5 Reasons Apple's $999 iPhone X Is the Ultimate Travel Companion
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
We don't cover technology all that often at TPG, so when we do, it's typically because there's a significant impact on business and leisure travel, be it a global smartphone ban or a notable travel-friendly feature. Apple's 10th-anniversary handset, the iPhone X — also known as the "iPhone Ten" — appears to be the most travel-friendly device yet.
Let's dig into some of the reasons this pricey ($999+) device deserves a top spot on your must-haves list.
1. The Camera
Considering how many pictures I take on any given travel day, my most-treasured gadget is my camera — whichever one I end up having on me at the time. Often that ends up being my iPhone 7, which takes fantastic photos for a smartphone. But if I really need to capture high-quality shots, I'll snap my pics with a point-and-shoot or interchangeable-lens camera.
iPhone X brings us another step closer to closing the gap — if the phone's camera ends up being as powerful as it seems at shooting in low-light, I'll be better able to fly under the radar while conducting flight reviews.
X has dual, 12-megapixel sensors, with an f/1.8 maximum aperture on the wide-angle camera and an f/2.4 aperture on the telephoto. This time around, the device offers dual optical image stabilization, so you can keep the lens steady even in low light.
There's also a really cool selfie mode, with support for a new portrait option called Portrait Lighting (more on that below).
The camera also captures 4K video, of course, and with high-dynamic range (HDR) support as well.
2. Super Retina Display
As a former tech journalist, I've been hearing about OLED displays for years, most recently on smartphones. The iPhone X is now the first Apple handset to embrace this state-of-the-art tech. Not only are OLED screens thinner, lighter and more efficient, they're also brighter, and look a whole lot better when viewed from an angle — that last bit could really come in handy when consuming streaming content on a flight.
iPhone X offers an edge-to-edge 5.8-inch, 2,436 x 1,125-pixel display — one of the sharpest screens on the market.
3. Connectivity and Efficiency
iPhone X supports a variety of global cell bands, making it possible to connect to a high-speed network in most countries around the world. In theory, I'll be able to pop in my Project Fi SIM card and connect to LTE in Europe, Asia and beyond.
Additionally, the iPhone X supports wireless Qi charging, which means you'll eventually be able to charge your phone by placing it on a table at airports, cafes and beyond.
The phone also uses a technology called Face ID to unlock the device more quickly and easily, speeding up access to maps, email and everything else. It's also more secure than Touch ID, with a mere one-in-a-million chance of a stranger being able to open up your phone.
Like Apple's old security tech, Face ID works with mobile apps, so you can use you can unlock credit card, bank and airline apps just by looking at your phone.
4. Extra Durable
iPhone X is made from "surgical-grade" stainless steel, and thanks to an extra strengthening layer, it offers the most durable display to date.
Like the iPhone 7, Apple's flagship handset is water and dust resistant, so you can get it wet without worrying about damaging the device. We're talking some light use in the rain, of course — you can't bring it in the ocean or pool to capture underwater selfies.
5. The Apps
Sure, every iPhone since the original device launched 10 years ago has supported mobile apps, but recently some of my favorites haven't been responding as quickly as I'd like. I've bumped up the resolution of my point-and-shoot photos, for example, and when I go to share some on Instagram, the app often lags to the point where I have to swipe it away and start again.
With the latest processor and iOS 11, and retooled apps optimized for the latest and greatest iPhone, the X should make it easier to share high-res photos quickly, especially when incorporating several images in a collage.
iPhone X will be available to pre-order in silver and Space Gray on October 27, and ships on November 3, with pricing starting at a whopping $999 in the US.
Other Announcements
Apple also introduced the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, which both come in silver, Space Gray and gold. Like the X, these phones support Qi wireless charging as well.
The new handsets are made from an aerospace-grade aluminum alloy, with steel-reinforced glass — apparently the most durable ever in a smartphone. They're water resistant, just like the iPhone 7 and X. The devices are up to 70% more efficient than their predecessors, which should make a big difference when it comes to processing images, playing games and more.
The cameras are improved as well, including a higher-quality portrait mode with the iPhone 8 Plus, with a super-slick new feature called "Portrait Lighting" that separates your subject from the background and enables you to apply different light settings.
There are also enhanced 4K capture options, and a new 1080p 240 frames-per-second setting, for high-res slow-motion videography. The iPhone 8 will be available to pre-order on Friday, September 15 starting at $699, while the iPhone 8 Plus will run you $799 and up. Both devices will hit US stores the following Friday, September 22.
The iPhones weren't the only major announcements today — the company announced a new, faster Apple Watch with optional cellular connectivity (from $329, or $399 with LTE).
As with the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, pre-orders begin this Friday, September 15, and the new watch is available as of the following Friday, September 22.
If you do end up getting an iPhone, consider paying your bill with a card that covers loss and damage, such as the Ink Business Preferred or a card from Wells Fargo.
Will you be ordering a new iPhone and/or Apple Watch?
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees