iPhone XS vs iPhone XS Max: What’s the Difference

BY Rajesh Pandey

Published 12 Sep 2018

iPhone Xs vs iPhone Xs Max: What's the Difference

Apple has a new addition to its iPhone lineup this year: the iPhone Xs Max. It replaces the company’s Plus-sized iPhones and comes with a gigantic 6.5-inch OLED screen. However, what are the other differences between the iPhone Xs and iPhone Xs Max?

What’s the difference between iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max?

What separates the iPhone Xs from the iPhone Xs Max? Let’s find out in our comparison.

Just like Apple’s Plus models of the past, the iPhone Xs and iPhone Xs Max differ from each other in three key aspects: display size, dimensions, and battery.

Display

  • iPhone XS – 5.8-inch True Tone OLED, 2436 x 1125 pixels (458 ppi), 3D Touch, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 3D Touch
  • iPhone XS Max – 6.5-inch True Tone OLED, 2688 x 1242 pixels (458 ppi), 3D Touch, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 3D Touch

The iPhone Xs Max has the exact same display as the iPhone Xs except that it is bigger by 0.7-inches. While the display does sport a slightly higher resolution, it has the same pixel density as the smaller iPhone Xs. Both phones make use of great OLED panels which support Dolby Vision and HDR 10.

Read: iPhone Xs vs iPhone X: What’s the Difference

Dimensions

  • iPhone XS – 143.6 x 70.9 x 7.7 mm and 177g, IP68 certified
  • iPhone XS Max – 157.5 x 77.4 x 7.7 mm and 208g, IP68 certified

The side effect of a bigger display on the iPhone Xs Max is that it is also bigger and heavier than the iPhone Xs. While the iPhone Xs Max is taller and wider than the iPhone Xs, it has the same thickness as it. The bigger size also makes the iPhone Xs Max 31gms heavier than its smaller brother. Both handsets are IP68 certified making them dust and water-resistant in 2m depth for up to 30 minutes.

Battery

  • iPhone XS – Lasts up to 30 minutes longer than the iPhone X
  • iPhone XS Max – Lasts up to 90 minutes longer than the iPhone X

Since the iPhone XS Max comes with a bigger battery than the iPhone Xs, it also lasts longer than its smaller sibling in most tasks. While the iPhone Xs offers 12 hours of internet use, 14 hours of video playback, and 20 hours of talk time, the iPhone Xs Max offers 13 hours, 15 hours, and 25 hours, respectively.

Both phones also come with wired fast charging and 7.5W wireless charging.

Price

  • iPhone XS – Starts from $999
  • iPhone XS Max – Starts from $1,099

The bigger display and battery means the iPhone Xs Max carries a higher price tag than the iPhone Xs. Thankfully, Apple is only charging a $100 premium for the iPhone Xs Max when compared to the base variant of the iPhone Xs. This means that while the base variant of the iPhone Xs costs $999, the iPhone Xs Max can be had for $1,099. The same stands true for the higher storage variants of both devices.


In every other aspect like the camera, design, Face ID, or connectivity, the iPhone Xs and iPhone Xs Max are the exact same. Both handsets go up for pre-order on September 14 and hit the shelves next week on September 21.

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