Hands-On With Apple's New 6.5-Inch iPhone XS Max

[MacRumors]

It's officially iPhone launch day, which means iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max models are in Apple retail stores and have been delivered to customers all around the world. The first pre-orders began arriving this morning in the United States and millions of customers now have the new devices.

We got our hands on one of the new iPhone XS Max models this morning to check out that huge new screen, the new 6.5-inch size, the camera improvements, and the faster internals.

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The iPhone XS Max's display measures in at 6.5-inches, and it features the biggest screen that Apple's ever introduced. Size wise, the iPhone XS Max is a good bit larger than the iPhone X and XS, but it's smaller in size than the iPhone 8 Plus despite the bigger display. It's bigger than the iPhone X, and smaller than the latest Galaxy phone.

Though large, the iPhone XS Max feels surprisingly light in the hand, perhaps due to its thin 7.7mm body and clever weight distribution by Apple. The bigger display looks incredible, as should be no surprise, and it's amazing for watching videos, looking at photos, or playing video games.

Face ID is slightly faster in the iPhone XS Max thanks to the improved A12 Bionic chip and neural engine, and the camera, though using the same 12-megapixel dual-lens system as the iPhone X, has some internal improvements that produce noticeably better photos.

We'll be doing a much deeper dive into the camera and comparing it with the iPhone X camera so stay tuned for that, but suffice it to say the iPhone XS Max camera is a solid upgrade over the camera in the iPhone X.

The A12 processor is 15 percent faster than the A11, which isn't super noticeable, but it does result in much better battery life. iPhone XS Max lasts an hour and a half longer than the iPhone X.

Many Apple retail stores had iPhone XS and XS Max stock available for walk-in purchases this morning, and stock should be replenished regularly. Orders placed today on the website won't ship out until October, though, so the store is your best bet if you didn't pre-order.

Pricing on the iPhone XS starts at $999 and pricing on the iPhone XS Max starts at $1,099.

Article Link: Hands-On With Apple's New 6.5-Inch iPhone XS Max

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

Love mine! I must have large hands because I can still use it one handed and reach the top right and left corners.

 

[Baymowe335]

The XS Max will be a huge upgrade for anyone not on the X.

I am on an X and want it.

 

[BootsWalking]

Cliff notes: It's bigger.

 

[Focusx0131]

Wonder if Face ID 2 is as fast as Touch ID 2 was on the 6s.

 

[BornAgainMac]

Going with the regular iPhone XS from the iPhone X. In my situation, it was more replacing my dead iPhone X that got wet and no Applecare. Staying away from water this time.

 

[rmoliv]

The Xs Max takes ages to charge. Apple should definitely have included a fast charger in the box.

 

[Maclver]

Wonder if Face ID 2 is as fast as Touch ID 2 was on the 6s.

I don't think it is FaceID 2, the just said it's faster because of the neural engine.

 

[44267547]

Wonder if Face ID 2 is as fast as Touch ID 2 was on the 6s.

Apple actually isn’t labeling it ‘Face ID 2’, Face ID has been improved with the speed for the XS, but it’s not actually the second version Of Face ID yet.

 

[kognos]

No Qualcomm inside. How does the network speed compare to last-year's iPhone X?

Speed tests of Face ID compared to last year?

Apple said the screen was more durable. How much so, where are details and tests?

 

[44267547]

The Xs Max takes ages to charge. Apple should definitely have included a fast charger in the box.

This is Just my method, but I always use my 10W iPad charger. It’s sufficient for my needs.

 

[CarpalMac]

Feels a lot like mobile device design has seriously plateaued. Now the remaining model sizes have gone "full screen" which was the last big thing Apple had left to do, be interesting to see where the iPhone goes over the next couple of years. I suspect just having an even speedier CPU and slightly better camera is not going to cut it. Not at this now astronomic price bracket.

Others are talking about foldable devices but I am not convinced that will work out as well as I hope they will. AR, not convinced by that either.

Guess it explains why the watch is seeing greater development steps being taken and the big shift to services too.

 

[democracyrules]

The XS Max will be a huge upgrade for anyone not on the X.

I am on an X and want it.

I upgraded 256 go X to 512 gb XSMAX so I can truly experience the “ultimate” ‘max’ size and storage. The 512 GB XsMax is the ultimate “max” best iPhone (“mini” iPad) in the iPhone history. Kudos to Apple to produce the truly “max” iPhone.

 

[wdwpsu]

As a Browns fan, after last night, you would have been giddy with excitement reviewing playdough.

 

[mscice]

better of buying used X

 

[Superhappytree]

Everyone soon got over the ‘Max’ name quickly. Have a gold one, it doesn’t feel like a bigger version for some reason. Camera is improved, feels pretty snappy but iOS is still so ehhh to me at this point.

 

[itsmilo]

The Xs Max takes ages to charge. Apple should definitely have included a fast charger in the box.

Yes. It sometimes even decharges when I use it st the same time. Glad I have my 12w iPad charger

 

[happyslayer]

Just got mine all setup and I am really liking it so far. I had a 7plus before I got last year’s X. And I missed the large form factor. Definitely love the bigger screen with its bigger text and icons and all that, especially since I turned the magic age of 48 this year and now seem to need reading glasses for many things. The larger font is a definite plus for me.

 

[AngerDanger]

Imagine what it must be like every time poor Dan from MacRumors says, "Hey, Siri"…

 

[tx4app]

Has anyone confirmed that FaceID on the XS and XS Max continues to fail when in landscape mode?

 

[lec0rsaire]

If you're buying a new phone right now, this one is clearly the one to buy if you have the cash. The Plus phones are just superior. They're super comfortable to read text and awesome for watching videos. If you've been using any Plus version then the X will be too small. The XS is like a longer 6 and the Max is exactly a slightly wider, by a fraction of a mm, bezel less Plus.

 

[SoundJudgment]

The Xs Max takes ages to charge. Apple should definitely have included a fast charger in the box.

Throw away the included charger and get one of the better Qi Wireless chargers out there. Fast and easy... you'll probably never go back to plug-in Lightning wire charging again.

 

[simplynando]

Does the XS Max have support for the home screen in landscape orientation like the Plus models do?

 

[Derekeys]

It looks incredible, but I am sorely disappointed they've done nothing with the extra real estate. No extra row of icons, no landscape for the home screen, no split screen for multi-tasking, etc. I am just surprised but I have no doubts it's a brilliant phone.

 

[ryanwarsaw]

Throw away the included charger and get one of the better Qi Wireless chargers out there. Fast and easy... you'll probably never go back to plug-in Lightning wire charging again.

Tree hugger lady from Apple is scowling at you... you should recycle the included charger.