why is Face ID not working in landscape mode

Answer is technically correct but a sh#% answer because it obviously doesn’t address the spirit of the OP’s question which should have been “why doesn’t Face ID work in landscape when it obviously NEEDS TO AND SHOULD”

Whether you agree Apple should or shouldn't do something makes absolutely no difference writing it here. This is a user to user only forum, so your opinion doesn't change anything on Apple's side. You are welcome to let Apple know this is a feature you'd like by providing input via this link: Feedback - iPhone - Apple Apple won't respond to you, but they will read your suggestion.

Then the OP should have asked that question, but the answer wouldn't have changed. It just doesn't because Apple didn't enable it to. None of us work for Apple. We're all users and none of us could possibly know why they chose not to enable Face ID in landscape. You can say the answer was poo, but the answer was 100% correct.

Very very lousy answer. Of course it is true, but it does not address basic question. Someone is just asking why is not working - if anybody knows. You don’t have to be rocket scientist to write your type of answer. I also wonder if there are technical limitations or it is just a decision (temporary by a chance) of Apple.

This is a user to user ONLY forum. No one here works for Apple, knows how or why Apple designs things the way they do, or knows anything about Apple's future plans. No one who works for Apple is permitted to participate in this forum, or they'd lose their job. So what would you expect us to answer in response? It's just the way Apple decided to make it work is the right answer, because not one of us can speak to Apple's design or usability decisions. Chiding me for answering the question appropriately won't get you a better answer.

We understand that you may be frustrated or annoyed and we understand because we are fellow users like you. What you shouldn't do is throw a tantrum or attack anyone who is trying to help you. You came to us, we did not come to you. If we give you an answer you did not expect or you disagree with, that doesn't mean it is necessarily an incorrect answer. Do not let your ego get in the way of you getting your issue resolved.

I agree that Apple shoule make Face ID work in Landscape mode since it is very much needed. When I got my new iPhone X, the first thing I did was to put my iphone X on my car phone holder and turn on the google navigation. Unfortunately, my car phone holder can only hold the iphone in landscape orientation. As you can image I can't unlock the phone without taking it off and looking at the phone while driving. It's very annoyed and frustrated everytime the phone is timeout and locked. I can't believe no one review and discuss this problem and requirements for iphone x before it is released. I missed the fingerprint unlock option which is much user friendlier. Apple, please make Face ID work in Landscape mode. Thanks!

Given there is NO Finger print scanner built into iPhone X, how would presume that could possibly work? If the hardware doesn't exit, it's simply not possible. You may as well get used to the idea that finger print recognition on iPhone is a thing of the past. From what I've read, all the phones introduced next year will be Face ID only.

Because it doesn't. It only works in portrait by design.

Use Face ID on iPhone X - Apple Support

It’s a pain that it doesn’t work in landscape. Honestly, this should be included in the next software update.

Uh, it does. You just have to tilt your head a little... ? Really?

Completely agree - this is so annoying! Something so easily avoidable with a software fix.

or make fingerprint unlock function work for iPhone X too.