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Every year, Apple CEO Tim Cook calls the next generation iPhones the best ever made.
The company's 2018 lineup, especially the iPhone XS and XS Max, delivers on its promise: they are the smartest, fastest, and best iPhones we've ever seen.
But at this point, buying an updated iPhone is like getting a new Ferrari – you'll find a faster engine, a new coat of paint and some new whistles. could have bought last year. And like this new Ferrari, these new iPhones will cost you dearly.
The 5.8-inch iPhone XS, due to arrive in stores Friday, starts at $ 999. His big sister 6.5 inches, the iPhone XS Max, which launches the same day, costs 100 dollars more. Do you want the Max, with 512 GB of storage? It will cost you $ 1,449. (The affordable iPhone XR ($ 799) ships next month.)
All of this is expensive for a substantially incremental upgrade, especially now that the upgrade is not always necessary, as iPhones withstand much better than before.
This does not mean that you should not buy one. The XS and XS Max are interesting upgrades with awesome features. Whether or not you choose a model is up to your needs and, more importantly, your budget.
Note: If you have read this as "X" S and "X" Max, tell your eyes to stop. It is the iPhone 10S and 10S Max. Do not worry, we also said that it was fake all week.
What to expect with iPhone XS and XS Max
The internal components of the iPhone XS and the iPhone XS Max are almost identical: with each one you get a 12 megapixel camera, better quality speakers and the ability to pack two SIM cards in one device. switch between a device for work and one for personal use.
The phones come with Apple's new A12 bionic chip, which powers complex augmented reality applications and speeds up the loading of face IDs and games. Apple has accelerated the speed of these new phones during the announcement of the product and they are fast. But the models before them too.
Both models have beautiful OLED screens that allow you to watch videos, especially on the XS Max, totally immersive.
The life of the battery is also improved on both devices. Apple (AAPL) says that you can earn about 30 more minutes on the XS compared to X from last year and 90 more minutes on the Max. This is not a game change, but we will take all the extra minutes we can get.
There is one major difference between the iPhone XS and XS Max: the size. The Max is undeniably big, but technically it is the same size as the iPhone 8 Plus. The edge-to-edge screen creates the illusion that the device itself is 21% larger than its predecessor, but it's just as easy for you (or not) as the older Plus models.
But it's hard to get rid of the impression that the device is big to be fat. Contrary to Samsung (SSNLF) Galaxy Note or the iPad, the XS Max does not support many features suitable for larger screens, like another row of applications or a side-by-side display that allows you to use two applications at a time. This is a missed opportunity.
The real star of the new models is the camera. A new feature called Smart HDR takes a buffer of four images taken at different exposures and settings and merges them to create more detailed shots, similar to an existing Google Pixel 2 feature.
But the favorite feature of the fans is the portrait mode of the iPhone, which allows you to change the depth of a photo after you have taken, allowing you to have more control creative. For example, you can take a picture of a friend on a beach and blur the background for an artistic sensation. If you later decide to see more of the ocean, you can adjust the background via the Edit button.
It's an awesome feature, but the results also depend on your photo skills and lighting. When it's good, it's really good. If this is not the case, you will always get a picture with a decent air. The Pixel 2 and the Samsung Galaxy S9 also offer similar functionality.
The XS and XS Max come with a wireless headset, but unlike last year, you will not find an adapter in the box. This means that you will have to spend $ 9 more for a dongle if you want to use an old headset. That's the way Apple says it's finally time to overcome the fact that there's more headphone jack.
Should you buy an iPhone XS or XS Max?
It can be difficult to consider spending nearly a dollar or more on a new iPhone. Although Apple has quietly abandoned some of its low-cost devices, including the iPhone 6S, the iPhone SE and the iPhone X, it still sells two older models – iPhone 7 ( $ 449) and iPhone 8 ($ 599), if you want a replacement device without failing the XS line.
If you are not in the market for another iPhone, can not afford it, or simply can not afford to spend money, consider upgrading your existing software to iOS 12 so that it becomes new again. Try the brand new Screen Time tool, which tells you how obsessed you are with your iPhone. (It took me less than two hours to realize that I was getting too much access to apps like Instagram.) The feature also allows you to set timers for the duration of use of certain apps.
But all the features of iOS 12 do not translate into old models. Memoji, an emoji cartoon that you can customize to look like you, requires users to access an iPhone with face ID to create one and send it to a friend.
If you are on the fence, consider the iPhone XS or XS Max as a multi-year investment. After all, we are moving away from the two-year replacement cycle because these devices are more durable. This is a big reason why Apple can justify the higher price tags.
And it is precisely for this reason that so many Apple users will inevitably justify the price.
CNNMoney (New York) First published on September 19, 2018: 1:25 pm ET
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