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Some Smartphone Salesmen Aren't Sold on the iPhone X (cnet.com)

A CNET reporter visited four carrier stores to ask their salesmen if they'd recommend an iPhone X. But after visiting stores for Sprint, T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon, "I couldn't even find a salesperson to tell me it was the best iPhone I could buy." So he finally tried asking three salesmen at Apple Stores -- and still got equivocal answers. An anonymous reader quotes CNET's report: "Well, it depends on what you like," the salesman said, somewhat coyly. "The biggest problem I have with it is using Face ID for Apple Pay. You really have to put the phone at a certain angle or it doesn't work." He started with a problem. I was already suspicious. I was in something of a hurry, but I asked him: "So are you selling a lot more of these than other phones?"

He turned into a high-ranking member of a political party. "All our phones sell well," he said. Which sounded not entirely reassuring. Indeed, it sounded like a "no."

Chatting next with an Apple store "Genius" (who was testing his iPhone 6), CNET's reporter was told that "The X and the 8 are the same phone... Inside, I mean. With the X, you're just paying the extra money for the design." Unfortunately, that salesman's $999 iPhone X was wrapped in an ugly pink case, because after four weeks he'd already cracked it. And a third Apple salesman -- who touted the glories of an OLED screen -- also kept his iPhone X in a case at all times "It's glass," he explained. "You'll definitely need a case."

"But what about not being able to see the lovely phone?"

"Get a see-through case," he replied with a smile.

5 of 230 comments (clear)

  1. Obligatory Dilbert by DontBeAMoran · · Score: 5, Funny

    And a third Apple salesman -- who touted the glories of an OLED screen -- also kept his iPhone X in a case at all times "It's glass," he explained. "You'll definitely need a case."

    "But what about not being able to see the lovely phone?"

    "Get a see-through case," he replied with a smile.

    http://dilbert.com/strip/2017-...

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    #DeleteFacebook
  2. I won't pay that sort of money for any phone by 93+Escort+Wagon · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I'd like to think I'm past the "ooh, I want the new shiny" thing - more or less. Going forward, my "new phone" budget is going to be roughly $500, and it's going to be spent every 3-4 years.

    But, in any case, this reads like a hit piece. "Tech writer goes into a story with an agenda, manages to confirm it."

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    #DeleteChrome
  3. There can only be one by PopeRatzo · · Score: 5, Funny

    Chatting next with an Apple store "Genius"...

    As of this weekend, that word no longer means what you think it does.

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    You are welcome on my lawn.
  4. Hard to believe for me... by aaarrrgggh · · Score: 5, Interesting

    While I do have two issues with FaceID, and a couple others regarding the missing home button... it is impossible for me to believe this story. The screen is a huge selling point, and you get the same real-estate as a plus but in the smaller form factor. FaceID is great for trivial security and for securing the phone.

    So, my complaints: I am not comfortable with FaceID for securing banking passwords... but it is too secure for storing my /. password; I can't use FaceID while laying on my side in bed. For the home button, the inconsistencies between devices now is a pain.

    But hell.... it is the best phone I have owned.

  5. Not constant by SuperKendall · · Score: 5, Interesting

    He said it was corner cases.

    For me FaceID works more often than TouchID does (and I know for sure because for testing reasons I often still use my iPhone 7).

    In fact the X is great precisely because it REMOVES a lot of small annoyances you didn't even know were present in phones. Like I said in another post using an X feels like using an unlocked phone, in a way TouchID never did (even though TouchID did make it much easier to unlock a phone).

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    "There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley