After much anticipation, the iPhone X has officially been released. Apple has taken a huge leap with the new iPhone and, with that, comes a lot of fundamental changes. Most notably, the home button and fingerprint sensor are gone as well as the headphone jack, replaced with a new system of button combinations, gestures, and face recognition.

What is the iPhone X?

The iPhone X is Apple’s 10th anniversary iPhone. The new phone takes its technology up a notch. The design is simple: a full screen experience. Apple ditched the home button and its LED screen and gives the new phone a screen with high brightness and impressive colors. The all-new design also includes both a front and back with glass, said to be “the most durable glass ever in a smartphone,” and a steel band that wraps around the iPhone for a polished look that is both sharp and durable. As well as all of the new design aspects, the iPhone is resistant towards water, splashes, and dust.

How is it different from the iPhone 8 or any of the other iPhones?

The two iPhones are visibly quite different. The iPhone 8 has the traditional iPhone features, including the home button and fingerprint sensor, while the iPhone X has a full screen experience and an all-glass surface. Internally, the two deliver similar performances. For example, Apple claims the iPhone X can last “up to 2 hours longer than the iPhone 7,” and while these claims are not confirmed by users, the Apple page shows that the extra battery life is most effective in talk time and audio playback. The two phones have shown a relatively similar performance comparatively but have both taken a jump from the previous Apple smartphones.

What is Face Recognition?

With the new iPhone X, your face is now your password. This has brought a lot of speculation throughout the tech world as Samsung’s attempt at facial recognition wasn’t exactly what everyone had hoped. The bionic chip in combination with the iPhone X’s new front sensors can accurately map out the user’s face, which means it should be both reliable and hard to trick. The sensors also have a feature that grows with you. Apple claims that it will be able to recognize, for example, when a user has sunglasses on or will slowly develop as your hair grows or you grow a beard. This is in part because of the 3D aspect of the sensors–as well as the hundreds sensors mapping out your face. The Face ID will also come into play not only in unlocking your iPhone, but will also keep the screen lit while a face is in front of it and will also be used for Apple Pay. Only time will tell us how successful this aspect of the iPhone will be, but Apple does promise that it will not collect any of the facial data it recieves and it will remain on the phone.

What is Wireless charging?

One of Apple’s goals is to create a completely wireless device. They are one step closer with implementing a wireless charging aspect for both the iPhone 8/8 Plus as well as the iPhone X. The AirPower mat can charge up to three devices, including the Apple AirPods, Apple Watch, and latest iPhones. The iPhone X also works with all Qi chargers which are commonly found in hotels, cafes, and airports.

What have been the reviews so far, and should I invest in the new iPhone?

The iPhone X is Apple’s biggest design advancement since the original iPhone launch in 2007 and the price is what is holding Apple users back more than anything. The iPhone X starts at $999 while the iPhone 8 is $300 cheaper at $699. With all of the new updates, the iPhone 8 still provides virtually the same performance–namely photography and battery life–but lacks Face ID. Recent reviews for the iPhone have said that although the performance is impressive, without a case on the new smartphone, it has a high likelihood that it will shatter. While this won’t be a huge issue for the many that use a case, it still may be a concern for any new buyers.

This all boils down to one question: How much are you willing to spend for the new design?