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#AppleEvent: the highs, the lows and the memes from Apple’s iPhone X launch
Today at its headquarters in Cupertino, Apple announced a refreshed product lineup including a number of new iPhones, a new Apple TV and a shiny new Apple Watch, and Twitter users were (sure enough) reporting live from their armchairs.
For all the technical specifications and more, you might want to visit our sister site Gearburn. But over here, we took a deeper, introspective look at social media’s reaction to Apple’s launch event, from start to finish.
Sit back, and enjoy the memes, joy and jibes from the bleachers.
The buildup…
The hype pre-event was palpable, with many readying getting those stacks of dollars.
#AppleEvent
Tim Cook: “Welcome…”
Me: pic.twitter.com/uWHSDyMAJZ— Josh Parker (@joshparker94) September 12, 2017
Tim Cook: “Hi”
Me: pic.twitter.com/NPjMtMhEPP
— – (@prxtsh) September 12, 2017
I don’t need a new phone. I don’t need a new phone. I don’t nee… oh look the New iPhone #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/OdXr21yAbH
— Appie (@AppieTweets) September 12, 2017
Me when they announce the new iphone today at the #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/CyVooawroc
— Appie (@AppieTweets) September 12, 2017
I just want to know how will my next iPhone look like, specs and all 👻👻👻already excited for this #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/iQqY2h3rJ2
— Rare Breed🇿🇦 (@Sibusiso_Bonga) September 12, 2017
Some shade was thrown Android’s way too, with Samsung the specific target.
Android users outside the #AppleEvent like… pic.twitter.com/6UFuIbEmai
— ruh-mel (@itsRamel) September 12, 2017
This be Samsung when they announce the phone #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/nHW0tVCRyu
— Carlos ♡💡🌩 (@carlosmoonlight) September 12, 2017
Users also speculated on the design pre-launch, which likely roused a smirk or two.
#AppleEvent
Probably thats all pic.twitter.com/TR1BN5CKTS— Alan Parker (@LondonAlanCity) September 12, 2017
Welcome to the Steve Jobs Theatre
Tim Cook opened the event with a touching tribute to Steve Jobs, in the Apple founder’s eponymous Theatre. Some couldn’t hold back the tears.
Everybody after opening of the #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/n4E88IAjAr
— Kitsch (@kitschm) September 12, 2017
this was by far the most honest and emotional opener of any #AppleEvent Very impressive Mr. Cook!
— Sascha Pallenberg (@sascha_p) September 12, 2017
Can’t even snark on this tribute to Steve. It’s heartfelt, and I can appreciate that~ #AppleEvent
— 🚀🕹.ashley. 📺🎙 (@AshleyEsqueda) September 12, 2017
Ok, I wasn’t expecting to get choked up this early. What a lovely tribute by Tim. #AppleEvent
— Sarah Parmenter (@sazzy) September 12, 2017
Apple: the city-building company?
When Apple retail updates preceded the main announcements, Twitter got antsy. Even the announcement of new Apple retail parks in Paris and New York passed without fanfare.
No skip to product !!! #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/9WwqAoKsgn
— theannaa (@wildchiildd) September 12, 2017
‘Before we get to the products, here’s an update on retail…’#AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/8pzu0VJyyq
— Ben (@bendy0123) September 12, 2017
All of us right now #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/TgHsQitycz
— Casso (@variopicasso) September 12, 2017
Apple Watch Series 3
But the first big product announcement came Apple Watch. And it’s now the best selling watch in the world, according to Tim Cook.
FUCK YOU, ROLEX! #AppleEvent
— not Jony Ive (@JonyIveParody) September 12, 2017
After a brief video of Apple Watch users reading letters sent to Tim Cook, some in the audience got a bit emotional.
Those applewatch stories are so touching #AppleEvent
— mcflymcfly (@aberforthxd) September 12, 2017
I hope Apple Watch says “High Noon” when the time is right #AppleEvent
— Kush 🐲 (@BurstDragon) September 12, 2017
But some just wanted to see the iPhone.
I DONT CARE ABOUT THE WATCH, SHOW ME THE PHONE #AppleEvent
— Muti Ullah (@mutimughal) September 12, 2017
And when the Apple Watch Series 3 was announced…
Dick Tracey’s wrist watch is finally a reality #AppleWatch #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/A44UbsTneD
— Traveller (@cityrider49) September 12, 2017
Okay, Apple Watch w/ cellular is actually pretty cool. Even this cynical bastard has to say that’s a spicy meat-a-ball #AppleEvent
— jacksfilms (@jacksfilms) September 12, 2017
Apple watch will detect abnormal heart rates! Probably need it when you see the price of #iPhone8! #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/XeTImzWEs2
— Santhosh DR (@puttu09) September 12, 2017
The company also demoed the Series 3’s new video calling ability, by calling an Apple employee out paddling on a lake. Naturally, Twitter duly responded with snark.
cringe cringe cringe… #AppleEvent
— John Flow (@TotallyVex) September 12, 2017
I want to know how this discussion went.
“So, we need someone to paddle board during the keynote. Yes. Seriously.” #AppleEvent
— Casey Liss (@caseyliss) September 12, 2017
Apple TV 4K
Apple TV also received an update. But if you’re not a sports fan or care about gaming, you’re out of luck. There is 4K streaming, though.
Live sports lets go ! #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/5voPxiQp2Z
— CKG (@thisiskeef) September 12, 2017
I need the new #AppleTV #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/7ZbY1baBwF
— Susanna__ (@SNoSpoons) September 12, 2017
Yeah, Twitter wasn’t unanimously convinced.
“To show you 4K HDR, we’ll run a clip to an LED panel with an undetermined resolution and then stream it to people’s laptops” #AppleEvent
— Evansth Luiner (@LuinerLugo) September 12, 2017
“The best part about Apple TV 4K is that you’ll blow past your bandwidth cap geometrically faster than before!” #AppleEvent
— Peter Cohen (@flargh) September 12, 2017
The iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus
But then came the iPhone announcements. And Twitter’s mood perked in anticipation.
iPhone Time #AppleEvent
— Ajmal Zahir (@Ajmalzahir98) September 12, 2017
Well, that only took an hour… #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/qAAC8RH9js
— Chris Maddern (@chrismaddern) September 12, 2017
Time for the iPhone!!! #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/UVLNmiKrPc
— Lukey✌🏻 (@LoonyLifeOfLuke) September 12, 2017
iPhone 📱 #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/AGuTKCoqEC
— Christopher Román (@Christopher_p) September 12, 2017
The iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus were then made official. Reactions were… mixed.
SHOOK. #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/1crNgPuuxw
— Melvin (@_ITEMEAPPLESIGN) September 12, 2017
Show me the monies #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/K7TNTejjEF
— ZeroPercentBattery (@opercentbattery) September 12, 2017
The all-glass front and rear received special attention.
iPhone 8 has glass front and back. I already broke it. #AppleEvent
— Joel Franco (@OfficialJoelF) September 12, 2017
“This is the most durable glass ever on a smartphone” #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/VUwHUy0Ux1
— 6räñdøń (@brrandin) September 12, 2017
The presence of bezels scared those used to 2017’s aesthetic blueprints.
When you don’t see a full frame screen #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/kgWl9Hnapk
— RealLIFEsayEEd (@nycSAYEED) September 12, 2017
Others weren’t even sure that this was a new iPhone.
Side by side comparison of i7 and i8 retweet if you agree. #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/Y6jnLXnEGR
— Faraz (@faraz_hope) September 12, 2017
Looks a LOT like the iPhone 7 to me…#AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/xGV63tVuCj
— Richard Harris (@cigarboyrick82) September 12, 2017
There’s no big difference lol. Happy with my 7! #AppleEvent #Iphone8 pic.twitter.com/OHEPYABALK
— VID (@ItsmeVID) September 12, 2017
“The new iPhone has an entirely new design” #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/rhJFU5EJgy
— Ben (@8bit_ben) September 12, 2017
#AppleEvent The new iPhone is so innovative that no innovation is needed.
— Davidus Maximus (@DavidusPin) September 12, 2017
The disappointment was stinging.
Well that’s a let down #AppleEvent
— Imtiaz Isaacs (@Imtiaz_Isaacs) September 12, 2017
Me looking at this iPhone #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/VQJzk0uz0U
— Ali (@lifeofalid) September 12, 2017
Really disappointed with @Apple again. Same phone with just same statement “This time we came with completely new device”#AppleEvent
— Ayush Chaudhary (@ayush210) September 12, 2017
The 12MP and dual 12MP cameras on the 8 and 8 Plus did receive some love though (even from Gearburn).
This iPhone 8 is about to make makeup selfies LIT… literally 🔥 #AppleEvent
— James Charles (@jamescharles) September 12, 2017
I like the new lighting effect in the portrait image on the new iPhone! Too many times have a photo been spoilt by poor light!#AppleEvent
— Grant Rivers (@SnowAndBeach) September 12, 2017
Portrait Lighting feature is slick, using machine learning and flash to deliver studio-style lighting for portraits. #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/jnM6Ewkail
— Gearburn (@gearburn) September 12, 2017
This new lighting feature with the camera is amazing. A great update to the already outstanding Portrait mode. #AppleEvent
— Corey Siebert (@corey_siebert) September 12, 2017
And wireless charging, which signaled the death of broken cables.
WIRELESS CHARGING!!! NO MORE OF THIS!!! FINALLY!!!! #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/bglxAYrIDG
— Ali (@ohhiali) September 12, 2017
But was that all? Some predicted that Apple had something up its sleeve…
Can I predict something…. “Just one more thing…” is going to happen 👩🏼💻😍 #AppleEvent
— Mackenzie Geeves (@mackenziegeeves) September 12, 2017
Please let their be “one more thing…” #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/eXD9Y92Aga
— Jennifer Giese (@yourfavJ) September 12, 2017
…And then it happened.
One more thing… the iPhone X
The 10th anniversary iPhone X appeared.
I GOT UP AND FULLY TWERKED AT THE IPHONE X VIDEO #APPLEEVENT
— Chris Klemens (@ChrisKlemens) September 12, 2017
iPhone X released.
Omg take my damn money!!!!!!!#AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/pt3HiVKDC8— GifOutLoud (@GifOutLoud) September 12, 2017
The most X-pensive iPhone that we have ever done. #AppleEvent #iPhoneX
— not Jony Ive (@JonyIveParody) September 12, 2017
Apple: iPhone 8
Also Apple: iPhone X#AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/Lze8ExvoWE
— chris (@Shadical) September 12, 2017
The face has an edge-to-edge Super Retina OLED screen, and a slew of sensors embedded in the top bezel. Face ID — which allows users to unlock the phone by simply looking at it — became a major talking point.
Many sensors at top, some used for facial recognition. IR camera and “dot projector” used for Face ID. #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/mGPR3BtQTi
— Gearburn (@gearburn) September 12, 2017
Iphone X has face ID? But I be looking like a different person everyday… #AppleEvent
— Talia Mar (@TaliaMarMusic) September 12, 2017
great, Face ID? now i’m gonna have to scan my face with makeup, without makeup and with every one of my wigs on #AppleEvent
— pb (@paigebrittany) September 12, 2017
Hackers gonna hack #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/BtNW4DcGEL
— SparkMail (@SparkMailApp) September 12, 2017
Face recognize #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/q99ARZlTbo
— Daniela Avilés (@danaviles) September 12, 2017
Hilariously, the Face ID demo didn’t quite work as planned.
Face ID FAIL 😂😂😂#iPhoneX #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/9WEsIlMdub
— Safwan Ahmedmia (@SuperSaf) September 12, 2017
That awkward moment when face ID fails with millions watching #appleevent pic.twitter.com/DmVm1AbuRX
— Mohamed Patel (@N4LYO) September 12, 2017
So FaceID didn’t even work with the live test. Good start! #AppleEvent
— Gareth Clarke (@gxrethclarke) September 12, 2017
And a new meme was born.
LilKim can’t use FaceID #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/0cDGjyuwtl
— Suck My Cockiness (@Alowishus0207) September 12, 2017
Apple’s animated emoji system Animoji — which uses facial animations to control some much-loved emoji — also debuted with fanfare from the community.
I’m so shook #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/ImiDwJxsJV
— havana (@JereemyOff) September 12, 2017
AniMoji confirmed. they are created and shared from right within iMessage. this is fun and innovative. #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/PPGbxfdkm9
— Anmol Sachdeva (@_bournesach) September 12, 2017
Animojis are the greatest technological step forward in the history of furries #AppleEvent
— Rebecca Watson (@rebeccawatson) September 12, 2017
But another low was the “2 hours more battery life than the iPhone 7” announcement, which fell flat.
*Wow* 2 more hours of battery life 🙄 #AppleEvent
— Jaime (@MeowJaime) September 12, 2017
2 hours more! That’s a whole 4 hours of battery life! #AppleEvent
— Michael Toomey (@Michael_Toomey) September 12, 2017
And that was all.
After the announcement (and the obligatory Jony Ive-narrated video)…
Finally the customary iPhone ad with a Jonny Ive voice over #AppleEvent
— Anand Kumar Sai (@AnandKumarSai) September 12, 2017
SHUT UP, SHUT THE HELL UP, JONY’S TALKING #AppleEvent
— Sean Fitzgerald (@TheActionBoots) September 12, 2017
…some felt Apple missed a live concert opportunity.
X gon give it to ya. #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/BdNApPQdvh
— Seth Bloom (@Sconnieseth) September 12, 2017
But the price was the whipped cream on the Apple crumble.
Damn, $999. #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/bEV1DRRNZ1
— BGM 👸🏾🌻 (@lilbittt_) September 12, 2017
For more information on the iPhone X, 8 series and Apple’s other products announced at tonight’s event, visit Gearburn.