Phone reference · for Omi & everyday use
Apple's 2017 flagship — the first all-screen, Face-ID iPhone. Nearly a decade on, it's a capable, cheap second-hand phone, and it still runs the Omi app. Here's the complete picture.
The iPhone X (said "iPhone ten") launched in November 2017 as Apple's 10th-anniversary phone. It dropped the home button and Touch ID, introduced Face ID and the notch, and was the first iPhone with an OLED screen. It's powered by the A11 Bionic, which is still quick enough for messaging, calls, maps, photos and single apps like Omi.
It's a sensible pick when you want a small, familiar iPhone on a budget — exactly the role it plays here: a phone to run the Omi memory wearable.
| General | |
| Announced | 12 September 2017 · on sale 3 November 2017 |
| Colors | Silver, Space Gray |
| Storage | 64 GB or 256 GB (not expandable) |
| Launch price (2017) | $999 (64 GB) · $1,149 (256 GB) — Apple's first $1,000 iPhone |
| Dimensions | 143.6 × 70.9 × 7.7 mm · 174 g |
| Display | |
| Screen | 5.8-inch Super Retina OLED |
| Resolution | 2436 × 1125 pixels (458 ppi) |
| Features | HDR10, True Tone, 3D Touch, 625 nits |
| Performance | |
| Chip | Apple A11 Bionic (hexa-core) + M11 motion |
| RAM | 3 GB |
| Cameras | |
| Rear | Dual 12 MP — wide (ƒ/1.8) + telephoto (ƒ/2.4), both OIS; 2× optical zoom; Portrait mode & Portrait Lighting |
| Video | 4K up to 60 fps; 1080p slo-mo 240 fps |
| Front | 7 MP TrueDepth (ƒ/2.2) — powers Face ID, Portrait selfies, Animoji |
| Security & unlock | |
| Biometrics | Face ID (no Touch ID, no home button) |
| Battery & charging | |
| Battery | 2716 mAh (sealed, not user-replaceable) |
| Charging | Lightning · Qi wireless · fast charge (50% in ~30 min with 18W+) |
| Durability | |
| Water/dust | IP67 — up to 1 m for 30 min (surface-mounted glass front & back) |
| Software | |
| Shipped with | iOS 11 |
| Maximum iOS | iOS 16.7.x (cannot run iOS 17 or later) |
| Connectivity | |
| Cellular | 4G LTE (no 5G) |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) · Bluetooth 5.0 · NFC · GPS |
| Ports / audio | Lightning only — no headphone jack |
The iPhone X was the first iPhone you unlock just by looking at it. There's no home button and no fingerprint reader — you swipe up from the bottom to go home, and Face ID handles unlocking, Apple Pay and password autofill. For an older user it takes a short adjustment, but once set up it's genuinely simpler: look at the phone, and you're in.
The iPhone X is rated IP67 on its own — it survives being dropped in water up to 1 metre for 30 minutes. That covers rain, spills and a quick dunk, but it is water-resistant, not waterproof, and the seal weakens as the phone ages.
If it'll be near pools, showers, boats or heavy weather, add a dedicated case:
Best made — Catalyst Waterproof Case for iPhone X. The premium choice: IP68 to 10 m (33 ft) plus MIL-STD drop protection, with a responsive screen cover that keeps Face ID and the touchscreen working.
Catalyst case on Amazon →Runner-up: the LifeProof FRE (OtterBox) — IP68 to 2 m for an hour. Both are discontinued-era products, so new stock is limited; if neither is in stock, look for new-old-stock on eBay, or use a premium universal IPX8 pouch (JOTO / Hiearcool). Always water-test an empty case before trusting it with the phone.
The iPhone X tops out at iOS 16.7 — it can't install iOS 17 or newer. Apple still issues occasional security patches for iOS 16, but it no longer gets new features. In practice: everyday apps (messages, calls, maps, browser, camera, Omi) run fine; a few brand-new apps that demand iOS 17+ won't install. Keep it on the latest 16.7.x for the best security.
Used iPhone X prices have settled low. Recent sold listings average roughly $90–$130 (64 GB around $90–$95; 256 GB around $125–$130), with trade-in offers as low as $45–$70. A genuinely mint or boxed unit sits at the very top of that range — realistic completed sales for even like-new examples land around $150–$200, not more.
Ignore the "brand new $700+" figures a few price sites show — those come from a handful of inflated or mispriced listings, not real sales. For an accurate read on a mint one, check eBay "Sold" listings; completed sales are the only reliable gauge.
The iPhone X has a sealed 2716 mAh battery, and after ~9 years even an unused unit degrades from calendar aging — expect shorter runtime, and on a long-dead phone some warmth on its first charge. Check Settings → Battery → Battery Health & Charging → Maximum Capacity; under ~80% (or a "Service" message) means it's time for a new cell.
Apple marked the iPhone X obsolete in August 2026, so Apple and authorized providers no longer service it. The replacement routes now:
Safety: for a first charge of a long-idle phone, use a basic 5W charger and don't use it while charging. If it ever gets very hot, drains instantly, or the back glass bulges, stop charging and don't leave it unattended — a swollen battery is the one real hazard.
Good news for memory-wearable use — the iPhone X is a fully supported phone for Omi:
Setup: update the phone to the latest iOS 16.7.x, install the Omi app, sign in, then pair the charged pendant over Bluetooth. See our Omi setup guide →
Bottom line: for a dedicated, affordable phone to run the Omi memory wearable, the iPhone X is a smart choice — just put it on the latest iOS 16.7, consider a fresh battery if it's well-used, and protect it with a case.