Apple iPhone XS Max review (2024)

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Introduction

The iPhone X was not just a milestone for Apple. It also turned out to be the cornerstone the next generation of iPhones is being built around. And while the anniversary iPhone wowed everyone, many people voiced their wish for a Plus size model after the excitement had worn off. And this year Apple is righting this wrong with the iPhone XS Max.

Apple iPhone XS Max review (7)Apple iPhone XS and XS Max

We have to admit we used all of our jokes on the iPhone XS review. But coming up with the iPhone XS Max name is probably the biggest joke anyway. Two letters, but one is a Roman numeral - we learned to deal with that. But the Max moniker after the XS name, well, this is funny everywhere on the globe.

The iPhone XS Max is a wish come true for all of you who wanted an X Plus. The Max has a massive 6.5" bezel-less OLED display, the fastest chipset on the planet, an improved dual-camera, louder speakers, and the largest battery the iPhones have seen to date.

Apple iPhone XS Max review (8)Apple iPhone XS Max in the new Gold color

The iPhone XS didn't seem to pack enough punch to make a reasonable iPhone user upgrade, but the Max is an entirely different story. If you wanted an X with a bigger screen you've probably pre-ordered and you have a tracking number in your mailbox already.

Nobody doubted that a bigger iPhone would have costed more. But the iPhone XS Max is not just the most expensive iPhone yet. It's the most expensive smartphone there is right now. And despite what we'd expect, this didn't turn down the fans, quite the opposite - the iPhone XS Max is massively outselling the XS.

Well, we have the Apple iPhone XS Max in our office, so let's see what the fuss is all about, shall we?

Apple iPhone XS Max specs

  • Body: Stainless steel frame, reinforced glass front, and rear, IP68 certified for water and dust resistance. Space Gray, Gold and Silver color options.
  • Screen: 6.5" bezel-less OLED screen of 1242 x 2688 px resolution, 458ppi. HDR video support, wide color gamut. True Tone adjustment via a six-channel ambient light sensor, 3D Touch.
  • OS: Apple iOS 12
  • Chipset: Apple A12 Bionic chip (7nm) - Hexa-core 2.49GHz (2x Vortex + 4x Tempest) Apple CPU, four-core Apple GPU, 4-core Apple NPU 2-gen
  • Memory: 4GB of RAM; 64/256/512GB of internal storage (non-expandable)
  • Camera: Dual 12MP camera: wide-angle F/1.8 with OIS + telephoto F/2.4 with OIS, live bokeh effects (including Portrait mode and Portrait Lightning, adjustable blur), 2x lossless zoom, quad-LED flash with slow sync, phase detection auto focus, wide color gamut capture
  • Video recording: 2160p@60/30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps video recording with wider dynamic range
  • Selfie: 7MP F/2.2 front-facing camera with BSI sensor and HDR mode, 1080p@30/60fps video, digital video stabilization, depth detection for Portrait mode and animoji
  • Connectivity: Dual SIM, 4G LTE (1 Gbps); Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac; Bluetooth 5.0; Lightning port; GPS with A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS; NFC (Apple, NFC tag reading)
  • Battery: 3,174 mAh battery, wireless charging (Qi compatible)
  • Misc: Face ID through dedicated TrueDepth camera, stereo speakers, Taptic Engine

Apple introduced a new Gold paint job with the XS series. It's the one thing that will make an XS stand out next to an X model. Of course, the XS Max doesn't need this kind of help, as its size is enough of a distinguishing feature. But we missed the opportunity to show you the new Gold color on the XS, so we made sure to get the Max in this hue.

We've already established that the iPhone XS employs the best features the market has to offer today - the fastest mobile chipset, the best display, class-leading speakers, flagship-grade camera experience. Now let's see if anything is different on the iPhone XS Max.

Unboxing the Apple iPhone XS Max

Well, this iPhone may deserve the Max moniker, but its retail bundle is eXtra Small for a flagship. Just like the XS, the XS Max comes packed with Apple's tiny 5W charger, a Lightning cable, and a pair of EarPods. That's it.

Apple iPhone XS Max review (9)What's in the box

The iPhone XS Max supports both wireless charging and fast wired charging, though obviously, you can't benefit from either out of the box. This year Apple has also ditched the 3.5mm-to-Lightning adapter, so if you need one - that'll be extra $9.

The good news is the iPhone XS Max is compatible with all Qi-certified chargers, so you have plenty to choose from.

The bad news is if you want to use fast wired charging, you'll have to buy both the charger and the USB-C-to-Lightning cable from Apple. And that'll be extra $70, you're welcome!

Apple iPhone XS Max review (10)And what's NOT in the box

We can all agree it's a bummer that Apple isn't shipping its most expensive smartphones with a fast charger, but there is one very good explanation why. It's simple - Apple doesn't want you to fast charge your iPhone.

Unlike Oppo, Apple doesn't have VOOC-like tech and relies on the regular USB-C Power Delivery chargers bundled with the latest MacBooks. Using such chargers will likely shorten the battery's overall lifespan.

Apple iPhone XS Max review (2024)

FAQs

Apple iPhone XS Max review? ›

The iPhone XS Max is a device that confounds. It's a fantastic selection of components, squeezed into one very nice package. However, in practice, it's too big, too heavy, too expensive, and far too similar to the iPhone XS for us to wholeheartedly recommend. It's not bad, but we'd buy the regular XS.

Is the iPhone XS Max any good? ›

The iPhone XS Max is a device that confounds. It's a fantastic selection of components, squeezed into one very nice package. However, in practice, it's too big, too heavy, too expensive, and far too similar to the iPhone XS for us to wholeheartedly recommend. It's not bad, but we'd buy the regular XS.

How long will the iPhone XS Max be supported? ›

iPhone Support Duration
ModelRelease dateSupported
iPhone XS / XS Max21-Sep-18Yes – Until 2025
iPhone XR26-Oct-18Yes – Until 2025
iPhone 1120-Sep-19Yes – Until 2026
iPhone 11 Pro / 11 Pro Max20-Sep-19Yes – Until 2026
24 more rows
Sep 16, 2023

Is the iPhone 11 or XS Max better? ›

iPhone XS Max has a better screen – its gorgeous 6.5-inch OLED display outshining iPhone 11's more modest, but still excellent, 6.1-inch LCD display. The batteries are of a similar size, and should last a full day, but iPhone 11 has the fast new A13 Bionic processor, improving on 2018's A12 Bionic chip.

What is the common problem of iPhone XS Max? ›

Common iPhone XS and XS Max issues include charging problems, weak network signal reception, freezing, aggressive camera smoothening, Bluetooth connectivity problems, faulty green line in display, and slow data and Wi-Fi speeds.

How many years does iPhone XS Max last? ›

You can use your iPhone XS for 5 years if you take care of it and charge your battery properly. There will be new technology over those 5 years and new iOS may slow down the apps a bit. But it very likely still work effectively over that period.

Which iPhones will stop working in 2024? ›

Which iPhones are Vintage and Obsolete in 2024?
  • iPhone SE (1st generation)
  • iPhone 6s.
  • iPhone 6s Plus (except for 32GB model)
  • iPhone 7.
  • iPhone 7 Plus.
  • iPhone 8.
  • iPhone 8 Plus.
Apr 2, 2024

Is iPhone XS Max out of date? ›

As of June 2024, the iPhone XS is the oldest iPhone model officially capable of running iOS 18, the latest version of iOS.

How old is an iPhone XS Max? ›

A2104
Launch
Announced2018, September 12
StatusAvailable. Released 2018, September 21
1 more row

Why is XS Max discontinued? ›

The discontinuation of the iPhone XS and XS Max suggest a concern that offering those devices at a lower price point—as is customary after a year—could cannibalize sales of the new iPhone 11 Pro models.

Which iPhone is better than the XS Max? ›

While the batteries are a similar size, advances in power management mean that iPhone 11 Pro should last a couple of hours longer than iPhone XS Max. If you're after a powerful iPhone with a big screen, iPhone XS Max remains a solid choice. The smaller iPhone 11 Pro is a more advanced smartphone with a better camera.

Is it worth upgrading to iPhone XS Max? ›

The bottom line: If you have an iPhone XS, XS Max or XR, it's definitely worth upgrading. You get a noticeable boost in camera quality, battery life and performance among other areas. But again, remember that the iPhone 15 and a newly discounted iPhone 14 may be arriving in just a few weeks.

Is iPhone XS Max as good as iPhone 12? ›

The iPhone 12 has several advantages over the iPhone XS Max, which includes a higher-quality display, a newer processor, and 5G cellular connectivity. Features of the iPhone 12 include a 6.1” Super Retina XDR display, an Apple A14 Bionic chip, and up to 256GB of storage space.

Why is iPhone XS Max special? ›

Better Battery Life

The iPhone XS packs 30 minutes more battery life than the iPhone X, and the iPhone XS Max boasts an hour and a half more battery life thanks to its massive battery, the largest ever in an iPhone. Even the iPhone XR offers an hour and a half more than the iPhone 8 Plus.

Which iPhone is better than XS Max? ›

While the batteries are a similar size, advances in power management mean that iPhone 11 Pro should last a couple of hours longer than iPhone XS Max. If you're after a powerful iPhone with a big screen, iPhone XS Max remains a solid choice. The smaller iPhone 11 Pro is a more advanced smartphone with a better camera.

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