What's new?
A larger model
The iPhone XS is being joined by a larger sibling: the 6.5-inch iPhone XS Max. 6.5-inches might sound massive, but thanks to the edge-to-edge display, the iPhone XS Max is roughly the same size as an iPhone 8 Plus in the same way the iPhone X was roughly the same size as iPhone 8.
New and improved rear-facing cameras
Both rear-facing cameras on the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max are still 12MP, but they have a couple of cool new tricks that should result in even better photos. Smart HDR is a new feature that will create a single photo from a four frame buffer with several interframes while using a long exposure for shadow detail. Essentially, your new iPhone will intelligently stitch together multiple photos to get a sharper, more detailed image.
Portrait mode has also received a bit of an upgrade: you'll be able to adjust the depth of field of a photo after you've taken it, with a range of f/1.4 to f/16, giving you more control over just how blurry or sharp you want the background behind your subject to be.
Hardware
As expected, you'll find a faster processor under the hood. Dubbed the A12 Bionic, the iPhone XS' six-core processor is Apple's first 7 nanometre chip, and its said to run 15% faster than last year's A11. The corresponding Neural Processing Unit has had a big upgrade, and can now complete 5 trillion operations per second, up from 600 billion. This helps with real-time machine learning, which in turn facilitates experiences like Animoji where your phone has to analyse your face and map objects on the fly.
They come in gold!
Sure, the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max might not look *new*, but they now come in a gold finish. Which you should definitely consider, because how else are people going to tell that you've got the brand iPhone XS and not last year's old very out of date anachronistic iPhone X. Although I guess it doesn't matter after you put a case on it, which you should, given the $1,629 starting price.
Ever so slightly more water-resistance
The iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max are both rated IP68 for water-resistance, up from IP67. This means they can be dropped into a body of water as deep as two metres for up to half an hour. IP67 only protects to depths of one metre.
What's the same?
An almost full screen display
Much like the iPhone X, the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max both have an almost edge-to-edge OLED display with a small cut out for the notch. Apple calls both displays "Super Retina" given the high pixel density of 458 ppi.
The iPhone XS has the same screen resolution as the iPhone X (2426 x 1125), while the iPhone XS Max display runs at 2688 x 1242.
Facial recognition
Since there's no home button or fingerprint reader, you'll be unlocking the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max with face. The good news is Apple says Face ID is faster than it was on last year's iPhone X, thanks to a faster security co-processor and improved algorithms.
iPhone XS vs iPhone XR: What's the difference?
In addition to the ultra lux iPhone XS, Apple also announced a slightly more affordable iPhone XR.
While the iPhone XR will cost you around $400 less than a comparable iPhone XS, it shares most of the same features. You get the same A12 processor, the same 12MP rear-facing camera (although without the second lens), and a very similar design. Despite the lack of a second lens, the iPhone XR still gets portrait mode through some software tricks.
There are however a few differences. It's 6.1-inch display is LED rather than OLED (and runs at a lower resolution), you don't get 3D Touch, the build is aluminum rather than stainless steel, water-resistance is IP67 rather than IP68, and you can't film video in 4K.
Here's how the new models compare:
2018 iPhone specifications
| iPhone XR | iPhone XS | iPhone XS Max | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.1-inch LCD | 5.8-inch OLED | 6.5-inch OLED |
| Resolution | Retina | Super Retina | Super Retina |
| 3D Touch | No | Yes | Yes |
| Material | Aluminium | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| Rear-Facing Camera | 12MP | 12MP + 12MP | 12MP + 12MP |
| Processor | A12 | A12 | A12 |
| Storage | 64GB - 256GB | 64GB - 512GB | 64GB - 512GB |
| Water-Resistance | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Price | From $1,229 | From $1,629 | From $1,799 |
When will the iPhone XS be available?
The iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max are available now. You can get them direct through Apple, JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, et al, and Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone.
How much will the iPhone XS cost?
Thanks to a weak exchange rate, the latest iPhone models are also the priciest to date. Especially if you want a 512GB model. Here's what you're looking at outright:
- iPhone XS 64GB: $1,629
- iPhone XS 256GB: $1,879
- iPhone XS 512GB: $2,199
- iPhone XS Max 64GB: $1,799
- iPhone XS Max 256GB: $2,049
- iPhone XS Max 512GB: $2,369
Those prices might be easier to swallow on a plan. Here's a few from each of the carriers. Or to compare them all check out our full iPhone XS plans page.
iPhone XS 64GB Plans
iPhone XS Max 64GB Plans
Alex Choros
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