Face ID on the iPhone X is a backwards step in usability

[Redaktion]

First impression: Face ID is undoubtedly a sophisticated piece of technology. However, it is fails to offer a better user experience than Touch ID as a method of authentication — even if it is theoretically more secure.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Face-ID-on-the-iPhone-X-is-a-backwards-step-in-usability.264306.0.html

[Puppy]

See, Lumia 950 iris scanner is still a winner.

[Vinh]

Theoretically more secure? Based on the information from a company trying to sell people their product?
Face recognition is not a theoretically proven authentication way as finger print, that's why there have been so many cases that have broken Face ID right after it was released.

[Johnny Teardrop]

When I see people complain about Face ID and the lack of the button I feel like either I or they are taking crazy pills. It took me seriously 10 seconds to get use to not having a home button. Swiping up up to unlock feels completely natural and I love, love love the demise of the home button.

Unlike the author, Face ID "just works" for me. In different lighting and angles I'm usually not even cognizant of its existence, I'm just swiping up to access my home screen. Conversely the home button had started to become an endless irrantant with the thumb print not working half the time or accidental double/triple clicks that took me to an unwanted Apple Pay or accessibility menu.

Granted I was on the 6 plus and ios11 just chopped the legs off it, delaying reaction (or frozen screen) leading to more those multiple clicks. Even befor that though I hated having to use a physical button when 80% of the action was happening on the screen. Admittedly I don't do the "phone flat on table notification check". I just pick my phone up. If I did I'd invest in a 5 dollar stand to sit next to my computer so that the Face ID could do its thing while making the whole experience easier, home button or not.

The iPhone X is a home run for me. It really is the future as far as I'm concerned. Does anyone really use Apple Pay THAT MUCH that looking at their phone is a problem? I feel like people don't like change is the problem.

Lastly, I don't know what phones the author has been using but Apple has repeatedly forced consumers to change their behavior to the phone, usually for the better.