iPhone XS and XS Max Review: Apple’s Finest Yet—But Are They Worth It for You?

Editor’s Note: This article was first published on September 19, 2018.

CNN Business
 — 

Each year, Apple’s CEO Tim Cook proclaims that the upcoming iPhones are the best they’ve ever produced.

In 2018, the company introduced the iPhone XS and XS Max, which truly deliver on that claim: They represent the most advanced, fastest, and smartest iPhones we’ve encountered so far.

However, purchasing a new iPhone at this stage feels akin to acquiring a fresh Ferrari – expect a speedier engine, a sleeker paint job, and a few additional features, but fundamentally, it’s still the same vehicle from last year. As with that new Ferrari, these iPhones command a hefty price tag.

The iPhone XS, measuring 5.8 inches, retails for $999. Its larger counterpart, the iPhone XS Max, is available for an additional $100. Do you want the fully equipped Max with 512 GB of storage? That price reaches $1,449. The “budget” iPhone XR ($749) will be available next month.

This significant investment is considerable for what is largely an incremental upgrade, especially as iPhones have become increasingly durable and longer-lasting than before.

That said, buying one may still be worthwhile. The XS and XS Max are substantial upgrades with remarkable features. Ultimately, the decision lies in your personal requirements and, more importantly, your financial capacity.

An important note: If you’ve been pronouncing it as “X” S and “X” Max, it’s time to adjust that – it’s the iPhone 10S and 10S Max. Don’t worry; many of us have been mispronouncing it as well this week.

What to anticipate with the iPhone XS and XS Max

The internals of the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max are nearly the same: both come equipped with a 12-megapixel camera, superior audio quality from the speakers, and the capability to house two SIM cards in a single device—an excellent feature for international travelers or those juggling work and personal phones.

Both devices incorporate Apple’s new A12 Bionic chip, which is essential for running intricate augmented reality applications, enhancing the speed of Face ID, and expediting game loading times. Apple emphasized the speed of these new models during their launch, and indeed, they are impressive—but previous models were fast, too.

Both models are also equipped with stunning OLED displays that provide an immersive video-watching experience, particularly on the XS Max.

Additionally, battery life has seen enhancements on both devices. Apple claims that the XS lasts about 30 minutes longer compared to last year’s iPhone X, while the Max provides an additional 90 minutes. While not revolutionary, any extra usage time is appreciated.

A key distinction between the iPhone XS and XS Max lies in their size. The Max is undeniably large, but it matches the dimensions of the iPhone 8 Plus. The edge-to-edge display gives the impression that the device is 21% larger than its predecessor, but it manages to fit comfortably in hand as easily (or not) as older Plus models.

Nevertheless, it feels as though the XS Max’s size may be excessive. Unlike the Samsung Galaxy Note or the iPad, which offer features tailored for larger displays such as additional app rows or split-screen, the XS Max seems to lack these capabilities, missing a significant opportunity.

The real highlight of the new models is their camera. A newly introduced feature named Smart HDR captures a series of four frames at varying exposures and settings to create images with greater detail—a technique similar to a feature already available on the Google Pixel 2.

However, a likely favorite among users is the reworked Portrait Mode feature, which allows you to adjust the depth of a photo post-capture, granting you enhanced creative control. For instance, if you take a picture of a friend on the beach and want a blurred background for an artistic effect, you can achieve that, and if you decide later you’d like more of the ocean visible, you can alter the background using the editing option.

This is a well-executed feature, though the results are contingent on your photography skills and lighting conditions. When executed well, it can produce fantastic results; when not, you’ll still end up with a decent image. The Pixel 2 and Samsung Galaxy S9 also feature a similar capability.

While the XS and XS Max come with headphones, this year there’s no adapter in the box. Consequently, you’ll have to pay an extra $9 for a dongle if you want to utilize older headphones. It’s Apple’s way of signaling that it’s time to move on from the absence of the headphone jack.

It might be challenging to comprehend spending nearly $1,000 or more on a new iPhone. Even though Apple has subtly sunset some of its more affordable models, like the iPhone 6S, SE, and X, they do still offer earlier versions—the iPhone 7 ($449) and the iPhone 8 ($599)—if you seek a less expensive alternative without opting for the XS series.

Should you find yourself uninterested in a new iPhone, unable to afford one, or hesitant about spending the cash, consider upgrading your current device to iOS 12 to refresh its feel. You might find the intriguing new Screen Time feature, which tracks your app usage, particularly enlightening. (I realized within two hours how often I accessed apps like Instagram.) It also enables you to set usage timers for specific applications.

However, not all iOS 12 features are available on older devices. For example, the Memoji feature, an animated emoji that you can customize to resemble yourself, necessitates an iPhone with Face ID for creation and sharing.

If you’re undecided, consider the iPhone XS or XS Max as a long-term investment. With devices evolving beyond the typical two-year replacement cycle, their enhanced durability justifies their higher price tags.

Correction: A previous version of this article erroneously stated the price of the iPhone XR.