You might remember some of the mania surrounding the iPhone X (pronounced as iPhone 10). It was such a giant leap forward that Apple skipped the iPhone 9 completely, going straight from the iPhone 8 to the iPhone X.

Although the iPhone X is several years old, it's still a great device in 2023, especially if you're on a tight budget but looking for an iPhone that still looks and feels modern.

The iPhone X was the phone to get when it debuted in 2017, and there are many reasons why you might still want to pick one up today.

1. It's Super Affordable

Shot of a hand holding a white iPhone X

When it launched back on November 3, 2017, the iPhone X made headlines for being the first $1,000 flagship phone from Apple. These days, we're used to seeing $1,000 phones and a few phones around $2,000, like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5. But when the iPhone X launched, the sticker shock was real.

Thankfully, these days, you can pick up the iPhone X for a lot less. Apple stopped selling the iPhone X in 2018, and you won't find it new from any carriers anymore, but you can pick one up on the second-hand market for $200 or even less. Buying an iPhone X now means getting a sweet deal on an excellent phone that once broke the bank.

2. It Can Run iOS 16

New iPhone X Welcome Screen

One thing people love about Apple is that it's dedicated to supporting older iPhones for the long haul. And despite its age, the iPhone X can still handle iOS 16, which Apple first rolled out in late 2022 (with subsequent updates through 2023). Although it doesn't support 2023's iOS 17 update, you should remember that the iPhone X came out in 2017.

While you can take advantage of many great hidden features in iOS 16, your experience with the iPhone X won't be as snappy as the latest iPhones. The A11 Bionic processor inside the iPhone X was a beast when it was new, but it isn't the powerhouse it used to be.

You might feel the phone slow down if you've got too many apps open or while running a graphically intensive game like Genshin Impact or Asphalt 9: Legends.

3. The iPhone X's Design Is Still Modern in 2023

Evolution of iPhone design

Although Apple has evolved the design of the iPhone since the iPhone X came out, the phone still manages to look and feel modern. The iPhone X was the first all-screen iPhone, the first iPhone to ditch the Home button, and it was the device that introduced us to the now infamous iPhone notch.

To be fair, Apple has made some changes to the design since the iPhone X's inception. With the release of the iPhone 12, the iPhone's screen size grew slightly, from 5.8 inches to 6.1 inches, and the phone's edges went from rounded to the flat, squared-off design we have today. With the iPhone 13, we got a slightly smaller notch. And with the iPhone 14 Pro, the notch evolved into the Dynamic Island.

Despite all these changes, the iPhone X still doesn't look outdated, especially in comparison to the iPhone SE that Apple released in 2022. Even 2022's standard iPhone 14 models featured notches, so you should be happy that a 2017 flagship you can get for dirt cheap doesn't look out of place today.

4. It Has a Dual-Lens Camera

Taking a photo of mountains with the iPhone X camera

Although the iPhone X is no longer the king of cameras, its dual-lens setup is more than enough for most mobile photographers. The iPhone X packs a 12MP camera with a dedicated telephoto lens. Having that extra lens means you can zoom into your photos without sacrificing image quality.

The iPhone X is also great for shooting video; you can even capture 4K video at 60FPS. Of course, Apple has improved the camera hardware across iPhones over the years since the iPhone X's release.

Modern iPhones have much larger sensors that can take in more light, pack macro and zoom lenses, and have optical image stabilization. For instance, the iPhone 15 Pro Max features a periscope-style telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom.

While these features are nice to have, you can still take great photos without them. And although 2022's iPhone 14 Pro has an impressive 48MP main camera, the standard iPhone 14 models only packs 12MP cameras, just like the iPhone X.

5. It's a Great Backup Phone

Listening to music on iPhone X

Even if you have the latest iPhone, having a backup phone handy is always a good idea. Losing your phone while traveling can be a surefire way to make a trip unforgettable for the wrong reasons.

Not only did you lose an expensive device, but not having access to your phone can mean losing your plane tickets and itineraries and access to your bank accounts or credit cards. Plus, contacting someone to get the help you need becomes difficult.

A backup phone can be a great insurance policy when things don't go to plan. And picking up an iPhone X as a backup phone means having peace of mind whether you're at home or on the other side of the world.

Getting an extra phone can also be a great way to separate your work and personal life. Editing your iPhone's Do Not Disturb and Focus settings can help you get some of your time back, but there's nothing better than a good old-fashioned work phone. Having a separate work device means when you clock out, so does your phone.

The iPhone X Is Still Worth Buying in 2023

If you're looking for an iPhone with a modern design, great features, and an attractive price, the iPhone X might be right for you. Buying an iPhone X in 2023 means getting an iPhone without bezels, a camera that's no slouch, and a modern iOS version for a steal deal.

Even modern iPhones are still an evolution of the design that debuted on the iPhone X. Remember that it took six years for Apple to finally ditch the notch across its entire iPhone lineup, but even then, the Dynamic Island is an evolution of the iPhone X's notch.