — and the industry followed.

✨ Inspiring Conclusion

The iPhone X proved that courage in design pays off. It’s remembered not only for removing a button but for pressing all the right ones — in the minds and hearts of users. As we move further into AI and AR, the iPhone X stands as the launchpad of the next era.

In the world of smartphones, it wasn’t just a product — it was a bold leap into the future.