Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

iPhone XR XR vs XS Max: Is the XS Max really worth the extra $350?

XR vs XS Max: Is the XS Max really worth the extra $350?

  • Yes: The XS Max is worth the extra $350

    Votes: 54 53.5%

  • No: Save your cash and still get a sweet iPhone XR

    Votes: 47 46.5%
  • Total voters
    101
dmk1974

dmk1974

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Sep 16, 2008
2,480
539
I know my opinion, but mainly asking to validate for my brother. He's going to Costco tomorrow to switch from Verizon to T-Mobile and with his family's plan, he will be trading in an iPhone 7 to get the $750 total rebate and then plans to buy either the XR 64gb or the XS Max 64gb.

While the trade deal is sweet and Costco phones are all $50 less than straight from Apple, for that equal storage there is still a $350 delta between those two particular iPhones.

For all of the differences that I know have been compared already and with some time that has passed since the release of each model, do you think that the XS Max is worth the extra $350 vs the XR? Thanks!
 
Wasn't to me which is why I returned my Xs Max and kept the Xr. For me it was a saving of actually $500. 128gb Xr vs 256gb Xs Max, but the $50 less on Apple Care. 64gb, would have been tough for me, but I could have made it work I suppose, but I like having the extra space. 256 was overkill, but no option except the 64gb with the Max.
 
dmk1974 said:
I know my opinion, but mainly asking to validate for my brother. He's going to Costco tomorrow to switch from Verizon to T-Mobile and with his family's plan, he will be trading in an iPhone 7 to get the $750 total rebate and then plans to buy either the XR 64gb or the XS Max 64gb.

While the trade deal is sweet and Costco phones are all $50 less than straight from Apple, for that equal storage there is still a $350 delta between those two particular iPhones.

For all of the differences that I know have been compared already and with some time that has passed since the release of each model, do you think that the XS Max is worth the extra $350 vs the XR? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Just picked up my Max tonight and a Xr for my son. I’m impressed by the Xr and honestly the only reason I got the Max is the telephoto lens. As far as your question is it worth the difference in price, I guess it depends on what your needs are. Personally I like the zoom feature and the slightly larger screen is nice too, but that’s just me. So for me I thought it was.
 
I didn't vote, because I think "it depends", would be the best answer.
If he leans towards less expensive/more affordable... he may prefer the XR.
If he wants the biggest iPhone, OLED, telephoto lens, 3D Touch, and the highest screen resolution they offer on an iPhone...XS Max.

Maybe have him open up web pages, check out fonts and see what he thinks of the crispness in the displays.
If they both feel too heavy and big for him (since he is coming from the 7) , then an X or XS may be the best choice.
 
Last edited:
I’m paying less monthly for my XS Max than I did for my 7P.
So it was worth getting it to me.
 
Last edited:
It really depends on the individual. For me the bigger screen, higher resolution OLED display, dual lens camera 3D Touch and gold Color are worth the extra money but for others it won’t be worth it.
 
dmk1974 said:
do you think that the XS Max is worth the extra $350 vs the XR?
Click to expand...

Probably not. As a space gray XS Max owner, the XR is so close in competition, the main difference is the camera, OLED panel, stainless bands/aesthetics, etc. The XR is seemingly the ‘better value’, because it’s very similar in terms of what it has to offer in experience, it’s really a matter of just difference of size preferences between the 6.1 and 6.5.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Denaaaa
I just got the XR. Went with 128GB.
I still have the XS at home and getting ready to return it. On XS I went with 256GB. 64GB wouldn’t be enough.
XS was ~$1200.
XR was ~$860

That’s a huge difference.

The things I will miss and are important to me: form factor of iPhone XS.
The Zoom on XS.

Thing I won’t miss from XS: toggling airplane mode to go back to LTE signal from 4G where the phone would get stuck.
Mediocre battery life on XS.

I came from 6s and if I’m going spend over $1000 on better phone, it will be the 2019 model.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Alaxlmartin
dmk1974 said:
I know my opinion, but mainly asking to validate for my brother. He's going to Costco tomorrow to switch from Verizon to T-Mobile and with his family's plan, he will be trading in an iPhone 7 to get the $750 total rebate and then plans to buy either the XR 64gb or the XS Max 64gb.

While the trade deal is sweet and Costco phones are all $50 less than straight from Apple, for that equal storage there is still a $350 delta between those two particular iPhones.

For all of the differences that I know have been compared already and with some time that has passed since the release of each model, do you think that the XS Max is worth the extra $350 vs the XR? Thanks!
Click to expand...
I got mine and I would say it’s not worth it. I’d return it but I’m past
The return period.
 
Even if you can’t save money I’d rather put that $350 towards most of a watch or half off the base iPad Pro personally

Two devices better than one
 
Thanks for all the great comments. Yep, all about value and what features are worth it to an individual.

He's at the store now. Went with the XR 64gb. He's using some of the extra money towards a PS4 :)
 
IMO, the 2x optical zoom is the only thing you really need to consider between the Xr and XS Max as that is the single feature you cannot mimick or get used to, assuming it’s something you really want/need in the first place. All other differences are just a matter of getting used to or very subjective, like 3D Touch, OLED vs LCD, larger screen, etc...

Bottom line, is 2x optical zoom worth $350?

Edit: looks like I posted a split second too late after OP just got a phone. Congrats on the Xr! :)
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Denaaaa
For a lot of people it wouldn’t be worth it but since you asked for me specifically, yes it the extra money is worth it. I basically live on my phone lol so I want the best of the best. I like the better screen, telephoto camera and most importantly for me 3D Touch.
 
I switched from an 8+ to an XR for myself and definitely miss the 2X optical and 3D Touch. Was just too hard to convince myself to cough up the cash for those two features in the XS Max.

I hope they can make a pseudo-3D touch more capable via software in the future on the XR. I discovered that when I am within the Chrome app on my XR, I can hold down the tab counter in the square (near the bottom right) and it will buzz and pop up with the new tab/close tab options.
 
I have another question. Is the Xr really worth $750 and the Xs really worth $1000?
For me? Don't.
If like only changing the screen, and back could make the Xr $350 cheaper
 
dmk1974 said:
I switched from an 8+ to an XR for myself and definitely miss the 2X optical and 3D Touch. Was just too hard to convince myself to cough up the cash for those two features in the XS Max.

I hope they can make a pseudo-3D touch more capable via software in the future on the XR. I discovered that when I am within the Chrome app on my XR, I can hold down the tab counter in the square (near the bottom right) and it will buzz and pop up with the new tab/close tab options.
Click to expand...

They should be able. Most of the android phones have 3D functionality, just by long pressing an icon. Whether you long press vs hard press, the result is the same, and if they want they can do it in software on the xr
 
If you want the latest and greatest with a large screen then the Max is for you
Otherwise the Xs or X-ray is very good
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back