iPhone XS and XS Max Reviews: Not Dramatically Better Than iPhone X, Consider Waiting for iPhone XR

[ArtOfWarfare]

People pay per month so the amount is minimal. Better sell your stock, buy a crap android and teach Apple a lesson.

Already sold at $190. In hindsight, the time I sold at didn't make much sense - I knew a drop was coming, but it should have been obvious it wouldn't occur without an announcement from Apple. The XS/XS Max/XR was that announcement - now is the time to sell.

I'm not thinking of a crap android, but I'm not buying the stuff Apple is selling right now - I'll stick with the 6+ for now. Maybe in a year or two I might buy another iPhone.

 

[bluespark]

I was going to wait, but I want a dual camera. You're telling me you can't put in a second camera lens for $750?

I agree -- the omission of the second camera is a problem for many of us who purchased 7/8-Plus models in part for that feature, and who otherwise might consider purchasing the Xr for the larger screen or faster processor. I'm definitely in that boat, since the Xs is more than I want to spend on an upgrade. I've pretty much decided to sit out this release, and that's disappointing since Apple could have had my business but for bean-counter decisions such as this.

 

[Mtmspa]

Last year did not show them that at all. The X was noticeably different and better than their prior phones, the 7 and 7+, and the 8 and 8+.

Despite being a better phone, volume fell a bit, because the price was too high.

Now they have phones that aren't clearly better than the X, and they're still more expensive. The drop in sales will be even steeper than it was last year.

X was the top seller. So you post is false.
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Already sold at $190. In hindsight, the time I sold at didn't make much sense - I knew a drop was coming, but it should have been obvious it wouldn't occur without an announcement from Apple. The XS/XS Max/XR was that announcement - now is the time to sell.

I'm not thinking of a crap android, but I'm not buying the stuff Apple is selling right now - I'll stick with the 6+ for now. Maybe in a year or two I might buy another iPhone.

Olnly cost you $30 a share profit. You could have sold at 220 and had enough money for a new phone. Hmmm.

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

They also know that the numbers of phones they're selling is going to continue to drop. In order to keep aapl price up, they have to significantly increase their ASP to keep shareholders happy...
I shoot SLRs and I also see the same price creep from Nikon/Canon as they know they can't sell as many DSLRs as before

Yeah, and does anyone think Nikon/Canon are worth what they used to be worth? Anyone think they're worth $1T?

I think the iPhone looks like a DSLR right now - it's stagnant, and it's time to disrupt it. Just like the iPod got stagnant.

If Apple doesn't want to be the one to do it, then someone else will do it.

 

[JCCL]

Did you actually read about the camera improvements?

What I said was pretty much the summary or conclusions for all the reviews. Personally I’m not that much into photography, so the iPhone X pretty much satisfies all my needs for now don’t see anything I would greatly benefit from. Of course for others that might be different.

 

[bigjnyc]

You skipped the 4S!!!! That is by far one of the best iPhones ever. Still have it and love it. If they introduced 4S form factor I would buy it in a second.

Yeah I totally agree, and the funny thing is I don't even remember why I skipped it.

 

[JCCL]

X was the top seller. So you post is false.
[doublepost=1537294301][/doublepost]

Olnly cost you $30 a share profit. You could have sold at 220 and had enough money for a new phone. Hmmm.

X esa the top seller, however 8 and 8 plus were counted as separate models. Both 8 and 8 plus together and even 7 and 7 plus together outsold the X

 

[spiderman0616]

What I said was pretty much the summary or conclusions for all the reviews. Personally I’m not that much into photography, so the iPhone X pretty much satisfies all my needs for now don’t see anything I would greatly benefit from. Of course for others that might be different.

The iPhone X you already have is a super computer in your pocket. That will not change when the XS/Max comes out. Nothing wrong with staying put if you're happy.
[doublepost=1537294518][/doublepost]

Yeah I totally agree, and the funny thing is I don't even remember why I skipped it.

I skipped the 4S because I was still on the two year contract train back in those days. I always bought the non-S models back then because I figured at least that design would be current for 2 years, even if the internals weren't.

 

[likwidplastik]

Hoping my 7+ will last long enough to get me through the notch phase of iPhone design, or at least until Apple masters the touchscreen fingerprint scanner. It's usually every three generations we get a redesign? So two more years maybe

I'm in the same exact boat with the 7+.
My wife has the X and I personally just cant stand the notch.
I'm holding out until the notch is gone or until my 7+ kicks the bucket...whichever comes first.

 

[nviz22]

Will the XR have the same longevity the XS has? I was thinking about paying the difference to get the XS sooner rather than wait for the XR.

 

[bigjnyc]

The iPhone X you already have is a super computer in your pocket. That will not change when the XS/Max comes out. Nothing wrong with staying put if you're happy.
[doublepost=1537294518][/doublepost]
I skipped the 4S because I was still on the two year contract train back in those days. I always bought the non-S models back then because I figured at least that design would be current for 2 years, even if the internals weren't.

That was probably it... The good old 2 year contract days

 

[newyorksole]

Value is relatively subjective. I have an iPhone 7. Even though the Xs would be a huge upgrade, I’m not ordering one. My 7 is paid for and it’s faster now with iOS 12 than it was with 11. The iPhone is a mature technology so there’s not really groundbreaking changes from one generation to the next. I remember holding an iPhone 4 next to my 3GS and I was blown away by the new retina screen and design.

I agree with you. All I'm saying is that facts are facts. There are MANY differences between the XS and 7 that make upgrading worth it. Obviously there are people that don't see the value in going from 7 to X or XS, but no one can say that there were "minor" or "insignificant" updates.
[doublepost=1537295379][/doublepost]

Think they just mean price wise

I’m upgrading for the bigger screen personally. Going from x to xs though certainly isn’t a big upgrade but it’s an S year

Yeah way more value from X to XS Max than X to XS. I'm glad they introduced the larger model.

 

[jessemcgoldrick]

"If the screen is important"? Lol, is there anything more important than the screen? It's literally THE one component of the phone you always interact with. The XR is by no means trash, but crippling it with that resolution is definitely a calculated move by Apple.

I am absolutely certain that for most normal people there are more important features than increasing pixel density beyond 326ppi when so many people are already using 326ppi screens on iphone 8 etc without issue. I’m not sure why that’s a strange or controversial statement? Of course a higher res screen is nice to have but there are plenty of people, arguably the majority, who have other priorities.

If I surveyed all current 6/7/8 users worldwide (all have 326ppi lcd screens) and said they could choose only one feature to upgrade I am certain that the vast majority would choose either longer battery life, faster processor / responsiveness, better camera features or a ‘larger screen’ which would all improve day to day usability, before they requested a higher pixel density.

It most certainly is a calculated move by apple - to prioritise the features most likely to persuade normal consumers to upgrade and compromise in the areas less likely to deter upgrades. I am confident the XR is going to be a phenomenal seller for Apple.

I use my phone constantly through the day for streaming music, browsing mostly text based websites and articles, facebook, youtube (mostly news etc nothing particularly hi-res) apple pay contactless payments, navigation on long distance bicycle rides and hiking, using maps/guides for travel worldwide etc. I use zoomed mode on my 6 plus as I prefer larger buttons and keyboard for one handed use over more real estate but smaller UI.

I don’t use my phone to watch netflix/films etc, I very rarely take photos other than when on holiday in which case it is mostly selfies (not really bothered about optical zoom I just like to point and click) and I prefer to view/edit/organise photos on a larger ipad/mac anyway.

The XR offers the best battery life of any iphone - great for travel or all day use, fastest processor ever in a smartphone, same camera as XS (aside from optical zoom), improved face ID. These are all features that will have more of an impact on normal consumers day to day use than a higher ppi, and the vast majority of normal consumers will not consider it worth paying 350 (to upgrade to the max) for the screen upgrade and optical zoom both of which will have minimal real world impact on day to day use.

 

[Shanghaichica]

Last year did not show them that at all. The X was noticeably different and better than their prior phones, the 7 and 7+, and the 8 and 8+.

Despite being a better phone, volume fell a bit, because the price was too high.

Now they have phones that aren't clearly better than the X, and they're still more expensive. The drop in sales will be even steeper than it was last year.

The X isn’t available for sale anymore.

 

[raccoontail]

The XR just screams "I want an iPhone, but I really can't afford it."

To me the XR screams "I just spent more on a phone than the per capita GDP in over 20 countries!" But feel free to sneer at my iPhone 6 - which I now feel no need to upgrade thanks to iOS12's speed boost.

 

[rmoliv]

Why would anyone interested in having Apple's best phone wait for the XR which is lower-spec'd? This title doesn't make any sense.

 

[Shanghaichica]

I agree -- the omission of the second camera is a problem for many of us who purchased 7/8-Plus models in part for that feature, and who otherwise might consider purchasing the Xr for the larger screen or faster processor. I'm definitely in that boat, since the Xs is more than I want to spend on an upgrade. I've pretty much decided to sit out this release, and that's disappointing since Apple could have had my business but for bean-counter decisions such as this.

Well it can still do portrait mode. It’s just the 2 x zoom it can’t do.

 

[jessemcgoldrick]

The XS is not much better than the X so wait for the XR? If I have an X the XR is a downgrade in almost every way. If I have an older phone and I am choosing what to upgrade to the XS is dramatically better in every way and better than the XR. The big problem is just price. The XR has a good price, but is a worse phone than the X, XS, and some might even argue the 8...

The XR is in fact equal or an upgrade over the X in every area except screen quality, optical zoom and stainless steel vs aluminium. The XR has a faster processor than the X, improved camera sensor and image processor, significantly longer battery life, dual sim, faster face id algorithms, and it is 750 instead of 1000.

I’m not suggesting anyone should upgrade from an X to an XR, but for many people if they were offered an X (not XS) or an XR both for the same price of 750 today, many would choose the XR over the X as the improvements above (processor, battery, camera, etc) are more important to them than ppi or oled/lcd.

There’s no way that “the XR is a downgrade in almost every way” in fact it’s an upgrade in almost every area except the screen.

 

[spiderman0616]

The XR is in fact equal or an upgrade over the X in every area except screen quality, optical zoom and stainless steel vs aluminium. The XR has a faster processor than the X, improved camera sensor and image processor, significantly longer battery life, dual sim, faster face id algorithms, and it is 750 instead of 1000.

I’m not suggesting anyone should upgrade from an X to an XR, but for many people if they were offered an X (not XS) or an XR both for the same price of 750 today, many would choose the XR over the X as the improvements above (processor, battery, camera, etc) are more important to them than ppi or oled/lcd.

There’s no way that “the XR is a downgrade in almost every way” in fact it’s an upgrade in almost every area except the screen.

This assessment is correct. And I don't think anyone has to get mad at anyone else for choosing an XR over an XS/Max. Different needs/wants for different people. Either way, Apple wins and we win for getting to pick what price point we want.

 

[topmounter]

Apple trying to make existing sunglasses obsolete? LOL

Seriously, this is silly. Swallow your pride and implement TouchID in the display FFS.

Surely the team at Beats are working on FaceID-compliant Porsche Carrera 5620 style shades with integrated BT ear buds.

 

[jessemcgoldrick]

Why would anyone interested in having Apple's best phone wait for the XR which is lower-spec'd? This title doesn't make any sense.

Because paying an extra 350 for a higher ppi and optical zoom but a lower battery life and most other specs the same doesn’t make sense to alot of normal people looking to upgrade from a 6/6s/7 who aren’t wealthy or tech enthusiasts.

Plus some people just love brightly coloured phones!

 

[The Game 161]

XR is a great option for 6/6s owners price wise..and you still get Face ID and a great battery life

 

[CPx]

The Mashable review is really well done.

 

[thinkthis]

Correct me if I'm wrong - but where is the review of the new LTE modem? This looks to be one of the biggest speed increases since the release of LTE and people are just saying "the camera is the only improvement."

How did all of these reviewers miss this?

 

[44267547]

I’m guessing Apple is delaying horizontal faceid as a new feature to sell more phones later

This is a great point. I believe Apple has a very *long* history of rationing features for certain hardware upgrades to use them as leverage selling points to the consumer. The Apple Watch is a great example of how they upgraded the 50 M water resistance and GPS for the Series 2 from the first Gen watch, then How they upgraded Series 3 with LTE Over Series 2, just like next year will have various upgrades for face ID and camera upgrades for the 2019 model.