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iPhone XS and XS Max Reviews: Not Dramatically Better Than iPhone X, Consider Waiting for iPhone XR
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iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max reviews have hit the web, three days before the smartphones are released in stores.
2018 is what is known as a "S" year--hence the XS branding--in which Apple retains the same physical design of the iPhone, for the most part, and instead focuses on internal improvements to the display, camera, performance, and so forth. Previous examples include the iPhone 4s, iPhone 5s, and iPhone 6s series.
Not only that, but Apple said last year's iPhone X set the standard for the next decade of the smartphone, with its premium design and nearly edge-to-edge display, leaving the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max with big shoes to fill.
All that considered, let's dive in and see how they stack up.
After nearly six days of trying out the devices, many media outlets agree that the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max are "evolutionary, not revolutionary," as Wired's Lauren Goode put it. TechCrunch's Matthew Panzarino went as far as labeling the smaller-sized iPhone XS as "one of Apple's most 'S' models ever."
That's not necessarily a bad thing. As in many "S" years, if you already own the previous-year's device--in this case the iPhone X--Panzarino said there are only "about a half-dozen definitive improvements" in the iPhone XS. But, for customers upgrading from an older iPhone, he said they'll be in for "a huge win."In terms of specific features, The Verge's Nilay Patel has good impressions about Face ID, the rear camera, performance, battery life, and more. As he reminds readers, the only differences with the iPhone XS Max versus the smaller iPhone XS are its larger 6.5-inch display and longer battery life.
Patel on Face ID:On the rear cameraerformance:Battery life:If you are a diehard Apple fan who can't wait to get your hands on the latest and greatest iPhone, you're probably going to choose the iPhone XS, or specifically the iPhone XS Max, regardless. For others, it may be best to wait until Friday, October 19, when the lower-priced iPhone XR becomes available to order.
iPhone XR is often described as the iPhone X for the rest of us. While reviews of the device are not out today, we know it has a nearly edge-to-edge display, Face ID, glass casing, wireless charging, and many other advantages of the iPhone XS, including new camera features such as Depth Control and Smart HDR.
CNET's Scott Stein:The Wall Street Journal's Joanna Stern:Many other publications have shared iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max reviews that are worth a read. We've rounded up links below.
The New York Times
Mashable
USA Today
CNBC
TechRadar
Tom's Guide
The Telegraph
iNews
Pocket-lint
iPhone and iPhone XS will go on sale, and begin arriving to customers, this Friday. For those who decide to wait for the iPhone XR, reviews of that device will likely hit the web a few days before its October 26 release date.
Article Link: iPhone XS and XS Max Reviews: Not Dramatically Better Than iPhone X, Consider Waiting for iPhone XR
Not dramatically better but better nonetheless from the X and especially the Xr.
Physically, the Max is almost the exact size of the 7+ and 8+ iPhones. So for me, it's the Max.
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Sorry, I'm confused. Can't you just hold the phone further away until it unlocks? What is it about unlocking your iPhone that requires you to put it so close to your face so you can read "something"? Can't you just extend your arm 12 inches, unlock it, and then bring it closer again to read stuff?
I don't wear glasses, so I have no idea what your use case looks like.
I am the only one to view Face ID as a huge downside? Are people really that lazy to type in a passcode? Face ID screams Big Brother no matter how you look at it, and it seems that all future Apple phones are fully onboard. (and Android is worse being tied to a mandatory Google account if you want to do anything at all on it).
Apple claims Face ID is processed on the phone locally, but where is the guarantee that they wont open it up when .gov flexes its hand? All major tech companies are already in bed with Big Brother despite all of their privacy talk (look at their actions - Big Brother is made mandatory via cloud with non-cloud functionality slowly eliminated (in the name of convenience, ofcourse). Either way, Face ID is a huge negative for me, which is why both me and wife will continue using our 7+ and 8 until they fall apart.
Rant aside, what XR should have done is drop Face ID and instead go with OLED and dual rear camera, while keeping the price the same - that would have been a real winner and a real upgrade from 7/8. Current form XR is a downgrade for a 7/8 user due to inferior (to 7/8) display, Face ID Big Brother, worse camera (compared to the +). Yes it has faster CPU, but i think phones are at a point where further CPU speed increase wont matter for 99% of population (After A10).
Oh, and faster LTE made me laugh. At least for USA with its cellular oligopoly, LTE speeds can rarely go above 10/20Mbps (and this is best case scenario at least here on the east coast). You will always be limited by the carrier, and faster phone LTE implementation wont matter.
Apple claims Face ID is processed on the phone locally, but where is the guarantee that they wont open it up when .gov flexes its hand? All major tech companies are already in bed with Big Brother despite all of their privacy talk (look at their actions - Big Brother is made mandatory via cloud with non-cloud functionality slowly eliminated (in the name of convenience, ofcourse). Either way, Face ID is a huge negative for me, which is why both me and wife will continue using our 7+ and 8 until they fall apart.
Rant aside, what XR should have done is drop Face ID and instead go with OLED and dual rear camera, while keeping the price the same - that would have been a real winner and a real upgrade from 7/8. Current form XR is a downgrade for a 7/8 user due to inferior (to 7/8) display, Face ID Big Brother, worse camera (compared to the +). Yes it has faster CPU, but i think phones are at a point where further CPU speed increase wont matter for 99% of population (After A10).
Oh, and faster LTE made me laugh. At least for USA with its cellular oligopoly, LTE speeds can rarely go above 10/20Mbps (and this is best case scenario at least here on the east coast). You will always be limited by the carrier, and faster phone LTE implementation wont matter.
I just don't get all these people who compare the XS and XS Max to last year's X. Do the really upgrade every year? My iPhone 6 is 4 years old. the iPhone before that lasted 3 years. Who keeps thinking they need to upgrade every year?
Because it doesn't cost me any more money to upgrade every year, being that I'm on the Verizon iPhone Annual Upgrade plan. In fact, since I'm getting getting the Xr this year, my interest free monthly payment will actually be less than it was before.
"checking text messages" No.
Like every other modern motorcyclist, phones are front and center because they control the music into our bluetooth enabled helmets, incoming calls, Siri communication like "take me home" or "turn on the air conditioner" and when a message comes in, I see it without changing the view.
Motorcycles now have cruise control, ABS, traction control, rain modes and are even self driving.
The fact that my screen shows a text message isn't the same as digging around in a fanny pack, removing my gloves, clicking a passcode and reading and responding to a message while in traffic.
Even my gloves can interact with the screen now so I can change the song without having to ask Siri while I'm stopped at stop light or waiting for the train.
The only time I've ever had an issue with my mobile phone while riding is when a feature Apple invented calls 911 while I'm riding due to a call not cancelling as it should:
Every time I mention motorcycling on these forums, people beat me up for even owning a phone and owning a motorcycle at the same time as if it's a curse. I ride 14,000 miles a year and that wouldn't be possible without podcasts, music and incoming calls to my helmet since I work a pretty demanding job that requires people be able to reach me. I don't have emails sent to the home screen but a text message I'd like to have open on its own using FaceID by just lifting my visor but I guess that's never going to happen.
This is a normal motorcycle cockpit these days:
Just for extra, many of my friends are Iron Butt riders and participating in those rallies takes a setup like this:
While I don't think riding around with Iron Butt equipment is necessary, thee's nothing uncommon about Bluetooth comms and a phone front & center these days.
The biggest killer of motorcyclists is
- Lack of Helmet
- lack of gear
- driving while intoxicated
- inattentive drivers that rear end us at stops or side-swipe us at 4-way intersections
Distracted driving by motorcyclists isn't even a statistic that is worth reporting on. because despite all of the technologies we have now, motorcycling requires attention to operate. The video I posted above is the most distracted I've ever been and I had to get off the freeway to take care of it and I blame Apple for that one.
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Yes you are. In public you need to unlock your phone. Do you a) type the code in where someone can see you do it or a security camera can pick it up, or b) look at your phone / use your finger print.
This enhances security.
I never have a problem to discretely unlock my phone with the passcode in public.
The problem with biometrics is that you only have 1 of "it", and if its digital equivalent is stolen (which it will be, only a matter of time) you are basically screwed. Completely not worth it for me for the added "convenience."
Ew. Honey, it only screams that to shallow garbage people with bad taste
It also terrifies me that you're paying attention to that many gadgets while riding a motorcycle, but hey, you do you. I won't even look down at my Apple Watch while bicycling."checking text messages" No.
Like every other modern motorcyclist, phones are front and center because they control the music into our bluetooth enabled helmets, incoming calls, Siri communication like "take me home" or "turn on the air conditioner" and when a message comes in, I see it without changing the view.
Motorcycles now have cruise control, ABS, traction control, rain modes and are even self driving.
The fact that my screen shows a text message isn't the same as digging around in a fanny pack, removing my gloves, clicking a passcode and reading and responding to a message while in traffic.
Even my gloves can interact with the screen now so I can change the song without having to ask Siri while I'm stopped at stop light or waiting for the train.
The only time I've ever had an issue with my mobile phone while riding is when a feature Apple invented calls 911 while I'm riding due to a call not cancelling as it should:
Every time I mention motorcycling on these forums, people beat me up for even owning a phone and owning a motorcycle at the same time as if it's a curse. I ride 14,000 miles a year and that wouldn't be possible without podcasts, music and incoming calls to my helmet since I work a pretty demanding job that requires people be able to reach me. I don't have emails sent to the home screen but a text message I'd like to have open on its own using FaceID by just lifting my visor but I guess that's never going to happen.
This is a normal motorcycle cockpit these days:
Just for extra, many of my friends are Iron Butt riders and participating in those rallies takes a setup like this:
While I don't think riding around with Iron Butt equipment is necessary, thee's nothing uncommon about Bluetooth comms and a phone front & center these days.
The biggest killer of motorcyclists is
- Lack of Helmet
- lack of gear
- driving while intoxicated
- inattentive drivers that rear end us at stops or side-swipe us at 4-way intersections
Distracted driving by motorcyclists isn't even a statistic that is worth reporting on. because despite all of the technologies we have now, motorcycling requires attention to operate. The video I posted above is the most distracted I've ever been and I had to get off the freeway to take care of it and I blame Apple for that one.
What I'll most likely do is wait until the XR comes out and I can hold both in my hand to see which I prefer.
Maybe I don't understand your use case, but
- Don't read notifications while driving, even when at a light.
- Most sunglasses work fine.
- Most glasses work fine.
- If you're that concerned about security, then you should look forward to FaceID. It is more secure.
1.5 hour longer battery life, thinner bezels, faster faceID, 7nm, 6.5 inch size, brand new camera. This is the phone the X should've been.
Not to mention that the A12 is literally twice (!!) as fast in the the GPU department.
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That's fine, but for other users there's no reason to buy an X while the XS exists. Even if the X were still being sold for say 899, you would actually be getting less value.
I think so too. I think the Xs and Max are more geared and beneficial for those who watch videos, play games and don't want to carry a camera. I thought getting a Xs may be a better choice because it already supports Gigabit LTs but I've come to terms that the technology is not quite ready yet and won't be widely available soon to take advantage of it. After reading feedback from users about the speed, I don't think it is necessary to get a Xs and Xr may be the better choice for me. When the Gigabit does become more widely available, by then it will be time to upgrade.
Well, I Changed my mind. I ended up going to one of the AT&T stores here and traded my iPhone 7 128gb for a 256gb X.
I think these iPhones are all truly underpriced based on the value they add to my life.
I went XS Max, as I think the Max will possibly reduce my need for carrying my iPad Pro with me everywhere I go.
I bought unlocked. If given the opportunity, I will buy the true dual SIM due to traveling.
I currently use a Verizon with iPhone 8, and T-Mobile with iPhone 8 that allows me to use it worldwide. One for work. One for personal use. The two problems I have are getting T-Mobile to work in US and getting Verizon to work internationally.
If the true dual SIM has band 71 for T-Mobile and does the CDMA networks, I will buy my first iPhone that solves all my problems and just works. Right now, no dual SIM I have found works with Verizon. Readings Apple’s peg about eSIM, I think it sucks that the feature isn’t working from launch day.
We all know how frustrating it can be waiting for an Apple promised software update.
I went XS Max, as I think the Max will possibly reduce my need for carrying my iPad Pro with me everywhere I go.
I bought unlocked. If given the opportunity, I will buy the true dual SIM due to traveling.
I currently use a Verizon with iPhone 8, and T-Mobile with iPhone 8 that allows me to use it worldwide. One for work. One for personal use. The two problems I have are getting T-Mobile to work in US and getting Verizon to work internationally.
If the true dual SIM has band 71 for T-Mobile and does the CDMA networks, I will buy my first iPhone that solves all my problems and just works. Right now, no dual SIM I have found works with Verizon. Readings Apple’s peg about eSIM, I think it sucks that the feature isn’t working from launch day.
We all know how frustrating it can be waiting for an Apple promised software update.
That's utterly ridiculous. You clearly don't understand it at all.
It's quite smart of Apple to hold off on releasing the cheaper one for a month. All the people who get hyped for a new phone will get the expensive one, even if they might have chose the Xr. I always wondered if they made more of the larger storage ones during the early days of a phones release too. If they are all going to sell out anyway, make it so some people choose to get the higher storage option than they would have if there was availability.
I'd have no problem if they just made all models $100 more expensive for the first 4 weeks. Some people would call that price gouging, but's it's hardly any different than any other pricing segmentation strategy. It's just more apparent.
I'd have no problem if they just made all models $100 more expensive for the first 4 weeks. Some people would call that price gouging, but's it's hardly any different than any other pricing segmentation strategy. It's just more apparent.
You may have to change your helmet if you want to use a FaceID model: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/faceid-w-helmets-etc.2067125/page-2#post-25539957"checking text messages" No.
Like every other modern motorcyclist, phones are front and center because they control the music into our bluetooth enabled helmets, incoming calls, Siri communication like "take me home" or "turn on the air conditioner" and when a message comes in, I see it without changing the view.
Motorcycles now have cruise control, ABS, traction control, rain modes and are even self driving.
The fact that my screen shows a text message isn't the same as digging around in a fanny pack, removing my gloves, clicking a passcode and reading and responding to a message while in traffic.
Even my gloves can interact with the screen now so I can change the song without having to ask Siri while I'm stopped at stop light or waiting for the train.
The only time I've ever had an issue with my mobile phone while riding is when a feature Apple invented calls 911 while I'm riding due to a call not cancelling as it should:
Every time I mention motorcycling on these forums, people beat me up for even owning a phone and owning a motorcycle at the same time as if it's a curse. I ride 14,000 miles a year and that wouldn't be possible without podcasts, music and incoming calls to my helmet since I work a pretty demanding job that requires people be able to reach me. I don't have emails sent to the home screen but a text message I'd like to have open on its own using FaceID by just lifting my visor but I guess that's never going to happen.
This is a normal motorcycle cockpit these days:
Just for extra, many of my friends are Iron Butt riders and participating in those rallies takes a setup like this:
While I don't think riding around with Iron Butt equipment is necessary, thee's nothing uncommon about Bluetooth comms and a phone front & center these days.
The biggest killer of motorcyclists is
- Lack of Helmet
- lack of gear
- driving while intoxicated
- inattentive drivers that rear end us at stops or side-swipe us at 4-way intersections
Distracted driving by motorcyclists isn't even a statistic that is worth reporting on. because despite all of the technologies we have now, motorcycling requires attention to operate. The video I posted above is the most distracted I've ever been and I had to get off the freeway to take care of it and I blame Apple for that one.