iPhone XS Max review | SociallyKeeda

The iPhone XS Max (pronounced 'Ten S Max') was the biggest smartphone Apple had ever launched when it launched in September 2018. With a 6.5-inch show, hardly any display bezel, and the now-iconic top-screen notch, it was a dominating presence within the hand.

Sure, it is now not considered one of Apple's newest telephones after being outdated by the iPhone 11 vary in 2019, the iPhone 12 vary in 2020, and lastly the iPhone 13 lineup in 2021. Among these is the iPhone 13 Pro Max, the newest huge iPhone which has stretched out to a 6.7-inch show within the same-sized body, and improved the cameras and specs as well.

While now not the largest and quickest iPhone on the market, the iPhone XS Max continues to be a powerful piece of equipment: It's quick, has nice cameras, and longer-lasting battery than most of Apple's lineup. And after being available on the market for just a few years, you'll be able to choose it up for a discount now.

Just do not count on to select it up from Apple immediately: the tech large dropped the iPhone XS Max from its shops to simplify the product vary, nevertheless it's nonetheless accessible from retailers and carriers – and at a considerably decrease value than when it launched.

While the iPhone XS Max was the biggest and most costly iPhone at launch with its 6.5-inch show, it has been surpassed in each dimension and value by premium Android flagships. The cellphone nonetheless dominates your pocket, which was a daring assertion from a agency that had resisted increasing its telephones' display sizes to the identical monumental diploma as its Android rivals.

For those that crave extra display for video and gaming on the go, the expansive show of the iPhone XS Max (and newer iPhone 12 Pro Max) are a welcome a part of Apple’s lineup, whereas these wanting a premium expertise with out the supersized dimensions can take consolation that it’s launched alongside the smaller iPhone XS – although if you would like small, the iPhone 12 mini is the tiniest iPhone in years.

And whereas it misses out on the iPhone 12 Pro Max's really spectacular evening images, the iPhone XS Max retains almost all of the perks inherited by its substitute. For a decrease value, you are still getting a plus-sized iPhone with the very best iOS has to supply (with all of the perks of iOS 14) and a terrific show for binging media.

Update: Apple has launched iOS 15 and confirmed that the software program will come to the iPhone XS Max. Highlights of iOS 15 embody the power to incorporate Android customers on FaceTime calls, further particulars in Apple Maps, statuses for Messages, and way more. Simply open the Settings app and go to General > Software Update to improve at no cost.

Watch our 48-hour review of the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max video beneath

iPhone XS Max value and availability

iPhone XS Max 64GB value: $1,099 (£1,099, AU$1,799)
iPhone XS Max 256GB value: $1,249 (£1,249, AU$2,049)
iPhone XS Max 512GB value: $1,449 (£1,449, AU$2,369)

iPhone XS Max specs

Weight: 208g
Dimensions: 157.5 x 77.4 x 7.7mm
OS: iOS 12
Screen dimension: 6.5-inch
Resolution: 1242 x 2688
CPU: Apple A12 Bionic
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 64/256/512GB
Battery: 3,174mAh
Rear digital camera: 12MP + 12MP
Front digital camera: 7MP + ToF

Apple now not sells the iPhone XS Max, however when it did, it charged so much. Luckily, you'll be able to nonetheless discover the handset at different retailers, carriers and networks.

As we have already hinted, this can be a premium cellphone with an much more premium price ticket. The iPhone XS Max began at $1,099 (£1,099, AU$1,799) for the 64GB mannequin, which is $100 (£100, AU$170) greater than the iPhone XS.

If you need extra inside storage, the 256GB iPhone XS Max value was $1,249 (£1,249, AU$2,049), whereas the costliest 512GB model will set you again a staggering $1,449 (£1,449, AU$2,369).

At the time of launch, there was no mainstream smartphone that prices greater than the 512GB iPhone XS Max did at launch, placing it in a league of its personal when it comes to pricing. Now, there are much more costly mainstream telephones however that is nonetheless some huge cash for a handset.

Plus, the launch of the iPhone 11 and 12 households have introduced the value down. At the time of our newest replace to this review, the handset with 64GB of storage value round $600, £600 or AU$800.

That stated, it is getting more and more laborious to seek out new fashions of the iPhone XS Max, so for those who actually nonetheless wish to purchase it you might need to accept a refurbished handset. Of course, the value of these is even decrease.

iPhone XS Max

Design

Same design as iPhone X, however larger
A contact shorter and slim than the iPhone 8 Plus, with an even bigger display

The iPhone XS Max design is misleading. Pick it up, and the rounded sides of the handset make it really feel noticeably thick.

The result's a cellphone that does not sit as comfortably within the hand because it may, and contemplating the dimensions and value of the XS Max it is a cellphone you need to have the ability to securely maintain. This is simply half the story although.

We in contrast the iPhone XS Max to numerous telephones throughout our in-depth review, together with the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 (6.4-inch display), OnePlus 6T (6.41-inch) and Sony Xperia XZ3 (6-inch), and the iPhone felt thicker, and fewer planted within the hand than all of them.

The humorous factor is although, the iPhone XS Max is thinner than all of these telephones at simply 7.7mm.

The cause for that is easy: tapered edges. The Samsung, Sony and OnePlus all taper their rear edges, giving the impression of a thinner machine whereas additionally permitting them to take a seat a bit higher within the curvature of your hand.

The iPhone XS Max has a very flat again that is a bit extra awkward to carry, and we discovered {that a} tactfully-placed pinkie finger on the underside of the cellphone was a should for one-handed use.

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What's extra spectacular is that the XS Max manages to squeeze an enormous 6.5-inch show right into a physique that is a contact shorter and narrower (at 157.5 x 77.4mm) than the iPhone 8 Plus, which solely boasts a 5.5-inch show.

While the iPhone XS Max does really feel a bit chunky within the hand there is not any questioning the truth that you are getting an enormous quantity of show actual property crammed right into a type issue which does an excellent job of retaining it usable.

The metal body across the outdoors and the brand new formulation of glass on the entrance and rear – which is more durable than the glass on the iPhone X – give the iPhone XS Max a supremely premium appear and feel, whereas its resistance to mud and water has additionally been enhanced.

Apple has upped the safety to IP68, enabling the iPhone XS Max to be submerged to a depth of as much as two meters for half-hour with out struggling any unwell results. Apple claims it is examined the safety in numerous liquids, together with salt water, chlorinated water, milk, wine and beer, though we would not advise purposefully exposing the handset to any of those.

It's value noting that Apple's guarantee, like these of all cellphone producers, would not cowl 'liquid contact' harm, which implies if the liquid resistance does fail on the iPhone XS Max you will not be lined.

iPhone XS Max

The headphone jack is gone for good from iPhones

There's no headphone jack on the iPhone XS Max. The port is now completely useless after Apple killed off the iPhone 6S and iPhone SE post-iPhone XS launch (the final two handsets with the three.5mm jack that have been accessible from the agency's website), which implies you get a centralized Lightning port alongside speaker and microphone holes on the bottom of the iPhone XS Max.

There's a pair of Apple EarPods with a lightning connector within the field with the iPhone XS Max, however for those who plug this into the lightning port on the bottom of the cellphone you'll be able to't join the charging cable to it on the identical time.

Thankfully, the iPhone XS Max additionally helps wi-fi charging, so in case you have a charging pad handy you'll be able to prime the handset up whereas listening to a wired set of headphones.

The energy/lock secret's on the fitting facet of the XS Max, and is simple sufficient to hit with thumb or forefinger, whereas the quantity keys sit beneath the bodily mute swap on the left of the handset.

Hold the facility/lock key down and you will convey up Siri, which implies turning off the iPhone XS Max requires you to carry down the facility and quantity up keys till an on-screen immediate seems.

The SIM card tray continues to be situated beneath this key, however there is a new function contained in the iPhone XS Max (and XS). The handset is twin SIM enabled, with an eSIM embedded contained in the handset.

This means that you can insert a SIM from the service of your selection, after which allow the eSIM on a special plan or service. It's value noting that not all carriers help eSIM know-how, and availability varies by area, so be sure to examine earlier than signing as much as something.

Overall although, Apple hasn't moved removed from the design of the iPhone X with the iPhone XS Max, aside from to stretch it a bit. There is, nevertheless, a brand new colour choice over the X.

Apple launched a brand new gold end for each the iPhone XS Max and XS, and it is a bit richer than the extra refined gold end choice for the iPhone 8 and eight Plus. If you discover the gold a bit an excessive amount of, the iPhone XS Max additionally is available in Silver and Space Gray.