On November 3, 2017, Apple released the newest iPhone X, two weeks after releasing the iPhone 8.  The iPhone X has an all-new exterior design with no home button, redesigned camera, and its next big feature: Face ID. With previous iPhones, when you unlocked your phone, you either put in a password or used the fingerprint-sensing touch ID on the home button. Now, the iPhone X can identify your face and uses its data as a password for your phone. Its new camera lens is able to memorize the proportions of your face and unlock your phone on “sight”.

There are many benefits and disadvantages to this new Face ID. One benefit of having the feature is that only your face can unlock your phone. Now you can access your phone faster just by looking at your phone instead of placing your thumb on the home button several times or having to type out your password. It can also be beneficial for people with memory loss and those who can’t remember their passwords, or those with diseases such as Parkinsons, where they aren’t physically able to type their password. Overall though, it seems like it’s not really a necessity, but just an extra luxury.

Now, looking at some issues with the Face ID. The feature could react differently if slight or major facial changes occur. For example, if you originally wore glasses and now you wear contacts, will that affect unlocking your phone? If a person wears makeup, or gets really tan throughout the summer, how will that affect unlocking their phone? Apple has said that the Face ID measures the proportions and major features of your face and uses them to unlock your phone. But if a son looks just like his mom, or twins are identical, would they be able to access their relatives’ phones? Apple also states that the Face ID works really well in the dark, but how will being outside in the sun affect accessing your phone? That being said, everyone will have their own personal opinions and issues with the new iPhone X Face ID, and they can decide for themselves whether or not it’s really worth it.