The iPhone X officially came out on November 3, 2017, following a high-profile announcement on September 12, 2017, at the Steve Jobs Theater. Apple skipped the number nine entirely, naming their flagship device with the Roman numeral "X" to mark the tenth anniversary of the original iPhone lineup.
If you're hunting for information on when this device dropped, you're likely looking back at a major turning point in mobile technology or researching vintage smartphone timelines. Apple changed its design philosophy with this release, dropping the physical Home button and introducing the iconic display notch. Let's break down the actual timeline, the tech specifications that defined it, and how it shifted the smartphone market.
The 2017 Launch Timeline
Apple announced the iPhone X alongside the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus during their annual autumn keynote event. While the iPhone 8 models hit shelves quickly, the tenth-anniversary edition faced production bottlenecks due to its complex TrueDepth camera array and organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display panels.
Pre-orders officially opened on October 27, 2017. Eager buyers faced immediate shipping delays as demand heavily outpaced initial stock. Global retail stores opened their doors for standard sales on November 3, 2017, commanding a starting price of $999 USD for the base 64GB model.
Why Apple Skipped iPhone 9
Naming conventions rarely cause confusion unless a company breaks its own pattern. Apple chose "X" (pronounced "ten") rather than "nine" to signify a decade of mobile development.
The company released the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus concurrently, which served as direct evolutionary steps from the iPhone 7. The iPhone X represented an entirely separate tier of engineering. It tested consumer willingness to pay four figures for a pocket computer, a pricing strategy that reshaped industry standards across competing manufacturers like Samsung and Google.
Defining Hardware Features
The device introduced hardware changes that dictated design trends for the next decade.
- Super Retina OLED Display: It was the first phone from the brand to ditch LCD panels in favor of a 5.8-inch OLED screen, delivering deeper blacks and a million-to-one contrast ratio.
- Face ID: Apple removed the Touch ID fingerprint sensor, replacing biometric security with a facial mapping system housed in the top screen cutout.
- Glass Back and Wireless Charging: The stainless steel frame sandwiched durable glass panels, enabling Qi-certified wireless charging for the first time.
- A11 Bionic Chip: Powered by Apple's custom silicon, the processor included a dedicated neural engine built to handle machine learning tasks and real-time facial tracking.
You can read archived hardware breakdowns directly on Apple Support. For broader historical context on mobile evolution, check out records maintained by The Verge.
Product Lifecycle and Support Window
Apple kept the anniversary flagship in its active lineup for less than a year. Following the introduction of the iPhone XS and iPhone XR, the company officially discontinued the device on September 12, 2018.
Software support lasted for several years, though hardware limitations eventually caught up. Because of its specific processor architecture, the phone stopped receiving major operating system upgrades after iOS 16, missing out on iOS 17 and subsequent software generations.
Common Misconceptions About the Launch
Many casual tech observers misremember the release sequence. A frequent mix-up involves assuming the iPhone X launched in 2018 alongside its direct successors. In reality, the one-year gap between the base model's debut and its discontinuation means it had a surprisingly short retail run.
Another common point of confusion centers on pricing. While $999 felt shocking in 2017, it established the baseline cost for modern flagship smartphones. Today, pro-tier devices regularly push past the $1,200 threshold.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did the iPhone X cost at launch?
The base model with 64GB of storage retailed for $999 USD. The larger 256GB storage tier cost $1,149 USD before taxes and carrier fees.
Is the iPhone X still supported with software updates?
No. The device stopped receiving major iOS feature updates after iOS 16, though it occasionally receives critical security patches depending on active support cycles.
What replaced the iPhone X?
Apple replaced it directly in 2018 with the iPhone XS, which retained the same form factor while upgrading the internal processor and camera systems.
Did the iPhone X have a headphone jack?
Like the iPhone 7 and 8 before it, this model omitted the traditional 3.5mm headphone jack, relying entirely on the Lightning port and wireless Bluetooth audio.
