iPhone XS Max: we are testing the biggest Apple phone

I thought back to the question of size this morning as I walked across the street with Apple's biggest mobile phone, the iPhone XS Max, coming out of my pants pocket with lasciviousness.

In addition to introducing a very big bump in your jeans, the Max will also put a brake on your bank account because it is the most expensive phone of Apple.

What made me wonder if we really needed those extra inches or if it would end up being a painful experience? Is the XS just too expensive?

Here is what I discovered while testing the new mega-phone of Apple.

Taken at XS

The first time I held the XS when it was dark, without electricity and without light, it was not bigger than the X.

After all, the X was actually not as big as previous larger models thanks to a smart screen that moved from end to end, allowing Apple to reduce the "bevel" around the display and therefore reduce the device.

When I turned on my new phone, the difference was clear and obvious: everything was basically a little bigger. The icons are bigger, the keyboard is easier to type and the videos are great on a big screen.

Personally, I think the big screen is desirable and useful, especially since smartphones are now the main gadget used by users.

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The iPhone XS is available in three colors, including silver gray and the usual space, as well as a slightly riskier option.

When I heard for the first time that the iPhone XS was going to come in gold, I was a little nervous. I am told that the British and the Europeans do not tend to adopt this rather impetuous tone, preferring more subtle nuances.

I've always found the phones a little bit glaring, pantyhose and exaggerated, though I'd rather like the pinkish, autumnal hue of the sunset than an iPhone 8 "Rose Gold" that I'd found. I tried last year.

Despite my reluctance, I found that the gold iPhone that I had seen was really very appealing. It has a muted bronze tone that is like a darker version of the color you expect to see on a pair of "nude" women's shoes, with the band that surrounds the device a nice piece of coppery metal .

It's really very pretty.

Is the iPhone sexist?

Apple is one of those companies that demonstrates a public desire to promote diversity.

Last year, when I met Apple boss Tim Cook, diversity was one of the core values ​​that he had repeatedly mentioned because he believed that it stimulated business and creativity.

Despite this, feminist Caroline Criado-Perez, still offended, said the big iPhones were sexist because they were too big for women's hands.

Now, I am a white man and I know very well that some people think that means that my opinion must be totally ignored. Nevertheless, I tried to find something sexist about the iPhone XS, but I did not do it.

Apple has been working hard on the dual lens camera on the XS, which now includes faster sensors and "advanced algorithms" that will improve the automatic look of your photos.

It uses the "neural engine" of the A12 Bionic chip to apply artificial intelligence to your photos, which means that multiple clicks are made each time you click the shutter, which are then automatically combined to give a great photo.

This is ideal for taking moving pictures as well as anything that requires a high level of detail or a scene that has complex contrasts between light and shadow.

The Apple chip can perform five trillion operations per second, which means that this very complex process goes on without you knowing it.

I am also a fan of the new portrait mode, which uses a technique for "bokeh" to artificially scramble the background. You can now apply this after taking a picture, rather than having to select portrait mode before taking a picture.

If I am picky, I would say that all digital jiggery-pokery can make the photos of the iPhone XS a bit false, but it will depend on your tastes.

This is definitely the best camera installed on an iPhone.

L & # 39; gold standard

The elephant in the room with the iPhone XS Max is the price, which starts at £ 1,099 and climbs to £ 1,449 for the fully equipped bad boy model. The XS costs £ 999, the same price as last year.

I think that's a lot of money for a phone, especially because it's not exactly a device designed to last forever.

After five years, Apple no longer offers iOS updates for iPhones, which means that your expensive gadget is an old story. And if it lasts that long because life is much harder on phones than on Macbooks or iPads – both can be purchased easily at the same price as an XS.

That said, Apple devices retain their value. If you buy an XS or XS Max when it comes out this week, you can sell it between one-half and two-thirds of its value when you upgrade it next year.

If you have enough money to buy an XS, I'd say it's a good idea to shell out an extra $ 100 for the biggest Max because it offers an unparalleled experience with other Apple phones.

Conclusion

There is no doubt that it is the best iPhone ever made by Apple. That was always the case because the tech giant does not make fun of upgrading its products. If the XS went to the trash, it would probably not be marketed.

The larger screen makes it more useful and enjoyable to use. It's great for travelers, gamers, and anyone else who uses their phone to watch movies, watch photos, read newspapers, or consume content of any kind.

If you had an X, the power of the XS is welcome, but maybe not impressive.

But if your phone is older, you'll notice a huge improvement if you decide to buy one of Apple's new gadgets. This is a mega-phone that will face all your desires for years to come.

Unfortunately, the XS is expensive and I would certainly think before going out more than a big price, especially when the next "affordable" iPhone at 749 € XR, which offers FaceID, will offer many of the same innovations as its bigger siblings .

The XS Max is another product of the Apple Gold Medal. But excellence has a price. You have to ask yourself if you are willing to pay.