What the iPhone X Is in 2026
Apple launched the iPhone X in November 2017 as a landmark device: the first iPhone with an OLED display, the first with Face ID, and the first to abandon the Home button. In 2026, it maxes out at iOS 16 — the same ceiling as the iPhone 8, but with dramatically better hardware under the skin.
The X has a 5.8" OLED Super Retina display with true blacks, wide colour, and True Tone. This screen remains genuinely excellent in 2026 — better than many mid-range Android phones costing three times the refurbished price. The A11 Bionic chip with 3GB RAM handles everything iOS 16 throws at it without hesitation.
The iOS 16 Advantage
Like the iPhone 8, iOS 16 unlocks the apps that iOS 15 users miss most:
- YouTube ✅ — iOS 16+. Works.
- Spotify ✅ — iOS 16+. Works.
- Instagram ✅ — iOS 16+. Works.
- Google Chrome ✅ — iOS 16+. Works.
- Netflix ✅ — iOS 16+. Works.
- WhatsApp ✅ — Works.
- BBC iPlayer, ITVX ✅ — Fully supported.
- Most banking apps ✅ — iOS 16 is supported by most UK banks. Verify your specific bank.
📺 The OLED screen is the X's killer feature in 2026. Watching video — Netflix, iPlayer, YouTube — on that 5.8" OLED display is genuinely excellent. True blacks, vivid colours, and no backlight bleed. It's better than many budget phones at twice the price.
Face ID on iOS 16 in 2026
Face ID on the iPhone X requires looking directly at the camera in reasonable light. It doesn't work with sunglasses (unless Apple's newer version), and the notch at the top of the display houses the Face ID sensors.
The tradeoffs vs Touch ID (iPhone 8): Face ID is slower to set up, doesn't work flat on a table, and some people find it less convenient for quick unlock. The advantage: you never need to physically touch a sensor, and it works with wet hands.
In 2026, Face ID on the X still functions well. Apple's biometric systems age gracefully — the hardware just works.
iPhone X vs iPhone 8: Which to Choose?
Both max out at iOS 16 and use the same A11 chip. The differences:
- Display: X is OLED 5.8". 8 is LCD 4.7". Significant advantage to X for media.
- Biometrics: X is Face ID. 8 is Touch ID. Personal preference.
- Size: X is taller but narrower than you'd expect. 8 is compact and one-hand friendly.
- Price: X typically £20–40 more than 8 on eBay.
- Durability: Both IP67. Both glass backs.
For media consumption: choose X. For compact one-handed use: choose 8. Both are solid choices at their price points.
Buying in 2026
eBay prices in July 2026: iPhone X 64GB at £80–130 depending on condition. Amazon Renewed lists them from around £90–140 with return guarantees.
Look for 64GB or 256GB (no 128GB option on the X). Screen condition matters more than on other models — the OLED can develop image retention with age. Request a photo of the screen showing static content before buying.
Our verdict
The iPhone X in 2026 is the best OLED display you can get for under £130 in the refurbished market. iOS 16 keeps all the major apps running. Face ID is functional. The screen is genuinely premium. Its main limitations are iOS 16's growing exclusions from apps targeting iOS 17+, and Face ID's constraints vs Touch ID for some users.
Also see: iPhone 8 in 2026 · iPhone 7 in 2026 · Best cheap Apple refurbs